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  • MIL-OSI Global: Why The Rock beats politicians for trust and leadership – and what would-be rulers can learn

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Carl Senior, Reader in Behavioural Sciences, Aston University

    Celebrities can have huge influence and reach enormous audiences. That’s why Kamala Harris was happy to recently gain the endorsement of musician Taylor Swift.

    Due to their media attention and massive fan bases, some Hollywood stars and musicians can appear more powerful than traditional politicians. And these perceptions of influence may also translate into actual impact.

    Indeed, some celebrities have taken up causes, using their fame to overtly push for change (for instance, Bob Geldof and Princess Diana). Others endorse politicians, or successfully run for office themselves (for instance, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan).

    While it may seem like celebrities who pivot to politics are able to trade on their pre-existing notoriety, few celebrities are well known beyond their fan bases and many people would expect them to lack the gravitas of world leaders.

    However, results of our recent exploratory study conducted in the UK shows that at least one celebrity, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, stands out. He achieved public recognition, leadership and trust ratings as high as the most well-known politicians.

    Indeed, our study found that The Rock’s recognition was on par with the Nobel prize-winning, two-term US president Barack Obama. He was also considered more trustworthy than many politicians.

    In the study, we invited 251 participants to evaluate the faces of 40 seasoned politicians and celebrities to assess their leadership potential and perceived personality traits.

    Only six of the faces had close to universal recognition. Former US presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson scored 90% or above. By contrast, US president Joe Biden and Russian president Vladimir Putin were each recognised by 80%.

    Interestingly, The Rock was also judged to be more considerate, competent, credible, intelligent and trustworthy than most politicians.

    When asked to indicate how strongly participants felt about each figure’s leadership potential, the results were surprising. Biden scored 64%, higher than Putin’s 56%, which was in turn higher than Trump and Boris Johnson who both received 42%.

    But a much larger percentage, 72%, rated The Rock as a strong leader, only bettered by Obama’s score of 87%. In our statistical models, two key personality traits, competency and credibility, predicted The Rock’s perceived potential as a national leader.

    The Rock’s fame, stemming from his wrestling career persona, television presence, and Hollywood stardom, seem to demonstrate the impact of a well-maintained media image. His expertise in wrestling’s “kayfabe” style of performance (a dramatic wrestling style that is presented as genuine) has greatly boosted his public persona as an authentic “nice guy”.

    This early experience, and a strong screen presence, is likely to have contributed to leadership scores similar to Obama. Here it seems that The Rock’s heavily cultivated media personality has translated into perceptions of effective leadership.

    This idea connects with the theory of mediated authenticity , which suggests that positive perceptions arise when audiences view media figures in a favourable light. The Rock’s wrestling persona has allowed him to build a connection to his fans and he seems to have developed this further with his Hollywood roles.

    What can Trump and Harris learn?

    Politicians must also connect with the public. Boris Johnson, for example, did well in the 2019 UK election because he knew how to connect and leveraged this ability to his advantage.

    However, leaders also need to be seen as knowledgeable and trustworthy to make an enduring positive difference.

    The Rock was asked about political ambitions.

    Some theorists of power argue that social influence derives from being well-liked, not just being famous. Of course, The Rock is famous for his nice guy image, along with his movie catalogue and perpetually perfect physique. His perceived leadership potential could come from being both popular and seen as a good role model.

    The Rock’s potential has been spotted by political parties. He describes himself as an independent and back in 2023 he revealed that he had been approached by multiple political parties about possibly running for office.

    Can you be a ‘nice’ populist?

    The last few years has seen the rise of numerous political leaders around the world, who have been labelled with the term “populist”. Leading figures on this list include Trump, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and Boris Johnson. However, these leaders tend not to be highly trusted.

    The erosion of trust in politicians and political systems is a significant issue that can lead to decreased engagement with the democratic process, regardless of political level. This ultimately results in a civic structure that fails to represent the people it is meant to serve.

    With the US presidential election just weeks away, and still virtually tied, political strategists for both of the major parties must confront a key question: how much trust does each candidate have from the public?

    Like it or not, The Rock’s wrestling persona relied on building a genuine connection with fans through his kayfabe-style performance, and his friendly image. The careful cultivation of this has given him enduring popularity and, as an unintended consequence of that performance, leadership appeal on the national stage.

    When you are perceived as being a genuinely nice leader, our early research suggests, trust will follow. Something that more politicians clearly need to understand.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why The Rock beats politicians for trust and leadership – and what would-be rulers can learn – https://theconversation.com/why-the-rock-beats-politicians-for-trust-and-leadership-and-what-would-be-rulers-can-learn-236987

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel-Iran and the nine stages of how conflicts can escalate and get out of control

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matthew Powell, Teaching Fellow in Strategic and Air Power Studies, University of Portsmouth

    Andy.LIU/Shutterstock

    Tensions are running high in the Middle East. The murderous attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 2023 kicked off a spiral of violence in the region. That has culminated, a year later, in Israel mounting a ground invasion of Lebanon. The invasion, which Israel says aims to confront and destroy Hezbollah, follows 12 months of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran, which have gradually escalated in intensity.

    Given that Hezbollah is closely associated and supported by Iran, there is mounting concern that this conflict could become a major flashpoint in international relations. The worry is that this war might provide the spark that causes the next global conflict.

    To understand how dangerous the situation could be, it’s worth looking at the theory of conflict escalation. In 1997, Austrian economist Friedrich Glasl published his nine-stage model of conflict escalation, which is generally accepted as the most sophisticated study of how conflicts can develop from disputes to all-out conflict (a step he gives the rather ominous name of “Together into the abyss”).

    Nine stages of confict escalation.
    Graphic by Swinnall, original from Sampi. Derived from: Konflikteskalation nach Glasl.svg, CC BY-NC

    The first level is when a conflict is readily or easily resolved, but when a resolution is not achieved, positions on either side of the argument harden and frustration begin to mount. The next step naturally occurs when conflict parties seek to make their case, hoping to gain advantage in the court of global opinion.

    Stage three of the model sees the adversaries beginning to take action. Neither side wants to yield advantage to the other, while any sense that discussion might mitigate the conflict has disappeared in mutual antagonism and mistrust. Accordingly at stage four, the conflict parties resort to an “us v them” rhetoric in an attempt to build coalitions and attract support. Stage five, described as “loss of face”, is when one or other of the antagonists feels they have become tarnished in the eyes of the community as a whole. Reputation no longer matters as much as achieving their ends. Sometimes one side or the other commits an act that it feels has isolated it, which only serves to harden it position.

    In stage six, threats or ultimatums are issued. This can lead to hostilities spiralling as the conflict parties seek credibility by putting a timescale on a threat, which in turn will heighten the pressure on both sides. This can also bind another of the warring parties to a course of action from where there is little opportunity to retreat. This facilitates the move to stage seven, where the antagonists begin to trade the first limited blows in response to the threats they have made.

    The world is watching the US election campaign unfolding. Sign up to join us at a special Conversation event on October 17. Expert panellists will discuss with the audience the upcoming election and its possible fallout.

    In stage eight, the offensive blows intensify, with the focus on trying to injure – or even destroy – the adversary’s capacity for response or call into question the legitimacy of the other side’s leader. Often this can lead to one or another of the parties fragmenting into warring factions, making the situation increasingly uncontrollable.

    As the conflict hurtles into stage nine, the threat to one or another of the parties has become existential, who are now falling “together into the abyss”. All sense of caution is abandoned as the only goal is the total annihilation of the adversary. A state of total war.

    What stage are we at?

    After years of animosity and denunciation on both sides, the conflict between Israel and Iran has now progressed to the stage that both sides have exchanged limited blows against each other. Reports have linked Iran to the planning of the Hamas attack on October 7. Tehran has recently denied having any part in the massacre. Hezbollah, which is more closely linked to the Islamic Republic, has carried out a year-long barrage of rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel. In response, Israel has now directly struck against Iran’s proxy, invading southern Lebanon to engage and attempt to destroy Hezbollah.

    Both sides clearly want to demonstrate their power and influence in the region. But the stakes could rise if Iran feels an urgent need to protect its proxies. For Israel, its leaders have long argued that its very existence is at stake.

    In terms of Glasl’s stages of escalation, the two countries appear to have reached stage seven, where they are launching limited blows against each other while avoiding direct confrontation. Both want to make their adversary consider whether the cost of continuing is worth the potential rewards that can be gained.

    Iran’s air attacks on Israel suggest that while Iran can see that its regional position is being threatened and is still seeking to support the non-state actors in Gaza and Lebanon, the way in which they have conducted their attacks suggest that Tehran does not feel itself powerful enough to escalate further than it already has.

    The only direct blows the two powers have launched against each other have been from the air. Iran has now launched two (large) barrages of rockets against Israel, one in April this year and again at the end of September. Both bombardments were announced in advance and neither has resulted in Israeli casualties.

    Israel responded in April with a targeted strike against an Iranian airbase close to one of the country’s nuclear installations. It has yet to directly respond to the latest Iranian barrage, but Netanyahu has said Israel would target Iran’s military installations “based on Israel’s national security needs”.

    Analysts believe that both sides – so far at least – are using these limited strikes to signal their unwillingness to escalate. But there is a great deal at stake. Iran will feel its position as a regional power threatened by Israel’s ground campaign in Lebanon. Meanwhile Israel has repeatedly declared that it is fighting for the security of its people. Neither appears to want a wider conflict – and their allies certainly wouldn’t encourage them if they did.

    So it’s clear that – up to now at least – neither Israel nor Iran wants to venture any further down the road to “the abyss” as envisaged by Glasl’s nine-stage model.

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

    – ref. Israel-Iran and the nine stages of how conflicts can escalate and get out of control – https://theconversation.com/israel-iran-and-the-nine-stages-of-how-conflicts-can-escalate-and-get-out-of-control-240566

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Newly Signed Settlement Agreement will Expand Service Eligibility for First Nations Children Living on Reserve

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Manitoba government has reached a settlement agreement with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and the family of Alfred (Dewey) Pruden to mark the end of eligibility restrictions for Children’s disABILITY Services and home care for First Nations children residing on reserve, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Karen Sharma, executive director, Manitoba Human Rights Commission, announced today.

    “We believe that who you are and where you live shouldn’t affect your ability to access the provincial services to which you’re entitled,” said Fontaine. “Our government welcomes the requirements set out in the Sumner-Pruden settlement agreement and looks forward to working with First Nations to implement these important changes.”

    In 2010, Pruden’s family filed a complaint with the MHRC alleging the Manitoba government discriminated against him when he was a child living on reserve by denying the provincial disability-related services he needed. In 2020, an adjudicator found the Manitoba government had discriminated against the Sumner-Pruden family by denying, delaying or interrupting services offered to neighbouring non-First Nation communities. However, the adjudicator’s decision only applied to Pruden and not all First Nation children on reserve. This led to a court challenge to the decision, which is now resolved by this settlement.

    “Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of children in our province,” said Asagwara. “This historic settlement will lead to lasting system-wide improvements that will ensure First Nations children, like all children across Manitoba, can have access to the health and social services they need to live their lives to the fullest.”

    “It’s been a long journey to finally obtain a resolution to our human rights complaint,” said Harriet Sumner-Pruden (Kapimashid Migiziiquay, Flying Eagle Woman), Pruden’s mother. “I filed my son Dewey’s complaint in 2010 when he was eight years old and he is now 22 years old. I am overwhelmed with relief that after this 14-year journey, Dewey’s human rights case has finally come to a resolution that will lead to positive change for all First Nations children with disabilities in Manitoba.”

    The Manitoba government, the MHRC and the Sumner-Pruden family have reached a settlement with two main commitments requiring the province to:

    “We believe that this settlement is an important step forward in advancing the equality rights of First Nation children in Manitoba,” said Sharma. “We commend the diligence and perseverance of Dewey Pruden and his mother Harriet Sumner-Pruden in making this human rights complaint and in protecting the human rights of First Nations children in Manitoba.”

    To the signatories, the agreement represents an important milestone in ensuring First Nations children residing on reserve have equitable access to services as compared to children in Manitoba who reside off reserve, the ministers noted. It also acknowledges First Nations children with disabilities have the right to inclusion and First Nations have the right to self-determination in the delivery of services to First Nations.

    The Province of Manitoba is issuing this news release on behalf of the
    Manitoba Human Rights Commission and the Manitoba government.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Narrowing the Digital Divide: Households with broadband, laptops and desktops rising

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Narrowing the Digital Divide: Households with broadband, laptops and desktops rising

    Today, we’re launching a refresh of the Microsoft Digital Equity Data Dashboard with current data from the FCC, the United States Census Bureau, Code.org, Broadband Now, and Microsoft to help federal, state, and local policymakers gain a better understanding of the factors contributing to the digital divide in communities across the United States. Originally launched in 2022 as part of our Airband Initiative, the dashboard provides critical data to help understand broadband gaps at the local level, allowing these decision makers to anchor their policies and programs in data and maximize investments in areas of highest need.  

    Today’s update allows tracking of historical broadband data to analyze trends and progress being made as a result of government and private sector investments. This includes the new data from the dashboard, which shows that all states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, saw an increase in the number of households with broadband connections as well as an increase in the number of households with laptops or desktops. The greatest changes were in households earning less than $20,000. These households saw an average increase of over 10.8 percentage points in internet connectivity compared to previous metrics, meaning there are nearly 325,000 more households connected in this group. 

    We’ve long held the belief in the value of data, and this dashboard refresh is the latest step in our ongoing journey to help close the digital divide around the world. 

    Bridging the Rural Broadband Gap in the United States 

    In 2017, we launched the Microsoft Airband Initiative with a clear mission: to bridge the significant rural broadband gap in the United States. That year, government data showed that at least 23.4 million people across the United States did not have access to reliable high-speed internet, and this lack of access created significant barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. At the same time, it’s been shown that increasing access and usage of broadband in rural areas leads to higher property values, increased job and population growth, increased entrepreneurship, and lower unemployment rates. This stark reality illustrated by this data highlighted the urgent need for action to bridge the digital divide.  

    We set out to help solve the problem by bringing private sector investment and innovative technologies together with advocacy for regulatory support and financial frameworks to increase connectivity. Over the years, we have tried different approaches to bridging the digital divide, and we’ve learned a lot. We initially focused on TV White Spaces, believing this unique technology would extend reliable and affordable broadband to rural areas. As time went on, we determined that to make a tangible impact in rural communities, we couldn’t rely on specific technology, so we shifted to a technology neutral approach. Today, our partners are leveraging fiber, fixed wireless, satellite, and other disruptive technologies to drive broad networks deeper into rural areas. As a result, our partners have extended coverage to over 7.4 million people in rural communities across 41 states and territories in the United States.   

    But technology alone was not a solution. High costs, the absence of new and alternative technologies, and market and regulatory conditions all hampered efforts. The economic impact was substantial, not only hindering individual progress but also stifling the overall development of rural areas. So, we also used our corporate voice and joined forces with others to directly advocate for Congress to deploy targeted funding to combat the digital divide.  

    Targeted Funding to Combat the Digital Divide 

    In the U.S., none of the progress we’ve seen would be possible, without the vision of the U.S. Congress to proactively and significantly invest in broadband infrastructure programs. Our experiences since 2017 have made it clear that these government investments are necessary to drive deep impact. Bipartisan investments in digital infrastructure and inclusion through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) were a huge step forward in our journey to close the digital divide in the United States.  

    As a result of these government investments and public private partnerships, our internet service provider partners in the U.S. have received more than $725 million in government infrastructure funding awards to accelerate network expansion and drive broadband adoption across the country, with approximately 80% going to rural communities.  

    An example includes Microsoft partner, Nextlink Internet, which is leveraging government investment and partnership to bring meaningful connectivity to rural communities in the Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast regions of the United States. Federal infrastructure funding enabled Nextlink to extend their seven-state footprint to 11 states in total: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.   

    Looking Forward Globally with a Clear Vision 

    Outside of the United States, our global partnerships have brought coverage to nearly 100 million previously unserved and underserved people. Internationally, we’re also seeing success from similar models of participating in government infrastructure programs, with the U.S. government leading the way. This includes significant investments and leadership from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via the Digital Invest program and the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (Wi-DEF), as well as the United States Trade and Development Agency’s (USTDA) Digital Transformation with Africa initiative.  

    These partnerships have also enabled digital infrastructure and off-grid energy in unserved and underserved communities around the world. In Nigeria, for instance, providers like Tizeti are leveraging government investments to bring connectivity to schools, health clinics, and community anchor institutions. And communities are experiencing improved outcomes in education and healthcare as a result. If connectivity alone has enabled these outcomes, imagine what additional innovation AI could unlock. 

    But there are still 2.6 billion people who remain offline. Limited internet can exacerbate economic inequalities and inhibit access to social services, civic activities, and online learning resources. In places where we’re using AI to map global populations in real-time, we can provide early warnings that allow communities to better plan disaster recovery during times of crisis. Communities that remain offline do not get these early warnings and cannot act on them. As AI becomes more prevalent, communities that remain offline will not be able to fully access the benefits of this new technology. 

    To continue momentum, we are looking to the lessons we learned in the U.S. We must scale innovative technologies, expand connectivity and energy access, and leverage strategic partnerships. Governments, financial institutions, philanthropic institutions, and the private sector must come together to address critical financing barriers, invest in development finance, and expand digital infrastructure. 

    We’ve committed to reaching 250 million people with meaningful connectivity by the end of next year. Today, we’re calling for continued support and collaboration from all sectors to ensure no one is left behind. We call on all stakeholders to join us in this mission. 

    • Governments must create enabling regulatory environments that prioritize funding for digital infrastructure and support quick and efficient allocation of funding by federal, state, and local entities. 
    • The private sector must invest in innovative technologies and business models. 
    • Philanthropic organizations must continue to advocate for digital inclusion and develop initiatives anchored in the local community. 

    The journey to close the digital divide is a long one. Building out infrastructure takes time. It’ll take time for us to see some of the direct results of this work, but there is room for optimism. We are extremely grateful for the leadership and vision of the United States government, which is laying a blueprint for other countries to follow, as well as state and local leaders working to ensure these programs are successful. We encourage all policymakers to proceed efficiently so the benefits of these investments reach local communities sooner rather than later.  

    With continued collaboration and commitment, we can use the power of data, technology, and partnership to achieve our ambitious goals. We’re dedicated to making a lasting impact, and we are excited about the future. Let’s come together to bring the power of digital connectivity and transformation to people around the world. 

    Tags: Airband initiative, broadband, broadband access, connectivity, digital access, digital divide, digital inequity, Digital Inequity Dashboard, Internet access, rural broadband

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 30 September and 1 October 2024

    Source: Central Bank of Iceland

    In accordance with the Monetary Policy Committee Rules of Procedure, the minutes of the Committee’s most recent meeting have been published on the Bank’s website. The minutes are published two weeks after the announcement of the Committee‘s decision.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — Impaired drivers arrested by RCMP Traffic Services during Operation Impact

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    During Operation Impact, from October 11-14, 2024, RCMP NL’s Traffic Services Units arrested multiple impaired drivers and ticketed a number of motorists for various traffic offences.

    RCMP Traffic Services Units from East, Central, West and Labrador participated in Operation Impact, an annual 4-day traffic enforcement initiative that occurs over the Thanksgiving long weekend. Operation Impact focusses on the enforcement of impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and those not wearing a seat belt.

    A total of five drivers were arrested for impaired driving offences, including impairment by alcohol and impairment by drugs. One motorist received a roadside licence suspension for having a blood alcohol concentration that was above the provincial limit but below the criminal threshold. Where appropriate to do so, drivers were released from custody with future court dates to face charges of impaired operation, were issued licence suspensions and their vehicles were seized and impounded.

    During this time frame, 15 check points were conducted in various areas of the province with more than 1600 vehicles checked.

    Road safety should be of priority to all motorists throughout the year. Driving with due care and attention for yourself and all others who share the roadway is always the best decision. RCMP NL’s Traffic Services remains dedicated to the enforcement of those who place others at unnecessary risk on roadways throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RM of Rockwood — Stonewall RCMP respond to fatal collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 15, 2024, at approximately 5:25 pm, Stonewall RCMP received a report of a SUV travelling northbound in the southbound lane of Highway 7 at Stony Mountain and it appeared a collision had occurred. A Stonewall RCMP officer was on scene in under five minutes and found the SUV had collided with a pickup truck on Highway 7, about half a kilometer north of Road 73 North.

    The SUV was on fire and the driver and lone occupant was deceased. The deceased has not yet been identified.

    The driver and lone occupant of the pickup, a 36-year-old male from Teulon, was removed from the vehicle and officers provided CPR. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.

    A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist attended the scene and is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood visits Morocco

    Source: NATO

    NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, travelled to the Kingdom of Morocco on 15 October 2024 for his second visit to the region in this new capacity. He met with high-level officials to discuss the further development of the NATO-Morocco partnership and other issues of mutual interest.

    “Morocco is an important country in North Africa and the Middle East and a valuable interlocutor for NATO on security issues, particularly in the field of counter-terrorism,” the Special Representative said. Noting that Morocco is the first among the partners within NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue to conclude an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme of practical cooperation with the Alliance, Mr. Colomina highlighted the importance of the cooperation. “Morocco has always been an important contributor to peace and international security, particularly through its contributions to various missions and operations carried out by NATO,” he explained.

    “Our partnership is based on shared values and challenges,” he added, “and given the challenges that the region is facing – in particular, instability in the Sahel but also in the Middle East –  we need to cooperate even more closely and with more determination in support of international peace and mutual security.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Fifth U.S. Navy DDG Homeport Shifts to Rota, Spain

    Source: United States Navy

    The arrival of Oscar Austin expands U.S. Navy capabilities in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility. Oscar Austin is now assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 / Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65 and U.S. 6th Fleet.

    “USS Oscar Austin’s arrival to Naval Station Rota strengthens our commitment to maintaining a forward presence in Europe,” said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “The addition of this ship to our forces in the region provides our Allies with an added layer of security and assurance, and serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring partnership between the United States and Spain.”

    Modernized with the latest Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) upgrade, USS Oscar Austin offers a key capability for the U.S., directly contributing to extended deterrence by providing Allies and partners protection against the threat of ballistic missile attack. The second U.S. Navy destroyer to shift its homeport to Naval Station Rota, scheduled to arrive in 2026, also has the latest Aegis BMD upgrade.

    “Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are true multi-mission ships, capable of providing maritime security, conducting anti-air and anti-submarine warfare, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said Capt. Alex Mamikonian, commodore, DESRON 60 and CTF 65. “Bringing USS Oscar Austin to Spain enhances our ability to maintain ready and postured forces to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment.”

    Oscar Austin departed Norfolk, Va. Sept. 30 to transit to Spain and assist in providing full coverage and protection for all NATO European populations, territories and forces against the increasing threats posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

    The initial decision to base destroyers out of Spain is part of the U.S. European Phased Adaptive Approach announced by President Obama in 2009. Since its announcement, the U.S. has broadened its Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capabilities in theater including increasing FDNF-E from four to six and the finalization of the second Aegis Ashore site in Poland.

    Oscar Austin is the first Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and proudly bears the name of Pfc. Oscar P. Austin, United States Marine Corps. Oscar Austin was commissioned on August 19, 2000, in Norfolk, Va. Oscar Austin is ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare capable. The ship can embark two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to assist in anti-submarine and other warfare areas. Destroyers can work with Carrier Strike Groups, Surface Action Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups or independently.

    U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: First European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit – Joint Statement

    Source: Council of the European Union

    Leaders of the Member States of the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held their first summit on 16 October 2024 in Brussels under the theme “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity” to celebrate the deepening cooperation between the two blocs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Agencies Working Together in Multimillion-Dollar Mission to Remove Debris in Virginia

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Federal Agencies Working Together in Multimillion-Dollar Mission to Remove Debris in Virginia

    Federal Agencies Working Together in Multimillion-Dollar Mission to Remove Debris in Virginia

    BRISTOL, Va.— Tropical Storm Helene devastated communities throughout southwestern Virginia. Since then, federal agencies have been working with Commonwealth and local partners to address communities’ needs and help individuals on their journey to recovery. At the request of the Commonwealth, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a multimillion-dollar commitment dedicated to removal of debris in and around Claytor Lake State Park and the South Holston Lake Area, which were impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.

    Alongside rain, tornados, wind and flooding, Tropical Storm Helene left debris on land and in waterways. Lakes in Virginia are a source of drinking water, provide power through hydropower dams, serve as recreation sites for boating and fishing and support many species of wildlife. 

    A significant amount of debris, including woody debris, boats, propane and fuel tanks, and pieces of structures litter Claytor Lake State Park and the South Holston Lake Area, threatening critical functions of the parks and waterways. Boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing are not currently possible at Claytor Lake State Park because of debris in the water and on the park shoreline.

    Debris in Claytor Lake, Va., Oct. 9, 2024 Photo: FEMA. 

    Due to the extent of debris, the Commonwealth has requested support for debris removal. In support of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s request, as directed by and in coordination with FEMA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be removing debris from public property in the South Holston area and on Claytor Lake to reduce threats to public health and safety. 

    This is the largest debris mission in Virginia since 2003 and will last for over three months. “This debris mission shows the full federal family’s commitment to Virginia communities,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Pheil. “Recovery cannot be achieved alone, with one program or one agency. I am grateful to the Commonwealth and to our federal partners for responding to the needs of the whole community.” 

    The Army Corps of Engineers will be taking on the multimillion-dollar mission, which includes waterway debris removal for Claytor Lake and South Holston River at South Fork. USACE crews began land and water debris assessment Oct. 4, and continue providing assistance to the Virginia debris task force. The USACE contractor will mobilize and begin removing debris next week. USACE estimates the work could take about 120 days to complete.   

    The waterway debris removal presents unique challenges for the USACE team. Crews will operate heavy equipment from land and afloat on barges to collect the debris, moving it to land for sorting and disposal. USACE debris specialists estimate up to 300 acres of debris in the two waterways. 

    “Debris removal on the water is inherently more complex,” said Col. Sonny Avichal, commander of USACE’s Norfolk District, “and our first priority is ensuring the safety of the public and our teams. We’re working together toward the same goal, so we also want to make sure we’re talking with the communities frequently to share information and listen to concerns.”

    EPA’s first responders have been at the site assisting federal and state agencies since Sept. 29, and received federal approval to begin oil and hazardous material cleanup on Oct. 6. The EPA’s mission in the debris removal efforts includes assessing and cleaning up hazardous material, white goods, and oil across the entire impacted area to ensure human health and the environment is protected. 

    “A person’s safety is always our top priority, especially following a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We are incredibly proud of our first responders who are working tirelessly along with our local, state and federal partners to remove hazardous materials and protect drinking water that our communities depend on. We are committed to ensuring affected families in the Commonwealth have the support and resources they need to move forward.”

    EPA crews lay yellow horizontal boom which acts as a barrier that protects access to boat ramps and also collects debris and makes it more effective for crews to retrieve hazardous waste containers. Photo: EPA.
    FEMA and local officials surveying debris in Claytor Lake. Photo: FEMA. 

    The debris mission does not include private property. If residents have household hazardous materials or oil containers that were damaged by the storm, they can be brought to 919 S. Shady Avenue in Damascus, Va. seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find resources for residents and business owners, including tips for staying safe and information on agencies that can help here: 9 Ways to Stay Safe Cleaning Up Debris After a Disaster | FEMA.gov.

    For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA. 

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.

    To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

              

    erika.osullivan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Program to Keep Money in New Yorkers’ Pockets

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Public Service Commission approved a request by the New York Power Authority to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program to provide electric bill credits for low-income households in disadvantaged communities across the state. The new program stems from NYPA’s expanded authority to develop, own and operate renewable energy generating projects—either alone or in collaboration with other entities—granted in last year’s State Budget.

    “My administration remains steadfast in supporting that New York State remains an affordable place to live and do business,” Governor Hochul said. “The NYPA REACH program will help ensure that low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities will not be left behind as we make the critical transition to a clean-energy economy.”

    New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “The PSC fights every day to protect the interests of consumers, and the program approved today is one step in that fight. Authorizing the implementation of the REACH program allows NYPA to make progress toward the State’s clean energy goals and ensures low-income customers in disadvantaged communities have access to renewable energy and directly benefit from NYPA’s new program.”

    New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “REACH will directly benefit low-income electric ratepayers in disadvantaged communities using renewable generation from distributed energy sources in their communities or from large-scale renewable projects located throughout the state’s electric power grid. The bill credits will be funded from a portion of revenues from new renewable energy generation projects developed by NYPA and designated for REACH.”

    Today, the PSC established a regulatory framework to allow electric utilities to receive funds from the Power Authority to credit the electric bills of low-income ratepayers in disadvantaged communities. New York Power Authority (NYPA) had requested that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) adopt the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program utilizing the same structure as the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and as the Statewide Solar for All program, which Governor Hochul announced in this year’s State of the State and approved by the PSC earlier this year. The use of existing regulatory structures will lower costs for program administration and ultimately allow for more funds to be received by low-income ratepayers.

    To align with the implementation of the Statewide Solar for All program, the PSC directed that the electric utilities initially enroll EAP eligible low-income customers within disadvantaged communities, and as more resources come online, expand enrollment to all low-income and moderate-income customers, regardless of location to align with the implementation of the Statewide Solar for All program.

    NYPA will implement REACH with DPS Staff and the utilities according to the order, including arrangements to fund REACH bill credits as project revenues become available. Once the REACH framework is established, NYPA plans to confer with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to implement REACH within LIPA’s service territory.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: The main idea of the development strategy is to make Moscow the best city in the world

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Sergei Sobyanin met with students of the Science and Technology University, College and Educational Centre “Sirius”. The meeting was held in the “Atom” hall in Sochi. The Moscow Mayor spoke about new solutions in the sphere of improving the quality of life in cities using the example of the strategy for the development of the capital until 2040 and answered questions.

    According to the Mayor of Moscow, the main idea of the development strategy is to make the capital the best city in the world.

    “For our city to be the best, it must have the most powerful economy in our country, it must have the best opportunities for every person, the best urban environment, and it must be a global center of attraction that the whole world would know and strive to come to Moscow,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    The capital has a large-scale public transport infrastructure – underground, surface and water. Over the past 14 years, the city has built a large number of new metro stations, equal in number to those built throughout the history of Moscow. An above-ground metro has appeared – four Moscow Central Diameters, which allow you to get to the Moscow region and nearby areas. In addition, a decision has been made to build a high-speed railway (VSM-1) to St. Petersburg.

    “This is the President’s project, a high-speed railway (HSR) connecting St. Petersburg and Moscow, then Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh. I think that most of you live in one or another region where this project should come. This means that the entire country will be closer, travel options will be more comfortable, accessible, and the country will develop differently,” the Moscow Mayor emphasized.

    The new rail framework will become a powerful impetus for regional development. The HSR-1 (Moscow-St. Petersburg), the construction of which began in 2024, will cover more than 80 percent of the Russian population. The speed of trains will reach 400 kilometers per hour.

    More than a million trips have been made by passengers on electric ships since the beginning of the year110 carriages of the Ivolga 4.0 train will be launched on the MCD by the end of the year

    New centers of economic activity are being created in the capital. In addition to the historical center, there will be six more comparable in size. They will be located in abandoned depressed areas where a large number of transport highways intersect. Thus, all districts of Moscow will receive their own modern center for life, work and leisure.

    One such center of economic activity is “Yuzhny Port – Tekstilshchiki”It is being created as part of the world’s largest industrial zone reorganization project.

    The city is implementing a complex renovation program that has no analogues in the world. It includes 5,175 buildings. City residents are moving from outdated apartments to new, modern and comfortable ones. In 2024, housing was provided for the resettlement of more than 170 thousand Muscovites. In addition, as part of the renovation program, over 400 social facilities will be built and more than 200 thousand jobs will be created.

    Renovation program: about 75 percent of new residents took advantage of the city’s assistance when movingSergei Sobyanin: About 1.7 thousand capital courtyards were improved this year

    The capital is renewing its urban environment and creating comfortable public spaces. Moscow is developing not just residential areas, but complex districts with parks, squares and embankments where you can work and relax. They are becoming mini-cities with high-quality infrastructure, where there is everything necessary for life.

    The world’s largest monument restoration program is in effect in the capital. More than 2,100 of them were restored in 2011–2024. More than 150 more monuments are planned to be restored annually.

    “In total, more than two thousand monuments have been restored, are in very good condition and continue to serve Muscovites not only as monuments, but also as life, business, public and city organizations,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    Instead of old cultural centers, multifunctional recreation and entertainment centers are appearing in the city. The largest cinema park “Moskino” was built in TiNAO.

    The capital can be proud of its unique, accessible and best healthcare system in the world. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) helps to recognize diseases from CT, MRI and ultrasound images. With the help of AI, it will be possible to predict health problems for each resident and conduct preventive work. The average life expectancy in the capital is expected to approach 80 years.

    Digital technologies are also being implemented in the education system. The world’s largest project, the Moscow Electronic School, allows for the creation of a digital twin of each student and the personalization of their development trajectory. Secondary vocational education is being revived. The capital is dramatically improving its quality and doubling the number of colleges. 75 percent of vacancies on the labor market are for workers with this type of training.

    Moscow Mayor: Funds for school reconstruction included in draft budgetSobyanin: Budget expenditures on healthcare development will be increased by 8%

    The digital ecosystem is developing. Its 90 key projects cover all areas of city life, from public utilities to city services, transport, and education.

    The digital system of Moscow services is the best in the world according to the United Nations. The mos.ru portal offers 420 electronic services. They allow you to draw up documents and social benefits, pay bills, and transmit meter readings.

    A digital twin of a city is a project that helps to see its future for decades to come, plan development, design buildings, structures, engineering and social infrastructure, ensuring a comfortable life for Muscovites.

    The capital is becoming safer thanks to new technologies, artificial intelligence systems, video surveillance, and facial recognition. The crime rate in Moscow is one of the lowest among world cities.

    Sobyanin: The draft budget for 2025 includes the development of digital technologies

    The capital’s economic structure corresponds to the world level: it has a powerful industry, government services, transport, logistics, creative industry, etc. Labor productivity in Moscow is twice as high as the national average.

    “Well, Moscow ultimately occupies a worthy place among all the cities of the world in terms of economy, despite the fact that the largest financial centers of the world are ahead of us. Despite the sanctions, despite the sanctions war declared against us, despite the difficulties, the SVO and so on, Moscow today is one of the world leaders. It is very important that it maintains its leadership. It is the locomotive of the country’s development, and I hope that you will carry this flag further and develop our beautiful capital and wonderful Russia,” the Mayor of Moscow concluded.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11903050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The main challenge in digitalization is to fulfill the planned

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Grigorenko took part in the forum of innovative financial technologies Finopolis 2024 in Sochi

    Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko took part in the session “Digital technologies serving society: a new look at fintech and government services” as part of the Finopolis 2024 forum of innovative financial technologies in Sochi.

    He noted that Russia is currently integrated into the global IT space. This is proven by the fact that our country faces the same digitalization challenges as all other countries. The key tasks remain the development of data transmission and processing infrastructure, the introduction of artificial intelligence, information protection, overcoming regulatory barriers and adaptation to changes in consumer expectations.

    The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that these challenges concern both public and private institutions, including the banking sector.

    “We have designed a national project, “Data Economy”. This is the basis for work. But it is important to remember that plans alone will not lead to results. Therefore, the main challenge in digitalization is to implement everything planned,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    Today, the financial sector is helping to implement measures aimed at creating a safe digital space for citizens and businesses. In particular, together with the Bank of Russia, the Government is developing the architecture of a single anti-fraud platform. It is expected that it will ensure online interaction between government agencies, banks, telecom operators and digital platforms to combat telephone fraud. In addition, the platform will allow for the prompt identification and blocking of phishing sites, fraudsters’ phone numbers, as well as their accounts and cards, stolen accounts and suspicious transactions.

    Currently, the development of a legislative initiative to combat cyber fraud is also being discussed together with the banking sector. It is aimed at eliminating the current problem of fraud, when criminals issue microloans to third-party accounts or anonymous electronic wallets.

    It is assumed that the initiative will establish a ban on issuing microloans to third parties and will establish a requirement for the loan amount to be transferred exclusively to the borrower’s bank account. To open an account, the borrower will have to undergo an identification procedure – this can be done using biometrics or in person at the bank.

    Earlier, as part of the work to combat cyber fraud, the Government approved a procedure for self-prohibition on the issuance of consumer loans and microloans. The corresponding resolution has been signed.

    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/nevs/53011/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov took part in the opening of a customs and logistics terminal in Buryatia

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Denis Manturov took part in the opening of the Kyakhta customs and logistics terminal on the Russian-Mongolian border

    19 hours ago

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov took part in the opening of the new Kyakhta customs and logistics terminal on the Russian-Mongolian border via video link. The event was also attended by the head of Buryatia, Aleksey Tsydenov.

    “A modern, technologically advanced complex has been created for cargo handling, temporary storage, customs clearance of goods, radiation and phytosanitary control. The formed infrastructure will increase the efficiency of customs procedures when moving goods across the Russian-Mongolian border. We currently have 10 border crossings in this direction. Among them, the Kyakhta automobile checkpoint is one of the busiest. The new terminal will allow us to expand bottlenecks and increase throughput. This is especially important given the growing role of Asian countries in the global economy and the reorientation of significant volumes of our foreign trade to this direction. The counter flow of goods with the states of the eastern macroregion will continue to expand. Therefore, today’s event, we can safely say, contributes to the development of Russia’s foreign economic activity,” Denis Manturov noted.

    “The terminal that opens today in Kyakhta is the first and so far the only such facility. Kyakhta is the main checkpoint and communications hub between Russia and Mongolia. And the growing cargo flow is exactly what meets the task set by the President of increasing the throughput capacity of international transport corridors by one and a half times. The new infrastructure for handling cargo and handling vehicles creates all the necessary conditions for increasing throughput capacity,” said Alexey Tsydenov.

    The total area of the terminal is 188.8 thousand square meters. The customs control zone is designed to accommodate 80 trucks at a time. Temporary storage warehouses can accommodate up to 350 trucks. There are also two accredited laboratories on the territory of the terminal, which will allow checking the quality of supplied products and other goods. All this will increase throughput: clearance at the point will take no more than 10 minutes.

    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/nevs/53010/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    October 16, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko during a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    October 16, 2024

    His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ during a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    October 16, 2024

    A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago was held

    October 16, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    October 16, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago

    His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin also took part in the event.

    During the meeting, the most important issues of implementing measures to preserve and develop the Solovetsky Archipelago were discussed.

    In his speech, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill noted that the Government of the Russian Federation has done a great deal of work to organize effective interaction between government agencies and the Church in order to preserve the spiritual, cultural and natural heritage of the Solovetsky Archipelago, as well as to develop its infrastructure.

    As part of the implementation of the decisions of the Board of Trustees, meetings of the headquarters on issues of preserving and developing the Solovetsky Archipelago are regularly held at the Government site under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. Representatives of federal and regional authorities, as well as representatives of the Church, participate in these meetings.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that the meeting was held with a new composition: by decree of President Vladimir Putin, six new members were included in the board of trustees, and a new chairman of the foundation’s board, Andrei Guts, was appointed.

    “Let me remind you that President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on celebrating the 600th anniversary of the founding of the first monastic settlement on Solovki in 2029. Preparations for this date are of particular importance, because the Solovetsky Archipelago is simultaneously one of the most important religious sites, a point of attraction for pilgrims and tourists, it bears the imprint of the turning point in the history of our country and, in addition, is a unique natural landmark. In anticipation of the 600th anniversary, the Government is carrying out comprehensive work. The federal budget provides funds for the restoration of cultural heritage sites and the construction, reconstruction of transport, utilities and social infrastructure. I would like to note that research work is being carried out that will help determine the optimal annual flow of pilgrims to Solovki,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    In connection with preparations for the celebration in 2029 of the 600th anniversary of the founding of the first monastic settlement on the Solovetsky Archipelago, an organizing committee has been created, and plans have been prepared for the main and additional events to prepare for and conduct the celebration.

    Schedules for construction and restoration work until 2029 have been drawn up and approved by the co-chairs of the board of trustees. The implementation of activities on the Solovetsky Archipelago is carried out in accordance with the schedules.

    Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov said that in the summer of 2024, a set of educational and outreach events for children and youth related to the study of the heritage and history of the Solovetsky Archipelago was held for the first time on the Solovetsky Archipelago. Schoolchildren visited the day camp “Roads of Victory”, took part in thematic shifts and programs, including a student tour guide team.

    “Together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Rosmolodezh, the Ministry of Defense, the government of the Arkhangelsk region, the Directorate for the Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago and in cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church, we have prepared a draft plan of events for next year, which includes holding a shift of the “Movement of the First”, a regional youth sea expedition “Young Fleet of Pomorye”, educational programs of a patriotic nature, an interregional labor project of the Russian student teams “Solovki”, excursion and educational programs, volunteer shifts and schools, as well as other events,” noted Sergey Kravtsov.

    In conclusion, His Holiness the Patriarch thanked Dmitry Chernyshenko for the great work done to preserve the spiritual, cultural and natural heritage of the Solovetsky Archipelago and develop its infrastructure. He also expressed confidence that, through joint efforts, the tasks set will be accomplished by the 600th anniversary of monastic life on Solovki and the ancient monastery will shine in its former glory.

    The meeting of the board of trustees took place in the Patriarchal Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. It was also attended by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin, First Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Alexander Lomakin, Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago Andrei Guts, Abbot of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery Bishop Porfiry of Ozersk, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region Alexander Tsybulsky and others.

    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/nevs/53009/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Poll Finds Swing State Voters Concerned About Out-of-Control National Debt

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

    Washington, D.C. – Recently, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation released a report showing that swing state voters overwhelmingly believe that the rising national debt is a critical campaign issue.

    According to the report, more than 90 percent of voters across seven key states – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – say that it’s important for presidential candidates to have a plan to rein-in the national debt.

    “The numbers don’t lie – the American people are concerned about our country’s unsustainable fiscal path, and rightfully so,” said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19). “Record deficit spending is devaluing the dollar, weakening our economy, and pushing us closer to a debt crisis. We must rein-in Washington’s out-of-control spending and restore fiscal sanity before it’s too late. Instead of reducing the size of government and living within our means, we borrow from the future – placing a deferred tax on our children. We must reverse the Biden-Harris spending spree, fix the broken health care and welfare system, and reignite economic growth by lowering taxes, cutting regulations, and incentivizing work.”

    Background:

    • The poll was commissioned by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of key fiscal challenges threatening America’s future, and to accelerating action on them.
    • Read Chairman Arrington’s statement on the CBO report showing that the Biden-Harris Administration raised the deficit to $1.8 trillion in FY24 HERE.
    • Read more about the sharp decline in consumer confidence HERE.
    • Read more about how interest payments on the debt have skyrocketed by 153 percent under Biden and Harris HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Introduces Urban Bird Treaty Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced the Urban Bird Treaty Act to establish a federal grant to support conservation of birds and habitats in urban areas. The introduction comes a day ahead of World Migratory Bird Day. 

    “Birds play an important role in our ecosystems and our everyday lives, and we all have an opportunity and a responsibility to make our communities safer places for birds and people to live together,” Dingell said. “Unfortunately, we have lost nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years, and we need to take serious action to address this crisis. The Urban Bird Treaty Act will provide federal funding to cities, community organizations, and other groups doing important work to restore bird habitat, and most importantly, educate communities about the small steps we can all take to protect bird populations generations to come.”  

    In North America, one in four breeding birds have been lost since 1970. The widespread loss and degradation of habitat is the biggest driver of bird population decline. Restoring bird habitat in urban areas can make a significant difference in conserving bird populations.

    The Urban Bird Treaty Act would make $1,000,000 available annually through a competitive grant program to eligible entities, including Tribal, State, or municipal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, community groups, and academic institutions, to promote urban bird conservation. Specifically, the grant program aims to:

    • protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and restoration of native plant species;
    • reduce urban hazards to birds;
    • educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas

    The bill is endorsed by the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, and the American Bird Conservancy. 

    “Our urban areas are critical nesting and migration areas for birds,” said Felice Stadler, vice president of government affairs at the National Audubon Society. “We have lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years due to habitat loss and other threats. Dedicated funding to conserve habitat in cities and towns and create bird-friendly communities is an essential part of reducing this decline and bending the bird curve. We know that when birds thrive, so do communities, including our urban communities. We thank Congresswoman Dingell for recognizing the role that urban areas play in bird conservation, and urge Congress to pass this bill swiftly. At a time when the health of our communities and biodiversity is threatened by a changing climate and habitat loss, investments like the Urban Bird Treaty program make a huge difference in creating a healthy future for all.”

     “As cities grow, it becomes increasingly important for them to offer healthy habitat and safe passage for birds,” said Corina Newsome, conservation scientist at the National Wildlife Federation. “For migrating birds, city parks and greenways offer places to feed and rest on their journeys, and many species rely on them year-round.  Representative Dingell’s Urban Bird Treaty Act will help conserve and restore these essential habitats, benefitting the birds and people who share these spaces.”

    “Healthy cities are full of birds,” said Brian Brooks, Vice President for Advocacy & Threats Programs at American Bird Conservancy. “We thank Representative Dingell for introducing the Urban Bird Treaty Act, which acknowledges the significant role birds play in urban ecosystems. This dedicated funding for habitat conservation, scientific research, and education will not only enhance bird populations but also strengthen the health and vitality of human communities across urban areas.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada National Action Plan results in 19 per cent decline in auto theft

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 16, 2024 – Oakville, ON

    Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, released an update on the progress made under the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft.

    The Action Plan, which was developed following the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, focuses on disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting the organized crime groups involved in auto theft. It is built on the following pillars: Intelligence and information sharing; Intervention; and Legislation, regulations and governance.

    The Government of Canada’s efforts, guided by the Action Plan and done in collaboration with its domestic and international partners, including provinces, territories, municipalities, industry, and law enforcement, are yielding results. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, national auto theft trends for 2024 have shown a 19 per cent decline in auto theft in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. As well, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has intercepted more than 1,900 stolen vehicles in railyards and ports this year, already exceeding last year’s total. In the Greater Toronto Area alone, 620 stolen vehicles have been intercepted by the CBSA in 2024.

    To date, the following key milestones have been achieved through the Action Plan.

    • Changes to the Criminal Code to provide additional tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to address auto theft, including the addition of new offences targeting the use of violence in the commission of a vehicle theft and links to organized crime, as well as offences for the possession or distribution of electronic tools used to commit auto theft and laundering proceeds of crime for the benefit of a criminal organization. These changes strengthen an already robust framework to address organized crime and auto theft.
    • Enhancements to intelligence and information sharing between municipal, provincial, federal and international police and customs officials.
    • Expansion of scanning technology, data analytics and targeting to increase the examination of shipping containers – including the deployment of additional scanning technology in the Greater Toronto Area.
    • Launch of up-to-date specialized anti-auto theft training for law enforcement, delivered by the Canadian Police College.
    • Radiocommunication Act amendments to regulate the sale, distribution, and importation of radio devices used for auto theft.
    • Establishment of a National Intergovernmental Working Group on Auto Theft to coordinate actions, monitor progress and explore new initiatives to combat auto theft and transnational organized crime.
    • New supports for the development of early-stage, pre-commercial, anti-theft technologies.

    While this downward trend is promising, maintaining it will require continued focus and collaboration. Canadians can rest assured that the Government of Canada, as well as our law enforcement agencies, will continue to be vigilant.

    Quotes

    “When we see that auto theft rates are declining, we know that we’re taking steps in the right direction. Our Government is fighting to keep Canadians safe and implementing our Action Plan, including exploring new anti-theft technologies, regulatory updates, and improving port security.”

    – The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport

    “Today’s Action Plan update highlights some significant steps forward in our fight to combat this complex crime. Our government will continue to build on this progress to ensure we remain responsive and adaptable in our approach to combat auto theft and the organized crime groups behind it.”

    – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

    “We have shown that by working together, we can tackle complex issues and ensure that all people in Canada can feel safe in their communities. We strengthened the Criminal Code to give law enforcement the full range of tools they need to address auto theft and ensure that offenders are held to account, while strengthening penalties to deter crime.”

    – The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

    “No Canadian should wake up to discover their means of getting to work, school, or the grocery store has been stolen. We are working with Canadian companies, online retailers and the automotive industry to come up with new initiatives such as Innovative Solutions Canada’ Vehicle Theft Prevention challenge, launched last month. By fostering innovative ideas that will enhance vehicle security and working collaboratively, we can protect our communities and put a stop to auto theft.”

    – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

    “We have a common goal to prevent and reduce auto theft crimes, enforce the law and keep Canadians safe. The RCMP has been actively sharing intelligence and information between all levels of law enforcement partners across Canada and internationally, and training investigators with the latest techniques to better detect and disrupt this criminal activity.”

    – Michael Duheme, Commissioner, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    “Combatting auto theft and the organized crime groups that benefit from it is a priority for the CBSA. So far this year, the CBSA has intercepted more than 1,900 stolen vehicles, already exceeding last year’s total. We have also deployed additional scanning technology in the Greater Toronto Area. Moreover, we continue to act on 100% of referrals by enforcement partners and have expanded data analytics and targeting to increase the targeting of shipping containers. Finally, we have established a 24/7 central point of contact for police to coordinate requests to locate vehicles that may be tracked to a port. While we are pleased with what has already been achieved through the National Action Plan, we know more work needs to be done and we will continue collaborating with our partners to intercept stolen vehicles before they leave the country.”

    – Erin O’Gorman, President of the Canada Border Services Agency

    Quick facts

    • The Government of Canada has been engaging with industry and other stakeholders on auto theft, including port authorities, rail and shipping companies, as well as the automotive and insurance industries, as part of our collective effort to combat this crime.

    • While the investigation of these types of offences falls under the police of jurisdiction, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are supporting important work being done to make progress on this issue. 

    • The RCMP and CBSA continue to be involved in integrated task forces led by the Ontario Provincial Police and Sûreté du Québec. 

    • The CBSA has established a 24/7 central point of contact for police to coordinate requests to locate vehicles that may be tracked to a marine port or intermodal facility and continues to act on 100% of referrals.

    • The RCMP continues to process international notifications and requests received through INTERPOL’s stolen motor vehicle database to better track stolen vehicles with international partners. From February to August 2024, the RCMP received 2,310 alerts about Canadian vehicles and 424 international collaboration requests.

    • The CBSA, in collaboration with police forces across Ontario and Quebec, announced the recovery of nearly 600 stolen vehicles from the Port of Montreal through Project Vector, in April 2024.

    • The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) continues to produce financial intelligence disclosures to law enforcement in support or investigations into organized crime, including auto theft.

    • Police services have been encouraged to collect information from victims relating to tracking technology present in their vehicles (i.e., Apple AirTag, Tile Tracker, Samsung SmartTracker) and add this information to the Canadian Police Information Centre system.

    • Transnational organized criminal groups are believed to be involved in the export of stolen vehicles from Canada; however, most vehicle thefts involve lower-level threat groups, with violent street gangs being the most prevalent.

    • Most stolen vehicles exported are destined for Africa and the Middle East. Some stolen vehicles also remain in Canada, enabling other crimes to be committed with the vehicles and are destroyed afterwards.

    Related products

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Gabriel Brunet
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
    Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
    819-665-6527
    gabriel.brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca  

    Media Relations
    Public Safety Canada
    613-991-0657
    media@ps-sp.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal government invests to strengthen Canada’s expertise in satellite communications

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Kepler Communications is developing an in-orbit, high-speed connectivity network

    October 16, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario 

    Canada is a world leader in satellite communications, an industry that contributes billions of dollars to the Canadian economy each year and supports thousands of good-paying jobs. The federal government is committed to strengthening this crucial sector of our economy through key investments that will cement Canada’s global leadership position and expertise in space.

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $20 million investment through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to support Kepler Communications’ development of the Aether constellation and its in-orbit, high-speed connectivity network, a project valued at $280.3 million. Kepler Communications, a Canadian leader in small satellite mass manufacturing, also received $2 million in funding for this project from the Canadian Space Agency in September 2024.

    Today’s investment will advance Canada’s satellite communications capabilities to deliver higher-speed data relay between space and the earth by using optical intersatellite link laser technology. These SIF contributions will also enable Kepler to create 95 full-time jobs and 346 future co-op positions for students. Kepler will undertake this work at its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario.

    The federal government is committed to strengthening the Canadian space sector’s leadership in space exploration, science and innovation.

    Quotes

    “Today, the government is investing in Kepler Communications’ Aether Network, an innovative project to establish an in-orbit high-speed connectivity network, which will create and maintain hundreds of highly skilled jobs and internships for Canadians in addition to partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises and with universities and colleges. Through this investment and others, the government is positioning Canada as a global leader in space and developing critical technologies for Canadians.”

    – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

    “Space innovations such as the Aether constellation reinforce Canada’s reputation as a key player in the global space industry—for today and tomorrow. Thanks to our long-standing collaboration with the European Space Agency, Kepler will further advance its technology by leading a major mission, HydRON-DS, and will be positioned to become a global leader in providing Internet-like connectivity in space.”

    – Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency

    Quick facts

    • In 2022, Canada’s space sector employed over 12,000 people and contributed over $3.2 billion to Canada’s GDP. The sector is highly innovative and R&D-intensive.

    • Since 2016, the government has committed over $9 billion to the country’s space sector.

    • Kepler Communications Inc. is a vertically integrated satellite manufacturing and telecommunications company that fully designs, manufactures and operates its satellites in-house.

    • The company intends to further its satellite technology in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) in the next phase of its satellite technology development and demonstration program, the High thRoughput Optical Network program, or HydRON Demonstration System. 

    • This contract is made possible by the long-standing cooperation agreement between Canada and the ESA.

    • Canada has held the privileged position of being the only non-European cooperating state of the ESA since 1979, resulting in commercial sales and job creation, as well as knowledge and expertise sharing, all of which benefit the Canadian economy.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Audrey Milette
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
    audrey.milette@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
    media@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Canadian Space Agency
    Media Relations Office
    asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca

    Stay connected

    Find more services and information on the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada website.

    Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

    X (Twitter): @ISED_CA | Facebook: Canadian Innovation | Instagram: @cdninnovation | LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Space Agency and Italian Space Agency advance collaboration

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Readout

    – Milan, Italy

    Following the meeting held today on the margins of the 75th International Astronautical Congress, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell and Italian Space Agency (ASI) President Teodoro Valente issued this readout:

    Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CSA and ASI, both Agencies are advancing potential collaboration on CubeSats in the spirit of the Italy–Canada Roadmap for Enhanced Cooperation.

    The two Agencies are actively discussing opportunities to address common challenges and strengthen their partnership in line with mutual goals and interests. Specifically, the CSA and ASI intend to advance cooperation in the development of their respective CubeSat programs, including scientific and technological demonstration missions, with the objective of developing jointly the expertise required to ensure the success and prosperity of the Canadian and Italian space sectors.

    Additionally, both Agencies aim to foster advanced industrial collaboration in the space sector. The two Agencies are committed to initiating a technical dialogue in fields such as quantum technologies and cybersecurity for civil space systems. They will also collaborate within the framework of the Artemis Accords to ensure the safety and sustainability of space exploration.

    Contact information

    Canadian Space Agency
    Media Relations Office
    Telephone: 450-926-4370
    Website: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca
    Email: asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca
    Follow us on social media

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada invests $535,000 to modernize and expand Muskoka North Good Food Co-op

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a Government of Canada investment of $535,000 to help Muskoka North Good Food Co-op purchase new equipment and expand to meet demand.

    FedNor funding to support jobs, agriculture and food security in the region

    October 16, 2024 – Huntsville, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a Government of Canada investment of $535,000 to help Muskoka North Good Food Co-op purchase new equipment and expand to meet demand.

    Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, this targeted investment will allow the organization to acquire a second modular farm pod, purchase and install a walk-in cooler and freezer, and establish a micro-bakery. This strategic initiative is helping the co-op double in size, increase profitability, enhance efficiencies, and create five full-time jobs. Once complete, this priority project will help ensure local families have improved access to safe, reliable, fresh and nutritious foods.

    Based in Huntsville, Muskoka North Good Food Co-op places community benefit alongside profitability and connects local farmers to a growing consumer base through a grocery retail market, café, and commercial production kitchen. As a community-owned grocery store & food hub, the co-op provides sustainable, ethical, and good food for the communities it serves.

    “Today’s investment of $535,000 will support Northern Ontario’s agriculture industry and ensure that local families in Huntsville and Muskoka will have consistent access to safe, reliable, fresh and nutritious foods from local famers and producers throughout the region.”

    –       The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor

    “We’re proud to be building capacity by expanding Muskoka North Good Food Co-op at this stage in our development, and FedNor funding was pivotal in helping make this happen! At the heels of our Co-op’s 7th Anniversary, the grand opening of our newly expanded space will be a celebration of co-operative dedication, collaboration and regional food systems growth. We’ll be unveiling an array of new equipment and upgraded facilities which will allow us to create greater impact and better serve health conscious families and community members. Supporting our region’s farm and agri-food producers continues to make it easier for people to access fresh, nutritious foods while building a strong and sustainable agri-food sector in Muskoka.”

    –       Kelli Ebbs, Manager, Muskoka North Good Food Co-op

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

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Announcement of Two Proposed Initiatives for Protecting the Waters of Eastern James Bay

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Quebec, October 16, 2024. – The Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Itschee) and Chairperson of the Cree Nation Government, Mandy Gull-Masty, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, and the Quebec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Benoit Charette, invite media representatives to a press conference where two important announcements will be shared regarding the waters of eastern James Bay.

    Date:  Friday, October 18th at 2:30 p.m.

     

    Location:  Quebec region

    Media representatives must confirm their presence by emailing relations.medias@environnement.gouv.qc.ca before 2 p.m. on October 18th. The exact location where the event will be held will only be confirmed to accredited journalists.

                                                                                                          -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $220.98 Million in Federal Funding Now Set for Washington Bridge Replacement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    Building on previous Mega award, new $95.5 million INFRA grant is second significant pledge of federal aid totaling $220.98 million

    Providence, RI – The effort to replace the westbound Washington Bridge got a major boost today as U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today joined with Governor Dan McKee in announcing a $95,589,533 INFRA (Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program) grant for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

    Together, with a previous $125.39 million Mega grant(also known as the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program) that the state was awarded in September, Rhode Island has now received $220.98 million in federal funding to replace the Washington Bridge, fully funding the state’s request for the project.

    The new federal funds are being made available thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), which Reed and Whitehouse supported and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, delivering a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for INFRA grants, as well as resources for improving Rhode Island’s roads, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure.

    The Washington Bridge, which spans the Seekonk River connecting East Providence to Providence and has a daily traffic volume of 90,000 vehicles, was shut down on December 11, 2023 after RIDOT discovered broken anchor rods that put the bridge at risk of failure.

    “Securing this federal investment has been a top priority.  Now the state must utilize this $220.98 million in federal funding to accelerate progress toward a new bridge that meets capacity and safety needs now and in the future,” said Reed, a leading member of the Appropriations Committee.  “Passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law paved the way for this funding.  I commend the Biden-Harris administration for its leadership, support, and commitment to a modern and resilient infrastructure system.  The state must put this money to work and keep the public updated with a clear timetable for progress.”

    “This INFRA Program infusion for the Washington Bridge fills in a major missing piece of the funding puzzle to ensure the state can get the job done right,” said Whitehouse, who helped author the INFRA program as a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  “I am very proud that the INFRA Program is yet again delivering for Rhode Island’s infrastructure.  We will continue to work as a delegation to secure whatever the state needs from the federal government to fix this situation for drivers.”

    “My colleagues in the congressional delegation and I have done everything in our power to secure federal funding to rebuild the Washington Bridge, and with this latest tranche of funding, we have now brought over $220 million dollars for Rhode Island,” said Magaziner. “We are grateful for the Biden-Harris administration for their leadership and support in addressing this urgent matter. We will continue working together to ensure the Washington Bridge is rebuilt safely and properly.”

    “I am excited to build off last month’s announcement that we are bringing home more federal funding to help Rhode Island replace the Washington Bridge,” said Amo. “Led by our state’s appropriator-in-chief, Senator Jack Reed, our delegation has fought tooth and nail to secure the resources our state requested. I thank President Joe Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for listening to our repeated overtures about the need for resources to alleviate the burden on residents, small businesses, and first responders. I look forward to reviewing the plan from state officials so we can move towards the next chapter of getting our bridge built.”

    “Securing a second major federal grant marks another important milestone in our work to build a brand new Washington Bridge,” said McKee. “We know that ensuring this complex project is done right will take time, but it’s encouraging to see demolition resuming this week, the rebuild bidding process moving forward, and additional federal dollars coming in. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to Rhode Island and our top-notch congressional delegation for helping us secure this crucial funding.”

    Overall, the state requested $220.9 million in federal funds to help replace the Washington Bridge and was initially awarded $125.39 million out of the total pool of about $1 billion of federal funds available for Mega grants of this size and scope nationwide.

    Demolition of the bridge has already begun.  In May of 2024, RIDOT estimated the price tag for replacing the bridge would include $58.2 million for demolition as well as $368.3 million for the design-build process.

    Separate from the demolition and rebuild costs for the Washington Bridge, the state also estimated costs of approximately $46 million for emergency expenses, including work to stabilize the old bridge and estimated funding to account for both state and municipal safety and transportation-related expenses.

    Rhode Island previously received a $60.3 million INFRA grant in 2019 to rebuild the Northbound Providence Viaduct; a $65 million INFRA grant in 2020 to overhaul Route 146; an $82.5 million INFRA grant in 2022 to upgrade the Pell Bridge; and an $81 million INFRA grant earlier this year to create a ‘missing move’ between I-95 and Quonset Business Park.

    Rhode Island has now received two Mega awards to fund the Washington Bridge, totaling $125.39 million, as well as this new INFRA award.

    These grants come on top of a $251 million federal Bridge Investment Grant the delegation secured earlier this year to repair 15 bridges along the I-95 corridor in Providence and Cranston. 

    Additionally, Rhode Island will also receive a total of $255 million in bridge formula funds over the life of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    With about 50,000 U.S. bridges with very significant issues awaiting attention, an estimated 40 percent of them can be rehabilitated, but at least 35 percent will require a complete replacement due to their condition, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). 

    This level of federal funding for Rhode Island infrastructure improvements stands in stark contrast to the previous administration.  While Donald Trump routinely declared “Infrastructure Week,” his administration had little to show for it, whereas President Joe Biden oversaw passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars for bridge improvements across the Ocean State and continues to invest billions annually in America’s transportation network, communities, and workers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Wawanesa Accepting Applications for Community Wildfire Prevention Grants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — To help Canadians safeguard their communities from the threat of wildfires, Wawanesa Insurance is offering $150,000 in Community Wildfire Prevention Grants in partnership with FireSmart Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. The deadline to apply for the Community Wildfire Prevention Grants is November 29, 2024.

    The initiative is part of Wawanesa’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities through its Climate Champions Program, which provides $2 million annually to support people on the front lines of climate change. Through the Community Wildfire Prevention Grants, up to $15,000 will be provided to as many as 10 organizations working to make a difference.

    “This summer’s devastating wildfire season was another stark reminder of the growing concern over climate change and its profound impact on the environment,” said Jackie De Pape Hornick, Director of Communications & Community Impact at Wawanesa. “As a mutual insurer, we have a critical role to play in protecting our communities. By providing local organizations with the support needed to proactively implement wildfire prevention measures, Wawanesa is helping build a safer, healthier, more sustainable future.”

    This is the third straight year Wawanesa has offered Community Wildfire Prevention Grants. Some of the previous recipients include rural municipalities, Indigenous communities, residents’ associations, and volunteer fire departments. Funding allocated through the grant program has supported a wide range of activities, from vegetation management programs and community risk assessments to public awareness events and wildfire education campaigns.

    All submissions for Community Wildfire Prevention Grants will be evaluated by a committee of wildfire prevention experts from Wawanesa, FireSmart Canada, and ICLR, with funding recipients announced in March 2025. For project eligibility and application criteria, please visit wawanesa.com/wildfire-grants.

    About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
    The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

    For more information:
    Michel Rosset
    Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
    The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
    media@wawanesa.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: B.C. election: Party proposals on climate action point in opposite directions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kathryn Harrison, Professor of Political Science, University of British Columbia

    With affordability, housing and health care at the top of voters’ minds in British Columbia, they haven’t heard much about climate change with less than a week to go until the provincial election.

    In fact, between B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad acknowledging that “man” is impacting the climate and the NDP’s reversal on the carbon tax, casual observers might conclude that the parties have converged on climate.

    But a closer look at the platforms and policy announcements of the province’s Conservatives, New Democrats and Greens reveals fundamental differences on almost every climate-related policy.

    While there is uncertainty about how much B.C.’s emissions would decline under another NDP government, they would almost certainly increase under a new Conservative one.

    Climate action measures

    The parties differ on the threat posed by climate change and urgency of action. The NDP and Green platforms both acknowledge the “climate crisis,” and each devotes a chapter on protecting communities from extreme weather, such as flooding, wildfires and heat domes like the one that occurred in 2021.



    Read more:
    How an ‘atmospheric river’ drenched British Columbia and led to floods and mudslides

    In contrast, the Conservatives claim climate change is not a crisis and that wildfires are a natural occurrence, without acknowledging how the blazes are amplified by climate change-driven heat and drought. The party favours adaptation technology over a “doom cult” perspective.

    The three parties also present very different visions of B.C.’s economic future. Both the NDP and Greens emphasize the province’s comparative advantage in clean energy, and commit to skills training for the renewable energy and clean tech sectors.

    In contrast, the Conservative proposal for a “free and prosperous” B.C. does not mention climate change or clean energy, while the party’s “clean energy” announcement embraces natural gas heating and oil-powered vehicles.

    The Conservatives propose to scrap “any and all carbon taxes,” which suggests both the consumer and industrial carbon taxes. Although the party indicates it would do so “regardless of what happens in Ottawa,” the current federal government would respond by imposing both federal carbon taxes, as it has in other provinces.

    The NDP would repeal only the consumer tax if the federal government does. The Greens would retain both taxes and remove sectoral benchmarks below which industrial polluters don’t pay the tax.

    On electricity, the NDP proposes to double renewable electricity capacity by 2050 to substitute for declining consumption of fossil fuels. The party highlights BC Hydro’s recent call for clean power, which yielded proposals for triple the capacity originally sought.

    The Greens similarly propose to expand rooftop solar and other renewables. The Conservatives welcome “all power sources,” including renewables, but also natural gas plants and nuclear.

    Flood waters cover highway 1 in Abbotsford, B.C., in November 2021.
    THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

    Managing emissions

    Transportation contributes the largest share of B.C.’s emissions at 35 per cent. The Conservatives would repeal the zero-emissions vehicle mandate and low-carbon fuel standard. The other two parties would retain those policies, and both commit to expanding electric vehicle charging networks.

    Oil and gas accounts for the next largest share of B.C.’s emissions at 20 per cent. The NDP election platform commits to implement a cap on oil and gas emissions. In addition, the NDP government announced in 2023 that future liquid natural gas (LNG) approvals will be conditional on net-zero operations within the province.

    The Conservative Party seeks to double LNG capacity, without mention of either an oil-and-gas cap or net-zero commitment. For their part, the Greens would reject all future LNG development, ban fracking and manage a decline of gas production.

    Buildings contribute another 15 per cent of provincial emissions. The NDP government has published documents that propose provincewide adoption of a zero-emission standard for new buildings and high-efficiency heating equipment standards that would significantly reduce gas consumption in existing buildings.

    The NDP and Greens both promise financial support for rooftop solar, home retrofits and heat pumps. In contrast, the Conservatives argue, without evidence, that the grid cannot support heat pumps and promise to repeal the voluntary zero-carbon building code and a “ban” on natural gas heating.

    B.C. has been a climate laggard

    B.C. has been slow to act on climate. That will make it very challenging to meet our 2030 emissions target.

    But progress will only be made by strengthening climate policies, something both the NDP and Greens commit to do.

    In contrast, the Conservatives promise to repeal current climate policies and halt development of others. But with a growing population and plans for LNG expansion, B.C.’s emissions would increase rather than decline under that strategy.

    As B.C. voters prepare to cast their ballots this week, they’ve got a lot to contemplate on climate.

    Kathryn Harrison receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She is chair of the mitigation advisory panel of the Canadian Climate Institute, and a member of British Columbia’s Climate Solutions Council, but her comments do not represent either body nor the University of British Columbia.

    – ref. B.C. election: Party proposals on climate action point in opposite directions – https://theconversation.com/b-c-election-party-proposals-on-climate-action-point-in-opposite-directions-241334

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis announces $800,000 in pre-development grants now available for Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBank Indianapolis” or the “Bank”) announced today that pre-development affordable housing grants are now available to the 12 federally recognized tribal nations located in Michigan through the Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program (TNHDAP).

    Announced earlier this year, the TNHDAP is a unique and innovative capacity-building housing development grant program in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The TNHDAP provides dedicated training and technical assistance coupled with grant funding opportunities to support tribal nations in creating innovative housing solutions tailored to the unique needs of each nation. The Bank’s program grant of up to $3 million marks the largest investment to a single organization in FHLBank Indianapolis history.

    FHLBank Indianapolis is making $800,000 available for project-specific pre-development grants with up to $75,000 available per project. Pre-development dollar grants may support either rental or homeownership projects, dependent upon individual tribal priorities.

    “Pre-development grants are often the hardest type of funding to find, and one of the most impactful tools to help kickstart projects,” said Anna Shires, VP, Community Investment Outreach Partner at the Bank. “We’re excited to complement all of the technical assistance underway, and help tribes get one major step closer to providing safe and affordable housing for their communities.”

    Through the program, the Bank also will be providing project-specific gap funding subsidies as well as supporting additional capacity building needs identified by tribal nations in Michigan. Through next year, each tribe also will receive dedicated technical assistance to identify their unique housing needs, support for overall housing initiatives and project-specific guidance.

    In keeping with the knowledge and capacity-building focus of the program, the National American Indian Housing Council and its partners facilitated a series of training sessions earlier this year focusing on the wide range of available affordable housing solutions. Sessions focused on multi-unit development, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LITHC) and other funding sources, housing development for special needs populations, and homeownership development opportunities. Sessions included presentations and discussions between the tribes and FHLBank Indianapolis, MSHDA, HUD leadership, the Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care, and local and national housing and finance industry leaders.

    “The completion of this training series represents a significant commitment of time and effort, and we commend everyone involved for their dedication to this critical work,” said Karen Gagnon, Tribal Liaison for MSHDA. “It’s truly exciting to see the program entering its next phase. This support will play a pivotal role in advancing essential housing projects for these communities, and we look forward to the far-reaching impact of these new investments and partnerships.”

    For more information about the pre-development grants, visit the Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program page on MSHDA’s website.

    More information on the Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program is available at fhlbi.com. For information on FHLBank Indianapolis’ other programs to support affordable housing and community development, see the Community Programs page on fhlbi.com.

    Media contact information:
    For more information, contact Katherine Marshall, Corporate Communications Specialist, at kmarshall@fhlbi.com.

    Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis: Building Partnerships. Serving Communities
    FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to provide access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members’ customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and they receive no Congressional appropriations. One of 11 independent regional cooperative banks across the U.S., FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit http://www.fhlbi.com and follow the Bank on LinkedIn, and Instagram and X at @FHLBankIndy.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Subsea 7 S.A.: Notification of major holding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Subsea 7 S.A. has received notification of transactions in its shares by a major shareholder. Please see the attached forms for details. This information is pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Food Day: How the new Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance will use digital technologies to help farmers in Africa feed the continent

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

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, October 16, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and Mastercard are co-chairing a new initiative called Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa, which aims to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million people and businesses in Africa over the next 10 years. In the first phase of its $300 million commitment to the Alliance’s initial five years of programming, the African Development Bank aims to bring 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria into the digital economy via Mastercard Community Pass. Community Pass gives farmers a digital credential to access a network of digital agricultural agents.

    Alliance members include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, and CRDB Bank. The Alliance also utilizes financial support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

    For World Food Day, we asked African Development Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Dr. Beth Dunford, about the possibilities digitalization brings to Africa’s farmers and food systems.

    Why did MADE Alliance Africa choose to focus on the digitization of agriculture for smallholder farmers and women as its first initiative, and why do you think the African agriculture sector holds so much potential?  

    Dunford: Africa is home to 65% of the planet’s remaining uncultivated, arable land, and we believe that agriculture is a critical sector to drive Africa’s development. Agriculture accounts for nearly 60% of total employment in Africa and accounts for more than 25% of GDP in its low-income countries. Across the continent, there’s no agriculture without women. They provide an estimated 60% to 80% of labor input to the sector. Growth in agriculture is terribly effective compared to many other sectors in lifting people out of poverty, providing degrees of agency to women, feeding Africa’s people, and positioning the continent as a breadbasket to the world.

    Our challenge is that the majority of Africa’s food systems producers are smallholder farmers who, simply put, struggle from season to season due to a lack of access to quality inputs like seeds and fertilizer, or access to affordable financing to purchase farming necessities. Africa’s smallholder farmers have various needs that the MADE Alliance Africa can solve by boosting sustainable digital access to critical services. Through the MADE Alliance, Mastercard Community Pass works with local banks to provide digital credentials to millions of smallholder farmers and women. Digital identities are the gateway to accessing digital services and to high-quality inputs. Digitalizing agriculture and the distribution of goods will bring enormous efficiencies to the marketplace, as well as reduce waste and fraud across the ecosystem.

    Mastercard’s Community Pass can help establish digital credentials for millions of farmers, bring more transparency to pricing and help them access agricultural inputs. What are the challenges involved in bringing this solution to market, and how can they be overcome?

    Dunford: Community Pass is designed to operate in remote and rural communities — often with limited connectivity and energy access. This technology, to adapt a popular phrase, “meets farmers where they are.” However, there are challenges involved in delivering these solutions and connecting smallholder farmers and women to financial institutions — challenges that we believe can be overcome or mitigated through capacity building, infrastructure and new models for governments and the private sector to work together.

    To scale these technologies to more farmers in a timely manner, we need to work with farmer cooperatives and networks of member farmers who reap many benefits of doing business as a unit. The challenge is that the majority of farmer cooperatives in Africa are not as operationally efficient as they are in other regions, and the prevalence of digital literacy is relatively low. Africa needs significant investment to educate farmers on how they can benefit from digital technologies to access resources.

    MADE Alliance’s digital services can connect farmers to new buyers and suppliers who are physically far away, but costs to transport goods to market remain a barrier. Critically, farmers and women need digital devices and reliable connectivity to take advantage of the digital economy.

    Can you talk a little more about how the MADE Alliance will benefit women?

    Dunford: Roughly half of Africa’s smallholder farmers are women, with the majority of agriculture sector labor carried out by women. However, compared to their male counterparts, female farmers struggle to create a sustainable livelihood in agriculture because they are less likely to own property titles or other assets often needed to access financial services. Women farmers have less access to information and extension services, and they lack access to inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. They are disproportionately impacted by climate risks. Collectively, these challenges result in women farmers typically producing up to 20% to 30% less output than male farmers.

    Community Pass helps women make farming a sustainable livelihood by enabling access to critical service providers like banks and agricultural buyers, as well as creating transparency.

    Women are the backbone of African economies, and investing in women entrepreneurs fosters women’s empowerment and agency over decisions around business, family and community. Investing in Africa’s women entrepreneurs is smart economics. Investing in Africa’s women has been a cornerstone of the Bank’s work. In fact, no Bank project or program will receive Bank financing unless it details how it will benefit women.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CISA and FBI Release Product Security Bad Practices for Public Comment

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the Product Security Bad Practices for public comment today. This catalog outlines practices that are deemed exceptionally risky and provides recommendations for software manufacturers to mitigate these risks. It urges software manufacturers to avoid these bad practices, especially those who produce software used in service of critical infrastructure or national critical functions (NCFs). Members of the public may submit public comment on this guidance starting today.

    The National Cybersecurity Strategy calls for a fundamental shift to rebalance the responsibility to defend cyber space onto those best positioned to bear it; namely, the software manufacturers who build products underpinning our collective digital infrastructure. Fully realizing this shift requires an understanding of the most egregious software development practices that software manufacturers must avoid. This catalog enumerates such practices.

    “It’s 2024, and basic, preventable software defects continue to enable crippling attacks against hospitals, schools, and other critical infrastructure. This has to stop. These product security bad practices pose unacceptable risks in this day and age, and yet are all too common.” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “We hope that by following this clear-cut, voluntary guidance, software manufacturers can lead by example in taking ownership of their customers’ security outcomes and fostering a secure by design future. Please provide input and let us know how we can improve this list of bad practices.”

    “Our National Cybersecurity Strategy highlights the importance of securing our nation’s critical infrastructure and shoring up our cyber defenses,” said White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. “The impact of product security bad practices has wide-ranging consequences across our nation and is often felt by the American people. Our private sector partners must shoulder their responsibility and build secure products and I’m glad to see this document as another tool to help software manufacturers do just that. We need to work together to prioritize best practices to better protect our nation.”

    “Bad practices in software development, especially when that software will be used by critical infrastructure, put both customers and our national security at risk,” said Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division Bryan Vorndran. “The FBI urges software manufacturers to avoid the risky practices described in this guidance, which lead to vulnerabilities that malicious actors routinely exploit.”

    These product security bad practices represent the next major step in CISA and partners’ global Secure by Design initiative, which has joined forces with 18 U.S. and international agencies to publish guidance and catalyzed commitments from over 220 software manufacturers to CISA’s Secure by Design Pledge. The bad practices build on practices laid out in the pledge and other guidance including NIST’s Secure Software Development Framework. This catalog will be a central guiding document in CISA’s Secure by Design initiative going forward, playing a key role informing future guidance and actions.

    This joint guidance lists the bad practices in three categories:

    • Product properties, which describe observable, security-related qualities of a software product.
    • Security features, which describe the security functionalities that a product supports.
    • Organizational processes and policies, which describe the actions taken by a software manufacturer to ensure strong transparency in its approach to security.

    CISA selected the bad practices based on the threat landscape as representing the most dangerous and pressing items that software manufacturers should avoid.

    The public comment period concludes on Monday, December 2, 2024. During the comment period, members of the public can provide comments and feedback via the Federal Register at Request for Comment on Product Security Bad Practices Guidance. Following the public comment period, CISA will issue a revised version of the bad practices.

    To learn more about the Secure by Design initiative, visit Secure by Design on CISA.gov.

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    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 –