NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ami Bera Votes for Bipartisan Continuing Resolution to Avert Government Shutdown, Fund Federal Government Through December 20

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

    Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) released a statement after voting to pass a bipartisan continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund the government through December 20th. The legislation passed by a vote of 341-82 on the House floor.

    “This afternoon, I joined a strong bipartisan majority of my colleagues to ensure that our government remains open to serve the American people.

    “While today’s vote provides critical funding to the Secret Service, ensuring the agency has the necessary resources to safeguard our political process, and supports veterans’ programs and other essential services, governing from continuing resolution to continuing resolution is no way to operate Congress.

    “Despite dysfunctional House Republican leadership, I will continue working with responsible lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass a full budget that addresses our nation’s most-pressing challenges and provides stability for families, businesses, and communities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Womack Votes to Avoid a Costly Government Shutdown and Bolster Secret Service Protective Operations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3)

    Womack Votes to Avoid a Costly Government Shutdown and Bolster Secret Service Protective Operations

    Washington, September 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C.—September 25, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after voting for the continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:

    Congressman Womack said, “Continuing resolutions are the sad reality of our broken budget process, something I’ve worked tirelessly to reform throughout my time in Congress. However, they’re better than the alternative – a government shutdown. Our national security is at grave risk when the government ceases operations. Hardworking taxpayers would pay the steep price, and programs Americans desperately rely on would come to a screeching halt. Further perpetuating dysfunction in the legislative process is the last thing the American people need. When Congress returns to Washington in November, we must get our act together and fulfill our most fundamental duty of passing fiscally responsible full-year appropriations.”

    Bill Summary:

    • Continues government funding at current levels through December 20, 2024, or the enactment of an applicable full-year appropriations act, whichever occurs first.
    • Allows for necessary payments to the District of Columbia for planning and security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, to the General Services Administration for support of the presidential transition, to the National Archives and Records Administration for record keeping of the presidential transition, and to the National Park Service for planning and security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration.
    • Provides an additional $231 million for the Secret Service for protective operations for presidential and vice-presidential nominees in the 2024 campaign and activities related to National Special Security Events and provides the agency with flexibility to quickly obligate funds for protective operations. This additional money will be subject to existing funding caps, rejecting Democrats’ efforts to designate it as emergency spending.
    • Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through the duration of the CR.
    • Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to continue providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits during the duration of the CR.
    • Extends programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure our veterans continue to receive the care and benefits they have earned.
    • Extends expiring health care programs, including priority review vouchers for rare pediatric diseases, autism support activities, and Medicaid funding for the Northern Mariana Islands. The package is fully offset with a one-year delay to a scheduled change in Medicare payments to clinical laboratories.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Readout of President Joe  Biden’s Meeting with General Secretary Tô Lâm of  Vietnam

    Source: The White House

    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with General Secretary Tô Lâm of Vietnam in New York. President Biden celebrated the one-year milestone of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reinforced the United States’ commitment to a strong, prosperous, resilient, and independent Vietnam. Both leaders reflected on the lasting legacy of the late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and his indelible mark on the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship.

    The two leaders underscored our joint commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expressed enthusiasm for bringing momentum into its second year – especially as we prepare to mark important bilateral milestones in 2025,including 50 years since the end of the war in Vietnam and 30 years since the normalization of ties.

    President Biden raised opportunities to advance cooperation on a range of  economic, technology, security, and diplomatic issues. President Biden underscored the important work under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; progress in our cooperation on cybersecurity including for undersea cables, next steps toward building secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains and strengthening our technology partnership. The two leaders discussed the importance of working together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and combatting environmental and non-traditional security challenges across the Mekong sub-region. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific – especially in the South China Sea. President Biden also emphasized the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and respect for human rights.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Statement from President Joe  Biden on Passage of the Continuing  Resolution

    Source: The White House

    Tonight, bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the government open through mid-December. I want to thank both houses of Congress—especially Senators Murray and Collins and Representatives Cole and DeLauro—for this bipartisan agreement and for avoiding a costly government shutdown. The passage of this bill gives Congress more time to pass full-year funding bills by the end of this year. My Administration will work with Congress to ensure these bills deliver for America’s national defense, veterans, seniors, children, and working families, and address urgent needs for the American people, including communities recovering from disasters. And while the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the resources it currently needs to continue its successful efforts to ensure that the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe, my Administration will oppose any cuts or restrictions that would increase the deficit by limiting the IRS’s ability to crack down on wealthy tax cheats.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection | New York,  NY

    Source: The White House

    On behalf of President Biden, I want to thank each of you for being here today. 

    The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection embodies our shared values and our commitment to work together to elevate the welfare and security of our entire hemisphere. As I listened to each of your remarks, I reflected on how much we have accomplished since your leaders joined President Biden on the podium in Los Angeles a little more than two years ago. 

    We have taken key actions to disrupt the smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants through coordinated enforcement efforts.

    We have expanded lawful pathways as an alternative to the risks inherent in irregular migration.

    And collectively, we have fostered the long-term stabilization and integration of migrants.

    I will provide some details to illustrate more vividly what we have done on each of these three pillars of the Los Angeles Declaration.

    Enforcement

    Together, we are using our immigration and law enforcement tools to deter irregular migration and disrupt transnational criminal organizations that put migrants’ lives at risk for profit.

    We are encouraged by how many countries have taken concrete actions to increase enforcement, including by putting in place strong visa requirements and increasing information sharing. We know this is a challenge that can only be met if we work together.

    And we have:

    • Adopted new rules and processes to strengthen the consequences in place at our border, including refined procedures announced by President Biden on June 4.
    • Increased biometric information sharing across the region to identify bad actors before they enter any of our borders;
    • Imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions, and prosecuted human smugglers;

    So many of these efforts have been done in close coordination with all of you. 

    Lawful Pathways

    The Biden-Harris Administration has also expanded lawful pathways to encourage migrants to apply to come to the United States from their home countries rather than making the dangerous journey to our border.

    That is why we launched the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan parole process – with notable results.

    We are also on track to welcome the largest number of refugees in three decades. This would not have been possible without the Safe Mobility Initiative and our partnership with Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador.

    As part of today’s funding announcement, we are providing an additional $83 million to help resettle more refugees and refer migrants to additional pathways as well, including temporary labor opportunities in the United States and other countries.

    Stabilization and Integration

    And finally, I want to join Secretary Blinken in applauding the pioneering and generous policies that are enabling the stabilization and integration of migrants.

    This is a story that I think will be told for years to come: how Latin America rallied together in the face of the historic displacement of 8 million people from Venezuela and rose up to become a model for the world of how to respond to this kind of mass migration with pragmatism and humanity.

    We applaud so many of the countries represented here for opening your doors to displaced migrants and giving them hope for their future, enabling them to obtain formal employment, access basic social services, and put their kids in school.

    With today’s announcements, over half of the Los Angeles Declaration countries have implemented migrant regularization policies, collectively providing legal status to 4.4 million mostly Venezuelan migrants.

    The United States is proud to support these efforts. As part of today’s $686 million funding announcement by Secretary of State Blinken, the United States will assist partner countries as you implement regularization programs and successfully integrate newcomers. In addition, we will continue to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to help the most vulnerable Venezuelans, both inside Venezuela and throughout the region.

    Closing

    For President Biden, the Los Angeles Declaration was never just a piece of paper that each country signed; it was a call to action.

    And I am confident that with our continued commitment to the Declaration, including the establishment of an enduring Secretariat with Colombia as our first Country Chair, we will continue showing the world that regional collaboration can effectively and humanely address the migratory challenges that we face in our Hemisphere.    

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Readout of President  Biden’s Pull Aside with President Zelenskyy of  Ukraine

    Source: The White House

    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. President Biden informed President Zelenskyy that he has directed a surge in U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, which will be announced publicly tomorrow, and which will help Ukraine win. President Zelenskyy previewed for President Biden his plan for victory. The two leaders will discuss this plan further during their upcoming bilateral meeting at the White House.

    Following their meeting in New York, President Biden convened a historic event in support of Ukraine at which the leaders of more than 30 countries agreed to sign a Joint Declaration of Support for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Ukraine.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Statement on Democrats Funding the Government, Avoiding Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) released the following statement after he joined with all House Democrats and 132 Republicans in voting to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through December 20, 2024. 

    “Today, House Democrats once again stood united above the fray and showed the country that we are the party of governance in the House of Representatives. I’m proud today that I voted to keep our troops paid, critical safety inspections on schedule, federal agencies running, and so much else through the end of the year. The Republican majority never should have taken us—yet again—to the brink of government shutdown. 

    “Funding the government is one of Congress’ basic tasks, and it is disappointing (but not at all surprising) to see 82 of my Republican colleagues shirk their duty in favor of playing political games with our government. 

    “I will always put the people of Western Pennsylvania and our country first.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Finstad Releases Statement Regarding Opposition to Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released the following statement after today’s vote on H.R. 9747, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025:

    “Today, I voted against the continuing resolution because it is past time that we bring an end to this pattern of out-of-control government spending,” said Rep. Finstad. “This short-term extension is irresponsible and does not represent what the American people sent us here to do.”

    “Though the government will remain functioning for the time being, the only way to ensure long-term stability is through an appropriations process that returns fiscal sanity to Washington. We owe it to the American people to stop kicking the can down the road and get this reckless spending under control.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bice Votes in Favor of Continuing Resolution to Avoid a Government Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05)

    September 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 20th

    Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement:

    “While this CR is imperfect and not what I preferred, it was the only option left. I could not in good conscience vote to shut the government down, which would have damaging effects on our community, our military, and our border patrol agents.

    “The true disservice is that Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats refuse to bring any meaningful piece of legislation for a vote. The House has passed numerous appropriations bills, encompassing over 70% of government funding, while also working to secure our border and our elections. The Senate has done nothing but Judicial nominations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

    Source: United Nations – English

    adam President, Excellencies,

    Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

    As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation. 

    Lebanon is at the brink. 

    Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. 

    But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

    Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

    The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701. 

    The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory.  We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    Madam President,

    Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

    Many lives have been lost.

    All this must stop.

    The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

    Madam President,

    Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

    The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

    Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation. 

    The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

    Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

    Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

    Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women.  Over 1,800 people were injured.

    Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

    Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

    Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

    Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

    Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

    The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

    At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

    Madam President,

    The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

    According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured. 

    Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

    Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.  

    The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Les efforts diplomatiques se sont intensifiés afin de parvenir à un cessez-le-feu temporaire – permettant l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire et ouvrant la voie au rétablissement d’une paix plus durable. 

    Nous soutenons pleinement ces efforts. 

    En début de semaine, la coordinatrice spéciale de l’ONU pour le Liban, Mme Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, s’est rendue en Israël pour des consultations, insistant sur le fait qu’une escalade militaire n’était pas dans l’intérêt de personne.  

    Le Chef de mission et Commandant de la Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban – la FINUL – le Général Aroldo Lazaro, est resté en contact étroit avec les parties, soutenant l’accès humanitaire partout où cela est possible et continuant d’appeler à une désescalade immédiate.

    Malgré les conditions dangereuses, nos soldats de la paix restent en poste.

    Afin de réduire les risques pour le personnel de la mission, la plupart du personnel civil a été temporairement transféré au nord du fleuve Litani.

    Quelques membres essentiels du personnel restent dans la zone d’opérations de la mission, en compagnie de nos Casques bleus.

    Je tiens à réaffirmer notre profonde reconnaissance envers nos agents de la paix – civils et militaires – qui servent le long de la Ligne bleue, ainsi qu’à l’ensemble de tous les pays contributeurs de troupes.

    Madam President,

    I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire. 

    The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Civilians must be protected. 

    Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. 

    The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured. 

    International law must be respected. 

    To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

    Stop the killing and destruction.

    Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

    Step back from the brink.

    An all-out war must be avoided at all costs.  It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.  

    The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

    And I thank you. 

    ***
    [all-English]

    Madam President, Excellencies,

    Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

    As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation. 

    Lebanon is at the brink. 

    Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. 
    But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

    Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

    The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701. 

    The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory.  We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    Madam President,

    Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

    Many lives have been lost.

    All this must stop.

    The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

    Madam President,

    Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

    The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

    Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation. 

    The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

    Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

    Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

    Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women.  Over 1,800 people were injured.

    Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October. 

    Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

    Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

    Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

    Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

    The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

    At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

    Madam President,

    The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

    According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured. 

    Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

    Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.  

    The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

    Madam President,

    Diplomatic efforts have intensified to achieve a temporary ceasefire – allowing for delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of more durable peace. 

    We fully support these efforts. 

    Earlier this week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon –
    Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert – travelled to Israel for consultations, underscoring that military escalation is in no one’s interest.   

    The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL – General Aroldo Lazaro – has continued his close engagement with the parties, supporting humanitarian access wherever possible and continuing to urge immediate de-escalation.

    Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position.

    To mitigate the risk to mission personnel, most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated north of the Litani River.

    A few critical staff members remain in the mission’s area of operations, together with the Blue Helmets.

    I want to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our peacekeepers – civilian and military – who serve along the Blue Line, as well as to all the troop-contributing-countries.

    Madam President,

    I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire. 

    The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Civilians must be protected. 

    Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. 

    The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured. 

    International law must be respected. 

    To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

    Stop the killing and destruction.

    Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

    Step back from the brink.

    An all-out war must be avoided at all costs.  It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.  

    The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

    And I thank you. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Are CO streams an appropriate response to student heterogeneity?

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Geneva in French

    In Geneva, the management of student heterogeneity in secondary education I is reflected in the establishment of streams. At the end of primary education, students are directed into three distinct sections based on their performance.

    The justification for this organizational choice is based on the idea of more effective targeting of teaching that should lead to better learning. However, the results of the national COFO survey and the cantonal fundamental expectations tests (TAF) repeatedly show particularly weak performance in the least demanding groupings, including with regard to the acquisition of basic skills. The literature has shown that due to differences in teaching, separate systems organized into streams are of little benefit to students in difficulty. Placement in a low-level group can also have harmful effects on other dimensions that interact with academic skills and influence success. Thus, certain motivational and metacognitive skills of students such as the feeling of competence or interest in learning can be degraded.

    This SRED study, conducted during the orientation cycle, illustrates the mechanisms at work based on data collected from a large sample of 11th grade students, classes and teachers (2,700 students, 150 classes and 160 teachers). The separation into streams results in particular in lower learning opportunities and expectations in Mathematics and French for students in the least demanding streams. On the other hand, the teaching they receive differs little from the point of view of classroom practices. Multilevel analyses demonstrate that at a comparable initial level, learning opportunities and expectations have an effect on students’ final performance, as do certain practices such as the pace of lessons, the structuring of teaching and differentiation.

    Analyzing education

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul’s Resolution Brings Accountability for Failures During Afghanistan Withdrawal

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered remarks on the House floor to ensure that 15 Biden-Harris administration officials are held accountable for their dereliction of duty resulting in the deadly Afghanistan withdrawal. This historic condemnation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support – including ten Democrats – in a vote of 219 to 194.

    WATCH HERE

    – Remarks as Delivered –

    Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my good friend I have tremendous respect [for you], we work together on many things, [we are] bipartisan. And when we don’t agree, we do so civilly. However, I cannot disagree more with you than I do today.

    One of the byproducts of Bagram [Airbase] falling, 7,000 ISIS [terrorists] were released from the Bagram prisons. Some of those have found their way into the United States.

    What happened in Afghanistan is a tragedy. And one of the worst foreign policy failures in our nation’s history.

    Who could ever forget the harrowing images of Afghans falling off the plans and babies being flung over barbed wire in a desperate attempt by mothers to save their children and escape Afghanistan under Taliban rule?

    The women, that Mr. Wilson referred to, [were] left behind along with American citizens.

    Women [are] now under slavery under the Taliban’s Sharia Law.

    We are the United States of America. You can’t tell me we couldn’t have safely evacuated U.S. personnel, Americans, and our brave Afghan allies.

    My report shows the administration had the information and opportunity to do so. But at every step of the way, they chose political optics over the safety of Americans.

    Their deadly and chaotic withdrawal started a chain of events that have led to a world on fire.

    We are witnessing the largest land invasion in Europe since WWII with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CCP has become emboldened and more belligerent in their aggression towards Taiwan. And there is a war raging in the Middle East, Mr. Speaker, with the Ayatollah now rearing his ugly head. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened by design with the fall of Afghanistan.

    When you project weakness on the world stage, this is what you get: a world on fire, inviting aggression from our adversaries.

    Our U.S. national security is degraded, America’s credibility on the world stage is damaged, and the moral injury to the American veterans and servicemembers is a stain, an ugly stain on this administration’s legacy.

    I want to close, Mr. Speaker, with a reminder of the consequences of the actions of those named in this resolution. And it is the 13 heroic U.S. servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ve met with their loved ones, and they live [in] pain every single day, and they wake up to it every single day.

    These servicemembers who paid with their lives because of this administration’s failure on August 26, 2021. And I for one, in this chamber, in this House say I’m sorry for what your government did to you. And in their honor, I want to read their names.

    • Marine Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza
    • Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee
    • Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover
    • Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss
    • Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez
    • Marine Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum
    • Marine Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola
    • Marine Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui
    • Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo
    • Marine Corporal Humberto Sanchez
    • Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz
    • Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak
    • Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page

    Nothing will bring their lives back. Nothing will bring [the] children of these parents back, but we can hold those responsible, and accountable and that’s what this resolution does.

    And I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield the balance of my time.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Contract signed to build new Police boat for Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police has announced the signing of a contract to begin the construction of a new Police boat – Deodar IV – with the build phase expected to begin in January 2025.

    The arrival of Deodar IV has come a step closer with the finished boat anticipated to be ready for sea trials in December 2026.

    Deodar III – Deodar IV’s predecessor – has been patrolling the Hauraki Gulf and coastline since 2007 and at nearly 17 years old is requiring increasing maintenance and repairs to keep the boat seaworthy.

    Deodar III was deployed for the likes of Whakaari/White Island after the 2019 eruption, supporting inter-agency operations, acting as a platform for the Police National Dive Squad and as a primary evacuation vessel in body recovery.

    Office in Charge of Auckland Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen says Deodar III has served Police well but has nearly reached its end of life, so it’s time for a new vessel.

    “Like Deodar III, the new vessel will be designed for stability, reliability and flexibility in a vast range of tasks, from attending crime scenes and apprehending offenders to search and rescue, medical emergencies, supporting public events, promoting water safety and facilitating training.”

    Deodar IV will be a like-for-like replacement – the same overall size at 18.7m long and with the same sleek marine-grade aluminium catamaran design as Deodar III.

    “The new boat will feature improvements to make it more fit for purpose, including an extended wheelhouse which provides more space and better visibility.

    “This will be especially helpful when responding to search and rescue jobs.

    “The medical bay and prisoner transport area have also been modified to suit the needs of those spaces, and we are pleased there will be carbon emission reduction features.”

    Senior Sergeant Larsen says Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and coastline is a big beat to cover.

    “It’s vital that we get the design of the boat right and ensure that it’s fit for the diverse and demanding job it will be doing.”

    Funding for the new Deodar IV was approved in December 2022, and was confirmed in Budget 24, alongside provision to cover the continued maintenance of Lady Liz IV.

    The successful tenderer, announced last year, was Whanganui-based Q-West which built Deodar III, the Wellington Police launch Lady Liz IV, and Customs boat Hawk V. Teknicraft Design Ltd, of Beachlands, Auckland, is designing the boat.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Trade – UAE trade deal good news for Kiwi farmers – Federated Farmers

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers are welcoming news of a new free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates as an exciting and positive step forward for New Zealand.
    “This is great news for Kiwi farmers who have been doing it pretty tough lately with high costs and squeezed profit margins,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
    “As a country we earn a living producing high quality food and fibre and selling it to the rest of the world, but we’re currently operating in a tough international environment.
    “Farmers will gladly welcome any moves to reduce our costs, grow our incomes, or increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
    The United Arab Emirates is a top 20 export market for New Zealand, and one of our largest markets in the Middle East.
    “The Middle East presents an exciting opportunity for Kiwi exporters as a wealthy and growing market with huge potential,” Langford says.
    “This agreement will take millions of dollars that would have been charged in tariffs and pump them directly into our rural communities.
    “It’s great to see the Government delivering on their commitment to open up new markets, reduce tariffs, and give our exporters options.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: World Vision – New report reveals ‘distress migration’ on the rise as children and families in Southeast Asia leave their homes due to climate change

    Source: World Vision

    • ‘Distress migration’ is becoming more common as children and families flee their homes due to climate change
    • There are up to 2.5 million migrant children in Thailand living without domestic legal status
    • Migrating children, especially girls, are at risk of exploitation and abuse
    • Climate change has been identified as the root cause of issues facing migrants including hunger, missing school, and anxiety over mounting debts
    • Northern Viet Nam identified as a likely climate out-migration “hotspot” by 2050.

    A new report from World Vision reveals how the escalating climate crisis is disproportionately affecting children across Southeast Asia and causing children and families to flee their homes.
     
    The report, Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Migration: Impacts on Children and Youth in Southeast Asia, paints a harrowing picture of climate-induced migration and its impact on the region’s most at-risk children.
     
    Drawing on nearly 100 first-hand accounts from child migrants, children who stayed behind, parents, and caregivers, along with insights from local leaders and experts, the report documents the severe repercussions of climate change.
     
    Dr. Olivia Yates, World Vision’s Advocacy Policy & Research Advisor, International Partnerships, says the report highlights the urgent need to protect the rights and interests of young migrants in Southeast Asia.
     
    “The climate crisis is one of the greatest forces shaping our world – both present and future. None of us are immune to this fact, however, the reality is most acutely felt by those families already living precariously close to the edge, just one drought or flood away from the tipping point.
     
    “As climate change worsens, driving increasing migration, it’s vital that we safeguard the rights of children who are particularly at risk. Their health, education, livelihoods and economic prospects are all at stake. We must support these children and do what we can to help prevent their exposure to exploitation and abuse.”
     
    The findings of the report offer a stark portrayal of the way in which climate change is deepening poverty, deprivation, and debt that force families to leave their homes. Daily struggles include hunger due to low crop yields or crop failures, missed schooling as children face increased responsibilities, and mounting anxiety over financial instability caused by a lack of stable work.
     
    Many parents view migration as a long-term investment in their children’s future. Other economically insecure households are selling their land to pay off debts and even cover the costs of migration.
     
    Every year in Southeast Asia, countless families choose to migrate with their children, and many children also migrate on their own.
     
    According to the latest figures, there were about 1.27 million international child migrants in the region as of 2020 – about 40% in Thailand. However, given the high prevalence of irregular migration, the number of migrant children in Thailand living without domestic legal status has been estimated be between 1 – 2.5 million.
     
    Terry Ferrari, World Vision International’s Regional Leader for East Asia says the emotional impact of forced migration on children is huge.
     
    “Children told us they feel sad, isolated and miss their family and friends. Moreover, the disruption to their education, exposure to hazardous working conditions, and other factors could have long-term consequences for children’s personal development and future opportunities,” Ferrari says.
     
    Ferarri adds that many children are also left behind when their parents migrate because many migration settings that focus on employment do not allow migrants to bring their dependents.
     
    The interviews revealed profound emotional impacts on children left behind, particularly when the mother migrated. Caregivers were often overwhelmed, and some grandparents felt that they could not provide the support children needed. Many households struggled financially, and some children did not have enough to eat. In some cases, the absence of parents was associated with worse educational outcomes and school dropouts.
     
    Ferrari says if families want to take their children with them, they can be forced to migrate through irregular channels, which can be dangerous. Irregular migrants also remain vulnerable at their destination and must hide from the authorities.
     
    The report finds that for many migrant parents, whether they stayed in their country or crossed the border,  the financial benefits fell short of their expectations. Often, they could not send as much money as they wished – or send it consistently.
     
    With the UN estimating 10.6 million international migrants in Southeast Asia as of 2020, the urgency for targeted, effective action is clear. The report calls on national governments, donors, and international organisations to prioritise the needs and rights of children in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The report provides a series of detailed recommendations aimed at mitigating climate-related impacts, including enhancing community resilience through infrastructure and disaster preparedness, supporting sustainable livelihoods, protecting migrating families, caring for caregivers and children who stay behind, and empowering youth to build a brighter future.
     
    World Vision’s report also underscores the need for child-responsive and mobility-sensitive climate finance. With climate finance set to be the focus of talks at COP29 climate summit, this is a critical opportunity for the New Zealand Government to stand with children and advocate for effective climate finance that meets the scale of need in lower-income countries, ensuring children and their families need not turn to migration to meet their basic needs.
     
    Terry Ferrari, World Vision International’s Regional Leader for East Asia, says: “Urgent steps need to be taken to address the root causes of climate-related migration and protect the future of these young lives. We want all nations to commit to supporting safe, orderly and dignified migration that upholds the rights, well-being and opportunities of migrants, particularly vulnerable children.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First ever UK-hosted meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers as UK-Australia set to commence defence treaty negotiations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A landmark AUKUS meeting will be held in the UK today as the Defence Secretary John Healey hosts counterparts from the US and Australia in London.

    • Landmark meeting as Defence Ministers from AUKUS partners meet outside the US for first time.
    • Negotiations set to commence on UK-Australia treaty to define defence relationship for decades.
    • Billions of pounds of UK exports expected to support Australian submarine build, with AUKUS to support over 21,000 UK jobs and helping to grow the economy.

    The meeting will be the first trilateral Defence Ministers AUKUS meeting to be held outside of the United States. Healey will host US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles to discuss the importance of the AUKUS partnership.

    It comes as the UK and Australia have agreed plans to commence negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty between the UK and Australia. The treaty will establish the strategic and operational framework for bilateral cooperation under AUKUS with a focus on the core elements of the delivery of SSN-AUKUS.

    Given the importance of accelerating the design, build and delivery of SSN-AUKUS, Australia and the UK agreed these negotiations should occur at pace and with high priority.

    This first-of-its-kind treaty between the two countries could create a major UK trade boost – it is estimated that facilitating the SSN-AUKUS build in Australia will see billions of pounds of submarine components exported from the UK through our defence industry supply chains. The treaty will lay out the nations’ relationship on submarine co-operation, as work progresses on future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines for the UK and Australia. 

    The three-year anniversary of the landmark AUKUS partnership was marked this month, following shortly after a historic breakthrough in defence trade was reached between the UK, US, and Australia.

    The significant reduction in red tape will cover up to £500 million of UK defence exports each year, and billions of dollars of trade across all three nations, helping boost UK economic growth.

    In a further boost for the UK economy, it is estimated at its peak the future AUKUS attack submarine programme will have more than 21,000 people working on it at UK sites, with the work generating an additional 7,000 skilled roles.

    UK Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

    I’m proud to be the first UK Defence Secretary to host a meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers in Britain.

    As AUKUS partners, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an increasingly unstable world. This is a partnership that will boost jobs, growth and prosperity across our three nations, as well as strengthening our collective security.

    I’m delighted that we will soon be commencing negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty with Australia, which will help create a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific for decades to come.

    The treaty work comes off the back of a UK-Australia Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement being signed earlier this year, helping make it easier for our Armed Forces to operate together in each other’s countries and facilitate UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the AUKUS partnership.

    Since the AUKUS launch, nearly £10 billion of investment has been allocated towards UK nuclear work and infrastructure:

    • £4 billion to progress SSN-AUKUS UK submarines through design, prototyping and initial purchases.
    • £3 billion for new advanced manufacturing capabilities in Barrow-in-Furness and Derby.
    • £2.4 billion over ten years from Australia to boost Rolls-Royce infrastructure and to share costs on SSN-AUKUS submarine design.

    Through AUKUS Pillar 2, Australia, the UK and the US are pooling the talents of their defence sectors to develop at pace the delivery of advanced capabilities. Four UK companies have been selected by the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to receive a share of £2 million of funding to develop solutions in electromagnetic targeting and protection.

    The competition was run to find low cost, disposable, high volume and highly autonomous electromagnetic technology that can detect enemy actions or protect against them.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1bn investment secures over 300 jobs in North Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and Welsh Government have announced £1 billion of investment into Shotton Mill in North Wales.

    • Major joint investment in Deeside will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220.
    • Shotton Mill will become UK’s largest recycled paper manufacturer helping the UK’s transition to net zero and creating jobs in green industries of the future.
    • Stronger relationship between UK and Welsh Government delivers boost to local economy.
    • Announcement comes ahead of Investment Summit which will bring together international business leaders to boost growth.

    A major investment of over £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in Deeside, North Wales, will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220 when fully commissioned, the UK and Welsh governments have confirmed today [Thursday 26 September].

    Cabinet ministers from both the UK and Welsh government will visit the historic industrial centre of Wales to meet with members of Eren Holdings, who acquired Shotton Mill in 2021. There, they will hear more about the site’s transformation, which will turn the area into the UK’s largest paper manufacturing site.

    The announcement comes ahead of the Investment Summit next month which will make clear that the UK is “open for business” as the UK government resets relations with trading partners around the globe and creates a pro-business environment that supports innovation and high-quality jobs at home and supports our mission to deliver growth.

    The Welsh Government has provided nearly £13 million in funding alongside £136 million in support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is a massive vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and this government’s plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. This transformative investment will not only support local skilled jobs but raise living standards in the community.

    The deal being announced today is testament to what can be achieved when the Welsh and UK governments work hand in hand. 

    We’re also proud to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, where we recognise the tremendous innovations taking place right across the sector, not least here in Shotton Mill.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    Deeside has a long and proud history as one of Wales’ key industrial centres and this significant investment from our two governments will secure jobs and help bring a prosperous future for the area.

    We have reset the relationship between the UK and Welsh Government. Working together in close partnership we are delivering growth and good jobs to people across Wales.

    Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said:

    This is excellent news for Deeside and the wider Welsh economy and is a prime example of how, through our commitment to a prosperous, green economy we are able to attract investment, and create good, sustainable jobs whilst reducing waste.

    Once fully operational, instead of transporting paper waste many hundreds or thousands of miles overseas to be processed it will be turned into recycled packaging here in Wales. This, alongside the nature of the technology, means a net reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to emissions from 190,000 homes a year.

    Our £13million support will help ensure this is delivered whilst safeguarding and creating local jobs and ensuring that the community is at the heart of the business’ success for many years to come.

    Eren Holding is a leading containerboard and corrugated cardboard manufacturer from Turkey and ranks among the leading producers in Europe. Their plans will see Shotton Mill become the UK’s largest paper-manufacturing campus, boosting UK paper production by recycling wastepaper which would otherwise go overseas or into landfill.

    The plant will produce nearly 100% recycled paper and will have an environmentally friendly production model as it purifies its own wastewater, recycles and reuses it in the system, helping to create good, highly paid jobs in the green industries of the future.

    UKEF supported by issuing a guarantee which allows HSBC and UBS to arrange debt financing for the project. 

    The Eren investment is expected to boost Welsh and UK exports in paper, with UKEF support offered on the understanding that Shotton Mill will export 10% of its turnover within 5 years. This is also expected to reduce UK reliance on imports of paper.

    Hamdullah Eren, Senior board member of the Eren Holding Group said:

    “Production at our new plant at Shotton Mill will be based on state-of-the-art technology, making this the most advanced paper campus in Europe. Our custom-built plant will deliver sophisticated and sustainable manufacturing solutions well into the 21st century. This is the first major Eren Holding cap ex project outside Türkiye and we are delighted to have chosen Deeside as an ideal location to meet our ambitions for growth. We are putting down deep roots on a site of historic industrial significance. We believe this new plant will bring prosperity, leadership in our industry, and long-term employment prospects that will be the pride of Deeside, Wales and Türkiye.”

    Northeast Wales is a key industrial centre, with Deeside being one of the largest industrial parks in Europe. Shotton steelworks once operated on site, with industrial activity at the Mill dating back over 100 years.

    The investment represents a new lease of life for the site and will support economic stability in Deeside and the North Wales area as both governments look to deliver long-term, sustainable, growth right across the UK.

    The announcement also falls on National Manufacturing Day as the government celebrates the nation’s first-class manufacturing industry. The UK government’s upcoming modern industrial strategy will back workers and give international investors the confidence they need to invest in Britain, creating jobs and growth across the UK.

    The UK remains an attractive destination for green investment and this announcement will help create jobs, grow the economy and export high-quality, sustainable goods around the world.

    Notes to Editors

    • More information on the UK’s trading relationship with Turkey can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e937f47f20ecc7ec3aa226/turkey-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2024-09-20.pdf

    • UK Export Finance (UKEF) is a government department which provides loans, guarantees, and insurance to help UK exporters access international trading opportunities. It is the UK’s export credit agency and works closely with the Department of Business and Trade.

    • UKEF’s support has come in the form of a financing guarantee issued under its Export Development Guarantee (EDG) product, which helps UK exporters to access high-value debt facilities.
    • A financial guarantee is an arrangement which can help a borrower to access debt financing such as loans and lines of credit. It involves a guarantor agreeing to ensure that the lender is repaid if the borrower defaults.
    • In this case, UKEF has provided an 80% guarantee worth £136 million covering a £170 million financing facility being made available by other institutions to Shotton Mill, with HSBC and UBS acting as arranging banks.
    • This is the second time that UK has used its EDG product to support an overseas business looking to increase its UK exporting capacity through an ‘invest-to-export’ arrangement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New support for semiconductor firms to grow, powering growth in £10 billion UK industry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Support for semiconductor scale-ups announced as Lord Vallance kicks off a stakeholder forum ahead of the G7 Semiconductors Points of Contact group in Cambridge.

    16 semiconductor scale up projects backed to advance innovative tech

    • Science Minister Lord Vallance unveils new support for UK semiconductor scale-ups to advance innovations, from phone screens to medical tech
    • Support to help businesses grow unveiled as Minister welcomes leading tech nations to a stakeholder forum preceding the G7 Semiconductors Points of Contact group in Cambridge
    • Comes as new report finds rapidly growing UK semiconductor industry valued at nearly £10 billion and expected to rise this decade

    UK semiconductor firms producing vital technology from phone screens to surgical lasers are being backed in their efforts to scale up into large businesses and drive economic growth.

    The science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance has announced the 16 projects that will win a share of a £11.5 million pot – provided by Innovate UK – that will help drive innovation, as he opened an industry conference of G7 nations today (Thursday 26 September).

    Pioneering projects across the country will help take the UK’s thriving semiconductor industry to the next level as it further enhances everyday life – from more efficient medical devices to energy saving phone screens – and kickstart economic growth.

    This comes shortly before the Government’s International Investment Summit which will showcase the UK as a place to do business. Today’s move is yet another reason for business to choose the UK as a place to invest – as it is backing the industries of the future.

    A new report by Perspective Economics reveals the UK semiconductor sector, which includes over 200 companies in research, design, and manufacturing, is valued at almost £10 billion and could grow up to £17 billion by 2030.

    Semiconductors are small chips at the core of everyday technology from smartphones to renewable energy systems and this support will help to scale up domestic manufacturing and strengthen supply chain resilience, so the UK is fit for the future in a global industry.

    The funding comes as the G7 Semiconductors Point of Contact group kicks off with a stakeholder forum at major UK tech company Arm’s HQ in Cambridge, where member states, research organisations, and industry representatives are discussing key issues affecting the global semiconductor industry, like supporting early-stage innovation and sustainability.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

    Semiconductors are an unseen but vital component in so many of the technologies we rely on in our lives and backing UK innovators offers a real opportunity to growth these firms into industry leaders, strengthening our £10 billion sector and ensuring it drives economic growth.

    Our support in these projects will promote critical breakthroughs such as more efficient medical devices that could significantly lower costs and faster manufacturing processes to improve productivity.

    Hosting the G7 semiconductors Points of Contact group is also a chance to showcase the UK’s competitive and growing sector and make clear our commitment to keeping the UK at the forefront of advancing technology.

    Among the funded projects, receiving a share of £11.5 million, is Vector Photonics Limited in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, which aims to enhance the power and cost-effectiveness of blue light lasers in everyday technology by using gallium nitride, a high-performance material. Blue lasers are key in devices like medical equipment, quantum displays and car headlights.

    Another project, led by Quantum Advanced Solutions Ltd with the University of Cambridge, is developing advanced shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors which improve vision in critical sectors like defence, by supporting surveillance in challenging conditions in low-visibility environments, such as during adverse weather conditions or atmospheric disturbances. The project looks to simplify production using innovative quantum dot materials – tiny semiconductor particles that emit light at specific wavelengths – offering higher sensitivity and performance, cutting costs and making this advanced technology more accessible to multiple sectors including manufacturing and healthcare.

    Andrew Tyrer, Deputy Director, Electronics, Sensors and Photonics, Innovate UK, said:

    Innovate UK’s investment in this programme directly supports the National Semiconductor Strategy launched in 2023 and aims to ensure the UK’s place in the global landscape.

    Iain Mauchline Innovation Lead – Electronics, Sensors, and Photonics at Innovate UK, added:

    It has been recognised that semiconductors are key enablers for the UK ambitions across all critical technology areas. Funding these diverse projects highlights the strengths and depth of the UK’s semiconductor ecosystem.

    The G7 Semiconductors Point of Contact Group, established under Italy’s G7 Presidency earlier this year, continues its mission to address issues impacting the semiconductor industry, including early-stage innovation, crisis coordination, sustainability, and the impact of government policies and practices.

    Rene Haas, CEO, Arm said: 

    It is an honour to host the G7 Semiconductor working group at Arm’s global headquarters in Cambridge to advance collective efforts from industry, research organizations, and governments to increase supply chain resilience, security, and energy efficiency.  We look forward to continued partnership with the G7 representatives and the UK government as we work to enable innovation and realize the full potential of AI.” 

    This meeting immediately follows the OECD Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network gathering, where countries and stakeholders shared strategies for strengthening global semiconductor supply chains and addressing shared challenges in the semiconductor industry.

    The UK is playing a key role in the OECD’s efforts to unite government and industry in navigating the complexities of the global chip supply chain.

    Charles Sturman, CEO of TechWorks said:

    This report represents the first detailed economic study of the UK Semiconductor sector in many years. I am proud to have been part of this important work and pleased with the results. Key findings here show that the UK already sees significant revenue from the sector and, by building on strong innovation, we can see significant opportunity to increase this together with our ~2% share of global semiconductor revenues; ultimately creating much more than the 86,000 jobs currently in the wider economy. The industry is set to grow rapidly in the next decade and the right mix of scale-up support and industrial policy can secure future growth of the UK semiconductor sector.

    Notes to editors

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Gartner Announces ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney

    Source: Gartner – IT Research

    Headline: Gartner Announces ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney

    What: Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024
    When: December 4-5, 2024
    Where: Hilton Sydney, Australia

    Details: Organizations are on the cusp of a major reset with expectations that new technology-fueled business models will unlock productivity and innovation, while AI-powered tools will reduce drudgery and unleash new capabilities. The hope is that productivity and sustainability pressures will reinforce autonomy and flexibility, making work both more meaningful and better.

    These promises also prompt the question: Better for whom?

    HR leaders play a pivotal role in delivering the new work in new ways that ensures employers and employees succeed together. To deliver, HR leaders must help organizations move beyond asking “who wins” to reshape employers’ and employees’ common currency: the work itself.

    At Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney, Gartner experts will come together to deliver actionable insights to help HR leaders redefine the what, why and how of work for leaders and employees.

    The conference agenda will deliver insights and technology optimization guidance for chief human resources officers (CHROs) and HR leaders across a range of pressing topics such as the future of work, employee experience, talent acquisition and more. 

    Keynote Speakers

    • Gartner Opening Keynote: Making Work Better – A Path to Shared Success for Employers and Employees with Jessica Knight, Vice President, Research and Harsh Kundulli, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner.

    • Guest Keynote: Crafting success: Leadership lessons from Joe Brumm, creator of Bluey

    • Guest Keynote: Digital Zen – Mastering Wellbeing in a Constantly Connected World with Rahaf Harfoush, Digital Anthropologist and Best-selling Author

    Exhibitor Showcase: The exhibitor showcase will bring together leading HR decision makers and buyers who are actively seeking solutions. A listing of current exhibitors can be found on the Exhibitor Directory.

    Media Registration: Full-time journalists from editorial publications are eligible for a press pass. Please contact Emma Keen for details and registration requests: emma.keen@gartner.com.

    Social Media: Join the discussion on social media using #GartnerHR.

    For complete conference details, please visit the Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024 website.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rubio Responds to WSJ on U.S. Trade with China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    ICYMI: Rubio Responds to WSJ on U.S. Trade with China

    Sep 25, 2024 | Press Releases

    Letter to the Editor: On U.S. Trade Policy with China

    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)

    September 25, 2024

    Wall Street Journal

    …When our leaders established so-called free trade with state-subsidized Chinese companies, 2.4 million Americans lost their jobs…. It took policy makers over a decade to catch up with reality, but their efforts to stem Beijing’s anti-market onslaught are now accepted as common sense.

    Mr. Furman hearkens to a different era. He asserts that the Biden administration “was wrong to keep and add to the tariffs Mr. Trump placed on China” and celebrates how Vice President Kamala Harris “doesn’t seem enthusiastic” about tough trade policies. Does Mr. Furman mean for us to ignore the past 25 years?

    Allowing China to acquire supply-chain dominance clearly threatens U.S. national security. The Chinese regime hasn’t been shy about this: …Last month it began cutting America off from antimony, a metal crucial to the construction of bullets, missiles and nuclear weapons. Mr. Furman offers no solution to this threat.

    Those who favor re-establishing so-called free trade with China are welcome to make their case. But the burden is on them to show it is in America’s interest to let a communist dictatorship run rampant over the U.S. economy….

    Read the rest here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Merkley Push to Ensure Health Insurers Cover and Provide Lactation Care for Pregnant and Nursing Parents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    September 25, 2024

    Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans are required to cover lactation services—but many still fail to comply

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) to issue strong recommended guidance for private health insurance plans and insurers to comply with federal law by covering in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling for pregnant and nursing parents across the country. Most health plans are required to cover lactation services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senators’ letter expresses concerns that many still fail to comply with federal law, making it harder for pregnant and nursing parents to access quality lactation care.

    In their letter, the Senators wrote: “Ensuring that new mothers and the more than 10,000 babies born each day in the United States receive critical preventive care, including comprehensive lactation care, is one of our top priorities… We respectfully request that the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) utilize its existing authority to issue strong, recommended guidance for the legally required coverage of in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers for pregnant and nursing parents across the country, as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).”

    The Senators continued: “… the ACA mandated that all non-grandfathered, fully insured and self-insured plans in individual, small group and large group markets are required to cover certain preventive health services without cost-sharing for enrollees. These preventive health services include lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers. Despite this mandate, many plans fail to cover and provide adequate access to lactation care.”

    Along with Duckworth and Merkley, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

    A full copy of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website:

    Dear Assistant Secretary Gomez:

    We write to express our concerns regarding coverage for lactation services by group health plans and health insurance issuers covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). We respectfully request that the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) utilize its existing authority to issue strong, recommended guidance for the legally required coverage of in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers for pregnant and nursing parents across the country, as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

    On November 18, 2022, Senator Duckworth wrote to the EBSA to voice concerns that insurers were failing to comply with the ACA’s requirements. In response to that correspondence, on December 22, 2022, the EBSA stated they, “share your concern about consumer-reported denials of coverage for lactation care by group health plans and health insurance issuers,” and noted that the EBSA, “work[s] diligently to ensure that coverage of breastfeeding services and supplies is available as required by the ACA and its implementing regulations, and we take the enforcement of these requirements very seriously.”

    As you know, the ACA mandated that all non-grandfathered, fully insured and self-insured plans in individual, small group and large group markets are required to cover certain preventive health services without cost-sharing for enrollees. These preventive health services include lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers.

    Despite this mandate, many plans fail to cover and provide adequate access to lactation care. Our constituents have experienced several barriers to accessing quality lactation care imposed by their health plans or insurers that violate the ERISA and ACA, including:

    1. Inadequate Provider Networks: Some plans do not have enough in-network lactation care providers to cover the needs of enrollees, demonstrating an unwillingness to provide adequate access to such care, as mandated by the ACA;
    2. Failure to Cover Out-of-Network Provider Services: Some plans require cost-sharing or do not pay for claims from out-of-network lactation care providers, despite their own network’s inadequate coverage. This is in direct conflict with applicable regulations that require plans to cover items or services rendered by an out-of-network provider when the plan does not have an in-network provider that can furnish the item or service;
    3. Lack of In-Person Service Coverage: Though lactation care can be provided in person or via telemedicine, there are distinct advantages that come with each type of visit and therefore should be covered equally. From our understanding, some plan’s in-network lactation care providers primarily offer services via telemedicine and do not cover in-person visits in a similar manner. Given their small number of in-network providers, inability to offer adequate in-person services and refusal to pay claims from out-of-network providers who offer in-person services, these plans have effectively created a de facto telemedicine-only network for lactation care. While plans may engage in “reasonable medical management” of lactation care under the ACA, de facto prohibitions on the modality used to provide care are contrary to the law. In a 2015 guidance document, DOL addressed a similar situation, finding that plans limiting coverage of lactation care to services provided during an inpatient hospital admission did not constitute “reasonable medical management.” Similarly, limiting the availability of in-person lactation care by creating a telemedicine-only network is equally problematic under the ACA.

    Plans have also imposed referral requirements and have failed to create directories of in-network providers, which also curtail the ACA’s mandate and inhibit access to crucial preventive care for new and expecting mothers and their babies.

    As such, we respectfully request that the EBSA utilize its oversight powers to engage with plans about the concerns described above, including potential violations of the ERISA. We also request that the EBSA provide further sub-regulatory guidance to clarify that plans must demonstrate sufficient coverage for all lactation care modalities, including in-person lactation care. Such guidance should provide information on how plans should form and demonstrate a sufficient network of lactation care providers, and, in the absence of a sufficient network, reimburse out-of-network claims.

    Ensuring that new mothers and the more than 10,000 babies born each day in the United States receive critical preventive care, including comprehensive lactation care, is one of our top priorities. With our joint commitment to the health and well-being of new mothers and babies in mind, we look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Wet, windy weather to end the week; brighter skies to start the school holidays – MetService

    Source: MetService 

    Covering period of Thursday 26 – Monday 30 September – MetService is forecasting rain, wind, and snow to close out the working week, before brighter and drier weather arrives just in time for the start of the school holidays this weekend.

    On Thursday, the South Island faces wet and windy conditions as a large weather system gradually moves northwards across the country. The heaviest rain is expected in the ranges of Westland, Buller, and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers—areas currently under Watches or Orange Warnings for Heavy Rain. This wet weather will extend to the North Island overnight into Friday.

    MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says “Most, if not all, of the South Island will see some rain by the end of Thursday, and the same for the North Island on Friday. Many areas should expect a period of continuous rain as the system passes, followed by drier spells mixed with a few passing showers. However, Southland and Clutha could see periods of heavier showers on Friday morning.”

    Snowfall is also expected for inland South Island Thursday night into Friday, with snow levels forecast to reach down to 200 metres in Southland and Clutha and 300 metres in Otago. This snow may impact on road travel on high-level roads and passes into Friday morning and Road Snowfall Warning have been issued.

    In addition to the rain and snow, strong northwesterly winds will make their presence felt over the South Island and lower North Island on Thursday and early Friday. The Canterbury High Country is under an Orange Warning for Strong Winds, where gusts could reach 120 km/h and it’s looking like a breezy day in other parts of Canterbury, including Christchurch. For Wellington, Wairarapa, and Marlborough, blustery winds from Thursday late afternoon until early Friday morning mean they are under a Strong Wind Watch. Winds could remain breezy for coastal areas of the South Island once winds turn southwesterly on Thursday evening.

    However, brighter skies are on the horizon for the weekend. Apart from a few showers in western parts of both islands and coastal Southland, much of the country can expect a mix of partly cloudy and sunny weather.

    “After weeks of rapid ups and downs in the weather, it seems the weekend looks to bring a stretch of more settled weather, which could last into mid-next week before the next weather system,” says Makgabutlane. “This should provide plenty of opportunities for families to get out and enjoy the start of the school holidays. And for the rest of us, it’s a chance to soak up the extra daylight hours after the clocks go forward on Sunday.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Treasury – Debt and deficits accentuate the fiscal challenge of an aging population

    Source: The Treasury

    Higher than expected debt and structural fiscal deficits are compounding the fiscal challenge of an aging population, Treasury Deputy Secretary and Chief Economic Adviser Dominick Stephens said in a speech today.
    The speech reiterates the Treasury’s consistent message that New Zealand’s fiscal settings are not sustainable in the face of long-run population aging.
    “As the over-65s become a larger share of the population, the public purse will be stretched further and further,” said Dominick Stephens.
    The speech explores how falling interest rates, high population growth, and a stunning increase in labour force participation among the over 65s have all helped with fiscal sustainability.
    “New Zealand has been extremely successful at keeping seniors in the workforce, partly because older workers face no abatement of national superannuation if they choose to work,” commented Dominick Stephens.
    “There is no silver bullet solution, we are going to need to pull a number of levers to render fiscal policy sustainable for the long run.
    “Boosting productivity will lead to a more prosperous society and give the government more choices.
    “It is younger people who matter most for fiscal sustainability. We need young people who are willing and able to support their elders. Young New Zealanders are doing well in many respects, but there are challenges in education, mental health and housing.”
    The Treasury will publish its next Long Term Fiscal Statement in 2025.
    The full speech is available on the Treasury website:  https://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/speech/longevity-and-public-purse 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: No child left behind with STAR system

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Government is delivering real solutions to get kids back in the classroom, introducing the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system.

    “Any student who reaches a clearly defined threshold of days absent will trigger an appropriate and proportionate response from their school and the Ministry,” says Mr Seymour.

    “New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. In 2023, 80.6% of students in England and 61.6% of students in Australia were attending using a measure similar to the Term 2 New Zealand regular attendance rate, which was only 47.1%. 

    “If this issue isn’t addressed there will be an 80-year long shadow of people who missed out on education when they were young, are less able to work, less able to participate in society, more likely to be on benefits. That’s how serious this is.

    “The basic premise of the STAR is that no child is left behind. Every student, parent, teacher and school has a role to play. Each school will develop their own STAR system to suit their community and school.

    Some examples of how interventions could work are:

    • 5 days absent: The school to get in touch with parents/guardians to determine reasons for absence and set expectations. 
    • 10 days absent: School leadership meets with parents/guardian and the student to identify barriers to attendance and develop plans to address this.
    • 15 days absent: Escalating the response to the Ministry and steps to initiate prosecution of parents could be considered as a valid intervention.

    “Since becoming the Minister responsible for attendance, I’ve visited numerous schools to see how they’re addressing it. Some schools have an approach that is functioning well, but many do not. 

    “It will be mandatory for all schools to have an attendance management plan based on STAR from the beginning of the 2026 school year. The Ministry will work with schools, the Attendance Service, non-government agencies and other government agencies to streamline this. The Ministry will also provide best practice templates for attendance plans and toolkits for dealing with absent students, depending on the reasons for absence. 

    “Schools will have to play their part in setting a good example as well. This means not taking teacher-only days during term time. Under existing regulations, and terms in the union contracts, teacher-only days are only legally allowed to be held out of term time, unless authorised by the Minister of Education. 

    “I have asked the Ministry to collect data on when a school is open or closed for instruction for the full day, and for each year group, during term time. It is critical the entire system works cohesively to ensure education is respected and valued by students and lost instruction time is made up. 

    “I have also directed the Ministry to take a more active role in the prosecution process. I reserve the right to look at an infringement scheme in the future if this approach doesn’t work.

    “With more reliable and timely data being made available, the next phase of improving student attendance will be further understanding why students don’t attend. 

    “I’ve directed the Ministry of Education, with the active co-operation of the Ministry for Social Development, Oranga Tamariki, Police, Kainga Ora, and Te Puni Kokiri to develop robust information sharing agreements so that staff can share appropriate information once a student has been identified as needing support.

    “Almost every aspect of someone’s adult life will be defined by the education they receive as a child. If we want better social outcomes, we can’t keep ignoring the truancy crisis. This Government has set itself bold targets to address attendance, and it’s a bold approach that is needed for the future.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand concludes trade agreement with the UAE

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement, which will unlock economic opportunities for Kiwi exporters and create stronger supply chains with one of our most important trading partners in the Gulf region.

    This agreement was concluded in just over 4 months following the launch of negotiations on 7 May this year, making this New Zealand’s fastest-ever trade agreement negotiation, and the most trade liberalising of any of the UAE’s CEPAs to date. 

    “This shows the Government’s commitment to opening doors and reducing costs and barriers for Kiwi exporters,” Mr McClay says. 

    The announcement follows formal talks between Trade Minister Todd McClay and his UAE counterpart Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Wellington.

    “Our Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE will eliminate duties on 98.5 per cent of New Zealand’s exports immediately on entry into force, rising to 99 per cent within three years. This will create new opportunities for New Zealand businesses in the dynamic UAE market, contributing to our ambitious target of doubling exports by value in ten years,” Mr McClay says. 

    “The UAE is a key export destination and hub in the Gulf region. In the year to June 2024, two-way trade was valued at NZ$1.3 billion. The UAE is one of our largest markets in the Middle East, and a top 20 export market overall.” 

    New Zealand dairy exports to the UAE amounted to $718 million, industrial products $237 million, red meat $46 million, horticulture $44 million, and tourism $31 million. 

    New Zealand imported $152 million of products and services from the UAE over the same period, including plastics, carpets, travel services and glass.

    In addition to removing tariffs, the CEPA includes new commitments which will provide greater certainty for New Zealand services exporters when operating in the UAE. 

    The CEPA’s Investment Facilitation chapter, and a Bilateral Investment Treaty concluded alongside the CEPA, will together provide a framework for broadening and strengthening our investment relationship and help increase two-way investment with the UAE. The agreement does not include Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).

    Professional services, education services, and the audio-visual and gaming sectors, as well as engineering and environmental services will all benefit from this Agreement.

    The CEPA also includes chapters on intellectual property, sustainable development, labour, sustainable agriculture, climate, and on indigenous trade. We have also secured New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi exception to allow us to meet treaty obligations. 

    H.E. Dr Al Zeyoudi says New Zealand is a long-standing and highly valued trade partner of the UAE. 

    “The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will further strengthen our bilateral relations and boost private-sector opportunity in both nations. The conclusion of our CEPA is also an important step forward in realizing our shared ambition to secure long-term prosperity for our peoples and nations alike.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A tree too far for alleged offender

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    One man’s dash into the bush in an attempt to evade Police came unstuck near Ramarama.

    At around 6pm on Wednesday, Police had a report of a family harm incident outside a bar in Drury, witnessed by members of the public.

    Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes says the vehicle the male offender left in was later seen near Ramarama.

    “The vehicle was followed to Pratts Road, where the man ran from the car into dense bush nearby.

    “As a result, the Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area, along with a Dog Unit on the ground.”

    Inspector Hoyes says Police staff worked together for around half an hour monitoring the man’s movements.

    “He climbed a tree in efforts to hide from us, but Eagle had eyes on him the whole time.

    “With our dog unit on the ground, he eventually came down from the tree and was taken into custody.”

    The man suffered a minor dog bite and was treated. Today, the 44-year-old patched Nomads gang member will appear in the Papakura District Court.

    He has been charged with failing to stop and reckless driving.

    “Enquiries are ongoing into the initial incident, but this was a great outcome from our staff last night who have now put the man before the Court.

    “I’d also like to thank those members of the public for alerting us to the family harm incident,” Inspector Hoyes says.

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Air pollutant trends decrease at most monitoring sites over the last eight years – Stats NZ media release

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Air pollutant trends decrease at most monitoring sites over the last eight years – 26 September 2024 – Concentrations of air pollutants decreased at many air quality monitoring sites between 2016 and 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “PM10 trends decreased at 30 out of 41 local government monitoring sites, while trends for PM2.5 decreased at 12 out of 16 sites. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) trends decreased at 99 out of 114 NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi monitoring sites between 2014 and 2023,” environment and agricultural statistics senior manager Stuart Jones said.

    PM10 and PM2.5 are particles that can be suspended in the air and are less than 10 micrometres and 2.5 micrometres in diameter, respectively. They are primarily formed by residential wood burning, dust from unsealed roads, and industrial and construction activities. NO2 is a gas primarily formed through burning fossil fuels.

    “PM10 can be breathed into lungs and PM2.5 is small enough to enter the blood stream. Concentrations of particles, gas, and liquid in air can be harmful to human health and contribute to health issues such as cardiovascular and respiratory health problems and increased mortality,” Jones said.

    Visit our website to read this news story in full and view the indicators published today:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Oil and gas is alive and well, Minister Wilkinson: Minister Jean

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    “It is a shame that the federal energy minister is so misinformed when it comes to the future of oil and gas in Canada and around the world.

    “Wilkinson falsely claimed that oil and gas will be peaking this year, that the market is inevitably declining and that making more investments in this industry, supporting it and defending it will allegedly make Canada poorer.

    “We shouldn’t be surprised that this comes from a government whose anti-energy and anti-development policies broke Canada.

    “Let us be absolutely clear, Alberta’s government remains committed to increasing oil and gas production. Small, medium and large companies are actively investing in oil and gas growth all across our province to reach this target.

    “The demand for Alberta’s oil is only growing and reached record production in July. Alberta has recently developed new markets in Asia. Millions of people die every year from energy poverty. To kill the oil and gas industry would be to condemn developing countries to energy poverty.

    “It is Alberta’s responsibility to meet this demand.

    “All reputable international forecasters predict this growth to continue for years to come. Alberta’s oil and gas sector is driving Canada’s economy, and we will continue to defend the sector by any means possible.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Air pollutant trends decrease at most monitoring sites over the last eight years – Stats NZ media release

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Air pollutant trends decrease at most monitoring sites over the last eight years – 26 September 2024 – Concentrations of air pollutants decreased at many air quality monitoring sites between 2016 and 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “PM10 trends decreased at 30 out of 41 local government monitoring sites, while trends for PM2.5 decreased at 12 out of 16 sites. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) trends decreased at 99 out of 114 NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi monitoring sites between 2014 and 2023,” environment and agricultural statistics senior manager Stuart Jones said.

    PM10 and PM2.5 are particles that can be suspended in the air and are less than 10 micrometres and 2.5 micrometres in diameter, respectively. They are primarily formed by residential wood burning, dust from unsealed roads, and industrial and construction activities. NO2 is a gas primarily formed through burning fossil fuels.

    “PM10 can be breathed into lungs and PM2.5 is small enough to enter the blood stream. Concentrations of particles, gas, and liquid in air can be harmful to human health and contribute to health issues such as cardiovascular and respiratory health problems and increased mortality,” Jones said.

    Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story in full and view the indicators published today:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Challenges Ukraine Narrative, Blasts Biden-Harris Administration for Prolonging the War

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    “The Biden-Harris Administration needs to negotiate a peace agreement now . . . or there will be disastrous consequences coming in the very near future”
    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) delivered a floor speech criticizing the Biden-Harris administration for prolonging the unwinnable war in Ukraine at the expense of American taxpayers. Sen. Tuberville also discussed why the history of NATO is inconvenient for the Biden-Harris administration’s narrative. In the speech, Sen. Tuberville highlighted that Ukraine is becoming desperate, which could have dire consequences.
    Read the speech below or watch it here.
    “Mr. President, 
    I rise today to talk about the un-winnable war in Ukraine, which has already cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. 
    Now, anyone who dares question the Uni-Party’s narrative on the war in Ukraine is obviously going to get criticized. That’s OK. The media has been complicit in pushing this narrative. Think about [it]: when was the last time you saw live footage on the ground in Ukraine? It’s rare because Ukraine is losing and is losing badly.
    This comes after we just gave Ukraine $60 billion dollars more of taxpayer money earlier this year to prolong this war. 
    I see President Zelensky, a Uni-Party puppet, is here begging, begging for more money on [the] campaign trail with Kamala Harris. It feels like he’s here every other month demanding more and more taxpayer money. That’s because he knows that the money spigot will cut off if Kamala Harris doesn’t win in November.
    Look, this subject is too important to go unaddressed. Over the last several months, I’ve asked multiple high-ranking members of the Biden-Harris administration to articulate what it is trying to accomplish in Ukraine. Just tell us. Tell us what it will cost and how we plan to achieve these results. Basically, I’m asking: what is our game plan? Not one official in this administration has answered my questions clearly. Not one. 
    One of the most interesting responses I received was from Secretary Austin himself, Secretary of Defense. He says, ‘We want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign, independent and democratic state that has the ability to defend itself in its territory and deter aggression.’ Ok. Secretary Austin continued, stating that it is the administration’s goal to bring Ukraine into NATO while simultaneously blaming Russia for NATO’s past expansion. 
    Now, here’s when the DC establishment really, really gets upset. I’m going to review a few undeniable facts about NATO’s history. Predictably, the Uni-Party will accuse me of spewing Russian propaganda. But these are the facts and that’s what we have to go by. We can’t shy away from them. 
    NATO was formed 75 years ago in 1949 as a defensive alliance to counter the communist Soviet Union. It was wildly successful in that it maintained peace through deterrence throughout the cold war. NATO helped us win the Cold War and dissolve [the] communist Soviet Union. When the Cold War ended in 1991, Ukraine instantly became the world’s third-largest nuclear power. Ukraine. Following a series of negotiations, Ukrainians agreed to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from both Russia and NATO. Territorial integrity and political independence.
    These efforts were successful because they included assurances by many, many heads of state, including our own, that would no up-eastward expansion of NATO towards Russia would ever happen. It was over. At that time, there were 16 NATO members. Today, 33 years later, after this agreement, there are 32 NATO members. Even though in 1991 we agreed to no more eastward expansion, we broke the agreement. We, NATO and the United States. NATO has expanded eastward seven times since that agreement in 1991. The largest expansion in 2004 included two countries that share a border with Russia: Estonia and Latvia. Today, NATO includes three countries that border Russia. Six NATO members are former Warsaw Pact members. The bulk of this expansion happened before Russia annexed Crimea and invaded part of Ukraine in 2014.
    Again, these are all the facts. All play a part in the NATO story and Russia’s response to it. Here’s another fact: NATO’s expansion was on NATO’s terms, separate and apart from any Russian input or activity. Let me read that again. NATO expansion was on NATO’s terms, separate and apart from any Russian input or activity—contrary to Secretary Austin’s claims. Ask yourself: How would the U.S. react if China or Russia entered a mutual defense organization with Mexico or Canada? How would we react? What if they started basing troops or participating in military exercises just miles from our homeland?
    Having covered a brief history of NATO, let’s ask logical follow-up questions that we should always ask before involving ourselves in any armed conflict. First, how far are we willing to take this proxy war with Russia? How far are we? Did we think about that before we got into this? Are we [as] committed to winning as Russia’s President is? Vladimir Putin? Are we committed to winning? What happens if the momentum turns? What happens if it turns against Ukraine and Russia starts making real gains, as it appears is happening today. Will the U.S. send more taxpayer money? More weapons? Will NATO send troops? Will the United States send troops? What’s the plan? 
    War is a serious business. We should understand that by now. You don’t half-ass your way into one and certainly don’t half-ass your way out of one. That doesn’t seem to resonate around here.
    Since the Russian offensive began, we have sent more than one $174 billion taxpayer dollars to Ukraine, one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Recently, the Biden-Harris administration announced their intent, their intent, to send an additional $700 million taxpayer dollars to Ukraine in cash. Are you kidding me? Why on earth would we give cash to the most corrupt country on the face of the planet? 
    So, after all that, after the last two and a half years of funding billions of taxpayer dollars, getting hundreds of thousands of people killed, what do we have to show for it? The war has only gotten worse. Hundreds of thousands are dead. Ukraine is becoming more desperate, as its forces are [experiencing] widespread insubordination and even mass desertion. We don’t hear that on TV. We don’t hear that in this propaganda media. Over six million Ukrainians have fled the country, have run, have left their country.
    Ukraine is playing with fire, now seeking to conduct offensive operations deep inside Russia. Why? You can’t win. Most recently, Ukraine launched a drone attack that struck in Moscow. What are we trying to do— start World War III? Most recently, Ukraine launched a drone attack that struck several other office buildings in Moscow. Adding to the uncertainty of this situation, this administration’s current policy towards Ukraine has all the hallmarks of every Biden-Harris foreign policy decision that has preceded it: weak planning, disastrous results, zero leadership. This administration never considered the consequences of Ukraine losing. How can that ever happen?
    This is really sad. It’s sad for the United States of America. It’s sad for the taxpayers. It’s sad for our military. It’s sad for our allies and it’s sad for NATO. Some of [his] Democratic colleagues have said, ‘Joe Biden never made a correct decision in foreign policy in forty years.’ Well, he hadn’t broke that. 
    Biden-Harris administration has dumped billions of dollars also into the lap of Iran. Removed the terrorist designation from the Houthis, who by the way, we’re fighting against right now, but they’re ‘not terrorists.’ Alienated one of our most important friends, Saudi Arabia. And they’ve executed the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that unnecessarily cost the lives of Americans. All this weakness was a direct signal to our adversaries: ‘Now is the time to make your move.’ And that’s exactly what our adversaries China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea are doing.
    China today tested another ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. They’re preparing. Russia now has pounced on Ukraine. Whatever you hear in the media, it’s not true. It is a slaughter. Iran has released its proxies and terrorized the Middle East. Our ally Israel is fighting for its life against Hamas following the gruesome October 7th attack almost a year ago. The Houthis, the Houthis, are a bunch of people that live in the mountains, have been emboldened to attack ships, which has negatively impacted global trade. We can’t even beat the Houthis and we’re trying to create more wars. China has stepped up its aggression in the China Sea. We’re losing influence across the globe, especially in South America and Africa where the Chinese and the Russians are taking over. We’re leaving leaps and bounds.
    So, let’s be very clear. Despite the administration’s incompetence, I still believe Putin was wrong to invade Ukraine. I think we all do. He should have withdrawn his forces immediately after it started. Putin is responsible for his actions, and he has made no secret of the fact that he sees Ukraine as historically a part of Russia. 
    At the same time, I do not think that Ukraine’s border is more important than ours—not even close—which we have been completely […] neglecting the last three and a half years.
    We have been overrun, [at the] southern border, northern border, and from airplanes all over the world flying into our cities. It’s an embarrassment.
    We do not need the administration to enable Ukraine to use offensive weapons and strike deep into Russia. That cannot happen. We are on the cusp of a nuclear war. Nobody seems concerned: ‘It won’t happen.’ Yes, it will happen. Putin has told us it will happen if you continue this. This would only escalate this conflict to an entirely new level that none of us can ever imagine. Do you think this offensive would convince Putin to come to the table and negotiate a peace agreement? Well, I would hope we would go, but we do not seem to want to make a peace agreement. We had better and we’d better do it in the very near future. This will provoke him to [use] even more deadly weapons if we continue to attack within their borders, costing more and more lives. NATO and the U.S. would be forced to respond as a result. We’re trying to create a war. 
    We must consider these questions thoroughly before we involve ourselves in another one of these crazy conflicts that should never happen. Improvising won’t cut it. Now is the time for the U.S. to lead and negotiate a peace to the end of this bloody war. I keep hearing people say, ‘well, we’re building equipment for our military.’ Yeah, right. Or our men and women are not losing their lives. We’re getting close to it. We’re getting very close.
    Now look, I come from a military state in the state of Alabama. We build everything. We have thousands of troops. I want it to be well-funded and well-equipped if we ever have to fight a war. We need a lethal killing machine to deter other aggression. That’s what a military is about. This is not about defunding our military. I want our military laser-focused on protecting Americans and not woke DEI initiatives. And it’s not about abandoning our allies either. We need to support our allies.
    It’s about this administration funding a proxy war with no plan, zero, no plan on how to stop it, or how to win it. The Biden-Harris administration needs to negotiate a peace agreement now. Immediately, or there will be huge, disastrous consequences coming in the very near future. 
    Mr. President, I yield floor.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –