NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI China: Draft law seen as key to boost private sector

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Workers operate at a workshop of a lithium battery company in Zaozhuang, east China’s Shandong Province, Jan. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s long-awaited legislation on promoting the private economy made decisive progress on Thursday as authorities started soliciting public opinions on a draft law, marking a major step forward in reinvigorating a sector key to the growth of the nation, experts said.

    They said the move reflects the government’s emphasis on and support for the private economy, which will not only provide legal protection for private enterprises, but also clarify the government’s responsibilities in promoting the healthy development of the private sector.

    The draft law, jointly released by the Ministry of Justice and the National Development and Reform Commission, will be open for public comments until Nov 8.

    “The draft law not only confirms the key role of the private economy, but also provides institutional guarantees and support through legislation,” said Liu Dian, a researcher at Fudan University’s China Institute.

    “It marks the country’s latest push for improving the market economy system. Once implemented, it will effectively stimulate the vitality of private enterprises and encourage them to participate in competition and cooperation across a broader range of sectors, thereby promoting overall economic growth in the long run,” he added.

    According to experts, the draft law marks China’s very first basic legislation regarding the development of the private economy, and it aims to create a better environment that fosters fair competition, facilitates private investment, supports technological innovation, and protects the legal rights and interests of private businesses.

    In a statement posted on its official website on Thursday, the NDRC said the move will help stabilize market expectations and boost business confidence, reflecting China’s commitment to ensuring long-term, high-quality growth of the private economy.

    Comprising 77 articles across nine chapters, the draft law seeks to codify into a legal framework key policies and practices aimed at fostering the development of the private economy. It underscores equal treatment and protection for private enterprises while promoting their regulated and healthy growth.

    According to the draft law, in areas outside the negative list, all types of market entities including private enterprises are legally allowed equal market access. It also calls for the promotion of fair participation by private enterprises in market competition and their equal access to production factors.

    Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the draft law highlights comprehensive coverage of all aspects related to promoting the development of the private economy.

    There are “clear provisions” in the draft law, “from ensuring the correct direction of development to specific implementation measures”, he said.

    Citing specific measures to improve the investment and financing environment for private businesses and support their technological innovations, Hong said that such steps will help reduce operational costs and encourage these enterprises to participate in technological advancements and industrial upgrades.

    Under provisions included in the draft law, China will encourage private enterprises to play an active role in the development of new quality productive forces, ensure their legal involvement in setting standards as well as in the development and use of public data resources, and strengthen the protection of their intellectual property rights.

    Shen Bing, director-general and a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research’s market and price research institute, said that implementing a private economy promotion law is essential for ensuring fair competition among enterprises of different ownership structures, as it helps provide an enabling business environment.

    Efforts to implement the law will work with other ongoing policy moves, such as improving relevant regulations to guarantee payments to small and medium-sized enterprises, in easing the burden on enterprises, improving their operational conditions and vitalizing the broader economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China builds huge underground transparent sphere to trap ‘ghost particles’

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China has constructed the world’s largest transparent spherical detector 700 meters underground to capture elusive neutrinos, often dubbed “ghost particles,” to unravel the secrets of the infinitesimally small and the infinitely vast in the universe.
    The 12-story-tall acrylic sphere with a diameter of 35.4 meters, buried deep in a granite layer of a hill in Kaiping, Jiangmen City in south China’s Guangdong Province, is the core part of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a gigantic and complex scientific facility.
    The construction of the challenging project, launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Guangdong government in 2015, has entered the final stage. Installation of the entire device is expected to be completed by the end of November, and the full operation of the facility is scheduled for August 2025, according to the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the CAS, the project’s leading institution.
    As one of the world’s most powerful experiments to uncover neutrino mystery, JUNO is expected to operate for at least 30 years. The observatory is designed to help scientists better understand the neutrino mass hierarchy by detecting reactor neutrinos from the nearby Yangjiang and Taishan nuclear power plants with an unprecedented 3 percent energy resolution, said Wang Yifang, chief scientist of JUNO and head of the IHEP.
    Understanding the neutrino mass hierarchy could have huge implications for physical models of the universe and for the research on cosmic evolution, said Wang.
    The facility will also help scientists conduct other cutting-edge studies such as observing supernova, atmospheric and solar neutrinos. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to host international congress on IP protection

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China will host the 2024 International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) World Congress from Oct. 19 to 22 in Hangzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province. The theme of this year’s congress is the protection and innovative development of intellectual property (IP) rights.
    Hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the AIPPI, the event is expected to attract 2,259 delegates from 92 countries and regions, Yu Jianlong, deputy head of the council, told a press conference on Thursday.
    It is the first time China will host the AIPPI World Congress, Yu said, noting that this reflects the international recognition of the country’s historic achievements in IP rights, and that the congress will promote cooperation between Chinese and foreign IP industries.
    The event will feature a range of activities, including special forums and court sessions where patent infringement cases will be heard, covering such topics as patents, trademarks and copyrights in the IP sector, according to the CCPIT.
    AIPPI was established in 1897 and was among the first non-governmental international IP organizations. The AIPPI World Congress is held annually and has become one of the most well-attended and influential gatherings in the field of IP. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils draft law on private sector promotion

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China is moving closer to its first basic law specifically focused on the development of the private sector, as a draft was released for public input on Thursday.
    The draft, with 77 articles in nine chapters, features equal treatment and protection of private sector businesses. Its formulation aims to create a law-based environment that is more conducive to the growth of all economic sectors, including the private sector, experts told media.
    The draft private sector promotion law includes provisions on ensuring private businesses’ fair participation and competition in the market, improving the investment and financing environment for these businesses, supporting their technological innovations, optimizing services for them and strengthening the protection of their rights and interests.
    It also covers measures to better regulate and guide the enterprises, to promote the healthy development of private businesses and the healthy growth of relevant businesspersons, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of their employees.
    According to the draft, the state implements a nationwide unified negative list system for market access. In areas not included in the negative list, all types of economic entities, including private enterprises, are allowed equal access in accordance with the law.
    The draft proposes supporting private enterprises in investing and starting businesses in strategic emerging industries and future industries. It also encourages efforts to upgrade and transform traditional industries and to participate in the investment and construction of modern infrastructure.
    It proposes supporting private enterprises in participating in national scientific and technological research projects. It also supports capable private enterprises in leading major technological breakthroughs and grants them access to national major research infrastructure.
    The draft explicitly states the need to establish a smooth and effective communication mechanism between the government and enterprises.
    When formulating laws, regulations, rules, and other normative documents or judicial interpretations closely related to the production and business activities of market entities, or making major decisions, it is important to seek input and suggestions from various economic entities, including private enterprises, as well as industry associations and chambers of commerce, the draft says.
    The draft, posted on the websites of the Ministry of Justice and the National Development and Reform Commission, will be open for public comments until Nov. 8.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Social Media Summit address

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    Good afternoon,
     
    Thank you, Premier Peter Malinauskas for inviting me to speak on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese.
     
    It is wonderful to be in Adelaide for this joint Summit focussed on a very important discussion taking place nationally, and around the world.
     
    I acknowledge the Traditional Owners – the Kaurna people – and pay respect to Elders past and present. I extend this to First Nations people attending.
     
    Thank you to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns for hosting Day One of the Social Media Summit in Sydney.
     
    And thanks to you – the experts, academics, policy makers and young people – who have come together to share your insights and experiences in this space.
     
    A space that has evolved exponentially over decades.
     
    Australia’s first Minister for Communications was known as the Postmaster General.
     
    Established at Federation, the Minister’s responsibilities were the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia.
     
    It wasn’t until 1975, when its Department’s name changed to reflect the rise in electronic media.
     
    Fast forward to today, and the internet continues to undergo significant change; as do the challenges faced by governments and regulators.
     
    We are now raising the second generation of digital natives.
     
    Social media is ubiquitous and a normal part of life for many young people.
     
    It can be a source of entertainment, education and connection with the world – and each other.
     
    But we are also seeing social harms affecting young people.
     
    And it is for this reason that we are here today.
      
    The Albanese Government understands parents and communities are concerned about the harmful impacts of social media and want action.
     
    Social media has a social responsibility. We know they can – and should – do better to address harms on their platforms.
     
    Governments around the world are grappling with this.
     
    No government, no regulator and no law can protect every child from every threat, every day.
     
    But we must work together to support our children to be happy, healthy and safe.
     
    The number one priority of the Albanese Government is the safety of Australians, including online.
     
    Australia is a world-leader when it comes to online safety, and I want to acknowledge the terrific work of our eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant.
     
    Online safety has traditionally been an area of bipartisanship in Australia, and that has served us well.
     
    Our Government is taking action on a number of fronts.
     
    Today, I will step out the Commonwealth’s approach to legislating a national minimum age for social media access – our latest effort to address online safety.
     
    This is significant reform.
     
    And we will work with State and Territory governments, regulators, experts, industry and the community.
     
    Today, I will cover three things:

    • The pragmatic approach we are taking to social media age limits;
    • The design principles that will underpin our reforms;
    • And, finally, how this aligns to our whole-of-government approach to improving online safety.

    As a mother of two young daughters, I understand that parents worry about the amount of time their children spend on social media.
     
    Research released by eSafety yesterday explored children’s use of online services, including social media, in 2024.
     
    The Social Media Pulse Survey found a significant number of children aged 8-12 are spending time on digital platforms.
     
    84 per cent reported using at least one online service, including social media or messaging services, since the start of this year.
     
    While the proportion of overall users increased with age, a significant majority – three quarters – have accessed an online service by 8 years old.
     
    More than two-thirds of children aged 12 have their own accounts.
     
    As parents, we also worry our children may unintentionally access harmful, distressing and age-inappropriate content on their feeds.
     
    We know that almost two-thirds of 14 to 17 year-olds have viewed extremely harmful content online including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as violent and gory material.
     
    A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits.
     
    This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
     
    As Communications Minister, I have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in this space – and I have learned a lot.
     
    Young people tell me social media allows them to connect and feel socially included.
     
    It can be an entry point to health and mental health support, a creative outlet, or a platform for legitimate children’s programming.
     
    But young people also understand the need for protection.
     
    Survey data released by the Minns Government in the lead-up to the Summit highlighted widespread community concern. 87 per cent of survey respondents said they support age limits for social media.
     
    The national conversation has seen a range of ages proposed. We welcome this input.
     
    Let me also take the opportunity to acknowledge the extensive work of former High Court Chief Justice Robert French.
     
    Our age assurance trial is evaluating technologies that could be effective to age-limit access to social media platforms from 13 up to 16 years.
     
    And preventing people under 18 from accessing online pornography.
     
    The trial includes targeted stakeholder consultation and consumer-focussed research looking into attitudes towards different technologies, and issues of privacy, security and accessibility.
     
    The Albanese Government has also brought forward the independent review of Australia’s Online Safety Act by a year.
     
    This critical and comprehensive body of work is looking at how to ensure our regulatory settings keep pace with emerging online harms and are fit for purpose.
     
    I look forward to receiving the final report in coming weeks.
     
    The Albanese Government has asked the States and Territories for their views on what the age for social media access should be, including evidence from a youth development perspective.
     
    The Prime Minister wrote to the Premiers and Chief Ministers last week seeking views on this, and a range of related matters, including:

    • Community appetite on the role for parental consent as a factor for age limits and permissions;
    • On grandfathering arrangements for existing account holders;
    • The need for a safety net or exemption for support services like mental health and education;
    • And what state-based supports they have available for children – particularly those who are vulnerable or isolated – to connect and access services away from social media.

     
    No solution will be perfect, and consensus on the ‘right’ age is unlikely.
     
    Young people are digitally savvy and will find ways to circumvent controls.
     
    But we can’t let the ‘perfect’ be the enemy of good – we need to make progress to ensure our safeguards keep improving.
     
    This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them or their parents.
     
    It is letting parents know that we are in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing.
     
    I am conscious of the pressure on parents in trying to oversee when and how their children use social media.
     
    Establishing an age limit for social media will help signal a set of normative values that support parents, teachers, and society more broadly.

    For this reason, a key design principle of the Commonwealth’s legislative approach is to place the onus on platforms, not parents or young people.
     
    Penalties for users will not feature in our legislative design.
     
    Instead, it will be incumbent on the platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place at the source.
     
    Our approach will ensure the eSafety regulator provides oversight and enforcement.
     
    We are also considering an exemption framework to accommodate access for social media services that demonstrate a low risk of harm to children.
     
    The aim of an exemption is to create positive incentives for digital platforms to develop age-appropriate versions of their apps, and embed safe and healthy experiences by design.  
     
    We are conscious of the harmful features in the design of platforms that drive addictive behaviours.
     
    This is why we will set parameters to guide platforms in designing social media that allows connections, but not harms, to flourish.
     
    We will set a 12-month implementation timeframe to provide industry and the regulator time to implement systems and processes.
     
    And we will review these measures to ensure they are effective and delivering the outcomes Australians want.

    Our strategic objective is clear: social media must exercise a social responsibility.
     
    This is the approach we are taking across government.
     
    As Communications Minister, I am working to curb seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation from being spread at speed and at scale on social media. An issue I know was raised by young people at the Summit yesterday. 

    Efforts to improve online safety for all Australians are being taken across the Albanese Government. 
     
    The Minister for Industry and Science is supporting businesses and organisations to safely and responsibly use and innovate with AI.
     
    The Attorney General has criminalised the non-consensual sharing of deep-fake material and he is seeking to criminalise ‘doxxing’ – that is when a victim’s identity, private information or personal details is shared without consent.
     
    Myself and the Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, are making dating apps safer through a world-leading voluntary code developed by industry to better protect their users.
     
    I am progressing Classification Scheme reforms to address violent and misogynistic adult content that reinforces unacceptable attitudes towards women.
     
    And, finally, I amended the Basic Online Safety Expectations determination to ensure the best interest of the child is a primary consideration in service design.
     
    These changes also go to the systems that power content delivered by algorithms that influence what Australians see.
      
    The Albanese Labor Government is a reformist government.
     
    We are not afraid to tackle difficult reforms or hold big tech to account.
     
    Platforms are not above the laws of this land.
     
    In legislating a minimum age to access social media, we are laying the challenge at the front door of social media companies to do better.
     
    We will work with you: the experts, academics, industry, premiers, parents and young people to progress these important reforms.
     
    And support young Australians to be safe and to thrive, now and into the future.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Grassley Call for Hamas-Linked Campus Orgs to Register as Foreign Agents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in raising concerns that Hamas-linked entities on college campuses may be noncompliant with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) as they seek to shape U.S. public opinion and policy outcomes. 
    In the face of this national security threat, they are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to look into the role of National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) – which received backing from an organization whose associated entities the U.S. government has implicated for financing Hamas – and the hundreds of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters NSJP claims to support across the U.S. 
    “It is incumbent upon all of us [to] crack down on hidden foreign influence. […] The introduction of hostile foreign adversaries into domestic political discussion is especially of issue when it is fueling an alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The public reporting appears to indicate that NSJP and related chapters may fit into the FARA definition of ‘publicity agent,’ at minimum, and its conduct, among other activity, may constitute a public relations effort designed to impact U.S. public opinion in favor of a foreign principal, which would meet FARA’s definition of political activities,” the senators wrote.
    “Taken as a whole, these actions require further investigation from DOJ and FBI to fully determine whether NSJP and SJP chapters should register as foreign agents under FARA and the extent of Hamas and Iran’s potential involvement,” the senators continued.
    In the letter, the senators cite numerous examples that signal NSJP and SJP chapters may have an obligation to register as foreign agents under FARA.
    Additionally, the lawmakers are demanding answers to what actions DOJ has taken to assess whether NSJP and SJP chapters should register under FARA, if DOJ has assessed whether NSJP has committed violations under FARA-related statutes, and if any SJP chapter ever requested an opinion in relation to work done on behalf of a foreign entities.
    Read the full letter here.
    Background:
    Ernst led her colleagues in demanding the Department of Education uphold its legal obligations to ensure Jewish and Israeli students are not subjected to discrimination. She also sponsored the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act to cut federal funding for any college or university that allows antisemitic events to occur on their campus.
    As cases of antisemitism on campuses started to increase, Ernst introduced the Students’ Bill of Rights to protect the First Amendment rights of students and stem discrimination at its source.
    She also joined her colleagues in calling on the Biden administration for its plan to restore order and protect Jewish students and demanded an investigation into organizations behind antisemitic protests.
    Ernst requested the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examine if any of the 501(c)(3) organizations backing violent antisemitic protests were in violation of their tax exempt status and reiterated her call to action when they blew off her request.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lt. Gen. Jost Assumes Command of USFJ, 5AF

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

    U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen F. Jost assumed command of United States Forces Japan and 5th Air Force from Lt. Gen. Ricky N. Rupp during a change of command ceremony on Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 8.

    U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, presided over the U.S. Forces Japan change of command while U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, deputy commander, Pacific Air Forces, subsequently presided over the 5th Air Force change of command.

    Paparo not only recognized the accomplishments and dedication of the two lieutenant generals, but also acknowledged the ever-growing strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in one of the most critical regions on the globe.

    “We have the most challenging set of adversaries in the People’s Republic of China, Russia, North Korea and violent extremist groups,” said Paparo. “Given the dangerous security environment, our adversaries’ transactional symbiosis among them … more than at any other time in recent history, our troops, our alliances, and our partnerships must be ready.”

    Lieutenant Gen. Rupp, having commanded USFJ and 5th Air Force since Aug. 27, 2021, has overseen the operations of the 66,000 servicemembers of USFJ while being at the forefront of the U.S.–Japan Alliance and working to enhance regional security through the execution of joint, multilateral exercises, and close coordination with the Japanese government.

    Notably, he shaped the establishment of multiple information-sharing systems, such as the Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell and the growth of U.S. Space Force capabilities in Japan. His leadership on servicemember quality of life issues will be one of the most lasting legacies of his service, having championed access to medical care, school age programs, and childcare.

    “I am immensely proud of the accomplishments that have strengthened our Alliance with the Japan Self-Defense Force,” Rupp said. “We faced unprecedented challenges but rose to meet them head on by fostering a partnership built on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.”

    Lieutenant Gen. Jost comes to Japan from United States Transportation Command at Norfolk Naval Station, Va., where he served as the commander of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command. He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours in the T-37, T-38, F-16C/D and F- 35A. He has flown missions in support of South Korea defense obligations and operations Iraqi Freedom, Southern Watch and Noble Eagle.

    “I look forward to working alongside you as we continuously, deliberately, and urgently work to make the U.S.-Japan Alliance ever-stronger,” said Jost. “As we do so, we must be ever mindful that we are all U.S. Ambassadors in many respects while serving our great nation abroad.”

    Jost was last stationed in Japan from 2011 to 2012 where he was the deputy commander of the 35th Operations Group and later the director of staff of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

    In their remarks, both leaders reflected on the strength and resilience of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and it continuing to serve as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific for decades to come.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – Adelaide, South Australia

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Look it is just fantastic to be here at Ferguson Australia. Can I thank Andrew and Kate and all of the staff here for taking us around and talking us through the whole process of lobsters and lobster exports. And it’s wonderful to be here with Don, my wonderful colleague, the Trade Minister, and also with Joe Szakacs, the State Minister for Trade and Investments.

    We’re here the morning after the Prime Minister has announced we have agreed a timetable with China to allow the full resumption of Australian live rock lobster exports by the end of this year. And what does that mean for Australians, for Australian jobs and Australian workers? It means that in businesses like Ferguson Australia, for workers like the team we’ve seen here today, we have been able to open up an export market which is so important to the industry, to profits, and also to jobs and wages for Australians. I know from our discussions that the Fergusons have been involved in the fishing industry here in South Australia since the 1960s, but obviously, when under the previous government, the businesses were effectively blocked from entering the Chinese market, that a lot of businesses like this one here in South Australia took a really big hit. A $700 million market was shut down overnight. But as a result of the excellent work by the Albanese Government, the Prime Minister and obviously the Trade Minister as well, we’re able to start exporting this first-rate Australian product back into the Chinese market.

    Obviously, this has occurred in the context of the stabilisation of our relationship with China. I said before the election and what we have delivered on is that we would look to stabilise the relationship with China without compromising on things which are important to Australians. When we came to government we inherited some $20 billion worth of trade impediments. $20 billion worth of trade impediments under Peter Dutton. Now, less than $500 million of those impediments remain.

    Obviously, we will continue, as we have over the last two and a bit years, to press for those trade impediments to be removed. The approach we have taken to China has been patient, it has been calibrated, it has been deliberate. And our approach has paid dividends for Australians, for Australian businesses and for Australian workers. Very pleased that we have seen this announcement overnight by the Prime Minister. Very pleased that we’ll see Australian rock lobster in the Chinese market again. And again, I thank the Ferguson’s for their hospitality today and I’ll hand over to the Trade Minister.

    Don Farrell, Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, thank you, Penny, and thank you for the really good work that you’ve done with the Prime Minister to stabilise our relationship with China that has resulted in this decision yesterday to lift the final impediment on the final product back into China. We lost more than $700 million worth of trade with rock lobster going into China. By the end of the year, of course, Chinese consumers will have the advantage of the wonderful Australian product. The best rock lobster in the world comes from Australia and particularly from South Australia. And we are so pleased that the stabilisation process that you, as Foreign Minister, undertook has resulted in now the final removal of all the products.

    As you said, two and a half years ago, we started with $20 billion worth of trade impediments. They have now been removed. And of course, what that’s meant is greater prosperity for Australian producers, and more jobs for Australian workers. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels, as you will have seen in the last week or two, we’ve negotiated new free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and we’re encouraging companies like Fergusons to expand, to look at other markets so that we diversify our trading relationships. That’s the best way we can increase our prosperity and increase the number of jobs in this country.

    I want to thank the Fergusons. I was here only a couple of months ago where we said we’d be back with some good news, and that’s today. We’ve got that good news. And I want to thank the industry for sticking with us, it’s been a tough four years for this industry and all the way along the line I’ve wanted to give them some hope to make sure that they understood that if they stick with it, we would eventually get this sort of result. And I’m so pleased that the industry have toughed it out. They’ve diversified, but now the opportunity exists for them to go back into China. We’ve got a wonderful product here. We’ve got a clean and green image in China. We know from all of the other products that we’ve got back into the Chinese market over the last two and a half years, we actually go back with a greater volume than when we started. So, I’ve got the greatest of confidence that we’re not just going to stay where we are in terms of our exports, we’re actually going to increase those exports into the Chinese markets, and that’s very good news for this country. Thank you very much. And I want to thank my state colleagues, they’ve been working really hard with us – Joe and Claire. We’ve never given up hope. We’ve kept persisting and that persistence has now paid off. Thank you very much.

    Joe Szakacs, SA Minister for Trade and Investment: Thank you, everyone. Can I start by acknowledging the incredible work of the Commonwealth Government, particularly led by Senator Wong and Senator Farrell. The stabilisation of the China relationship has meant that important trade matters for South Australia have been able to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Government, the Albanese Government, and thanks to their hard work and the support provided by our State Government here, we’ve seen these materialise today. Just yesterday, I announced that the trade numbers, the exports to China from South Australia, have hit another all-time high at $4.27 billion. To give some context for the impact that this announcement today or yesterday will have on the local industry in lobster, this was an over $70 million industry for South Australia that flatlined overnight. So, the resumption of the full exports of South Australian lobster into China will have a material impact for local jobs and local economic prosperity.

    Can I also say that the South Australian Government has been planning for this day for some time. Just a couple of months ago, I was actually just down here with Senator Farrell and Andrew to announce the $475,000 Seafood Support Package that our government implemented. That package is now ready to go. It supports one of two things. It supports the immediate re-engagement with China of our seafood industry, and particularly our lobster industry. It also supports and builds on the important diversification work that has been occurring to other markets, like Hong Kong, like Vietnam, like Korea and Japan. And we were in there inside today and we saw fresh live lobster being packed to head over to Hong Kong. That’s exactly the work that our State Government has been undertaking to diversify.

    Also, I just want to note that with the resumption of China Southern Airlines into South Australia, into Adelaide in December, we will see 15 tonnes of air freight every flight open up. Why is that critical? Well, it’s critical for lobster. We can’t put lobster on a boat. We can’t move lobster through ports of other states or territories. We need the best South Australian lobster to be in a plane, in the belly of a plane, into market in one day. With 15 tonne of air freight every single day being opened up from Adelaide to Guangzhou, that means direct air freight route for companies like Ferguson and other local producers. So, I just, again want to say thank you and particularly pay note to the Commonwealth Government for their extraordinary efforts in this regard.

    Clare Scriven, SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development: So, this is a wonderful announcement, but particularly for our regional economies. The rock lobster industry is worth $158 million to South Australia overall, and a significant amount of that has been in terms of China and the market there. So, it’s been a really difficult time for the lobster fishermen and also for the economies in our regional areas who rely on that lobster fishing industry. So, this is a great announcement. We are really pleased that the Federal Government and State Government has worked so hard to be able to achieve this and we look forward to an uplift for our regional economies as well as our lobster fishermen.

    Foreign Minister: Thanks, Clare. Okay, happy to take questions.

    Journalist: Minister Wong, when will the first lobsters hit China? Is this an immediate thing?

    Foreign Minister: Well, the announcement is by the end of the year that the trade impediments will be removed. Obviously, we’re hoping a little bit earlier than that. I was speaking to Andrew before about how that might be operationalised by the industry. I know with wine we started with a few shipments and then obviously month by month those, those exports grew. But the announcement is by the end of the year, but we’re hoping for earlier.

    Journalist: Now, do you trust China as a trading partner after the past four years? And what lessons have you learnt here?

    Foreign Minister: Well, we learnt a few lessons as a country, didn’t we? The first is that Peter Dutton talking tough isn’t the same as being tough. And that Mister Dutton and his colleagues really took an approach to the relationship with China which ultimately didn’t end up with a relationship that was stable, where we could agree, disagree, cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest. We saw that the Opposition continues to seek to politicise the China relationship. Now, I’ve been very clear: China has a set of interests. Some of those are very different to Australia’s. There are going to be areas where we disagree and Australia has been very clear about standing up for those issues which are important to Australians. But we also know that its important to engage and we will continue to do that in a mature, calibrated and deliberate way.

    Journalist: And will you pull back on other issues you might have with China to try and keep these trade deals going?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I think you’ve seen that we have been very clear about those areas where we disagree. And the whole point about trying to stabilise a relationship is to recognise there will be areas where you disagree and those will continue. There will be areas where you can cooperate and you want to work on them. And perhaps most importantly, you have to engage. You have to keep engaging in dialogue, in visits, in discussion, and we will continue to do that. And I was very pleased, for example, last night at the airport I saw a number of the Australian parliamentarians who are going to Beijing for the first parliamentarian trip for some time. So, we will have areas where we continue to have different views. Your Government will continue to articulate Australia’s position on them in accordance with our national interests. But we also recognise that it is important for us to seek to work with China to open up these markets. The reason is what you saw in there. This is about Australian jobs.

    Journalist: I just have some questions from Canberra about the Middle East. So, the Opposition says Australians fleeing from Lebanon should be made to pay for Government-supported flights back home if they’ve ignored Government warnings. What’s your response to that?

    Foreign Minister: Look, we’re taking the same approach on this as we talk to people who had to flee in the earlier part of the conflict after the horrific events of October 7. But I would say this; we have a flight scheduled for Sunday, that’s October 13, there are no further flights scheduled beyond that. So, I’d say to Australians, there is a flight scheduled on October 13. There are no further flights scheduled and any further flights would obviously, as I said, flights are not going to be scheduled indefinitely and are subject to operational and security constraints. You should leave now if you wish to leave.

    Journalist: And did the government go too far with its wording on the October 7 motion in Parliament? Should you have ensured it was wording the Coalition would support?

    Foreign Minister: Well, you know who’s gone too far in this and that’s Mr Dutton. Mr Dutton is out of step with the majority of the international community, including allies such as the US, the United Kingdom, members of the G7. He refused to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Can I remind everybody that a ceasefire in Gaza has been called for, led by the United States and backed in by every single member of the United Nations Security Council.

    So, the United States and every member of the UN Security Council have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but Mr Dutton does not want to vote for it. I’d also make the point that we had a debate in the Senate yesterday – the Coalition there was prepared to support a broader motion, including some of the issues that Mr Dutton refused to support in the House. Mr Dutton is doing what he always does, which is to seek to divide, to seek to inflame. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, you can always count on Peter Dutton to look to divide Australians. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, Mister Dutton will always work to divide them.

    Journalist: Thank you, Ministers. I just wanted to ask about biosecurity testing requirements. Is that something we’ve agreed to?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Thanks, Dominic. So, we have been in discussions, of course, for some months now with the Chinese authorities in order to deal with all of the biosecurity issues that have been raised by the Chinese Government in the past. We have now got a way forward to resolve all of those biosecurity issues in a way that meets all of the Chinese requirements. So, what you’ll see, I think, between now and Christmas when there’s a full resumption, is a gradual resumption of exports of Australian rock lobster into China that will meet all of the requirements of the Chinese Government.

    Journalist: And what does that mean for Australian companies? Do they have to do anything extra or is that onus on the government when it comes to testing?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, every government imposes its regulations on products coming into their country. China is no different from that. But I’m very confident, as a result of all of the discussions that have taken place, particularly the good work of the Agriculture Minister, Minister Collins, and before that, Minister Watt, we will ensure that we satisfy all of the requirements that the Chinese Government require about all of the products that we export into China.

    Journalist: Thank you. And just one for the Foreign Minister, if that’s all right. Yesterday you met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar and he put forward some suggestions about how Australia could act in terms of responding to the junta’s rule. I’m just wondering if there’s any particular ideas that you were receptive to or if we’re considering any further measures that he suggested?

    Foreign Minister: We are very concerned about the situation in Myanmar. We’re concerned because, as a decent country, the loss of life and the disrespect for human rights concerns us all. We’re also concerned because Myanmar is critical to regional stability. If you look at the history of Southeast Asia, the history of ASEAN, stability in Myanmar has been a central part of the stability of the region. So, that matters to Australia. We are very concerned about the situation. We are very concerned about the behaviour of the regime. You would have seen previously that we have put sanctions on particular members of the regime. And recently I also put sanctions on particular companies, including those supplying jet fuel, given that the regime was in engaging in attacks on its own people.

    I was very pleased to meet with the Rapporteur. We discussed the situation in Myanmar. We discussed the need to focus more on the humanitarian crisis. People might recall I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh some time ago. I made the point that that is Australia’s largest single humanitarian contribution, under both governments. We have put very substantial amounts of humanitarian support there because it is a humanitarian crisis in our region. And we’ll continue to work with both the international community, regional partners, to try and contribute to finding stability in Myanmar and certainly averting or dealing with the humanitarian crisis which is on our doorstep.

    Thanks very much, everybody.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 5866 Fundamentals of Metrology – CANCELED

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Credit: OWM/K. Dill

    Course Description

    The 5-day Fundamentals of Metrology seminar is an intensive course that introduces participants to the concepts of measurement systems, units, good laboratory practices, data integrity, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability, basic statistics and how they fit into a laboratory Quality Management System. Additional topics covered will include overall Laboratory Management and specific discussions of the requirements for proficiency testing, calibration certificate generation and software verification and validation. Topics will be covered using a variety of measurement disciplines and laboratory measurements and case studies so that the participants will be able to apply the concepts to any measurement discipline upon completion. Topics are covered in a mixture of training styles including lecture, hands-on exercises, case studies and discussion.

    This class covers the following procedures from NISTIR 6969:

    • GLP 1, Quality Assurance of the Measurement Process;
    • GLP 9, Rounding Expanded Uncertainties and Calibration Values;
    • GMP 11, Assignment and Adjustment of Calibration Intervals for Laboratory Standards;
    • GMP 13, Ensuring Traceability;
    • SOP 1, Preparation of Calibration Certificates;
    • SOP 29, Assignment of Uncertainty; and
    • SOP 30, Process Measurement Assurance Program.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

    • IDENTIFY and USE reference materials to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable measurement results;
    • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic (noted on the Table of Contents and the detailed learning objectives) to each other and to your managers and show how these topics fit in to a management system using ISO/IEC 17025 as the basis;
    • Have and know how to IMPLEMENT several simple tools, job aids, and references to use and improve your laboratory operations.

    Materials & Supplies

    Several notebooks and course materials will be provided.

    Prerequisites

    The instructor will send confirmed participants the prerequisite documentation ‘AFTER’ the registration deadline.  Required prerequisites include having a demonstrated knowledge of basic mathematics (pre-test) and completion of a number of reading assignments (listed in Pre-work section). Additional helpful pre-work will be provided to students who have been accepted by the instructor prior to the seminar to minimize course homework time. Participants must be proficient in spreadsheet functions and operations, and formatting in word processing software.

    Pre-Work

    In addition to completing and submitting the Math Exercises, please read:

    Pre-Work Deadline

    Submit the math exercises (pre-work) according to instructions by COB on Monday, September 2, 2024.

    Post-Work

    Fundamentals of Metrology, Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) Problems – required for State Weights and Measures Laboratories (not applicable for other participants.)

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful completion requires that participants fully participate in all classroom and laboratory exercises, turn in or present accurate work assignments, and be present for the entire course. There will also be a Final Exam on the last day of the class. The Final Exam and Final Calibration Certificate each contribute equal value to the final grade; the final grade also includes class participation and laboratory exercises. A passing grade on all portions is required to obtain a training certificate that indicates “successful completion” (e.g., getting a 100 percent on the final is not an excuse to participate minimally in classroom and laboratory.) Successful completion qualifies the participant to participate in the Mass, Volume and Length seminars, though those may have additional prerequisites.

    *Homework note: students generally report taking one to two hours for homework each night.

    Audience

    State laboratory personnel who have responsibilities for developing, implementing, and/or improving the quality management system in their laboratory, as well as those who are seeking OWM recognition and/or accreditation or improvements to support recognition/accreditation.  This course is also available for non-weights and measures participants. 

    Please make sure you have read the NIST Visitor and Contractor Protocols for Mitigating COVID-19 Exposure on NIST Campuses page before arriving on site.

    Cost

    The current registration fee for this seminar is $2,800 and confirmed participants will be sent payment instructions.  This fee does not cover travel, lodging or meal expenses.  Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

    Instructors

    Isabel Chavez Baucom and Jose Torres
    Email: isabel.chavez.baucom [at] nist.gov (isabel[dot]chavez[dot]baucom[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    Registered participants will need to bring a 10-digit scientific calculator to use during this seminar.  Participants MUST be familiar with the use of the hand-held scientific calculator.  Additionally, use of a laptop or tablet PC is required to succeed in the seminar.  Participants must have access to Microsoft Word and Excel (version 2010 or newer are acceptable) and be able to open and use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media.  Participants must be able to save/store files to USB media devices to facilitate printing and turning in homework assignments; if not able to use USB media, participants must be able to connect their laptop to a printing device by cable or BlueTooth and be able to upload files to a secure Google Drive.

    You will need a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) when you check into the Visitors Center at the entrance of NIST and if bringing a vehicle onto the NIST campus, a vehicle registration card.

    PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 21, 2014, under the REAL ID Act of 2005 (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-frequently-asked-questions), agencies, including NIST, can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension. NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver’s license, such as a valid passport, passport card, DOD’s Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependents ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID. See Visitor Information for the latest information.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 91 Mass Metrology Seminar

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Credit: OWM/K. Dill

    Course Description

    The Mass Metrology Seminar is a two-week, “hands-on” seminar.  It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the participant performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom.  The seminar focuses on the comprehension and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved.  The seminar includes the operation of the laboratory equipment, review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements.  Training covers mass calibration procedures published in NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 and are suitable for the calibration of mass standards to OIML R111 Class E2 through M3 tolerances, ASTM classes 1 through 7 and NIST HB 105-1 Class F.  Training is provided to enable the participant to correctly identify and implement the correct calibration process for each weight classification.  Each procedure and the entire seminar incorporates concepts covered in the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar, especially, concepts related to metrological traceability, statistical analysis, measurement assurance methods, uncertainty analyses, software validation, and generation of ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration certificates for all measurements made during the seminar.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this seminar, using Standard Operating Procedures 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 29, 30, and 34 and Good Measurement Practices 10, 11, 12, and 13 participants will be able to:

    • IDENTIFY mass artifacts and use appropriate procedures to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable mass measurement results;
    • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic to each other and to your managers using the slides and reference materials; and
    • PERFORM mass calibration procedures, use and validate the job aids, and use reference materials to perform laboratory calibrations, including hands-on handling of mass standards and balances, calculation of measurement results, integration of measurement assurance, uncertainty analysis, and software validation to produce valid calibration results and certificates.

    Note regarding course level and expectations:  This course is conducted equivalent to a university-level course and is part of our IACET-accredited processes with requirements to demonstrate successful achievement of learning objectives within each module.  Significant time outside of the classroom and laboratory is expected and is commonly reported (1 hour to 2 hours per day) to complete homework, reading, data entry, and creation and editing of calibration certificates. Students should avoid trying to meet other obligations while attending this course as much as possible.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants are encouraged to bring template versions of the mass calibration certificates issued by their laboratory as a starting point for the calibration certificates to be submitted during the seminar. Alternatively, participants should bring the calibration certificate they generated during the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar as a starting point. The former is recommended! Feedback and suggested changes to ensure ISO/IEC 17025 compliance will be provided during the seminar. Generation of calibration certificates will be required, so come prepared. A number of notebooks and course materials will be provided, so please ensure you have extra luggage space to carry these items.

    Prerequisites

    Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar is a prerequisite for the Mass Metrology Seminar. The Mass Metrology Seminar is built on the concepts learned during the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar, applying units, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability, and Quality Management System concepts to the mass calibration procedures.

    Pre-Work

    It is strongly recommended that you complete the Basic Mass Metrology CD as it will give you a head start on the Mass Seminar, including exposure to the contents of NISTIR 6969, Selected Laboratory and Measurement Practices, and NISTIR 5672, Advanced Mass Calibrations and Measurements Assurance Program for the State Calibration Laboratories.. Completing the NIST SP 1001 should take 16 to 40 hours. Participants are encouraged to read and comprehend as much as possible the content of NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 regardless of completing NIST SP 1001.

    NOTE:  Additional reading pre-work and Excel preparation recommendations may be sent by the instructor prior to the seminar. Extensive use of Excel is made in this course; strong familiarity equation entry and validation is essential.

    Post-Work

    Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems are assigned at the completion of the course to those metrologists who participate in the NIST OWM State Laboratory Program.  Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Office of Weights and Measures Laboratory Recognition in support of mass calibrations.  (See Handbook 143, Program Handbook training requirements as updated here.

    Minimum Requirements

    To receive a Training Certificate for this course, successful completion requires participants to actively participate in the entire course (e.g., 100 % attendance, take notes, engage in discussions, ask questions), complete all classroom, homework, and application exercise assignments, successfully perform mass calibrations as evidenced by measurement results entered in course control charts and calibration certificates, and pass a written final exam.  In addition, students submit a series of calibration certificates that are graded based on SOP 1 and NIST SP 811 criteria, as evidence of completion of all application exercises conducted during the hands-on portion of class exercises.

    *Homework note: students generally report taking one to two hours for homework each night.

    Audience

    This training seminar is open to industry and government metrologists.

    Cost

    The current registration fee for this seminar is $6,200 and confirmed participants will be sent payment instructions.  This registration fee does not cover travel, lodging or meal costs.  Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

    Instructors

    Elizabeth Koncki and Jose Torres
    Email:  elizabeth.koncki [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]koncki[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    • Registered participants must provide a notebook computer for the Mass Metrology Seminar and be well trained in the development and use of spreadsheets for complex repetitive calculations.
    • Participants must have access to Microsoft Excel (versions 2010 and later are acceptable) and can open and effectively create their own spreadsheets to perform calculations, and use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media.  Be aware that for networked access of Microsoft files, access to the NIST network is not ensured (e.g., it can be problematic if using a version of Office 365 that requires network access to operate properly.) 
    • Participants must have administrative rights for the computer so that that files can be transferred to and from it as required by the seminar exercises through the use of USB memory sticks:  You must also be able to save/store files to USB media devices to facilitate printing and turning in classwork.  Internet and network access is not assured during the seminar.  Students without administrative approvals or ability to use USB media are encouraged to contact the instructor before the class to discuss alternatives (e.g., using a personal laptop, using a RW/CD,  or other alternatives.)   Students need to verify the capability to run executable files to ensure successful access and use of the software needed in this course.  If not able to use USB media, participants must be able to upload files to a secure NIST Box and/or Google Drive and/or Microsoft SharePoint data transfer cloud service.
    • Availability of a scientific calculator (minimum 12 digits) may be useful as a supplement to Excel; if using a calculator, familiarity with its operation is essential.

    All visitors must be preregistered and present photo identification and vehicle registration information upon arrival. NIST can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Meetings with employers, trainings and consultations: a job placement marathon was held at the single support center for SVO participants

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    IN single support center A marathon of employment and career development for veterans of the special military operation (SVO) who had completed their service was held. They were given training, career consultations and psychological testing. As part of the marathon, it was possible to have interviews with several potential employers at once and choose a training program.

    “Moscow provides ample opportunities for professional development and offers effective HR services for both quick employment and building a new career track. We regularly hold career events for both the fighters themselves and their relatives. Several new career scenarios have been developed for candidates who contact the unified support center, and all services are adapted to the needs of applicants – SVO participants and their family members,” said Sofya Noskova, head of the employment office of the unified support center.

    Candidates are supported by business start-up specialists, employer relations managers, and career and training consultants. They help update resumes, select relevant vacancies and retraining programs, prepare for interviews, and organize meetings with employers.

    Training sessions aimed at developing soft skills were organized for veterans. A separate session was devoted to the topic of “How to write a selling resume.” Those who wanted to took a photo for a specialist profile, underwent psychological testing, which is often used by recruiters when hiring, and immediately received the results.

    In addition, the employment marathon included consultations on training programs within the framework of the national project “Demography”. Employers presented current vacancies in various economic sectors. Candidates were able to pass interviews with several employers at once.

    The Unified Support Center is the first in the country where SVO participants and their relatives are provided with comprehensive support and help veterans return to civilian life after completing their service. The center is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 21:00 at the address: Beregovoy Proezd, Building 8, Building 2.

    Sergei Sobyanin: SVO participants and their relatives are provided with assistance in career development

    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.mos.ru/nevs/item/145094073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Filming in the scenery, a festival of tastes and master classes: what the Moskino cinema park has prepared for this weekend

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The upcoming weekend at the Moskino cinema park will be held in the format of a cinema weekend. On October 12 and 13, Muscovites will be able to join staged filming, attend various master classes and taste unusual dishes at the Golden Autumn festival venues. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema, try yourself in various creative directions and simply relax with your family and friends.

    Honey expanse and culinary master classes

    On Saturday, October 12, three tents will be open on the territory of the cinema park festival “Golden Autumn”In the first of them, from 12:00 to 19:45, three master classes will be held for visitors every hour.

    The program will open with a traditional Russian tea ceremony. Guests will try four types of hot drinks with gingerbread, buns and pretzels. You will also be able to try on Pavlovo Posad shawls, kokoshniks, caps and take photos against the backdrop of old samovars.

    The chef will teach lovers of pelmeni and vareniki how to make them correctly. Red fish and cherries are used as filling. You can taste the dishes you have prepared yourself.

    In addition, guests will be treated to a master class on making traditional Russian drinks: cherry lemonade, lingonberry mors, and honey sbiten.

    In the second tent at 11:00 there will be a master class on pumpkin carving. A specialist will teach children and adults to make real works of art from vegetables, carving ornaments and patterns on them.

    Visitors will then be able to decorate cutting boards using decoupage techniques, using lace, beads, jute and dried flowers.

    You will learn how to decorate jars in the third tent. For this, you will use burlap, lace, ribbons, beads, ears of corn and acrylic paints. Here you can also decorate wooden horseshoes.

    The next day, October 13, in the second tent, guests will be able to make candles from beeswax with the addition of essential oils, dried herbs and dried flowers, and then lip balms from natural wax.

    The third tent will host a master class on creating eco-friendly bird feeders from cardboard and based on a grid of sticks and dough. After that, guests will make a panel from cereals.

    Pumpkin latte and zucchini tortilla: what else will visitors of the Golden Autumn festival be treated to

    Guests of the cinema park will also be able to try a variety of dishes. For example, chicken and beef liver pates with berries and mushrooms, rabbit with pine nuts, trout, tuna, duck, as well as red fish riet with olives.

    In addition, visitors to the cinema park’s gastronomic venues will enjoy the following types of honey: forest, buckwheat, sweet clover, linden, acacia, taiga, bee bread and honeycomb. They will also offer gingerbread or traditional handmade gingerbread with different flavors – from berry layer to condensed milk.

    Farmers will present sausages and delicacies – raw smoked meat and dishes from duck, lamb and veal. In addition, there will be a lot of smoked and dried fish on the shelves.

    The most popular product presented in the shopping chalets will be cheese. Guests of the Moskino cinema park will be able to choose from hard, semi-soft and soft, from cow’s and goat’s milk, with or without fillers.

    Bonuses for guests of the Golden Autumn festival

    Visitors to the Golden Autumn festival who purchase farm produce at the fair will be able to use the cashback system for the purchased ticket — this is a refund of the cost of the ticket to the cinema park or a free ticket to the cinema park, which will be valid until the end of the year. Upon purchase, festival guests will receive a coupon with a number that must be indicated in a message to a special chat bot of the cinema park in the Telegram messenger.

    After processing the application, you can choose the return method – 100% cashback in money on a card or ticket. The coupon is valid until the end of the day it is issued. The cashback application will be reviewed and registered in the chatbot no later than October 17, 2024. You can receive the service once, if you try to create another application, the previous one will be canceled. You must be careful when filling in contact information. If the data is incorrect, the service cannot be provided.

    The cashback service can be provided no later than 30 days from the date of registration of the application in the chatbot.

    Photo sessions in the scenery and educational film expedition

    During the cinema weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to take a photo “from the past” against the backdrop of the “County Town” stage. And for an additional fee – a professional photo as a keepsake and a retro-style card with various filters applied.

    A costumed photo session with partisan props will be held at the Partisan Village site, and in the Cowboy Town space, in themed costumes with a frame with the inscription “Wanted.”

    In addition, those who wish will be able to dress up as movie characters and take some photos as a keepsake.

    The President of Russia and the Mayor of Moscow ceremoniously opened the Moskino cinema park

    Guests of the cinema park will be able to go on a walking tour called “Cinema Expedition”. It includes a visit to the sites “County Town”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town”, “City Yard”, “Streets of Berlin” and “Gonzaga Theater”. An experienced guide will tell the participants the secrets of creating scenery, the intricacies of film production in the Moskino cinema park, as well as about the projects filmed in these scenery.

    “Cinema Expedition” will appeal to both adults and children. Excursions lasting 1.5 hours will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. Meeting at the educational center, tickets can be purchased on site using a QR code. The excursion is intended for adults and children from 10 years old.

    Geometrical games and attractions

    An animation program awaits children in the fairy tale park. The kids will be able to play the game “Drawing”, which will help participants test their knowledge of geometric figures. Thus, it will be necessary to construct an oval, square or rhombus from a rope with their eyes closed. The “Mega Tetris” test is suitable for those who like active games. The relay race to find Tetris pieces will end with the creation of a high tower from them.

    Anyone can take part in the animated sports programs from 11:00 to 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13.

    There will also be children’s attractions on the territory: excavators, a two-story carousel and a Cheburashka carousel.

    Staged shooting and a journey into the world of shadows

    Staged filming will take place on location. Everyone will have the opportunity to try on the images of the most famous heroes of Russian cinema. Comfortable conditions will be created for changing the image.

    The set of the “Pitersky Bar” is planned to be used for filming a scene from the movie “The Three Musketeers”. The “Cowboy Town” site will be used to film the famous scene of the acquaintance of the residents of an American town with the main character of the movie “The Man from Boulevard des Capucines” – Mr. Johnny Fest. All visitors to the park can take part in the staged filming.

    At the “County Town” site, visitors will see an immersive show based on the famous comedy film “12 Chairs”. On the streets, you can meet Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov, who are trying to find the treasured chair. Guests will witness the conflict between familiar and beloved characters.

    On Saturday and Sunday, visitors to the Gonzaga Theatre will be able to go on a fascinating journey through countries with shadow theatre artists, visiting different parts of the world together, which will leave lasting impressions.

    The parking lot near the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology will host an outdoor exhibition called “Behind the Ribbon,” as well as armored vehicles for the airborne, infantry, and support vehicles: BMD-1, BTR-60, BTR-70, Ural-375, GAZ-66, BTR-60, and other models.

    Film screenings and acting workshops

    This weekend, the Moskino Kinopark cinema will delight viewers with new Russian films. Morning sessions are for the little ones, they will be shown the cartoons Luntik. Returning Home and Malyshariki. Birthday.

    In the afternoon, the program includes the films “Ruki Vverh”, “Vasilisa and the Guardians of Time” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”. All screenings are paid. The schedule and ticket purchase are available on the website.

    For an additional fee, visitors to the cinema will be able to participate in master classes where children will learn about string art, or thread graphics, create the main cinematic symbol – a clapperboard, and also attend a class on artistic makeup, where they will be able to turn into their favorite superheroes. The events are intended for children aged six and up.

    In addition, there will be master classes in acting, aimed at revealing the creative potential of the participants, studying the basics of managing emotions, and getting acquainted with different roles – from dramatic to comedic.

    And for dance lovers, there will be classes called “Dance in the World of Cinema,” where they will talk about the features of body language and the ability to express emotions through movement.

    At the master classes “Sing in the World of Cinema” you will have the opportunity to learn how to control your voice and breathing. Vocal exercises of the stars will help to reveal hidden talents.

    The cost, detailed description and time of the event can be found atcinema platform “Moskino”.

    Photoshoot in the Wild West and a master class in sand animation: how the weekend went at the Moskino cinema parkHistorical authenticity and the magic of immersion: what filming locations does the Moskino cinema park offer?

    The Million Prizes program campaign as part of the Golden Autumn Film Weekend and Festival

    This weekend, guests of the Moskino Cinema Park will be able to earn points for the city loyalty program “Million Prizes.” For visiting entertainment events at the Moskino Cinema Park, participants will be awarded 625 city points. They can only be received once if you have a full or standard account on mos.ru. To take part in the promotion, you must show your ticket and personal QR code for a participant in electronic city projects to the administrator at the entrance on the day of the event. You can find the QR code on the website, by logging in using your mos.ru account and clicking on the button with the shield image in the upper right corner of the screen.

    Points can be exchanged for goods and services from more than 400 partners of the city loyalty program “Million Prizes”. For example, you can get discounts in restaurants and pharmacies, a ticket to a museum, top up your “Troika” transport card, or donate points to charity.

    Entry to the events of the cinema weekend is by tickets, which can be purchased online only, cash payment is not accepted. Parking for personal vehicles is free.

    The cinema park is part of the Moscow Cinema Cluster, which unites infrastructure facilities, services and services for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government as part of Sergei Sobyanin’s project “Moscow – City of Cinema”. Currently, the cinema park has 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “Pitersky Bar” and others.

    The structure of the capital’s film cluster also includes the Maxim Gorky Film Studio (sites onRyazansky Prospect, Sergei Eisenstein Street and in Valdaisky Proezd), the Moskino cinema chain, the Moskino film commission and film platform.

    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.mos.ru/nevs/item/145102073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mental Health and Longevity: Older Muscovites Attend Psychology Classes

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    For project participants “Moscow Longevity” Psychology classes are organized. Together with professionals, they analyze various situations – from conflict resolution and building communication with relatives to questions on how to maintain motivation for personal development.

    “Psychology classes are becoming an alternative to personal therapy for project participants. In old age, the number of psychological needs for many increases: there is a desire to rethink life, strengthen relationships with grown-up children and grandchildren, and most importantly, to realize their own importance. Psychology is one of the priority areas of the project. According to the latest study, which we conducted jointly with the Research Institute of Health Organization and Medical Management of the Moscow Department of Health, project participants have a positive attitude towards psychological trainings and seeking help from specialists. This may indicate a high degree of trust among the older generation in the project’s classes and a desire to deal with psychological issues, to approach mental health consciously,” said the Deputy Head of the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow

    Vladimir Filippov.

    There are currently over 300 psychology groups open. The classes are attended by over 19,000 senior citizens. Teachers select topics for discussion based on the requests of the participants themselves.

    “The main goal of the classes is to give participants various techniques and practices that they can immediately begin to apply in life. In addition, the classes help not only the older generation, but also their children and grandchildren become happier. Adult family members play a major role in shaping the personality of children, and when grandparents can set an example with their behavior and correctly build communication with their grandchildren, this is a great contribution to their upbringing and future,” shared Olga Dobrynina, a psychology teacher at the Silver University of the Moscow Longevity project.

    Research by the Research Institute of Health Organization and Medical Management of the capital Department of Health and the Moscow Longevity project showed that its participants have a higher mental well-being index, are less prone to anxiety and consider themselves active in socio-cultural life. 76 percent of respondents are not afraid of developing mental disorders and believe that the main tools in preventing them are working on themselves and engaging in activities that support and develop cognitive functions.

    To university for knowledge, to yoga for health: what opportunities do older Muscovites haveSergei Sobyanin spoke about the capital’s active longevity systemThe number of Moscow longevity centers has increased to 134 — Sergei Sobyanin

    All interested senior citizens are invited to join the classes of the Moscow Longevity project. You can choose a group and sign up for the project on the portal mos.ruor by contacting any Moscow longevity center. The project offers more than 40 types of classes – from vocals and drawing to computer graphics and animation.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145090073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Heading for your own business: how the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Find an idea for a business, register your business, learn the basics of marketing and develop a strategy for promoting your personal brand – these and other important knowledge for entrepreneurs can be obtained in“MBM Business School”Any Muscovite who wants to open their own business and run it successfully can become a participant in free classes.

    In October, the MBM Business School celebrated its seventh anniversary. During this time, more than 16 thousand people have completed their studies there. Every second graduate opens your own business. Read about how experts help aspiring entrepreneurs to identify their target audience, study the market and modern trends, and work through legal and accounting issues in the mos.ru article.

    Come up with an idea and create your own brand

    Many people dream of switching from a paid job to their own business in order to freely manage their time, gain financial independence, set goals and achieve results. But starting a business and achieving success is not so easy: it requires not only courage and organizational skills, but also certain knowledge and skills. During the five-day free course at the MBM Business School, students will be helped to find an entrepreneurial idea, taught how to prepare effective presentations, “package” a product or service, analyze the market and promote a brand on social networks.

    “Every day, different speakers address the participants of the classes with specific topics. I talk about the importance of social networks for expanding the audience, attracting customers and increasing brand awareness. At the same time, it is better to limit yourself to two or three social networks at first, because you may not have enough time and energy for more. The next important point is to choose a social network that is used more often by the target audience. For example, Odnoklassniki is preferred by older people than users of the social network VKontakte. In addition, during the class, we have time to create a Telegram channel, come up with a name for it and invite the first subscribers,” says Alexandra Lynova, an expert in visual communication in digital and social media at the MBM Business School.

    To register for the school, you don’t necessarily have to have a ready-made entrepreneurial idea: anyone who wants to start their own business can join. For the convenience of participants, classes are held in person or online.

    “Everyone has entrepreneurial skills, and it’s never too late to change your life. For example, a man over 60 years old became a participant in the last cohort of the MBM Business School. He had worked in journalism all his life, and now he is thinking about his own publishing business. We also had a mother of many children who was inspired by the idea of creating a network of fitness clubs for women with small children. Experts help aspiring entrepreneurs in all matters,” continues Alexandra Lynova.

    Sobyanin: Entrepreneurs can receive educational support from the cityThe country’s first youth entrepreneurship hub has been created in Moscow — Sobyanin

    Set goals and find mentors

    The training at the MBM Business School is structured in such a way that students not only receive theoretical knowledge, but also complete practical tasks and adopt the experience of experts. Thus, the founder and director of the online educational center Diana Ipkeeva came to the MBM Business School a year ago with an already working project, but without a specific understanding of where to move next. Experts helped her refine the concept, formulate the mission and values.

    “I always wanted to work for myself, and after moving to Moscow, my husband and I started tutoring Russian and mathematics. As a result, there were so many students that we decided to open our own educational center and attract other teachers. But I didn’t know where to get them, how to train them and employ them. At the MBM Business School, I became convinced that people needed my idea, received tremendous support from teachers and other entrepreneurs, mastered accounting and legal aspects, and learned the rules of marketing,” says Diana Ipkeeva.

    After training, the entrepreneur added English to the list of subjects at her educational center, tripled the number of teachers, and the number of students increased several times.

    “On this course I found two mentors who still support me. New plans appeared, an understanding of where to grow further, we already have goals planned for two years in advance. I recommend the MBM Business School to anyone who wants to start their own business. These five days are enough to understand whether a person is ready to become an entrepreneur or if it is better for them to work for hire. For those who are not ready, this will help to avoid mistakes and disappointments, and if after the classes a person is strengthened in their desire, they will be informed enough to boldly follow this path,” the mos.ru interlocutor believes.

    From maternity leave to entrepreneurship

    Participants of the MBM Business School take various industry streams: courses for the self-employed, social business, education, restaurant business, beauty industry, marketplace business and women’s entrepreneurship. The latter is in demand among young mothers.

    “My target audience is aspiring female entrepreneurs who dream of being successful in their favorite business. And most of them are mothers who have two, three or even four children. It is important for me to show how a woman can achieve success at a comfortable pace and attract grateful clients, relying on her personal qualities,” says Oksana Sharaya, entrepreneur, coach and women’s trainer at the MBM Business School.

    One of her students, working as a marketer at a bank, decided to start her own jewelry business during the coronavirus pandemic. After completing the course, the aspiring entrepreneur created a business project, registered as self-employed, and today is the owner of a successful jewelry brand.

    “The main thing in training is the search for meaning. A female entrepreneur must understand what she can bring to this world and who will benefit from it. In classical business, it is absolutely unimportant for an entrepreneur and his target audience to have similar values, but for women’s self-realization it is important. In addition, women, as a rule, have good organizational skills and can be unobtrusive leaders, and they implement these qualities in business, inspiring and supporting their employees,” Oksana Sharaya is sure.

    Women entrepreneurs are invited to take part in the MBM mini-intensive

    Overcome the crisis and expand your business

    Participation in the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs to work out an idea, form a concept for their brand, and strengthen their business and personal qualities. Offline stream participants prepare projects that they present at the end of the program — a business plan or strategy for developing their company. For example, fashion designer and head of a shoe fashion house Daria Detkina, studying at the business school in 2018 helped her get out of the crisis and find a new direction in her favorite business.

    “Working in one company, I grew from a designer to a creative director. At the same time, private orders began to come in, and I became more and more immersed in the world of entrepreneurship. And after 2014, I finally decided to go into my own business. Fortunately, I quickly found clients, and then a business partner. However, three years later, I realized that I needed to change somehow. Then I learned about the MBM Business School,” says Daria Detkina.

    After participating in the program, the fashion designer decided to create not only custom-made shoes, but also limited collections, and provide services to entrepreneurs who want to produce shoes under their own brand. Darya Detkina has a workshop, a production facility with 3D equipment, and a photo studio, and she recently rented another space, where she is currently renovating.

    “At business school, they told us how to analyze the target audience, create unique offers, explained accounting and legal subtleties. I save all these lectures and often review them. But the most valuable thing for me in my studies was networking. When you communicate with similarly charged, motivated people, it is very inspiring,” says the mos.ru interlocutor.

    The next stream of the MBM Business School will begin offline classes on October 14. You can register for participation by link.

    State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” also holds free forums, seminars, trainings, conferences for entrepreneurs, which help to improve professional competencies and find like-minded people. You can get advice on opening and running your own business and learn more about measures to support entrepreneurs on the website “Small Business of Moscow”, in person at business service centers and by phone: 7 495 225-14-14.

    Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    Starting with coffee: entrepreneurs are invited to join the new MBM training projectInvent, produce and sell: what entrepreneurs are taught in the courses of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow”The number of small and medium entrepreneurs in the education sector has grown by 27 percent in three years

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144990073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Proposer’s Day

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Purpose

    The Proposer’s Day is intended to familiarize potential applicants with the objectives and structure of the NAPMP Advanced Packaging Research and Development Notice of Intent (NOI), published on July 19, 2024. It will bring potential applicants together in a collaborative atmosphere to network and support partnerships among the community. 

    Who should attend

    On July 19, 2024, CHIPS R&D released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to invest up to $1.55 billion for funding across the five research and development areas (RDAs) outlined in the NAPMP vision paper. CHIPS R&D expects to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit proposals for activities that will establish and accelerate domestic advanced packaging through investments in five RDAs: (1) Equipment, Tools, Processes, and Process Integration; (2) Power Delivery and Thermal Management; (3) Connector Technology, including Photonics and Radio Frequency (RF); (4) Chiplets Ecosystem; and (5) Co-design/Electronic Design Automation (EDA). 

    Audience

    For industry representatives, technical experts, researchers, and semiconductor industry alliances. CHIPS R&D expects eligible lead applicants and subrecipients will include for-profit organizations; non-profit organizations; accredited institutions of higher education, including community and technical colleges and minority serving institutions; and state, local, territorial, and Tribal government. It is expected that the NOFO will require that applicants must be domestic entities, meaning entities incorporated in the United States (including U.S. territories) with their principal place of business in the United States, including U.S. territories, and will potentially be subject to other eligibility requirements. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. What does that mean?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University

    BAZA Production/Shutterstock

    In a speech to the New South Wales and South Australian government social media summit today, Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced more details of how the federal government’s proposed social media ban would actually work.

    The government first announced the ban last month, shortly after SA said it will ban children under 14 from social media. But experts have heavily criticised the idea, and this week more than 120 experts from Australia and overseas wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state and territory premiers urging a rethink.

    Despite this, the government appears to be ploughing ahead with the proposed ban. The details Rowland announced today do not meaningfully address many of the criticisms made over the past few weeks.

    In fact, they actually raise new problems.

    What are the details of the social media ban?

    In her speech, Rowland said the government will amend the Online Safety Act to “place the onus on platforms, not parents or young people” to enforce the proposed social media ban.

    The changes will be implemented over 12 months to give industry and the regulator time to implement key processes.

    The government says it “will set parameters to guide platforms in designing social media that allows connections, but not harms, to flourish”. These parameters could address some of the “addictive” features of these platforms, for instance by limiting potential harms by prioritising content feeds from accounts people follow, or making age-appropriate versions of their apps.

    The government is also considering an:

    exemption framework to accommodate access for social media services that demonstrate a low risk of harm to children.

    The problem with “low risk”

    But allowing young people to access social media platforms that have a demonstrated “low risk of harm” is fraught with issues.

    Risk is difficult to define – especially when it comes to social media.

    As I explained earlier this year around potential harms of artificial intelligence, risk “sits on a spectrum and is not absolute”. Risk cannot be determined simply by considering a social media platform itself, or by knowing the age of the person using it. What’s risky for one person may not be risky for someone else.

    How, then, will the government determine which social media platforms have a “low risk of harm”?

    Simply focusing on technical changes to social media platform design in determining what constitutes “low risk” will not address key areas of potential harm. This may give parents a false sense of security when it comes to the “low-risk” solutions technology companies offer.

    Let’s assume for a moment that Meta’s new “teen-friendly” Instagram accounts qualify as having a “low risk of harm” and young people would still be allowed to use them.

    The teen version of Instagram will be set to private by default and have stronger content restrictions in place than regular accounts. It will also allow parents to see the categories of content children are accessing, and the accounts they follow, but will still require parental oversight.

    But this doesn’t solve the risk problem.

    There will still be harmful content on social media. And young people will still be exposed to it when they are old enough to have an unrestricted account, potentially without the support and guidance they need to safely engage with it. If children don’t gain necessary skills for navigating social media at an early age, potential harms may be deferred, rather than addressed and safely negotiated with parental support.

    A better approach

    The harmful content on social media platforms doesn’t just pose a risk to young people. It poses a risk to everybody – adults included. For this reason, the government’s heavy focus on encouraging platforms to demonstrate a “low risk of harm” only to young people seems a little misguided.

    A better approach would be to strive to ensure social media platforms are safe for all users, regardless of their age. Ensuring platforms have mechanisms for users to report potentially harmful content – and for platforms to remove inappropriate content – is crucial for keeping people safe.

    Platforms should also ensure users can block accounts, such as when a person is being bullied or harassed, with consequences for account holders found to engage in such harmful behaviour.

    It is important that government requirements for “low-risk” accounts include these and other mechanisms to identify and limit harmful content at source. Tough penalties for tech companies that fail to comply with legislation are also needed.

    The federal government could also provide extra resources for parents and children, to help them to navigate social media content safely.

    A report released this week by the New South Wales government showed 91% of parents with children aged 5–17 believe “more should be done to teach young people and their parents about the possible harms of social media”.

    The SA government appears to be heeding this message. Today it also announced a plan for more social media education in schools.

    Providing more proactive support like this, rather than pursuing social media bans, would go a long way to protecting young Australians while also ensuring they have access to helpful and supportive social media content.

    Lisa M. Given receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and a former President of the Association of Information Science and Technology.

    – ref. The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. What does that mean? – https://theconversation.com/the-governments-social-media-ban-for-kids-will-exempt-low-risk-platforms-what-does-that-mean-241120

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland Council appoints Watercare board chair

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council’s Performance and Appointments Committee today appointed Geoff Hunt to be the chair of the Watercare Services Limited Board with effect from 12 October 2024.

    A ‘revisited’ appointment

    The council revisited its process to appoint the chair following a judicial review of the process undertaken for the appointment earlier this year. The outcome of that process was that the High Court set aside the appointment of the chair made on 25 June 2024.

    The judgment did not direct concern toward the appointment itself, but rather the process that was followed to complete the appointment.

    “Ensuring the appropriate appointment practices are in place, and carried out, to deliver well-governed council-controlled organisations is a priority for us and we have adjusted our processes accordingly,” says Alastair Cameron, the council’s Manager CCO/External Partnerships team.

    The Performance and Appointments Committee is responsible for all appointments to the boards of council-controlled organisations, in accordance with the council’s Appointment and Remuneration Policy for Board Members and the Local Government Act.

    About Geoff Hunt

    Geoff’s career has been mainly in construction, operation, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Over a 27-year period he has been CEO of four successful New Zealand-based companies operating in these areas. He has worked in the UK and the USA and has been involved in project delivery and infrastructure maintenance services in Australia, the Pacific, Melanesia, and SE Asia.

    Geoff has worked in and held governance roles in both the government and private sectors and in industry bodies. He is currently a New Zealand Infrastructure Commission board member and director of two privately owned business providing materials to the construction sector. Through Geoff Hunt Consulting Ltd he advises on business performance improvement, staff relations and development, construction project delivery, and construction sector dispute resolution.

    Geoff has a master’s degree in engineering, is an Engineering New Zealand Distinguished Fellow and a member of the Institute of Directors.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes pragmatic approach in Electricity GPS

    Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

    Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the refreshing pragmatism in the Government’s Policy Statement (GPS) to the Electricity Authority.
    The GPS says mitigating climate change is not the job of the Electricity Authority, and Minister Brown has made it clear that the Authority should take a “fuel agnostic” approach to the electricity sector.
    Chief Executive John Carnegie says, “This is a welcome dose of pragmatism and the direction we need as we transition to a low-carbon electrified economy.
    This winter highlighted that we still need thermal generation to ensure a secure energy system.
    “We must keep our options open with facilities like Genesis’ Huntly Power Station, which can generate energy from domestic gas, coal, and biomass” Carnegie says.
    The GPS also says that the Government will not intervene in the wholesale market as this “can undermine incentives on market participants to manage their risks properly, chilling hedging and new investment leading to increased scarcity, more periods of high prices and reduced security. We couldn’t agree more”.
    The statement clarifies that the Electricity Authority must refrain from favouring one form of fuel or technology over another, something we have consistently advocated for over the last five years. Carnegie says it is great to see the government agree with Energy Resources’ Aotearoa’s long-standing position on fuel and technology agnosticism. 
    If thermal generation is cheaper than renewable alternatives, we should use it. It also says that the Emissions Trading Scheme with carbon pricing should be the mechanism for addressing climate change.
    Carnegie says, “This is a welcome departure from ideologically driven policy, which contorted our largely renewable energy system into a vehicle for reducing emissions. Right now, thermal generation is a necessary part of our generation mix, and it is great that the government acknowledges this. 
    “Now we need the right regulatory and market conditions to encourage the development of gas-fired peaking plants and the fuel we so badly need to keep the lights on.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: High skills, low protection: the legal hurdles for foreign workers in Indonesia

    Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Wayne Palmer, Senior Research Fellow, Bielefeld University

    ilikeyellow/Shutterstock

    Developing countries like Indonesia use foreign high-skilled and high-wage workers to drive economic growth and innovation. However, protection of their legal rights is often neglected, affecting these workers’ productivity and well-being and Indonesia’s reputation as a destination country for employment.

    My research delves into the flaws of Indonesia’s labour market institutions, such as the national labour dispute settlement system, revealing that current mechanisms are inadequate in protecting the rights of high-skilled foreign workers.

    The study

    My findings show the national dispute settlement system exhibits significant systemic shortcomings, such as processing cases slowly and siding with employers, which limit its capacity to protect all workers effectively. But disputes involving foreign workers are further complicated by the fact that immigration law allows employers to cancel residence permits, meaning that the government requires the workers to leave the country even though the workers may have been unfairly dismissed.

    Foreign workers are mainly from Northeast Asia (China, Japan and Korea), and their use on investment-tied projects coupled with Indonesia’s downstreaming programme will ensure their numbers continue to grow. In 2023, the Indonesian government issued 168,048 permits for foreigners to work in Indonesia with the top three destinations being Central Sulawesi (18,678), Jakarta (13,862) and West Java (10,807). By July 2024, the government had already issued more than 14% more permits than by the same time the previous year.

    My study examined 92 labour disputes involving foreign workers between 2006 (when the new national dispute settlement system was implemented) and 2022, which were settled by the Industrial Relations Court. One additional dispute was filed in 2023, but the Industrial Relations Court has not yet published the settlement despite a legal requirement to do so.

    I complemented these court settlements with 98 qualitative interviews with other stakeholders, including policymakers, labour rights activists, legal professionals, and other foreign workers, such as foreign spouses, remote workers and digital nomads.

    As in other countries too, the number of registered labour disputes is only the tip of the iceberg, as workers tend to cut their losses and move on rather than invest time, energy and limited financial resources in challenging their better-resourced employers.

    Employers were all Indonesian companies, so no foreign workers who filed a lawsuit worked for a multinational company, and those who did so had at least 20 nationalities.


    CC BY

    In terms of geographical distribution, the studied disputes were settled in 13 local jurisdictions, and were mostly lodged by workers rather than employers.

    The nature of the disputes mostly involved claims that an employment contract had been terminated prematurely (87 cases), while a much smaller number involved resignation (4 cases) or were unknown (1 case). Of the 92 claims, 83 were initiated by workers, and eight by an employer. In one case, the lodging party was not recorded in the final decision.

    Hiring a private lawyer

    Employers used the Immigration Law to undermine the protective role of the Manpower Law – as it stands foreign workers are only entitled to employment protection if they hold a valid residence permit, which employers can and do shorten. Doing so shows that the Indonesian government prioritizes the flexibility of employers at the expense of employment protection for foreign workers.

    In at least 92% cases, foreign workers used paid assistance of a private lawyer to represent themselves at formal meetings and hearings required by the Disputes Settlement Law, the cost of which could be hefty.

    As one foreign worker explained:

    It’s always in the back of your mind, to do whatever to make employers happy if you want to stay. No matter what the work permit and contract say, they can ask immigration to kick us out within a week!“

    A retired government official responsible for designing policy regarding foreign workers was surprised when he heard this, explaining that:

    I thought they could look after themselves because they earn such high wages. Well, higher than the average Indonesian worker, that is.

    Hiring a private lawyer is the only way to represent themselves throughout the dispute resolution process because they need to leave Indonesia once they are fired. Not having the legal right to remain in Indonesia makes it very difficult – even impossible – to do it without them.

    Addressing institutional failures

    Engaging a private lawyer served as an ‘institutional fix’ that enabled most foreign workers to engage with Indonesia’s labour dispute settlement system by attending formal meetings and hearings, as well as filling out required paperwork and sending essential letters and replies.

    Addressing this institutional failure requires a shift in law and policy. Firstly, legal reforms are essential to ensure that immigration and employment laws are integrated to enable foreign workers to have access to legal processes intended to help protect labour rights. At a minimum, this would involve amending policy to prevent employers from cancelling residence permits so that foreign workers need to leave the country prematurely.

    Alternatively, the Directorate-General of Immigration could still permit employers to do so, but then provide the affected foreign workers with a limited-stay visa so that they can remain in Indonesia to engage with the legal process. The Hong Kong Immigration Department does this for Indonesian migrant workers.

    Secondly, there is a need for enhanced support systems that provide immediate and effective assistance to foreign workers. Government agencies tasked with settling labour disputes, such as local manpower offices and the Industrial Relations Court, should be equipped with adequate resources and trained personnel to handle migrant labour issues. Doing so would decrease the reliance of foreign workers on private lawyers.

    Failure to protect the employment rights of foreign workers has the potential to damage Indonesia’s reputation as a destination country for employment. Such damage could undermine Indonesia’s ambitious plans to build a new capital city (Ibu Kota Nusantara) with the assistance of foreign workers, and undermine the government’s downstreaming programme, which helps Indonesia earn more from the export of raw minerals.

    Wayne Palmer has received research funding from the International Labour Organization, the Freedom Fund, and the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. High skills, low protection: the legal hurdles for foreign workers in Indonesia – https://theconversation.com/high-skills-low-protection-the-legal-hurdles-for-foreign-workers-in-indonesia-230795

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 19th East Asia Summit reviews cooperation and future direction

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS), held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The 19th EAS was attended by Heads of State/Government and High Representatives of the EAS participating countries, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Timor-Leste as Observer. The President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation attended the Open Session and briefed the Meeting on enhancing connectivity and on economic integration.

    The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern.

    The post 19th East Asia Summit reviews cooperation and future direction appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: (WIP) New cyber incident response obligations for Australian organisations

    Source: Allens Insights

    The rationale for mandatory reporting is the Government’s limited visibility over threats to the private sector and the current underreporting of ransomware payments.

    A ransomware reporting regime has previously been supported by both major parties so we expect this reporting regime will receive bipartisan support.

    Two key elements of the Government’s proposal are:

    • reporting obligations will be triggered on payment of a ransom, rather than on awareness of an extortion attempt, or commencement of negotiations with threat actors; and
    • the reporting obligations extend to cyber theft extortion (holding data hostage), not just ransomware (locking functionality).
    Restrictions on use of ransomware payment reports

    Importantly, the Cyber Bill makes clear that ransomware payment reports may only be used or disclosed by the designated federal body or a secondary entity (if such reports are disclosed by the designated federal body), in limited circumstances. Relevantly, the designated federal body must not use or disclose the relevant information it obtains for the purposes of investigating or enforcing any contravention by the reporting business entity of a federal, state or territory law (other than a law that imposes a penalty for a criminal offence).

    To the extent that payment of a ransom is an offence under a criminal sanctions, terrorism financing or other financial crime law, federal or state bodies will be permitted to record, use or disclose the information.

    Admissibility in proceedings

    The Cyber Bill clarifies that information in ransomware payment reports is inadmissible in a broad range of proceedings—including for certain criminal proceedings, civil proceedings for contraventions of civil penalties and proceedings for breaches of any federal, state or territory laws (including the common law). Whilst this provision does not amount to safe harbour from all criminal liability, it does provide broad comfort that information (which is not subject to LPP) may not be admitted in legal proceedings.

    Importantly, because this protection is specifically expressed to attach to information provided by the reporting entity, careful consideration will need to be given in circumstances where a group of companies has suffered an incident.

    Claims of legal professional privilege

    The Cyber Bill also expressly states that information provided in a ransomware payment report does not affect a claim of LPP that anyone may make in relation to information in any proceedings. The express LPP carveout is important as statutory provisions that abrogate legal professional privilege must do so expressly and unambiguously.2 However, the position as to whether and when provision of information the subject of LPP to government agencies constitutes a waiver of LPP is far from settled.3 Further, the protections in respect of LPP are not as broad or far reaching as those in respect of the admissibility of evidence (see below). Accordingly, careful consideration will need to be given prior to the disclosure of any material to which LPP may apply.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 90% of Moscow’s 2025 budget expenditures will go toward implementing state programs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moscow government approved the draft city law “On the budget of the city of Moscow for 2025 and the planning period of 2026 and 2027”. The budget was formed based on strategic plans for the development of the economy, infrastructure and social sphere of the capital until 2030, the expected results of the 2024 budget execution and the base scenario of the forecast of the socio-economic development of Moscow for the next three years.

    In 2022–2023, the capital’s economy as a whole went through a period of adaptation to unprecedented sanctions pressure from unfriendly countries and is now on a balanced growth trajectory. Active implementation of domestic technological developments, reduced dependence on imported equipment and components, substitution of products from unfriendly countries, and a high level of employment allow us to predict its further progressive development in the next three years.

    In 2025, the costs of implementing 13 state programs of Moscow will make up 90 percent of the budget expenditure. Among them are the development of healthcare, education, the transport system, the cultural and tourist environment, the preservation of cultural heritage and social support for residents.

    Expenditures on the implementation of state programs of the city of Moscow in the draft budget for 2025 and the planning period of 2026 and 2027 (in billions of rubles)

    Program

    2025 year

    Over three years (2025–2027)

    1

    2

    3

    Expenditures on the implementation of state programs, total

    Taking into account compulsory medical insurance funds

    5 013,5

    5 499,1

    15 229,8

    16 799

    Including:

    Development of the transport system

    1084.9

    3192.8

    Social support for residents

    737.1

    2 237,7

    Development of education

    649.6

    2121.2

    Healthcare development

    610.7

    1828.6

    Taking into account compulsory medical insurance funds

    1096.3

    3397.8

    Housing

    567.6

    1843.7

    Development of public utility infrastructure and energy saving

    131.7

    416.6

    Development of the digital environment and innovations

    204.3

    640.3

    Development of the urban environment

    262.8

    834.4

    Development of the cultural and tourist environment and preservation of cultural heritage

    241.7

    698.8

    Economic development and investment attractiveness

    206.8

    490.1

    Moscow Sports

    106.1

    298.4

    Safe City

    106.6

    333.2

    Urban development policy

    103.5

    293.8

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11880050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Luxon wraps up East Asia Summit

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The annual East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Laos this week underscored the critical role that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays in ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

    “My first participation in an EAS has been a valuable opportunity to engage with leaders on complex issues facing our region, from geopolitical tensions to expanding trade. In my statement, I emphasised the importance of regional security to our collective economic prosperity,” Mr Luxon says.

    Mr Luxon confirmed New Zealand will hold an ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Leaders’ Summit in Malaysia in November 2025. 

    “This will be a fitting way to mark 50 years of New Zealand-ASEAN dialogue relations next year,” Mr Luxon says.

    “My Government is lifting the energy New Zealand brings to our relationships across Southeast Asia and we continue to deepen our ties with ASEAN. This includes work to upgrade to a New Zealand-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

    Mr Luxon held bilateral talks with the leaders of Cambodia, India, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand. He also delivered a speech to the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

    “I had a lengthy and warm bilateral with Prime Minister Modi, who invited me to visit India in the new year. We discussed the many connections between India and New Zealand, how we could grow the relationship further, and the contribution the 300,000 India diaspora make to New Zealand both culturally and economically.

    “I also sat with Prime Minister Modi at the Leaders’ Gala dinner where we continued our conversation. We will look at finding a mutually agreeable time to visit India early in 2025.”

    Prime Minister Luxon also met with the Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia in Laos. Prime Ministers Trudeau, Albanese and Luxon traversed common interests such as their work together on the troubling situation in the Middle East, CPTPP, and the Commonwealth.

    Mr Luxon arrives back in New Zealand on Saturday.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NT Government urged not to lower age of criminal responsibility

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner, Katie Kiss, have urged the Northern Territory Government to reverse its plan next week to introduce a new law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to ten years. 

    The Commissioners have again warned that a ‘tough on crime’ approach will in fact contribute to an increase in criminal activity, rather than address the root issues of offending by children by focusing on education, healthcare and family support.  

    National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: “We all want to live in safe communities, but this plan by the NT Government goes against what all the evidence has shown we need to do to achieve that. It is absolutely critical that they reconsider. 

    “The younger a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system, the more likely they will go on to commit more serious and violent crimes. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years will not make communities safer, it will only see rates of child offending increase. These are primary school age children, and harsh, punitive responses are not the answer. 

    “The fact that this new law will be brought to the NT Parliament clearly shows its government has misunderstood the problem and solutions based on evidence. It also shows the other systems meant to help children with complex needs, and their families, such as health and education, have failed.  

    “I urge the NT government to read our landmark report tabled in the Australian Parliament last month, ‘Help Way Earlier!’ How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing. Our 24 recommendations offer a roadmap for reform that increases community safety and keeps our kids out of prison. Prevention and early intervention to address the drivers of offending by children is the only way we can achieve better outcomes for all.” 

    Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said: ​“Lowering the age of criminal responsibility condemns First Nations children to a lifetime of abuse, deprivation and disadvantage. Our children are disproportionately affected by the failing ‘tough on crime’ approach, which only serves to perpetuate racial profiling and negative stereotyping. 

    “The NT’s proposed laws, which will combine reducing the age of criminal responsibility with the reintroduction of ‘nuisance’ public drinking measures, will have a significant impact on First Nations children in the child justice system and their families. It also undermines the NT Government’s commitments under the national Closing the Gap agreement.  

    “Instead of finding positive solutions, we are instead criminalising First Nations children, and children with disabilities, learning problems and mental health issues. The consequences for us all if this practice continues is dire.  

    “Recent tragedies and deaths in custody and the child protection system clearly show that current approaches are not working. Kids need care, love and support so they can shake off generational disadvantage, have hope for their futures and feel they are valued and belong.  

    “I hope the NT Government heeds our call, listens to the experts and puts the futures of our children front of mind.  We stand ready to offer our support in any way.” 

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or 0457 281 897  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Festival celebrates renowned playwright

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Lao She Theater Festival, an annual cultural event in Beijing, celebrates renowned Chinese playwright and novelist Lao She (1899-1966).

    Named after the famous writer, whose works explore social issues in modern China with wit and humanism, the festival features performances of Lao She’s plays and other contemporary theatrical works, with a highlight on the connection between theatrical productions and literary works.

    On Sept 27, the eighth edition of the festival was announced at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. In the following three months, 35 theatrical productions will be staged in the capital with 90 performances divided into seven sections. The festival showcases a variety of theatrical performances not just by Lao She but also new plays by contemporary playwrights from China and beyond.

    These productions explore themes relevant to modern audiences, including social issues, cultural identity and human nature, according to Yang Cheng, president of the Beijing Artists Management Corp, the festival organizer.

    “Literature can evoke deep emotions through the reader’s imagination and connection to the written word, while theater amplifies this emotional impact by presenting stories live. The immediacy and presence of actors onstage allow audiences to feel the tension, humor or sorrow in real-time, making the emotional engagement more direct,” he says.

    Last year, the festival commissioned director Fang Xu to adapt Lao She’s classic novel Rickshaw Boy into a play. Featuring an all-male cast, the play has been staged in over 20 shows across the country. On Sunday and Monday, it was staged again at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

    Fang says that while literature is often the product of a single author’s vision, theatrical productions are highly collaborative. The process of staging a play involves writers, directors, actors, set designers and more, contributing their skills to interpret the original text. This collaboration can lead to multiple layers of meaning beyond what is present in the original literary work.

    This year, the festival announced its second commission for the event. Chinese director Zhang Xiao will adapt Chinese writer Du Liang’s popular novel Peking in Flames into a play, which will premiere on Dec 12 with shows running till Dec 15.

    The novel is a historical drama set in Beijing (formerly Beiping) during the late stages of the War of Liberation (1946-49), specifically in 1948, just before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The novel was turned into a hit TV drama in 2009 featuring actor Liu Peiqi playing the lead role of Wen San’er, who makes a living by pulling a rickshaw and is depicted as clever, street-smart and knows how to navigate the complex political landscape of Beiping.

    “The novel focuses on the lives of various characters from different social classes caught up in the political and military struggles of the time. Du Liang is known for his detailed and immersive storytelling, bringing historical events to life with rich characterizations and dramatic tension,” says Zhang. “The writer uses the setting of Beiping to symbolize the broader transformation of Chinese society during this period. The character Wen San’er is vivid and, despite his petty, streetwise demeanor, possesses a trait that shines brightly. This trait carries a resilient vitality.”

    On Dec 7 and 8, the festival will stage The Family by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group adapted from Chinese writer Ba Jin’s novel of the same title. Depicting the oppressive effect of traditional feudal families upon younger generations, the novel is Ba Jin’s most famous and influential work, which has been adapted into different art forms.

    Over the years, the Lao She Theater Festival has expanded to include collaborations with international theater groups, bringing diverse theatrical styles and influences to the event. This has helped position it as a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

    The Armazem Theatre Company from Brazil will debut in Beijing by staging its production Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas from Oct 31 to Nov 3. Adapted from the book by Brazil’s celebrated writer Machado de Assis, the production, directed by Paulo de Moraes, sold out when it was staged during the 10th edition of the Wuzhen Theater Festival — an annual theater event in the ancient water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang province.

    The Song of the Goat Theatre from Poland will return with its theatrical experiment Hamlet — A Commentary, featuring actors interpreting the characters, events and emotions through sounds. The text is given a melody and the dialogue is presented as musical harmonies. The words and music reflect the characters’ and family’s emotions. In 2019, the theater company staged its production Songs of Lear, an interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear, during the third edition of the Lao She Theater Festival.

    Other highlights of the ongoing festival will include a new section for dance productions. Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan will present the dance drama Tian Gong Kai Wu, or The Exploitation of the Works of Nature, inspired by the science classic of the same title by Song Yingxing, a scientist who lived in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. First published in 1637, the book offers a summary of ancient China’s manufacturing and farming techniques, earning recognition as an encyclopedia of science and technology. The eponymous drama, coproduced by the Jiangxi Cultural Performance Group and the Beijing Dance Academy, revolves around Song’s quest, portraying his journey to gather the techniques and tools and emphasizing the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese laborers.

    Since its launch in 2017, the festival has supported young theater lovers from various universities. Eighteen theatrical productions by students of Chinese universities will be staged during the festival, selected among 60 productions from 33 universities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Paris collection draws evolution of ink painting

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Art lovers in China may not be aware of this, but a museum in Paris houses an important collection of Asian and Chinese art. The ongoing exhibition The Journey of Ink: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings From the Musee Cernuschi showing at the Bund One Art Museum in Shanghai marks the first time a selection of masterpieces from the Paris museum is on display in China.

    Running until Jan 5, the exhibition features 89 paintings from the collection of the Musee Cernuschi, including works by familiar masters such as Zhang Daqian, Lin Fengmian, Qi Baishi and Sanyu.

    The Musee Cernuschi’s collection of modern and contemporary Chinese art has been displayed for more than 70 years, says Eric Lefebvre, director and general curator of the French museum. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, “so we think it is a great opportunity to share the ink paintings with audiences in Shanghai”, he told media at the opening ceremony.

    “We have selected artworks spanning almost a century to showcase how Chinese ink art innovated and developed throughout this period.”

    The exhibition ranges from paintings made at the beginning of the 20th century to the creations of living artists in the final chapter.

    “We search for a link with the past in the paintings,” says Mael Bellec, head of the Chinese and Korean collections at the Musee Cernuschi.

    In the curatorial process, Lefebvre and Bellec discovered a narrative thread connecting the works and chose ink painting as the main theme. “Because ink is native to Chinese characteristics, viewing it conjures the feeling of its history,” Bellec says.

    Many Chinese artists stayed in Paris and “while they were there, they did new things with what they learned … When two cultures meet, there is a blending that happens almost immediately and brings forth new ideas”, Bellec tells China Daily.

    “In France, people tend to forget that these artists were there and are part of our history,” he says. “Except for a few artists such as Pan Yuliang, whose biographic movie was made starring famous actress Gong Li, it’s not so easy to recognize and acknowledge them as part of our history, too,” he adds.

    For French visitors to the Cernuschi Museum in Paris, Bellec says: “Studying the art from a faraway country helps you to get out of your own culture and broaden your view of the world and its aesthetics, which is very different from your own.”

    Visitors to the exhibition in Shanghai will find landscape paintings, flowers and birds, and hand scrolls traditionally mounted in the first showroom.

    “Then, one chapter after another, they will observe the evolution of ink paintings, from the forms to the techniques,” Lefebvre says.

    To give audiences a full evolutionary experience, Lefebvre and Bellec also selected a series of videos from the institution’s archives, dating as early as the 1930s, that document the painting process of some artists.

    “From these videos, we can learn about the techniques of Zhang Daqian and see how artist Walasse Ting created the popular action painting style of the United States, reflecting the integration of Chinese and Western art,” Lefebvre says.

    A significant part of the exhibit joins the museum collection from the 1950s when the Musee Cernuschi received an important donation of paintings from Guo Youshou, a Chinese diplomat who later worked for UNESCO.

    An important collector and promoter of Chinese art, Guo facilitated the first series of exhibitions of Chinese art in France, Switzerland and Slovakia. From the 1950s to 60s, he helped to organize three exhibitions of Zhang Daqian in France, says Xie Dingwei, founding director of the Bund One Art Museum.

    “In 1953, Guo donated 76 paintings to the Musee Cernuschi, including works by Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian, Pu Ru and my father,” says Xie, the son of renowned Chinese artist Xie Zhiliu.

    Guo’s donation played an important part in the Musee Cernuschi’s collection of modern Chinese art. Today, “we recognize him as a pioneer who made great contributions by introducing Chinese art to the world”, Xie says.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Remembrance Service Sunday 10 November 2024 – Bangkok

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The British Embassy in Bangkok will be hosing this year’s annual Remembrance Day Service at The British Club.

    The annual Remembrance Day Service organised by the British Embassy in Bangkok will be held at The British Club commencing at 1050hrs on Sunday 10th November.  The event will not only commemorate British, Commonwealth, and allied personnel, but all those who have been affected in all conflicts.  It serves as a reminder that nations who fought so bitterly against each other can come together to promote peace and stability in the modern world. 

    Wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial by Ambassadors or their representatives, by War Veterans’ organisations and by representatives from associations and societies in Bangkok. Those attending the service are asked to gather from 1020hrs. 

    We would be grateful if you would reply via this link or through the QR code provided no later than 25 Oct 24 if you would like to attend.  Applications for attendance will only be processed via this method and regrettably we cannot guarantee entry for anyone who has not completed this application form. 

    If you wish to lay a wreath, they are available from the British Embassy for a donation of 1500 THB each; requests for wreaths and details for payment are included in the attendance response form.  All funds raised will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.  There will be an opportunity for personal wreaths to be laid following the service.

    There will be no public parking on site.  Travel by public transport is recommended. Public Address The British Club Bangkok, Silom Road Soi 18, Bangrak.  Following the service, light refreshments will be served on the back lawn.

    Please be aware that attendance may result in your image being captured during official event photography.  Should you not wish your image to appear in any official photographs on government or other media outlets please inform the British Embassy in writing accordingly.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Employment Rights Bill: statement on lateness of IA submission

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    RPC statement about the late submission of the Employment Rights Bill impact assessment.

    The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) produces opinions of impact assessments (IAs) and Options Assessments (OAs) to help departments ensure that the evidence and analysis in them is sufficiently robust. We provide an independent opinion to assist ministerial decision making and parliamentary scrutiny of regulatory proposals. We publish these to assist parliamentarians and to ensure that they are available to external stakeholders. Government departments are expected to submit IAs to the RPC in time for the RPC to issue an opinion before the relevant legislation is laid before Parliament.

    As part of the King’s Speech, the Government made clear its intention to introduce an Employment Rights Bill. Since this was a manifesto commitment, the Better Regulation Framework urgent measures process allows the department (the Department for Business and Trade) to submit an IA for the proposal, rather than an OA as normally required.

    The Employment Rights Bill was introduced to Parliament yesterday (10th October 2024). An IA has yet to be submitted to the RPC for scrutiny.

    The RPC will, on receipt of the IA, produce its opinion as soon as possible. Our opinion will be made available to the Government and Parliament and published on our website as soon as it is complete, when we will update this statement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The project for modernization of housing and communal services in Kursk region has been approved

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The Presidium of the Government Commission on Regional Development, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, approved a project to modernize public utilities infrastructure using a preferential loan from the National Welfare Fund in Kursk Oblast.

    “Despite the difficult conditions, Kursk Region continues to develop, including work on modernizing the communal infrastructure in the region. Now a project has been approved, according to which a sewage pumping station with pressure-gravity collectors will be built in Kursk for an actively developing residential area. The existing pumping station cannot cope with the increasing load, and the construction of a new one will solve this problem. The implementation of the project will improve the quality of utilities for 9 thousand people. It will also be possible to connect new subscribers in residential buildings with an area of about 72 thousand square meters and eliminate possible environmental risks,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The capacity of the new sewage pumping station in Kursk will be 520 cubic meters per hour. The project also includes the installation of pressure and gravity collectors with a total length of 5.6 km.

    The total cost of the project is 219.9 million rubles, including the loan from the National Welfare Fund – 119 million rubles. It should be implemented by July 2026.

    “The program for modernizing public utilities infrastructure using preferential loans from the National Welfare Fund, implemented in the regions since 2022, is part of the Government’s socio-economic initiative “Infrastructure Menu”. Earlier, under this program, 2.8 km of sewerage networks were reconstructed in Kursk, as well as about 3 km of heat and hot water supply networks. This improved the quality of life of 29.6 thousand city residents,” said Ilshat Shagiakhmetov, General Director of the Territorial Development Fund.

    In total, to date, the Presidium of the Government Commission for Regional Development has approved 239 housing and utilities modernization projects using funds from the National Welfare Fund in 76 regions. The operator of the program is the Territorial Development Fund.

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

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

    http://government.ru/nevs/52964/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia’s largest archival complex has accepted about 20 million files for storage

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the first year of operation, the largest in Russia Archival complex in TiNAO accepted about 20 million cases for storage. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “We have created an innovative document storage system based on the Main Archives of Moscow that combines accessibility, efficiency and security. A year ago, a unique complex with an area of about 70 thousand square meters and a capacity of up to 100 million storage units was launched in the capital. It has become the largest state robotic archive in Russia. In the first year of its operation alone, the complex accepted about 20 million cases for storage. In addition, we plan to implement artificial intelligence systems and computer vision technologies that will ensure accurate and fast document monitoring and increase the speed of entering new data. Such an innovative approach emphasizes the technological maturity of the complex and its ability to manage archival data on a large scale,” noted Anastasia Rakova.

    The new complex should fully meet the city’s need for storing documents from healthcare, social protection and educational institutions. Specialists work on moving data on a daily basis. Robotic manipulators help with their processing; they recognize text, automatically identify and extract key information, and create a personalized search system. In just one year, they have performed more than 30 million operations. Together withDepartment of Information Technology It is planned to implement special software for these tasks.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145105073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –