NewzIntel.com

Category: Latin America

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business Results – Fonterra continues momentum in FY24, announces special dividend

    Source: Fonterra 

    Profit after tax: NZ $1,168 million
    Continuing operations EBIT*: NZ $1,560 million
    Continuing operations earnings* per share: 70 cents per share
    Return on capital: 11.3%
    Total dividend: 55 cents per share, comprising:

    • 15 cent interim and 25 cent final dividend 
    • 15 cent special dividend
    • Full year milk collections: 1,471 million kgMS  
    • Final 2023/24 season Farmgate Milk Price: NZ$7.83 per kgMS.

    Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today reported strong FY24 full year financial results, including a final 2023/24 season Farmgate Milk Price of $7.83 per kgMS and a total dividend of 55 cents per share.

    CEO Miles Hurrell says the payout reflects both Fonterra’s continued strong earnings performance and the long-term resilience of the Co-op.  

    “We’ve maintained the positive momentum seen in FY23 and delivered earnings at the top end of our forecast range.

    “Our total dividend of 55 cents per share is the second largest since Fonterra was formed. It includes a 15 cent interim dividend and a 25 cent final dividend driven by strong FY24 earnings.  

    “In addition, our capital management efficiency and ongoing balance sheet strength have enabled us to return an extra 15 cents per share to farmer shareholders and unit holders through a special dividend.  

    “The final Farmgate Milk Price for the 2023/24 season finished at $7.83 per kgMS. This, combined with the 55 cents per share dividend, provides a total cash payout to a fully shared up farmer of $8.38 per kgMS.

    “Our Co-op is in good shape, and I’m pleased to have delivered another year of solid returns to farmer shareholders and unit holders.  

    “Looking ahead, we’re well placed to consider the next phase of our strategy to grow long-term value for the Co-op,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Business performance  

    The Co-op reported a return on capital for FY24 of 11.3%, above the target range for FY24.  

    Earnings (EBIT) from continuing operations were $1,560 million and continue to be well above previous years, albeit down on FY23 which benefited from elevated price relativities.  

    Fonterra’s profit after tax from continuing operations was $1,168 million, equivalent to 70 cents per share.

    “Our FY24 earnings were driven by higher margins and increased sales volumes in our Foodservice and Consumer channels. Our Ingredients channel also continued to deliver strong returns, although down when compared to the record result seen in FY23,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Sales volumes from continuing operations were down 1% to 3,470 kMT and gross margins were maintained at 17%.  

    “We remain focused on making progress against our two efficiency metrics while also investing in the areas that will improve long-term performance and the resilience of the Co-op.

    “Our core operations manufacturing costs per kgMS reduced year-on-year by 2% to $2.58 per kgMS, reflecting both operational improvements and improved input costs.  

    “Across the year we also achieved savings in our operating expenses which largely offset the impacts of inflation. However, our cash operating expenses per kgMS are up mainly due to our investment in IT and digital transformation projects.

    “Our balance sheet position remains strong, providing optionality and flexibility for the future and resilience against volatility.

    “We have net debt of $2.6 billion, $600 million lower than last year, due to strong underlying operating performance.  

    Our gearing ratio of 24% reflects our lower net debt position and higher equity from strong earnings,” says Mr Hurrell.

    Co-op strategy  

    This year, Fonterra completed a strategic review that reinforced the role of its Foodservice and Ingredients channels and confirmed its strengths in partnering with customers to produce world-class, innovative dairy.    

    As a result of this work, in May the Co-op announced that it is exploring divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka.

    “Over the last few months, we have appointed advisors to assist with assessing divestment options for our Consumer businesses and this work is ongoing,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    “As we can see from today’s result, the businesses in scope for potential divestment are performing well. We remain committed to a pathway that would maximise value of these businesses for our farmer shareholders and unit holders.  

    “Alongside this, we have revised our strategy to have a sharper focus on the Co-op’s strengths and where we can best create value.

    “We will be sharing this revised strategy, as well as the outcomes shareholders and unit holders can expect from the Co-op, next week,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    *Excludes earnings from discontinued operations. In FY24 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil and in FY23 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil, Soprole and China Farms.

    About Fonterra  

    Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together. 

    If you no longer wish to receive media releases from Fonterra, please click here to opt out.

    Non-GAAP financial information  

    Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. Non-GAAP measures are not defined or specified by NZ IFRS.    

    Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.  

    Non-GAAP measures are not subject to audit unless they are included in Fonterra’s audited annual financial statements.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of $4 Million International Telemarketing Scheme Convicted

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    A federal jury in North Carolina convicted a man today for his role in orchestrating a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims in the United States from a call center in Costa Rica.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Roger Roger, 40, of Costa Rica, led a fraudulent telemarketing scheme in which co-conspirators, who falsely posed as U.S. government officials, contacted victims in the United States to tell them that that they had won a substantial “sweepstakes” prize. After convincing victims, many of whom were elderly, that they stood to receive a significant financial prize, the co-conspirators told victims that they needed to make a series of up-front payments before collecting their supposed prize, purportedly for items such as taxes, customs duties, and other fees. Co-conspirators used a variety of means to conceal their true identities, including Voice over Internet Protocol technology, which made it appear as though they were calling from Washington, D.C., and other locations in the United States. Roger personally called victims from Costa Rica, using fake names and documents to trick the victims into believing they had won a sweepstakes prize. He also recruited and directed co-conspirators to mislead victims on the phone and to transmit victims’ payments from the United States to Costa Rica. The evidence at trial showed that Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from victims.

    Roger was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of international money laundering. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on each of the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and the wire fraud counts, because the jury found that these counts involved telemarketing that victimized at least 10 people over the age of 55, and 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering counts. Sentencing will occur at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina; Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division; Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Cincinnati Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Robert DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

    The USPIS Atlanta Division, IRS-CI Cincinnati Field Office, and FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case. The La Grande, Oregon Police Department and Union County District Attorney Victim Assistance Office provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Costa Rica to secure Roger’s arrest and extradition.

    Trial Attorneys Andrew Jaco and Amanda Fretto Lingwood of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by President  Biden at the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats | New York,  NY

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    1:57 P.M. EDT
    THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  To all the — my fellow leaders from nations around the world, thank you for being here.  It makes a big difference.
    A couple of years ago, a father who I got to meet from a small town here in the United States wrote me a letter about his daughter.  Her name was Courtney.  She was bright and smart, she had a laugh that was contagious, and wanted to travel the world.  But in high school, she became addicted to pills. 
    Her father eventually brought her to a treatment facility, but his insurance company wouldn’t cover the cost.  They said, quote, “It wasn’t a matter of life and death.”
    A month later, Courtney died from a fe- — fentanyl overdose.  She was just 20 years old — 20 years old. 
    In his letter that he wrote to me, he described life without his child.  He said, and I quote, “There is no greater pain.”  “There is no greater pain.”
    I told him I know what it’s like, having lost several children myself — two children.  There is no greater pain.  They still live in your heart, but there’s no greater pain.
    Ladies and gentlemen, that’s why we’re here. 
    Too many people all across our nation have stories like this.  Too many families have suffered unbearable pain and unbearable loss. 
    Opioids are the deadliest drug threat in our history.  I’ve been working on drug control for a long, long time — since the days I was a senator, but this is the deadliest of them all.
    For years, too little has been done to beat this threat here at home and around the world. 
    In fact, before I came to office, overdose deaths in our country were increasing by more than 30 percent year over year. 
    But when I became president, I made beating the opioid endemic [epidemic] a central part of the Unity Agenda, something that our entire nation could rally around and has. 
    For over the last four years, we’ve turned that agenda into action.  My administration made Nal- — excuse me, Na- — made Naloxone, a lifesaving overdose reversal medicine, available over the counter.  You can purchase it over the counter for the first time.  We invested over $80 billion across 50 states to expand access to addiction treatment and support.  I issued an executive order that cut cartel leaders off from fina- — our financial system, including issuing 300 sanctions.  And I’ve deployed hundreds of advanced X-ray ou- — machines to stop the threat of pills and powder coming across our border. 
    Because I want to be clear: This is — this is a national security threat. 
    In July of this year, I signed a national security memorandum.  It officially recognized that fact, that it is a national security threat.  It calls on every part of our government to do more to stop fentanyl and protect our homeland from this threat. 
    But as all of you know, this a global challenge and it requires a global solutions. 
    So, we established the Tri- — the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee with Canada and Mexi- — and Mexico to stop narcotics from crossing our border. 
    I reignited counternarcotics cooperation with China to increase law enforcement cooperation and tackle the supply chains of precursor chemicals and pill presses. 
    And I directed my team to build this coalition — this Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs.  As all of you here know, this coalition now has, as the secretary of State said, 150 nations as part of it. 
    The result of these efforts: More fentanyl has been seized at our border in the last two years than the previous five years combined — in the previous five years combined.  Nearly 60,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized.  That’s enough to kill every single American many times over. 
    Dozens of major cartel leaders and traffickers are now behind bars. 
    And I’m proud to announce, for the first time in five years, overdose deaths are actually coming down across America.  The latest data shows a 10 percent drop.  That’s the largest decrease on record. 
    Folks, this matters.  These aren’t just facts and figures.  They’re families — families who don’t have to bear the loss of a child, a parent, a spouse — families who are kept whole. 
    But there are too many that are still dying.  There’s so much more that needs to be done. 
    So, my message today is very simple: We can’t let up.  We cannot let up.
    Drug manufacturers and cartels continue to adapt their practices, develop new chemicals, move fast to evade our efforts.  We have to move faster.
    They continue to exploit the global supply chains to expand their networks.  We’ve got to cut them off. 
    They continue to fuel violence, corruption, and instability.  We’ve got to protect our people and our communities. 
    So, that’s why I’m calling on every nation here to commit to our new global coalition pledge.  This lays out the action we must all take to seize more drugs, stop more cartels, save more lives. 
    I also want to thank the leaders here who are stepping up and launching a new initiatives today to advance coalition efforts all across three key — key areas.  First, disrupting supply chain, including production and distribution of illicit — of illicit drugs.  Secondly, detecting emerging drug threats and increasing information sharing across all our countries.  And thirdly, preventing more deaths by treating more people through public health interventions, increased access to lifesaving medications.
    It’s possible.  It’s about disrupt, detect, prevent, and treat. 
    Together, we’re making it clear: Enough is enough is enough. 
    Let me close with this.  As leaders, we all have one solemn responsibility: protect our people from harm. 
    Together, through this coalition, I believe we can do just that.  We can disrupt the cycle of violence and instability that drug cr- — traffickers create.  We can get our people the care they need and deserve.  We can save lives, but only — but only if we come together and work together.  The choice is ours. 
    And I believe there can be only one answer: We can, we will, and we must. 
    So, thank you all for being here.  Let’s get to work.
    And I want to — you to hear from other leaders in this room as well. 
    So, thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)  
    2:04 P.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Salazar, Castro Legislation to Codify U.S. Participation in the Summit of the Americas Passes House Foreign Affairs Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) celebrated the bipartisan passage of the Summit of the Americas Act through the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

    The Summit of the Americas is the primary convening mechanism for leaders of Western Hemisphere countries to gather and discuss common concerns, craft solutions, and deepen areas of collaboration. This legislation would direct the Secretary of State to support the organization of the Summit of the Americas and codify the existing implementation unit at the State Department to ensure continued implementation of Summit commitments. The legislation would also institutionalize the Cities Summit, a convening of city and community leaders across the Hemisphere, to take place as part of the Summit of the Americas.

    “There are 48 countries in the Western Hemisphere, and each one is critical to promoting shared prosperity in our region,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “The Summit of the Americas is an invaluable opportunity to give these relationships their due by upgrading and invigorating U.S. engagement within the Hemisphere. Further, the Cities Summit fosters relationships at the local level and invests in the future of the region by bringing together rising leaders such as Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s President-elect who attended the Cities Summit last December. The advancement of this legislation reflects the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s unwavering commitment to our regional partners—I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.”

    “The nightmare Latin America is facing in Venezuela reminds us of the need for coordination among democracies to restore democracy and bring an end to the suffering in that country,” said Congresswoman Salazar, Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. “I am proud to see the House Foreign Affairs Committee commit to ensuring the Summit of the Americas will continue to be a useful space for the freedom-minded heads of state of our region to come together and work toward a more prosperous future.”

    “For the last three decades, the Summit of the Americas has provided a critical forum for the United States and our neighbors to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in our hemisphere,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. “The Summit of the Americas Act is an important expression of bipartisan Congressional support for deepening U.S. multilateral engagement as a reliable champion of democracy and freedom. I am proud to stand with Reps. Kamlager-Dove and Salazar as this timely effort advances through Committee.”

    Full text of the bill can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Banco Itaú Chile Files Material Event Notice announcing the appointment of Director

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BANCO ITAÚ CHILE (SSE: ITAUCL) announced that it filed today a Material Event Notice with the Chilean Commission for the Financial Market reporting that, at the ordinary session held on this date, the Board of Directors of Banco Itaú Chile (the “Bank”) learned about the resignation of Mr. Milton Maluhy Filho from the position of director of the Bank, which will take effect on September 30, 2024.

    Likewise, on this same date, the Board of Directors of the Bank agreed to appoint Mr. Gabriel Amado de Moura as his replacement, effective as of October 1, 2024, who will continue to serve in his role until the next Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, at which the final appointment will be made. In addition, as of the aforementioned date, Mr. Gabriel Amado de Moura will assume the position of vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of Banco Itaú Chile.

    The Material Event Notice is available on the company’s investor relations website at ir.itau.cl.

    Investor Relations – Banco Itaú Chile

    IR@itau.cl / ir.itau.cl

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: September 23rd, 2024 Heinrich Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate U.S. Microchip Manufacturing Projects

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Bipartisan legislation to expedite microchip plant construction now heads to President’s desk

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the House of Representatives passage of the Building Chips in America Act, legislation he cosponsored to streamline federal permitting processes for microchip manufacturing projects while maintaining bedrock protections for clean air and clean water. The bill, which had previously passed the Senate twice — first as part of the Senate NDAA and again as a standalone legislation — now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

    The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Alongside Heinrich, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators is Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).  

    “Two years ago, I was part of the conference committee that finalized what eventually became the CHIPS and Science Act. I fought hard to pass this bill to spark a made-in-America manufacturing renaissance in New Mexico and across the country, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” said Heinrich. “This bill to speed up construction of microchip projects will build on the momentum we’ve created, strengthen our supply chain and national security, and solidify New Mexico as one of the best places in America to manufacture advanced technologies — helping to create hundreds of new, good-paying jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around. I’m pleased that this bill is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”

    “This is a major step forward for our economy and national security,” said Kelly. “By preventing unnecessary delays in the construction of microchip manufacturing facilities, this bill will help maximize our efforts to bring this industry back to America, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and strengthening our supply chains. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both chambers for their bipartisan work to get this done, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: September 24th, 2024 Heinrich, N.M. Delegation Push for House RECA Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    PHOTOS

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) joined advocates for a press conference calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to hold a vote on a Senate-passed bill that would strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). It has been over five months since Heinrich helped secure Senate passage of RECA.

    Heinrich has reintroduced legislation to extend and expand RECA since his first Senate term, starting in 2013.

    Heinrich urges House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) legislation at a press conference in the Capitol on September 24, 2024.

    “Now that the Senate has passed an extension and long overdue expansion of RECA, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans must finally take up this critical legislation,” said Heinrich. “It is long overdue for Congress to finally amend RECA to include Tularosa Downwinders, all of the uranium miners exposed to radiation in service to our national defense, and all Americans who were directly impacted by our nation’s nuclear testing program. The federal government has a moral responsibility to correct this injustice.”

    Find pictures of Heinrich speaking at the press conference here.

    Heinrich recently pressed Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately take up the Senate-passed and fully comprehensive RECA extension in bipartisan, bicameral letter. The letter, led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), said in part: “We urge action immediately to strengthen the RECA program before its impending sunset in June 2024. The United States government exposed these Americans to radiation as part of our national security efforts through World War II and the Cold War. It is long past time that RECA is strengthened to give these Americans their recognition and compensation. Their livelihoods, often devastated by the long-term consequences of radiation exposure, depend on your leadership and commitment to rectifying past injustices. Let us honor the commitment we made to these citizens by ensuring they receive the support and recognition they so rightly deserve.” Read the full letter here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Al Green and Bishop James Dixon Hosts Press Conference with Houston Haitians United and Community Leaders to Denounce Inexcusable, Invidious Prevarications Against Haitians and Demand Respect for Haitians

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

    (Houston, TX) — On Monday, September 23, 2024, Congressman Al Green will host a press conference to denounce the recent inexcusable, mean-spirited prevarications made by Former President Donald Trump regarding the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. Congressman Green and other leaders will also demand respect for all Haitians, discuss the importance of defending the Haitian community, and the impact of his dehumanizing remarks. The press conference will feature Bishop James Dixon, President of the Houston NAACP, along with representatives from Houston Haitians United (HHU), Houston Caribbean Professionals Association (HCPA), and the Texas Caribbean Chamber of Commerce.

    “Houston Haitians United strongly stands in solidarity against the baseless and harmful allegations being promoted by certain campaigners in the current election cycle. These false claims unjustly target the Haitian people, and we denounce these tactics aimed at misleading the public and undermining our community’s integrity. We urge all candidates to refrain from divisive rhetoric and focus on promoting unity and truth in their campaigns,” stated James Pierre, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Houston Haitians United.

    “With no truthful basis and no substantive evidence, Haitians have been described as those who eat dogs, cats and pets. This dehumanization of the Haitian community should be an alarm to every American. It’s a continuing scheme to make citizens fearful of all people of color. The Houston NAACP is fully in support of demanding respect for Haitians and all victims of dehumanizing propaganda,” stated Bishop James Dixon, President of the Houston NAACP.

    Congressman Al Green stated, “People of goodwill have a moral imperative to unite against Former President Trump’s disrespect of Haitians for political gain causing pain. We must recognize the enduring resilience of Haitians in the face of centuries of economic hardship in tandem with invidious discrimination. People of goodwill cannot remain silent as harmful political rhetoric threatens the well-being of innocent people. It is our duty to defend the Haitian community, just as we defend the Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Women, African American, Asian, Latino, Native American, and other subsets of society when attacked. Disrespectful injustice against Haitians is a threat to respect and justice for all, as evidenced by the chaos created against the people of Springfield, Ohio. If we as a nation truly stand for liberty and justice for all as proclaimed in the Pledge of Allegiance, we must stand against Former President Trump’s wittingly or unwittingly dehumanizing Haitians for political gain.”

    Click here to watch the Facebook Live Stream of the press conference on YouTube 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister advances progress and prosperity at the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Progressive leadership is driven by a shared belief that we cannot falter – on rights, on equality, and on an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    That’s the message the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, delivered as he concluded his participation in the 79th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future, in New York City, United States of America. During UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing progress, prosperity, and fairness for every generation.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined global leaders at the Summit of the Future, which concluded with the adoption of the Pact for the Future – an ambitious pact that will see countries work together to tackle shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister delivered a statement affirming Canada’s support for the Summit of the Future, its call for nations to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its commitment to investing in our workers, our communities, and our future.

    Building on the progress made at the Summit of the Future, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent advocates at UNGA to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized Canada’s commitment to unlocking increased financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly through his role as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group. He also underscored the central role of gender equality as a pathway to achieving sustainable development, and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives, and their own futures. Canada announced over $112 million to help protect the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide. We will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will fulfill its $100 million commitment to address issues in unpaid and paid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people across the globe, including in Canada, climate change is not an abstraction. It is real, it is costly, and it does not stop at our borders. To successfully tackle climate change, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of global, collective climate action. He highlighted industrial decarbonization as one such approach to fight climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members to Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, which calls on countries to put a price on carbon to cover 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million to be delivered through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program so we can more effectively respond to wildfires and advance international leadership on sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, alongside the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-Level Meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security, and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted ongoing work to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support of the Multinational Security Support mission in the country. He emphasized the criticality of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. He announced over $16 million to support the transitional government’s election preparedness, increase humanitarian aid, reduce gang violence, and expand access to justice for women and youth detainees while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will make a meaningful difference in helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a better, more prosperous future for its people.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in new wide-ranging investments to strengthen global peace and security, including on land mine clearance, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He emphasized the role of UN agencies in accomplishing this important work, announcing a $9 million investment to support the UN’s efforts to strengthen development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding assistance in countries across the globe.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable titled In Defense of Democracy: Fighting Against Extremism, where he engaged with world leaders on challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation, and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, like the UN.

    Throughout his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with international counterparts to discuss pressing geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impacts, as well as the evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of protecting democratic institutions from emerging threats, including misinformation and election interference, and safeguarding peace and security around the world.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, among others. 

    In the face of global economic and social insecurity, Canada chooses to invest in our country. Whether it’s national $10-a-day child care, an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care program, or an industrial strategy that creates good-paying jobs while fighting climate change – these are choices that will make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and help solve global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada chooses to invest in our people, in our future, and in progress. That was my message at UNGA and at the Summit of the Future. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, solve the world’s most pressing challenges, and deliver fairness for every generation.”

    — The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

    Quick Facts

    • While in New York City, Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic, the Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and Malala Yousafzai.
    • The Prime Minister also had interactions with other leaders, including the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez.
    • As a founding member of the UN since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the treaty that is the cornerstone of the rules-based international order.
    • Canada is the sixth-largest donor to the UN, including voluntary and assessed contributions totalling over US$2 billion in 2022.
    • In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious goals for sustainable development, as outlined in Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda centres on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encompassing the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Taken together, the SDGs aim to improve the lives of all people, while protecting the planet.
    • Released in 2021, Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy builds upon 30 actions and five core principles to create and foster an enabling environment for ongoing dialogue and participation to encourage Canadians to take action to realize the SDGs.
    • In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was named Co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates group by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. SDG Advocates work to raise global awareness of the SDGs and of the need for accelerated action by using their respective platforms.
    • Prime Minister Trudeau is also Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group alongside the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. The group advocates for equipping developing countries with the financial resources to invest in the 17 SDGs and secure a more just and equitable future for all people.
    • At the Summit for the Future, global leaders enhanced co-operation on critical challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They reaffirmed existing commitments – including to the SDGs and the UN Charter – and moved toward a modernized UN system that can effectively tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.
    • At the Summit, leaders adopted the Pact for the Future  and its annexes – the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations. The Pact is a global framework to bolster global co-operation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, global inequality, and the need for stronger multilateral co-operation, for the benefit of all and for future generations.
    • In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to expand the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting emerging ones. The Challenge, which has a collective goal of covering 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and co-ordination to make pricing systems more effective and compatible while supporting other countries in adopting carbon pricing and cutting emissions on the path to net-zero by 2050.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Will Rollins busted for lying about legal work

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    September 24, 2024

    Extreme Democrat Will Rollins’ fantastical claims about his legal work crumbled under scrutiny. 

    “Rollins has greatly exaggerated his record,” a new investigation found. Reminder: A judge slapped down Rollins for attempting to trick voters with a similarly “misleading” ballot designation.

    “Extreme liberal Will Rollins will say or do anything to get elected. Riverside County families cannot trust a word that comes out of this serial liar’s mouth.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

    In case you missed it…

    ‘I Took On the Sinaloa Cartel’: Democratic House Candidate Will Rollins Claims He Fought Drug Lords, ISIS, and MS-13. Did He?
    Washington Free Beacon
    Meghan Blonder

    Democrat Will Rollins has made his prosecutorial record central to his rematch against Rep. Ken Calvert (R., Calif.). The Palm Springs lawyer repeatedly boasted that he went after ISIS, the Sinaloa cartel, and MS-13 when he worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District of California.

    “Rollins, a counterterrorism prosecutor, took on ISIS terrorists and went after the Sinaloa cartel to stop illegal drugs from crossing our border,” said a February ad, which made salacious allegations about Calvert and called him “one of the most corrupt members of Congress.”

    The ad ended with Rollins saying, “I’m Will Rollins, and I approve this message because I’ve spent my career fighting to keep our families safe.”

    But there’s no available evidence that Rollins had any role in fighting the Sinaloa Cartel or ISIS. His only documented involvement in fighting MS-13? He helped negotiate a lenient plea deal for a meth dealer who was once on a list of “members and associates” of the gang.

    Indeed, an exhaustive Washington Free Beacon review found no documentation indicating Rollins participated in the prosecution of anyone tied to ISIS or the Sinaloas during his five-year stint as an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. Rollins also claims he’s gone after “murderers,” but the Free Beacon connected only one homicide case to the junior prosecutor—one that wasn’t resolved until two years after Rollins had quit his job.

    In early August, the Free Beacon began asking the Rollins campaign to provide information about the candidate’s record during his tenure from 2016 to 2021 in the Central District, which includes Los Angeles and its surrounding suburbs. The Rollins campaign did not respond to any of the Free Beacon’s inquiries. Rollins’s extensive public claims—on his campaign website, social media, and press interviews—don’t cite specific cases or link to Department of Justice or FBI press releases.

    The Free Beacon reviewed every federal court case that mentioned Rollins, scouring through reams of documents. The review also included extensive searches of the Central District’s website.

    The Mexico-based Sinaloa cartel—which controls much of the drug trade—along with the sadistically violent Salvadoran immigrant gang, MS-13, and the Islamic terrorists of ISIS are three of the world’s most feared criminal organizations, and many ambitious young prosecutors would jump at the chance to battle them. But since Rollins’s name doesn’t appear on any public government documents involving Sinaloa or ISIS, it is highly unlikely he had a meaningful role in such cases, according to a former assistant U.S. attorney who spoke on the condition of anonymity. It is possible he was involved in more minor ways that kept his name off cases, like writing search warrants and applying for digital surveillance, or in supervising cases that others actually prosecuted.

    Furthermore, the law firm where Rollins currently works makes no mention of ISIS, the Sinaloa cartel, or MS-13 on his biography page. Instead, Raines Feldman Littrell, a Los Angeles-based corporate law firm that must accurately represent its lawyers to its clients, simply says that Rollins prosecuted “a wide variety of U.S. counterterrorism, export control, and national security laws” as an assistant U.S. attorney.

    The Free Beacon found one instance in which Rollins prosecuted a member of MS-13 for dealing meth—and struck a sweetheart plea deal. In that 2012 case, Juan Carlos Garcia was caught dealing 80 grams of meth in front of his children. He faced two distribution charges, one carrying a prison sentence of up to 40 years, the other a life sentence. Rollins dropped one count and helped Garcia score the mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison for the other.

    A 2013 FBI press release lists Garcia among “members and associates of the MS-13 street gang.” Garcia’s indictment, however, doesn’t mention gang membership, nor does his pleading. His court judgment only noted that he was barred from associating with known members or wearing anything connected to MS-13.

    Rollins’s attempts to use his stint in government to boost his campaign have become a flashpoint in his campaign. A county GOP chairman challenged Rollins’s bid to describe himself as a “counterterrorism attorney” on the primary ballot, and a judge ruled that he must instead describe himself as a “counterterrorism law attorney.”

    […]

    Rollins has also said in campaign ads that he’s “put away” members of a gang called the Mexican Mafia. The United States-based prison and street gang organizes other Hispanic gangs to establish a larger network of illegal activities.

    The Free Beacon’s review found Rollins was involved in two cases that were peripherally connected to the Mexican Mafia. In both, Rollins signed off on lenient plea deals that gave the gang members light prison sentences for serious crimes.

    Julio Cesar Alvarado faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for a firearm charge in June 2016. He admitted he was a member of the Eastside Santa Ana gang, an affiliate of the Mexican Mafia. Rollins struck a plea deal, and Alvarado was sentenced to just two years in prison.

    Justin Robert Burkett, a known member of the Westside VLP gang, another Mexican Mafia affiliate, was busted with 120 grams of meth and a stolen .38 caliber revolver. He faced a life sentence for peddling drugs and another five years for the gun crime. But Rollins dropped the firearm charge and helped Burkett score a 10-year prison sentence, the mandatory minimum for the distribution count. Burkett was also required to participate in a substance abuse program once he got out of prison.

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister advocates progress and prosperity at UN General Assembly and Future Summit

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Progressive leadership is driven by the belief that we cannot turn back the clock on rights, equality, and an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    This was the message delivered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the conclusion of his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Future Summit in New York, United States of America. At the UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to progress, prosperity and equity for all generations.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders at the Future Summit, which concluded with the adoption of the Compact for the Future, an ambitious agreement that will inspire countries to work together to address shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister issued a statement indicating Canada’s support for the Future Summit, calling on countries to deliver on the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentand intended to invest in its workers, in its communities and in its future.

    Building on the progress made at the Future Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent human rights advocates at the UNGA to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He signalled Canada’s commitment to finding new sources of financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly as co-chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group. He highlighted the fundamental role of gender equality as a means to achieve sustainable development and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives and their futures. To this end, Canada announced more than $112 million in support to protect access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights services for women and girls around the world. Canada will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will deliver on its $100 million commitment to address issues related to paid and unpaid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people around the world, including in Canada, climate change is not an illusion: it is real, it is costly and it knows no borders. To effectively combat this threat, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of collective action on a global scale. He highlighted decarbonizing the industrial sector as one solution to combat climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members of theGlobal Carbon Pricing Challenge launched by Canada, which calls on countries to set a price on carbon to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, so we can better fight wildfires and advance international expertise in sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, together with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-level Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted the work being done to address the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support for the Multinational Security Support Mission in the country. He emphasized the critical importance of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. In this regard, he announced more than $16 million to support the transitional government’s electoral preparations, increase humanitarian assistance, reduce gang-related violence, and increase access to justice for women and youth detainees, while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will go a long way to helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a brighter, more prosperous future for its people.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in major new investments to strengthen global peace and security, including mine clearance, and to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He highlighted the role of the United Nations in this important work, and announced an investment of $9 million to support United Nations initiatives to increase the effectiveness of development, humanitarian and peacebuilding assistance in countries around the world.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable entitled “Defending Democracy: Combating Extremism,” where he spoke with world leaders about the challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations.

    During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with his international counterparts to discuss priority geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its global implications, as well as developments in the Middle East. He also stressed the need to protect democratic institutions from emerging threats, including disinformation and election interference, and to preserve peace and security around the world.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, among others.

    In the face of economic and social insecurity around the world, the Government of Canada is choosing to invest in our country. From a $10-a-day national child care program to an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care plan, and an industrial sector strategy that creates well-paying jobs – not to mention fighting climate change – these choices will have a positive impact on the lives of Canadians and help address global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada is choosing to invest in its people, its future and progress. This is the message I wanted to bring to the UNGA and the Future Summit. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, address the world’s most pressing challenges and give every generation a fair chance.”

    Highlights

    During his trip to New York, Prime Minister Trudeau held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic of Kitchener, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Senior Advisor to Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, President William Ruto of Kenya, and Malala Yousafzai. The Prime Minister also held discussions with other leaders, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, International Monetary Fund President and Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez. As a founding member of the United Nations since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, including playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the cornerstone treaty of the rules-based international order. Canada is the sixth largest donor to the United Nations, with voluntary contributions and assessed contributions totaling more than US$2 billion in 2022. In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, as outlined in theTransforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda focuses on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Together, the SDGs aim to improve people’s lives, but also protect the planet. Released in 2021, theCanada’s National Strategy for the 2030 Agenda: Moving Forward Togetheris based on 30 actions and 5 core principles to create and foster an environment for ongoing dialogue and engagement to encourage Canadians to take action to implement the SDGs. In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was appointed Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados. Through their respective platforms, the members of the SDG Advocates Group aim to raise global awareness of the SDGs and the need to accelerate action to achieve them. Prime Minister Trudeau also serves as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, alongside Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica. The Group advocates for developing countries to have the financial resources they need to invest in the 17 SDGs to ensure a just and equitable future for all people. At the Future Summit, world leaders strengthened cooperation on major challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They renewed existing commitments, including to the SDGs and the Charter of the United Nations, and undertook to modernize the United Nations system to effectively address the challenges of today and tomorrow. Also at the Summit, leaders adopted the Deal for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Deal and the Declaration on Future Generations. The Deal for the Future is a comprehensive framework to promote global cooperation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, inequality, and the need for strong multilateral cooperation, for the benefit of all and future generations. In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to scale up the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting new ones. The Challenge, which collectively aims to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and coordination to improve the effectiveness and compatibility of pricing regimes, while helping other countries adopt carbon pricing and reduce emissions towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Kenya William Ruto

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

    The two leaders discussed the situation in Haiti. Prime Minister Trudeau commended Kenya’s leadership of the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission (MSSM) and reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with Haiti, Kenya, and other international partners to support a successful mission. The leaders underlined the need for the international community to step up and provide much-needed support for the mission and agreed on the importance of re-establishing peace and security and holding free and fair elections in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted Canada’s ongoing efforts to support the MSSM, including its previous investment of over $86 million to provide direct assistance.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President Ruto agreed to remain in close contact and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing common interests.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Leads Bipartisan Push to Make FEMA’s New Disaster Aid Rule Retroactive for Hurricane Ida Survivors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-New Jersey) is leading a bipartisan effort, alongside U.S. Representatives Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico) and Troy Carter (D-Louisiana), urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply its new disaster aid rule retroactively. This would ensure that those affected by past events, like Hurricane Ida, can benefit from the improved and more accessible assistance. The proposed extension would cover major disasters declared since January 20, 2021, ensuring that survivors of these events—including those in New Jersey—are eligible for the updated relief measures.

     

    The draft interim Individual Assistance Program Equity rule, a major reform introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration in early 2024, marks the first significant overhaul of FEMA’s aid program in 20 years. The changes were driven by mounting frustrations from survivors who faced delays, denials, and excessive bureaucratic hurdles when seeking help. With the growing frequency and severity of disasters due to climate change, the Administration recognized the need for more accessible and efficient aid, particularly for low-income and vulnerable communities.

     

    Key updates include Critical Needs Assistance, which automatically provides $750 to cover immediate expenses, and up to $42,500 in FEMA aid not covered by insurance. The rule also eliminates outdated eligibility requirements, such as removing the mandate that the Small Business Administration reject a survivor’s loan application before they could receive FEMA aid, reduced documentation requirements, and a simplified appeals process. These changes aim to deliver faster, fairer assistance to those in need.

     

    “The Biden-Harris Administration has made meaningful changes to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program that will help New Jerseyans get back on their feet faster when the next storm hits,” said Pallone. “We must make these improvements retroactive, so people devastated by Hurricane Ida get the same opportunity to benefit and aren’t left behind.”

     

    “I’m proud to have advocated for changes to FEMA for future storm survivors, but I’m still nowhere near recovered from Hurricane Ida three years ago.  These changes would have helped me tremendously – I had to get an SBA loan because FEMA told me to apply.  I had no choice and am now very in debt and I am still fighting my flood insurance for a fair payout.  Having FEMA help more with my uninsured losses would be so much better than a loan I can’t afford to pay.  We are grateful to Congressman Pallone for his ongoing work on behalf of storm survivors and we hope the Biden administration makes the changes retroactive for my family and families like mine around the country,” said Leanna Jones a single mother of two and Storm Organizer with the New Jersey Organizing Project. 

     

    The full letter to FEMA is available below and online here:

     

    Dear Administrator Criswell:

     

    We are encouraged by the Individual Assistance Program Equity interim final rule you announced on January 22, 2024 and urge you to make it retroactive to all major disasters with individual assistance that President Biden has declared since January 20, 2021. Retroactively making this assistance available to that date will allow many of our constituents impacted by devastating natural disasters to finally move forward with their recovery.

     

    This rule has the potential to dramatically improve Americans’ experience and ability to access the federal disaster assistance system. However, as members whose constituents have been impacted by recent major disasters, many of our constituents turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in their time of need and were denied assistance due to the preceding rule’s strict and confusing eligibility requirements. Likewise, our constituents that were deemed eligible for assistance may have received far less support under the preceding rule than they may potentially be able to receive now. These disaster survivors are still struggling to get back on their feet and they deserve the opportunity to benefit from the new and improved disaster assistance system. 

     

    We urge you to at least prioritize extending the rule’s coverage to survivors of the 19 largest disasters which had more than 10,000 Individual and Household Program applications:

     

    • 2021: Texas Severe Winter Storm Uri (DR-4586), Michigan Severe Storm (DR-4607), Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Hurricane Ida (DR-4611, DR-4614, DR-4515, and DR-4618),  Kentucky Tornado (DR-4630)
    • 2022: Kentucky Flood (DR-4663), Missouri Flood (DR-4665), Puerto Rico Hurricane Fiona (DR-4671), and Florida Hurricane Ian (DR-4673)
    • 2023: California Severe Storm (DR-4683), California Severe Storm (DR-4699), Florida Flood (DR-4709), Guam Typhoon Mawar (DR-4715), Hawaii Wildfire (DR-4724), Illinois Severe Storm (DR-4728), Florida Hurricane Idalia (DR-4734), and Illinois Flood (DR-4749)

     

    Under the old system, many survivors of these disasters were pushed into expensive or untenable circumstances due to their inequitable denial of Individual Assistance or low levels of federal support. Giving people a chance to receive assistance they were unjustly denied will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their housing needs without duress. Survivors of these disasters would especially benefit from the new rule’s changes to home repair assistance, the treatment of insurance proceeds, the definition of “owner-occupied” housing, rental assistance, and the elimination of the Small Business Administration application requirement, among other changes. The improved accessibility to Individual Assistance brought by these and other changes will help survivors fix their homes, make accessibility modifications, and ease short-term housing debts. FEMA could help these survivors move out of hotels, inadequate rental properties, nursing homes, and other care institutions and into safe and permanent housing.

     

    Thank you for your serious consideration of our request and commitment to improving our disaster assistance system. We look forward to your response.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Kenyan President William Ruto

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Kenyan President William Ruto on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The two leaders discussed the situation in Haiti. Prime Minister Trudeau commended Kenya’s leadership in the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS) and reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with Haiti, Kenya and other international partners to ensure the mission’s success. The leaders stressed the need for the international community to come together to provide much-needed support to the mission and agreed on the importance of restoring peace and security and ensuring free and fair elections in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted Canada’s ongoing efforts to support the MMAS, including the more than $86 million it has already provided in direct assistance.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President Ruto agreed to remain in close contact and reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing their common interests.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA, Honduras and Japan join forces to strengthen Cancer Care Access through Rays of Hope

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Left to right: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Honduras, Eduardo Enrique Reina García, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, and Director-General/Assistant Minister for the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau of Japan, Yasushi Noguchi. (Fredrik Dahl/IAEA)

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Government of Honduras and the Government of Japan have joined forces to expand radiotherapy services and improve cancer care in the Republic of Honduras under the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope initiative.

    This tripartite cooperation was formalized during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly which is taking place this week in New York, with the signature of a Letter of Intent by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Honduras, Eduardo Enrique Reina García.

    Under this tripartite cooperation, Japan will consider, when and where appropriate, offering contributions, including facilities, equipment and infrastructure, to expand radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy facilities in Honduras as well as capacity-building, while the IAEA will explore resources and offer technical expertise and guidance to expand radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services in the country. Honduras, as the recipient, will work towards increasing access to life-saving cancer diagnosis and treatment, helping to address the growing burden of cancer in the region.

    This Letter of Intent follows the IAEA Director General Grossi’s visit to Japan in March this year, in which he commended the Diplomatic Initiative toward Latin America and the Caribbean launched by Foreign Minister Kamikawa in February 2024, which underscores Japan’s unwavering support in the region. It builds on the long-standing cooperation between the IAEA and the Government of Japan to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy to support development around the world. This cooperation has seen a deeper commitment with Japan’s support for the IAEA initiative “Rays of Hope – Cancer Care for All”, launched by Director General Grossi in February 2022.

    Under the Letter of Intent, the following areas of cooperation are included: enhancing facilities, equipment and infrastructure to expand radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy facilities, as well as support in capacity-building through the engagement of multidisciplinary teams of professionals involved in the practices of radiology radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, as appropriate.

    “Today’s signing of the Letter of Intent will further help to bring life-saving cancer care to those who need it the most. From the beginning, Japan has been a very strong and generous supporter of Rays of Hope, helping to reduce global imbalances in the access to such care,” Director General Grossi said.

    The Rays of Hope initiative is helping low- and middle-income countries establish and expand access to radiation-based medical services, including diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. Through this initiative, the IAEA, together with its donors and partners, are working to address inequities in cancer treatment and improve survival rates through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. So far, 86 countries have reached out to the Agency for support under Rays of Hope and concrete actions have been initiated in more than 30 Member States.

    In Honduras, the most common cancers require radiotherapy, but many patients have limited or no access to these services in public healthcare institutions. The high cancer mortality rate has prompted President Xiomara Castro to make the availability of specialised radiation therapy equipment and the training of experts a top priority.

    Honduras is one of the first eight countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region to receive assistance through the Rays of Hope initiative. Honduras will soon receive mammography equipment and a linear accelerator to deliver life-saving radiotherapy treatment.

    This tripartite cooperation is expected to greatly improve the availability and quality of radiation therapy in Honduras and represents the strong commitment of the parties to help save lives and address the disproportionate burden of cancer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. They exchanged views regarding efforts to fight climate change and the protection of biodiversity.

    The Secretary-General and the President also discussed bilateral relations between Guyana and Venezuela, the situation in Haiti and the Middle East.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit
    2024-09-25

    On the morning of September 25 (afternoon of September 24 EDT), President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit via video at the invitation of the New York-based non-profit organization Concordia, speaking on Taiwan’s key priorities in the current international security environment and vision for the future.
    In his remarks, President Lai said that democracy around the world is facing serious threats, citing as examples Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s intensifying military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. The president indicated that through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability. He said that China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power, an example being its distortion of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. The president thanked the United States and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations.
    President Lai reiterated that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other, and that we will maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and other democratic nations will jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development. President Lai expressed that a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world, and that we welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    A transcript of President Lai’s speech follows:
    I want to begin by thanking Concordia for the opportunity to address the Annual Summit. Since my inauguration in May, I have been sharing Taiwan’s roadmap for development at various international venues. I’m honored to speak on our key priorities in the current international security environment, as well as our vision for the future.
    Our goal is to make Taiwan stronger, because a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world.
    Our sincere hope is for Taiwan and other democratic nations to jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development, echoing the theme of this summit.
    Democracy around the world is facing serious threats. We have seen the growth of authoritarianism and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has exceeded two years. And we have seen China intensifying its military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. Through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability.
    China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power. I want to emphasize that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other. This is a fact with a long-established, global consensus. Regardless of that, China has distorted UNGA Resolution 2758 in support of its “one China principle,” falsely claiming that Taiwan is a part of the People’s Republic of China and that we have no right to participate in the UN system and other international fora.
    I would like to thank the US and IPAC for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations. We welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    China’s threat to Taiwan is a threat to the entire international community. China doesn’t just want to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It intends to change the rules-based international order and achieve international hegemony.
    In this situation, our top priority is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan.
    First, we will strengthen our national defense. We will strengthen our capabilities and show our resolve for self-defense.
    Second, we will build economic security. We will continue to reduce economic dependence on China. We also aim to sign trade agreements with other democratic countries, participate more in the regional economy, and mutually enhance our economic resilience.
    Third, we will strengthen our partnerships with democratic countries. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded partners on “democracy chips.” We will also strengthen cooperation with other countries in national defense so that the democratic community can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace.
    The final pillar is stable and principled cross-strait leadership. Taiwan will neither yield nor provoke, and will maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We will remain committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
    The road ahead may be difficult, but as long as we follow it together, I am confident that we can further strengthen democracy and sustain peace. Together, let’s forge ahead on the path to greater prosperity. Thank you.
    Concordia organizes its annual summit outside the UN headquarters during each year’s General Debate of the UNGA, inviting world leaders and top private sector representatives to seek solutions to global and regional challenges that are highly valued by the UN community. Among those who addressed this year’s summit were President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, former Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, former President Iván Duque of the Republic of Colombia, former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović of the Republic of Croatia, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Coons, US House Representative Chrissy Houlahan, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements, Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul, President of Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer, and President of The Rockefeller Foundation Rajiv J. Shah.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Commander of the Brazilian Navy Adm. Marcos Sampaio Olsen

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Commander of the Brazilian Navy Adm. Marcos Sampaio Olsen for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference (IANC), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.

    The two leaders discussed strengthening their naval partnership through increased interoperability and applauded their 200 years of bilateral diplomatic relations celebrated this year, which they said is an opportunity to chart a course for an even brighter future, highlighting the profound impact the U.S. – Brazil relationship has had on their countries and their people.  

    Franchetti thanked Olsen for hosting IANC, the Brazilian Navy’s leadership in the region and South Atlantic as a major non-NATO ally, and their collaboration with partners in the area. She also commended their participation in UNITAS LXV and Southern Seas 2024, as well as their command of the multi-national Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151 from January to September this year.

    The Heads of Navy spoke about their shared values of democracy and their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order in the Red Sea and around the world to protect global commerce. They also talked about Franchetti’s recently released strategic guidance – the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy – and the role of robotic and autonomous systems in future conflict and in supporting maritime domain awareness across the Joint and Combined force.

    Franchetti noted that the U.S. continues to closely partner with Brazil and remains committed to maintaining a relationship founded upon shared strategic interests and looks forward to future opportunities to integrate, train and operate together.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Colleagues to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio, Colleagues to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome
    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Under U.S. law, any individual who has been, or is affiliated with a Communist Party is deemed inadmissible for entry into our nation. However, under the Biden-Harris Administration’s mass immigration program, it’s been reported that individuals tied to the illegitimate Cuban regime have entered the U.S. and are now residing here.
    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling for a review of the procedures for making determinations on entry and promptly removing those Cuban regime members from our country. 
    “The United States must ensure that former Cuban regime members involved in the oppression of innocent Cuban citizens or the transnational persecution of Cuban-Americans are not welcome into our country. Additionally, applicants who have been found to have similar troubling backgrounds, and links after arrival, should not be allowed to continue to remain in the United States… We urge the administration to publicly communicate the vetting procedures and standards by which these immigration decisions are made, in order to ensure the utmost transparency and accountability.”
    Joining Rubio were U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) as well as U.S. Representatives Carlos Giménez (R-FL) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL). 
    The full text of the letter is below.  
    Dear Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas:
    We write with serious concern about the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision to grant parole to Cuban Revolutionary Air Force Colonel Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez. As you are no doubt aware, González-Pardo is notoriously linked to the international incident of February 24, 1996, when two planes belonging to the humanitarian organization, Brothers to the Rescue, were unconscionably shot down by Cuban MiG-29 fighter jets under orders of Raul Castro. This incident tragically resulted in the deaths of four innocent Cuban-American pilots. 
    More disturbingly, this negligent oversight comes in the wake of another ill-considered decision to admit former high-ranking Cuban Communist Party regime member Manuel Menendez Castellanos, implicated in acts of oppression against the Cuban people. Taken together, these outcomes, among others, erode confidence in the competence of the administration to recognize threats to the United States and ensure those who have done us harm are not able to enter the United States. 
    We call on the Biden-Harris Administration to immediately review and revise the procedures used by U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State for making determinations on whom it grants entry, whether it be humanitarian parole or immigrant/nonimmigrant visas. The current process, by virtue of the unacceptable results annotated above, has demonstrated its woeful inadequateness to properly vet applicants and to protect U.S. national security. 
    The United States must ensure that former Cuban regime members involved in the oppression of innocent Cuban citizens or the transnational persecution of Cuban-Americans are not welcome into our country. Additionally, applicants who have been found to have similar troubling backgrounds, and links after arrival, should not be allowed to continue to remain in the United States. We also urge the administration to publicly communicate the vetting procedures and standards by which these immigration decisions are made, in order to ensure the utmost transparency and accountability. Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Punish Colleges That Allow Antisemitism

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio, Colleagues to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome
    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Under U.S. law, any individual who has been, or is affiliated with a Communist Party is deemed inadmissible for entry into our nation. However, under the Biden-Harris Administration’s mass immigration program, it’s been reported that individuals tied to the…

    read more

    Rubio Applauds House Passage of USCIRF
    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is a bipartisan commission that monitors and reports on international religious freedom. The commission’s authorization is currently…

    read more

    Rubio, Scott Support Florida Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration
    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon to be Hurricane Helene, is expected to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane later this week. The storm will bring strong winds, heavy rain, severe storm surge, flooding, and hazardous seas to Florida’s impacted areas….

    read more

    ICYMI: Rubio, Clement Present Plan to Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses
    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Congress Can Protect Jews on College Campuses U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Paul Clement September 23, 2024 Wall Street Journal The ancient poison of antisemitism has infected American higher education…. Campus antisemitism isn’t restricted to…widely publicized…

    read more

    ICYMI: Rubio Joins Face the Nation
    Sep 22, 2024 | Press Releases

    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Face the Nation to discuss foreign election interference, threats to President Donald Trump’s life, the impact of illegal mass migration on communities across America, and more. See below for highlights and watch the full…

    read more

    Rubio, Colleagues to Garland: Tren De Aragua Continues to Terrorize Our Nation
    Sep 20, 2024 | Press Releases

    Tren de Aragua, a criminal Venezuelan transnational organization known for committing major international crimes such as human trafficking, drug-trafficking, arms trafficking, and money laundering, continues to terrorize communities across our nation. Following calls…

    read more

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Argentine Chief of Navy General Staff Vice Adm. Carlos María Allievi

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Argentine Chief of Navy General Staff Vice Adm. Carlos María Allievi for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 23.

    The two leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen their naval partnership and their shared commitment to maritime security. Franchetti also congratulated Allievi for the Argentine Navy’s robust participation in UNITAS LXV and Southern Seas 2024 and discussed future opportunities to exercise together.

    During their meeting Franchetti noted that Argentina will greatly enhance regional and bilateral partnerships and maritime security as a new member of the multi-national naval partnership Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and noted how the CMF enables participants to build their shared knowledge.

    The two leaders also discussed Argentia’s recent fleet modernization efforts and Franchetti encouraged their participation in future Hybrid Fleet Campaigns – a learning campaign aimed at operationalizing new capabilities – led by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command.

    Franchetti stressed the U.S. and Argentina enjoy a strong partnership and share positive military-to-military ties based on shared values and interests.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Commander of the Colombian Navy Vice Adm. Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Commander of the Colombian Navy Vice Adm. Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 23.

    The two leaders discussed ways to continue to strengthen their long-standing naval partnership and expand collaboration to promote regional security and stability to support the rules-based international order.

    Franchetti said she was very grateful for the Colombian Navy’s role as a regional leader, demonstrated through their participation in exercises such as UNITAS LXV and partnership during Southern Seas 2024. The Heads of Navy said they look forward to future opportunities to exercise together.

    During their meeting they also talked about the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative and how it strengthens their interoperability and their shared commitment to countering illicit maritime operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Commander in Chief of the Chilean Navy Adm. Juan Andrés De La Maza

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Chief of the Chilean Navy Adm. Juan Andrés De La Maza for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.

    The two leaders discussed opportunities for further collaboration and cooperation as they continue to build maritime capacity in the Pacific, to include increased opportunities for Professional Exchange Program officers.

    Franchetti also congratulated De La Maza for the Chilean Navy’s leadership in major bilateral and multinational training events including serving as Deputy Commander of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 as well as host for UNITAS LXV, and the launch of their new icebreaker, “Almirante Viel”.

    During their discussion, Franchetti, expressed appreciation for Chile’s regional leadership, for their support of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group during Southern Seas 2024, and discussed future opportunities for multilateral exercises in the coming years.

    Franchetti regarded that Chile remains one the most strategic allies in Latin America and plays a key role in ensuring a Western Hemisphere that is democratic, prosperous and secure.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Commander Royal Canadian Navy Vice Adm. Angus Topshee

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.

    The two leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen their naval partnership and operations in the Arctic and the Indo-Pacific and expressed their shared commitment to continental security, and to working in collaboration with regional and international Allies and partners to uphold the rules-based international order.

    During their meeting Franchetti applauded Topshee for the Canadian Navy’s Arctic shipbuilding program and its expanded capabilities in Anti-submarine warfare, and reinforced the importance of multilateral cooperation with Arctic countries.

    The leaders also discussed Franchetti’s recently released strategic guidance – the Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy – and how the changing character of war requires maritime officers to think, act, and operate differently. They stressed the need to operationally integrate the use of robotic and autonomous systems for missions such as maritime domain awareness, and the role of Information Warfare domain in command-and-control centers.

    The Heads of Navy shared their initiatives to recruit and retain talent and said they look forward to future opportunities for their navies to train, exercise and operate together.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Congratulates Alaska Whalers on Quota Renewal at International Meeting in Peru

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    09.24.24
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today applauded the efforts of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) and many others for their efforts at the 69th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru to renew Alaska’s subsistence whaling quota for six more years. The measure passed yesterday by consensus.
    “Today, we celebrate the preservation of subsistence whaling, a cultural practice our Alaska whalers have sustainably conducted for thousands of years,” said Sen. Sullivan. “This quota renewal is the result of hard work from the AEWC, represented in Peru by Chairman John Hopson Jr., Vice Chair Crawford Patkotak, and North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak, and many others. Prior to the IWC meeting, John, Crawford, Josiah, other members of the AEWC and I met with senior executive branch officials and more than 20 different embassy representatives in the Capitol. This event was a pivotal opportunity to educate our global partners and our own federal government about our whalers’ priorities. Alaska and America couldn’t ask for better ambassadors than our whaling captains. I want to thank everyone involved who made this success happen, including a dedicated member of my staff, Mary Eileen Manning, who attended the Commission meeting in Peru, the U.S. Commissioner, and the entire U.S. delegation to the IWC. Congratulations to all of our whaling communities throughout the North Slope and the Bering Straits region!”
    The 2024 renewal built upon the successful 2018 renewal, when the U.S. delegation secured a streamlined quota renewal commitment.
    Background:
    As the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing Subcommittee—which has jurisdiction over our nation’s oceans, fisheries, and marine mammals, including whales—Senator Sullivan has relentlessly championed the efforts of Alaska Native whalers to continue the subsistence harvest of whales.
    In September 2024, the Alaska delegation sent a letter to embassies of IWC member countries, again reiterating the importance of subsistence whaling.
    In the lead up to the 2024 IWC meeting in Peru, Senator Sullivan hosted representatives from the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, the North Slope Borough, and the Biden administration in a strategy meeting to educate global partners and the federal government about Alaska whalers’ priorities.
    Following the July 2024 meeting in Washington D.C., Senator Sullivan hosted a reception in the Capitol on the significance of subsistence whaling to the cultures and livelihoods of thousands of Alaska Native people. Speakers at the reception included Sen. Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak, AEWC Vice Chairman Crawford Patkotak, AEWC Chairman John Hopson, Jr., AEWC Secretary Herbert Kinneeveauk III, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Director Janet Coit, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mahlet Mesfin.
    In September 2018 at the 67th IWC meeting in Brazil, the AEWC secured a renewal of its subsistence whaling quota for seven more years and, for the first time, the automatic renewal of its whaling quota as long as harvests remain sustainable. The measure passed by a vote of 58 to 7.
    In the lead up to the 2018 IWC meeting in Brazil, Sen. Sullivan kept in close communication with senior leadership at the U.S. State Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and sent his legislative director to the IWC meetings in Brazil to serve on the U.S. delegation.
    In August 2018, the Alaska delegation sent a letter to embassies of IWC member countries, reiterating their commitment to subsistence whaling.
    In July 2018, Senator Sullivan convened a strategy meeting in the Capitol with AEWC, the State Department, and NOAA to ensure continued coordination and foster direct high-level engagement. Afterward, Sen. Sullivan led a reception, hosted by the Alaska congressional delegation, for ambassadors and diplomatic officials of IWC member embassies.
    In April 2018, Senator Sullivan, alongside Senator Murkowski, introduced and passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee the Whaling Convention Amendments Act of 2018—which authorized the Secretary of Commerce to preserve the bowhead whale subsistence harvest and Alaska Native food security under U.S. law if the IWC had failed to act on the bowhead whale quota during their meetings in Brazil.
    Subsistence Whaling and IWC Background:
    Worldwide whale stocks are managed through the International Whaling Commission, a group of 88 countries that have ratified the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. The Whaling Convention Act of 1949 is the relevant U.S. implementing legislation.
    The convention allows for the harvest of certain whale species for nations that certify either a cultural or subsistence need for their aboriginal population. Russia, Denmark (for Greenland), the United States, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are those nations who currently practice Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW).
    The subsistence harvest in Alaska is sustainable and non-commercial. The IWC has consistently certified that the biological status of Alaska’s bowheads is sustainable.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The leaders highlighted the close relationship between Canada and the European Union (EU) and the importance of continued collaboration on shared priorities, including economic security, sustainable development, and global stability.

    The Prime Minister and the President discussed the need to take action on climate change, carbon pricing, and industrial decarbonization. They emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in driving innovation and accelerating investments for a clean energy transition.

    The leaders exchanged views on pressing geopolitical issues. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression, and emphasized the importance of promoting lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

    They also underscored their support for Haiti, highlighting the pivotal steps that have been taken toward restoring peace and stability in the country. Prime Minister Trudeau noted the need for additional support for the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission to ensure its success.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President von der Leyen looked forward to continue strengthening the strong partnership between Canada and the EU, including in the context of Canada’s G7 Presidency next year. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Demands Biden Administration Protect Farmers Amid Historic Inflation, Rising Input Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke on the Senate floor about the how the Biden administration’s inflationary policies are hurting American farmers. He stressed the importance of passing a Farm Bill that puts American farmers first.

    Read Senator Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    “Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the dire state of our American farm economy and our farmers. American farmers and producers are the backbone of our nation’s agriculture economy and food security.

    Despite their critical role in our lives to feed, clothe, and fuel not only the United States, but the entire world, our farmers are struggling to survive—and that’s an understatement. The current state of the agriculture economy is bleak and on the verge of collapse. We have problems all over the world. We have problems in our country. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more important that we should be addressing than our food supply here in this country.

    Costs for farmers are rising. Commodity prices are falling. Our farmers cannot break even—much less, make a profit. According to the USDA, net farm income this year is projected to decline 4.4% from 2023 […]. That is a disaster. This follows a shocking—listen to this—a shocking 19.5% decline in 2022.

    Not one business in this country can survive with this kind of decline. And our farmers and our farms are no different. This means producer’s income has plummeted 23% in just two years. 23%. These figures represent over $40 billion in lost revenue for America’s hardworking producers. This is the largest two-year decline ever in our farm income, ever in the history of this country.

    Right now, our row croppers, especially, are facing considerable financial hardship. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, row croppers had a $27.7 billion decline in cash receipts since last year. In Alabama, my state, our producers are yielding bumper crops of cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and yet they can’t profit due to [the] rising cost of production. Our catfish producers are in the same boat. Rising input costs and falling fish prices are threatening to put them out of business. A multitude of factors that producers have no control over are impacting their bottom lines.

    And I wanna talk about one of them. This miraculous, this ‘world saving’ Inflation Reduction Act that we passed a few years ago, was supposed to ‘save our economy.’ It was supposed to save a lot of workers. You know what it’s done to our farmers? It’s almost put us out of business. The Inflation Reduction Act started a tax credit for imports and exports.

    Unfortunately, all the tax credits are going to people, and countries, and farmers from overseas—Brazil and China. [The tax credit] is supposed to go to our farmers, [but] no it’s not gonna do that. For some reason, this Administration [has] given all the tax credits to the farmers from other countries, and our farmers are struggling.

    The Biden administration has control, has total control, over our farm economy, but you hadn’t heard a peep out of them, not one peep about our farmers. And this is a disastrous year coming up. And right now, we are harvesting our crops and they’re bumper crops. The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies, as I just said, from the Biden-Harris administration.

    This includes the lack of domestic energy production, skyrocketing inflation, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, and endless environmental hurdles. Let me say something about conservation and all the things that happen in our environment. There’s nobody, and I mean nobody on the face of the earth, that takes care and is more conscious of environmental problems than our farmers, because they make a living off our land. But we’re putting so many regulations on them. We’re closing our farms down and running them overseas, and we’re gonna have a national security threat because all of our food is gonna come from foreign countries.

    Farmers are experiencing rising high costs of labor [and an] increase [in the] price of feeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it. America’s agriculture producers are facing a very tough road ahead. And it’s something nobody, the media, this building, […] The House of Representatives—nobody’s even talking about. Folks, if we can’t eat. If we don’t have food to eat, we’re done.

    Many farmers fear that their farm loans this year will not be renewed. They have to have farm loans to put a crop in the ground. They fear cash flow is drying up and interest rates continuing to rise create an uncertain future for farming operations. Although Congress only has a few legislative days left to act, we must stop adding fuel to the Biden-Harris administration’s fire. We’ve got to quit adding fuel. We’ve got to help the farmers.

    We need to pass a Farm Bill that helps our farmers. Democrats are [in] control of that. […] A farm bill is for five years. […] Five years ago, the Farm Bill was $870 billion for [a] five-year period. It runs in a five-year period. So, this past year, we’re supposed to be working on a Farm Bill. I’m on the Ag Committee. We go by the control of the Democratic Party. Our Democratic Chairwoman has decided we won’t do a Farm Bill this year.

    We’re just throwing farmers underneath the bus. They need help. You would think by looking at everything going on, that my colleagues on the Left would rather our food come from other countries, take over our farmland, control it, and do something else with it. 

    Producers need a strong safety net—we’ve got to have a safety net for our farmers. Considering no farmer’s risks are the same, we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Remember, we have a Farm Bill that covers livestock, hogs, row croppers, forest, fish. There’s a lot of things involved.

    Farmers across the country have fluctuating levels of risk impacted by land and equipment costs, access to irrigation, and variable input requirements. Southern row croppers rely heavily, heavily upon Title I Commodity Programs in the Farm Bill, particularly the Price Loss [Coverage] program and the Agricultural Risk [Coverage] program. Yet Midwest producers heavily utilize crop insurance.

    Where there may be an overlap across regions among these programs, we must fix the entire farm safety net, not just parts of it. Take the reference prices and commodity programs, for example. Reference prices are how much prices are in their commodity sells for. Our farmers […] are today operating on 2012 reference prices, 2012. Fourteen years later, the costs of production are 22-31% higher today than they were at that time a decade ago—making current reference prices completely inadequate for our farmers.

    We don’t have time to waste. Our farmers are facing an uphill battle to remain in business. […] The American people going to the grocery store are gonna find out pretty quick what it is to be hungry if we don’t wake up and smell the roses.

    Even if a Farm Bill is passed today, producers wouldn’t receive any commodity program support from this Farm Bill until 2026. Game, set, match before 2026 for our farmers in this country.

    That’s help our farmers need now to survive, not two years late. Senate Republicans stand ready to act on a solid bipartisan bill the House Agriculture Committee passed earlier this year. Yet, Senate Democrats and the Biden administration refused, they refused, to come to the table to find practical, bipartisan solutions to the many problems our farmers are facing today.

    ‘Let’s don’t worry about our farmers. Let’s worry about Ukraine. Let’s worry about people overseas. Eight hundred bases we have around the world. Let’s don’t worry about eating. We can without eating.’ That’s what this Administration’s saying. 

    This forces us to look to supplemental appropriation packages to help our producers, if we’re not gonna do a Farm Bill, to renew their farm loans and plan for next year’s crops. If they don’t get help this year, we’re gonna have huge problems. They won’t be pocketing this money. If we come up with some money to help the farmers get along, they’ll just be planting another crop.

    Without immediate action to assist producers, our nation’s agriculture industry may never, ever, make it back from the damage that we’re doing to them today. America has lost—listen to this—America has lost 150,000 farms and 25,000 farmers in our country over the last few years. What? 150,000 farms closed up. Why? They can’t make a profit. You’ve owned a farm for 100 years, you and your family. But you get to the point where you say, ‘you know, I’m not passing something down to our kids that really wanna farm, we’re not gonna put them in harm’s way. We’re gonna sell. We’re gonna get out of the business. And we’re gonna let somebody else worry about it. Let’s let the Federal Government worry about it.’ […]

    We can’t afford any more losses to our farms. Our farmers are hurting. They’re hurting real bad. But have you heard anybody talk about it, no.

    You’re gonna hear a lot of people complaining about it and there’s gonna be an uproar in the next few years when prices double and triple as what they are today because we’re not gonna have any food. And it’s gonna come from Brazil, it’s gonna come from China, it’s gonna come from Vietnam. 

    We are doing severe damage to the farmers across this country and nobody cares. I’ll continue to be the voice of our Southern agriculture producers in the Senate and ensure that we have a seat at the table on this Farm Bill upcoming. But as I just said a while ago, [even] if we do a Farm Bill today, we’re gonna lose at least half of our farmers in this country this year, this year if they don’t get some help.

    Mr. President, I yield the 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 –

  • MIL-OSI China: UNGA starts general debate to seek global cooperation against challenges

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on Tuesday amid growing calls for more international cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the fallout from ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

    The session saw world leaders heading to New York to deliver their statements as they took part in high-level discussions on the existential threat of sea-level rise, accelerating progress in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and driving forward the United Nation’s long-term goal of achieving global nuclear disarmament with a plenary meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

    President of the 79th session of the UNGA, Philemon Yang, told the opening ceremony that “the General Debate remains one of the world’s most inclusive, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection and collective action. This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated.”

    He noted that countries are falling behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With just five years to go, less than 18 percent have been met. Meanwhile, the climate crisis is “no longer a distant threat” but “here now, ravaging ecosystems and dismantling the livelihoods of entire communities.”

    Yang also addressed the various conflicts raging from the Middle East to Ukraine, and from Haiti to South Sudan. “I call for an immediate ceasefire in all these conflict settings,” he said.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the General Debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly, saying that the current state of the world is unsustainable, but working together can find solutions.

    “That requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems,” he said. “It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.”

    The agenda

    The 79th session of the UNGA opened on Sept. 10, and the first day of the high-level General Debate falls on Tuesday. The 79th session marks a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 SDGs, according to a UN press release.

    While the overall state of SDGs globally remains of grave concern, the SDG Moment event on Tuesday demonstrates that dramatic progress is still possible between now and 2030. It will do so by highlighting inspiring examples of progress across the world and the role of just and inclusive transitions in accelerating SDG progress.

    World leaders gathered to engage in the annual high-level general debate under the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.” Heads of state and government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    On Wednesday, the High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise will convene global leaders, experts and stakeholders to address the urgent and escalating threat of rising sea levels. This meeting will focus on building common understanding, mobilizing political leadership and promoting multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration and international cooperation towards the objective of “addressing the threats posed by sea-level rise.”

    Participants will work towards developing comprehensive solutions and actionable commitments to combat sea-level rise, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future including for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas, according to the United Nations.

    On Thursday, the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) presents an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to renew efforts and accelerate progress in combating the growing threat of AMR. This meeting will serve as the foundation for executing policies and ensuring accountability for strengthening health systems against AMR.

    “Building on the momentum of previous declarations and commitments, participants will focus on enhancing international cooperation, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials, and advancing the development of new treatments to safeguard global health,” said the United Nations.

    Also on Thursday, a high-level meeting will be held for International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

    On Monday, the United Nations just concluded the highly anticipated two-day Summit of the Future, which underscored the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: TWO-THIRDS OF CHILDREN INTERACT DAILY ONLINE WITH PEOPLE THEY DON’T KNOW DESPITE GROOMING FEARS – REPORT

    Source: Save The Children

    SYDNEY, 25 Sept 2024 – Over six in 10 children with access to the internet interact with “unknown others” daily despite concerns about online grooming, according to new research released by Save the Children and Western Sydney University that highlighted children’s demands for better online protection.  

    The research team held in-depth consultations with about 600 children and young people aged 8 to 18 from Australia, Finland, the Philippines, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, and South Africa, who shared their views and experiences of facing inappropriate requests online for personal information or images. 

    The report, ‘Protecting Children from Online Grooming’, was written by the Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and funded by the global child online safety investment vehicle Safe Online as part of the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund. 

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of online grooming and child sexual and financial exploitation have reached an all-time high [1], with an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children reported in that period [2]. Online grooming practices have also transformed, with the fastest growing form of online grooming targeting young men for financial extortion [3]. 

    The report revealed children were more inclined to connect with strangers – or “unknown others” – online as they matured and became more social, motivated by a desire for friendship, fun and play, followed by a wish to stay informed about trends and events, and to connect over shared interests.  

    The findings also showed that while children across all cultures and age groups were more suspicious of people they didn’t know online than people they knew in person, most (66%) of the study participants still interacted with “unknown others” daily online.  

    Children in high-income settings were twice as likely to use privacy settings to protect themselves from unwanted contacts, compared to children from some low-income settings, but the potential to derive financial benefits was an incentive for children in middle-income countries to connect with strangers online, potentially compromising their safety.  

    While children have come up with numerous ways to protect themselves, they are calling for widespread, accessible and targeted online safety education for themselves and their caregivers. In the discussions the children also made concrete suggestions about how technology platforms and governments can implement changes that will keep them safer online.  

    Sonisay*, a girl aged 11-12 from rural Cambodia, said: 

    “Adults should know that children interact with strangers, monitor them, and read their chats.”  

    Angel* aged 15-17 from a city in the Philippines said: 

    “Adults need to know about the children of today who are highly computer-savvy… To be able to support and protect the children, adults need to understand that children are comfortable with using the internet which pushes to interact with strangers.” 

    Charlie* aged 14 from Australia emphasised the need to start online safety education earlier: 

     “Having young children educated about the safety of technology and the dangers … adults only start this education for older kids on social media when the problem can be on video games played by young kids.” 

    Children reported that it was very difficult to ascertain the intentions of strangers online. Children were also particularly worried about being asked for personal information or nude pictures, being drawn into inappropriate sexually-oriented exchanges, or exposure to criminal activities. 

    The report found that children want and need better online protection, with children primarily using intuition and background checks rather than seeking help from trusted adults to manage their online interactions with people they don’t know.  

    The data also showed that children distinguish people they know well both online and in person from those they only know online, with 86% approaching the latter with caution. Yet despite this wariness, children were still three times more likely to ignore or decline an inappropriate or unwanted request than they are to report or block it. 

    Steve Miller, Save the Children’s Global Director of Child Protection, said: 

    “Children deserve to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment – both online and offline. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges and threats, including the threat of online grooming and exploitation. We need to foster a digital environment that is not only safe but also enriching, allowing children to explore, learn, and grow without fear. Policymakers need to listen to the voices and experiences of children when developing policies that protect them.” 

    Professor Amanda Third, Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University, said:  

    “Keeping children safe from online grooming requires a whole-of-community approach. Governments, NGOs, technology platforms, teachers, parents, caregivers, and children themselves all have an important role to play. However, to most effectively address this issue it is crucial that we listen to the views and experiences of children and young people and engage them as active partners in the research and policy design process. Children and young people are finding their own ways to tackle this issue and devise solutions but they are also calling on us to help equip them and their caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to be able to safely navigate these rapidly evolving digital environments.” 

    Save the Children has launched a major global effort to support digital inclusion and empower the next generation of resilient digital citizens. Save the Children’s Safe Digital Childhood initiative is includes partnering with schools, communities and tech leaders to break down barriers to digital inclusion by making sure the children with the fewest resources can access devices and connectivity; offering targeted digital literacy and citizenship programs; helping technology industry partners embed child-centric safeguards into their platforms; and empowering children to advocate for their rights in the digital world. 

    The Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University is an Australian-based, international research centre that unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators, and policymakers to explore the role of technology in children’s and young people’s lives and how it can be used to improve individual and community resilience across generations.  

    Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. Through investing in innovation and bringing key actors together, Safe Online helps shape a digital world that is safe and empowering for all children and young people, everywhere. The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, which funded the research, is a groundbreaking collaboration fuelling actionable research and bringing together the tech industry with academia and civil society in a bold alliance to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

    *Names have been changed to protect identities 

    [1] WeProtect Global Threat Assessment Data 2023 

    [2] NSPCC. (2023, August 15). 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last 5 years.

    [3] WeProtect’s Global Threat Assessment Data 2023  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The leaders highlighted the close relationship between Canada and the European Union (EU) and the importance of continuing their collaboration on shared priorities, such as economic security, sustainable development and global stability.

    The Prime Minister and the President discussed the need for action on climate change, carbon pricing and industrial decarbonization. They emphasized the critical role the private sector can play in driving innovation and accelerating investment to support the clean energy transition.

    The leaders exchanged views on pressing geopolitical issues. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression and stressed the importance of promoting lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

    They also reaffirmed their support for Haiti, and highlighted the decisive steps taken to restore peace and stability there. Prime Minister Trudeau stressed the need for additional support to the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission to ensure its success.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President von der Leyen looked forward to continuing to strengthen the strong partnership between Canada and the EU, including through Canada’s G7 Presidency next year. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

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

    MIL Translation OSI