NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government and Business Partner to Create more Affordable Housing

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 8, 2024

    Manitoba Government and Business Partner to Create more Affordable Housing

    The Manitoba government is providing $10 million in grant funding to the Business Council of Manitoba to support a new investment trust that will increase the availability of affordable housing units in Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew and Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced today.

    “Today marks another significant step forward in our collective efforts to end chronic homelessness,” said Kinew. “This funding will work to create more affordable housing across Manitoba. We’re proud to partner with the big-hearted business community to put people on a path to home ownership.”

    Developed by the Business Council of Manitoba, the Collaborative Housing Alliance Real Estate Investment Trust aims to increase the availability of affordable housing in Manitoba by converting and renovating existing buildings and building new units that will offer below-market affordable housing options.

    Once launched, the trust would utilize resources from private, public and non-profit organizations to create a scalable and sustainable investment platform for non-market housing in Manitoba that is protected from market forces.

    “Addressing the housing crisis in Manitoba is a shared responsibility that requires close collaboration between the public, non-profit and private sectors,” said Smith. “Together, we can make a difference.”

    The one-time grant funding will cover the startup costs of the trust, allow the business council to solicit other investors and acquire or construct at least three new housing projects in the next year, the minister noted. The Manitoba government will closely monitor the outcomes of the trust over the next year.

    To learn more about the Manitoba government’s work related to housing and ending homelessness, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/housing/index.html.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Social Security Advisory Committee reappointments

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Social Security Advisory Committee have reappointed Carl Emmerson and Phil Jones.

    The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has confirmed the reappointment of Carl Emmerson and Phil Jones as Members of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC). The reappointments extend Carl and Phil’s membership to 31 July 2026.

    Appointments and reappointments to the Committee are made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The reappointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Carl Emmerson

    Carl Emmerson is Deputy Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, an editor of the annual IFS Green Budget and a Director of the Pensions Review. His research includes issues around the UK’s public finances, and household retirement saving decisions. He is also a member of the advisory panel of the Office for Budget Responsibility, and the UK Statistics Authority’s Methodological Assurance Review Panel.

    Phil Jones

    Since October 2021 Phil Jones has been Chief Executive of the Welsh Social Enterprise, Business in Focus, which provides a suite of business support services across Wales, including the delivery of the Welsh Government’s flagship ‘Business Wales’ service.

    Phil was previously the Director of Prince’s Trust Cymru for 5 years and, before that, the Wales Area Manager for The Royal British Legion.  Phil also served in the Armed Forces for over 25 years as an officer in The Royal Welsh.
    About the Committee

    The Social Security Advisory Committee is an independent advisory body of the Department for Work and Pensions. Its statutory remit is to:

    • to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, whether in response to a specific request or on its own initiative
    • to scrutinise secondary legislation relating to social security for the benefit of the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions or the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland, and Parliament

    The Committee Membership comprises:

    • Dr Stephen Brien (Chair)
    • Les Allamby
    • Bruce Calderwood
    • Rachel Chiu
    • Carl Emmerson
    • Daphne Hall
    • Professor Stephen Hardy
    • Jacob Meagher
    • Philip Jones
    • Dr Suzy Walton

    Contact SSAC

    Further enquiries should be directed to the Committee Secretary:

    Social Security Advisory Committee
    7th Floor Caxton House
    Tothill Street
    London
    SW1H 9NA

    Email: ssac@ssac.gov.uk

    Tel: 0300 046 0323

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nicholas Westcott, Professor of Practice in Diplomacy, Dept of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London

    The United Kingdom is resetting its relations with Africa and other countries in the global south after more than a decade of neglect. At the United Nations in September, British prime minister Keir Starmer promised his government was

    returning the UK to responsible global leadership.

    This should include reconnecting with the countries of the global south which feel they have been neglected and among whom Britain’s voice is now at a discount.

    The new Labour government’s recently launched reviews of Britain’s global impact and its international economic and development policies provide an opportunity to reevaluate and relaunch these relations. The opportunity must be seized for the sake of global stability.

    The post-cold war order is fraying. America is increasingly reluctant to act as a global guarantor for a multilateral system governed by international rules and respecting human rights and freedoms. China, Russia and emerging middle powers such as Iran, Turkey and the Gulf States seem happier with a multipolar system based on the exercise of military and economic power. Meanwhile, the accelerating impact of climate change adds to the challenges to regional stability in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

    I have followed these questions for nearly 50 years, as an academic and diplomat. Much has changed in those years, but recent British governments have been slow to adapt to these changes. To reconnect with countries in Africa and the global south, Britain needs a new attitude as well as new policies; and, paradoxically perhaps, the Commonwealth can play a constructive role in achieving this.

    Britain’s problem

    Distracted by its domestic political and economic difficulties since Brexit, recent British governments have neglected both Africa and the Commonwealth.

    • Aid has been cut, and policy incoherence exacerbated by the merger between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.

    • An investment conference with Africa due earlier in 2024 was scrapped at short notice.

    • Successive prime ministers gave little time to meeting African and other leaders from the global south. They had no answer to the questions being asked about Britain’s relationship with the south.

    Yet Britain’s links to these countries remain strong. Not least through the growing diaspora communities in the UK that are now an integral part of Britain’s social and political fabric. With 5.5 million people of Asian heritage and 2.5 million of African or mixed heritage in the UK in 2021, these bonds need to be politically recognised.



    Read more:
    How Commonwealth countries have forged a new way to appoint judges

    Most of those Britons come from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth as an organisation is no substitute for closer engagement with individual countries. But it provides a forum where connections can be made and a new, more equal relationship built.

    Though British governments have neglected it, King Charles, the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, has not, as his visit to Kenya in 2023 showed. And other countries are still seeking to join, as Gabon and Togo did last year.

    Commonwealth heads of government meeting

    From 21-26 October Samoa will host the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), which will choose a new secretary-general – this time from Africa. The summit brings together representatives from every continent: from G7 members to least developed countries, from the most populous country (India at 1.45 billion people) to the smallest (Tuvalu with under 10,000), from major greenhouse gas emitters to small islands at risk of disappearing beneath the sea.

    Despite its imperial origins, the Commonwealth is an international network that cuts across the multi-polarity that risks dividing the world. It includes countries from the global south, the global north and the global east. The diversity makes it an ideal forum for honest conversations on difficult issues like climate change and multilateral institutional reform.

    Unlike the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Beijing, the Commonwealth is an organisation run by its members. They share common values and interests as well as a common language. They come together to exchange ideas, not pledges of investment or aid. Its traditions of democracy and equality between members make it unique and valuable. It provides, for example, a ready-made network of global influence for any member state. For small island states, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, it is one forum where their voices can be amplified.

    This is important. With the community of nations struggling to address global challenges of the scale of climate change and pandemics, or to resolve regional conflicts, opportunities to build consensus are needed more than ever. The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa are a portent of things to come if we fail to sustain a global structure that can resolve rather than exacerbate such conflicts. UN peacemaking efforts might then be crowned with success rather than with futility and frustration.

    What Britain needs to do

    Britain is only one among many voices, so it needs a persuasive narrative that will help preserve a world order that can tackle humanity’s challenges, rather than one that simply fights over what is left. The Commonwealth, like the UN, is a place where the UK can start building support for a more equal and more effective global system.

    A new narrative, and a new relationship with Africa and the global south, should be based on four elements.

    Firstly, repentance for sins past. Britain’s empire played a central role in making the modern world, for better and worse. While the better is often taken for granted, the sins of empire still rankle, and – like a stone in the shoe – will distract relations. Best therefore to acknowledge them, and move forward.

    Secondly, the new relationship must be based on mutual respect and partnership. In particular, the age of traditional development programmes with their paternalistic tendencies is past. What countries in the global south are seeking, as many feel they do get from China, is a genuine partnership of equals that recognises the relationship as a whole and focuses on the political as well as economic sources of growth.

    Thirdly, Britain needs to work with African and other southern governments to amplify their voice in multilateral institutions such as the UN and international financial institutions, so that those institutions genuinely protect their interests and those countries defend the institutions.

    Finally, Britain needs to engage with the public as much as with governments in these countries. The BBC World Service, the British Council and Britain’s education sector are becoming more important in challenging disinformation as the battle of narratives hots up. Now is the time to reinforce them, not let them fade away.

    A new narrative along these lines at Chogm, and incorporated into the government’s reviews, could be the start of a genuine reset in Britain’s relationship with the global south, to the benefit of all.

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

    – ref. Britain has neglected Africa and the Commonwealth for over a decade: 4 ways it can reset relations – https://theconversation.com/britain-has-neglected-africa-and-the-commonwealth-for-over-a-decade-4-ways-it-can-reset-relations-239852

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK The Archbishop of Canterbury on #LordSpeakersCorner | #HouseOfLords

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Justin Welby, the 150th Archbishop of Canterbury, is the latest guest on Lord Speaker’s Corner.

    Hear him discuss the experience of his sometimes very public role, such as his part in the Coronation of King Charles III, plus his early life and unexpected route to becoming Archbishop.

    Watch the full episode by searching ‘Lord Speaker’s Corner’ on YouTube or visit https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

    #LordSpeakersCorner #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #LordsMembers

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFUv5Ip_bgU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Who and what is the Clerk of the Parliaments? | House of Lords

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    21 June this year saw the 200th anniversary of the Clerk of the Parliaments Act. The Clerk of the Parliaments is the most senior staff member of the Lords Administration – the body that supports the House to deliver its work.

    Why does the role need to be defined by law? Find out more in this video

    Find out more about the work of the Clerk of the Parliaments https://www.parliament.uk/about/faqs/house-of-lords-faqs/lords-cofp/

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JWIow_xpKA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on September 26 2024-10-08 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), releases news at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    (The following English text of the press conference is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Zhang Xiaogang: Friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to this month’s regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense.

    I have four pieces of news at the top.

    The first one.

    At the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense of Laos, the rotating chair of ASEAN, a working group of China’s Ministry of National Defense attended the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane on Sep. 26th. During the meeting, the Chinese side had discussions with representatives of other parties on international and regional security landscape, and advocated to jointly promote the Global Security Initiative, strengthen strategic communication and deepen defense cooperation to consolidate regional peace and stability.

    The second one.

    China’s Ministry of National Defense hosted the 21st Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in PLA National Defense University in Beijing from September 25th to 26th. Representatives from SCO member states and the Secretariat exchanged views on military cooperation at the event. This is the first EWG meeting under the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting hosted by China after its assumption of the rotating presidency. It’s also the first time for Belarus to attend as a full member of the SCO.

    The third one.

    At the invitation of the South African Navy, PLA Navy ship (PLANS) Xuchang from the 46th naval task group for escort missions will participate in the International Navy Day in Cape Town in early October. During the event, PLANS Xuchang will participate in the international fleet review and host an Open Day activity. In addition, it will have a maritime drill with the South African Navy.

    The fourth one.

    The Chinese government and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW) will co-host the third training course on medical aid and protection against chemical weapons in PLA Air Force Medical University from October 13th to 19th. Over 30 participants from more than 20 State Parties including Germany, Brazil and Morocco will participate in the training. They will focus on topics such as the symptom, diagnose and treatment of chemical weapons poisoning, the medical transportation and classification of the injured by chemical weapons, and organization and implementation of medical recue in dealing with chemical weapons. In the spirit of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the course is to strengthen rescue and response capabilities against chemical weapons, enhance capacity-building in medical protection and treatment, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), releases news at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Question: There are growing interaction between the Chinese and US militaries in recent time. The commanders of the PLA Southern Theatre Command and US Indo-PACOM had a video phone call. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China attended the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the two sides had the 18th Defense Policy Coordination Talks. What’s your comment on the current China-US mil-mil relations and what interaction the two sides will have in the future?

    Zhang Xiaogang: President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden had a successful meeting in San Francisco last November, and the two leaders talked on the phone this April. They have set the direction for a sound, stable and sustainable China-US relationship. At present, there is a stabler momentum in the overall and defense relations between China and the US. The two militaries maintain high-level strategic communication, policy communication, institutionalized dialogues and exchanges in specialized fields. These engagements could help enhance mutual understanding, avoid miscalculation, and manage and control risks.

    We require the US side to recalibrate its strategic perception on China, return to a sensible and practical China policy, and respect China’s major concerns. The US should make concerted efforts with China in the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to stabilize and improve the mil-mil relationship through candid, effective and constructive dialogues and cooperation.

    Question: I have two questions. First, according to a recent statement by the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), the United States urges China to reconsider using dangerous and coercive strategies that may escalate tensions in the South China Sea and other regions, What’s your comment? Second, at the news conference of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition yesterday, the deputy commander of the PLA Air Force said that many new types of aircraft developed by the PLAAF in recent years will be exhibited this time. Netizens are all eager to see the H-20 bomber. Can you provide us with more information?

    Zhang Xiaogang: It is the US and its allies who is creating risks. Their vessels and aircraft have been conducting frequent close-in reconnaissance in China’s vicinity, trespassing into China’s territorial seas or administered maritime and air space, harassing routine exercises of the Chinese side, and taking irresponsible and dangerous moves. These operations severely undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, put the safety of Chinese and their own personnel at risk, and jeopardize regional peace and stability. According to preliminary statistics, by September this year, the US military has sent about 1500 aircraft to China’s vicinity for reconnaissance or harassment, which fully showcased that the US side is a provocative and disruptive actor.

    We urge the US side stop false narratives, stop dangerous and provocative operations, and strictly discipline its troops on the ground. The Chinese military is on high alert and will take legitimate and necessary measures to respond to provocation and safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.

    On your second question, I think relevant departments will release information in due course and you can follow that.

    Question: On the morning of September 25th, China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific after 44 years. Does this mean that China is accelerating the development of its nuclear forces? Will there be any change in China’s nuclear policy?

    Zhang Xiaogang: This ICBM launch is to test our weapon and training performance. It is a legitimate and routine arrangement for military training. China nuclear policy is very stable, consistent and predictable. We strictly follow a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and pursue a nuclear strategy of self-defense. China does not seek any arms race. We have promised not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against no-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China will continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Question: The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress recently approved the National Defense Education Law, which will come into effect on September 21. Please give us more details about the amendment of this law.

    Zhang Xiaogang: Defense makes a country and its people safe. The amendment of the national defense education law focuses on 4 aspects. First, it confirms the CPC’s leadership over defense education, and requires building a system with centralized and unified leadership, clear division of responsibilities, and civil-military coordination. Second, it emphasizes the combination of defense education at school and military service publicity. There are requirements to improve defense education at school to raise students’ awareness of perform military service in accordance with the law. Third, it regulates that the outline for military training for students should be co-drafted by relevant agencies for educational under the State Council and the CMC. Higher education institutes and high schools should organize military training based on the outline to strengthen military skills training and temper the will and discipline of students. Fourth, it asks to expand the scope and channels for defense education. Local governments can use opportunities of major festivals, commemorative days and thematic events to carry out extensive activities on defense education to strengthen the awareness for national defense in the society.

    Question: US Army Secretary said recently that he discussed with Japan’s Defense Minister about deploying US Army multi-domain special task groups during his visit to Japan. Some analysts say it means the US may deploy Typhon mid-range missile system to Japan. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: We are closely following relevant moves. US deployment of mid-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific Region will intensify arms race, threaten regional countries and undermine global strategic balance. China is firmly opposed to it. What Asia-Pacific needs is peace and prosperity rather than conflict and confrontation. We urge the US side to stop this dangerous move and do not create tensions in the region. The Japanese side should stay cautious and do not invite the wolf into the house, otherwise, it would only push itself into a dangerous situation. The Chinese side will take resolute and effective measures to respond in accordance with the developments of the situation and its own needs.

    Question: The US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell recently said at a meeting of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee that China poses the greatest challenge to the United States and the China threat is more serious than the Cold War. The 2022 National Defense Strategy report issued by the Commission on the National Defense Strategy said that the United States, due to its outdated defense strategy, unreasonable military structure, and inadequate capacity of the defense industry, is unable to handle the dual threats from China and Russia. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: In recent years, by perceiving China with its own hegemonic thinking and the Chinese military from a perspective of competition and threat, the US has gone too far to play up the alleged “China military threat”. Its intention is nothing more than finding an excuse for expanding its own military power. Records have shown that the US side is the biggest challenge to world peace and a source of future global warfare. China is opposed to US Cold War thinking and its narratives or actions that intensify confrontation and undermine China’s strategic security and interests.

    China is a contributor to world peace and development and a defender of the international order. We stay committed to a defensive defense policy. China’s defense and military modernization is to safeguard its own security and interests and contributes to world peace. Playing the China card won’t help the us to solve its own problems. We require the US to have a sensible and objective view on China and China’s military development and strategic intentions. It should put more efforts on things that can help shore up China-US bilateral relations and consolidate regional peace and stability.

    Question: The 2024 Quad Leaders Summit issued a joint statement which did not mention China directly but criticized coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. It also announced to launch a first-ever Quad-at-sea Ship Observer Mission by coast guards of the four countries in 2025. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Relevant joint statement uses vague languages to cover its malicious intention to target China. It needs to be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. It is fully legitimate, justified and beyond reproach for China to conduct constructions on our own territory and carry out law-enforcement operations in waters and airspace under our jurisdiction. Though not directly concerned in the South China Sea issue, the US, Japan, India and Australia are resorting to microphone diplomacy to criticize and smear China and stir up troubles and mislead the public. In particular, the US has deployed offensive weapons in the region, worked with its allies to step up military exercises, and conduct close-in reconnaissance against China’s islands and reefs. Talking about militarization, coercion, bullying, and bloc confrontation in the South China Sea, I think the US deserves these labels more than any other country.

    Joint maritime operations carried out by relevant countries should contribute to regional peace and stability, and not harm the interests of any third party. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to actions that may stir up troubles and escalate tensions in the South China Sea. We will firmly defend our own sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interest, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Question: Both China and India have recently made positive statements about de-escalating the situation in their border area, and the Chinese foreign ministry also spoke of disengagement of troops in four areas, including the Galwan Valley. There is a great deal of expectation that there will be disengagement in other areas along the border. What is your comment, please？

    Zhang Xiaogang: For quite some time, under the guidance of the two state leaders, China and India have maintained communications with each other through diplomatic and military channels, including between the two foreign ministers, between the Chinese foreign minister and Indian national security adviser, and through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), and the Corps Commander Level Meetings. Through these discussions and communications, the two sides were able to reduce their differences and build some consensus. They have agreed to strengthen dialogues, accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns, and reach a resolution at an early date that is acceptable to both sides. Before that day comes, the two sides will continue to consolidate the outcomes, strictly abide by bilateral agreements on border issues and confidence-building measures to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility along the border.

    Question: I have two questions. First, Chinese and Nepalese militaries had a joint training, the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, in late September in south China’s Chongqing. Can you give us more details? Second, the PLA used a Z-9 helicopter to stop and dispel an intruding Philippine reconnaissance aircraft from Huangyan Dao. What is your comment, please?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question. The Chinese and Nepalese armies are carrying out Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint military training. With troops in mixed units, this training focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations in urban neighborhoods and covers comprehensive subjects including multidimensional search, check point setting and blockade, stalking, rescue with arms, evacuation under cover, and clearing and screening. Alongside the training, the two sides also organized activities such as sports games, art performance and cultural exchanges. The Sagarmatha Friendship is a signature program between the Chinese and Nepalese militaries, and it is the 4th of its kind this year. The PLA will work with the Nepalese side to strengthen military trust and substantive cooperation, and build a closer China-Nepal community of shared future in the new era.

    On your second question. The Huangyan Dao is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over it and its adjacent waters. For some time now, the Philippine side has been sending public or military vessels and aircraft to intrude into the airspace and maritime waters of Huangyan Dao without the approval of the Chinese side, which has seriously violated China’s sovereignty and undermined regional peace and stability. The Chinese side has taken necessary measures in accordance with law to stop and dispel these Philippine ships and aircraft and our operations have been professional and restrained. We will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in Huangyan Dao.

    Question: It is reported that on September 25th, frigates from the JMSDF transited through the Taiwan Strait. Does the Chinese side know about this? What is your comment, please?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On September 25th, Japanese destroyer Sazanami, Australian destroyer the HMAS Sydney, and New Zealand supply ship the HMNZS Aotearoa conducted transit operations through the Taiwan Strait. The PLA stayed on high alert and monitored the transit. We are opposed to such provocations in the name of the so-called “freedom of navigation” that send wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and undermine China’s sovereignty and security.

    The Taiwan question is an internal affair of China that brooks no foreign interference. We urge relevant countries to respect the One China principle, stop mudding the water on this question, and stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA will remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to counter any threats and provocations.

    Question: I have two questions. First, according to media reports, the Russian military has sent maritime and air forces to participate in China’s Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise. Can you give us more details? Second, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship 9701 has withdrew from Xianbin Jiao and the PCG said it would send another ship to the reef and would not let it become a second Huangyan Dao. Philippine Defense Secretary said that if China removes the Philippine ship grounded at Ren’ai Jiao, it would be an act of war. What’s your comment? 

    Zhang Xiaogang: According to this year’s cooperation plan between Chinese and Russian militaries, the Russian military participated in Exercise Beibu Unity-2024 organized by the PLA Northern Theater Command in relevant waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk from September 10th to 27th. More than 10 vessels and over 30 aircraft from the two sides were involved. The exercise is an effective test on interoperability of the two militaries in tactical commanding and joint operations. It further deepened strategic coordination between the two militaries and contributed to maintaining regional peace and stability and addressing security challenges.

    After the exercise, relevant Chinese and Russian navy task groups will conduct joint maritime patrols in relevant waters of the Pacific.

    The Philippine side recently pulled out PCG 9701 which had been illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. It is the only right way forward and is conducive to restoring peace and stability in relevant waters. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao. We will take firm countermeasures against any act that infringes China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Actions that violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and undermine regional peace and stability are unwelcomed. We urge the Philippine side not to have illusion and miscalculation and stop making any risky and futile provocations.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Question: It is reported that China has recently sent marine troops to Brazil to participate in the Operation Formosa 2024 multilateral exercise. Can you give us more details?

    Zhang Xiaogang: A contingent from the PLAN Marine Corps participated in the Operation Formosa-2024 multinational joint exercise in Brazil recently. The subject of the exercise is joint landing and counter-landing operations. It is the first time for China to participate in the exercise and the Chinese troops had good exchanges with other participating forces. The exercise helped build trust and friendship, and strengthened the capability of participating countries in jointly addressing security challenges.

    Question: According to media reports, the Chinese military recently hosted demining courses for Cambodia and Laos. Can you give us more information?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The PLA Army Engineering University hosted two demining courses for personnel from Cambodia and Laos respectively from July 1st to September 27th. Senior delegations from Cambodia and Laos, and representatives from the UN Mine Action Service(UNMAS), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center attended the graduation ceremony, and spoke highly of the demining courses as well as the graduation drills.

    Cambodia and Laos are the most severely affected regions by mines. The Chinese military attaches great importance to international cooperation on demining, and takes cooperation and assistance on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) as an important step for building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the Global Security Initiative. Over the past 20-plus years, we have trained over 700 demining professionals from more than 20 countries, and sent demining EWG abroad to conduct on-site teaching multiple times. The Chinese military will continue to strengthen substantive cooperation with militaries in the region, and make contributions to international humanitarian demining cause.

    Question: Recently the promotional video Cui Huo (Being Tempered)  received a lot of coverage from both domestic and foreign media. Can you give us more information?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The promotional video Cuihuo (Being Tempered) co-produced by the CMC Political Work Department, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the China Media Group started airing on CCTV-1 on September 11. It was simultaneously uploaded to major web portals and covered by more than 300 Chinese and foreign media. Views and clicks of the video have reached 5.37 billion. The video represents innovative efforts of the military to promote Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military online, and another masterpiece after two promotional videos Zhuiguang (Chasing Light) and Zhumeng (Following Dream).

    Cuihuo is about how the military is raising political awareness and improving combat readiness. It tells touching and thought-provoking stories about ordinary service members from multiple perspectives, reflecting enhanced political loyalty of the people’s military and its solidarity and confidence in building a strong military. The popularity of these promotional videos shows the strength of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, and the confidence and resolve of the Chinese military to achieve its centenary goal.

    Question: Taiwan’s defense authorities recently submitted to the legislative body its budget for 2025 which amounts to 667b TWD (148b RMB). According to another report, Taiwan’s army will purchase many types of UAVs for monitoring and attack in urban battlefields. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Sticking to its policy of “Taiwan Independence”, the DPP authorities have been ignoring public opinion, making irresponsible moves and going further down the dangerous path of seeking independence by force. The more they spend on purchasing weapons, the more insecure people in Taiwan will feel. This strategy will only push Taiwan closer to the brinks of war. We warn the DPPD authorities that those who do wrong things will court its own destruction. More weapons will not change the fate of Taiwan Independence. The PLA has full capabilities to smash all separatist attempts for TWI and defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Question: What’s the type of the ICBM launched yesterday by the PLA rocket force? What signal is the PLA trying to send to the international community?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On the test launch of the ICBM, we have released information on that in a timely manner, and I have no more information to add. I want to emphasize that this test launch is in line with international law and practice and is not directed at any country or target.

    Question: According to reports, the first F-16V fighter Taiwan bought from the US will be delivered at the end of September. And 26 UAV manufacturers recently visited Taiwan. Chief of the Taipei Office of the America Institute in Taiwan said recently that there was a possibility for the US and Taiwan to jointly manufacture weapons. Meanwhile, some media reports said there are large numbers of moldy bulletproof vests and expired ammunitions in weapons assisted by the US to Taiwan. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: We are firmly opposed to any official and military contact between the US and China’s Taiwan region. Currently, the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is separatist activities by the forces for Taiwan Independence and acquiesced support provided by external forces. Whether it’s US arms sale to Taiwan or so-called joint manufacturing of weapons, the true purpose is never protecting Taiwan but using the DPP authorities as a dumb cash machine to dump obsolete and stockpiled weapons and feed the US military-industrial complex. We warn the DPP authorities that the fate of a pawn is being abandoned. Those courting the US to damage Taiwan will be punished by time and justice. The PLA will take all necessary measures to defeat any separatist attempt for Taiwan Independence and foreign interference.

    Question: In the video Cui Huo, we heard a J-20 pilot saying in an interview that he can never forget the moment when he saw the Taiwan island while flying in his aircraft. This sparked conjectures that the stealth fighter J-20 also participated in a patrol over Taiwan. Can you confirm that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: Taiwan is a part of the Chinese territory. The PLA fighters can go there as they want. There is no need to be surprised.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Question: I have two questions. The first is about the continued tensions in Lebanon. Recently, the engineering detachment of the Chinese peacekeeping forces in Lebanon successfully cleared an undetonated rocket shell. What is your comment on the incident? Second, the national security adviser from the Philippines recently said that they plan to purchase mid-range missiles and will continue to use America’s Typhon missile system for training, which means the system may continue to stay in the Philippines. What is your comment on that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China is closely following the security situation in Lebanon, and we will further strengthen the security protection of our troops.

    On your second question. China has made our opposition clear concerning US deployment of mid-range missiles in the Philippines under the cover of military exercises. We urge the US side to correct this wrong move and withdraw the missile system to fulfill its prior promise. The Philippine side should not have any miscalculation. Binding itself to the US chariot would only bring damages to itself. China has many options in its toolkit. We will take effective measures to respond in accordance with the developments of the situation.

    Question: I have two questions. First, on September 26th, the defense authorities in Taiwan said that they monitored several PLA aircraft flying around the Taiwan Strait. Experts say the exercise was to prevent foreign interference. Can you tell us the purpose of this exercise? Second, about yesterday’s ICBM launch, which countries has China informed beforehand? The Japanese government said that it was not informed. Can you comment on that? Some experts say that this launch may increase tensions in this region. What’s your comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, it is legitimate and reasonable for the PLA to organize exercises and training activities in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island. We will continue to strengthen military training and combat readiness, and regularly organize relevant military operations.

    On your second question, the test launch of the ICBM by the PLA Rocket Force is consistent with international law and practices. Before the launch, we have issued warnings specifying the prohibited time and areas and informed several countries in advance through military and diplomatic channels. This fully demonstrates the openness and transparency of the PLA.

    Question: Japan’s defense ministry announced a large-scale restructuring of its maritime self-defense force to establish a new marine corps and alert contingency. It also plans to increase defense budget and build a small satellite network. Some analysts say Japan may assist US intervention in the Taiwan Straits.

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noticed relevant moves by the Japanese side. In recent years, Japan has been accelerating restructuring of its combat forces and build-up in new domains, and developing long-range attack capabilities. There is a growing tendency for Japan to return to its militarist past, which violates its Pacifist Constitution and purely defensive defense, and challenges the post-war international order. We urge the Japanese side to take lessons from history, be cautious in military security and contributes to regional peace and stability instead of the opposite.

    Question: I have two questions. First, the US Navy recently issued a strategic guideline on naval operations that claimed that the Chinese mainland has the greatest capabilities in the world in ship manufacturing and that the US should be prepared for a conflict with China in 2027. What is your comment, please? Second, the Chinese Ministry of State Security exposed a hacker organization called “Anonymous 64”, saying that the people behind this organization are from the Taiwan military. What is your comment, please?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, I think this rhetoric from the US side exposes again its Cold War mindset and militant nature. I have to stress that China has no intention of challenging or replacing the United States. The goal of our development is to deliver a better life for the Chinese people and provide new opportunities for world peace and development. China is on the course to build a strong nation and realize national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. No foreign forces can stop this trend. The Chinese military fears no threats or challenges, and will take firm actions to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

    On your second question, you can inquire about relevant authorities for more information.

    Question: The American website, Defense News, recently reported that the US plan to provide Taiwan with nearly US$570 million worth of “security assistance” has come to the final stage. This is by far the largest package assistance from the US to Taiwan region, which will be spent on training, reserves, anti-armor weapons, air defense, UAVs, and other subjects to protect Taiwan from military attacks from the Chinese mainland. What is your comment, please?

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noticed relevant reports. China is consistently opposed to the US selling weapons to the Taiwan region. What it has done has grossly violated the One China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, severely undermined China’s sovereignty and security interests, and sent very wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. It must be pointed out that the US attempt to contain China with Taiwan, to root for the DPP authorities and to bloat the arrogance of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces by providing military assistance and selling weapons to them, will do nothing but undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. These actions will eventually backfire to burn the United States itself.

    We urge the US side to stop military collusion with Taiwan and stop arming Taiwan in any way in order to maintain the relations between the two countries and the two militaries. Taiwan belongs to China. It is just across the strait from the mainland, and we will never let it drift away. The PLA will never back down in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will take firm actions to defeat any attempts at Taiwan independence and any interference by foreign forces.

    Question: The website of Taiwan defense authorities recently released information that they have received detected mainland forces conducting joint landing exercises in waters near Dachengwan in Dongshan, Fujian Province. The exercise involved many types of fighters, helicopters and UAVs coupled with amphibious ships and RO-RO cargo ships loaded with ground forces. Taiwan defense authorities said they will closely monitor the exercise. What is your comment, please？

    Zhang Xiaogang: The relevant exercise is a routine arrangement within the PLA’s annual plan aimed to improve the capabilities of our troops for fulfilling missions and tasks. The PLA fears no reconnaissance or harassment against its operations. The DPP authorities should be fully aware of the strong capabilities and firm will of the PLA, see clearly that “Taiwan independence” will never succeed, and completely abandon their separatist illusion.

    Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of September 26, 2024. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Zhang Xiaogang: In a few days, we are going to celebrate the 75th birthday of the PRC. In our epic journey in the past 75 years, Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC, have made remarkable and historical achievements. Over the past 75 years, under the absolute leadership of the CPC, the people’s military has grown stronger through wars, challenges, reforms and transformation. It is always an iron great wall in defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and a staunch force for world peace and stability. Today, China is building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, and the Chinese military is forging ahead to achieve its centenary goal and build itself into a world-class military. Here, allow me to wish enduring peace and great prosperity to our great motherland!

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: US Technology Leaders Tap NVIDIA AI Software to Transform World’s Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • AT&T, Lowe’s, University of Florida Among First Organizations Using NVIDIA NeMo
    • Accenture, Deloitte, Quantiphi, SoftServe Tap NVIDIA NeMo, NIM Microservices and NIM Agent Blueprints to Create Custom Generative AI Agents for Clients
    • Cloudera, DataStax, Google Cloud, NetApp, SAP, ServiceNow, Teradata Advance Data and AI Platforms With NIM

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NVIDIA AI Summit — NVIDIA today announced it is teaming with U.S. technology leaders to help organizations create custom AI applications and transform the world’s industries using the latest NVIDIA NIM™ Agent Blueprints and NVIDIA NeMo™ and NVIDIA NIM microservices.

    Across industries, organizations like AT&T, Lowe’s and the University of Florida are using the microservices to create their own data-driven AI flywheels to power custom generative AI applications.

    U.S. technology consulting leaders Accenture, Deloitte, Quantiphi and SoftServe are adopting NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints and NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices to help clients in healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, financial services and retail create custom generative AI agents and copilots.

    Data and AI platform leaders Cadence, Cloudera, DataStax, Google Cloud, NetApp, SAP, ServiceNow and Teradata are advancing their data and AI platforms with NVIDIA NIM.

    “AI is driving transformation and shaping the future of global industries,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “In collaboration with U.S. companies, universities and government agencies, NVIDIA will help advance AI adoption to boost productivity and drive economic growth.”

    NVIDIA NeMo Microservices for Precision-Tailored Generative AI
    NVIDIA NeMo microservices support end-to-end model customization workflows and the development of AI agents to help enterprises bring custom generative AI applications to market faster, reducing development costs.

    New NeMo microservices — NeMo Customizer, NeMo Evaluator and NeMo Guardrails — can be paired with NIM microservices to help developers easily curate data at scale, customize and evaluate models, and manage responses to align with business objectives. Developers can then seamlessly deploy a custom NIM microservice across any GPU-accelerated cloud, data center or workstation.

    New NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprint for Software Security Now Available
    To provide a jump-start for developers, NVIDIA offers NIM Agent Blueprints — reference workflows that provide a guide for developing applications built with NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices.

    NIM Agent Blueprints help accelerate AI deployments for key enterprise use cases, including drug discovery, customer service and data extraction. A new blueprint for software container security is available today.

    Developers can experiment with NeMo and NIM microservices, as well as NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints, at no charge. Enterprises can deploy applications in production with enterprise-grade security, support and stability through the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform.

    NVIDIA Microservices Build Custom AI Agents for Industries
    Leaders across industries are using NVIDIA AI to improve telecommunications, education and security.

    • AT&T is working with Quantiphi to build a conversational platform, using NVIDIA NIM, that can support employees with software development, network engineering and financial services tasks.
    • The University of Florida has adopted NVIDIA NIM and NeMo to advance its learning management system, based on retrieval-augmented generation, that helps teaching assistants improve student success and retention.
    • Lowe’s, a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company, is exploring the use of NVIDIA NIM and NeMo microservices to improve experiences for associates and customers and enhance productivity of their store associates. For example, the retailer is leveraging NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails to enhance the safety and security of its generative AI solution platform.

    Global Consulting Giants Accelerate AI Adoption With NeMo
    NVIDIA global service provider and service delivery partners are helping companies across industries use NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices and NIM Agent Blueprints to build custom AI applications that tap into business data.

    • Accenture is helping clients build domain-specific AI agents using NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices through its AI Refinery™ and the Accenture NVIDIA Business Group.
    • Deloitte is integrating the latest NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprint into its cybersecurity solutions, which will help enterprises accelerate software vulnerability analysis and mitigation at scale.
    • SoftServe’s generative AI Industrial Assistant, which uses NeMo and NIM microservices, improves safety and efficiency in industrial manufacturing by making equipment manuals more accessible and providing factory workers real-time guidance on troubleshooting and maintenance.

    Data and AI Platforms Advance Insight With NeMo and NIM Microservices
    NVIDIA AI ecosystem partners Cadence, Cloudera, DataStax, Google Cloud, NetApp, SAP, ServiceNow and Teradata are using NeMo and NIM microservices to build customized generative AI applications with optimized inference.

    • Cloudera today unveiled an AI Inference Service with embedded NIM that will allow developers to build, customize and deploy enterprise-grade large language models with up to 36x faster inference performance.
    • Google Cloud is integrating NIM into Google Kubernetes Engine to provide enterprise customers with a simplified path for deploying optimized models directly from the Google Cloud Marketplace.
    • SAP will use NIM microservices to deploy custom generative AI applications for its clients.
    • ServiceNow is one of the first to adopt NeMo and NIM microservices, and recently announced its plans to also adopt NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints to power generative AI use cases for several U.S. government agencies. ServiceNow’s technology also enables organizations to create custom generative AI agents that can reinvent work across the entire enterprise.
    • Teradata is integrating NVIDIA AI Enterprise into its Vantage platform to enable more efficient development and deployment of trusted generative AI applications.

    Availability
    Developers can access NVIDIA AI software, including NIM microservices, through the NVIDIA API catalog, as well as experiment with the microservices for free using an NVIDIA Developer license.

    About NVIDIA
    NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in accelerated computing.

    For further information, contact:
    Anna Kiachian
    NVIDIA Corporation
    +1-650-224-9820
    akiachian@nvidia.com

    Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the benefits, impact, performance, features, and availability of NVIDIA’s products and technologies, including NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices, NeMo Customizer, NeMo Evaluator, NeMo Guardrails, NIM Agent Blueprints, and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform; third parties using or adopting NVIDIA products, technologies and platforms, and the benefits and impacts thereof; our collaboration with third parties and the benefits and impacts thereof; NVIDIA global service provider and service delivery partners helping companies across industries use NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices and NIM Agent Blueprints to build custom AI applications that tap into business data; artificial intelligence driving transformations and shaping the future of industries; and working with our U.S. technology partners, NVIDIA helping the world build custom AI applications that serve unique industry needs and reflect local languages and cultures, as well as our core values of ethics and innovation that preserve American leadership in AI are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; our reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test our products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to our existing product and technologies; market acceptance of our products or our partners’ products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems; as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the most recent reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    © 2024 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, NVIDIA NeMo and NVIDIA NIM are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce44ce3e-d1a7-4109-a54e-6b7f66a31267

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for bids: Creating spaces for citizen dialogues

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Call for bids: project that would bring together voices from civil society to discuss challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru.

    The British Embassy in Lima is seeking bids for a project that would bring together decentralized voices from civil society to discuss challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru, putting forward a consensus public agenda. Results from the project should inform partner interventions and policymaking and strengthen the UK’s reputation as an ally to democratic governance in Peru.

    1. Background

    The UK is a global promoter of democratic governance and the rule of law. As such, the British Embassy in Lima is committed to working with like-minded partners to strengthen democracy and resilience. We seek to on building an inclusive, democratic and open society by, inter alia, advancing our shared values of democratic governance and rule of law.

    The past two decades have seen democratic backsliding and political polarization on the rise across the globe. According to UNDP (2023), Latin America and the Caribbean is the region where political polarization has increased the most in the past twenty years. In the region, Peru stands out as a particularly complex case that has faced constant governance crises over the past years. Many of these crises are historically rooted and overcoming them will require significant citizen participation.

    In 2023, Peruvians were the least satisfied with democracy in all Latin America, scoring 8% satisfaction rate (Latinobarómetro, 2023). Trust in political institutions is low. Besides the tendency to high levels of disapproval of the Government and Congress, 92.9% of people do not trust political parties (INEI, 2023) and only 33% of Peruvians say they trust in elections (LAPOP, 2021).

    Across the region/In the past years, valuable efforts have been made to rebuild democratic governance, civic participation, and public trust. However, efforts have had difficulties in adopting a decentralised approach and bringing together diverse stakeholders. As such, the British Embassy would like to support a project that brings together a multitude of actors in civic dialogue to set a consensus agenda to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development in the country. We are especially interested in supporting decentralized projects that centre local actors outside of Lima to create an agenda with proposals to be included in the debates in the upcoming elections in Peru. This falls in line with Priority Theme 2 (Democracy) of our country Human Rights and Gender Equality Strategy 2023-2025.

    2. Objective and scope of work

    The objective of the work is to support the UK’s commitment to strong democracies, public participation, and rule of law. Projects should adopt a decentralized approach, with clear spaces for dialogue between local civil society actors, academia, public organizations and youth with other key actors. Successful bidders will demonstrate a creative, impactful approach to ensure the creation of a citizen’s public agenda.

    Bids should look to demonstrate their ability to deliver a project that includes:

    a) Consensus building

    • We expect projects to create a space for inclusive dialogue between a diverse set of actors, including civil society organizations, academia, private sector and youth groups. * We especially look for bids that would centre local and grassroots organizations. Dialogue spaces should seek to find consensus around the key challenges for democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru, to put forth a consensus citizen agenda for public debate and build a network of interested stakeholders.

    b) Sharing out results

    • Projects should collate and systematize the shared agenda that arises in dialogue spaces to maintain a record that can be introduced into the public agenda.
    • After results have been compiled, projects should aim to disseminate results through multimedia communication products. We especially look for bids that can work with local media to that end.

    c) Stakeholder participation

    • Projects should involve a quite large list of different relevant stakeholders from all the sectors: private, public, academia, local organizations, NGOs, unions, etc. to be able to collate and give voice to all underrepresented groups and create an inclusive space of dialogue.
    • Include amongst the list of participants political leaders, especially looking ahead of the upcoming election in 2026.

    3. Project Budget

    Project proposals of up to £17,000 = S/77, 860 / $20,400. We are looking for projects that can begin in November 2024 and be completed by February 2025. Implementers should spend 100% of their allocation by February 2025.

    4.  Assessment

    Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:

    • strategic fit – alignment with stated objectives and scope of work expected.
    • project viability – including a realistic description of methodology and activities to deliver the outcome and deliverables (outputs) within the project duration and sustainability after the project ends.
    • stakeholder management – including the capacity of the implementing organisation to engage with key stakeholders, including diverse business, government and civil society stakeholders present in Peru, and involve local/international expertise to deliver expected outcomes.
    • project design – including clear achievable objectives and outputs
    • value for money
    • risk management
    • experience and understanding of the current mining and human rights context in Peru.

    5. How to Bid

    Please complete the attached “Project Proposal Form” and “Activity Based Budget” using the guidance provided.

    Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats in English or Spanish to BEProjectsPeru@fcdo.gov.uk by 11:59pm October 20th, with “Call for bids Citizen Dialogue” in the subject line of your email.

    Bids submitted after this date will not be considered. Bids can be submitted at any time up to the indicated deadline.

    Bidders will be notified via email of the outcome of assessments in early October. Due to the volume of bids expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.

    Organisations can submit up to a maximum of 1 proposal; bids for projects that include engagement with stakeholders in the outside of Lima region are particularly welcome.

    Please also familiarise yourself at an early stage with the standard ‘Grant Agreement Template’ attached.

    6. What to Include in the Bid Form?

    • Overview of project or activity. How it fits with the UK’s approach to the relevant priority; and why the UK should fund the project or activity.
    • How the project or activity will create an impact and lead to change.
    • Rationale– including why the project or activity should take place now.
    • Where relevant, evidence of support from Peruvian government actors for the project or activity and that it complements their own strategy.
    • Information about how the impact will be sustained after the project or activity has been completed.

    Proposals must be submitted on the authorised forms and include an activity-based budget (ABB) in soles/US dollars. Value for money is an important selection criterion and if you do not submit a detailed ABB then your proposal will not be considered. 

    7. Key documents

    8. Contacts

    Please contact BEProjectsPeru@fcdo.gov.uk with any questions or queries.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Media Invitation: Online Press Conference with France’s Mr. Africa, Robert Bourgi, to Celebrate the Release of the English Version of His Book, They Know I Know Everything: My Life in Françafrique

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    PARIS, France, October 8, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Join us for an online press conference featuring France’s Mr. Africa, Robert Bourgi, to celebrate the release of the English version of his book, They Know I Know Everything: My Life in Françafrique.

    The online press conference will be held in French, with simultaneous translation available in English.

    Both English and French-speaking journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions.

    Date: Tuesday 29 October 2024

    Time: 12 PM (GMT) / London Time: 1PM / Paris Time: 2PM  

    Speakers: Robert Bourgi and Frédéric Lejeal

    Language: English and French 

    Media can register here to receive a Zoom link: https://apo-opa.co/3NhCBIr

    A symbol of ‘Françafrique,’ Robert Bourgi’s book examines his life, his relationship with his mentor Jacques Foccart, and the ‘missions’ he undertook over nearly forty years on behalf of African and French presidents, including prominent figures on the Right (Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, Charles Pasqua, Jacques Toubon, Dominique de Villepin, Claude Guéant, François Fillon, etc.).

    He reveals the financing circuits of French political parties, drawing from personal notes kept over four decades. Bourgi also deciphers the sensitive issues in which he was involved: the release of French journalists from Lebanon in the 1980s, the rehabilitation of Mobutu Sese Seko, the release of French hostage Clothilde Reiss in Iran, the rescue of Laurent Gbagbo, the resignation of Jean-Marie Bockel, the appointment of French ambassadors to Africa, and lobbying the Élysée Palace on behalf of African heads of state, among others.

    From Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Laurent Gbagbo (Côte d’Ivoire) to Mobutu Sese Seko (DR Congo), through Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), Mathieu Kérékou (Benin), Abdoulaye Wade and Macky Sall (Senegal), Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania), and Gnassingbé Eyadéma (Togo), as well as Pascal Lissouba and Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo), and notably Omar and Ali Bongo (Gabon), Bourgi lifts the veil on the psychology of many presidents south of the Sahara and their regimes, providing readers with a fresh perspective on France’s African policy over several decades.

    Link to the Book on Amazon in English: https://apo-opa.co/3ZVwZeD

    Robert Bourgi: Born on April 4, 1945, in Dakar, Robert Bourgi, nicknamed ‘Bob’ by Jacques Foccart, is a Franco-Lebanese lawyer, lobbyist, and political adviser. With a doctorate in public law, this former teacher was responsible for relations with Africa at Club 89, an influential think tank of the Rassemblement des Républicains (RPR), before becoming a key figure in the transfer of funds between African presidencies and various political parties in France.

    Frédéric Lejeal: A political scientist by training, Frédéric Lejeal has been a journalist specializing in Africa for twenty-five years. A former contributor to Jeune Afrique, he spent ten years running La Lettre du Continent, a confidential publication focused on politics and business networks in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kenya’s laws make it a crime to attempt suicide – this hurts vulnerable people

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Linnet Ongeri, Principal Clinical Research Scientist, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme

    One in every 100 deaths globally is by suicide. Each year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide. A staggering 77% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, with the African region bearing the highest burden at a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people. In Kenya, the crude suicide rate is 6.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Linnet Ongeri is a psychiatrist and a mental health researcher with a focus on suicide prevention. She examines the factors behind Kenya’s suicide rate and recent efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide.

    What are the drivers of suicide?

    Suicide is a complex issue. It results from the interplay of various factors, including genetic, biological, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural influences.

    There is a strong link between suicide and mental health disorders. However, many suicides occur impulsively during moments of crisis or in response to significant life challenges. These challenges often involve the denial of basic human rights and access to resources. They could also be brought on by stressful events like a loss of livelihood, academic or work-related pressures, relationship breakdowns and other life crises.

    Stigmatising views portray suicide as a sign of weakness or failure, rather than a result of deep emotional distress or mental health challenges. Suicide stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions that surround individuals who experience suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide. This stigma often manifests as judgment, shame or social exclusion. This makes it difficult for people to openly discuss their struggles or seek help.

    Societal stigma isolates individuals and creates barriers to accessing mental health support. This further compounds the risk of suicide.

    What role does the criminalisation of suicide play?

    The relationship between stigma and the criminalisation of suicide is especially concerning.

    In Kenya, Section 226 of the penal code states that any person who tries to kill him or herself is guilty of a misdemeanour. He or she is liable to imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. This law, inherited from the English common law, has been repealed in several countries globally.

    Suicide was criminalised under British law prior to the 1960s largely due to historical and religious beliefs. These beliefs viewed suicide as a moral transgression and influenced legal systems. In 1961, efforts to decriminalise suicide gained global momentum following growing recognition of the link to mental health. Of the 20 countries that still criminalise attempted suicide, nine are in Africa.

    Even though the law is aimed at deterring people from taking their own lives, there is local and international evidence that criminalisation of attempted suicide increases suicide risk. Treating survivors of suicide as criminals worsens the stigma that surrounds mental health. This impedes them from seeking help and support.

    The threat of legal sanctions for a suicide survivor, who is already experiencing severe mental anguish and emotional distress, can have serious negative repercussions. Punitive measures can worsen an individual’s mental health, increase their sense of isolation and make them more vulnerable. This heightens the risk of suicidal behaviour.

    Further, criminalisation of suicide impedes accurate data collection and prevention-related interventions. A clearer understanding of who is affected and why is critical for designing context-specific prevention strategies that use limited resources effectively.

    Kenya has made progress in developing a national suicide prevention strategy. However, several of its proposed interventions are at odds with the existing legal framework.

    This legal incompatibility hinders the government and healthcare providers from carrying out the strategy.

    Why is decriminalising suicide important?

    Decriminalising suicide safeguards individuals’ right to health by enabling them to seek care and support during times of crisis.

    It helps shift the narrative from treating attempted suicide as a criminal act to recognising it as a mental health crisis. This reduces stigma and encourages open discussions about mental health. Healthcare providers can focus on offering treatment rather than involving law enforcement. It also allows survivors to get help without fear of legal consequences or discrimination.

    Both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan aim to reduce the global suicide rate by one-third by 2030.

    As a WHO member state, Kenya is committed to achieving this target. Kenya’s suicide prevention strategy aims to reduce suicide deaths by 10% by 2026.

    What’s being done to decriminalise attempted suicide in Kenya?

    A 2020 report from a national task force on mental health emphasised the need to decriminalise attempted suicide. It also called for a national suicide registry to improve access to mental healthcare, suicide crisis support, and data on suicide and suicidal attempts. These recommendations would support the country’s suicide prevention strategy.

    In 2022, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights filed a constitutional petition to repeal Section 226 of the penal code, deeming it unconstitutional. The petition argues that the current law violates the rights of individuals living with mental health conditions. A final judgment on this case is expected in November 2024. It would be a crucial step towards aligning Kenya’s legal framework with mental health advocacy and human rights.

    In August 2024, Lukoye Atwoli, an associate director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Kenya’s Aga Khan University, launched a petition with the national assembly calling for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

    These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to address suicide as a public health issue rather than a criminal offence.

    What needs to happen next?

    Lessons from countries like Ghana and Pakistan, which recently decriminalised suicide, emphasise the need for continued advocacy and awareness.

    A key next step is to develop an awareness programme to ensure that the shift in law (when it does happen) is accompanied by meaningful changes in practice.

    This programme should focus on training first responders – including police officers, emergency healthcare providers, mental health professionals and peer supporters – who interact with individuals at risk of suicide. Proper training will equip them with the skills to offer compassionate support, timely intervention and appropriate care. This would help ensure decriminalisation efforts translate into tangible improvements in suicide prevention and mental health care.

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

    – ref. Kenya’s laws make it a crime to attempt suicide – this hurts vulnerable people – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-laws-make-it-a-crime-to-attempt-suicide-this-hurts-vulnerable-people-240374

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Measures to ensure that more people learn Swedish

    Source: Government of Sweden

    In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government proposes several measures to overhaul integration policy. The Government proposes broad initiatives, including measures aimed at improving language skills for children and staff in preschools, schools, after-school care and care for older people. To better follow the development, it is proposed that funding be set aside to develop and implement more appropriate follow-up of integration.

    The ability to speak, understand and write in Swedish is key for children to succeed in school and adults to get established in the labour market. The Government has announced investments in the area of integration, totalling SEK 196 million.

    Pilot projects with intensive training in the Swedish language

    Good knowledge of Swedish is necessary for success in school. In the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) international survey, the percentage of low-achieving students in reading comprehension is twice as high among students who are second-generation immigrants. This is reflected in the Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS), which measures ten-year-olds’ reading comprehension. For students who grow up in areas where social exclusion is prevalent and have parents who are not native Swedish speakers, school may be one of the few places where they encounter the Swedish language. The Government therefore intends to implement a new pilot project including three-year language-improving initiatives for students who need intensive training in the Swedish language. For 2025, the Government proposes an investment of SEK 100 million for the pilot project and estimates the same amount for 2026 and 2027.

    “Children who cannot speak, read or write in Swedish are falling behind in school. The Government’s investments are essential to getting more people to learn Swedish and become part of society,” says former Minister for Employment and Integration Johan Pehrson.

    Language-skills investment in out-of-school centres 

    Almost one in four 15-year-olds who completed the PISA international survey in 2022 did not achieve the lowest proficiency level on the reading scale for continued learning.

    There is great opportunity for out-of-school centres to help improve pupils’ language development. The Government therefore proposes setting aside funds to carry out measures to enhance efforts at out-of-school centres to improve reading skills and pupils’ Swedish language skills, focusing on students with a foreign background.

    This investment could include support material or education initiatives for the out-of-school centres’ staff.

    Language and integration initiatives for foreign-born people who are at home with children

    In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government proposes allocating SEK 31 million to integration initiatives aimed at foreign-born people who are at home with children in order to increase newly arrived immigrants’ opportunities to learn Swedish.

    Foreign-born women have more difficulties establishing themselves in the labour market compared to foreign-born men. This can be largely explained by the fact that they take greater responsibility for childcare. Since many foreign-born women have children within a few years of arriving in Sweden, there is a need for targeted initiatives. In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government therefore proposes allocating SEK 31 million to language training initiatives, measures to promote reading and study and career guidance for newly arrived and other foreign-born women.

    Aside from increased opportunities to get established in the labour market and society, the investment could contribute to increased participation in preschools of children with foreign-born parents, which also leads to increased opportunities for their successful integration.

    “Women born outside Sweden have more difficulties entering the Swedish labour market for several reasons. To ensure this group’s successful integration, targeted initiatives such as language training and career guidance are needed,” says former Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard.

    Mapping Swedish-language skills of foreign-born people

    There is currently no reliable information on how well foreign-born people speak and understand Swedish. The Government wants to improve the follow-up of the Swedish language skills of foreign-born people and therefore proposes allocating SEK 4 million in the Budget Bill for 2025 to follow up on listening, communication and reading skills among foreign-born people.

    The requirement for improved Swedish-language skills is clarified in the Government’s new integration objectives. Information on reading, listening and communication skills of foreign-born people is therefore important to better follow up on integration and ensure the effectiveness of the initiatives offered.

    “Not enough information is currently available on the Swedish-language skills of foreign-born people. Through better follow-up of language skills, we can offer more effective integration initiatives,” says labour market policy spokesperson for the Christian Democrats Magnus Jacobsson.

    Strengthened efforts against honour-based norms that limit individuals’ sexual self-determination

    The Government intends to strengthen efforts for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with a focus on areas where social exclusion is prevalent, and thus proposes allocating SEK 12 million for 2025.

    Sexual and reproductive health and rights mean that everyone should have the right to freely choose if, when and with whom they wish to have a relationship or marry, and whether they want children, when and how many. Everyone has a right to physical integrity, privacy, their sexual orientation and gender identity, without limitations or stigma. Everyone has a right to freedom from discrimination, including harassment and sexual harassment, as well as honour-based violence and oppression. These are rights and fundamental values on which Swedish society was built.

    The Government proposes allocating SEK 12 million for this purpose in the Budget Bill for 2025. The expectation is that SEK 12 million per year will be set aside for this purpose for 2026 and 2027.

    “Honour-based violence and oppression limit people’s freedom and life opportunities. The Government is strengthening efforts in areas where social exclusion is prevalent. We will not compromise on equality and our society’s fundamental values,” says gender equality spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats Michael Rubbestad.

    Employees in the welfare sector must receive language training

    Insufficient Swedish-language skills among staff in the care of older people has been highlighted in supervisory and government inquiries. Some staff in preschools also have inadequate language skills to further the pupils’ language development. The proposal on language training in the welfare sector is a continuation of the investment for employees in the care of older people and preschools that was initiated in 2021 and expanded in 2022. The Government proposes allocating SEK 40 million for 2025 to fund language training initiatives, and to continue this investment until 2026.

    The proposals are based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Scott to POTUS: Prepare for Hurricane Impacts to Port of Tampa Bay

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio, Scott to POTUS: Prepare for Hurricane Impacts to Port of Tampa Bay
    Oct 7, 2024 | Press Releases

    Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to potentially hinder or obstruct the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy and to ensure a swift recovery. 
    U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the direction of federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to this potential obstruction. 
    “​With Hurricane Milton bearing down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, we request you direct federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to potential impediments or destruction of the Port of Tampa Bay and its associated federal channel. Long-term disruptions to the port would not only hinder disaster response and recovery, but have lasting consequences for Florida’s economy.” 
    The full text of the letter is below. 
    Dear Mr. President:
    ​With Hurricane Milton bearing down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, we request you direct federal agencies to expedite plans to respond to potential impediments or destruction of the Port of Tampa Bay and its associated federal channel.  Long-term disruptions to the port would not only hinder disaster response and recovery, but have lasting consequences for Florida’s economy. 
    ​As you may know, more than 40 percent of the volume of petroleum products consumed in Florida, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, arrive through the Port of Tampa Bay, serving communities along the Gulf Coast and the I-4 Corridor. The port is also a major thoroughfare for aggregates and other construction materials that would be necessary for recovery and rebuilding efforts post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Due to the port’s location in Tampa Bay, the total length of the federal channels is approximately 70 miles, including portions that extend from the bay to beyond the barrier islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  This reality makes the channel susceptible to sand shoaling in normal conditions, but in severe hurricane conditions the port and channel could be otherwise obstructed by sediment and other storm debris.  The port’s location could also result in some of the most severe storm surge from Hurricane Milton impacting onshore facilities, including petroleum infrastructure.  Any extended disruptions to navigability of the federal or the operability of onshore petroleum infrastructure would have dire long-term consequences for the recovery of communities impacted by Helene and Milton as well as the Florida economy as a whole. Disruptions to the port would drive price increases and shortages of petroleum-based fuel products that could economically harm millions of Floridians.  
    ​To stave off long-term economic consequences that could be caused by impediments to navigation or the destruction of petroleum infrastructure at the Port of Tampa Bay, we urge you to expedite the finalization of plans to:
    Ensure U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assets are in place to assess the federal channel for sediment shoaling and debris immediately following the storm;
    If needed, prepare to mobilize the Army Corps of Engineers for emergency dredging and construction operations to remove sediment from the federal channel and assist port tenants in rehabilitating onshore petroleum infrastructure as quickly as possible using natural disaster response emergency authorities; and
    Utilize waivers, as appropriate, to facilitate interstate deliveries of petroleum fuel products via truck, rail, and maritime modes of transportation.
    In the event that a worst case scenario occurs due to Hurricane Milton, preparation to accomplish these actions prior to landfall will aid in recovery.
    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya’s laws make it a crime to attempt suicide – this hurts vulnerable people

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Linnet Ongeri, Principal Clinical Research Scientist, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme

    One in every 100 deaths globally is by suicide. Each year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide. A staggering 77% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, with the African region bearing the highest burden at a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people. In Kenya, the crude suicide rate is 6.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Linnet Ongeri is a psychiatrist and a mental health researcher with a focus on suicide prevention. She examines the factors behind Kenya’s suicide rate and recent efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide.

    What are the drivers of suicide?

    Suicide is a complex issue. It results from the interplay of various factors, including genetic, biological, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural influences.

    There is a strong link between suicide and mental health disorders. However, many suicides occur impulsively during moments of crisis or in response to significant life challenges. These challenges often involve the denial of basic human rights and access to resources. They could also be brought on by stressful events like a loss of livelihood, academic or work-related pressures, relationship breakdowns and other life crises.

    Stigmatising views portray suicide as a sign of weakness or failure, rather than a result of deep emotional distress or mental health challenges. Suicide stigma refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions that surround individuals who experience suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide. This stigma often manifests as judgment, shame or social exclusion. This makes it difficult for people to openly discuss their struggles or seek help.

    Societal stigma isolates individuals and creates barriers to accessing mental health support. This further compounds the risk of suicide.

    What role does the criminalisation of suicide play?

    The relationship between stigma and the criminalisation of suicide is especially concerning.

    In Kenya, Section 226 of the penal code states that any person who tries to kill him or herself is guilty of a misdemeanour. He or she is liable to imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. This law, inherited from the English common law, has been repealed in several countries globally.

    Suicide was criminalised under British law prior to the 1960s largely due to historical and religious beliefs. These beliefs viewed suicide as a moral transgression and influenced legal systems. In 1961, efforts to decriminalise suicide gained global momentum following growing recognition of the link to mental health. Of the 20 countries that still criminalise attempted suicide, nine are in Africa.

    Even though the law is aimed at deterring people from taking their own lives, there is local and international evidence that criminalisation of attempted suicide increases suicide risk. Treating survivors of suicide as criminals worsens the stigma that surrounds mental health. This impedes them from seeking help and support.

    The threat of legal sanctions for a suicide survivor, who is already experiencing severe mental anguish and emotional distress, can have serious negative repercussions. Punitive measures can worsen an individual’s mental health, increase their sense of isolation and make them more vulnerable. This heightens the risk of suicidal behaviour.

    Further, criminalisation of suicide impedes accurate data collection and prevention-related interventions. A clearer understanding of who is affected and why is critical for designing context-specific prevention strategies that use limited resources effectively.

    Kenya has made progress in developing a national suicide prevention strategy. However, several of its proposed interventions are at odds with the existing legal framework.

    This legal incompatibility hinders the government and healthcare providers from carrying out the strategy.

    Why is decriminalising suicide important?

    Decriminalising suicide safeguards individuals’ right to health by enabling them to seek care and support during times of crisis.

    It helps shift the narrative from treating attempted suicide as a criminal act to recognising it as a mental health crisis. This reduces stigma and encourages open discussions about mental health. Healthcare providers can focus on offering treatment rather than involving law enforcement. It also allows survivors to get help without fear of legal consequences or discrimination.

    Both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan aim to reduce the global suicide rate by one-third by 2030.

    As a WHO member state, Kenya is committed to achieving this target. Kenya’s suicide prevention strategy aims to reduce suicide deaths by 10% by 2026.

    What’s being done to decriminalise attempted suicide in Kenya?

    A 2020 report from a national task force on mental health emphasised the need to decriminalise attempted suicide. It also called for a national suicide registry to improve access to mental healthcare, suicide crisis support, and data on suicide and suicidal attempts. These recommendations would support the country’s suicide prevention strategy.

    In 2022, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights filed a constitutional petition to repeal Section 226 of the penal code, deeming it unconstitutional. The petition argues that the current law violates the rights of individuals living with mental health conditions. A final judgment on this case is expected in November 2024. It would be a crucial step towards aligning Kenya’s legal framework with mental health advocacy and human rights.

    In August 2024, Lukoye Atwoli, an associate director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Kenya’s Aga Khan University, launched a petition with the national assembly calling for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

    These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to address suicide as a public health issue rather than a criminal offence.

    What needs to happen next?

    Lessons from countries like Ghana and Pakistan, which recently decriminalised suicide, emphasise the need for continued advocacy and awareness.

    A key next step is to develop an awareness programme to ensure that the shift in law (when it does happen) is accompanied by meaningful changes in practice.

    This programme should focus on training first responders – including police officers, emergency healthcare providers, mental health professionals and peer supporters – who interact with individuals at risk of suicide. Proper training will equip them with the skills to offer compassionate support, timely intervention and appropriate care. This would help ensure decriminalisation efforts translate into tangible improvements in suicide prevention and mental health care.

    – Kenya’s laws make it a crime to attempt suicide – this hurts vulnerable people
    – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-laws-make-it-a-crime-to-attempt-suicide-this-hurts-vulnerable-people-240374

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mamadou Dramé, enseignant-chercheur, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

    In Senegal, rap music and hip-hop culture emerged in the 1980s, driven by the urban youth. It has grown to be one of the most popular music genres in the country. But what role do female Senegalese artists play in developing and promoting hip-hop? And what challenges do they face in this male-dominated industry? Mamadou Dramé, who has done several studies on Senegalese hip-hop, answers these and other questions.

    What characterises Senegalese hip-hop?

    The year 1988 marks the beginning of rap in Senegal. After a phase of imitation, artists set themselves apart from the rest of the world by incorporating local languages such as Wolof, Serer, Pulaar and Joola alongside French and English.

    They went on to infuse Senegalese rhythms into the music by using traditional instruments like the kora, peule flute and xalam. They also started collaborating with musicians from other genres such as mbalakh, also known as mbalax (think Daara J with Youssou Ndour, PBS with Baaba Maal, Pacotille with Fatou Laobé).

    Unfortunately this originality faded by the late 1990s, particularly when it came to the use of local sounds. This followed the rise of hardcore rap – a genre marked by its intense, politically charged lyrics and rejection of making music just for fun.

    That said, Senegalese rap has always been political and socially engaged, rarely seen as art for art’s sake. As a result, rappers have influenced Senegal’s political landscape. They made raising awareness among young people a priority, helping them realise they could help shape their country’s political trajectory. In 2000, for example, hip-hop helped topple the regime of Abdou Diouf and bring about a change of government.

    What role does rap play in the popular music scene today?

    Rap has played a crucial role in the local music scene in Senegal. At one point, it was the most listened to and widely performed genre in the country. Radio stations dedicated prime afternoon slots for rap shows to build their reputations. Artists who understood the importance of rappers and their ability to mobilise young people often created duets with them or used them as opening acts for their concerts.

    Read more: Hip hop and Pan Africanism: from Blitz the Ambassador to Beyoncé

    Rappers have also shown that music can be a pathway to entrepreneurship. Many rappers have developed side ventures and business structures to generate income, in the process making a positive impact on the lives of young people in their communities. This is why it’s more common in Senegal to find rappers as opinion leaders than artists from other genres. For example, Malal Talla, known by his stage name Fou Malade (Crazy Sick), has become a prominent figure in the broadcasting landscape and is regularly invited to comment on current political issues.

    When it comes to pan-Africanism, Didier Awadi is a sought after voice. In the realm of youth employment and training, rapper Amadou Fall Ba has played such a pivotal role that Dakar’s city council was able to establish the Maison des Cultures Urbaines, which works closely with Guédiawaye Hip Hop, a collective of rappers.

    Women are reported to be emerging in rap. What is the current situation?

    For a long time, the rap scene was very misogynistic, with a very minimal female presence. There have been female rappers like Fatim de BMG 44, Sister Yaki in the group Timtimol, and Syster Joyce, to name a few. However, apart from a few like Fatim, women have often played second fiddle or been confined to the role of backing singers.

    There have been attempts to form all-female groups, such as Alif (Attaque Libératrice pour l’Infanterie Féministe), but many either left rap or music altogether, or transitioned to other genres. In recent years, we are witnessing Senegalese women asserting themselves in rap and taking on leading roles. While their numbers are still small compared to men, they are certainly present and making their mark.

    Which female voices stand out?

    We could mention Mounaaya, who is very well known. She’s been in the business for a very long time. Toussa is from the same generation. She’s famous for her song Rap bou Djigene bi (Female Rap).

    Mamy Victory rose to prominence by winning Best Female Artist 2016 at Senegal’s Galsen Hip Hop Awards. There’s also OMG, who was a double finalist for the Prix Découvertes RFI reality singing competition in 2019. She was also named Best Female Artist at the 2018 Galsen awards.

    What challenges do women rappers face?

    For a long time, women have been subjected to prejudices and social pressures. The negative perception surrounding rap in its early days did not make things any easier. Navigating a predominantly male environment has been challenging for young women. Parents often wouldn’t allow their daughters to associate with men, especially since many events take place at night.

    Women face many biases and social judgements that have caused them to drop out of music. Many are expected to marry and take on family responsibilities rather than make rap. These are all obstacles that make it difficult for women to maintain a permanent presence in hip-hop.

    However, female rappers are gradually carving out their space. While they still have a long way to go due to their relatively small numbers, they are not backing down; instead they are increasingly asserting their talent and individuality.

    – Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are
    – https://theconversation.com/senegals-female-rappers-arent-letting-obstacles-get-in-their-way-who-the-rising-voices-are-240237

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mamadou Dramé, enseignant-chercheur, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

    In Senegal, rap music and hip-hop culture emerged in the 1980s, driven by the urban youth. It has grown to be one of the most popular music genres in the country. But what role do female Senegalese artists play in developing and promoting hip-hop? And what challenges do they face in this male-dominated industry? Mamadou Dramé, who has done several studies on Senegalese hip-hop, answers these and other questions.

    What characterises Senegalese hip-hop?

    The year 1988 marks the beginning of rap in Senegal. After a phase of imitation, artists set themselves apart from the rest of the world by incorporating local languages such as Wolof, Serer, Pulaar and Joola alongside French and English.

    They went on to infuse Senegalese rhythms into the music by using traditional instruments like the kora, peule flute and xalam. They also started collaborating with musicians from other genres such as mbalakh, also known as mbalax (think Daara J with Youssou Ndour, PBS with Baaba Maal, Pacotille with Fatou Laobé).

    Unfortunately this originality faded by the late 1990s, particularly when it came to the use of local sounds. This followed the rise of hardcore rap – a genre marked by its intense, politically charged lyrics and rejection of making music just for fun.

    That said, Senegalese rap has always been political and socially engaged, rarely seen as art for art’s sake. As a result, rappers have influenced Senegal’s political landscape. They made raising awareness among young people a priority, helping them realise they could help shape their country’s political trajectory. In 2000, for example, hip-hop helped topple the regime of Abdou Diouf and bring about a change of government.

    What role does rap play in the popular music scene today?

    Rap has played a crucial role in the local music scene in Senegal. At one point, it was the most listened to and widely performed genre in the country. Radio stations dedicated prime afternoon slots for rap shows to build their reputations. Artists who understood the importance of rappers and their ability to mobilise young people often created duets with them or used them as opening acts for their concerts.



    Read more:
    Hip hop and Pan Africanism: from Blitz the Ambassador to Beyoncé

    Rappers have also shown that music can be a pathway to entrepreneurship. Many rappers have developed side ventures and business structures to generate income, in the process making a positive impact on the lives of young people in their communities. This is why it’s more common in Senegal to find rappers as opinion leaders than artists from other genres. For example, Malal Talla, known by his stage name Fou Malade (Crazy Sick), has become a prominent figure in the broadcasting landscape and is regularly invited to comment on current political issues.

    When it comes to pan-Africanism, Didier Awadi is a sought after voice. In the realm of youth employment and training, rapper Amadou Fall Ba has played such a pivotal role that Dakar’s city council was able to establish the Maison des Cultures Urbaines, which works closely with Guédiawaye Hip Hop, a collective of rappers.

    Women are reported to be emerging in rap. What is the current situation?

    For a long time, the rap scene was very misogynistic, with a very minimal female presence. There have been female rappers like Fatim de BMG 44, Sister Yaki in the group Timtimol, and Syster Joyce, to name a few. However, apart from a few like Fatim, women have often played second fiddle or been confined to the role of backing singers.

    There have been attempts to form all-female groups, such as Alif (Attaque Libératrice pour l’Infanterie Féministe), but many either left rap or music altogether, or transitioned to other genres. In recent years, we are witnessing Senegalese women asserting themselves in rap and taking on leading roles. While their numbers are still small compared to men, they are certainly present and making their mark.

    Which female voices stand out?

    We could mention Mounaaya, who is very well known. She’s been in the business for a very long time. Toussa is from the same generation. She’s famous for her song Rap bou Djigene bi (Female Rap).

    Mamy Victory rose to prominence by winning Best Female Artist 2016 at Senegal’s Galsen Hip Hop Awards. There’s also OMG, who was a double finalist for the Prix Découvertes RFI reality singing competition in 2019. She was also named Best Female Artist at the 2018 Galsen awards.

    What challenges do women rappers face?

    For a long time, women have been subjected to prejudices and social pressures. The negative perception surrounding rap in its early days did not make things any easier. Navigating a predominantly male environment has been challenging for young women. Parents often wouldn’t allow their daughters to associate with men, especially since many events take place at night.

    Women face many biases and social judgements that have caused them to drop out of music. Many are expected to marry and take on family responsibilities rather than make rap. These are all obstacles that make it difficult for women to maintain a permanent presence in hip-hop.

    However, female rappers are gradually carving out their space. While they still have a long way to go due to their relatively small numbers, they are not backing down; instead they are increasingly asserting their talent and individuality.

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

    – ref. Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are – https://theconversation.com/senegals-female-rappers-arent-letting-obstacles-get-in-their-way-who-the-rising-voices-are-240237

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke-on-Trent tops table for homeless prevention

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 8th October 2024

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council has maintained its position as one of the best performing councils in England for preventing and relieving homelessness – for the fifth consecutive year.

    This is despite the number of households approaching the authority for homelessness support increasing by over a quarter in a 12-month period.

    The latest homelessness figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have revealed that over 3,000 households approached Stoke-on-Trent City Council between April 2023 and March 2024 compared to 2,353 in 2022/23.

    During that period, the council completed a homeless assessment for 2,052 households and accepted a duty to support them with their homelessness in 99 per cent of cases.

    The authority closed just under 2,000 cases, helping four out of five people to either stay in their current home or move to a new home where the threat of homelessness was removed. This was the fourth highest rate of successful outcomes in the country, and the best in the West Midlands.

    It also provided advice and signposted all households who needed further assistance to support services which can help.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “These figures show, once again, what a fantastic job the council’s Housing Solutions Team and all of our partners are doing to prevent people becoming homeless in the city, and supporting them to find suitable alternative accommodation when they do.

    “These last 12 months have seen a big increase in the number of people approaching the service as the impact of cost of living and housing challenges continue to be seen. Despite that, the team and our wide range of partners have risen to the challenge and continue to deliver outcomes that make a real difference to people’s lives.

    “Homelessness can have a devastating impact on wellbeing, particularly for families with children, and we will continue to explore how we can better support those that find themselves at risk of losing their homes, including alternatives to bed and breakfast accommodation.”

    Councillor Robinson added: “The main reasons people become homeless are through the ending of a private tenancy and family and friends no longer being prepared to provide accommodation. So, it is essential that people contact us as early as possible so we can work with them keep them in their current homes or make a planned move where this is not possible.

    “We have a range of services that can help people threatened with homelessness including our Housing Needs Officers who can negotiate with landlords and family members, the Citizens Advice Bureau who can provide advice on debt and tenancy issues and Glow and New Era who can support victims of domestic abuse.”

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council has much lower rates of people in temporary accommodation, including families with children, than comparable local authorities despite having a slightly higher number of people in bed and breakfast accommodation.

    This afternoon, Cabinet approved a report which outlines its plans for the future of nightly paid accommodation in the city.

    The decision, which will improve standards for families who find themselves homeless in Stoke-on-Trent, gives accommodation providers the chance to join a supplier’s bank enabling the council to offer individuals and families alternative temporary accommodation and ending the reliance on local hotels and B&Bs.

    Anyone concerned about losing their home can contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Housing Solutions Team on 01782 233696 or 01782 234234 outside office hours or visit the website.

    Alternatively, support is available via our Community Lounges and Family Hubs.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA, NOAA to Provide Update on Progress of Solar Cycle

    Source: NASA

    NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will discuss the Sun’s activity and the progression of Solar Cycle 25 during a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the Sun and mitigating its impacts on technology and infrastructure as humanity explores farther into space.
    During the teleconference, experts from NASA, NOAA, and the international Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, which is co-sponsored by both agencies, will discuss recent solar cycle progress and the forecast for the rest of this cycle.
    Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website at:

    NASA Live

    Participants include:

    Jamie Favors, director, NASA’s Space Weather Program
    Kelly Korreck, program scientist, NASA’s Heliophysics Division
    Elsayed Talaat, director, Office of Space Weather Observations, NOAA
    Bill Murtagh, program coordinator, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center
    Lisa Upton, co-chair, Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel

    To participate in the media teleconference, media must RSVP no later than 12 p.m. on Oct. 15, to Abbey Interrante at: abbey.a.interrante@nasa.gov.  
    The Sun goes through regular cycles of activity lasting approximately 11 years. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation, all of which create conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems such as radio and GPS — and power grids on Earth. When the Sun is most active, space weather events become more frequent. Solar activity, such as the storm in May 2024, has sparked displays of aurora and led to impacts on satellites and infrastructure in recent months.
    NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts.
    For more information on how NASA studies the Sun and space weather, visit:  
    https://www.nasa.gov/sun
    -end-
    Karen FoxHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.fox@nasa.gov
    Sarah FrazierGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.202-853-7191sarah.frazier@nasa.gov
    Erica Grow CeiNOAA’s National Weather Service, College Park, Md.202-853-6088erica.grow.cei@noaa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Cassidy Releases Agenda for Upcoming Energy Security Summit in Baton Rouge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing American Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape

    9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
    Opening Remarks   Welcome by Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on leveraging our state’s energy and other resources to enhance U.S. economic security. 
    Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)

    9:10 AM – 9:30 AM 
    Fireside Chat: Louisiana’s Role in Strengthening America’s National Interests in a Changing Global Landscape   A conversation between Sen. Bill Cassidy and Hon. Mark W. Menezes on the indispensable role Louisiana plays in promoting U.S. economic security.
    Sen. CassidyHon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

    9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
    Protecting U.S. Interests Against Unfair Trade Practices   This panel exposes how overseas adversaries exploit weak environmental and labor standards to create a competitive advantage in trade and suggests potential solutions to hold foreign polluters accountable. 
    Maureen Hinman, Co-Founder and Chairman, Silverado Policy AcceleratorCatrina Rorke, Senior Vice President, Policy and Research, Climate Leadership Council Hon. James Connaughton, Former Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Director of the White House Office of Environmental PolicyModerated by: George David Banks, Former Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, the White House

    10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 
    Executive Insights: Overcoming Competitive Challenges in Global Markets   CEOs discuss Louisiana’s potential in advancing American interests, highlighting key investments and policy solutions needed to level the playing field against unfair global competition.
    Massimo Toso, President and CEO, Buzzi UnicemUSADavid Hardy, President of North America, Orsted Caroline Reily, Co-Founder & CEO, Aluminum TechnologiesDrew Marsh, Chairman of the board and CEO, EntergyMark Widmar, CEO, First Solar Moderated by: Sen. Cassidy

    10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
    Trade, Energy & Manufacturing: Implications for U.S. Industries and Competitiveness    Further explores the challenges posed by unfair competition and what can be done to level the playing field for Louisiana’s industry at home and abroad. 
    Kevin Gundersen, Vice President of Global Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, Huntsman CorporationCalvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel LouisianaJerae Carlson, Sr. Vice President, CemexScott Nielson, Vice President of Environmental, Sustainability & Innovation, Ash Grove Cement CompanyLinda Dempsey, Vice President, Public Affairs, CF IndustriesModerated by: Sarah Stewart, CEO and Executive Director, Silverado Policy Accelerator

    11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Louisiana Spotlight:  State-Level Solutions   Industry leaders discuss the key role of Louisiana’s oil, gas, and chemical industries in fostering a secure energy future. This panel will also highlight opportunities for innovation and job creation in Louisiana’s key manufacturing sectors.
    Tommy Faucheux, President, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA)Greg Bowser, President and CEO, Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA)Will Green, CEO, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI)Mike Moncla, President, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA)Moderated by: Desiree Lemoine, Director of Governmental Affairs, TJC group 

    12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Load Growth and Energy Demand: Higher future demand for energy will bring a host of opportunities, risks and challenges
    Nate Hill, Head of Energy Policy, Amazon Tom Neyhart, founder and executive chairman, PosigenBenjamin T. Reinke, Ph.D., Vice President of Global Business Development, X EnergyAndrey Shuvalov, Vice President U.S. Energy Transition, ShellModerated by: Tom Hassenboehler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, CO2EFFICIENT

    Carbon Capture: Cutting-edge technologies for reducing carbon footprints
    Vikrum Aiyer, Global Head of Public Policy, HeirloomDouglas Chan, Chief Operating Officer, ClimeworksMichael Manteris, Co-President, Blue Sky InfrastructurePatrice Lahlum, Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains InstituteBradley Ives, Executive Director, Institute for Energy Innovation, Louisiana State UniversityColleen Moss, Managing Director, ClearPathModerated by: Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network 

    Critical Minerals, Mining, and Processing: Regional to global policies
    Hon. Aurelia S. Giacometto, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Marcio Paes Barreto, Frontiers Initiative & EverCore EnergyJohn Flake, PhD., Louisiana State UniversityChris Young, Chief Strategy Officer, ElementUSAModerated by: Philip Reichert, Southern Regional Director, American Conservation Coalition

    1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
    Louisiana’s Competitive Advantage: Leading the Globe in Low-Emissions Manufacturing   Louisiana’s energy sector boasts a rich history and a bright future. Industry experts discuss how Louisiana is transforming its manufacturing sector to lead in low-emissions production, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.
    Christen Campbell, North America Energy & Sustainable Technologies and Site Development Director, BASFAndrew Connolly, vice president and general manager, Low-Carbon Hydrogen Large Projects, Hydrogen Large Projects, Air ProductsGreg Upton, PhD, Executive Director & Associate Professor-Research, Center for Energy Studies Louisiana State UniversityVanessa Martin, Driftwood LNG Project Director, WoodsideFrank J. Macchiarola, Chief Policy Officer, American Clean PowerModerated by: Xan Fishman, Senior Director, Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center

    1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
    The Bayou and Beyond: Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness through Exports   Louisiana industries can advance U.S. leadership in the global marketplace through exports.
    Dr. Paul Schubert, CEO, Strategic Biofuels LLCDr. Robert R. Twilley, Vice President, Office of Research & Economic Development,  Louisiana State University Will Latta, Vice President, Babcock & WilcoxMatt Barr, Vice President of State Government & Community Affairs, Cheniere EnergyHon. Kimberly A. Reed, Former Chairman, U.S. Export Import Bank, 2019-2021 Moderated by:Anna Johnson, Executive Director, West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce

    2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
    Louisiana’s Liquid Gold: Strengthening U.S. Geopolitical Influence through Energy Leadership   This panel explores the critical role of Louisiana’s natural gas industry in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence and securing a prosperous energy future. Experts will cover how increased domestic natural gas production can foster stability amid geopolitical uncertainties and drive economic growth. 
    Bob Pender, Executive Co-chairman and Founder, Venture Global LNGT. Lane Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, WilliamsHon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, 2018-2021Hon. Neil Chatterjee, Former Chairman, US. Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionModerated by: Bob Stout, Senior Fellow, Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

    3:15 PM – 3:25 PM 
    Closing Remarks
    Sen. Cassidy

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trad wives hearken back to an imagined past of white Christian womanhood

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brandi Estey-Burtt, Fellow with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Narrative; part-time lecturer in English Literature, St. Thomas University (Canada)

    As with many social media trends, trad wives have sparked debate and criticism about their content and who it is meant for. (Flickr/SportSuburban), CC BY

    If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely come across trad wives. The trend features videos of young women influencers showcasing their domestic lives as trad or “traditional” wives.

    The clips see them performing domestic activities that have traditionally been seen as the role of wives and mothers: taking care of the home, raising children, baking from scratch and even homesteading.

    As with many social media trends, #tradwife has sparked debate and criticism about the content and who it is meant for. There have been attempts to chart the origins and history of the trad wives, their nostalgia for the past and their highly estheticized content.

    There are connections to “momfluencers,” the “girl bosses” of the early 2010s and a general backlash against capitalism and the demands for feminized labour. However, there is an equally strong link to fundamentalist Christianity and concerns about white womanhood.

    As scrutiny grows, especially given the uproar caused by the recent profile of trad wife Hannah Neeleman, also known as Ballerina Farm, one other connection bears consideration: Christian romance fiction.

    Many of the characters of this genre of fiction display key qualities of trad wives.

    In recent decades, Christian evangelicals have used cultural tools such as fiction and now social media to romanticize the lifestyle of white, westernized femininity. The stories often contain an emphasis on restricted public and domestic roles for women based on narrow ideas of biblical womanhood. In this way, such characters can be viewed as cultural predecessors to the trad wives.

    Christian romance and purity

    Mostly marketed to women, the genre gained ground with the publication of Canadian author Janette Oke’s first historical romance novel in 1979. The market for such fiction rapidly expanded, and the genre developed as consumer appetite grew. For example, Amish and Mennonite sub-genres have become very popular since American novelist Beverly Lewis began publishing in the late 1990s.

    Though the genre of Christian romance fiction (or inspiration fiction as it is sometimes called) spans many different sub-genres and historical periods, it contains repeated themes about personal faith, sexual purity and heterosexual marriage. These themes encode gender and racial overtones within stories that focus predominantly on white women characters.

    The sexual norms of these stories are not surprising, given longstanding Christian evangelical interest in how religious and sexual purity are meshed together.

    Purity culture sets out highly prescriptive notions of sex, sexuality and gender roles. Scholars of religion such as Sara Moslener tie these norms directly to white Christian nationalist ideas of femininity. Religious notions of sexual purity become linked to racial purity through a concern for maintaining the integrity of the body of the white woman as well as the body of the nation against the threat of racialized others.

    It’s no surprise that both Christian romance fiction and trad wives are overwhelmingly white, and that a number of trad wives have been documented as possessing links to the far right.

    Romanticizing a mythical past

    Theology professor Emily McGowin has noted how the “tradwife trend looks to a mythic past where everyone knew their role.” Writer Kathryn Jezer-Morton points out that trad wives uphold a romanticized notion of the past that is actually a fantasy. They often wear outfits that look like they are from the 1950s or a previous colonial era, and there is no clear definition of what the “trad wife” label is.

    What and whose tradition are these fantasies representing? Certainly not all women, including many racialized and poor women who have never had the option of staying home. This nostalgic re-imagining of a very complex past whitewashes history and ignores how women had few legal or reproductive rights over their own bodies, finances or domestic lives.

    So, too, have Christian romances fantasized about different historical moments, often in American history. There is a decidedly white Christian supremacist undertone to many of these stories. They often reiterate the goodness of westward expansionism in North America and erase (or use as a plot device) the physical and cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples across the continent. This is also true of Oke’s work, which features “pioneer” (settler) narratives and romanticizes the RCMP, a problem that continues in television adaptations of her books.

    The Amish and Mennonite sub-genre further romanticizes what non-Amish and non-Mennonite authors portray as pre-modern (or even anti-modern) lifestyles. In these novels, there is little technology, an emphasis on agrarianism and homesteading, and hardly any physical contact among potential couples.

    As one reviewer who grew up Amish puts it, at times it feels like romance writers and readers “superimpose their values on the Amish.” In other words, many Christian romance novels offer feel-good fantasies about an imagined past. This fantasy has little basis in how women — especially women of colour and Indigenous women — experienced those historical periods.

    Like the social media accounts of trad wives, the sub-genre focuses on the aesthetics of a lifestyle rather than the very real legal, domestic, financial and racial implications of that life for women.

    Marketing romance — and tradition

    Romance fiction is often mocked as not being “serious” literature, but romance writers or readers are not necessarily passive or ignorant. Readers consume romances for a vast array of complex reasons, their faith or their relationships to romantic partners being only part of the mix.

    However, the Christian romance genre is a publishing and marketing phenomenon, one that has sold millions upon millions of copies across North America alone. These romance novels are sold not just in niche Christian bookstores but in big box stores — even grocery store check-outs.

    As Historian Daniel Silliman notes, the romance fiction genre was part of a larger Christian publishing boom that began in the 1950s in the United States. Fiction became an integral part of evangelical identity and an imagined community. It also played a crucial role in how evangelicals engaged with broader theological, cultural and political currents, though scholars question whether fiction shaped or reflected this engagement.

    Their concerns about cultural change — be it sexual, demographic, or otherwise — influence their fiction. Literature and religion professor Christopher Douglas makes the crucial point that evangelical Christians don’t just “get their knowledge primarily through fact sheets or decontextualized data, but rather through the power of narrative.”

    Christian romance fiction may not have caused the current iteration of trad wives, but its highly visible place in popular culture deserves greater scrutiny. These romance stories have contributed to ideas of westernized femininity that are notably white and decidedly constraining. They also provide romanticized visions of the past that lay a fictional groundwork for the appeal, and wide acceptance, that trad wives now enjoy on social media.

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

    – ref. Trad wives hearken back to an imagined past of white Christian womanhood – https://theconversation.com/trad-wives-hearken-back-to-an-imagined-past-of-white-christian-womanhood-239999

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Recognizes 350 Employees at Secretary’s Award Ceremony in Washington D.C.

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Recognizes 350 Employees at Secretary’s Award Ceremony in Washington D.C.

    ASHINGTON – On October 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held an awards ceremony hosted at DHS headquarters located at St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast Washington, D.C. where 350 employees received a Secretary’s Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Department’s mission.

    “Every single day, with great determination, integrity, and skill, the 268,000 men and women of the Department of Homeland Security ensure the safety and security of the American people,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Thanks to these extraordinary public servants, our shores, harbors, skies, cyberspace, and borders are protected; fentanyl and other deadly drugs are prevented from entering our country; communities are able to recover and rebuild after a natural disaster; the scourges of human trafficking, forced labor, and online exploitation are mitigated; and so much more. The individuals we recognize today with our Department’s highest honor, the Secretary’s Award, reflect the very best of DHS – and in their selfless dedication to mission, the very best of public service.”

    The DHS Secretary’s Awards are an annual program that recognizes the extraordinary individual and collective achievements of the workforce. The 350 awardees recognized in today’s ceremony represent the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

    “In recognizing these outstanding DHS personnel with a Secretary’s Award, we recognize all our talented personnel; the achievements of one are not possible without the contributions of others,” added Secretary Mayorkas. “We also express our appreciation to their families and loved ones; when one serves, the family serves too.”

    This year’s award recipients developed and issued policy and procedures associated with a whole-scale transition to a new pay system for TSA; launched a series of coordinated and collaborative initiatives, operations and investigations targeting Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and national security threats operating and transiting through the Darien Gap region; arrested over 8,000 human smugglers, produced over 5,000 intelligence reports, and seized over $38M USD in real property; ensured over 2,300 vital alerts and warnings were provided to owners and operators of critical infrastructure to protect against cyberattacks; among many other achievements.

    This year, DHS is holding nine Secretary’s Awards ceremonies across the country, honoring over 1,700 employees, the most annual awardees ever.

    Last year, Secretary Mayorkas unveiled 12 priorities for the Department, including a commitment to champion the workforce and transform the employee experience. DHS has the third largest workforce of any federal department, behind the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department is home to more than 92,000 sworn law enforcement officers, the greatest number of law enforcement officers of any department in the federal government. DHS has committed to increasing the representation of women in law enforcement or related occupations at DHS to 30% by 2030. Over 54,000 veterans, or nearly 21% of the workforce, continue serving their country by working at DHS.

    DHS operational components interact more frequently on a daily basis with the American public than any other federal department, from travelers moving through air, land, and sea ports of entry, to businesses importing goods into the country, to immigrants applying for services. To learn more about the impact DHS makes every day, visit: DHS.gov/TodayDHSWill.

    Last year, DHS improved the efficiency of processing noncitizens at the Southwest Border, deployed across the country to respond to natural disasters, investigated cybercrimes, created a new streamlined process for adjudicating asylum applications, safely and securely resettled nearly 90,000 evacuated Afghans in the United States, provided resources for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity resilience, established a process for Ukrainian nationals seeking refuge, secured the 2022 midterm elections, and demonstrated heroism by acting quickly and courageously to save lives in harrowing circumstances.

    For the full list of awardees, visit 2024 Secretary’s Awards | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Urges HHS to Strengthen IV Supply Chain to Prevent Shortages

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) on Friday sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the administration to take action to ensure health care providers have access to necessary medical supplies to prevent a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluid.

    “I am thankful for the coordination of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” Dingell wrote. “This includes the work of ASPR in deploying approximately 200 personnel to North Carolina, including health care situational assessment teams, who are assessing the storm’s impacts on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and other health care facilities. Baxter’s International’s North Cove manufacturing site, which primarily makes IV and peritoneal dialysis solutions, in Marion, North Carolina, has been one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. The rapid rain and storm surge resulted in water permeating the facility.”

    “Baxter International produces 60% of the national supply of IV solutions, and the hurricane’s impact on accessing the site’s supply has sounded alarms for a potential shortage. Baxter is actively working with local, state, and federal officials on plans to access the inventory in the facility and begin transfers of salvageable product out of the facility,” Dingell continued. “However, due to their constrained inventory, Baxter has begun implementing allocation limits on certain products to hospitals and other medical facilities based on their historical ordering from March through August of this year. Hospitals remain very concerned this situation will spiral into a nationwide shortage of critical IV products.”

    “Natural disasters often have effects beyond the horrific destruction and loss of life throughout the southeastern part of our country,” Dingell concluded. “This supply chain disruption is a grave reminder of the interconnection of our government and society – maintaining communication and cooperating through these adversities is the best solution to care for our communities.”

    Specifically, Dingell requested answers to the following questions:

    1. Baxter has begun implementing allocation limits on their products to ration IV products for the hospitals. What is being done to oversee the allocation process to ensure fairness throughout the country?
    2. We understand that HHS, FDA, and Baxter and working with manufacturers to ensure their operating at maximum capacity. Do you anticipate that this is enough to maintain the current need of hospitals and other medical facilities?
    3. In Baxter’s North Cove site in Marion, North Carolina, there are tens of thousands of pallets of product waiting to be distributed. Has any of this product been damaged? If so, what are you doing to ensure damaged products are not sent to hospitals and other medical facilities?
    4. If the Baxter site in North Carolina is unable to help provide the necessary IV solution to hospitals, what will HHS, ASPR, and FDA do to help meet demand?
    5. Do you expect this situation to result in an official shortage of IV fluids?
    6. Have you heard from hospitals canceling or postponing surgeries due to a lack of available IV fluids?
    7. Are you considering invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title I authorities?
    8. How can Congress help in assisting the diversification and risk management of this supply chain?
    9. How can the agency best to diversify this supply chain and what funding is needed to help mitigate risk?
    10. How can the Center for Industrial Based Management & Supply Chain engage with stakeholders to optimize our IV solution supply chain to withstand severe weather events? If one company’s plant is shut down and causes such a shortage, what steps can be taken to alleviate this stressor?

    View the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

               WASHINGTON— A New Jersey man was sentenced to prison today after he was previously convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges, including for assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

               Michael Oliveras, 51, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years – or 60 months – in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell.

               A federal jury convicted Oliveras of three felonies in November of 2023, including civil disorder; obstruction of an official proceeding; and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In addition to the felonies, Oliveras was convicted of misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

               Judge Howell sentenced Oliveras on two felonies, including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and the misdemeanor offenses.

               According to the government’s evidence, Oliveras traveled to Washington, D.C. prepared for “war on January 6” because he wanted to stop the certification of the Presidential election. At the Capitol, he swarmed and helped attack a unit of police officers on the West front, engaged in a brawl with officers on the West Terrace, and entered the U.S. Capitol twice—and attempted to enter a third time—during the riot, all while repeatedly calling for the execution of “traitors,” i.e., lawmakers, and encouraging rioters to drag members of Congress out “by their hair.” Oliveras documented many of his actions videos he took himself.

               Oliveras posted to his Parler social media account that he booked a hotel room close to the Capitol building to scope out the area ahead of time. On Jan. 6, 2021, Oliveras posted to his Parler social media account, “Nothing can stop [wh]at is coming.”

               After attending the ‘Stop the Steal” rally, Oliveras marched to the Capitol at 1:00 p.m. where he spent more than five hours on the grounds and inside the building. Carrying a flagpole with an American flag, he began on the West front, where he joined rioters swarming and attacking police officers. At about 2:22 p.m. – less than 10 minutes after the Senate Wing Door initially was breached – Oliveras entered the Capitol building and marched towards the Crypt. While marching through the Capitol building, he recorded himself in video footage in several areas of the building repeatedly yelling things like, “WHERE ARE THEY? WHERE ARE THE F—-ING TRAITORS? DRAG THEM OUT BY THEIR F—-ING HAIR!”

               At 2:24 p.m., Oliveras boasted on Parler “I am inside the capital.”

               Officers temporarily drove Oliveras out of the Capitol, but he reentered the building minutes later through the Senate Wing Door. Once inside the second time, Oliveras encouraged the other rioters who were pouring into the building.

               After police ejected him a second time, Oliveras attempted a third entry, during which he stood in a doorway and shouted to rioters to “PUSH” and exclaimed, “WE WANT THOSE F—ING TRAITORS!” Oliveras, still wielding his flagpole, then joined a group resisting the officers who were trying to clear the upper Northwest terrace. As Oliveras shot video, an altercation broke out between the mob and police. Oliveras refused repeated commands from officers to “back up!” Instead, Oliveras stepped forward and forcefully pushed into officers. The fighting continued as rioters pulled officers to the ground.

               Only after officers deployed chemical irritant did Oliveras turn and move away. Still, Oliveras was not done. He stood nearby as police forced additional rioters North, shouting, “EVERYTHING AROUND HERE CHANGES FROM THIS DAY F—ING FORWARD!”

               Officers eventually cleared the area, but Oliveras did not leave the Capitol grounds. Instead, he marched to the opposite side of the building and encouraged other rioters as they destroyed media equipment. Oliveras remained at the Capitol until into the evening hours, and only left when officers finally gained control of the area and pushed the last remaining rioters, Oliveras included, off the grounds.

               After returning to New Jersey, Oliveras posted on social media about his trip to Washington, D.C.: “Did we want to get our bare hands on the flesh of those who have committed treason? Yes. Would I, as one of those red blooded americans, if the opportunity presented itself, grasped and removed one of those traitors? Yes.”

               On Jan. 8, 2021, Oliveras posted, “Patriots. Are any of you discouraged. What you saw in the senate. Was precisely what we want. Insurrection acts in motion.”

               The FBI arrested Oliveras on Dec. 9, 2021, in New Jersey.

               Since his arrest, Oliveras has repeatedly joined YouTube airings and exclaimed that he is not sorry for his actions and he would “do it again.”

               This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

                This case was investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

               In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

               Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Scheme to Defraud Distressed Homeowners Out of $15 Million Nets Virginia Man 60 Months

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

                WASHINGTON –Terrylle Blackstone, 37, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy that fraudulently promised thousands of homeowners across the U.S. legal help in avoiding foreclosure. The scheme generated at least $15 million for the conspirators but never provided any legal services to the client-victims.

                The sentence was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office.

                Blackstone pleaded guilty on June 6, 2024, to a count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud before U.S District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss. In addition to the prison term, Judge Moss ordered Blackstone to serve three years of supervised release and pay $159,145.35 in restitution.

                According to court documents, from January 2018 until February 2021, Blackstone worked with attorneys David Maresca of Virginia, Scott Marinelli of New Jersey, and Sam Babbs of Florida. The co-conspirators told homeowners that they operated a “national law firm” based in Washington, D.C.; that attorneys would review the homeowner’s file and provide legal representation to the homeowners; that an attorney in the homeowner’s local area would be assigned to assist them; that the homeowner could meet and consult with those attorneys about the case; and that attorneys in their law firm could help the homeowner, if necessary, file for bankruptcy.

                From 2016 until 2019, the conspirators marketed Synergy Law with telephone, television, and internet advertising which told homeowners that attorneys at Maresca and Marinelli’s Synergy Law (Synergy) in Manassas could help them avoid foreclosure. During 2018 and 2019, bankruptcy judges, Synergy clients, and the U.S. Trustee’s Program raised concerns about Synergy’s practices in bankruptcy matters. Blackstone attended court hearings on behalf of Synergy where he made false statements to the court about the firm’s operations. In early 2019, Marinelli was incarcerated in Pennsylvania. Yet Blackstone, Maresca, Marinelli, and others continued to operate Synergy and collect monthly payments purportedly for legal services. During this time, there was no attorney who was a member of Synergy who could practice law. Synergy never had attorneys review all homeowner files and Synergy never had attorneys contact a client’s lender to discuss a mortgage resolution. They also continued to use the interstate wires to operate their “law firm” in ways that were essential to the scheme, such as soliciting clients by telephone.

                From 2019 until at least 2022, the conspirators marketed another firm, Themis Law, with television and website advertising which told homeowners that attorneys with Themis could help them avoid foreclosure. Themis operated a call center at an office in Manassas, Virginia. Call center workers used scripts during their phone calls with homeowners in which Themis falsely promised that an attorney would review the homeowner’s case file; that this attorney knew their lender’s “internal guidelines” for a “mortgage resolution”; and that an assigned “legal team” would contact the homeowner’s lender to negotiate a resolution. Themis required homeowner-clients to pay an initial retainer amount followed by a monthly recurring amount for as long as the firm represented the homeowner. When Themis clients faced imminent foreclosure, Themis advised those clients to consider filing for bankruptcy to save their home and referred the clients to Babbs at the Babbs Law Firm. Those clients then signed a new retainer agreement and paid additional fees to Babbs.

                During his dates of employment at Synergy Law and Themis Law, Blackstone received no less than $159,145.35 in direct payments from the companies. Judge Moss ordered that Blackstone pay a forfeiture money judgment in that amount.

                This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Washington, D.C. Field Office of IRS-CI.

                It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Borchert.

                23cr123

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Treasurer of Kern County Political Organization Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Bryan M. Williams, 41, of Atascadero, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, between 2013 and 2019, Williams served as the treasurer of a Kern County political organization. During that time period, he stole between $230,000 and $435,000 from the organization, and used those funds for his personal use.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.

    Williams is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Jan. 27, 2025. Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy That Corrupted City Real Estate Projects

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    LOS ANGELES – A former deputy mayor and long-time Los Angeles city official was sentenced today to 144 months in federal prison for soliciting and accepting more than $750,000 in bribe money for himself and facilitating over $1 million in bribes from property developers to then-Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar as part of a long-running pay-to-play racketeering conspiracy at the highest levels of government in Los Angeles.

    Raymond She Wah Chan, 68, of Monterey Park, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $752,457 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles. 

    At the conclusion of a 12-day trial, a jury on March 27 found Chan guilty of all 12 felony counts for which he was charged: one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, seven counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of federal program bribery, and one count of making false statements to a federal government agency.

    “Chan abused his public office and sought to deepen the corruption of city politics for the benefit of his own business interests,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s sentence sends a message to the public and City Hall alike that our government should not be for sale and those that undermine our democracy through pay-to-play schemes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “Today’s sentence serves as a reminder that there are consequences for robbing communities of the honest government services they deserve” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “The harm of public corruption manifests itself not only in financial loss, but also the loss of faith in government and public officials. The FBI will remain laser focused on those who seek to use their personal wealth and influence to facilitate relationships between those willing to pay or accept bribes.”

    Chan served for years as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and, later, as the Deputy Mayor of Economic Development from 2016 to 2017. Chan abused both of these high offices and the influence they carried to enrich himself, Huizar, and other public officials within the city.

    Huizar, 56, of Boyle Heights, represented Council District 14 (CD-14) on the Los Angeles City Council from 2005 until his resignation in October 2020. CD-14 encompassed downtown Los Angeles and some of its surrounding areas. When downtown Los Angeles was experiencing a huge real estate development boom, Huizar chaired the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee, which oversaw all major commercial and residential development projects in the city.

    Along with Huizar, Chan helped conceive, lead, and operate the “CD-14 Enterprise,” a criminal racketeering enterprise that exploited the city approval process for large real estate development projects to exact bribes from developers. Chan played a critical role in guiding and ensuring the CD-14 Enterprise’s success, managing the conspiracy through both the powerful public offices he occupied and the private relationships he held with wealthy foreign developers seeking to build in the city.  Capitalizing on this unique position, Chan steered nearly $2 million in financial benefits to himself, Huizar, and other public officials as part of the pay-to-play bribery scheme.

    In furtherance of the conspiracy, while he was General Manager of LADBS and then Deputy Mayor, Chan established and directed a secret business partnership with real estate development consultant George Chiang, securing a lucrative real estate consulting agreement with Chinese real estate developer Shenzhen Hazens. As part of that agreement, Chan solicited and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to advise and pressure other city officials, including Huizar, in favor of Hazens’ Luxe Hotel redevelopment project in downtown Los Angeles. When he left city employment, Chan used the consulting business that he had secretly built to direct bribes to other public officials for the benefit of his private consulting clients. 

    To help prolong the pay-to-play bribery scheme, Chan also facilitated a $100,000 campaign contribution commitment from Hazens for Huizar’s wife’s candidacy to succeed Huizar as CD-14 Councilmember in exchange for Huizar’s votes to approve the Luxe Hotel project. Chan also helped facilitate numerous other bribes from Hazens to Huizar, including tens of thousands of dollars in sham real estate consulting fees, concert tickets, China travel expenses, and contributions to Huizar’s 2015 campaign debt and alma mater high school. 

    Chan also facilitated payment of nearly $1 million in bribes to Huizar from billionaire developer Wei Huang, 58, of Shenzhen, China, including $600,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, nearly $200,000 in casino chips, and luxury-laden gambling trips to Las Vegas. Chan similarly facilitated bribes from Huang to George Esparza, Huizar’s special assistant and key associate in the pay-to-play bribery scheme, through casino chips and lavish Las Vegas trips. When Huang provided these bribes, his company, Shen Zhen New World I LLC, was planning to redevelop the downtown L.A. Grand Hotel into the tallest tower west of the Mississippi, which would require city approvals and Huizar’s official assistance.

    Chan played a crucial role in facilitating Huang’s payment of $600,000 for Huizar to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former CD-14 staffer, which threatened Huizar’s 2015 re-election campaign and the continued operation of the CD-14 Enterprise. Chan conceived of and helped carry out an elaborate plan involving a foreign shell company, intermediaries, and fraudulent corporate documents to arrange a sham private loan that shielded the fact of Huang’s involvement in the payment. Chan later lied to FBI agents that he was not involved in the settlement, that Huang had no projects in Huizar’s district needing Huizar’s support, and that Huang had never asked Huizar for help with anything – all of which Chan knew to be false.

    Huizar was sentenced on January 26 to 13 years in federal prison and also was ordered to pay $443,905 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles and $38,792 in restitution to the IRS. He pleaded guilty in January 2023 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of tax evasion. Huizar has been ordered to begin serving his prison sentence no later than October 7.

    Hazens’ U.S. subsidiary, Jia Yuan USA Co. Inc., which was seeking to redevelop the Luxe Hotel, has paid $1.05 million to resolve the government’s investigation into its conduct related to this case, which included bribery and illegal campaign contributions.

    Huang, who is charged with several felonies for his bribes to Huizar with Chan’s assistance, fled the United States shortly after the execution of numerous federal search warrants in this case and is considered a fugitive from justice. Huang’s downtown Los Angeles-based company Shen Zhen New World I LLC was convicted in 2022 of eight felonies for – through Huang’s actions as its owner – paying more than $1 million in bribes to Huizar for his critical support for the L.A. Grand Hotel redevelopment project. The company was sentenced to five years of probation, fined $4 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

    Relatedly, real estate developer Dae Yong Lee, a.k.a. “David Lee,” 60, of Bel Air, and one of his companies, 940 Hill LLC, were convicted in 2022 of providing $500,000 in cash to Huizar and Esparza in exchange for their help in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of a downtown Los Angeles development project. Lee is serving a six-year federal prison sentence and was fined $750,000. 940 Hill LLC was sentenced to five years’ probation, fined over $1 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

    Prosecutors also have secured guilty pleas from Chiang; Esparza; lobbyist Morrie Goldman; and political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim. Each of these defendants cooperated with the government and testified during at least one trial in this case and will be sentenced at upcoming hearings in November.

    The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant United States Attorneys Cassie D. Palmer, Susan S. Har, and Brian R. Faerstein of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.

    Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s email tip line at https://tips.fbi.gov or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expanded opt-out testing begins at Leeds hospitals as part of Fast-Track City commitment to end HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics

    Source: City of Leeds

    An expanded programme of opt-out testing has begun at emergency departments at two Leeds hospitals as part of the city’s commitment to ending new HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis infections by the end of the decade.

    Beginning last month, the new programme sees anyone aged 16 and over who has blood tests taken as part of their emergency care at Leeds General Infirmary or St James’s University Hospital also being tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C unless they opt out and decline.

    The testing at the two Leeds hospitals, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to run for at least a year, is part of a national programme aiming to identify undiagnosed patients and providing support to treatments and care in order to prevent new transmissions and helping people live long and healthy lives.

    The improved testing in Leeds was one of the aims when the city last year became the first in the Yorkshire and Humber region to become a ‘Fast-Track City’ as part of a global initiative to end the HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

    A report on progress achieved since making the declaration in Leeds will be discussed by senior councillors at the council’s executive board meeting at Civic Hall next week (Wednesday 16 October).

    Figures for Leeds show through improving links between stakeholders and communities the city has achieved the international ’95-95-95’ target set down by the United Nations, with 95 per cent of people living with HIV being diagnosed, 99 per cent of those on HIV treatment and 98 per cent virally suppressed meaning they cannot pass the virus on.

    The report also gives an update on a community grants programme launched in Leeds in February marking one year on since becoming a Fast-Track City.

    Overseen by Leeds City Council, BHA Leeds Skyline and MESMAC, the programme awards grants of up to £700 to groups in Leeds to express their lived experiences especially around stigma and discrimination, and its impacts on people living with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

    So far six projects have been supported in the city, ranging from an informative and engaging podcast on the experiences of those living with HIV; a refugee community choir writing a song to release on World Aids Day (December 1st) to fight stigma with music; A new poster campaign to be displayed in places of worship; An LGBT+ youth group making a new quilt to be displayed in local museums; and a knitting group making 40 bears to promote national HIV testing week in February.

    All of these projects will be showcased at a celebration event hosted by BHA Leeds Skyline in the city next month. For more information contact BHA Leeds Skyline via Free Counselling, Disability Support & HIV Testing in Leeds | BHA (thebha.org.uk) 

    Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing Councillor Fiona Venner said:

    “This report highlights the significant progress achieved in Leeds since becoming a Fast-Track City, with all skakeholders, partners and communities working closer together in this vital area. Much has been achieved but we know much more needs to be done achieve the target of zero infections, deaths and stigma around HIV, TB and viral hepatitis by 2030.

    “The recently-begun enhanced testing at the LGI and St James’s has a vital role to play in helping identify anyone undiagnosed so all the available support they need can be provided to help people live long and healthy lives. If everyone in the city and beyond works together on this, I am confident the zero target can and will be reached.”

    Dr Sarah Schoeman, Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) Consultant Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Leeds Fast-Track City Leadership Group Chair said:

    “Normalising blood-borne virus testing is essential – it saves lives and helps tackle the stigma associated with these infections. We are so pleased and proud that we are able to offer routine testing for these important infections within our Leeds emergency departments again. This initiative is another significant step towards Leeds reaching our Fast-Track City goals of zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, zero new viral hepatitis infections, zero new TB infections and zero stigma related to all of these infections in Leeds by 2030.”

    Programme Lead at BHA Skyline (and Fast-Track City Leeds group member) Pesha Thornton said:

    “The community grants have provided individuals and groups with lived experience a platform and opportunity to explore how they would challenge stigma, connect with peers and elevate their voices and experiences and to feel empowered to explore their creativity.  This programme has been beneficial for those with lived experience, as most of the people BHA Skyline supports have experienced HIV related discrimination and/or feel a sense of self stigma. 

    “It is so much more than the finished products, it is the journeys and the bravery of the individuals who have been awarded the grants to share their difficulties and triumphs encapsulating them into a piece of work to challenge the stigma that is still very much present. The community grants projects will be launched at the Fast-Track City event hosted by BHA Skyline, in addition to celebrating and sharing the work from partners across Leeds and West Yorkshire.”

    To see the report being considered by the executive board, visit Council and democracy (leeds.gov.uk) (agenda item seven).

    For more information on the community grants programme in Leeds visit Fast Track Cities Leeds Community Grants – BHA for Equality (thebha.org.uk)

    To find out more about the Fast-Track Cities visit: Welcome to Fast-Track Cities | Fast-Track Cities

    Notes to editors:

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WSJ: The DCCC’s Abortion Distortion Campaign

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 8, 2024

    The DCCC is lying about Republicans’ position on abortion. It’s so egregious that the Wall Street Journal editorial board took aim at their “variations of this Handmaid’s Tale fiction.”

    In case you missed it…

    The Abortion Distortion Campaign
    Wall Street Journal
    The Editorial Board
    October 7, 2024 
    https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-abortion-distortion-campaign-election-politics-ca91ec2e?st=uj2LpZ&reflink=article_copyURL_share

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is running variations of this Handmaid’s Tale fiction, with ads accusing House Republican candidates of wanting to “allow state governments to track pregnant women to prosecute them if they get an abortion.”
     
    The alleged source for this claim is the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 policy paper, which hasn’t been adopted by the GOP as a party and Mr. Trump has disavowed many times. But even Project 2025 doesn’t propose such a registry. Its hardly radical idea is for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand its collection of anonymous state statistics about abortions and miscarriages.
     
    The idea is to better understand the scope and complications of certain procedures. There is no call for personal or pregnancy information at a federal or a state level. And by the way, the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute collects data on the incidence of abortion and related issues without controversy.
     
    The abortion distortion playbook has spread far and wide in Democratic campaigns. In California’s 22nd House district, GOP Rep. David Valadao has said he opposes a national abortion ban and supports abortion exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
     
    Yet challenger Rudy Salas is running an ad implying that Mr. Valadao supports no exception for rape. “Washington Republicans want to criminalize abortion, even when a woman has been raped or is facing a medical emergency,” the ad says, ending with “David Valadao, what if that was your daughter, or your sister?” The answer is that Mr. Valadao supports her right to an abortion.
     
    In New York’s 17th district, Democrat Mondaire Jones is running an ad with a banner that says Rep. Mike Lawler “would ban abortions in New York.” Mr. Jones says in the ad that the Republican platform “would ban abortions even here in New York.”
     
    Except that the GOP platform doesn’t include a ban and Mr. Lawler doesn’t support one. While Mr. Lawler personally opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, etc., he has said he does “respect the will of the state’s voters whom the Supreme Court have given exclusive jurisdiction over the abortion issue.” Albany Democrats are as likely to pass an abortion restriction as Iran is to approve same-sex marriage.

    Read the full editorial here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments investing in initiatives to attract and retain agri-food labour

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are creating the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative to attract and retain Ontario agri-food workers. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), this $4 million investment will strengthen Ontario’s agri-food workforce for years to come.

    $4 million in funding will support innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled agri-food workers

    October 8, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario  –  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are creating the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative to attract and retain Ontario agri-food workers. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), this $4 million investment will strengthen Ontario’s agri-food workforce for years to come.

    The initiative will help fund job training and new recruitment marketing campaigns, introduce new worker supports such as ridesharing programs and language training and support the planning of on-site amenities and recreational facilities.

    Successful producers and processors can receive up to 50% in cost-share support per project, up to a maximum of $40,000. Eligible industry organizations and collaborations between or among businesses can receive up to 50% of their eligible costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 per project. The Initiative will start accepting applications from eligible primary producers, processors and industry organizations on October 22, 2024. Applications will be accepted no later than September 2, 2025.

    The initiative builds on the Canadian Agricultural Partnership–funded Ontario Agri-Careers Support Initiative (OACSI) to address agri-food labour challenges. It also supports the Grow Ontario Strategy goals of increasing total agri-food sector employment by 10% by 2032 and making Ontario the destination of choice for International Agri-Food Workers (IAWs).

    The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

    October 8, 2024

    New exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

    October 8, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”

    October 8, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

    October 8, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev opened the new exhibition complex “Timiryazev Center”. With Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, together with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, opened the new Timiryazev Center exhibition complex at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy.

    As Dmitry Patrushev noted, the Timiryazev Center is not only a modern equipped space that will unite all the best in agricultural education and science, but also an excellent platform for popularizing the agricultural sector, demonstrating its achievements and high level of development.

    One of the main tasks that the agro-industrial complex currently faces is staffing, including attracting young specialists with the necessary knowledge and competencies. For this purpose, the personnel training system is actively developing, approaches to educational activities are changing, and the infrastructure of universities is being comprehensively updated.

    “The training and exhibition center allows both to hold exhibitions and, most importantly, to gain practical skills in work. This has never happened before within the Timiryazev Academy, it was possible to do so thanks to the support of Moscow and the company “PhosAgro”. I hope that the guys will be comfortable studying here, they will undergo practical training and gain important experience that they will need in working in agriculture,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

    Dmitry Patrushev and Sergei Sobyanin inspected the educational and exhibition complex, equipped with modern specialized equipment.

    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/52940/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: EIA expects average U.S. heating costs this winter to be consistent with last winter

    Source: US Energy Information Administration – EIA

    Headline: EIA expects average U.S. heating costs this winter to be consistent with last winter

    U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
    WASHINGTON DC 20585

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 8, 2024

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects most U.S. households, on average, will pay about the same to heat their homes as they did last winter. A notable exception is that EIA expects Midwestern homes heated by natural gas will pay about 11% more on average for heat than last winter.

    In its 2024 Winter Fuels Outlook, EIA forecasts a colder winter, leading to more energy consumption for heat. With energy prices similar to or slightly lower than last winter, EIA expects spending for many households will be about the same as last winter.

    “There’s a lot of uncertainty about the weather over an entire season—not to mention uncertainty over commodity prices,” said EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis.

    Comparing this winter’s forecast for the average U.S. household with last winter’s results, EIA expects a 1% increase in fuel bills for homes heated by natural gas, a 5% decrease for homes heated by heating oil, a 2% increase for homes heated by electricity, and a negligible change in costs for homes heated by propane. Because weather is a key source of uncertainty in the forecast, the report also includes a warmer and colder case to produce a range of possible expenditures by fuel type.

    The Winter Fuels Outlook is a supplement to EIA’s October Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), and EIA will update it every month through February to reflect changes in commodity prices and temperatures. This year is the first year that EIA’s forecast distinguishes between primary heating fuels consumed for space heating and other end uses.

    EIA will host a webinar on Wednesday, October 9, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its forecasts. The webinar is open to the public, but registration is required.

    Other highlights from the October STEO include:

    • Brent crude oil spot price: EIA expects the Brent crude oil spot price will average about $76 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2024 and about $78 per barrel in 2025, both lower than EIA’s September forecast. EIA revised its forecasts because the September Brent spot price was lower than expected and because the agency expects demand for petroleum products will be lower than it previously forecast. The impact of military action in the Middle East is a key source of uncertainty in the crude oil price forecast.

      EIA’s revised forecast for crude oil prices also contributed to revisions in the agency’s price forecasts for distillate fuels, gasoline, and other petroleum products, which are reflected in the STEO table of notable revisions.

    • U.S. oil production: EIA expects U.S. crude oil production will average 13.5 million barrels per day in 2025, a record high. EIA had previously expected domestic crude oil production would average 13.7 million barrels per day next year but revised its production forecast lower largely due to its expectation of lower crude oil prices.
    • Electricity consumption: EIA expects 2% more U.S. electricity consumption this year than in 2023 and expects a further 2% growth in 2025. Summer temperatures in 2024 were warmer than last summer, especially in the upper Midwest and Northeast regions, which helped to push up U.S. electricity demand this year. Increased electricity consumption through 2025 is led by the industrial sector, as planned battery and semiconductor chip manufacturing comes online. In the commercial sector, electricity demand from data centers in some regions contributes to the forecast for greater electricity demand.

    The full October 2024 Short-Term Energy Outlook is available on the EIA website.

    The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government. The views in the product and this press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

    EIA Program Contact: Tim Hess, STEO@eia.gov
    EIA Press Contact: Chris Higginbotham, EIAMedia@eia.gov

    MIL OSI Global Banks –