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  • MIL-OSI USA: At Lake Tahoe, Cortez Masto Celebrates the Passage of her Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Reno, Nev. – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Representative Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.-03) hosted community leaders and local advocates at Lake Tahoe following the passage of her legislation extending the authorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act for 10 years. The measure passed the Senate in July and the House of Representatives on September 24th. It was signed into law on October 1, 2024.
    “Since it was first passed nearly 25 years ago, the LTRA has helped combat invasive species, maintain the environment, and improve water infrastructure in the Tahoe Basin. It’s helped support local jobs and welcome new travelers, making the lake a better space for visitors and residents alike,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This reauthorization is key to continuing that work. This isn’t just a box to check or a project we can just move on from – this is an ongoing effort, and we need to keep up our work to keep the water clean, prevent wildfires, and protect the environment surrounding the Tahoe Basin.”
    The Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act is cosponsored by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), as well as Representatives Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-02), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Dina Titus (D-Nev.- 01), Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), John Duarte (R-Calif.-13) and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.-03). It will allow critical funding to support environmental protection and habitat restoration programs across the basin for the next ten years. This law has delivered millions in federal dollars to Lake Tahoe since the original law passed in 2000.
    Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion for Lake Tahoe, leading efforts in the Senate to conserve the region and protect the lake. She recently secured $24 million to extend the popular East Shore Train around Lake Tahoe, and almost $8 million to help the Tahoe Transportation District purchase new electric hybrid busses and improve transit safety. She secured nearly $17 million in funding for the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in addition to critical resources to address microplastic pollution in the Lake and to improve transportation options to and from Reno. She has led calls for a comprehensive, collaborative, and science-based approach to protect Lake Tahoe from the threat of climate change. Cortez Masto helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law to repair and maintain public lands nationwide.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 10.04.2024 Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Celebrate Another Victory for South Texas ­– Securing Presidential Permit for Laredo 4/5 International Bridge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and  U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) released the following statement today after fighting to secure a presidential permit for the Laredo 4/5 International Bridge (Bridge 4/5) in Webb County.
    Upon issuance of the presidential permit, Sen. Cruz said, “I’ve made securing presidential permits for Texas-Mexico border bridge infrastructure projects a top priority. My bipartisan legislation to streamline the approval process for these bridge projects has now resulted in yet another swift approval for a bridge that will massively increase trade with our neighbor to the south, boost the resiliency of our supply chain, and support good-paying jobs across the Lone Star State.
    “I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to support Bridge 4/5 in Webb County and I am thrilled that they have now secured their presidential permit.”
    Sen. Cornyn said, “International bridges are engines to foster greater trade with Mexico and promote economic growth. I am pleased that the permit for the Laredo 4/5 bridge has been approved, which will help increase commerce, bolster our supply chain, and bring more good-paying jobs to hardworking Texans in Webb County and beyond.”
    Judge Tano Tijerina, Webb County Judge said, “For more than 20 years, Webb County has awaited the development of an international bridge. Mexico stands as a vital trading partner—not just for Texas, but for the entire United States. In 2023 alone, $807 billion worth of goods traversed our southern border, affirming Mexico’s status as our nation’s foremost trading ally. This moment feels almost surreal. After years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance, we are finally witnessing this project come to life. The 4/5 bridge is not merely a structure; it embodies hope, progress, and unity for Webb County and Nuevo Laredo. The community has long awaited this day, and they truly deserve this monumental achievement—and so much more. Change has arrived, bringing with it a renewed sense of possibility. Together, we are moving mountains and breaking barriers, transforming dreams into reality. In this journey, we give all the glory to God, whose guidance and strength have been with us every step of the way. This is just the beginning of a brighter future for our people. This was a bipartisan project where Republicans and Democrats came together to benefit South Texas and the border. It serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when county, state, and federal entities share a common vision.”
    Glenn Hamer, President & CEO of the Texas Association of Business said, “For years, the Laredo 4/5 bridge has been a priority project for enhancing and facilitating trade between Texas and Mexico – our largest trade partner. Thanks to the outstanding bipartisan work led by Senator Cruz and Senator Cornyn to streamline the presidential permitting process for cross-border bridge infrastructure projects, the long-awaited approval of the Laredo 4/5 bridge has turned from a dream to a reality. Streamlining the presidential bridge permitting process  is the most important effort to advance trade for Texas and the U.S. since the passage of the USMCA, and will result in the creation of thousands of new jobs and billions more in investment for the Lone Star State. We applaud Senator Cruz for his leadership on this important issue that will further solidify Texas as an epicenter for trade, economic growth, and investment in North America.”
    Dennis Nixon, President & Chairman, IBC Bank said, “With this approval, I’m incredibly excited that the 4/5 Bridge Project can now take the next step towards construction and ultimately to open as an entirely new trade asset and solution for Port Laredo, the largest port in the nation. This magnificent project will advance Port Laredo on the global stage as one of the most important ports in the entire world. After years of work, the sponsors achieved this milestone by being relentless in their pursuit of success, which has clearly been applauded today. This could not have been possible without the dedication of Senator Cruz and Senator Cornyn to the trade communities in the border region and their understanding of the infrastructure needs that are vital to our continued success. Without additional bridges, the trade community would have faced an increasingly dire situation without congestion control, impeding our ability to keep up with the rapid rate of increase in the volume of goods moving across the border. At IBC, we will continue to work with the county, sponsors, and all interested parties to make sure this long-awaited dream becomes a reality.”
    Gerald Schwebel, Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, IBC Bank said, “What a great moment in history we are living today with the news that the Presidential Permit for Bridge 4/5 has been granted by the White House. This innovative and transformative port of entry project will become the benchmark of future border ports of entry.  This is a great day for Laredo, for Texas, and for the entire North American region. Bridge 4/5 will solidify and strengthen the strategic location of Port Laredo as the premier port of entry of all of North America. We are extremely grateful to Senator Cruz for his leadership and diligent work in a true bi-partisan effort with Senator Cornyn, Congressman Cuellar, and others. Senator Cruz showed us that he was not about to wait for projects like these to happen – he made them happen.”
    John D. Esparza, President & CEO, Texas Trucking Association said, “Senator Cruz’s victory in securing legislation to streamline the permitting process for Texas-Mexico border bridges is a testament to his effectiveness in Washington. This is precisely the type of no-nonsense, no-frills approach we need because it encourages the further growth and development of job creation in Texas. We appreciate both Senator Cornyn and Senator Cruz’s ability to propose and shepherd public policy that directly benefits our state’s economy is why we need them to continue to be successful in the United States Senate. Their bipartisan efforts have cleared bureaucratic roadblocks, paved the way for expanded trade and improved supply chain resilience, all while increasing economic opportunities for Texans.”
    BACKGROUND
    Before securing this victory for the Lone Star State, Sen. Cruz teamed up with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to send a letter to President Biden yesterday urging him to approve the Bridge 4/5 presidential permit application submitted by Southwebb Bridge Company in Webb County, Texas to bolster trade with Mexico, improve supply chain resiliency, and create good paying jobs in Texas.
    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: IMF pledges continued support for Sri Lanka’s economic reforms

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday that it will continue its close engagement with Sri Lanka’s economic team to set a date for the third review of the IMF-supported program.

    An IMF team, led by Krishna Srinivasan, director of the Asia Pacific Department, visited Sri Lanka from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4.

    Srinivasan met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, other senior officials and stakeholders.

    At the end of the visit, Srinivasan said in a statement that they held productive discussions with Dissanayake and Sri Lanka’s economic team on the economic and financial challenges facing the Sri Lankan economy.

    He said both sides agreed on the importance of continuing to safeguard and build on the hard-won gains that have helped put Sri Lanka on a path to economic recovery since entering one of its worst economic crises in 2022.

    Srinivasan added that the IMF is encouraged by the authorities’ commitment to continue the reform efforts.

    He said the IMF remains a steadfast partner in supporting Sri Lanka and its people and stands ready to assist the country in achieving its economic reform goals.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN says nearly 900,000 affected by flooding in South Sudan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday it has scaled up the response to the devastating flooding which has affected more than 890,000 people in South Sudan.

    The UN relief agency said in an update released in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the floods have so far displaced about 226,000 people in 42 counties and Abyei.

    “The latest increase is attributed to newly confirmed numbers of affected people in the Abyei Administrative Area, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes states,” OCHA said in its update.

    South Sudan faces unprecedented flooding, with forecasts predicting above-average rainfall, river flows from Uganda, and potentially record-breaking floods, according to OCHA.

    The agency said physical access to affected communities remains a challenge due to damaged and impassable roads.

    The update came a day after South Sudan’s Council of Ministers endorsed the declaration of a state of emergency in flood-affected states. President Salva Kiir is expected to issue the declaration soon so as to mobilize resources from international donors to support relief efforts.

    In September, the UN allocated 15 million U.S. dollars for an urgent response to the flooding in South Sudan, which began in May and has since damaged homes, crops and infrastructure, disrupting education and health services.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Biden stresses need for Israel to minimize civilian casualties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Friday that while Israel has the right to fight and defend itself against militant groups like Hezbollah, it should put “much more” effort in minimizing civilian casualties during such operations.

    Making a surprise appearance — his first since taking office — at the White House press briefing, Biden tried to quell growing concerns that what has been happening in the past few days is edging ever closer to a full-blown regional war in the Middle East.

    He argued that the U.S. strategy to deal with the current situation has received support from the United Nations Security Council as well as Washington’s allies around the world.

    “The Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them, not just from the Iranians, but from everyone — from Hezbollah to Houthis,” Biden said. “But the fact is that they have to be very much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China stimulus to benefit SE Asia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s stimulus measures will have a positive spillover effect on Southeast Asia, with the region’s tourism and export sectors expected to benefit from increased Chinese spending, analysts said.

    “The pledge of swift and forceful fiscal stimulus by Beijing is welcome news to ASEAN economies,” Erica Tay, an economist at Malaysia-based Maybank Investment Banking Group, told China Daily.

    ASEAN refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member regional grouping.

    On Sept 24, China’s central bank announced a raft of measures aimed at boosting the nation’s economy and spurring consumer spending. The steps included a cut in the reserve requirement ratio of commercial banks, lowering a key interest rate and reducing mortgage rates on existing home loans. The measures led to a spike in global commodity prices and triggered a rally in stock markets.

    The Malaysian ringgit, which is one of the best-performing Asian currencies this year, hit a three-year high following the Chinese central bank’s announcement. Stock prices of Chinese companies listed on the Singapore bourse surged, along with similar moves on other exchanges.

    But for the ASEAN region, which considers China as its biggest trading partner, a key source of investments and tourists and a huge market for export goods, the impact of China’s stimulus package goes beyond the stock price rally.

    Fillip to spending

    “Positive sentiment from the news flow may benefit Chinese consumer spending and tourism demand,” Tay said. She said this will spill over to economies popular with Chinese holidaymakers, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

    Thailand, ASEAN’s most popular travel destination, was expected to welcome more than 180,000 Chinese tourists during the Oct 1 to 7 Golden Week holiday. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has estimated that Chinese spending over the weeklong holiday will bring over 5 billion baht ($151 million) in tourism revenues.

    Asia Plus Securities expects more Chinese tourists to visit Thailand thanks to the stimulus.

    The Bangkok-based brokerage said in a research note that the Chinese stimulus will be a boon to the Thai export sector as China is Thailand’s second-biggest export market.

    Josua Pardede, chief economist at the Jakarta-based PermataBank, said the substantial stimulus from Beijing is targeting not only the domestic supply side but also the demand side which can lead to higher multiplier effects on the overall economy.

    Pardede said “the strong trade and industrial sector linkages” between Indonesia and China will ensure that the stimulus will support Indonesian export growth and foreign direct investment inflows.

    “If global sentiment regarding China’s economic outlook improves, investors are likely to adopt a risk-on stance toward the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia. As a result, there is potential for increased inflow into Indonesia’s portfolio market, which would ultimately help maintain the stability of the rupiah,” he said, referring to the Indonesian currency.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Serbian president hails Chinese-built bypass

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated a new bypass road around the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, constructed by a Chinese company as part of Serbia’s broader infrastructure development initiatives.

    The inauguration ceremony in Gornji Milanovac — located about an hour and a half south of Belgrade via the Chinese-built E-763 “Milos the Great” highway — was attended by Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Goran Vesic, Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, and Gornji Milanovac Mayor Dejan Kovacevic.

    Vucic emphasized the road’s significance for the local community, noting that it would “bring them closer to Belgrade, Europe, and the world.”

    The 9.4-kilometer bypass, connecting Gornji Milanovac with the E-763 highway, is expected to alleviate traffic in the town center by diverting transit and freight vehicles.

    Construction on the bypass began after a cooperation agreement was signed between Serbia’s Ministry of Construction and Power Construction Corporation of China in late 2021.

    Li praised the fruitful cooperation between Serbia and China in recent years, highlighting the success of numerous infrastructure projects.

    “I hope this road marks a new beginning, paving the way for more opportunities for prosperity and happiness,” Li concluded. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges EU to get back to right track of resolving trade disputes through consultations

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has urged the European Commission to take concrete actions to implement its political will and get back to the right track of resolving trade frictions through consultations, said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

    The remarks came after the commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China had obtained the necessary support from Member States of the European Union (EU) for the adoption of tariffs.

    “China firmly opposes the draft final ruling of the EU side, but has also noted its political will to continue to resolve the issue through negotiations,” said the spokesperson, noting that technical teams from both sides will continue with their negotiations on Oct. 7.

    The ministry urged the EU side to be clearly aware of the harm of imposing additional tariffs, as it will not solve any problems but only waver Chinese enterprises’ confidence and resolve in and prevent them from conducting investing cooperation in Europe.

    “China’s position is consistent and clear. China firmly opposes the unfair, illegal and unreasonable protectionist practices of EU in this case, and resolutely opposes the EU additional countervailing duty on Chinese electric vehicles,” said the spokesperson.

    The EU’s protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules and disrupt the normal international trade order, hindering not just the China-EU trade and investment cooperation but also the EU’s green transition, with a negative impact on global climate response, the spokesperson noted.

    The spokesperson said China has implemented the consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, always borne in mind the overall interests of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and always upheld the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation.

    Since the end of June, both sides have held more than 10 technical consultations involving sub-ministry department chiefs and two vice-ministerial consultations on the case.

    On Sept. 19, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis held comprehensive, in-depth and constructive talks, said the spokesperson, adding that they both clearly expressed the political will to resolve differences through consultation and agreed to launch price commitment talks to avoid escalating the trade frictions.

    In the following 14 days, technical teams from both sides conducted six rounds of consultations. Over the process, again and again, the Chinese side has fully listened to the demands and opinions of the Chinese and European industries, showing its open and cooperative attitude and exercising maximum flexibility, according to the spokesperson.

    “China will take all possible measures to firmly defend the interests of Chinese enterprises,” the spokesperson added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Total of 5,358 listed companies on Chinese stock market by end August

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    There were 5,358 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of August 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

    The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,268, 2,839 and 251 listed firms, respectively, by end August, data from the association showed.

    State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing and information transmission/software/information technology services, as well as wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

    Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.48 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

    Nine companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in August, raising a combined total of 5.33 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars), while 17 companies were delisted. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis and Budd Issue Joint Statement on Helene Response Operations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    Our National Guard and local, state, and federal first responders on the ground have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster with the resources they have. Given the unprecedented extent of the devastation and complexity of search and rescue operations, it would be helpful to assign an active-duty military leader who has extensive experience with operations of this magnitude to lead moving forward.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Leading the way to Chinese modernization through sci-tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The launch of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System’s (BDS-3) final two satellites in September marked the completion of China’s independently-developed satnav system, for which President Xi Jinping has given continuous support.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been closely following the development of the BDS-3 program.
    He visited the satellite launch site, cared about and encouraged scientists and technicians in the BDS-3 program, officially announced the commissioning of the program, sent a congratulatory letter to an international summit on the application of BeiDou, and mentioned it as a highlight of China’s achievements in his New Year messages.
    He has called for wider application of the BeiDou system to make new and greater contributions to China’s economic and social development, as well as the building of a human community with a shared future.
    Under the new system of concentrating nationwide efforts and resources on key undertakings, sci-tech workers have surmounted a multitude of technological hurdles — successfully integrating BeiDou into both industrial applications and daily life.
    BeiDou has become a standard configuration for mass consumer products such as smartphones and wearable devices. In the first half of 2024, over 98 percent of China’s 139 million units of smartphone shipments supported the BeiDou positioning system.
    The growth of BeiDou mirrors the modernization drive underpinned by the modernization of science and technology, and shows how the Chinese leader values sci-tech innovation and its fruits for bolstering the economy and facilitating high-quality development.
    At this year’s meeting with the country’s sci-tech workers in June, Xi said that Chinese modernization should be supported by sci-tech modernization, and achieving high-quality development relies on new driving forces cultivated by sci-tech innovation.
    What he calls for is happening. China has moved up to 11th place in the rankings of the world’s most innovative economies, representing one of the fastest rises over the past decade, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
    The country is also home to 26 of the world’s top 100 sci-tech innovation clusters, maintaining its position as the global leader for two consecutive years, the WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2024 confirmed.
    Xi has emphasized the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation by enhancing the principal position of enterprises in technological innovation.
    The development of new energy vehicles is a good example. In 2014, during an inspection tour of SAIC Motor, a major Chinese carmaker, Xi called for the research and development of products that cater to diverse needs and highlighted the importance of new energy vehicles in enhancing China’s automotive industry.
    In the following decade, the president became a big fan of electric cars, visiting automotive companies, touring laboratories, and showing great interest in trying new home-developed models. He encouraged carmakers to focus on product quality and cultivate market competitiveness.
    Now new energy vehicles have become a highlight of China’s tech-intensive industry. Their penetration rate, a gauge of popularity, climbed to 53.9 percent in the domestic market in August, meaning that their sales volume exceeded that of traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.
    New energy vehicles are also gaining popularity in Southeast Asian, South American and European markets. In the first eight months of 2024, China exported 818,000 new energy vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 12.6 percent.
    In addition to boosting economic growth through new energy industries, Xi also places great emphasis on the role of such industries in green development and promotes the sharing of green technologies — as harmonious coexistence between human and nature is one of the key features of China’s modernization.
    He has repeatedly expressed China’s commitment to re-adjusting industrial structure and energy mix, vigorously developing renewable energy, and making faster progress in planning and developing large wind power and photovoltaic bases.
    Over the past decade, China’s annual installation of renewable energy power generation capacity has accounted for more than 40 percent of the global total, while exceeding 50 percent in 2023.
    China’s fast progress in developing renewable energy technologies and their massive applications have also significantly contributed to an over 60 percent reduction in wind power costs and a more than 80 percent drop in photovoltaic power costs globally. This has played a pivotal role in global efforts to cut carbon emissions and transit toward a greener economy.
    At the same time, its renewable energy technology is still making breakthroughs, providing impetus for the future development of the industry. According to a study published in Nature at the end of September, Chinese chemists Yuan Mingjian from Nankai University cooperated with a scientist in Canada to prepare perovskite solar cell devices with high energy conversion efficiency and high operational stability, marking a major breakthrough in new-generation photovoltaic technology.
    At a recent symposium on ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, Xi mentioned that many African countries have been discussing cooperation with China concerning wind and photovoltaic power.
    “Green and low-carbon cooperation has a promising future,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IPhsa at ICMM: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Health Security

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    BRISBANE, Australia  –  

    During the International Committee for Military Medicine (ICMM) 45th World Congress “Military Medicine Shaping Global Health” held in Brisbane from September 22-27, 2024, the Indo-Pacific health security alliance (IPhsa) hosted a session co-chaired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). This gathering brought together regional and international stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing health security and future collaboration.

    Key session highlights included the announcement of the next IPhsa event in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2025, as well as the continued participation of the African Partnership Outbreak Response Alliance (APORA) in sharing lessons learned. These discussions focused on best practices and expanding partnerships to address health threats in the Indo-Pacific.

    CAPT Jeffrey Bitterman of INDOPACOM opened the session by emphasizing the critical importance of regional cooperation to address evolving health threats, including infectious diseases and natural disasters.

    “By building health security capacity, together, we foster global stability, will cultivate key partnerships and mitigate harmful influences and enhance readiness in our collective interoperability. Collaboration with public health authorities, media organizations and other stakeholders is also crucial for building public trust and health security efforts”. – CAPT Bitterman, U.S. INDOPACOM Command Surgeon.

    He underscored IPhsa’s milestones, such as the 2022 signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and the 2024 Terms of Reference, which formalized military-civilian partnerships. He highlighted that strengthening preparedness and interoperability across sectors is key to protecting public health and maintaining regional stability.

    A pre-recorded message from Mr. Ludy Prapancha Suryantoro of the World Health Organization emphasized the need for enhanced civil-military collaboration in health emergencies. He introduced the Civil-Military Mapping tool, designed to improve coordination and identify gaps in health emergency preparedness, especially in biosecurity/laboratories, CBRN, one health and disaster response.

    ADF’s AIRCDRE Nicole dos Santos closed the session by reflecting on the significance of global health security as a cornerstone of national and regional safety. She drew upon themes of interconnectedness, referencing the term “Ubuntu” to highlight shared humanity and collective responsibility. AIRCDR dos Santos emphasized the growing convergence of geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic factors, noting the need for a multilateral, whole-of-government approach to health security. She celebrated IPhsa’s role in fostering collaboration between military and civilian sectors and called for sustained partnerships to face global challenges.

    “Leading to improved global health security, we are very privileged to be a founding member of the alliance, and we look forward to contributing to the development of the Indo Pacific health security alliance over the coming years. As we progress and mature, we would like to welcome more of you to join the alliance and work with us to improve the health security of our region and our world for those who follow.” – AIRCDRE dos Santos, Director General Operational Health – Joint Health Command

    As the session concluded, participants echoed the call for stronger cooperation and looked ahead to the upcoming IPhsa meeting in PNG in 2025, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration to bolster regional health resilience.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation Honors Law Enforcement Community at NH Congressional Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Concord, NH) – On Friday, New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation honored members of the New Hampshire law enforcement community for exemplary service at the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Awards (NH-CLEA) ceremony in Concord. You can find photos from the event here.
    “Granite State law enforcement officers put their lives on the line day after day, doing essential work that often goes underappreciated,” said Senator Shaheen. “This year’s recipients have been recognized for their unique and outstanding efforts, often in the face of great danger to themselves, to protect and serve the citizens of New Hampshire. I offer my sincere gratitude for all that they do.”
    “New Hampshire’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to keep our state safe,” said Senator Hassan. “I was honored to attend the Congressional Law Enforcement Award ceremony tonight and recognize the officers whose extraordinary actions have made an incalculable difference to our communities.”
    “New Hampshire’s law enforcement officers go above and beyond the call of duty every day to protect us and keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Tonight’s ceremony is an opportunity for us to express our thanks and gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifices. I want to extend my congratulations to this year’s recipients and their families.”
    “Congratulations to the men and women of law enforcement who were honored this year for going above and beyond to protect and serve our communities,” said Congressman Pappas. “They always stand ready to answer the call, and that’s why it is so critical that we provide our law enforcement with the support, resources, and respect that they have earned.  I’m grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of the New Hampshire law enforcement community which ensures our state has a safe and strong future ahead.”
    The New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Awards were started in 1998. All New Hampshire law enforcement officers – whether they are serving full – or part-time – are eligible to be nominated for recognition from the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation. Awardees are selected by an independent committee of law enforcement officers comprised of current and retired federal, state, county, and local officials.
    At the ceremony, Shaheen, Hassan, and Pappas honored the following law enforcement personnel with certificates of recognition on Friday: 
    2024 Congressional Law Enforcement Award Recipients 
    Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award
    This award recognizes officers who put their lives in harm’s way to help others. The NH-CLEA committee realizes that this is always part of any officer’s duties, but there are times when heroism and sacrifice in extreme circumstances need to be recognized. 
    Conservation Officer Levi Frye (NH Fish & Game) 
    Officer Brian Jenkins (Northumberland PD) 
     Lieutenant Geoffrey Pinard (Goffstown PD)  
    Lieutenant James Mitchell (Goffstown PD) 
    Sergeant Kevin Laroche (Goffstown PD) 
    Sergeant Jonathan Babcock (Goffstown PD) 
    Officer Timothy Chabot (Goffstown PD) 
    Sergeant Forrest Walker (Franklin PD) 
    Officer Christopher Hart (Franklin PD) 
    Officer James DeLuca (Hampton PD) 
    Trooper Philip Sheehy (NH State Police) 
    Trooper First Class Nathan Sleight (NH State Police) 
    Officer Richard W. Bateman Dedication and Professionalism Award
    This award, named in honor of Officer Richard W. Bateman, recognizes law enforcement personnel that go beyond their normal duties in service to others.  
    Officer Jagger Bell (Franklin PD)  
    Dispatch Supervisor Kate Burton (Franklin PD) 
    Dispatcher Ryleigh O’Keefe (Franklin PD) 
    Dispatcher Taylee Wolfe (Franklin PD) 
    Trooper Benjamin Olmstead (NH State Police) 
    Communications Specialist Angelique M. Carter (NH State Police) 
    Marine Patrol Supervisor David Jones (NH Marine Patrol) 
    Marine Patrol Officer Timothy Pinkham (NH Marine Patrol) 
    Detective Wade Brown (Concord PD) 
    Detective Danika Gorham (Concord PD) 
    Sergeant Richard Sprankle (Nashua PD) 
    Officer Adam Anderson (Nashua PD) 
    Border Patrol Agent John Sue (U.S. Border Patrol)
    Associate Service Award
    This award recognizes that fire or rescue personnel as well as civilians have come to the assistance of law enforcement personnel in the course of their duties, at times putting their own lives in harm’s way and deserved recognition by the law enforcement community for their assistance.
    Ms. Christine Lavoie  
    Ms. Suzanne Folsom  
    Career Service Award
    This award recognizes an individual that has, over the course of his or her career, shown an outstanding dedication to law enforcement and their community.
    Mr. Thomas Andross (Grafton County Sheriff’s Office) 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge passengers exceed 20m

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    More than 20 million inbound and outbound passengers have traveled through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge so far in 2024, an increase of 86 percent year on year, and exceeding the total volume of the whole of last year, official data released on Friday shows.
    This also marks the first time since the official opening of the bridge that the annual passenger flow has exceeded the milestone of 20 million people.
    This increasing number of Hong Kong and Macao passengers heading north is becoming the main force driving the rapid growth of passenger traffic at the port. Since the beginning of this year, more than 12 million Hong Kong and Macao travelers have entered or left the Chinese mainland via this port, up 83.3 percent year on year, and accounting for over 60 percent of total port passenger traffic during the period, local border inspection authorities said.
    The 55-km bridge links China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the city of Zhuhai in the southern Guangdong Province, and Macao SAR. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nation ramps up public services to meet rising cultural demand

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Shanghai resident Wang Yanqing, 38, said that her recent experience of trying to secure a spot in the upcoming autumn courses at the Shanghai Resident Night School took her back to university days, when students had to scramble to register for classes online.
    In the blink of an eye, nearly 900,000 eager applicants flooded the system as soon as the night school’s registration portal opened. The most sought-after classes for the autumn session of the school spanned a wide range of disciplines, including archery, baking, leather crafting, popping and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
    Priced at a modest 500 yuan for a series of 12 classes, the Shanghai Resident Night School has gained a reputation for its accessibility and top-quality instructors, establishing itself as the hottest public cultural service hub in the city.
    Catering to people aged 18 to 55, the night school offers courses during the spring and autumn terms. In the ongoing autumn semester, the service has been expanded to include 37 branch campuses and 367 teaching venues, spanning across the city.
    For Wang, who has been learning dance skills at the primary campus of Shanghai Mass Art Center since 2021, the night school represents a vital outlet for personal growth and exploration.
    “Elderly people have their senior universities and children have various art training institutions to choose from. We young people also need some public cultural services to develop our interests and add color to our lives,” says Wang.
    “At the night school, you’ll find courses with solid reviews, awesome teachers and prices that are budget-friendly. It’s also easy to locate a class close to home,” Wang adds.
    In recent years, the country has been actively improving the public cultural service system and expanding the coverage of basic public cultural services.
    The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization released in July includes plans for enhancing the public cultural service system.
    This includes establishing a mechanism for high-quality cultural resources to reach grassroots levels and enhancing the participation of social entities in the provision of public cultural services.
    Li Guoxin, director of Peking University’s national center for modern public culture research, explained that the resolution highlights the importance of offering higher quality, more efficient, fairer and sustainable public cultural services to grassroots communities. This is aimed at enhancing people’s sense of cultural attainment and happiness.
    In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted innovation and reform in public cultural services. Over 35,000 new public cultural spaces have been set up nationwide, including libraries and cultural centers in urban and rural areas, making cultural services more accessible for a wider population, Li added.
    Hefei, capital of Anhui province, has witnessed active expansion of reading spaces since 2017.
    With more than 100 urban reading spaces, urban residents are guaranteed to reach a reading space within a 15-minute walk from their homes.
    Ji Yuanyuan, a resident from Hefei’s economic development zone, said that the reading space has provided a group of full-time mothers like her with a place where “they can temporarily set aside the family’s troubles and worries, and just be themselves”.
    Formerly an entrepreneur who devoted herself to her career, she used to have her parents take care of her children. After her children started primary school, she decided to devote her time to her children and family.
    However, she found that upon returning from the workplace to the family, women easily fell into anxiety. So she initiated a reading club in 2017, where full-time mothers come together to recommend good books to each other and share parenting experiences.
    The club’s gathering place is called Forest Book House, an urban reading space within her community that not only provides residents with reading facilities but also features workshops on calligraphy and handicrafts.
    The book club receives an average of around 400 visitors per day, and last year, it hosted a total of 140,482 readers.
    “We now have over 100 female members and hold events every Thursday afternoon at the Book House,” Ji said.
    “When we meet like-minded people in the space, our anxious feelings fade away, and we feel more uplifted as a whole.”
    In the first half of the year, the urban reading spaces in Hefei received 4.86 million visitors, with 1.115 million books borrowed and 8,983 events hosted, according to Meng Xianlei, an official from the city’s bureau of culture and tourism.
    Meng points out that these reading spaces are constructed by the government, owned by the government and operated by third parties through bidding processes. The separation of ownership and operation rights of public cultural facilities shows the reform measures proposed by the aforementioned resolution on further deepening and advancing Chinese modernization.
    Starting this year, Hefei is transforming these urban reading spaces into public cultural hubs featuring art exhibitions, training seminars, literary salons, film screenings and a range of other services.
    Originally from Guilin in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Wang said she has found pleasure and fulfillment in Shanghai’s public cultural amenities, despite the long distance from her hometown.
    The abundance of libraries, art centers and communal spaces has not only enriched Wang’s own life but has also provided a welcoming place for her mother, who recently traveled from Guilin to Shanghai to live with her.
    “She frequents the free movie screenings at the community cultural center near our residence every week. Such public cultural spaces have aided her in swiftly having a social circle in this unfamiliar city,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CalMatters: Laphonza Butler wants you to know she’s your U.S. senator

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for California – Laphonza Butler

    By Lynna La
    Ever since Laphonza Butler took herself out of the running for U.S. Senate a year ago — just two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom picked her to replace the late Dianne Feinstein — she has faded into the background quite a bit. 
    Thursday, to mark one year since the Democrat took the oath of office, her office sent a clear message that she’s busy representing California — and will be until whoever voters pick in November is sworn in to serve until January, and then a full six-year term after that.  
    Butler, in a statement to CalMatters: “I’m proud to represent one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in America, with a population of young people who have shown up to be the face of change. Their courage, their passion, their drive to lead have fueled me every single day in the Senate…”
    In a series of social media posts, Butler’s office gave some facts and figures on what she’s been up to — 342 votes and much more:
    Read the full article HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Walz Takes Executive Action to Make State of Minnesota a Recovery-Friendly Workplace

    Source: US State of Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz today took executive action to make the State of Minnesota a recovery-friendly workplace. Under Executive Order 24-11, the state will adopt policies and procedures to increase support for employees in recovery. This executive order builds on legislation from the 2023 session establishing a statewide Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative by positioning state government to lead by example.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Verge: Senator Laphonza Butler thinks supporting Big AI or human workers is a ‘false choice’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for California – Laphonza Butler

    By Lauren Feiner
    Representing California in Congress comes with a unique challenge: navigating national politics while reflecting the interests of the most populous state in the US, including a large constituency from the tech industry. It’s a challenge both current California Sen. Laphonza Butler and Vice President Kamala Harris — who previously held that title — have taken on. And right now, governing the tech world means addressing AI.

    Congress hasn’t made much headway on a national framework for regulating generative AI. But California is the epicenter of the AI industry, home to companies like OpenAI and Google. On the national stage, Harris has acted as an AI czar within the Biden administration, leading discussions with industry players and civil society leaders about how to regulate it. Butler, who has a long history with the VP, is focusing on a specific problem: how AI systems impact labor and social equity.

    Butler spoke with The Verge about balancing the interests of AI companies and the people their products impact, including workers who fear being automated out of a job. “It all starts with listening,” says Butler, a former labor leader. “It starts with listening to both the developers, the communities potentially impacted negatively, and the spaces where opportunity exists.”

    Like many officials, Butler says she wants to help protect Americans from the potential dangers of AI without stifling opportunities that could come from it. She praised both Schumer and the Biden administration for “creating spaces for communities to have [a] voice.” Both have brought in labor and civil society leaders in addition to major AI industry executives to educate and engage on regulation in the space.

    Butler insists lawmakers don’t need to make “false choices” between the interests of AI company executives and the people who make up the workforce. “Listening is fundamental, balancing everyone’s interest, but the goal has to be to do the most good for the most people. And to me, that is where a policymaker will always tend to land.”

    California state Senator Scott Wiener made similar statements about his hotly contested state-level bill, SB 1047. The bill, which would have required whistleblower protections and safeguards for potentially disastrous events at large AI companies, made it all the way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk before being vetoed, with companies like OpenAI warning it would slow innovation. In August, Wiener argued that “we can advance both innovation and safety; the two are not mutually exclusive.” So far, however, lawmakers are struggling to find a balance between the two.
    Read the full article HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5,358 listed companies on Chinese mainland by end August

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    There were 5,358 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of August 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

    The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,268, 2,839 and 251 listed firms, respectively, by end August, data from the association showed.

    State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing and information transmission/software/information technology services, as well as wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

    Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.48 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

    Nine companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in August, raising a combined total of 5.33 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars), while 17 companies were delisted. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation
    2024-10-04

    On the afternoon of October 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a transatlantic delegation from the German Marshall Fund (GMF). In remarks, President Lai stated that as China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget and that it is aiming to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy to safeguard regional stability and ensure the sustainable development of democracy. The president stated that we seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and that he looks forward to further advancing economic exchanges and cooperation with the United States and European Union as we unite to face the threats of authoritarian expansionism.
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    I welcome the delegation led by GMF Senior Advisor Heather A. Conley. As Typhoon Krathon has been affecting Taiwan these few days, the presence of our esteemed guests from the United States and Europe here today demonstrates your staunch support for Taiwan and the solid stance our transatlantic partners have taken with Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation.
    GMF has long paid close attention to cross-strait issues. For instance, it released a research report on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The report pointed out that the resolution does not mention Taiwan and explained to the international community that China has distorted the content of the resolution and improperly linked it with its “one China principle.” I want to take this opportunity to thank Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the GMF Bonnie Glaser for her efforts and support in this regard.
    In recent years, the US has continued to coordinate with its allies to reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And the GMF has contributed greatly to garnering support for Taiwan among the transatlantic alliance. For this, I convey my heartfelt appreciation.
    China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily. It is expanding its military presence in the East and South China Seas and attempting to change the rules-based international order. In response, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget, established a new defense innovation unit, and set up the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Our aim is to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. By making Taiwan more resilient, we are safeguarding regional stability and ensuring the sustainable development of democracy.
    Indeed, Taiwan is determined to protect democracy. We seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and avert the threats of expanding authoritarianism. In terms of Taiwan-US military cooperation, I would like to thank former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis for her tremendous assistance in facilitating the US government’s efforts to accelerate the provision of the defense capabilities Taiwan needs through such avenues as the presidential drawdown authority and Foreign Military Financing program.
    Apart from military cooperation, economic cooperation is also crucial. We hope that Taiwan and the US can resolve the issue of double taxation as soon as possible. This would further enhance our bilateral trade and economic ties. We also look forward to signing a bilateral investment agreement with the EU to further advance economic exchanges and cooperation.
    Facing the threats of authoritarian expansionism, democracies must unite. Only then will we be able to respond with our collective wisdom and strength. Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan. Taiwan will continue working together with our partners in the US and Europe. I look forward to our discussion.
    Senior Advisor Conley then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for giving them his time and mentioning that this three-day visit, which coincided with the typhoon, demonstrated to them in very concrete terms the importance of the whole-of-society resilience. She said that they were also able to take a deep dive into what President Lai’s administration has put forward on the five pillars, the challenges of implementing this ambitious plan, and the importance of local governments and public opinion.
    Noting that the GMF stands for the intersection of democracy, prosperity, and security, and connecting those dots, Senior Advisor Conley remarked how important those connections are in today’s world. She stated that the more complex the international challenges, the more important partners are to helping to solve those problems. That is why the GMF wanted to bring together a transatlantic delegation with colleagues from Europe and the US, she added, who bring together expertise in the technology and economic dimensions of security and civil society. She said that it has been a joy to be with them, to learn together, and to learn from experts in Taiwan as well.
    Senior Advisor Conley said that over the past three days, they have had opportunities to brainstorm, provide new ideas, and take home new ideas, and that they look forward to writing about them and helping and continuing this important dialogue. In closing, on behalf of her colleagues and the GMF, she thanked President Lai for giving them an extraordinary three days of conversation and for making time out of his busy schedule in a week of a natural disaster in Taiwan. 
    The delegation also included former Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO Francesco M. Talò, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Lieutenant General Rajmund Andrzejczak, GMF Board of Trustees Chair Christopher Schroeder, Special Competitive Studies Project Senior Advisor Joe Wang, and Munich Security Conference Senior Fellow Nico Lange.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On 10/07/2024, the deposit auction of the PPC “TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND” will take place

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    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://www.moex.com/n73776

    Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

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    Parameters
    Date of the deposit auction 10/07/2024
    Placement currency RUB
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 1,050,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 55
    Date of deposit 10/08/2024
    Refund date 02.12.2024
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 19.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 1,050,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Agreement General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 11:00 to 11:10
    Applications in competition mode from 11:10 to 11:15
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 11:25
       
    Additional terms With the right of early withdrawal of the deposit at a rate of 0.01% per annum

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unexplained death at Mount Gambier

    Source: South Australia Police

    Limestone Coast police are investigating an unexplained death at Mount Gambier.

    Just before 8am on Saturday 5 October police and emergency services were called to a property on Lake Terrace East after reports a woman was unconscious at the address.

    On police arrival they located a 52-year-old woman who sadly could not be revived.

    Mount Gambier police are speaking with a 53-year-old male who is assisting with enquiries.

    Anyone who has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan’s new PM Ishiba delivers 1st policy speech since taking office

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected Japanese prime minister, gave his first policy speech to parliament on Friday, vowing to restore public trust in politics following a series of scandals and trying to reassure the public amid rising living costs.

    At the beginning of his speech after being elected prime minister earlier this week, Ishiba expressed “deep regret” over a high-profile slush funds scandal which heavily tarnished the image of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

    “I will restore confidence in politics lost over the issue of political funds and will explain to the people more clearly than ever the situation in which Japan finds itself,” Ishiba said. “It is the responsibility of politics to rebuild a safe, secure and prosperous Japan by gaining the understanding and empathy of the people.”

    In terms of economic policy, Ishiba promised to swiftly craft a fresh package of measures to help inflation-hit households struggling to cope with rising prices, with the yen’s depreciation leading to higher import costs.

    “It’s necessary that we provide support to those reeling from rising prices until a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution is certainly in motion, where pay hikes outpace inflation and companies invest proactively,” Ishiba said.

    The 67-year-old former defense minister set a goal of achieving a 1,500 yen (about 10 U.S. dollars) average minimum hourly wage across the nation by the end of the 2020s, earlier than the previous government’s target. It currently stands at 1,055 yen.

    On energy policy, Ishiba said Japan will ensure the safety of nuclear reactors and create the best energy mix to satisfy growing demand, contrasting with his stance in last month’s LDP presidential election when he argued for the country to reduce its reliance on nuclear power to zero and greater use of renewable sources.

    Regarding diplomacy and security issues, the prime minister expressed his willingness to seek “constructive and stable” ties with China through dialogue, while making bilateral ties with South Korea “more robust and wide-ranging.”

    Sessions in which representatives of the ruling and opposition parties will ask questions in response to Ishiba’s policy statements are expected to be held in the Lower House and the Upper House on Oct. 7 and 8.

    Ishiba has announced his intention to dissolve the Lower House on Oct. 9 for a snap election on Oct. 27. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: First Regional Meeting of UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site Managers in Latin America and the Caribbean

    Source: United Nations

    From 8 to 13 September 2024, the Península Valdés marine World Heritage property in Argentina hosted the inaugural Regional meeting of UNESCO World Heritage marine site managers from Latin America and the Caribbean. The event brought together managers from the 12 UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in the region, alongside experts from UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

    The meeting aimed to foster the exchange of best practices, promote dialogue on shared challenges, and establish collaborative strategies to address critical conservation issues at the regional level. Key topics included the impact of avian influenza on elephant seals, designing sustainable visitor strategies, early detection of invasive species, and the impacts of increasingly warming waters. These discussions were enriched by conservation success stories presented by the site managers, as well as insights provided by invited local and global experts.

    Alongside the working sessions, the managers conducted field visits to Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, to gain firsthand insights into the management of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. The event also featured community-focused talks aimed at engaging local students, researchers, tourist guides, park rangers, and other stakeholders in discussions about the conservation of Peninsula Valdés. These interactions strengthened collaboration among stakeholders and raised public awareness about the importance of preserving UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in Argentina and the world.

    A key outcome of the meeting was the ‘Declaration of Península Valdés’, in which the gathered managers reaffirmed their commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in Latin America and the Caribbean. The declaration emphasized strengthening governance through participatory, adaptive management plans to address emerging threats like climate change, invasive species, and avian influenza. It highlighted the importance of involving local communities in decision-making, promoting innovative conservation training, and enhancing education to raise awareness about the significance of protecting a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Organisation of the first Regional meeting followed the 5th UNESCO World Heritage Marine Managers Conference that was held in the Wadden Sea World Heritage site (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands) in October 2023.

    The regional meeting was organized in partnership with the Península Valdés World Heritage site management team (Argentina) and UNESCO’s regional office in Montevideo (Uruguay), with financial support from the Provincial Government of Chubut, the Península Valdés management team, and UNESCO’s Montevideo office.

    The World Heritage Centre also expresses its sincere gratitude to the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) for their ongoing support in strengthening the UNESCO Marine World Heritage Network through initiatives of this nature.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by DSJ at media session

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (October 5):

    Reporter: Mr Cheung, because quite a number of overseas judges have resigned, so are you worried about voices concerning the recognition and the credibility of the top courts in Hong Kong? And do you think there is a need to fill up the vacancies as soon as possible?

    Deputy Secretary for Justice: Certainly, we fully recognise the contributions made by the overseas judges in Hong Kong. Several of them left, maybe for different reasons, some for personal reasons and some for other reasons that may not be disclosed to us. I will say that we recognise their contributions. But, as you can see many excellent common law jurisdictions in the world, they do not have such kind of mechanism. The mechanism of overseas judges is a unique feature of our system, but it doesn’t mean that if you do not have overseas judges, you do not have good rule of law, as you can see from the other examples of other jurisdictions all over the world. The appointment of the overseas judges is not the job of the Department of Justice but I am pretty sure that our Judiciary will continue to look for other outstanding judges in overseas jurisdictions. For the Hong Kong people, we should recognise that there are very good remarks made by the other serving overseas judges in Hong Kong and overseas judges who just left, they fully recognise the rule of law in Hong Kong and we must have every confidence in our own rule of law, in our legal system.

    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, marking a significant milestone in expanding global access to mpox testing.

    The approval comes as Africa continues to struggle with limited testing capacity, which fueled the spread of the virus. Over 30,000 suspected mpox cases have been reported across the continent in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Nigeria being the most affected.

    In the DRC, only 37 percent of suspected cases have been tested this year, according to the global health agency.

    The test, known as Alinity m MPXV assay, will boost diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where rapid and accurate testing is crucial.

    The Alinity m MPXV assay is a real-time PCR test designed to detect mpox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs, enabling laboratory and health workers to confirm cases quickly.

    “This first mpox diagnostic test listed under the Emergency Use Listing procedure represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries,” said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes great achievements in environmental protection over past 75 years

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 5 — China has made remarkable strides in ecological and environmental protection over the past 75 years, increasing the green coverage ratio, improving the system for natural protection areas, better-protecting wildlife species and their habitats, and enhancing air pollution control.

    INCREASING GREEN COVERAGE

    In the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the green coverage ratio of Youyu County, located at the edge of the Maowusu Desert, was less than 0.3 percent.

    Local government and residents’ continuous afforestation efforts over the past seven decades have increased the county’s green coverage ratio to 57 percent. The once “barren land” has become an “oasis in the desert.”

    Youyu County’s story epitomizes China’s national efforts to make the country greener.

    China’s forest coverage rate has increased to over 24 percent from only 8.6 percent around 70 years ago. According to data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the country has contributed about a quarter of the world’s total new green area since the beginning of this century.

    In 1978, China implemented the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which has effectively curbed the expansion of desertification and become a “green great wall” to prevent sandstorms, conserve water and soil, and safeguard agriculture in northwest, north and northeast China.

    By 2020, the program saw afforestation of 480 million mu (32 million hectares) of land, the management of 1.28 billion mu of degraded grasslands, and the forest coverage rate increased from around 5 percent in 1978 to about 14 percent in these regions.

    PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY

    After Dinghushan became China’s first nature reserve to preserve primary forest and protect biodiversity in 1956, China gradually established nearly 10,000 natural protection areas at all levels, including nature reserves, forest parks, natural heritage sites and geoparks.

    The country attaches great importance to biodiversity conservation, as evidenced by being among the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    In 2021, China established its first national parks, covering a protected land area of 230,000 square km.

    These parks, including Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park and Wuyishan National Park, are home to nearly 30 percent of the country’s key terrestrial wildlife species.

    The progress in these national parks has made protecting biodiversity evident when considering the numbers involved.

    The population of the Hainan gibbons, a rare primate that lives in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, had risen to 37 in 2022 from 13 in 2003. Sanjiangyuan National Park, meanwhile, is now home to more than 70,000 Tibetan antelopes, in sharp contrast to less than 20,000 in the 1990s.

    Official data shows that 90 percent of China’s terrestrial ecosystem types and 74 percent of key protected wild animal and plant species populations are now effectively safeguarded.

    ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    Environmental protection has been a high priority for China since the State Council convened the first national conference on the issue in 1973.

    Following the introduction of an action plan to prevent and control air pollution in 2013, China became the first developing country in the world to impose large-scale efforts to reduce PM2.5 density.

    The country has seen fast improvement in air quality, with 203 cities, or around 60 percent of the total cities, meeting the air quality standard in 2023, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

    China has also made substantial strides in protecting the water ecology of key river basins, with national water quality continuing to improve.

    According to the ministry, the proportion of surface water bodies nationwide classified as having excellent water quality reached 89.4 percent in 2023.

    This figure surpasses the target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) by 4.4 percentage points.

    Using the Yangtze River as an example, 98.5 percent of monitoring sites in the basin achieved excellent water quality in 2023, up 0.4 percentage points year on year.

    Additionally, the number of indigenous fish species recorded in the Yangtze River Basin increased to 227, up by 34 species from 2022. The number of nationally protected aquatic wildlife species rose to 14 in 2023, an increase of three compared to the previous year.

    Official data showed the country’s total investment in environmental pollution control reached 901.4 billion yuan (about 128.64 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, compared with only 2.5 billion to 3 billion yuan per year in the early 1980s.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dunedin’s northern access restored, highway to Port Chalmers reopening Monday morning, 4.45pm update Saturday

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Access to Dunedin from the north, State Highway 1, was restored early this afternoon, with long queues of traffic making their way north and south as the road opened in both directions.

    There are just three highway routes or sections of routes remaining closed after the torrential rain and flooding of recent days, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

    The key one is SH88 in Dunedin between Forsyth Barr Stadium/Parry St and Port Chalmers.  It will reopen at 6 am Monday, although people can expect a slower than usual trip at 30km/hour to keep vibrations to a minimum, single lane around slip sites  managed by Stop/Go, 24/7.

    The other two are SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde, and SH90 Tapanui to Waikoikoi, which has a detour in place.

    Port Chalmers highway, SH88 – reopening Monday 6 am, with restrictions

    The route between Forsyth Barr Stadium/Parry St and Port Chalmers remains closed this weekend with residential and emergency access only and fully staffed checkpoints.

    Geotechnical advice has now been received for the Parry St and Burkes landslip areas which means the clean-up can continue at these sites ahead of the highway reopening, with single lane traffic around slip sites and at reduced speed, from Monday at 6 am.

    There are likely to be significant delays on SH88 on Monday with the new traffic management in place and short delays around the rock scaling/removal work.

    This route could also close at short notice again, depending on how the rockfall remediation/ scaling and clean-up goes.

    https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482713(external link)

    Please note, the informal detour roads above SH88 aren’t suitable for large, heavy or towing vehicles and unless people have an urgent need to travel, they should keep these routes clear also.

    SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde (north of Middlemarch): Remaining closed due to damage to a section of highway from the flood water near the Kyeburn Bridge. Flood water still receding. Delay your travel as this will be an extended closure. https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482674(external link)

    SH90 Waikoikoi to Tapanui: Closed due to flooding around the Pomahaka River.  Detour in place and working well. https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/otago/closures/482705(external link)

    Multiple areas of surface flooding and potholes

    • Speeds will be reduced in many places as the clean-up continues this weekend and into next week. NZTA thanks all drivers for slowing around crews and machinery.
    • Bridge inspections so far show they have held up well, says NZTA.
    • This is likely to be the final flooding-related traffic bulletin for this weekend from NZTA.

    State Highway updates

    Highway conditions for Otago | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

    Local road closures Dunedin and Portobello peninsula

    https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/news-and-events/public-notices/road-conditions-and-closures(external link)

    Otago Emergency Management

    https://www.otagocdem.govt.nz/(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CAD holds youth activity in celebration of National Day (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and enhance young people’s understanding of the aviation development in Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (October 5) held an aviation-themed youth activity at its headquarters.
          
         The CAD has all along been committed to enhancing young people’s understanding of Hong Kong aviation industry and inspiring young people’s interests in the industry through organising youth activities, with the aim of nurturing young talents for the industry and hence contributing to the development of our country.
          
         More than 140 participants from seven youth groups, namely the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, the Hong Kong Aerospace Leaders Association, the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, participated in the event today. Besides, nearly 30 participants from the Strive and Rise Programme joined the event today. The event offered a variety of activities, including thematic talks on aviation development in Hong Kong, career talks on CAD grades, demonstrations of air traffic control tower simulator and the Aviation Education Path guided tours. 
          
         â€‹ The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, at the opening ceremony, said that he was very pleased to share the joy of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with the young people at the event. He encouraged members of the youth groups to enhance knowledge on local aviation industry and equip themselves to uphold Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub. Mr Liu added that the CAD Aviation Education Path will set up new exhibition galleries with the themes on the “uprising of the two airlines” and the civil aviation development of China (including the development of home-grown aircraft), which will be open to the public upon completion.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man arrested for drug offences

    Source: South Australia Police

    As a result of the public statement made on social media by MP David Speirs in which he reveals he had been arrested, police can confirm that on September 26 2024 Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri and charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9.

    Following this his residential premises was subsequently searched. Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date.

    MIL OSI News –