Category: Machine Learning

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Government tech deals boost the business of cancer detection
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

New UK-created therapies for cancer will be trialled in the UK – furthering the nation’s life sciences industry as one of the great drivers of economic growth.
NHS cancer patients to benefit from partnership with pharmaceutical companies and universities to spot cancer sooner through trials for new technologies, such as AI

Innovations have potential to transform treatment for NHS patients and launch a wave of globally significant new Medtech products

Comes ahead of International Investment Summit, which will showcase how key sectors like life sciences drive investment into the UK

A raft of new UK-created therapies for cancer will be trialled in the UK – furthering the nation’s life sciences industry as one of the great drivers of economic growth.

New partnerships backed by public and private sector investment will trial new ways to tackle cancer and other life-threatening diseases with faster diagnoses and better treatments, deploying innovative technologies and approaches .

This could unleash a raft of new medical tech products onto the global market, including more flexible medical scanners and an AI tool to help spot lung cancer sooner. The potential of these breakthrough technologies to give new hope to patients, and to become commercial successes, is a demonstration of this Government’s ambitions for the UK’s R&D base and the NHS to work hand-in-hand with the private sector, to bring the latest high-tech innovations into daily use across the health service as part of the government’s wider mission to reform the NHS.

Medical technologies like these not only offer the hope of longer, healthier lives to people living with diseases like cancer, but also drive economic growth through the UK’s world leading life sciences industry. Their adoption is also critical to building an NHS that is match-fit for the future, as emphasised in the findings of the recent Darzi Review. This independent report laid bare the current problems facing the NHS, including the fact that the cancer survival rates in England are lagging far behind other countries. Today’s package of investment will play a crucial role in the government’s plans to address these challenges and rebuild and reform the NHS, which will prioritise the adoption of innovative technologies and approaches and identify ways to do things differently across the health service in order to provide a better service for patients.

It comes as UK Research and Innovation announces a £118 million fund that will create five new hubs across the country, from Glasgow to Bristol, to help develop new health technologies. The funding will be split between Government funding and partner support – inviting business to help the mission to kickstart the economy and build an NHS fit for the future. The Hubs will work in intimate partnership with the private sector – with experts at UCL developing scanners to improve cancer surgery, delivering their research together with both large MedTech multinationals and British start-ups, for example.

The International Investment Summit, taking place in a matter of days, will see Government form a new partnership with business to grow our economy through more high quality, long-term investment and innovation.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Cancer is a disease that has brought pain, misery and heartbreak to every family in the country, including my own. But through Government working in partnership with the NHS, researchers, and business, we can harness science and innovation to bring the detection and treatment of this horrendous disease firmly in to the 21st century, keeping more families together for longer.

The UK’s scientists, researchers and captains of industry have brilliant ideas that aren’t just going to boost our health – they’ll boost our economy too, helping to build a virtuous circle for more investment in both health and research which will ultimately drive up living standards.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

As a cancer survivor, I know how vital an early cancer diagnosis and the latest treatments are. This investment will not only save lives, but also secure Britain’s status as a powerhouse for life sciences and medical technology.

When we combine the care of the NHS and the genius of our country’s leading scientific minds, we can develop life changing treatments for patients and help get Britain’s economy booming.

The Science Secretary will be speaking to business leaders across the life sciences sector, encouraging a raft of investment into the UK for drug development, clinical trials and MedTech production.

Already contributing £108 billion to the UK economy, the life sciences industry drove £800 million in foreign direct investment into the UK in 2023, and supports around 300,000 jobs up and down the country.

Today’s announcements showcase the impact that could potentially be made to cancer, as well as other diseases, through ensuring the Government and NHS works hand in hand with life sciences research institutions and industry, to drive the development of new treatments and diagnostics.

New medical tech and treatments that could eventually be brought to market include:

Developing cheaper, more easily usable scanners that will help surgeons detect early signs of cancers and remove tumours with greater success. These tools could be more readily available than those currently in use across the NHS.

Speeding up the time required to bring new drugs to market by testing ‘micro-dosing’ – an approach which sees a tiny amount of a drug delivered to a small part of the body. This work could provide a new

pathway for clinically trialling new treatments for lung infection and inflammation much faster and cheaper than at present.

Driving forward personalised treatments for cancer patients who are receiving immunotherapy – using their own immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. New ways of monitoring patients could allow a real-time view of how a therapy is working, offering the opportunity to tweak it to the patient’s needs.

Training AI models to be used in quickly and accurately diagnosing cancer through a new cross-NHS data network that researchers can access.

The life sciences sector is one of the crown jewels of the British economy – exemplified by the work by Oxford University and AstraZeneca that produced the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine, as well as the Government’s 10-year partnership with Moderna to anchor the production of millions of lifesaving vaccines here in the UK.

The MedTech sector specifically is also booming, supporting more than 138,000 jobs and exporting more than £5.6 billion in products annually. And there are life sciences clusters right across the UK that provide high-skill, high-wage jobs from Merseyside to the North East.

Support for today’s announcements:

Commenting on MANIFEST, Professor Samra Turajlic, project lead, Clinical Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute, and Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

In the last ten years we have made huge progress in the treatment of cancer with immunotherapy, but we are still underserving many patients due to treatment failure and side effects. We have a unique opportunity in the UK, especially given the NHS, to address this challenge.

We are hugely excited to work together with such a large group of clinicians, patients and our industry partners, each with unique experiences and expertise. Research on this scale can get us one step closer to better tests in the clinic, but also fuel more discoveries regarding cancer immunology and new therapies. Ultimately, we want to speed up the delivery of personalised medicine for a disease that affects huge numbers of people across the UK every year.

Also commenting on MANIFEST, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, added:

The Francis Crick Institute is carrying out world-leading research with the backing of Cancer Research UK, the MRC and the Wellcome Trust. Further funding from the UK Government to support promising immunotherapy research at the Institute is a welcome boost towards kinder, more personalised treatments for cancer. It’s crucial for the UK’s economic wellbeing, as well as its health, for the UK Government to be ambitious in funding world-class cancer research.

Commenting on the UKRI Healthcare Research and Partnership Hubs, EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane said:

The five new hubs bring together a wealth of expertise from across academia, industry and charities to improve population health, transform disease prediction and diagnosis, and accelerate the development of new interventions.

They represent an exciting range of adventurous techniques and approaches that have great potential to improve the lives of millions of people here in the UK and across the world.

Commenting on the pathology data network, Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England said:

The investment in AI pathology represents new hope in helping us to treat and cure a range of diseases. By supporting secure access to this unique dataset, we can help researchers to learn more about various conditions, including cancer, so that they can both spot how to prevent disease and also find the next generation of treatments and cures faster.

The NHS is globally unique in holding data for the entire population. This makes the test result information we hold particularly valuable for AI training as we know that it represents the population properly.

Like all data in NHS secure data environments, there are strict access rules, meaning the information will remain under the control of the NHS at all times and will only allow secure access to approved researchers who are conducting analysis which improves health and care.

Commenting on the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinical Validation and Evaluation funding call, Professor Mike Lewis, Scientific Director for Innovation at NIHR said:

Developing early diagnosis technologies that are closer to cancer patients is a key aim of this NIHR funding – the potential to find cancers earlier will give patients more choice of treatment, and enable us to save lives in the future.

Funding breakdown

MANIFEST: £9 million; £4 million from Office for Life Sciences, £5 million from the Medical Research Council
UKRI-EPSRC Healthcare Research and Partnership Hubs: £118 million; £54 million from Government, £64 million cash and in-kind backing from partners
AI digital pathology data platform: £6.4 million from Government
NIHR i4i Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinical Validation and Evaluation funding call: £11 million from Government
Advancing Precision Medicine funding call: £4 million from Government

Notes to editors

The £9 million MANIFEST (Multinomic Analysis of Immunotherapy Features Evidencing Success and Toxicity) consortium is led by the Francis Crick Institute together with the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, as well academic and industry partners. It will support the better targeting of immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer. Led out of the world-leading Francis Crick Institute, MANIFEST will examine the biomarkers – measurable signs of a patient’s health status – present in patients before they start immunotherapy, with a view to developing tests that can monitor these biomarkers during treatment. These tests could help indicate if a given treatment is likely to work, helping doctors to personalise immunotherapy treatments to individual patients. MANIFEST is co-funded by the UKRI Medical Research Council and the Office for Life Sciences.

£6.4 million is being invested by the Government in new data infrastructure which will pull together digital pathology data from across the NHS to make it easier for researchers to access. Researchers will be able to train AI models on this unique set of information, in order to improve how quickly and accurately cancer and other diseases can be spotted. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to cancer survival and recovery. This project is led by the NHS Data for Research and Development Programme. The programme is establishing a health data research infrastructure to provide rapid access to the world’s largest linked data sets for research.

Full details of the £118 million UKRI-EPSRC Healthcare Research and Partnership Hubs:

Optical and Acoustic Imaging for Surgical and Interventional Sciences (OASIS) Hub – led by University College London. Working on new imaging tools to help surgeons identify cancers – including breast cancer – and remove tumours with greater success.

MAINSTREAM research and partnership hub for health technologies in Manufacturing Stem Cells – led by University of Glasgow. Working on potential therapies using adult stem cells, which could help cancer patients regenerate bone marrow after chemotherapy.

Research and Partnership Hub in Microscale Science and Technology to Accelerate Therapeutic Innovation (MicroTex) – led by University of Edinburgh. Working on a new method for clinically trialling new drugs with lung disease patients, which could lead to much faster and cheaper results.

The VIVO Hub for Enhanced Independent Living – led by University of Bristol. Developing wearable technologies to help people with age-related mobility issues manage health conditions that impair their mobility.

National Hub for Advanced Long-acting Therapeutics (HALo) – led by University of Liverpool. Looking into the potential of Long-Acting Therapeutics, drugs where the patient only needs to take one dose, which could then last for weeks or even months, rather than having to take doses daily or multiple times daily (which can become a burden, and lead to missed doses and subsequent complications).

The winners of the £11 million NIHR i4i Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinical Validation and Evaluation funding call are:

Professor George Hanna, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
PANACEA: PAN Alimentary Cancer Exhaled breath Analysis
Researching the accuracy of a new breath test for multiple gastrointestinal cancers (oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver and colorectal) as well as studying how to introduce it into primary care.

Dr Carlos Arteta Montilva, Optellum Ltd
CLEAREST: Clinical evaluation of lung cancer detection and diagnosis software
Studying how artificial intelligence (AI) software could help medical imaging experts to find suspicious ‘spots’ in the lungs and assist them in deciding if they could be early lung cancer.

Professor Ros Eeles, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Integration of the PRODICT TM test into the cancer risk pathway
Evaluating a genetic test to identify people at risk of developing cancer, to find out how it can be integrated into the NHS.

Dr Andrew Shapanis, Professor Paul Skipp, XGENERA Ltd
miONCO-Dx: A novel multi cancer early diagnostic test
Improving the efficiency and evaluating the performance of a new cancer blood test for use as a screening tool.

Professor Andrew Davies, University of Southampton, and Dr Emma Yates, Proteotype Diagnostics Ltd
Cost-effective multi-cancer early detection by measuring patient plasma amino acid cross sections with the Enlighten test
Testing how a new type of multi cancer early detection test performs in an NHS context. Researchers will also plan for how the test could be used within deprived communities.

Professor Brendan Delaney, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Artificial Intelligence to support cancer early diagnosis in general practice. (AI-DIP)
Developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistant to improve the early diagnosis of cancer in general practice, using pancreatic and lung cancer as case studies.

The second round of winners of Innovate UK’s £4 million Advancing Precision Medicine funding call are:

AI-VISION: An observational study validating a predictive algorithm integrating multi-modal data for patient prognostication and treatment stratification in triple negative breast cancer
Project lead: Concr Ltd
Project partner: Durham University; Institute of Cancer Research

AIPIR – Development of an advanced AI proteomic platform to identify, track and predict host response to solid tumour immunotherapies
Project lead: Eliptica Limited
Project partner: University of Edinburgh

ST TCR – Unlocking the discovery of novel shared targets and T-cell receptors for precision cancer therapies
Project lead: Exogene Limited
Project partner: Outsee Limited

End-to end AI-assisted workflow for prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT reporting
Project lead: Mirada Medical Limited
Project partners: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Bristol

Revolutionising breast cancer prognosis with OncoSignatur: an innovative, cost-effective qPCR profiling test for improved, personalised patient pathways
Project lead: Signatur Biosciences Ltd
Project partner: University of Oxford

AI digital diagnostics platform to streamline the diagnosis of blood cancers
Project lead: Spotlight Pathology Ltd
Project partner: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Published 6 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Translation: VATICAN – Pope announces a Consistory: 21 new Cardinals in December

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

Source: The Holy See in Italian

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Vatican Media

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “I am pleased to announce that on December 8th I will hold a Consistory for the nomination of new Cardinals”. Surprisingly, as has often happened in these years of pontificate, Pope Francis, at the Angelus, announces the imposition of the red hat. In total, 21 monsignors will receive the purple: 10 are European, of which 4 are Italian; 6 are from the American continent, of which 5 are South American, 4 Asian, two African. Of these, only one, having reached the age limit, will not be an elector in a future conclave. Among them also Bishop Baldassarre Reina who from today, as specified by the Pontiff, will hold the role of new Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, thus succeeding Cardinal De Donatis, appointed Major Penitentiary last April. Here are the names of the new Cardinals: H.E. Monsignor Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio; H.E. Monsignor Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, Archbishop of Lima, Peru; H.E. Monsignor Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M., Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Primate of Argentina; H.E. Mons. Cabrera Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M., Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador; H.E. Monsignor Natalio Chomalí Garib, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, Chile; H.E. Mons. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D, Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan; H.E. Monsignor Pablo Virgilio Siongco David, Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines; H.E. Monsignor Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., Archbishop of Beograd -Smederevo, Serbia;H.E. Mons. Jaime Spengler, O.F.M, Archbishop of Porto Alegre; H.E. Monsignor Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast; H.E. Monsignor Jean-Paul Vesco, O.P., Archbishop of Alger, Algeria; H.E. Mons. Paskalis Bruno Syukur, O.F.M, Bishop of Bogor, Indonesia; H.E. Mons. Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan, Iran; H.E. Monsignor Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, Italy; H.E. Monsignor Baldassare Reina, from today Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome; H.E. Mons. Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, Canada; H.E. Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore; H.E. Mons. Mykola Bychok, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians; Rev. Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, O.P, theologian; Rev. Father Fabio Baggio, C.S., Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development; Mons. George Jacob Koovakad, Official Secretary of State, responsible for Papal Trips. In total, in these almost twelve years of pontificate, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals of which 113 electors. From Sunday 8 December 2024, the College of Cardinals will be enriched with new members and will therefore be composed of 256 members, of which 141 electors and 115 non-electors. The biographies of the new cardinalsS. E. Monsignor Tarcisio Isao KIKUCHI, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan). He was born on 1 November 1958 in the prefecture of Iwate, diocese of Sendai. He studied in Japan. He made his perpetual profession in the Congregation of the Missionaries Verbiti in March 1985 and was ordained a priest in March 1986. He completed his studies at the “Spiritual Institute of Sacred Heart” in Melbourne (Australia). He was: 1986-1992: Missionary in the dioceses of Accra and Koforidua, in Ghana; 1993-1994: Trainer and vice-prefect of Verbiti postulants in Japan, and director for vocations of the Institute; 1994-1999: Provincial Councilor of the Verbiti. Since 1994: Teacher at Nanzan University, member of the “International Aid Committee” of the Episcopal Conference of Japan. Since 1996 he has been Coordinator of the “Justice and Peace” Office in the Asia and Pacific area of the Verbiti. Since 1998: Member of Caritas Japan and representative of the Japanese Bishops for various international conferences and meetings. Since 1999: Provincial Superior of the Verbites in Japan (second mandate since 2002). Executive Director of Caritas Japan. Member of the committee for the ongoing formation of the clergy of the diocese of Nagoya. Prior to his installation as archbishop of Tokyo in 2017, he had served as bishop of Niigata since 2004, when he was first appointed as bishop.H.E. Monsignor Pablo Virgilio SIONGCO DAVID, Bishop of Kalookan (Filipinas) He was born in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, in the archdiocese of San Fernando, on 2 March 1959. He was ordained a priest on 12 March 1983 for the archdiocese of San Fernando. After a year as assistant parish priest, he was Director of the Mother of God Counsel Seminary until 1986. From 1986 to 1991 he studied abroad, obtaining a licentiate and then a doctorate in Holy Theology at the Catholic University of Louvain, and attending courses at the Ecole Biblique de Jerusalem where he graduated. Upon returning to his homeland he held various management and teaching roles in the educational team of the archdiocesan seminary. In 2002 he became director of the seminary’s Theology Department, continuing to teach Sacred Scripture. In the same year he was elected Vice-President of the Association of Catholic Biblical Scholars of the Philippines and Vice-President of the Archidiocesan Media Apostolate Networks. He is the author, at both an academic and popular level, of several publications on Sacred Scripture. On 27 May 2006 he was appointed titular bishop of Guardialfiera and auxiliary of San Fernando by Benedict XVI, and was consecrated the following 10 July. On 14 October 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Kalookan (Philippines).H.E. Monsignor Paskalis Bruno SYUKUR, O.F.M., Bishop of Bogor (Indonesia) He was born on 17 May 1962 in Ranggu, in the diocese of Ruteng, on the Island of Flores (Indonesia). After primary school, he attended the Pius X minor seminary in Kisol. He completed his philosophical studies at the Faculty of Driyakara Philosophy in Jakarta, then continued his theological studies at the Faculty of Theology in Yogyakarta. He made his solemn profession with the Franciscans Minor on 22 January 1989. He was ordained a priest on 2 February 1991. He then held the following roles: 1991-1993: Ministry in the parish of Moanemani, diocese of Jayapura (West Papua); 1993-1996: Studies for the Licentiate in Spirituality at the Antonianum, in Rome; 1996-2001: Master of Novices at Depok; 1998-2001: Guardian of the O.F.M. Community in Depok and Member of the Provincial Council; 2001-2009: Provincial Minister in Indonesia; since 2009: General Definitor of the O.F.M. for Asia and Oceania in Rome. On 21 November 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the diocese of Bogor (Indonesia).S. E. Mons. Dominique Joseph MATHIEU, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan (Iran) He was born on 13 June 1963 in Arlon, Belgium. After his high school studies, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He made his solemn profession in 1987 and was ordained a priest on 24 September 1989. Since 2013 he has been incardinated in the Provincial Custody of the East and of the Holy Land. Within his Order, he held various positions: Vocational Promoter, Secretary, Vicar and Provincial Minister of the Belgian Province of the Conventual Friars Minor, becoming General Delegate after unification with the Province of France; Rector of the National Sanctuary of Saint Anthony of Padua in Brussels and Director of the related Confraternity. He was also President of two different non-profit associations linked to the presence of the Conventual Friars Minor in Belgium, with roles of responsibility in the Catholic School of Landen. He was President of the Central European Federation of Conventual Friars Minor and a member of the International Commission for the Economy of his Order. Having moved to Lebanon in 2013, he was Custodial Secretary, Formator, Master of Novices and Rector of Postulants and Candidates in the Provincial Custody of the East and the Holy Land. Since 2019 he has been General Definitor and General Assistant for the Central European Federation of Conventual Friars Minor. On 8 January 2021, he was appointed Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan (Iran).H.E. Mons. Jean-Paul VESCO, O.P., Archbishop of Alger (Algeria) He was born in Lyon (France) on 10 March 1962. He obtained a degree in Law and practiced law in a lawyer’s office in Lyon, until the choice to enter the Order of Preacher Fathers. In 1995 he began his novitiate year and made his first religious profession on 14 September 1996. He was ordained a priest on 24 June 2001 in Lyon. He arrived in the diocese of Oran (Algeria) on 6 October 2002 at the convent of Tlemcen. In 2004 he was chosen as a delegate of the diocese for the preparation of the Interdiocesan Assembly of Algeria (AIDA). Since 2005 he has been Vicar General of the same diocese and since 2007 he has also assumed the office of diocesan bursar. On 16 October 2007 he was elected Superior of the Dominican Community of Tlemcen, a position he held until January 2011, when he was elected Provincial Superior of France. On 1 December 2012, he was appointed Bishop of Oran (Algeria), until 27 December 2022, when the Holy Father appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop Alger (Algeria).H.E. Mons. Ignace BESSI DOGBO, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) He was born on 17 August 1961 in Niangon-Adjamé, Diocese of Yopougon. He was ordained a priest on 2 August 1987. He has held the following positions: parish ministry (1987-1989); License in Exegesis from the Pontifical Biblical Institute of Rome; diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (1993-1995); Vicar General of Yopougon (1995-2004); parish priest of Yopougon Cathedral (1997-2004); Professor of Biblical Languages in the Saint Paul Major Seminary of Abadjin Kouté; Diocesan Spiritual Assistant of the J.E.C. He was elected Bishop of the Diocese of Katiola on 19 March 2004 and received episcopal consecration on the following 4 July; President of the Episcopal Conference (2017-2023); since 2017, Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Korhogo; from 2021 to 2024, Metropolitan Archbishop of Korhogo. On 20 May 2024, he was appointed Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).H.E. Mons. Carlos Gustavo CASTILLO MATTASOGLIO Archbishop of Lima (Peru) He was born in Lima on 28 February 1950. Having entered the Santo Toribio major seminary of Mogrovejo of the archdiocese of Lima, he was sent to Rome for his ecclesiastical studies where, in 1979, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and, in 1983, in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was ordained a priest, incardinating in the archdiocese of Lima on 15 July 1984. He obtained the licentiate in 1985 and, in 1987, the doctorate in dogmatic theology, again from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has held the following positions: Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (from 1987 to the present); Councilor of the National Union of Catholic Students (1987-1998); Parochial vicar in the parish of San Francisco de Asís (1987-1990); Parochial vicar of the parish of La Encarnación (1990-1991); Archdiocesan head of the University Pastoral of Lima and collaborator at the parish of San Juan Apóstol (1991-1999); Vicar for youth ministry of Lima, organizer of the vicar for youth and responsible for vocational ministry (1996-1999); National Councilor of the Episcopal Commission for Youth of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (1990-2001); parochial vicar of the parish of San Juan Apóstol (1999-2001); National councilor for youth ministry (2000); parish priest of the parish of Virgen Medianera (2002-2009); Director of relations with the Church and member of the University Council of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (2003-2006); Parish priest of the parish of San Lázaro (2010-2015). On 25 January 2019 Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of the archdiocese of Lima (Peru).H.E. Monsignor Vicente BOKALIC IGLIC C.M., Archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Primado de la Argentina). He was born on 11 June 1952 in Lanús (Buenos Aires). In 1970 he entered the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists). He studied philosophy at the Jesuit Maximo College in San Miguel, and theological studies at the Seminary of Buenos Aires. He took his perpetual vows on 5 June 1976. Ordained a priest on 1 April 1978, he was in charge of the vocational and youth ministry of Buenos Aires and, since 1981, he has also exercised the office of Parish Vicar of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa. From 1983 to 1986 he was a formator and bursar, and from 1987 to 1990 superior in the Seminary of the Congregation of the Mission. From 1991 to 1993 he worked again in the Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa Parish, from 1994 to 1997 he was a missionary in the Prelature of Deán Funes and, from 1997 to 2000, Superior of the Seminary of his Congregation in San Miguel. Missionary and parish priest in the diocese of Goya from 2000 to 2003, from December 2003 to December 2009 he exercised the office of Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Mission. Then he was sent again to the Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa Parish in Buenos Aires. On 15 March 2010 he was appointed titular bishop of Summa and auxiliary of Buenos Aires (Argentina). He received episcopal consecration on May 29 of the same year. On 23 December 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Santiago del Estero (Argentina). On 22 July 2024, the Holy Father elevated the Diocese of Santiago del Estero (Argentina) to the rank of Primatial Archdiocese of Argentina, and appointed him the first Archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Argentina).H.E. Mons. Luis Gerardo CABRERA HERRERA, O.F.M., Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador). He was born in Azogues on 11 October 1955. He attended the Franciscan minor seminary in Azogues and Quito, studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and he obtained a Doctorate in philosophy from the Antonianum in Rome. He was ordained a priest on 3 September 1983. He held the following roles: assistant to the Master of Novices O.F.M. and then novitiate master of Riobamba; member of the Provincial Council of the Order, responsible for vocational pastoral care and the formation of aspirants of the Franciscan province; Director of the philosophical-theological institute “Card. B. Echeverría” of Quito; Secretary of the ecumenism sector of the Episcopal Commission of Magisterium and Doctrine of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference. In August 2000 he was elected Provincial Minister of the Franciscans of the Province of Ecuador and Vice President of the Conference of Religious. From 2003 until 2009 he was Definitor of the Franciscan Order and Delegate of the Minister General for the Franciscan Provinces of Latin America and the Caribbean. On 20 April 2009 he was appointed Archbishop of Cuenca, receiving episcopal consecration the following 4 July. In the period 2001-2014 he was Vice-President of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference. Since 24 September 2015 he has been Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador).H.E. Monsignor Fernando Natalio CHOMALÍ GARIB Archbishop of Santiago de Chile (Chile) He was born on 10 March 1957 in Santiago de Chile. After graduating in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, he completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago. He received priestly ordination on 6 April 1991 for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile. He held the following positions and carried out further studies: Licentiate in Moral Theology at the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome; Doctorate in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome; Master in Bioethics at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences in Rome; Parish vicar; Episcopal Delegate for University Pastoral; Professor of Moral Theology and Bioethics in the Faculties of Theology and Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and in the Major Seminary; Parish Priest of Santa María de la Misericordia; Moderator of the Curia and President Delegate of the Economic Council of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile; Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life (since 2001). On 6 April 2006 he was appointed titular bishop of Noba and auxiliary of Santiago de Chile, receiving episcopal consecration the following 3 June. On 20 April 2011 he was appointed Archbishop of Concepción and, on 25 October 2023, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile. He is currently Vice President of CECH.S.E. Mons. Jaime SPENGLER, O.F.M., Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brasil) He was born on 6 September 1960, in Blumenau, in the State of Santa Catarina, in the diocese of the same name. He did his Franciscan postulancy in Guaratinguetá (1981) and his novitiate in Rodeio (1982); he made his perpetual profession in 1985 and was ordained a priest on 17 November 1990. He completed his studies in philosophy at the São Boaventura Philosophical Institute in Campo Largo and those in theology, first at the Franciscan Theological Institute in Petrópolis (1986- 1987) and then at the Theological Institute of Jerusalem (1987-1990), where he obtained a license in Sacred Scripture. Subsequently he obtained a degree in Philosophy in Rome, at the Pontifical Athenaeum Antonianum (1995-1998). He has held the following positions: Professor in the Franciscan Novitiate in Rodeio, Master of Postulants (1990); Professor in the Postulancy and Parish Vicar in Guaratinguetá (1991-1994); Professor and Vice-Rector of the São Boaventura Institute of Philosophy in Campo Largo (2000-2003); Religious Assistant of the Federação Brasileira das Irmãs Concepcionistas (2001-2002); local superior and parish vicar of the Senhor Bom Jesus Parish, in the archdiocese of Curitiba (2004-2006), Professor of Philosophy at the São Boaventura Faculty in Curitiba (2000-2003); Vice-president of the Franciscan Association of Ensino Senhor Bom Jesus in Campo Largo and Guardian of the Local Convent. On 10 November 2010 he was appointed titular bishop of Patara and auxiliary of Porto Alegre. He received episcopal ordination on 5 February 2011. On 18 September 2013, he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil).H.E. Mons. Francis LEO, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada) He was born on 30 June 1971 in Montreal (Canada). In 1990 he entered the Seminary obtaining the Baccalaureate in Philosophy (1992), the Licentiate and then the Doctorate in Theology (2005), with specialization in Marian Studies, obtained at the International Marian Research Institute (IMRI), University of Dayton (Ohio ). He was ordained a priest on December 14, 1996 for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Montreal. After his priestly ordination, he was Deputy Parish Priest of Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolata (1996-2001); Administrator of the Parish Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière-des-Prairies (2003-2005); Chaplain of the Roscelli School and religious teacher of the Collège Reine-Marie (2003-2005); Parish priest of Saint-Raymond-de-Peñafort (2005-2006). From 2006 to 2008 he was sent to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See, he worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Australia (2008-2011) and then at the Study Mission of the Holy See in Hong Kong (2011-2012). Returning to Montreal in 2012, he was appointed Director and Professor of Dogmatics of the Major Seminary, Director of the Department of Canon Law of the IFTM and Vice President of the Diocesan Work for Vocations. From 2013 to 2015 he was a member of the Presbyteral Council. From 2015 to 2021 he was General Secretary of the Canadian Episcopal Conference. In 2021 he received the role of Vicar General and Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia of Montreal. On 16 July 2022 he was appointed titular bishop of Tameda and auxiliary of Montreal, and was consecrated the following 12 September. On 11 February 2023 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Montreal.S.E. Monsignor Mykola BYCHOK, C.Ss.R., Bishop of the Eparchy Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians. He was born on 13 February 1980 in Ternopil in Ukraine. He entered the Redemptorist Order in July 1997, and trained in Ukraine and Poland, obtaining a license in Pastoral Theology. On 17 August 2003 he took his final vows, and on 3 May 2005 he was ordained a priest in Lviv. He has held the following positions: missionary in the Mother Church of Perpetual Help in Prokopyevsk in Russia, Superior of the Monastery of St. Joseph and Parish Priest of the Mother Parish of Perpetual Help in Ivano-Frankivsk in Ukraine, Bursar of the Redemptorist Province of Lviv and since 2015 Vicar of the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Newark, NJ, Archeparchy of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians. On 15 January 2020 he was appointed Bishop of the Eparchy Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians. On 7 June 2020 he was consecrated bishop by His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk in St. George’s Cathedral, Lviv. On 12 July 2021, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the Julian Calendar, he was enthroned as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Melbourne by His Grace Peter Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Melbourne.S. E. Monsignor Ladislav NEMET, S.V.D., Archbishop of Beograd – Smederevo, (Serbia) He was born on 7 September 1956 in Odžaci, in the Diocese of Subotica (Serbia). In 1977 he entered the Society of the Divine Word and was ordained a priest on 1 May 1983. He obtained a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He held the following positions: Missionary in the Philippines; Teacher in Poland, Austria and Croatia; Collaborator of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the UN in Vienna; Provincial of the Hungarian Province of the Society of the Divine Word; General Secretary of the Hungarian Episcopal Conference. He was appointed Bishop of Zrenjanin on 23 April 2008. In 2021, he was re-elected for a second term as President of the International Episcopal Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius; furthermore, he is Vice President of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE).H.E. Mons. Rolandas MAKRICKAS, Coadjutor Archpriest Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore He was born in Biržai, Lithuania, on 31 January 1972. Ordained a priest on 20 July 1996 for the Diocese of Panevėžys, from 1996 to 2001 he was under-secretary of the Lithuanian Episcopal Conference and head of the National Committee of the Great Jubilee of 2000. He obtained a Doctorate in Ecclesiastical History from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2004. Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 2006, he worked at the Pontifical Representations in Georgia, Sweden, the United States of America and Gabon, and at the General Affairs Section of the Secretariat of State. From 15 December 2021 to 19 March 2024 he was extraordinary commissioner for the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. On 11 February 2023 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Tolentino and on the following 15 April he received episcopal ordination, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness. On 19 March 2024 he was appointed by the Holy Father Coadjutor Archpriest with right of succession of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.H.E. Mons. Baldassare REINA, auxiliary bishop of Rome, former vice-gerent and, from today, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. He was born on 26 November 1970 in San Giovanni Gemini, in the province and Archdiocese of Agrigento. He entered the Archbishop’s Seminary in 1981. In 1995 he obtained a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and in 1998 a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. He was ordained a priest on 8 September 1995. From 1998 to 2001 he was Diocesan Assistant of Catholic Action and Vice-Rector of the Archbishop’s Seminary of Agrigento. From 2001 to 2003 he was parish priest of the Blessed Mary Virgin of Itria in Favara. From 2003 to 2009 he was Prefect of studies of the San Gregorio Agrigentino Theological Study and from 2009 to 2013 Parish Priest of S. Leonead Agrigento. From 2013 to 2022 he was Rector of the Major Seminary of Agrigento. He also held the following roles in the Diocese: Teacher of Sacred Scripture at the Institute of Religious Sciences; Permanent teacher at the San Gregorio Agrigentino Theological Studio; Director of the Culture Office; Canon of the Cathedral Chapter; Member of the Presbyteral Council and of the College of Consultors. On 27 May 2022, he was appointed titular bishop of Acque di Mauritania and auxiliary of Rome. On 6 January 2023, the Holy Father appointed him Vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome.H.E. Mons. Roberto REPOLE, Archbishop of Turin (Italy) He was born in Turin on 29 January 1967. Having entered the Seminary at the age of eleven, he completed his high school studies at the Minor Seminary, obtaining his classical high school diploma at the Valsalice Salesian High School in Turin in 1986. He studied philosophy and theology at the archiepiscopal seminary of Turin and received presbyteral ordination on 13 June 1992. From 1992 to 1996 he was parochial vicar at the parish of Gesù Redentore and collaborator of the parish of Ss. Nome di Maria in Turin. He continued his studies in systematic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining his licentiate in 1998 and his doctorate in 2001 with a thesis on the thought of Henri de Lubac in dialogue with Gabriel Marcel. Since 2001 he has taught systematic theology at the parallel Turin branch of the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy and the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences of the same city. Canon of the Royal Church of San Lorenzo in Turin since 2010, he was president of the Italian Theological Association from 2011 to 2019; dean of the Turin section of the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy and collaborator of the Santa Maria della Stella parish in Druento. On 19 February 2022, Pope Francis appointed him the 95th Metropolitan Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa, thus uniting the two sees in person as bishops. On 7 May 2022 he received episcopal ordination. In September 2022, the Permanent Episcopal Council of the CEI appointed him as a member of the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education, School and University. In October 2022 in Aosta the bishops of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta elected him vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta (CEP).R.P. Timothy Peter Joseph RADCLIFFE, OP, theologian Born in London in 1945, he joined the Dominican order in 1965. After completing his studies in Oxford and Paris, he began teaching sacred Scripture at the University of Oxford. Ordained a priest in 1971, actively involved in the peace movement, he also carried out pastoral ministry among AIDS sufferers. From 1982 to 1988 he was prior of the convent of Oxford, then provincial of England from 1988 to 1992, and finally master general of the order founded by Saint Dominic from 1992 to 2001. Orator, lecturer, preacher and writer of international fame, he is member of CAFOD (agency of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, involved in charitable support and development in overseas countries) and of the theological commission of international Caritas. He has received honorary degrees from Oxford University and other academic institutions in France, Italy and the United States. In 2007 he was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writings.R. Fr Fabio BAGGIO, C.S., under secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He was born in Bassano del Grappa in 1965 and, in 1976, entered the Scalabrini-Tirondola Seminary of the Missionaries of San Carlo, making his perpetual profession in 1991. The following year he was ordained a Priest. In 1998 he obtained a doctorate in Church History from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. From 1995 to 1997, in Santiago de Chile, in addition to exercising the pastoral ministry, he held the position of Advisor to the Episcopal Commission for Migration of Chile (INCAMI). Subsequently, until 2002, he was Director of the Department for Migration of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, also covering, in 1999, the role of National Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Pontifical Mission Societies Argentina. On 14 December 2016 he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. On 23 April 2022, the Holy Father confirmed him as Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development also with responsibility for the Migrants and Refugees Section and Special Projects Mons. George Jacob KOOVAKAD, Official of the Secretary of State, responsible for Papal Trips. He was born in Chethipuzha (India) on 11 August 1973. He was ordained a Priest on 24 July 2004, incardinated in Changanacherry. Graduated in Canon Law. Having entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 1 July 2006, he was assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria, as Attache. On March 2, 2009, he was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea until February 2012, when he was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Iran. On February 16, 2015, he was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Costa Rica. Since July 10, 2020, he has worked in the Secretariat of State, General Affairs section. on 10 July 2020. From 2021, Pope Francis has entrusted him with the organization of papal trips.H.E. Mons. Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio He was born on 23 September 1925 in Sesta Godano (Italy) and was ordained a priest on 27 March 1948 for the then Diocese of Pontremoli. Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1956, he served in the Papal Representations in Colombia, Brazil, France, Japan and Portugal, as well as in the Council for Public Affairs of the Church of the Secretariat of State. St. Paul VI, on June 22, 1974, appointed him an apostolic pro-nuncio in New Zealand and apostolic delegate in the Pacific Ocean, assigning him the headquarters of Zella and the personal title of Archbishop; The same Holy Pontiff, on the following 30 June, conferred him the episcopal ordination in the papal basilica of San Pietro in the Vatican. St. John Paul II, then, sent him as Nunzio to Colombia – where, together with other diplomats, he was hostage for six weeks by the guerrillas of the Movimiento 19 de Abril – and, subsequently, in Hungary and Moldova and in the Netherlands. From 2001 to 2015 he held the office of prelate of the Sovereign Military Hospital Order of San Giovanni di Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta.

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

MIL Translation OSI

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Survivors Surpasses $137 Million as Biden-Harris Administration Continues Response and Recovery Efforts in Southeast and Closely Monitors Storm in the Gulf
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Survivors Surpasses $137 Million as Biden-Harris Administration Continues Response and Recovery Efforts in Southeast and Closely Monitors Storm in the Gulf

Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Survivors Surpasses $137 Million as Biden-Harris Administration Continues Response and Recovery Efforts in Southeast and Closely Monitors Storm in the Gulf
WASHINGTON — FEMA continues its robust response and recovery efforts in the Southeast following the devastation caused by Helene. Federal assistance for survivors has now surpassed $137 million, with FEMA’s mission remaining steadfast in helping communities recover and rebuild.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is leading one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel, partners and resources in recent history to heed the call of helping survivors and bolstering efforts across all levels of government. The agency is actively working alongside state, local and tribal partners to assess damage and support those affected by the disaster. Nearly 7,000 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed, including FEMA staff. To date, FEMA has shipped over 14.9 million meals, more than 13.9 million liters of water, 157 generators and more than 505,000 tarps to the region.

As response and recovery efforts continue in the Southeast, FEMA is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, which has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. FEMA has the resources and capacity to address multiple disasters simultaneously and is fully prepared to support affected communities wherever and whenever needed. Preparedness efforts are underway and FEMA stands ready to respond to any potential impacts on communities in the storm’s path while also prioritizing search and rescue, response and recovery efforts in in the affected areas. People in Milton’s path should take the storm seriously and prepare now.

Disaster survivors in certain areas of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in the designated areas should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Helene.

There are three ways to apply for FEMA assistance:

Support for North Carolina

Financial Support: FEMA has approved more than $30 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 27,000 households.

Staffing: As response efforts continue in North Carolina, more than 700 FEMA staff are on the ground, with more arriving daily. Over 1,200 Urban Search and Rescue personnel remain in the field helping people. These teamshave rescued or supported over 3,200 survivors to date. Dozens of Disaster Survivor Assistance staff are on the ground in affected areas to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. Over 1,000 National Guard Bureau troops have deployed to North Carolina to support response and recovery efforts. To date, troops have delivered nearly one million pounds of food, water and other supplies. Experienced FEMA leaders from around the country are in the field to bolster response efforts.

Sheltering: Over 800 people who cannot return home are staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Transitional Sheltering Assistance is available for North Carolinians displaced by Helene. Residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance.

Shelter numbers continue to decline, with 22 shelters housing just under 1,000 occupants. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

Power and Cellular Restoration: As of today, more than 86% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Cellular restoration continues to improve, with less than 20% of cellular sites down. FEMA is boosting response coordination by providing Starlink units to ensure first responders can communicate with each other.

Commodities: Commodity distribution, mass feeding and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA commodity shipments are enroute to support operations. The agency is on track to meet requested delivery timelines for meals and water. Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft. The Salvation Army has nine mobile feeding units supporting the massive operation and has provided emotional and spiritual care to more than 900 people. To date, The Salvation Army has served over 12,600 meals, 9,600 drinks and 5,600 snacks. The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage.

Resources
- Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance.
- Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.
Support for Florida

As recovery efforts continue in Florida, FEMA has approved more than $71 million for over 11,000 households. FEMA specialists are canvassing Florida communities affected by Helene to help survivors apply for assistance. Additionally, FEMA inspectors are visiting applicants’ homes to verify disaster-caused damage.

Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.

Support for South Carolina

As recovery efforts continue in South Carolina, FEMA has approved over $5.7 million for more than 5,500 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties continuing to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents with questions on Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133.

Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.

Support for Georgia

FEMA has approved over $30 million for more than 38,000 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Resources: Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene.

Support for Virginia

To date, FEMA has approved more than $330,000 for over 60 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at: Recover – Hurricane Helene | VDEM (vaemergency.gov)

Support for Tennessee

FEMA has approved more than $175,000 for disaster assistance. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.
- Residents can call 1-800-824-3463 to report a missing person. Callers should be prepared to provide as much information as possible including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known whereabouts.
Counties have started establishing donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA’s website.

Voluntary Organizations

Voluntary organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has hundreds of trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. Additionally, they are helping find loved ones through their helpline 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by the Red Cross Hurricane Helene Reunification page where people can enter pertinent information about the person they’re looking for. If someone is missing a child related to this disaster or any other incident, they need to call 9-1-1 and then 1-800-THE-LOST to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

People can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mold mitigation with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386. The hotline is open through October 11 and can connect people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and the faith-based community who may be able to assist.
amy.ashbridge
Sun, 10/06/2024 – 15:06

MIL OSI USA News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Gen Z knowledge about the Holocaust matters for ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Regan Lipes, Extended Sessional Instructor, English and Comparative Literature, MacEwan University

Since last Oct. 7, the world has seen mass death catalyzed by terrorist attacks in Israel, Israel’s mission to recover hostages still being detained and retaliation in Gaza — and now a long-dreaded war erupting through the Middle East.

As a scholar of Jewish and Holocaust literature, in the past year following Oct. 7, I have been aware that how students engage with the history of the Holocaust has been impacted.

Eighty thousand Israelis remain displaced from their homes in the north. Over 40,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Gaza, and and following a United Nations expert accusing Israel of acts of genocide, UN delegates have amplified calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Others assert Israel’s actions are a defensive response. While all Israeli citizens have been affected by violence in Israel, Israel is a Jewish state, and the kind of violence and hate directed at Israel is being felt by Jews globally. For many Jews the Oct. 7 attacks themselves resonated hauntingly of Kristallnacht, with the Jewish people again put in a position of needing to defend their right to exist.

Read more:
Holocaust comparisons are overused — but in the case of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel they may reflect more than just the emotional response of a traumatized people

The definition of genocide acknowledged in the international Genocide Convention drew on the term coined by Polish-born lawyer Raphael Lemkin who fled persecution of the meticulously orchestrated genocide against European Jewry during the Second World War.

Globally, we are seeing a time of re-aligning geopolitics, including both the Global South and West becoming increasingly aware of pro-Palestinian perspectives. Many Gen Zs have been quick to rally against Zionism.

At the same time, Holocaust denialism, antisemitic hate acts and terrorist threats have accompanied a rise in anti-Israel sentiment — with frightening effects on Jews globally, sometimes fanned by propagandists seeking to exploit and augment conflict and polarization.

Even before events of the past year, as the 1940s recede in time, fewer and fewer Gen Zs have identified themselves as feeling knowledgeable about the Holocaust. The way knowledge is transmitted must adapt with the times.

Memory through time

In 2019 I was the faculty fellow for a partnership between the Auschwitz Jewish Center and the Museum of Jewish Heritage (MJH). As a scholar I have had the benefit of meeting with Holocaust survivors to learn about their experiences.

During my fellowship, the ongoing question rattling in my brain was how to safeguard the lived testimonies of survivors as their numbers dwindle.

When I teach literature of the Holocaust and second-generation efforts to preserve memory, I have noticed students’ limited knowledge of the Holocaust when I do an informal poll of what they know already. Many students admit an awareness limited exclusively to Hollywood films.

Six-part documentary

Director Joe Berlinger’s recent documentary Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial is conscious of deficits in Gen Z education and seeks to remedy this.

‘Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial,’ documentary by Joe Berlinger.

Berlinger’s six-part Netflix documentary takes a unique approach to examining and exploring Hitler’s rise to power and the lasting global impact.

He frames this analysis by using the writings and broadcasts of journalist and foreign corespondent William L. Shirer, who authored the iconic The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1960), in concert with narration from Shirer’s granddaughter, Deirdre van Dyk.

Within the context of her grandfather’s historically significant coverage of the European political landscape throughout the 1930s and 40s, van Dyk is able to offer insights regarding how Shirer spoke about this period going beyond his public writings.

Preserving history

On an online discussion panel organized by the MJH in July 2024, Berlinger acknowledged the plethora of documentaries examining the Second World War, but explained that this work is a targeted effort to preserve history while connecting and resonating with Gen Z viewers.

Van Dyk’s participation plays a key role in bridging the present with the lived experience of Shirer, a witness of Nazi corruption and totalitarianism.

Similarly second- and third-generation Holocaust survivors are instrumental in ensuring that their parents and grandparents’ suffering and trauma can be used to caution current learners who will be the politicians, jurists and educators of the future about dangers of antisemitism.

Online discussion with director Joe Berlinger with Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Alberta initiative

An initiative in Alberta, the Second Voices Project is working to help Gen Z students understand the Holocaust in a way that feels authentic and less like distant history.

The initiative, with the support of the Government of Alberta, uses video testimony given by survivors, and pairs this with discussion, commentary and observations provided by their children and grandchildren.

Robert Jackson, chief counsel of the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at Nuremberg, noted in his opening statement at the Nuremberg Trial in 1945:

“The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored because it cannot survive their being repeated.”

Jackson’s remarks now seem prophetic as society reexamines how best to impart this vital knowledge.

Increased consciousness

When the Second Voices Project travels to secondary and post-secondary institutions it is with the hope that seeds for increased tolerance and social consciousness be planted.

‘The Pages In Between’ by Erin Einhorn.
(Simon and Schuster)

During the winter 2024 semester, in a Jewish literature course I taught, I saw the Second Voices Project in action. The course sees students examine the search for resolution in untenable situations, with reporter Erin Einhorn’s The Pages In Between.

They grapple with depictions of trauma and extreme loss in Cynthia Ozick’s short story The Shawl and examine how American-born Jews negotiated feelings of misplaced guilt following learning about the extent of the Holocaust.

Accompanied by a Holocaust education specialist from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, my students met second-generation survivor and retired physician Dr. Francie Cyngiser.

Cyngiser’s parents survived the Nazi concentration camps, and she brought her father, Sidney Cyngiser’s, recorded Shoah Foundation testimony, narrated by her son and nephew, to my class.

Sidney Cyngiser was dedicated to combating Holocaust denial by sharing his story. Instead of simply watching a video of Cyngiser testifying, the documentary was contextualized for students by inter-generational survivors not much younger than their parents.

Addressing trauma fatigue

Although Berlinger’s viewers cannot speak directly with van Dyk the way my students did with Dr. Cyngiser, his documentary is an important innovation to engage Gen Z learners.

To appeal to this targeted viewership, the Shirer family consented to use AI voice approximations of William Shirer’s writings to help narrate Berlinger’s documentary. Although original recordings from his news broadcasts also feature prominently, many of his diaries, smuggled out of Nazi Germany at great risk, needed vocalization for the film.

By adapting, Holocaust educators can also combat trauma fatigue which can impair capacity for awareness, recognition and response. In Germany, where Holocaust education is mandatory, feelings of frustration over inherited guilt for the Holocaust can breed apathy and resentment.

Both pro-Zionist and Zionist-critical Jews have highlighted that such sentiments are dangerous in the current global climate.

Apathy fails to serve any humanitarian function and dangerously anaesthetises all sides to the pain of others.

Read more:
Middle East student dialogue: As an expert in deep conflict, what I’ve learned about making conversation possible

The German term Vergangenheitsbewältigung describes the process of ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history. The past is a reality that humanity as whole must contend with, but a lack of understanding is fertile ground for denial, revisionism and antisemitism.

I cannot help but wonder if greater awareness of Holocaust history, and political and cultural histories of how to safeguard human rights, would promote more tolerance and compassion universally.

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

– ref. Gen Z knowledge about the Holocaust matters for ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history – https://theconversation.com/gen-z-knowledge-about-the-holocaust-matters-for-ongoing-reconciliation-with-a-troubled-history-235296

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Australia has an extraordinary 13 million spare bedrooms. Here’s how to use at least some of them to ease the housing crisis
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lyndall Bryant, Lecturer in Property Economics, Queensland University of Technology

While there’s little relief in sight for Australia’s housing crisis, with new projects years away from completion, there appear to be as many as 13 million unused spare bedrooms across the country.

In a new briefing paper for the QUT Centre for Justice I suggest that, at least in the interim, these spare rooms ought to be part of the solution.

Here’s where you find them. The census says about 3.2 million Australian homes have one spare bedroom, another 3 million have two spare rooms and 1.2 million have three spare bedrooms or more.

They are more common in the homes of older than younger Australians.

A survey by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found that more than three-quarters of homeowners aged 74 and older had spare rooms compared to less than two-thirds of homeowners aged 55 and younger.

These older owners are often “asset rich and income poor”. Most rely at least in part on the age pension and could do with the income that would come from renting out a room, so long as it didn’t cut into their pension or present them with a capital gains tax bill when their home is eventually sold.

My work suggests these fears are largely unfounded, even though it’s hard to convince many older Australians of that.

Rent needn’t mean income tax

The Tax Office has long provided for “domestic arrangements” and other arrangements where board and lodging provided at non-commercial rates is not considered assessable income for taxation purposes.

The downside is that expenses are not tax deductible.

These arrangements are said to occur when all residents including the owner bear an appropriate proportion of the costs actually incurred on food, electricity, heating and other costs of running the home.

“Homestay” for international students is an example. Homestay hosts can receive about $350 per week for providing a fully furnished room, main meals and utilities in an arrangement the Tax Office has ruled need not be taxable.

Rent needn’t cut off the pension

All pensioners are currently eligible for the work bonus scheme that allows additional earnings of up to $504 a fortnight for singles and $660 per fortnight for couples without loss of any pension.

It ought to be easy enough to apply the scheme to rent as well as income from work, as it arguably already does given that renting out spare bedrooms is a form of self-employment and hence “work”.

As important would be making pensioners aware of any changes or clarifications to the rules in a way that normalised “taking in boarders”.

Rent needn’t mean capital gains tax

Anecdotal evidence suggests homeowners fear that renting out a spare bedroom will make their home liable for the capital gains tax that applies to rented properties when they are eventually sold.

While this may be true in some situations, it is somewhat of an urban myth, and the amounts of tax involved can be small.

According to the Tax Office
- capital gains tax only applies to properties bought after September 20 1985
- any gain is taxed only at the marginal rate in the year the property is sold
- only half of each gain is taxed
- gains can be offset against capital losses
- only the net gain is taxed after costs.
And capital gains tax only applies for the portion of the home that is rented out, and for the portion of time it is rented out.

In my paper I explain how an apparent capital gain of $100,000 is taxed less where a room is only let for one year in five and is one of three bedrooms in the home, cutting the taxable capital gain to just $3,333.

If the very concept of the calculation remains a barrier, it might be possible to offer homeowners who let out rooms a short-term “capital gains tax holiday” for the next three to five years while new housing stock is being built.

Rules for safety and boarder matching essential

Another barrier is concern about safety, both personal and financial for older homeowners. Surprisingly, there are few rules governing boarding, with tenancy legislation saying little, forcing homeowners and tenants to rely on common law.

Australians letting out rooms need legislated protections from elder abuse and spurious claims of cohabitation and other rights.

Tenant matching and management systems could make the process simpler.

Imagine being able to walk into your local real estate agency and list your spare room to rent. If the agency offered boarder management services you could outline your preferences and ask it to put forward a list of candidates to interview.

Good matches would provide benefits for both older Australians and younger companions. Boarder management could become a new business model for real estate agents as well as non-profits.

Please note: This article does not provide tax or financial advice. It is general in nature and should not be relied on for taxation or financial purposes.

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

– ref. Australia has an extraordinary 13 million spare bedrooms. Here’s how to use at least some of them to ease the housing crisis – https://theconversation.com/australia-has-an-extraordinary-13-million-spare-bedrooms-heres-how-to-use-at-least-some-of-them-to-ease-the-housing-crisis-239490
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s Trip to the G7 Interior Minister’s Meeting in Italy

Source: US State of Vermont

Deputy Attorney General (Deputy AG) Lisa Monaco traveled to Mirabella Eclano, Italy, on Oct. 3-4 for the G7 Interior Ministers Meeting, where she highlighted the importance of international partnerships in supporting the rule of law and protecting against persistent global threats.

The Deputy AG described the current threat environment to her G7 colleagues as a time where the threats have never been more diverse — from more aggressive actors — and all fueled by international conflicts and emerging, disruptive technologies — especially cyber and AI. She urged the ministers to stay united against threats posed by autocratic nations like Russia, Iran, and China looking to project power at home and abroad through transnational repression, malicious cyber activity, the abuse of emerging technologies, such as AI and cryptocurrencies, and malign foreign influence — especially in a global election year.

The Deputy AG joined her colleagues in committing to deepening international collaboration against these threats, as well as against terrorism, malign cyber actors, and synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. She shared how the Justice Department is targeting the broader ecosystem that allows cyber criminals and malign nation state actors to flourish — by prioritizing disruptions and placing victims first — and also highlighted how the Department is tackling all aspects of the deadly fentanyl supply chain, in every part of the globe, to protect innocent lives.

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s brutal October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, the Deputy AG and Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, both online and offline. They pledged to continue the information sharing and law enforcement partnerships that are integral to thwarting acts of terror around the world.

The Deputy AG and ministers also met virtually with Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and their resolve to hold Russia accountable for the war crimes and atrocities it is perpetrating in its war of aggression. She reiterated the need for sustained coordination in these efforts and underscored the Justice Department’s continued efforts to deprive the Russian war machine of funding and supplies. She joined the other ministers in announcing new efforts to help Ukraine build the rule of law and fight corruption, including through a new G7 Anti-Corruption Task Force.

As part of their efforts to build cooperation and coordination among the G7 to promote the rule of law around the world, the Deputy AG and Ministers discussed common frameworks to harness the promise of AI while also protecting against the perils of its abuse. The Deputy AG cautioned that AI is changing how crimes are committed, from intensifying cyberattacks, to making fraud scams more believable, to creating child exploitative material, to supercharging malign foreign influence in elections.

On the margins of the G7 Ministerial, the Deputy AG held several bilateral meetings, including with United Kingdom Home Secretary Yvette Cooper; Canadian Minister of Public Safety Dominic Leblanc; German Minister of Interior Nancy Faeser; and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. The Deputy AG also met with the G7 host, Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, to thank him for his leadership of the G7 and his hospitality. In all these discussions, the Deputy AG reinforced the steadfast commitment of the Justice Department to partnerships that uphold the rule of law and strengthen democracies around the world.

Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi welcoming Deputy AG Monaco to the G7 Ministerial. Photo credit: Italian Ministry of the Interior.

Deputy AG Monaco with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Photo credit: UK Home Office.

Deputy AG Monaco with G7 leaders. Photo credit: Italian Ministry of the Interior.

Deputy AG Monaco meeting with Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi. Photo credit: Italian Ministry of the Interior.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Rosneft Holds an IT-Marathon

Source: Rosneft

Headline: Rosneft Holds an IT-Marathon

Moscow saw the finals of Rosneft IT-Marathon which is the biggest in Russia. The organizers and winners of the hackathons* presented their best solutions to experts from leading Russian companies and universities.

Digitalization of business processes is one of the key objectives of Rosneft-2030 Strategy. The Company is persistently introducing advanced technological solutions to analyze large amounts of data for improving the efficiency in all its business areas. Specialized IT-Marathons help Rosneft address real operational tasks in co-operation with high-skilled people.

In 2022 RN-BashNIPIneft Research Institute held four contests for students and IT specialists with a total of more than 2,300 people participating. This is twice as many as in 2021. The geography of the participants covers more than 130 cities and 12 countries.

The priority of the IT-Marathon is to address problems using advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence tools. The solutions gained at the contest are integrated into Rosneft software used for hydrocarbon exploration and production.

As part of the country universities hackathon, its participants were doing correlation and cluster data analysis and making machine learning models. The obtained solutions will be used for making geological models and identifying methods of oil production. Daniil Raspopin, the winner of the hackathon from Kursk, got a job offer from RN-BashNIPIneft, and so now he is involved in the institute’s projects of data analysis and machine learning.

Participants of the hackathon for robotics programmers were solving a task of robotizing the study of core, – which means “samples of rock”. The best approaches and methods used for solving this task are now planned to be employed in the modernization project of RN-BashNIPIneft laboratory complex.

This year the tasks of the two biggest IT-Marathon contests – Rosneft Challenge I and Rosneft Challenge II – were around the subject of oilfield development optimization. Their first task was about predicting electrical submersible pump failures, and the second task was about optimizing well operations. The solutions presented by the participants will be used in the high-tech software line developed in the Company.

Details about the IT-Marathon are available at: https://events.rn.digital/

*Hackathon is a competition at which specialists from different software development areas together solve some problem for time.

Note:

RN-BashNIPIneft LLC is the Rosneft largest research and design institute and a center of the Company’s high-tech corporate software development.

Rosneft
Information Division
December 5, 2022

MIL OSI Global Banks –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Rosneft Holds an IT-Marathon

Source: Rosneft

Headline: Rosneft Holds an IT-Marathon

Moscow saw the finals of Rosneft IT-Marathon which is the biggest in Russia. The organizers and winners of the hackathons* presented their best solutions to experts from leading Russian companies and universities.

Digitalization of business processes is one of the key objectives of Rosneft-2030 Strategy. The Company is persistently introducing advanced technological solutions to analyze large amounts of data for improving the efficiency in all its business areas. Specialized IT-Marathons help Rosneft address real operational tasks in co-operation with high-skilled people.

In 2022 RN-BashNIPIneft Research Institute held four contests for students and IT specialists with a total of more than 2,300 people participating. This is twice as many as in 2021. The geography of the participants covers more than 130 cities and 12 countries.

The priority of the IT-Marathon is to address problems using advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence tools. The solutions gained at the contest are integrated into Rosneft software used for hydrocarbon exploration and production.

As part of the country universities hackathon, its participants were doing correlation and cluster data analysis and making machine learning models. The obtained solutions will be used for making geological models and identifying methods of oil production. Daniil Raspopin, the winner of the hackathon from Kursk, got a job offer from RN-BashNIPIneft, and so now he is involved in the institute’s projects of data analysis and machine learning.

Participants of the hackathon for robotics programmers were solving a task of robotizing the study of core, – which means “samples of rock”. The best approaches and methods used for solving this task are now planned to be employed in the modernization project of RN-BashNIPIneft laboratory complex.

This year the tasks of the two biggest IT-Marathon contests – Rosneft Challenge I and Rosneft Challenge II – were around the subject of oilfield development optimization. Their first task was about predicting electrical submersible pump failures, and the second task was about optimizing well operations. The solutions presented by the participants will be used in the high-tech software line developed in the Company.

Details about the IT-Marathon are available at: https://events.rn.digital/

*Hackathon is a competition at which specialists from different software development areas together solve some problem for time.

Note:

RN-BashNIPIneft LLC is the Rosneft largest research and design institute and a center of the Company’s high-tech corporate software development.

Rosneft
Information Division
December 5, 2022

MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft enterprises awarded the highest prize of the “100 Best Products of Russia” competition

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In 2022, the highest award “Quality Leader” of the “100 Best Products of Russia” Program competition in the nomination “Products for industrial and technical purposes” was awarded to three enterprises. Two of them – Saratov Oil Refinery and Angarsk Polymer Plant – are part of Rosneft Oil Company.

The “Quality Leader” prize is awarded to a manufacturer that consistently produces high-quality and safe products for consumers or provides high-quality and safe services.

The products of the Company’s enterprises were also awarded high prizes: the ecological class K5 motor gasoline of the AI-95-K5 “Euro 6” brand produced by the Saratov Oil Refinery was recognized as a laureate of the competition and awarded the honorary diploma “Golden Hundred”. The gold badge and the title of laureate were received by foamed polystyrene and high-pressure polyethylene produced by the Angarsk Polymer Plant. Technical ethylbenzene and petroleum benzene will be marked with a silver logo.

Ensuring the highest quality standards for manufactured products is the Company’s top priority. In 2018, Rosneft was the first in Russia to start producing Euro 6 gasoline with improved environmental characteristics. Euro 6 motor gasoline contains less sulfur, benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons, which helps reduce corrosion activity and leads to a decrease in the toxicity of exhaust gases.

The commercial output of the Angarsk Polymer Plant serves as the basis for the production of a wide range of products at Russian enterprises. Technical ethylbenzene is used to produce styrene and is used in organic synthesis. Petroleum benzene is used to obtain synthetic rubbers, plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, surface-active substances (SAS) and medicinal substances. Expandable polystyrene is used to manufacture heat and sound insulation boards, car components, various types of packaging and building materials. High-density polyethylene serves as the basis for the production of various types of film, and is used in electrical insulation and chemical production.

Reference:

Saratov Oil Refinery is the main producer of petroleum products in the Saratov Region. The range of products includes motor gasolines, including Euro 6 gasoline with improved environmental and operational characteristics, diesel fuel, road and roofing bitumen, marine fuel, technical sulfur and other petroleum products. Saratov Oil Refinery is a laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize in the field of quality.

JSC “AZP” is one of the largest industrial enterprises of the Russian Federation in the field of petrochemistry. The production capacities of the enterprise include installations for the production of high-pressure polyethylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, polystyrene, foaming benzene, purified pyrocondensate and ethylene evaporation, fraction of liquid pyrolysis products. The total production volume of the enterprise is more than 730 thousand tons per year. The accumulated processing volume of the Angarsk Polymer Plant is 25 million tons of raw materials.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 20, 2022

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

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

http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/212913/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Orenburgneft successfully tested the intelligent video surveillance system at production facilities

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Specialists from Orenburgneft, which is part of Rosneft’s production unit, have successfully tested an innovative domestic video surveillance system using machine learning and artificial intelligence technology. The system’s task is to monitor and control the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by employees on the territory of production facilities.

Digitalization in all areas of the Company’s activities is one of the key objectives of the Rosneft-2030 strategy. The introduction of digital technologies increases the efficiency and speed of decision-making throughout the entire production chain.

The intelligent video surveillance system made it possible to monitor the use of individual and collective PPE by workers at the production facility in real time. When violations are detected, the system automatically takes a screenshot of the frame and highlights the area of the violation in color. This information is sent to the responsible specialist, as well as to the data storage cloud.

Video analytics is one of the most promising areas of digitalization of business processes based on machine vision technologies. Orenburgneft plans to use these technologies at production facilities to improve industrial safety.

Reference:

Orenburgneft is one of the largest production assets of Rosneft in the Volga Federal District. Cumulative production is more than 450 million tons of oil.

To improve the efficiency of business processes, the company actively implements software packages from domestic manufacturers, including those developed by Rosneft research institutes. Since 2014, Orenburgneft has implemented about 50 software products of Russian manufacture.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 26, 2022

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

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

http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/212989/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Why a portrait of a former NRL great could spark greater concussion awareness in Australia

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Townsend, Research Fellow, UQ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland

A new portrait of NRL legend Wally Lewis conveys a striking message about the consequences of brain trauma in sport.

The portrait, created by visual artist Jamie van Leeuwen in cooperation with Lewis, is currently entered in the 2024 Brisbane Portrait Prize.

It uses artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional photography to depict Lewis contemplating his own brain, prompting viewers to consider the consequences of athletes subjecting their bodies (and brains) to a lifetime of physical trauma in contact sports.

It further suggests that art has an important role to play in science communication.

Heavy lies the crown

Lewis is one of Queensland’s most beloved figures and one of Australia’s greatest rugby league players.

His intelligence was matched by a rugged playing style. He thrilled crowds by appearing to relish hard tackles and seeking confrontation.

Lewis’ State of Origin performances for Queensland, the Australian representative team, and multiple clubs earned him the nickname “The King” and the “Emperor of Lang Park,” where he is celebrated with a life-size statue.

In short, it is difficult to overstate the affection many Queenslanders have for Lewis and the magnitude of his reputation in the Australian rugby league community.

The King speaks

Although rugby league gave a lot to Lewis, it also took a heavy toll.

After retiring he moved into broadcasting, becoming the long-term sports anchor for Channel Nine in Queensland.

In late 2006, he had two successive epileptic episodes on live television.

Following the second episode, Lewis announced publicly that he had been diagnosed with epilepsy during his playing career but hid the condition for decades. He further revealed his epilepsy was caused by repeated concussions.

Wally Lewis has spoken out about his epilepsy struggles.

More recently, Lewis has become one of the most prominent figures in the broader conversation around brain trauma in sport, particularly following his 2023 diagnosis of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES), the symptomatic precursor of the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

This diagnosis is likely linked to his lifetime accumulation of brain trauma in rugby league.

Who is listening?

Many Australian sports and athletes are being impacted by concussion, with a cacophony of experts and advocates attempting to make themselves heard.

Scientists, researchers, doctors, athletes, parents, families, and politicians are all straining to communicate the potentially serious consequences of brain trauma to the sporting public.

This portrait of Lewis cuts through the noise and conveys a complex and sometimes controversial narrative: the neurological consequences of contact sport can outweigh its benefits.

This is a particularly fraught conversation in light of a recent study that argued the opposite.

The King’s Battle

The portrait conveys the duality of contact sport in an instant.

As the artist states, the meaning of the piece is “about legacy […] both sides of legacy.”

Lewis’ successes are evidenced by the 1987 Maroons jersey he wears and the crown atop his head.

The costs are equally visible.

His wearied expression, the blood and grime on his collar and the disembodied brain resting in his palms prompt the viewer to imagine Lewis’s thoughts.

Is he re-imagining past victories? Planning an uncertain future? Harbouring fears for his fellow athletes?

After viewing the image for the first time, Lewis said:

It pretty much tells the story straight away […] there is great hope in the future that I’m going to be able to deal with some of the difficulties.

The image is emotionally freighted in a way that researchers and medical practitioners usually try to avoid, particularly in discussions about sports concussion where advocates for player safety have been accused of being overly emotional or scare-mongering.

The King’s Battle reminds us brain trauma is an emotional issue as much as a scientific one.

As ANU science media researcher Matt Ventresca says, some of the most effective advocates for player welfare are former and current athletes who “in the absence of scientific certainty, express fear about the health of their brains.”

Art and the future of science

Arts and science are often viewed as contradictory, but creative expressions like The King’s Battle should play a role in science communication.

Think Susan Sontag’s brilliant essay Illness as Metaphor or the haunting lyrical description of cancer in Blood by Australian band The Middle East.

“Blood”, by Australian indie band The Middle East, became the band’s signature song.

The concussion crisis is a potent space for artistic representation – the 2015 film Concussion starring Will Smith is a landmark in public perceptions of brain trauma in sport.

The upcoming ABC television program Plum also tells the story of a brain damaged former sports star.

A 2024 portrait of former Australian NFL player Colin Scotts shows the consequences of a life in contact sport.

Artistic representations such as The King’s Battle are important because they bring home the consequences of brain trauma in ways that traditional science communication struggles to achieve.

It reminds us that understanding the emotion of health is just as important as understanding its scientific and medical aspects.

For CTE researchers, van Leeuwen’s portrait also carries abstract echoes of another hope for the future.

His use of AI technology to disembody Lewis’ brain in the artwork is reminiscent of current methods of CTE diagnosis: post-mortem removal and dissection of the brain.

The difference in The King’s Battle is that Lewis can look on the damage done to his brain while still very much alive.

In much the same way, we hope in the near future that technological advances will allow us to see CTE in the brains of living athletes and help them to live better lives with the disease.

Alan Pearce is currently unfunded. Alan is a non-executive director for the Concussion Legacy Foundation (unpaid position) and Adjunct research manager for the Australian Sports Brain Bank (unpaid position). He has previously received funding from Erasmus+ strategic partnerships program (2019-1-IE01-KA202-051555), Sports Health Check Charity (Australia), Australian Football League, Impact Technologies Inc., and Samsung Corporation, and is remunerated for expert advice to medico-legal practices.

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

– ref. Why a portrait of a former NRL great could spark greater concussion awareness in Australia – https://theconversation.com/why-a-portrait-of-a-former-nrl-great-could-spark-greater-concussion-awareness-in-australia-238882

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Large-capacity equipment for gasoline production delivered to Ryazan Oil Refinery

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Large-tonnage equipment – two reactors for the gasoline catalytic reforming unit – was delivered to the production site of the Ryazan Oil Refinery Company (part of Rosneft). The reactors are 6.5 and 7.5 meters high, respectively, and weigh 30.7 and 39.1 tons. The reactors were delivered to the plant by specialized motor transport. The equipment was designed and manufactured at a Russian enterprise.

The catalytic reforming unit plays an important role in the production of high-octane gasoline of the Euro-5 environmental class. The plant produces up to 300 thousand tons of stable catalysate annually.

Replacing the reactors at the plant will allow the production of a catalyst with a higher octane number (96 or more) and will also increase the catalyst’s regeneration life, which will further improve the quality of the gasoline produced.

Ryazan Oil Refinery is implementing a large-scale investment program to modernize production, aimed at increasing the depth and volume of processing, improving operational efficiency, environmental and industrial safety. The projects implemented within the program allow the plant to produce gasolines with improved environmental and operational properties – Euro 6, AI-100, as well as low-sulfur marine fuel. The use of digital technologies has made it possible to automate the management of technological processes and industrial safety systems at the main technological units of the enterprise.

Reference:

JSC Ryazan Oil Refining Company is one of the four largest oil refineries in Russia in terms of refining volumes and range of products.

RNPK produces a wide range of high-quality petroleum products, including motor gasolines with improved environmental characteristics, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, road and construction bitumen, etc.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 16, 2022

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

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

http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/212909/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: HK to attract new batch of key enterprises: financial chief

Source: China State Council Information Office

Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Paul Chan said on Sunday that the HKSAR government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises will announce next month a list of more than 10 enterprises that will establish a foothold in Hong Kong.

These enterprises are from the Chinese mainland, the United States, Europe and other places, with more than half of them specializing in artificial intelligence and big data. Some of them are leading enterprises in their fields.

Chan said that entering the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall market atmosphere has improved significantly. From September to last Friday, the average daily turnover was about 192 billion HK dollars (about 24.72 billion U.S. dollars), which was double of that in August.

Chan said that the continuous reform and innovation of Hong Kong’s listing system over a past period of time have enhanced Hong Kong stock market’s attractiveness and vitality.

In 2018, Hong Kong allowed pre-revenue/pre-profit biotechnology companies, and new economy companies with different share structures, to list in Hong Kong.

There are more than 330 new economy companies listed in Hong Kong. Although they only account for about 30 percent of the listed companies, their total market value exceeded 9.6 trillion HK dollars, accounting for more than 26 percent of the total market value of Hong Kong stocks and accounting for nearly 23 percent of the average daily trading volume of Hong Kong stocks. This has brought the Hong Kong stock market to a new level.

Last year, Hong Kong further introduced a special listing rule for specialist technology companies to support these companies to raise funds.

These reforms have made Hong Kong a preferred listing destination for many tech companies, Chan said.

At the end of this month, Chan will lead a delegation from the financial and innovation sectors to the Middle East to promote Hong Kong’s latest development as an international financial, trade and innovation center, Hong Kong’s unique advantages and functions under “one country, two systems,” as well as new opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. (1 HK dollar equals 0.13 U.S. dollars)

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Members underline need for services trade to be inclusive

Source: World Trade Organization

Follow-up to outcomes of ministerial conferences

At the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in February 2024, ministers stressed that services generate more than two-thirds of global economic output and account for over half of all jobs. They also emphasized the importance of advancing work on trade in services at the WTO. Stemming from this, the Council agreed to hold an informal discussion on the WTO-World Bank report entitled “Trade in Services for Development“. The ministerial mandate on the WTO’s work on trade in services can be found in paragraph 18 of the MC13 Declaration.

Several members also expressed an interest in exploring the interplay between services trade and the green transition. The WTO’s Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States announced that it is working on updating the note entitled “Vulnerable ACP State services sectors impacted in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic” submitted in 2021. A suggestion was made to hold a workshop on crisis preparedness in response to the MC13 mandate.

Participation of LDCs in services trade

The WTO LDC Group presented to the Council a new questionnaire that aims to assess how LDC services suppliers are working with consumers and enterprises, particularly in the member economies that have notified preferences for LDCs, with the aim of identifying the challenges they may face.

Members reaffirmed their commitment to increasing the participation of LDCs in global services trade in line with the MC12 Outcome Document and the MC13 Declaration. They reiterated their continued support for putting the Services Waiver into practice as a means of reaching this goal. The waiver was formalized by a decision adopted at the 2011 Ministerial Conference. Preferences for LDC services and service suppliers have been notified by 51 WTO members under the waiver. Members’ notifications can be found here.

A total of 35 WTO members are classified as LDCs.

Work Programme on E-commerce

Some members proposed that the Council complement the work done in the General Council’s dedicated discussions on e-commerce in light of its services-trade focus. Some of the issues suggested for discussion include trade in digitally delivered services, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and financial inclusion.

The importance of making digital trade more inclusive and of boosting the participation of developing economies in e-commerce was also highlighted.

Services trade concerns

Members discussed three previously addressed specific trade concerns involving cybersecurity measures and mobile applications, among other services-related topics.

Japan and the United States, supported by several other members, reiterated concerns about the cybersecurity measures of China and Viet Nam. China repeated concerns with certain services measures of the United States. China also reiterated its concerns regarding India’s measures in relation to mobile applications.

Trade in financial services

Crisis preparedness

In the Committee on Trade and Financial Services, Pakistan underscored the important role played by financial services in supporting crisis management frameworks. It stressed that the capacities of developing economies in this area should be reinforced, as mandated by ministers at MC13 (see paragraph 21 of the Ministerial Declaration). Members expressed readiness to look into ways of discussing this.

The Committee is one of the Services Council’s subsidiary bodies.

Facilitating electronic payments

Introducing a new proposal, China said that developing economies lack an effective infrastructure and regulatory framework to keep up with international organizations and governments in terms of making online payments more secure. Given that emerging technologies are heavily impacting international economic activities, China suggested a discussion on the WTO’s role in facilitating the expansion of electronic payments across economies.

The proposal will be discussed at the next Committee meeting in December.

Reducing the cost of remittance services

Members were unable to reach consensus on establishing a work programme on reducing the cost of remittance services in the Committee – as proposed by India in a communication dated 8 March – but there was support among members for exploring how the WTO can complement discussions in other international fora.

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MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Mahnomen County Airport

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Mahnomen County Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $203,400 to start Phase 1 of the Runway 17/35 improvement project. Improvements include updating the existing lighting and rehabilitating 3,400 feet of paved runway.
“Mahnomen County Airport is an essential link for area residents and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will make needed infrastructure updates to ensure the airport can continue serving travelers for years to come.”
“I’m glad to see the Biden-Harris administration once again delivering for travelers in Minnesota and around the country,” said Smith. “Small and regional airports like the Mahnomen County Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards rehabilitating the runway to ensure it is safe for passengers and crew.”
This funding is from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Crookston Municipal Airport

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Crookston Municipal Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $455,192 for a new 418 foot taxiway to provide airfield access to the site of a future hangar to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction.
“Crookston Municipal Airport is an essential link for residents and businesses in Polk County and beyond,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will make needed infrastructure updates to ensure the airport can continue serving travelers for years to come.”
“I’m glad to see the Biden-Harris administration once again delivering for travelers in Minnesota and around the country,” said Smith. “Small and regional airports like the Crookston Municipal Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards making much needed infrastructure updates to the runway and surrounding areas.”
This funding is from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: XEC is now in Australia. Here’s what we know about this hybrid COVID variant

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University

Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock

Over the nearly five years since COVID first emerged, you’d be forgiven if you’ve lost track of the number of new variants we’ve seen. Some have had a bigger impact than others, but virologists have documented thousands.

The latest variant to make headlines is called XEC. This omicron subvariant has been reported predominantly in the northern hemisphere, but it has now been detected in Australia too.

So what do we know about XEC?

Is COVID still a thing?

People are now testing for COVID less and reporting it less. Enthusiasm to track the virus is generally waning.

Nonetheless, Australia is still collecting and reporting COVID data. Although the number of cases is likely to be much higher than the number documented (around 275,000 so far this year), we can still get some idea of when we’re seeing significant waves, compared to periods of lower activity.

Australia saw its last COVID peak in June 2024. Since then cases have been on the decline.

But SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, is definitely still around.

Which variants are circulating now?

The main COVID variants circulating currently around the world include BA.2.86, JN.1, KP.2, KP.3 and XEC. These are all descendants of omicron.

The XEC variant was first detected in Italy in May 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated it as a variant “under monitoring” in September.

Since its detection, XEC has spread to more than 27 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. As of mid-September, the highest numbers of cases have been identified in countries including the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Denmark.

XEC is currently making up around 20% of cases in Germany, 12% in the UK and around 6% in the US.

The virus behind COVID continues to evolve.
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better/Pexels

Although XEC remains a minority variant globally, it appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants. We don’t know why yet, but reports suggest it may be able to spread more easily than other variants.

For this reason, it’s predicted XEC could become the dominant variant worldwide in the coming months.

How about in Australia?

The most recent Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report noted there has been an increasing proportion of XEC sequenced recently.

In Australia, 329 SARS-CoV-2 sequences collected from August 26 to September 22 have been uploaded to AusTrakka, Australia’s national genomics surveillance platform for COVID.

The majority of sequences (301 out of 329, or 91.5%) were sub-lineages of JN.1, including KP.2 (17 out of 301) and KP.3 (236 out of 301). The remaining 8.5% (28 out of 329) were recombinants consisting of one or more omicron sub-lineages, including XEC.

Estimates based on data from GISAID, an international repository of viral sequences, suggests XEC is making up around 5% of cases in Australia, or 16 of 314 samples sequenced.

Queensland reported the highest rates in the past 30 days (8%, or eight of 96 sequences), followed by South Australia (5%, or five out of 93), Victoria (5%, or one of 20) and New South Wales (3%, or two of 71). WA recorded zero sequences out of 34. No data were available for other states and territories.

What do we know about XEC? What is a recombinant?

The XEC variant is believed to be a recombinant descendant of two previously identified omicron subvariants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Recombinant variants form when two different variants infect a host at the same time, which allows the viruses to switch genetic information. This leads to the emergence of a new variant with characteristics from both “parent” lineages.

KS.1.1 is one of the group commonly known as “FLiRT” variants, while, KP.3.3 is one of the “FLuQE” variants. Both of these variant groups have contributed to recent surges in COVID infections around the world.

The WHO’s naming conventions for new COVID variants often use a combination of letters to denote new variants, particularly those that arise from recombination events among existing lineages. The “X” typically indicates a recombinant variant (as with XBB, for example), while the letters following it identify specific lineages.

We know very little so far about XEC’s characteristics specifically, and how it differs from other variants. But there’s no evidence to suggest symptoms will be more severe than with earlier versions of the virus.

What we do know is what mutations this variant has. In the S gene that encodes for the spike protein we can find a T22N mutation (inherited from KS.1.1) as well as Q493E (from KP.3.3) and other mutations
known to the omicron lineage.

Will vaccines still work well against XEC?

The most recent surveillance data doesn’t show any significant increase in COVID hospitalisations. This suggests the current vaccines still provide effective protection against severe outcomes from circulating variants.

As the virus continues to mutate, vaccine companies will continue to update their vaccines. Both Pfizer and Moderna have updated vaccines to target the JN.1 variant, which is a parent strain of the FLiRT variants and therefore should protect against XEC.

However, Australia is still waiting to hear which vaccines may become available to the public and when.

In the meantime, omicron-based vaccines such as the the current XBB.1.5 spikevax (Moderna) or COMIRNATY (Pfizer) are still likely to provide good protection from XEC.

It’s hard to predict how XEC will behave in Australia as we head into summer. We’ll need more research to understand more about this variant as it spreads. But given XEC was first detected in Europe during the northern hemisphere’s summer months, this suggests XEC might be well suited to spreading in warmer weather.

Lara Herrero receives funding from NHMRC.

– ref. XEC is now in Australia. Here’s what we know about this hybrid COVID variant – https://theconversation.com/xec-is-now-in-australia-heres-what-we-know-about-this-hybrid-covid-variant-239292

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: 71% of Australian uni staff are using AI. What are they using it for? What about those who aren’t?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Hay, Senior Lecturer, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University

Yanz Island/Shutterstock

Since ChatGPT was released at the end of 2022, there has been a lot of speculation about the actual and potential impact of generative AI on universities.

Some studies have focused on students’ use of AI. There has also been research on what it means for teaching and assessment.

But there has been no large-scale research on how university staff in Australia are using AI in their work.

Our new study surveyed more than 3,000 academic and professional staff at Australian universities about how they are using generative AI.

Our study

Our survey was made up of 3,421 university staff, mostly from 17 universities around Australia.

It included academics, sessional academics (who are employed on a session-by-session basis) and professional staff. It also included adjunct staff (honorary academic positions) and senior staff in executive roles.

Academic staff represented a wide range of disciplines including health, education, natural and physical sciences, and society and culture. Professional staff worked in roles such as research support, student services and marketing.

The average age of respondents was 44.8 years and more than half the sample was female (60.5%).

The survey was open online for around eight weeks in 2024.

We surveyed academic and professional staff at universities around Australia.
Panitan/Shutterstock

Most university staff are using AI

Overall, 71% of respondents said they had used generative AI for their university work.

Academic staff were more likely to use AI (75%) than professional staff (69%) or sessional staff (62%). Senior staff were the most likely to use AI (81%).

Among academic staff, those from information technology, engineering, and management and commerce were most likely to use AI. Those from agriculture and environmental studies, and natural and physical sciences, were least likely to use it.

Professional staff in business development, and learning and teaching support, were the most likely to report using AI. Those working in finance and procurement, and legal and compliance areas, were least likely to use AI.

Given how much publicity and debate there has been about AI in the past two years, the fact that nearly 30% of university staff had not used AI suggests adoption is still at an early stage.

What tools are staff using?

Survey respondents were asked which AI tools they had used in the previous year. They reported using 216 different AI tools, which was many more than we anticipated.

Around one-third of those using AI had only used one tool, and a further quarter had used two. A small number of staff (around 4%) had used ten tools or more.

General AI tools were by far the most frequently reported. For example, ChatGPT was used by 88% of AI users and Microsoft Copilot by 37%.

University staff are also commonly using AI tools with specific purposes such as image creation, coding and software development, and literature searching.

We also asked respondents how frequently they used AI for a range of university tasks. Literature searching, writing and summarising information were the most common, followed by course development, teaching methods and assessment.

ChatGPT was the most common generative AI tool used by our respondents.
Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock

Why aren’t some staff using AI?

We asked staff who had not yet used AI for work to explain their thinking. The most common reason they gave was AI was not useful or relevant to their work. For example, one professional staff member stated:

While I have explored a couple of chat tools (Chat GPT and CoPilot) with work-related questions, I’ve not needed to really apply these tools to my work yet […].

Others said they weren’t familiar with the technology, were uncertain about its use or didn’t have time to engage. As one academic told us plainly, “I don’t feel confident enough yet”.

Ethical objections to AI

Others raised ethical objections or viewed the technology as untrustworthy and unreliable. As one academic told us:

I consider generative AI to be a tool of plagiarism. The uses to date, especially in the creative industries […] have involved machine learning that uses the creative works of others without permission.

They also also raised about AI undermining human activities such as writing, critical thinking and creativity – which they saw as central to their professional identities. As one sessional academic said:

I want to think things through myself rather than trying to have a computer think for me […].

Another academic echoed:

I believe that writing and thinking is fundamental to the work we do. If we’re not doing that, then […] why do we need to exist as academics?

How should universities respond?

Universities are at a crucial juncture with generative AI. They face an uneven uptake of the technology by staff in different roles and divided opinions on how universities should respond.

These different views suggest universities need to have a balanced response to AI that addresses both the benefits and concerns around this technology.

Despite differing opinions in our survey, there was still agreement among respondents that universities need to develop clear, consistent policies and guidelines to help staff use AI. Staff also said it was crucial for universities to prioritise staff training and invest in secure AI tools.

Alicia Feldman receives an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and Fee Offset.

Paula McDonald receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

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

– ref. 71% of Australian uni staff are using AI. What are they using it for? What about those who aren’t? – https://theconversation.com/71-of-australian-uni-staff-are-using-ai-what-are-they-using-it-for-what-about-those-who-arent-240337

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Provides More Than $20 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors, Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations Continue in North Carolina
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Biden-Harris Administration Provides More Than $20 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors, Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations Continue in North Carolina

Biden-Harris Administration Provides More Than $20 Million to Hurricane Helene Survivors, Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations Continue in North Carolina
Today, President Biden will travel to Georgia and Florida to survey damage, meet with local officials, community leaders and first responders

WASHINGTON — As search and rescue, power restoration and communication capabilities remain top priorities throughout the Southeast, FEMA has already helped thousands of Hurricane Helene survivors jumpstart their recoveries with more than $20 million in flexible, upfront funding.

More than 5,000 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed, including more than 1,500 from FEMA. To date, FEMA has shipped over 9.3 million meals, more than 11.2 million liters of water, 150 generators and more than 260,000 tarps to the region.

President Biden has approved a Major Disaster declaration for eight counties in Tennessee. This declaration comes in addition to areas in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Yesterday, the President announced an increase in federal cost share for each state to help state, tribal and local governments and non-profit organizations cover the cost of recovery.

Disaster survivors in declared areas can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in the designated counties should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.

There are three ways apply for FEMA assistance:

Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.

Voluntary organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has more than 850 trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. Additionally, they are helping find loved ones through their helpline 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting the Red Cross Hurricane Helene Reunification page, where you can enter pertinent information about the person you’re looking for. If someone is missing a child related to this disaster or any other incident, they need to call 9-1-1 and then 1-800-THE-LOST to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

People can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mold mitigation with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386. The hotline is open through October 11 and can connect people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and the faith-based community who may be able to assist.

Connectivity is crucial for disaster response and lifesaving operations. With areas still experiencing mass communications outages, it’s critical that local, state and federal first responders can communicate with each other to conduct lifesaving operations like search and rescue. Fortunately, FEMA has resources that can ensure communications support in even the most remote areas affected by Helene.

One of FEMA’s tools for emergency communications is Starlink, a mobile unit that allows customers high-speed internet by connecting to satellites. FEMA has successfully deployed Starlink in previous disasters including Guam, Hawaii and Alaska. Because the unit is portable and weighs less than 15 pounds, FEMA can deliver it to the areas that need it most, bringing connectivity to over 100 users.

Over 60 Starlink units have been sent to multiple states in support of Hurricane Helene response efforts, including 40 units to North Carolina with more on the way. FEMA is in the process of purchasing additional units for use in other areas affected by the storm.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, more than 500 FEMA staff are on the ground in North Carolina, with more arriving daily. over 30 Disaster Survivor Assistance staff are on the ground in affected areas to help survivors to apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Over 38 state and federal Urban Search and Rescue teams are in North Carolina helping people. As of today, these have rescued or supported over 2,100 survivors. Additional federal search and rescue teams have arrived to support the mission.

Wednesday, President Biden visited the state to survey damage and meet with community leaders and state officials. Administrator Criswell remains in North Carolina and will be on the ground until the situation has stabilized.

FEMA has activated Transitional Sheltering Assistance for North Carolinians displaced by Tropical Storm Helene. Residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance.

As of today, more than 70% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Nearly 8,000 crews continue to assist with remaining power restoration efforts.

To date, over 40,000 people have applied for disaster assistance and FEMA has paid out more than $6.2 million in Individual Assistance directly to survivors.

Cellular restoration continues to improve, with less than 38% of cellular sites down as of today. Ten counties have 50% or more cell sites down. Two Federal Communications Commission surveillance teams are conducting inspection operations on equipment in targeted counties. FEMA is boosting response coordination by providing 40 Starlink units to ensure first responders can communicate with each other.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has full mobile cellular service.

Commodity distribution, mass feeding and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA commodity shipments are enroute to support operations.

Voluntary organizations are supporting mass feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft.

The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage.

Twenty-six shelters are housing over 1,000 occupants. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in heavily impacted areas, including 3 mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

The North Carolina National Guard has delivered 12 aircraft pallets, totaling more than 100,000lbs of food and over 38,000lbs of water to Asheville.

Information for Residents
- Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance.
- Residents should not travel to western North Carolina to keep the roadways clear for search and rescue teams and utility crews.
- Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.
Florida

Today, President Biden will visit the state to survey damage and meet with state and local leaders.

On Wednesday, five counties were added to the disaster declaration, bringing the total eligible for Individual Assistance to 22 counties. Survivors in Columbia, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Leon and Suwannee counties may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA specialists are canvassing Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to help survivors apply for assistance. Additionally, FEMA inspectors have begun visiting applicants’ homes to verify disaster-caused damage.

FEMA has received over 85,000 applications for assistance and has provided more than $7.5 million to survivors.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting either debris assessments or water/wastewater assessments across seven counties.

The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage. More than 450 volunteers continue conducting direct emergency feeding and working with feeding partners to provide distribution in support of partner production. Sixteen shelters remain open with less than 475 occupants.

The Salvation Army has active mobile feeding units serving meals and distributing supplies in 13 counties.

Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.

Georgia

Today, President Biden will visit to survey damage in various affected areas of Georgia. On Wednesday, Vice President Harris visited Richmond County to meet with community leaders. On Wednesday, Vice President Harris was in Augusta to survey damage and meet with local officials.

FEMA has received nearly 100,000 applications for assistance. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

The Salvation Army has 26 active mobile feeding units providing meals and support to 10 counties in the affected areas.

The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage. The organization continues to conduct direct emergency feeding and working with feeding partners to provide distribution in support of partner production. Two new shelters opened yesterday, totaling 10 shelters with over 500 occupants.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene.

South Carolina

Today, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Region 10 Regional Administrator Willie Nunn is on the ground to help oversee response and recovery operations in the state.

In South Carolina, FEMA has received over 88,000 applications and distributed more than $4.4 million to survivors.

The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage. One shelter closed yesterday. Nine shelters remain open with less than 175 occupants.

Team Rubicon is continuing to route clearance operations in Spartanburg County and continues planning for clearing other areas.

The state has established a Mass Feeding Task Force to include multiple voluntary agencies. Three Salvation Army mobile feeding units are in hard hit areas. FEMA is supporting the state’s feeding mission with Meals Ready to Eat and drinking water.

Information for Residents
- Residents with questions on Hurricane Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133.
- Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.
Virginia

Several federal agencies, including FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, are already in Virginia and working hard with their counterparts with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and other state agencies. Priorities include coordinating the removal of debris and restoration of critical infrastructure.

Today, the first Disaster Survivor Assistance staff will start working on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties. These teams help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents of Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties, as well as residents of the city of Galax, are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses due to Tropical Storm Helene.

Tennessee

On Wednesday, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state. This includes individual assistance for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.

Individual Assistance provides money to survivors for serious needs, including food, gas and medication. It also provides money for the repair and/or replacement of personal property and repairs to a disaster-damaged home.

Shelter and mass feeding operations have expanded with support from National Guard, delivering food to Unicoi, Washington and Carter counties via aircraft.

Ten shelters remain open with decreasing populations, as people are able to safely return home.

Power and cellular restoration continues to improve. Power has been restored to nearly all customers and less than 13% of cellular sites are down across the affected area.

Information for Residents
- Residents can call 1-800-824-3463 to report a missing person. Callers should be prepared to provide as much information as possible including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known whereabouts.
- Counties have started establishing donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA’s website.
mashana.davis
Thu, 10/03/2024 – 14:42

MIL OSI USA News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Translation: Trip to Berlin as part of the Global Dialogue.

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

President Emmanuel Macron visited Berlin this Wednesday for the Berlin Global Dialogue.

During this new trip to Germany, the 4th since the beginning of the year, the Head of State spoke with Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, with whom he discussed issues related to the European agenda and international news.

On the site of the European School of Management and Technology, which is hosting this second edition of the Berlin Global Dialogue, the President of the Republic spoke with stakeholders in artificial intelligence following up on the work initiated at the Fraunhofer Institute during the state visit to Germany last May.

He also spoke in plenary session on the challenges of European competitiveness and the place of the European Union in a multipolar world.

Review your speech:

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

MIL Translation OSI

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Employers Holdings, Inc. Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Employers Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:EIG) today announced that it will release its third quarter 2024 financial results after market close on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, after which these materials will be available on the Company’s website at http://www.employers.com through the “Investors” link.

Conference Call Details
The Company will then review these financial results via a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT.

To participate in the live conference call, you must first register here. Once registered you will receive dial-in numbers and a unique PIN number. The webcast will be accessible on the Company’s website at http://www.employers.com through the “Investors” link.

An archived version of the webcast will be accessible on the Company’s website following the live call.

© 2024 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved.

EMPLOYERS® and America’s small business insurance specialist® are registered trademarks of EIG Services, Inc. Employers Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers’ compensation insurance and services focused on small and select businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The Company operates throughout the United States, with the exception of four states that are served exclusively by their state funds. Insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, Employers Assurance Company and Cerity Insurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company. Not all companies do business in all jurisdictions. See http://www.employers.com and http://www.cerity.com for coverage availability.

Contact:
Michael Paquette (775) 327-2562 or mpaquette@employers.com

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Talen Energy Purchases TeraWulf’s Minority Share in Nautilus Cryptomine

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talen Energy Corporation (“Talen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TLN), an independent power producer dedicated to powering the future, announced today that it has completed a transaction with TeraWulf Inc. (“TeraWulf”) to purchase TeraWulf’s interest in Nautilus Cryptomine (“Nautilus”), a 200-megawatt bitcoin mining facility in Berwick, Pa. As a result of the transaction, Talen now owns 100% of Nautilus.

“We are pleased to complete this strategic transaction,” said Cole Muller, Executive Vice President -Strategic Ventures. “The transaction allows Talen the ability to reset a legacy below-market power purchase agreement and provides us with increased flexibility as we explore strategic alternatives in order to maximize the value per megawatt for our Susquehanna nuclear generation facility.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Talen has purchased TeraWulf’s 25% share in Nautilus and obtained full control of the legacy power purchase agreement, for total consideration of $85 million cash along with select physical assets used in the bitcoin mining operation.

About Talen

Talen Energy (NASDAQ: TLN) is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own and operate approximately 10.7 gigawatts of power infrastructure in the United States, including 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power and a significant dispatchable fossil fleet. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale U.S. power markets, with our generation fleet principally located in the Mid-Atlantic and Montana. Our team is committed to generating power safely and reliably, delivering the most value per megawatt produced and driving the energy transition. Talen is also powering the digital infrastructure revolution. We are well-positioned to capture this significant growth opportunity, as data centers serving artificial intelligence increasingly demand more reliable, clean power. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/.

Investor Relations:
Ellen Liu
Senior Director, Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@talenenergy.com

Media:
Taryne Williams
Director, Corporate Communications
Taryne.Williams@talenenergy.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this communication, or incorporated by reference into this communication, are forward-looking statements. Throughout this communication, we have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions or the negative thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. Forward-looking statements address future2 events and conditions concerning, among other things capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, regulatory matters, hedging, liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future business, financial condition, results of operations or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this communication. All of our forward-looking statements include assumptions underlying or relating to such statements that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and are subject to numerous factors that present considerable risks and uncertainties.

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power Travels to Lviv and Western Ukraine

Source: USAID

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:‎

Today, Administrator Samantha Power traveled to Western Ukraine. She first visited a substation that provides energy to approximately 500,000 residents in the region and has been targeted in Russian air strikes. The Administrator saw new autotransformers purchased by USAID, and saw how, with USAID support, our Ukrainian partners have installed additional protective measures. The Administrator reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in building its energy resilience and security in the face of Russia’s continued ruthless attacks on energy infrastructure.

Next, Administrator Power traveled to Lviv where she visited the site where eight people were killed in the Russian airstrike in Lviv on September 4 and paid respects at a memorial near their home. She then went to Urban Camp, a hub and community space for internally displaced persons, established by Ukrainian NGO Street Culture and supported by USAID, where she spoke with Lviv Mayor Andriy Ivanovych Sadovy and sat down with displaced Ukrainians to hear about their experiences.

Administrator Power then met with business leaders from Ukraine’s vibrant tech sector at the Lviv IT Cluster, which brings together over 300 technology companies from across Ukraine with USAID support. The IT Cluster leadership explained the enormous progress and potential of Ukraine’s tech sector as well as the challenges they’re facing because of Putin’s war on Ukraine. The group discussed joint work to expand private sector investment in Ukraine and Administrator Power emphasized that strengthening the resilience of economic sectors such as IT is a critical component of USAID’s assistance to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion and revitalizes its economy.

The Administrator concluded her visit with a tour of the historic city with the Mayor of Lviv Andriy Ivanovych Sadovyi.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: USAID Launches New Window of $50 Million for EDGE Fund to Boost Innovation through Private Sector Partnerships

Source: USAID

USAID announced a new $50 million round of funding for the USAID’s EDGE Fund. The EDGE Fund enables USAID Missions worldwide to leverage private sector expertise, networks and supply chains to drive sustainable and scalable solutions to global challenges.

Recognizing that the needs faced by communities around the globe are simply too large for governments and donors to tackle alone, USAID engages a wide range of partners in its work, most notably the private sector. The EDGE Fund supports the most catalytic types of private sector partnerships in which there is significant alignment between the commercial interests of our private sector partners, the development objectives of the Agency, and development needs of local populations, ensuring continued private sector investment into targeted communities well into the future.

Through prior rounds of EDGE funding, USAID is investing $100 million and is leveraging over $280 million from the private sector to implement solutions that could unlock upwards of $2 billion in mobilized investments for sustainable development. Through collaborations with over 80 private sector partners, the EDGE Fund is advancing market-led solutions that address conflict, displacement, and food insecurity; accelerate inclusive economic growth; tackle the climate crisis; and combat political repression and corruption.

This new $50 million third round of funding, brings total USAID investment through the EDGE Fund to $150 million.

Prospective partners can submit Expressions of Interest on the EDGE Fund page.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at a Press Gaggle in Lviv

Source: USAID

ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: I just met with a great group of Ukrainians here at the IT Cluster. This is an innovation hub supported by the Government of Ukraine and by USAID. I have learned from Ukrainian entrepreneurs, and I’ll just give you one example of the kinds of innovations that are happening.

Knopka is a member of the IT Cluster here that is revolutionizing medical alert systems. Traditionally, medical alert systems are not wireless. This matters for Ukraine because they would not work during power outages. Power outages have been a real issue for hospitals during the war. So, one Ukrainian entrepreneur here developed a system called “Knopka”. If anything abnormal happens with a patient’s vital signs or the patient indicates that they need care, Knopka sends an alert out to doctors’ and nurses’ phones using cellular data. As long as their phones have some charge left. These doctors and nurses know exactly where to go and who to help us, even when there is no power during the blackout. Knopka technology is 30 percent cheaper than other medical alert systems. While those other systems can often take weeks or even months to install, Knopke’s technology can be installed in just one day.

Supported by USAID, Knopka is growing fast. It has already been installed in 30 hospitals in Ukraine and one in Poland, and now Knopka is in talks with hospitals and clinics in Canada and the United States. Those hospitals and clinics are considering acquiring its system, too. Just in the past six months, Knopka’s workforce has expanded from 20 to 35 employees. Knopka’s Founder and CEO said, “Despite the challenges of war, we demonstrate Ukraine’s capacity for innovation and the talent behind it.”

So, it is this capacity for innovation that has driven Ukraine’s ability to retain business despite being more than two and a half years into Putin’s brutal invasion. In the tech sector alone, 95 percent of Ukraine’s 5,000 tech companies, including household names like Grammarly and GitLab, have retained their national and global contracts, together powering a full 12 percent of Ukraine’s exports. Since 2022, indeed Ukraine’s tech sector has grown seven percent, contributing $14 billion to Ukraine’s economy.

Ukraine’s business leaders in the tech sector and beyond it, are harnessing their creativity and their resilience to lead the country into the future and at USAID, we have been privileged to do what we can to support that effort. Since 2022, we have directly deployed more than $260 million to support businesses in Ukraine, from relocating and restoring the operations of companies on the front lines, to running reskilling programs to train Ukrainians in high demand trades like construction and transportation, to increasing access for businesses and for startups to affordable financing.

This support has itself unlocked $232 million in new investments to Ukrainian companies. This helps them expand operations, hire Ukrainians, and this investment allows them to provide much needed tax revenue to support Ukraine’s defense.

At the same time, we are working closely with our partners in the Ukrainian government to help them shape the business environment. International businesses describe for us the policy and regulatory reforms that they need to be convinced to invest in Ukraine. So, we are working closely with our partners in the Ukrainian government to improve transparency, to reduce opportunities for self-dealing, and to make the judiciary more independent. All of these are critical steps to building confidence that contracts will be honored and investment regulations will be enforced.

And finally, we are thrilled to be able to support Ukraine’s ambition to become a global leader in e-governance. As all of you Ukrainians here well know, the revolutionary Diia app that we have supported for years makes it possible for Ukrainians to access all kinds of services. It allows Ukrainian entrepreneurs to register companies, apply for permits, begin procurement processes, and more. By registering on the Diia City platform, Ukrainian and international companies alike, can access benefits that incentivize them to do business in Ukraine – benefits like reduced taxation and legal and financing support. In the first quarter of this year alone, businesses registered on Diia’s City have contributed over four billion Hryvni tax revenue to the Government of Ukraine, that is the equivalent of nearly $100 million. And, these are taxes, of course, that can be used to rebuild schools, to heat homes in winter and to fuel Ukraine’s defense.

Businesses, like the ones I met with today, are working to build a future where the ingenuity of the Ukrainian people drives progress. Driving that progress not only here in Ukraine, but in places all around the world that will continue to benefit from the products, services, and ideas developed here.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to your questions.

QUESTION (via translation): How much monetary equivalent has the U.S. government financed in technology in Ukraine and especially western Ukraine?

ADMINISTRATOR POWER: We will have to get back to you with the precise figure, especially with the geographic breakdown that you are looking for. But, I am sure someone on the team can provide that.

QUESTION (via translation): If you think about long term supporting perspective, where does [the] U.S. government see Ukraine in [the] future? Is it technological? Is it [an] agrarian country? Is it a country of construction?

ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you for that question. As someone who works at an Agency that addresses food insecurity all around the world, I know firsthand the terrible harm that Putin caused by preventing Ukrainian agricultural exports from leaving Ukraine. I saw kids in sub-Saharan Africa who were hungrier because the food prices went up so much because Ukrainian agricultural exports were blocked by Putin’s forces. So, we are in awe of Ukraine’s farmers and its innovators who have found a way, despite the war, to increase agricultural exports now basically to their pre-war levels. And, we recognize that Ukraine’s farmers, as is evidenced by Ukraine’s flag, are foundational to this country’s economy. Ukraine’s agriculture is also a huge part of Ukraine’s identity, and it is a huge part of keeping people fed around the world.

But, what is really exciting about what we see in the Lviv IT Cluster is the diversification of Ukraine’s economy. And, seeing the steady growth of IT services as exports in this country, gives us, I think, an indication of where the future can take Ukraine. There are apparently 307,000 tech professionals now in Ukraine, and that is a seven percent increase from last year. Ukraine is becoming famous all around the world for the Diia app. Many citizens in other countries who see the Diia app are very jealous of Ukrainians. The simplicity and the government accountability that makes life better and easier for citizens is something many countries would wish to have. The more people learn in Silicon Valley and elsewhere about the kind of innovation that is happening at a place like this, the more we will see investment and increased exports in IT services.

We are, of course, also seeing a lot of innovation in other manufacturing sectors. Because of Russia’s brutal attacks, Ukraine has had to innovate in the defense sector. Even drones, which are being manufactured now in Ukraine, have broad civilian appeal for farmers and other sectors around the world. Ukraine is a home to many critical minerals that provides economic opportunity in the future. And, of course, as Ukraine shifts its energy economy to renewables, that will be something, I’m sure, of great interest outside this country.

My point is not to specify, again, any particular trajectory for Ukraine. It is simply to take note of the incredible innovation and resources that will power Ukraine’s economy in the future. And, of course, it is young people that will drive even more innovation and more ideas of what can come from Ukraine beyond even what I have mentioned today. When I think of all of the innovation that has occurred in Ukraine, just since the full-scale invasion, I marvel at imagining what this country and the Ukrainian people can do in peacetime. And, now Ukraine is more famous than it was before Putin’s full-scale invasion, for the resilience, but also the creativity and innovation of its people.

QUESTION: Ms. Power, I’m very thankful for your generous support that USAID has been giving to both private sector, state institutions, and civil society in Ukraine for years. But, I wanted to ask – I know that from my own feelings – I see that USAID is an institution that is caring [for] both people. And, besides funding, both in trends and investments, we do need people, and we do understand that Ukraine, for boosting its innovations and its economy, needs [to] bring people back. We have six to seven million abroad, we have people dying on the front line, and we have a very low birth rate. Is it something that is in your concern, and that USAID would think about, and would think of some special projects to help, somehow, help this situation.

ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, this is something, actually, I discussed yesterday with President Zelenskyy. It is absolutely critical for Ukraine’s future that its population here is thriving. It is crucial, for example, that the tech professionals who are being groomed here, see themselves as having a full future here where they don’t feel they need to move to Silicon Valley.

What USAID is doing is looking at many of the reasons that Ukrainians feel compelled to leave. So, one of the things I discussed with the President is the safety of schools. USAID has invested in refurbishing and rendering more secure around 10,000 bunkers in schools. In Kharkiv, we’ve actually been involved in building a school that is entirely underground because of the situation there. So, education is one example where, as we think about where to make our investments, we do so thinking about a parent who wants nothing more in the world than to keep their children safe.

The other core dimension of our work that is designed, of course, to keep people here or to draw people back, is work on helping the economy grow. When people cannot find work, they go to try to find work somewhere else. So, being very specific about which programs can help create jobs for Ukrainians is another example of this kind of work.

But, in the future, when peace comes back to Ukraine, there will be tremendous opportunities for jobs and, of course, for people to experience the safety that they once knew. And, that is when we and the European Union and, of course, the government and the people here will need to be very intentional on how we advertise all the opportunities that will exist in what will then be a stronger economy and a stronger democracy.

This is why the reforms, tackling corruption, strengthening the judiciary, and making the regulatory environment for business more attractive, none of those reforms can wait. And, if that reform effort can continue to progress, it will make Ukraine, on the other side of war, a place that businesses flock to, even more than we are able to get them to come now.

The very last thing I would say is the obvious, which is a huge part of ensuring or increasing the likelihood that people stay in Ukraine is that the 50-country coalition continues to support Ukraine’s defense. And, that is why the very significant defense package that President Biden just announced is an important part of the answer to your question. More air defense means that citizens can feel safer and that they are less likely to leave the country. That is why we, in the United States, understand that attracting people to stay in Ukraine is a whole-of-U.S.-government enterprise.

Thank you.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Cammack & Dunn, Speaker Johnson Visit North Florida Communities Devastated By Hurricane Helene

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

GAINESVILLE, FL — This afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) joined Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL-02) for a visit to the areas in North Central Florida devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The group took an aerial tour of the damage, viewing Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, and Steinhatchee from above. Hurricane Helene made landfall last Thursday evening, dumping heavy rain that generated 18 feet of storm surge along the coastal areas in Florida’s Big Bend region.

The congressional leaders stopped in Steinhatchee to view the damage on the ground and to visit with local leaders who have been working around the clock to aid in initial cleanup efforts. The lawmakers also spoke with members of local, state, and national media, sharing important updates about recovery efforts and what more Congress can and should do to help the communities devastated by the storm.

“I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for visiting some of Florida’s hardest-hit communities today. Seeing the damage and destruction from Hurricane Helene firsthand and hearing directly from the folks who continue to struggle with relief from the federal government was critical, especially because these same communities also endured Hurricane Idalia and Debby in the last 13 months. Some of those very same folks have yet to receive the disaster assistance they applied for,” said Rep. Cammack. “We’re going to continue our efforts to get our region back up and running and I’m grateful for the Speaker’s commitment to this work.”

Speaker Johnson, Rep. Cammack, and Rep. Dunn speak to members of the local, state, and national media about their visit.

Speaker Mike Johnson told members of local, state, and national press during a stop in Steinhatchee: “I think this has been an extraordinary effort by Florida, the state and local officials. It’s just really inspiring to see how well it’s been covered and how much the community is rolling up its sleeves and working together. Here in this community, it would inspire the entire country to see how they’re really banded together. They’re undeterred. This is a very resilient community of people. That’s the best of America. We have this disaster now that’s around the country. We have people in North Carolina still stranded in their homes in the mountains, and people in Georgia and a number of other states that have been terribly affected by this storm. So, Congress is on the ground, the representatives who represent all those districts are there with their constituents, with their people trying to help, and we will do what’s necessary to make sure that Americans are taken care of.”

“North Florida is tough, and the resilience of our communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene continues to inspire. Local leaders, residents, and federal officials have come together with strength and determination, showing the grit and dedication needed to rebuild,” Congressman Neal Dunn said. “I am honored to host Speaker Johnson as we work together, and I am committed to advocating for aid and providing the support our communities need through every step of the recovery process.”

Initial damage estimates from the storm could total over $160B.

For assistance with recovery resources from Hurricane Helene, visit cammack.house.gov or call (352) 505-0838.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Subnet Solutions Inc. PowerSYSTEM Center
News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 7.5
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/Low attack complexity
- Vendor: Subnet Solutions Inc.
- Equipment: PowerSYSTEM Center
- Vulnerabilities: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity, Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker bypassing a proxy, creating a denial-of-service condition, or viewing sensitive information.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of PowerSYSTEM Center are affected:
- PowerSYSTEM Center: PSC 2020 v5.21.x and prior
3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 SERVER-SIDE REQUEST FORGERY (SSRF) CWE-918

Vulnerable versions of PowerSYSTEM Center utilize Axios NPM package 0.21.0, which contains a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability where an attacker is able to bypass a proxy by providing a URL that responds with a redirect to a restricted host or IP address.

CVE-2020-28168 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.2.2 INEFFICIENT REGULAR EXPRESSION COMPLEXITY CWE-1333

Vulnerable versions of PowerSYSTEM Center utilize Axios, which is vulnerable to Inefficient Regular Expression Complexity.

CVE-2021-3749 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.2.3 CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY (CSRF) CWE-352

Vulnerable versions of PowerSYSTEM Center utilize Axios 1.5.1, which can inadvertently reveal the confidential XSRF-TOKEN stored in cookies by including it in the HTTP header X-XSRF-TOKEN for every request made to any host, allowing attackers to view sensitive information.

CVE-2023-45857 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing, Energy
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Canada
3.4 RESEARCHER

Subnet Solutions Inc. reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Subnet Solutions Inc. recommends users update to PowerSYSTEM Center 2020 Update 22, which can be located in the PowerSYSTEM Center by accessing Settings > Overview > Version. Users may also contact Subnet Solution’s Customer Service.

Subnet Solutions Inc. strongly recommends users update to the latest version. If this is not possible, the following paragraphs describe the security control compensation(s), mitigation(s), or workaround(s) available for identified vulnerabilities:
- For all vulnerabilities, users can disable usage of previous UI extensions.
- For CVE-2020-28168 and CVE-2023-45857, users can limit outbound connection requests from the PowerSYSTEM Center security zone to external websites.
- For CVE-2023-45857 and CVE-2021-3749, users can disable PowerSYSTEM Center Client Access Server user’s ability to access the browser’s F12 Developer Tools to limit user ability to see HTTP headers and corresponding XSRF-TOKEN, and to manipulate requests to the PowerSYSTEM Center website.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:
- Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
- Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
- When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY
- October 3, 2024: Initial Publication
MIL OSI USA News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Indiana Seniors Lose Nearly 38-Millon-Dollars to Fraud

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

INDIANAPOLIS, IN—September 29, 2024 – A recent FBI report shows that Indiana seniors lost $37,812,966 to elder fraud schemes in 2023. Indiana ranked 25th on the FBI’s list of 57 scammed states and U.S. territories.

“Elder fraud schemes exploit the trust and goodwill of older Americans, preying on their vulnerabilities. Common scams include lottery scams, romance scams, and phishing schemes that can lead to significant financial losses,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “Fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics so staying informed about the latest scams through events such as this workshop can help protect seniors.”

On October 8, 2024, the Indianapolis FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBIICAAA) will present—AI Isn’t Sci-Fi: Free Fraud Workshop and Luncheon – a community outreach and education event to help curb fraud in Indiana.

“Elder fraud is on the rise, impacting our communities, neighbors, and families. This is one of our organization’s main community outreach priorities for 2024,” said Scott Hainey, FBIICAAA president. “Our goal for this event is to help educate and empower older adults in Central Indiana and their families on how to prevent becoming a victim to a fraud scheme.”

The program’s keynote presenters will be Christopher Knight, forensic accountant with the FBI Indianapolis Field Office, a renowned expert in elder fraud; and Scott Barnhart, director and chief council of consumer protection with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. A panel of experts representing the FBI, Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Secretary of State Office, Medicaid, and the IRS will address audience questions.

Online registration for this free local workshop and luncheon is open until, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, or by phone 317-731-2289. The workshop will be held at Emmanual Church located at 1640 W. Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, Indianapolis, 46143.

AI Isn’t Sci-Fi: Free Fraud Workshop and Luncheon is presented by the FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association; a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI. Workshop partners included Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Alpha Mu Omega Chapter, Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation (INCASE), Emmanuel Church, and Indiana Real Estate Experts.

MIL Security OSI –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, hosted by Lao PDR

Source: ASEAN

At the invitation of H.E. Sonexay Siphandone, Chair of ASEAN for 2024 and Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat’s Delegation to participate in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, including ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, which will convene in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 8-11 October 2024, under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Prior to participating in the ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Dr. Kao will also partake in the 24th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting, ASEAN Investment Forum, ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, 28th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, 35th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and a Special Reception hosted by Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, on 7- 8 October 2024. During his stay in Vientiane, Dr. Kao is scheduled to meet bilaterally with leaders and heads of delegations of ASEAN’s external partners countries and international organizations in order to further strengthen existing cooperation, explore untapped areas of collaboration and advance ASEAN Community building goals. The series of meetings will serve as important platforms to take stock of the progress of ASEAN’s key initiatives, set future priorities and reaffirm ASEAN’s role in fostering regional peace, security, stability, and sustainable economic growth.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, hosted by Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: PP24-2 COM-FSM Visit [Image 7 of 15]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Issued by: on

240909-N-BB269-1105
YAP, Federated States of Micronesia (Sept. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, introduces himself at the College of Micronesia-Fisheries and Maritime Institute during a campus visit with Pacific Partnership 2024-2 mission personnel in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, Sept. 9, 2024. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

Date Taken: 09.09.2024

Date Posted: 10.01.2024 02:12

Photo ID: 8670644

VIRIN: 240909-N-BB269-1105

Resolution: 6977×4656

Size: 937.13 KB

Location: FM

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MIL Security OSI –

January 23, 2025

Date Taken:	09.09.2024
Date Posted:	10.01.2024 02:12
Photo ID:	8670644
VIRIN:	240909-N-BB269-1105
Resolution:	6977×4656
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Category: Machine Learning

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Full details of the £118 million UKRI-EPSRC Healthcare Research and Partnership Hubs:

The winners of the £11 million NIHR i4i Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinical Validation and Evaluation funding call are:

The second round of winners of Innovate UK’s £4 million Advancing Precision Medicine funding call are:

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Review your speech:

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. RISK EVALUATION

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 SERVER-SIDE REQUEST FORGERY (SSRF) CWE-918

3.2.2 INEFFICIENT REGULAR EXPRESSION COMPLEXITY CWE-1333

3.2.3 CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY (CSRF) CWE-352

3.3 BACKGROUND

3.4 RESEARCHER

4. MITIGATIONS

5. UPDATE HISTORY

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