NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Joins President Biden in Ray City to Survey Hurricane Helene Damage, Continues Push for Disaster Declaration in All Impacted GA Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Joins President Biden in Ray City to Survey Hurricane Helene Damage, Continues Push for Disaster Declaration in All Impacted GA Counties

    On Thursday, Senator Reverend Warnock accompanied President Biden to survey agricultural damage from Hurricane Helene at an impacted pecan farm in Ray City

    Senator Reverend Warnock and his office have been working around the clock to marshal federal recovery resources to Georgia, including pushing senior Biden Administration officials to swiftly approve additional major disaster assistance for all of Georgia’s impacted 93 counties

    During his visit, President Biden credited Senator Warnock for helping secure a wavier ensuring the federal government will shoulder 100% of debris removal and emergency protective measures costs in Georgia—WATCH VIDEO HERE

    In Ray City, Senator Reverend Warnock pressed President Biden directly to approve Georgia’s remaining counties under the federal major disaster declaration without additional delay

    Left: Senator Warnock greeting President Biden at Moody Air Force base in Valdosta, GA

    Right: Senator Warnock delivering food for those impacted by the Hurricane in Valdosta

    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, October 3, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined President Biden in rural South Georgia to survey agricultural damage caused by Hurricane Helene and pledged his continued support to marshal federal resources and other assistance to Georgians in need.

    The Senator and President Biden visited Shiloh Pecan Farm in Ray City, where they received a briefing from pecan farmer Buck Paulk on the extent of storm damage on his and other farms in the area and the urgency of providing additional disaster relief to mitigate the economic impacts of Hurricane Helene on the state’s agriculture industry. During his remarks in Ray City following the tour, President Biden publicly credited Senator Warnock for his work to help secure a waiver ensuring the federal government will cover 100% of the costs associated with debris removal and standing up emergency protective measures in Georgia’s impacted areas.

    “Yesterday, I approved Governor Kemp’s request for the federal government to cover 100 percent of the cost for debris removal and emergency protective measures for three months, 100 percent. I must tell you, your Senator [Warnock] had a little bit to do with that when he called me,” said President Biden.

    While in South Georgia, Senator Warnock also pushed President Biden on the urgent need to approve the remainder of Georgia’s 93 impacted counties under the President’s federal major disaster declaration issued September 30, unlocking additional critical federal recovery resources and assistance. To date the Administration has only approved 41 of the 93 counties the state requested for individual and public disaster assistance, prompting Senator Warnock this week to press senior FEMA, White House officials, and President Biden directly to approve Georgia’s remaining impacted counties under the major disaster declaration without additional delay. Following Senator Warnock’s pushes, President Biden and Administration leaders have stated federal officials are actively working to quickly approve assistance for all of Georgia’s counties impacted by the storm.

     

    President Biden and Senator Warnock during the press conference in Ray City, GA

    Senator Warnock and his office have been active in Georgia’s Hurricane Helene response efforts from the beginning, visiting Augusta on September 30 to deliver needed supplies and survey storm damage; making frequent contact with elected officials, hospital leaders, and other community leaders to address urgent needs and provide support; launching a new web clearinghouse of Federal and state hurricane recovery assistance and resources across the state; and advocating for swift congressional approval of additional federal disaster relief for impacted families and communities, especially Georgia’s farmers.

    Senator Warnock and Brooks County Commissioner James Maxwell

    VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES RPI PRESIDENT MARTIN A. SCHMIDT APPOINTED TO COMMERCE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE OVERSEEING BUILD OUT OF THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S CHIPS INDUSTRY

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee – Created After Passage Of Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law Which Boosted Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry – Provides Guidance To Commerce Secretary About Research & Development Critical To The Future Of America’s CHIPS Industry
    Schumer Says RPI President Schmidt’s Decades Of Leadership In Microelectronics Research Will Support America’s Efforts To Boost Competitiveness For Microelectronics Industry
    Schumer: RPI President Schmidt Is A Leader For Microelectronics Research & Excellent Addition To Committee To Boost The Nation’s And New York’s CHIPS Industry
    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the appointment of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Martin A. Schmidt to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC), which was created by the original authorization of the federal CHIPS programs that Schumer pushed for and led to passage. The IAC provides advice to the Commerce Department on the science, technology, and workforce training needs of the nation’s domestic microelectronics industry, the national strategy on microelectronics research, the research and development programs and other advanced microelectronics activities funded through the CHIPS & Science Law, and opportunities for new public-private partnerships.
    “RPI President Schmidt is a leader in electrical engineering and microelectronics research, and I was proud to push for him to be added to the Industrial Advisory Committee so he can take on this leadership role in shaping the nation’s competitiveness in the semiconductor and broader microelectronics industries,” said Senator Schumer. “I wrote the CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY in mind, and I’m thrilled to see an Upstate NY leader recognized on a national level for his expertise and his experience tapped to position the nation and New York to lead the world in the semiconductor industry. RPI President Schmidt is an excellent addition to the IAC, and together we are working to invest in critical R&D programs and assets like Albany NanoTech and strengthen workforce development to boost America’s global competitiveness now and long into the future.”
    “Upstate New York has established itself as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and I am proud to see one of our leaders bringing his expertise to the national Industrial Advisory Committee,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With the guidance of skilled engineers like President Schmidt, we can continue to expand American microelectronics manufacturing initiatives to ensure that the U.S. maintains a competitive edge for years to come. I am proud to have recommended President Schmidt for this role, and I know he will be an excellent representative for the Quantum Valley and all of New York on the Committee.”
    “Congratulations to President Schmidt on his deserved appointment to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee,” Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) said. “I consider myself lucky to represent a region that is such a strong leader in the semiconductor industry, from manufacturing facilities and R&D programs to our cutting-edge educational institutions, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. That’s why I pushed hard in the House to advance the CHIPS and Science Act and deliver the investments needed to supercharge our chip development, and why I called for the appointment of President Schmidt to the advisory committee. President Schmidt’s appointment further solidifies our region as a trailblazer in this growing industry. I look forward to working with him and Majority Leader Schumer to further drive innovation and job growth in semiconductor manufacturing.”
    “I applaud Senator Schumer and our entire federal delegation for their leadership on CHIPS, and am honored to serve on the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee and advise Secretary Raimondo on strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry through innovative and strategic research and development,” said Martin A. Schmidt, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “Having been involved in semiconductor research and education for my entire career, it is a privilege to represent the nation’s first science and technological research university in this endeavor, working together with industry, government, and other educational institutions to create new and promising opportunities in semiconductors now and in the years to come.”
    After eight years as the provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he oversaw the creation of the university’s Schwartzman College of Computing, Dr. Schmidt became the President at RPI. He is a leader in electrical engineering and microelectronics research, and as an inventor and entrepreneur, he holds over 30 issued U.S. patents and has been associated with starting seven companies.
    The Industrial Advisory Committee comprises leaders from a broad range of disciplines in the microelectronics field, including academia, the semiconductor industry, federal laboratories, and other areas. Currently, representatives from GlobalFoundries, IBM, Micron Technologies, Wolfspeed, and Applied Materials are among other members of the IAC.
    Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Tonko previously wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo supporting the nomination of RPI President Schmidt to the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee. A copy is below:
    Dear Secretary Raimondo,
    Thank you for your ongoing efforts to implement the critical CHIPS and Science Act, including establishing the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC).
    We would like to recommend that Martin Schmidt, the President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) be added to the IAC. Marty would be a strong addition to the group advising you on implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act.
    Some projections are that nearly 35,000 jobs requiring engineers, computer scientists and Ph.Ds will go unfilled over the next five years if we don’t change the trajectory of educating students at our academic institutions. As well, another 25,000 technicians with two-year degrees will be needed. Marty has the experience in this area and how to develop the diverse and inclusive workforce needed to fill these jobs in the industry.
    Marty is a rare voice that is fully grounded in science research, including semiconductors, and at the same time has extensive administrative and leadership experience. Marty holds a Ph.D in electrical engineering from MIT and was the provost at MIT and now at RPI, schools famous for making a difference in the world educating the technology workforce of the nation.
    As you move forward to establish new public-private partnerships and stand up the National Semiconductor Technology Center, the role of universities will become even more important to implementation of CHIPS.
    We would like to strongly support the nomination of President Martin Schmidt to the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Scott, Florida Colleagues to POTUS: Expedite Resources to Floridians

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
    Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite state-requested resources and authorize key policy flexibilities in order for Floridians to make a swift recovery.
    U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Florida colleagues sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the direction of federal agencies to expedite requested resources and implement emergency policy flexibilities to help the people of Florida.
    “Mr. President: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we write to urge you to direct federal agencies to expedite state-requested resources and actions and to implement precedented emergency policy flexibilities to facilitate a seamless federal response.”
    Joining Senators Rubio and Scott were U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), and Neal Dunn (R-FL).
    The full text of the letter is below. 
    Dear Mr. President:
    In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we write to urge you to direct federal agencies to expedite state-requested resources and actions and to implement precedented emergency policy flexibilities to facilitate a seamless federal response. Specifically, we urge you to direct federal agencies to act on the following items:

    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

    Temporary Housing Assistance
    On September 29, 2024, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) requested FEMA to authorize Emergency Non-Congregate Sheltering, including in the form of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and travel trailers in accordance with FEMA Policy 104-009-18, as well as in the form of Direct Housing Assistance in Individual Assistance-designated counties.  On October 1, 2024, FDEM requested FEMA to authorize Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) for survivors of Hurricane Helene, including to modify FEMA Policy 104-21-0008 to add Friends and Family and Damaged Dwelling categories to the list of eligible survivor locations for TSA. We urge you to approve these requests as quickly as possible.
    Further, with respect to the swift delivery and deployment of FEMA temporary housing resources in impacted communities, we urge you to direct FEMA to authorize the use of travel trailers and manufactured homes in Special Flood Hazard Areas to ensure that housing unit recipients are able to stay on their properties while they rebuild permanent structures.  Due to the nature of Florida’s low elevation, FEMA’s regulatory requirements with regard to temporary housing in flood zones significantly restricts federal housing assistance in the state.  Enabling disaster survivors to remain on their properties following a disaster is crucial to the recovery process, as doing so reduces the need for survivors to commute from a remote location for the purposes of rebuilding and looking after their properties and affairs.  There is a precedent for FEMA allowing this policy flexibility.  Following Hurricane Ian, the provision of temporary housing resources was severely delayed due to FEMA regulations that prevented the placement of manufactured housing units and travel trailers in these flood zones.  However, FEMA ultimately authorized this flexibility following months of delays in temporary housing assistance.
    Issue Storm-Specific Guidance for Debris Removal, Demolition, and Disposal 
    In the wake of Major Disasters, FEMA may waive program requirements with respect to prior approval for debris removal, demolition, and waste disposal, and issue disaster-specific guidance to inform local communities on how they can remain in compliance with regulations and law while accounting for policy waivers in order to remain eligible for reimbursement.  We have heard from local governments, in designated counties, that the issuance of storm-specific guidance for Hurricane Helene debris removal, demolition, and waste disposal would enable them to confidently remove hazardous debris in an expedited manner without having to risk failing to comply with regulation or law.  We urge you to direct FEMA to issue storm-specific guidance for Hurricane Helene as quickly as possible. 
    Ensure Sand Removal, Screening, and Placement is Eligible for Category A Debris Removal Public Assistance Reimbursement
    Hurricane Helene washed tons of sand into the streets and rights-of-way of municipalities in designated counties along the Gulf Coast of Florida, impeding public transportation and evacuation routes.  Sand is an irreplaceable material for Florida’s outdoor economy, and composes the dunes and shorelines that protect infrastructure from storm surge, erosion and tidal flooding.  The collection and removal of sand from streets and rights-of-way, screening of sand to remove debris, and placement of screened sand along shorelines is time-intensive and may be too costly for non-federal entities to expense themselves.  We request you ensure the removal of sand debris, screening of sand for debris, and placement of sand on productive shorelines are eligible activities for FEMA reimbursement under Category A Public Assistance, just as it was following Hurricane Ian.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE):

    Emergency Permitting Procedures
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations allow the authorization of emergency permitting procedures to expedite emergency work and repair in emergency situations that may result in hazards to life, loss of property, or economic hardship.[2]  The severe impacts of Hurricane Helene pose such hazards, as navigation channels along the Gulf Coast of Florida have been impeded by debris from damaged and destroyed structures and infrastructure.  These channels must be cleared of hazards to promote safe navigation, and to enable recovery in remote coastal areas that require maritime access.  Further, terrestrial infrastructure, including shoreline infrastructure, may require expedited permitting procedures to prevent economic hardship and hazards to public safety from possible future severe weather. 
    Issue Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) Shoreline Easement Policy Memorandum
    The failed Army Corps of Engineers policy implementation of Section 103 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213) has caused many hurricane risk reduction projects in Florida, including several in Hurricane Helene’s disaster areas, to become effectively defunct due to burdensome perpetual easement requirements.  Pinellas County, which suffered more deaths than any other county in Florida due to Hurricane Helene, primarily from storm surge, is ground zero for this federal policy failure that has led to the erosion of shorelines and dunes that are proven to mitigate storm surge impacts.  Section 361 of the Senate-passed Water Resources Development Act of 2024 contains language that would give policy flexibility to local project sponsors receiving supplemental FCCE funds to construct emergency FCCE projects with less-than-permanent easements.[3]  We urge you to direct the USACE to issue a policy memorandum on an expedited basis to implement this policy, which passed the Senate unanimously, so that local project sponsors have certainty they will be able to secure less-than-permanent easements in anticipation of receiving FCCE funds from a possible forthcoming disaster supplemental.  This policy would also enable local project sponsors to begin implementing hundreds of millions of dollars of supplemental FCCE funds appropriated in December 2022 that have been impeded by failed USACE policy implementation.  
    Operation Blue Roof 
    Hurricane Helene made landfall with winds of 140 miles per hour and higher wind gusts.  Due to the large size and fast forward movement of the hurricane, Helene projected strong winds over a large area, damaging roofs in the process.  Operation Blue Roof is an emergency program of the Army Corps of Engineers, in consultation with FEMA, for the deployment of blue plastic tarps to protect damaged homes from future rain damage.  Please consider activating Operation Blue Roof if FEMA, USACE, and partners assess sufficient need. 

    U.S. Department of Agriculture:

    Block Grant Authority for Agricultural Disaster Relief
    The State of Florida has requested Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to designate an Agricultural Disaster for the state, a request we support.  In addition to expediting an Agricultural Disaster designation, we urge you to recognize block grants to states as a valid method of disbursing supplemental disaster assistance to growers.  We would also welcome your support for explicitly including this authority in a forthcoming disaster supplemental.  Supplemental disaster assistance appropriated in December 2022 has been slow to reach growers, in part due to manpower constraints on the USDA’s ability to process and administer disaster loss claims.  Providing agricultural assistance via block grants to states allows state agencies to use their own employees as a force multiplier to process claims in an expedited manner, and disburse aid to agricultural producers more quickly. 
    Thank you for your attention to these important matters. We look forward to working with you on behalf of Floridians.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Slams Biden-Harris Response to Hurricane Helene and Redirecting FEMA Funds to Migrant Housing.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Wichita, KS –  U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the Harris-Biden Administration’s disastrous emergency response. Senator Marshall slammed Harris-Biden-Mayorkas’ depletion of FEMA funds that were redirected to illegal migrant housing instead of helping Americans- like those who have been devastated by last week’s hurricane. 
    Additionally, Senator Marshall discussed the BE GONE Act, legislation he introduced with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) that would deport the thousands of illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes who are currently residing within our borders. 
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include: 
    On the Harris-Biden Administration’s disastrous response to Hurricane Helene: 
    “Let’s look at things ‘holistically’ today, that this is an incompetent Biden-Harris Administration.”
    “What the Democrats do is they create policies, and then they want more government programs, more money to solve the problem. But at the end of the day, they’re not getting the job done in North Carolina.”
    On the misuse of emergency disaster relief funding by the Harris-Biden Administration:
    “I would argue that the Biden-Harris administration has funneled it in different places. They took money from building the wall to help migrants out, and then they’ve taken money that was meant for FEMA, $1.4 billion as you pointed out as well.”
    “At the end of the day, I still think that this is incompetence, that FEMA and or Congress has not prioritized. That’s the challenge I see with so many professional politicians, is they never prioritize where these dollars go to.”
    On the BE GONE Act and the Harris-Biden Administration Endangering American Citizens with Open Borders Policies:
    “The Democrats don’t want to bring attention that Kamala’s ‘holistic’ approach to securing the border is not working, that her open border policies have led to huge national security threats…the biggest emotional issue going into this election is is your family safe and secure right now? And I can tell you, even in the heartland in Kansas, people don’t feel safe anymore, that there is no responsibility being taken here. 
    “To your point, don’t forget the two million known gotaways that crossed the border. Who are those people? We have at least 400,000 criminal aliens roaming America…hundreds of known terrorists have been encountered on the border just this year alone. We have no idea where they are. As you pointed out earlier, there’s 13,000 people that have been convicted of murder, illegal aliens convicted of murder. They’re roaming the country right now.”
    “When Donald Trump gets in office, he’s going to have a tough job, but he’s the man to do it, and we need to get those folks resources to get those illegal aliens that have committed crimes out of this country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “M” Mark status awarded to WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
     
          The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 which will be held at the Central Harbourfront Event Space from October 7 to 12.
     
          The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (October 5) “We are very pleased to award the ‘M’ Mark status to the ‘WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024’. Baseball5, which breaks away from conventional baseball, will provide a thrilling experience for global audiences while contributing to the local economy and sports development. We believe that this event will become an important milestone in promoting the popularity of Baseball5 in the community.”
     
         The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
     
          For details of “M” Mark events, please visit http://www.mevents.org.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges EU to get back to right track of resolving trade disputes through consultations

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has urged the European Commission to take concrete actions to implement its political will and get back to the right track of resolving trade frictions through consultations, said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

    The remarks came after the commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China had obtained the necessary support from Member States of the European Union (EU) for the adoption of tariffs.

    “China firmly opposes the draft final ruling of the EU side, but has also noted its political will to continue to resolve the issue through negotiations,” said the spokesperson, noting that technical teams from both sides will continue with their negotiations on Oct. 7.

    The ministry urged the EU side to be clearly aware of the harm of imposing additional tariffs, as it will not solve any problems but only waver Chinese enterprises’ confidence and resolve in and prevent them from conducting investing cooperation in Europe.

    “China’s position is consistent and clear. China firmly opposes the unfair, illegal and unreasonable protectionist practices of EU in this case, and resolutely opposes the EU additional countervailing duty on Chinese electric vehicles,” said the spokesperson.

    The EU’s protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules and disrupt the normal international trade order, hindering not just the China-EU trade and investment cooperation but also the EU’s green transition, with a negative impact on global climate response, the spokesperson noted.

    The spokesperson said China has implemented the consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, always borne in mind the overall interests of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and always upheld the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation.

    Since the end of June, both sides have held more than 10 technical consultations involving sub-ministry department chiefs and two vice-ministerial consultations on the case.

    On Sept. 19, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis held comprehensive, in-depth and constructive talks, said the spokesperson, adding that they both clearly expressed the political will to resolve differences through consultation and agreed to launch price commitment talks to avoid escalating the trade frictions.

    In the following 14 days, technical teams from both sides conducted six rounds of consultations. Over the process, again and again, the Chinese side has fully listened to the demands and opinions of the Chinese and European industries, showing its open and cooperative attitude and exercising maximum flexibility, according to the spokesperson.

    “China will take all possible measures to firmly defend the interests of Chinese enterprises,” the spokesperson added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IPhsa at ICMM: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Health Security

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    BRISBANE, Australia  –  

    During the International Committee for Military Medicine (ICMM) 45th World Congress “Military Medicine Shaping Global Health” held in Brisbane from September 22-27, 2024, the Indo-Pacific health security alliance (IPhsa) hosted a session co-chaired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). This gathering brought together regional and international stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing health security and future collaboration.

    Key session highlights included the announcement of the next IPhsa event in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2025, as well as the continued participation of the African Partnership Outbreak Response Alliance (APORA) in sharing lessons learned. These discussions focused on best practices and expanding partnerships to address health threats in the Indo-Pacific.

    CAPT Jeffrey Bitterman of INDOPACOM opened the session by emphasizing the critical importance of regional cooperation to address evolving health threats, including infectious diseases and natural disasters.

    “By building health security capacity, together, we foster global stability, will cultivate key partnerships and mitigate harmful influences and enhance readiness in our collective interoperability. Collaboration with public health authorities, media organizations and other stakeholders is also crucial for building public trust and health security efforts”. – CAPT Bitterman, U.S. INDOPACOM Command Surgeon.

    He underscored IPhsa’s milestones, such as the 2022 signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and the 2024 Terms of Reference, which formalized military-civilian partnerships. He highlighted that strengthening preparedness and interoperability across sectors is key to protecting public health and maintaining regional stability.

    A pre-recorded message from Mr. Ludy Prapancha Suryantoro of the World Health Organization emphasized the need for enhanced civil-military collaboration in health emergencies. He introduced the Civil-Military Mapping tool, designed to improve coordination and identify gaps in health emergency preparedness, especially in biosecurity/laboratories, CBRN, one health and disaster response.

    ADF’s AIRCDRE Nicole dos Santos closed the session by reflecting on the significance of global health security as a cornerstone of national and regional safety. She drew upon themes of interconnectedness, referencing the term “Ubuntu” to highlight shared humanity and collective responsibility. AIRCDR dos Santos emphasized the growing convergence of geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic factors, noting the need for a multilateral, whole-of-government approach to health security. She celebrated IPhsa’s role in fostering collaboration between military and civilian sectors and called for sustained partnerships to face global challenges.

    “Leading to improved global health security, we are very privileged to be a founding member of the alliance, and we look forward to contributing to the development of the Indo Pacific health security alliance over the coming years. As we progress and mature, we would like to welcome more of you to join the alliance and work with us to improve the health security of our region and our world for those who follow.” – AIRCDRE dos Santos, Director General Operational Health – Joint Health Command

    As the session concluded, participants echoed the call for stronger cooperation and looked ahead to the upcoming IPhsa meeting in PNG in 2025, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration to bolster regional health resilience.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nation ramps up public services to meet rising cultural demand

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Shanghai resident Wang Yanqing, 38, said that her recent experience of trying to secure a spot in the upcoming autumn courses at the Shanghai Resident Night School took her back to university days, when students had to scramble to register for classes online.
    In the blink of an eye, nearly 900,000 eager applicants flooded the system as soon as the night school’s registration portal opened. The most sought-after classes for the autumn session of the school spanned a wide range of disciplines, including archery, baking, leather crafting, popping and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
    Priced at a modest 500 yuan for a series of 12 classes, the Shanghai Resident Night School has gained a reputation for its accessibility and top-quality instructors, establishing itself as the hottest public cultural service hub in the city.
    Catering to people aged 18 to 55, the night school offers courses during the spring and autumn terms. In the ongoing autumn semester, the service has been expanded to include 37 branch campuses and 367 teaching venues, spanning across the city.
    For Wang, who has been learning dance skills at the primary campus of Shanghai Mass Art Center since 2021, the night school represents a vital outlet for personal growth and exploration.
    “Elderly people have their senior universities and children have various art training institutions to choose from. We young people also need some public cultural services to develop our interests and add color to our lives,” says Wang.
    “At the night school, you’ll find courses with solid reviews, awesome teachers and prices that are budget-friendly. It’s also easy to locate a class close to home,” Wang adds.
    In recent years, the country has been actively improving the public cultural service system and expanding the coverage of basic public cultural services.
    The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization released in July includes plans for enhancing the public cultural service system.
    This includes establishing a mechanism for high-quality cultural resources to reach grassroots levels and enhancing the participation of social entities in the provision of public cultural services.
    Li Guoxin, director of Peking University’s national center for modern public culture research, explained that the resolution highlights the importance of offering higher quality, more efficient, fairer and sustainable public cultural services to grassroots communities. This is aimed at enhancing people’s sense of cultural attainment and happiness.
    In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted innovation and reform in public cultural services. Over 35,000 new public cultural spaces have been set up nationwide, including libraries and cultural centers in urban and rural areas, making cultural services more accessible for a wider population, Li added.
    Hefei, capital of Anhui province, has witnessed active expansion of reading spaces since 2017.
    With more than 100 urban reading spaces, urban residents are guaranteed to reach a reading space within a 15-minute walk from their homes.
    Ji Yuanyuan, a resident from Hefei’s economic development zone, said that the reading space has provided a group of full-time mothers like her with a place where “they can temporarily set aside the family’s troubles and worries, and just be themselves”.
    Formerly an entrepreneur who devoted herself to her career, she used to have her parents take care of her children. After her children started primary school, she decided to devote her time to her children and family.
    However, she found that upon returning from the workplace to the family, women easily fell into anxiety. So she initiated a reading club in 2017, where full-time mothers come together to recommend good books to each other and share parenting experiences.
    The club’s gathering place is called Forest Book House, an urban reading space within her community that not only provides residents with reading facilities but also features workshops on calligraphy and handicrafts.
    The book club receives an average of around 400 visitors per day, and last year, it hosted a total of 140,482 readers.
    “We now have over 100 female members and hold events every Thursday afternoon at the Book House,” Ji said.
    “When we meet like-minded people in the space, our anxious feelings fade away, and we feel more uplifted as a whole.”
    In the first half of the year, the urban reading spaces in Hefei received 4.86 million visitors, with 1.115 million books borrowed and 8,983 events hosted, according to Meng Xianlei, an official from the city’s bureau of culture and tourism.
    Meng points out that these reading spaces are constructed by the government, owned by the government and operated by third parties through bidding processes. The separation of ownership and operation rights of public cultural facilities shows the reform measures proposed by the aforementioned resolution on further deepening and advancing Chinese modernization.
    Starting this year, Hefei is transforming these urban reading spaces into public cultural hubs featuring art exhibitions, training seminars, literary salons, film screenings and a range of other services.
    Originally from Guilin in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Wang said she has found pleasure and fulfillment in Shanghai’s public cultural amenities, despite the long distance from her hometown.
    The abundance of libraries, art centers and communal spaces has not only enriched Wang’s own life but has also provided a welcoming place for her mother, who recently traveled from Guilin to Shanghai to live with her.
    “She frequents the free movie screenings at the community cultural center near our residence every week. Such public cultural spaces have aided her in swiftly having a social circle in this unfamiliar city,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Walz Takes Executive Action to Make State of Minnesota a Recovery-Friendly Workplace

    Source: US State of Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz today took executive action to make the State of Minnesota a recovery-friendly workplace. Under Executive Order 24-11, the state will adopt policies and procedures to increase support for employees in recovery. This executive order builds on legislation from the 2023 session establishing a statewide Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative by positioning state government to lead by example.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Verge: Senator Laphonza Butler thinks supporting Big AI or human workers is a ‘false choice’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for California – Laphonza Butler

    By Lauren Feiner
    Representing California in Congress comes with a unique challenge: navigating national politics while reflecting the interests of the most populous state in the US, including a large constituency from the tech industry. It’s a challenge both current California Sen. Laphonza Butler and Vice President Kamala Harris — who previously held that title — have taken on. And right now, governing the tech world means addressing AI.

    Congress hasn’t made much headway on a national framework for regulating generative AI. But California is the epicenter of the AI industry, home to companies like OpenAI and Google. On the national stage, Harris has acted as an AI czar within the Biden administration, leading discussions with industry players and civil society leaders about how to regulate it. Butler, who has a long history with the VP, is focusing on a specific problem: how AI systems impact labor and social equity.

    Butler spoke with The Verge about balancing the interests of AI companies and the people their products impact, including workers who fear being automated out of a job. “It all starts with listening,” says Butler, a former labor leader. “It starts with listening to both the developers, the communities potentially impacted negatively, and the spaces where opportunity exists.”

    Like many officials, Butler says she wants to help protect Americans from the potential dangers of AI without stifling opportunities that could come from it. She praised both Schumer and the Biden administration for “creating spaces for communities to have [a] voice.” Both have brought in labor and civil society leaders in addition to major AI industry executives to educate and engage on regulation in the space.

    Butler insists lawmakers don’t need to make “false choices” between the interests of AI company executives and the people who make up the workforce. “Listening is fundamental, balancing everyone’s interest, but the goal has to be to do the most good for the most people. And to me, that is where a policymaker will always tend to land.”

    California state Senator Scott Wiener made similar statements about his hotly contested state-level bill, SB 1047. The bill, which would have required whistleblower protections and safeguards for potentially disastrous events at large AI companies, made it all the way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk before being vetoed, with companies like OpenAI warning it would slow innovation. In August, Wiener argued that “we can advance both innovation and safety; the two are not mutually exclusive.” So far, however, lawmakers are struggling to find a balance between the two.
    Read the full article HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation
    2024-10-04

    On the afternoon of October 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a transatlantic delegation from the German Marshall Fund (GMF). In remarks, President Lai stated that as China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget and that it is aiming to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy to safeguard regional stability and ensure the sustainable development of democracy. The president stated that we seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and that he looks forward to further advancing economic exchanges and cooperation with the United States and European Union as we unite to face the threats of authoritarian expansionism.
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    I welcome the delegation led by GMF Senior Advisor Heather A. Conley. As Typhoon Krathon has been affecting Taiwan these few days, the presence of our esteemed guests from the United States and Europe here today demonstrates your staunch support for Taiwan and the solid stance our transatlantic partners have taken with Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation.
    GMF has long paid close attention to cross-strait issues. For instance, it released a research report on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The report pointed out that the resolution does not mention Taiwan and explained to the international community that China has distorted the content of the resolution and improperly linked it with its “one China principle.” I want to take this opportunity to thank Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the GMF Bonnie Glaser for her efforts and support in this regard.
    In recent years, the US has continued to coordinate with its allies to reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And the GMF has contributed greatly to garnering support for Taiwan among the transatlantic alliance. For this, I convey my heartfelt appreciation.
    China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily. It is expanding its military presence in the East and South China Seas and attempting to change the rules-based international order. In response, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget, established a new defense innovation unit, and set up the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Our aim is to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. By making Taiwan more resilient, we are safeguarding regional stability and ensuring the sustainable development of democracy.
    Indeed, Taiwan is determined to protect democracy. We seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and avert the threats of expanding authoritarianism. In terms of Taiwan-US military cooperation, I would like to thank former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis for her tremendous assistance in facilitating the US government’s efforts to accelerate the provision of the defense capabilities Taiwan needs through such avenues as the presidential drawdown authority and Foreign Military Financing program.
    Apart from military cooperation, economic cooperation is also crucial. We hope that Taiwan and the US can resolve the issue of double taxation as soon as possible. This would further enhance our bilateral trade and economic ties. We also look forward to signing a bilateral investment agreement with the EU to further advance economic exchanges and cooperation.
    Facing the threats of authoritarian expansionism, democracies must unite. Only then will we be able to respond with our collective wisdom and strength. Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan. Taiwan will continue working together with our partners in the US and Europe. I look forward to our discussion.
    Senior Advisor Conley then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for giving them his time and mentioning that this three-day visit, which coincided with the typhoon, demonstrated to them in very concrete terms the importance of the whole-of-society resilience. She said that they were also able to take a deep dive into what President Lai’s administration has put forward on the five pillars, the challenges of implementing this ambitious plan, and the importance of local governments and public opinion.
    Noting that the GMF stands for the intersection of democracy, prosperity, and security, and connecting those dots, Senior Advisor Conley remarked how important those connections are in today’s world. She stated that the more complex the international challenges, the more important partners are to helping to solve those problems. That is why the GMF wanted to bring together a transatlantic delegation with colleagues from Europe and the US, she added, who bring together expertise in the technology and economic dimensions of security and civil society. She said that it has been a joy to be with them, to learn together, and to learn from experts in Taiwan as well.
    Senior Advisor Conley said that over the past three days, they have had opportunities to brainstorm, provide new ideas, and take home new ideas, and that they look forward to writing about them and helping and continuing this important dialogue. In closing, on behalf of her colleagues and the GMF, she thanked President Lai for giving them an extraordinary three days of conversation and for making time out of his busy schedule in a week of a natural disaster in Taiwan. 
    The delegation also included former Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO Francesco M. Talò, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Lieutenant General Rajmund Andrzejczak, GMF Board of Trustees Chair Christopher Schroeder, Special Competitive Studies Project Senior Advisor Joe Wang, and Munich Security Conference Senior Fellow Nico Lange.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan’s new PM Ishiba delivers 1st policy speech since taking office

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected Japanese prime minister, gave his first policy speech to parliament on Friday, vowing to restore public trust in politics following a series of scandals and trying to reassure the public amid rising living costs.

    At the beginning of his speech after being elected prime minister earlier this week, Ishiba expressed “deep regret” over a high-profile slush funds scandal which heavily tarnished the image of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

    “I will restore confidence in politics lost over the issue of political funds and will explain to the people more clearly than ever the situation in which Japan finds itself,” Ishiba said. “It is the responsibility of politics to rebuild a safe, secure and prosperous Japan by gaining the understanding and empathy of the people.”

    In terms of economic policy, Ishiba promised to swiftly craft a fresh package of measures to help inflation-hit households struggling to cope with rising prices, with the yen’s depreciation leading to higher import costs.

    “It’s necessary that we provide support to those reeling from rising prices until a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution is certainly in motion, where pay hikes outpace inflation and companies invest proactively,” Ishiba said.

    The 67-year-old former defense minister set a goal of achieving a 1,500 yen (about 10 U.S. dollars) average minimum hourly wage across the nation by the end of the 2020s, earlier than the previous government’s target. It currently stands at 1,055 yen.

    On energy policy, Ishiba said Japan will ensure the safety of nuclear reactors and create the best energy mix to satisfy growing demand, contrasting with his stance in last month’s LDP presidential election when he argued for the country to reduce its reliance on nuclear power to zero and greater use of renewable sources.

    Regarding diplomacy and security issues, the prime minister expressed his willingness to seek “constructive and stable” ties with China through dialogue, while making bilateral ties with South Korea “more robust and wide-ranging.”

    Sessions in which representatives of the ruling and opposition parties will ask questions in response to Ishiba’s policy statements are expected to be held in the Lower House and the Upper House on Oct. 7 and 8.

    Ishiba has announced his intention to dissolve the Lower House on Oct. 9 for a snap election on Oct. 27. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes great achievements in environmental protection over past 75 years

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Oct. 5 — China has made remarkable strides in ecological and environmental protection over the past 75 years, increasing the green coverage ratio, improving the system for natural protection areas, better-protecting wildlife species and their habitats, and enhancing air pollution control.

    INCREASING GREEN COVERAGE

    In the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the green coverage ratio of Youyu County, located at the edge of the Maowusu Desert, was less than 0.3 percent.

    Local government and residents’ continuous afforestation efforts over the past seven decades have increased the county’s green coverage ratio to 57 percent. The once “barren land” has become an “oasis in the desert.”

    Youyu County’s story epitomizes China’s national efforts to make the country greener.

    China’s forest coverage rate has increased to over 24 percent from only 8.6 percent around 70 years ago. According to data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the country has contributed about a quarter of the world’s total new green area since the beginning of this century.

    In 1978, China implemented the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which has effectively curbed the expansion of desertification and become a “green great wall” to prevent sandstorms, conserve water and soil, and safeguard agriculture in northwest, north and northeast China.

    By 2020, the program saw afforestation of 480 million mu (32 million hectares) of land, the management of 1.28 billion mu of degraded grasslands, and the forest coverage rate increased from around 5 percent in 1978 to about 14 percent in these regions.

    PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY

    After Dinghushan became China’s first nature reserve to preserve primary forest and protect biodiversity in 1956, China gradually established nearly 10,000 natural protection areas at all levels, including nature reserves, forest parks, natural heritage sites and geoparks.

    The country attaches great importance to biodiversity conservation, as evidenced by being among the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    In 2021, China established its first national parks, covering a protected land area of 230,000 square km.

    These parks, including Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park and Wuyishan National Park, are home to nearly 30 percent of the country’s key terrestrial wildlife species.

    The progress in these national parks has made protecting biodiversity evident when considering the numbers involved.

    The population of the Hainan gibbons, a rare primate that lives in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, had risen to 37 in 2022 from 13 in 2003. Sanjiangyuan National Park, meanwhile, is now home to more than 70,000 Tibetan antelopes, in sharp contrast to less than 20,000 in the 1990s.

    Official data shows that 90 percent of China’s terrestrial ecosystem types and 74 percent of key protected wild animal and plant species populations are now effectively safeguarded.

    ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    Environmental protection has been a high priority for China since the State Council convened the first national conference on the issue in 1973.

    Following the introduction of an action plan to prevent and control air pollution in 2013, China became the first developing country in the world to impose large-scale efforts to reduce PM2.5 density.

    The country has seen fast improvement in air quality, with 203 cities, or around 60 percent of the total cities, meeting the air quality standard in 2023, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

    China has also made substantial strides in protecting the water ecology of key river basins, with national water quality continuing to improve.

    According to the ministry, the proportion of surface water bodies nationwide classified as having excellent water quality reached 89.4 percent in 2023.

    This figure surpasses the target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) by 4.4 percentage points.

    Using the Yangtze River as an example, 98.5 percent of monitoring sites in the basin achieved excellent water quality in 2023, up 0.4 percentage points year on year.

    Additionally, the number of indigenous fish species recorded in the Yangtze River Basin increased to 227, up by 34 species from 2022. The number of nationally protected aquatic wildlife species rose to 14 in 2023, an increase of three compared to the previous year.

    Official data showed the country’s total investment in environmental pollution control reached 901.4 billion yuan (about 128.64 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, compared with only 2.5 billion to 3 billion yuan per year in the early 1980s.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday

    10 hours ago

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated teachers on their professional holiday – Teachers’ Day.

    The Deputy Prime Minister called them “unique people who chose for themselves a noble, responsible and difficult task – teaching and raising children.”

    Today in Russia there are over 1.3 million teaching staff, of which over 1 million are teachers. They share knowledge with students, shape their worldview, motivate, help them think independently, and instill traditional spiritual and moral values.

    “It is especially important today to realize the potential of children, develop their talents, and educate patriotic and socially responsible citizens. This is a national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. And your daily hard work helps us achieve it. Together with you, we are preparing future scientists, engineers, analysts, IT specialists – a generation that will strengthen the technological sovereignty of the country,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized.

    The development of the education system is a priority for the Government. In Russia, the national project “Education” will soon be completed, and a new national project – “Youth and Children” – will begin to operate.

    “We will continue to create a modern educational infrastructure – build schools, colleges and lyceums, equip them with all the necessary equipment,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also said that he himself remembers the life lessons of his teachers with great warmth and gratitude.

    “Dear teachers! Thank you for your loyalty to the profession that you have chosen at the call of your heart. I wish you good health, well-being, creative success and responsive students. Happy Teacher’s Day!” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.

    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/52905/

    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 Russia: The government has allocated 9 billion rubles for the construction and reconstruction of sections that will be part of the M-12 “Vostok” highway

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Order dated October 4, 2024 No. 2750-r

    Document

    Order dated October 4, 2024 No. 2750-r

    9 billion rubles have been allocated for the advanced construction and reconstruction of four sections of highways needed to extend the M-12 “Vostok” highway from Kazan to Yekaterinburg. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    We are talking about the construction of bypasses of the cities of Nizhnekamsk and Naberezhnye Chelny in Tatarstan, a bypass of the settlements of Isametovo, Verkhneyarkeevo, Layashty, Ishkarovo, Asyanovo in Bashkiria, as well as the reconstruction of two more road sections in the Republic of Tatarstan.

    The decision will allow traffic to be launched on new sections of roads by the end of 2024, which, like the entire M-12 “Vostok” highway, will become part of the “Russia” international transport corridor.

    The signed order is necessary to implement the President’s instruction concerning increasing the pace of construction of the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod-Kazan high-speed highway and extending it to Yekaterinburg. The head of state gave it following his Address to the Federal Assembly in 2021.

    The issue was considered and approved atGovernment meeting on October 3.

    The work is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “Development of the federal highway network” of the national project “Safe high-quality roads”.

    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/52907/

    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 Russia: To the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 5, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography will be celebrated.

    Dear friends!

    Please accept my sincere congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the Russian State Cinema Symphony Orchestra.

    Over its centuries-long history, the legendary group has become an integral part of the cultural life of our country, giving millions of viewers bright, memorable melodies, many of which have graced the best films of outstanding domestic directors and received popular recognition.

    All these years, your renowned orchestra has made an invaluable contribution to the preservation and popularization of the national musical heritage, continues to develop established traditions, and takes an active part in the implementation of large-scale creative projects. Under the guidance of renowned conductors, talented professionals, infinitely devoted to art, demonstrate the highest level of performing skills, mastery of various styles, genres and trends, honed technique and artistry, which allow them to implement the most daring ideas, master new formats, and create unique programs. Your performances are always popular with the public, become an event and remain in the memory of listeners for a long time.

    I wish you inexhaustible inspiration, further success and prosperity.

    M. Mishustin

    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/gov/persons/151/telegrams/52912/

    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 Russia: To Sergei Skripka, People’s Artist of Russia

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the artistic director and chief conductor of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography on his 75th birthday.

    The telegram, in particular, notes:

    “An outstanding conductor, a renowned teacher, you have written many bright pages in the annals of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography, and made a significant contribution to the development of national culture and art.

    For many years, under your leadership, the renowned group has been masterfully performing masterpieces of world classics and modern works of various styles and genres, which have become an integral part of domestic and foreign films.

    I wish you creative success, good health and prosperity.”

    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/gov/persons/151/telegrams/52913/

    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 Russia: To Alexander Mikhailov, People’s Artist of Russia

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the actor and director on his 80th birthday.

    The telegram, in particular, notes:

    “You have brilliantly played dozens of memorable roles on the stage and in cinema. Films with your participation have entered the golden fund of Russian cinema and are popular with several generations of viewers. You have successfully realized yourself not only as an actor, director and singer, but also as a wonderful teacher. For many years, you have been passing on knowledge and experience to VGIK students, sharing the secrets of your craft.

    I wish you good health and prosperity.”

    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/gov/persons/151/telegrams/52914/

    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 China: Lu Chuan’s sci-fi gamble ‘Bureau 749’ debuts after 8-year struggle

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Among the many ambitious projects in Chinese cinema, few stories rival that of director Lu Chuan’s epic undertaking, “Bureau 749.” The film, conceived as early as 2016, aimed to be a cutting-edge sci-fi spectacle with Hollywood-caliber visual effects. However, its path to completion became a tumultuous saga marked by financial hurdles, production challenges and a relentless pursuit of artistic vision.

    The Sept. 29 premiere in Beijing was charged with emotion as cast, crew and audience members were moved upon finally seeing the film on the big screen. During the eight-year journey, more than 6,000 people contributed to the project, experiencing hardship, despair and joy along the way.

    “It’s been really hard for us these past few years, and now it’s time for us to present it to the audience and let them enjoy it and judge,” Lu said.

    “Bureau 749” draws inspiration from a real but enigmatic Chinese government agency that has become an urban legend. It’s known only for conducting research and expeditions to study unusual phenomena, including reportedly supernatural individuals and events. Lu has mentioned that he worked in that government organ for some time after graduating from the People’s Liberation Army Institute of International Relations. To reassure viewers, Lu invited former colleagues to the premiere.

    Regardless of what he saw in that secretive agency, Lu gained imaginative ideas for filmmaking. He first showcased these concepts in his 2015 sci-fi monster and tomb raider blockbuster “Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe,” before embarking on a new feature film dedicated entirely to the bureau in 2016. Lu also infused the project with personal meaning, making it a tribute to his youth.

    “Bureau 749” stars young pop idol Karry Wang, actors Zheng Kai and Miao Miao — who met on set, married, and now have three children — along with Ren Min, Xin Baiqing and Li Chen. As they stood on stage at the premiere, they reflected on the passage of time and how their lives had evolved during the film’s production.

    The film follows the agents of Bureau 749 as they attempt to use a mutant child’s superpowers to combat a massive alien monster threatening a Chinese city. It features more than 1,700 visual effects shots and presents epic-scale disaster and action sequences that are designed to wow viewers.

    Lu envisioned and initiated the grand project with a budget of 350 million yuan ($50 million) during the golden era of Chinese cinema. The cameras started rolling in Chongqing in 2018, despite only 30% of the promised investment materializing. The situation soon changed dramatically as Chinese tax authorities tightened regulations on the film industry’s financial practices, causing some capital to retreat from movie businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic followed, further dimming the prospects for “Bureau 749.”

    Initially, the director hired Hollywood’s top talents to realize his vision, including renowned cinematographer David Tattersall, who worked on classics like “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and “The Green Mile.” Lu also brought in professionals who had worked on blockbusters such as “Avatar” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” However, he soon discovered these experts were costly assets and had to let them go when financial crises arose. Lu was forced to cut spending in all aspects until the initial filming wrap in July 2019.

    The post-production of a visual effects-heavy blockbuster at this level proved even more costly. At one point, Lu faced debts exceeding 25 million yuan, five lawsuits triggered by production and release delays, and contractual obligations to investors. Desperate to find funding, the director enrolled in an MBA program to learn about finance and took on various jobs. These included making a dozen commercials and creating online series. Every bit of money he earned went toward funding “Bureau 749.”

    With unwavering persistence and support from industry peers, mentors and convinced investors, including Huayi Brothers Media, Huawen Picture and Beijing Culture, Lu overcame the darkest days and ultimately completed the film. After additional filming concluded on April 22, Lu posted on social media, “I have no regrets. After eight years of dragging this ship, we can finally reach the shore.”

    At the premiere’s conclusion, when asked if he had anything else to say to the audience, Lu paused emotionally. After a moment’s reflection, he simply said, “Thank you.”

    “Bureau 749” hit Chinese theaters during the seven-day National Day holiday starting Oct. 1, attracting flocks of viewers and grossing more than 300 million yuan within the first four days of the holiday. However, the various financial setbacks and production challenges have clearly impacted the film, resulting in inconsistent visual effects, plot issues and dated elements. Since its release, the film has garnered mixed reviews and sparked controversy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK airport unparalleled on cargo

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung

    Following the promotion of Ying Ying and Le Le to parenthood with the birth of a pair of panda twins in mid-August, another pair of giant pandas currently named An An and Ke Ke, gifted by the central government, arrived in Hong Kong last Thursday from Sichuan comfortably and safely on our local flagship airline’s flight, showcasing the world-class level of temperature-controlled logistics provided by our airlines and the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

    World first on partner airport accreditations

    HKIA is unparalleled globally in its capability to handle special air cargo, achieving multiple firsts.

    Since 2017, HKIA has been recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a Partner Airport of the IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV). It has received certifications for Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Transportation (IATA CEIV Pharma), Fresh Cargo Transportation (IATA CEIV Fresh), Live Animals Transportation (IATA CEIV Live Animals) and Lithium Batteries (IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries) and is the first airport in the world to attain the full suite of CEIV certifications from IATA for handling special air cargo.

    The certification for Live Animals Transportation not only allows the transport of pandas but also covers pets such as cats and dogs, as well as horses, leopards, and llamas, among others. Local air logistics companies have made significant progress in this area over the past few years. In March 2020, two air cargo terminals located at HKIA, namely Cathay Pacific Services Limited and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals – were the first to obtain the Live Animals Transportation certification and Cathay Pacific Cargo subsequently became the third airline in the world to receive this certification. In December 2022, HKIA became the first airport community globally to obtain this certification. Currently, all cargo terminal operators at HKIA meet the IATA CEIV standards for transporting special cargo, making it one of the few airports in the world to achieve this level of certification. This demonstrates Hong Kong’s comprehensive strength in handling live animal transportation and further enhances our status as a hub for air cargo, especially in handling special cargo.

    Cathay Cargo escorts the giant pandas to Hong Kong

    An An and Ke Ke were transported directly from Sichuan to Ocean Park, arranged and sponsored by Cathay Cargo. You may have seen various media reports about the meticulous arrangements for the two VIPs’ arrival: a support team comprising 90 professionals across difference agencies worked closely with the airline to ensure the pandas’ health and safety; two experts from Sichuan and two caregivers from Ocean Park accompanied the pandas throughout the flight, etc. Specially designed crates were also used for their transportation to maintain a constant temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius inflight, with ample natural light and good ventilation. The crates were also equipped with Bluetooth devices, allowing the control centre to monitor the temperature and humidity inside the crates.

    Apart from taking good care of the giant pandas’ transportation, their food, bamboo leaves, are also imported from the mainland. Bamboo leaves for Hong Kong’s giant pandas are mainly grown in Conghua, Guangzhou and are freshly transported to Hong Kong every day where transportation starts before 10am. Previously, the bamboo leaves needed to first arrive in Tianhe District from Conghua before arriving in Hung Hom through the Guangzhou Kowloon Intercity Through Train, followed by delivery to Ocean Park. Thanks to the co-operation between customs on both sides and the increasingly improved transportation network within the Greater Bay Area, bamboo leaves now arrive at Ocean Park directly via point-to-point land transportation.

    The pair of giant pandas is expected to meet the public by the end of this year, and I am very much looking forward to visiting them. Their successful arrival once again proves the exceptional standard of our world-class air logistics. I am sure the HKIA community will continue to strive for excellence and maintain Hong Kong’s good name as an international aviation hub.

    Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung wrote this article and posted it on his blog on October 5.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by the Prime Minister on World Teachers’ Day

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Teachers’ Day:

    “Teachers are the best. They help us learn and grow. They encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. They pick us up when we fall. And they’re our guides and mentors when we need that extra push to succeed.

    “We all have a favourite teacher. The one who comforted us when we didn’t feel confident. The one who, despite being asked a thousand questions, would happily answer all of them. The one who made learning fun.

    “This year’s theme – ‘Valuing teachers’ voices: towards a new social contract for education’ – highlights the critical role of educators in supporting and shaping our future. Whether it’s in the classroom or in extracurricular programs, as early childhood educators or counsellors, or as coaches or mentors, teachers build the foundations to help every generation reach its full potential.

    “With the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM, and Excellence in Early Childhood Education, we thank the outstanding educators across the country for their dedication to their students and communities. Today, I am pleased to launch the call for nominations for the 2025 awards. I invite Canadians to nominate an outstanding educator from their community who has made a real difference in their life, or in the life of one of their children.

    “The federal government is making sure teachers and students have what they need to succeed. With programs like CanCode, we are providing professional development opportunities for 100,000 teachers. This will help over nine million students gain skills in areas such as coding and artificial intelligence over the next two years. With our new National School Food Program, we will get healthy meals for up to 400,000 more kids in school – because teachers know that students learn better on a full stomach.

    “Beyond our borders, initiatives such as the Global Partnership for Education and the Simameni project are increasing access to quality education, particularly in low-income and crisis-affected countries. And as part of our work toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Canada is playing its part in making learning more inclusive for young students, no matter where they come from.

    “Some of my best memories are from my time as a teacher. I was proud to be a teacher. And I know the hard work and sacrifice that the thousands of teachers across the country put in every single day.

    “So, on behalf of the Government of Canada – thank you. For the late nights marking papers. For the weekends spent creating course materials so your students are engaged. For the moments where you feel like a parent, guardian, mentor, guide, and coach – all at once. For the often-unsung contributions you make to help others succeed.

    “Today, on World Teachers’ Day, and every day, let’s show our gratitude and give thanks to our teachers and educators. They make the world better and more prosperous.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: What’s Next for Climate Action & Chief Economists’ Outlook | WEF | Top Stories of the Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:15 What’s next for urgent climate action? – At the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings in New York, leaders discussed how to curb carbon emissions while building an inclusive economy. Regulations can be a lever for systemic change but local innovation is crucial, too.

    3:09 Solar stoves reduce air pollution deaths – It cooks food while emitting hardly any smoke. It uses a hybrid system, powered by energy from solar panels and from fuel such as small sticks or crop waste. The ACE One was created by African Clean Energy which is a part of the World Economic Forum’s Equitable Transition Initiative.

    5:08 Chief economists’ outlook for the rest of 2024 – Many chief economists polled by the World Economic Forum are optimistic about 2025. In the United States, nearly nine in ten chief economists anticipate moderate or strong growth in the coming year. Similarly, in South Asia, 71% predict strong or very strong growth.

    9:33 Earth exceeds 6 of 9 planetary boundaries – In 2009, a team of scientists identified the 9 natural processes that regulate Earth’s biosphere and keep it stable. These include climate change, biodiversity, ocean acidification and freshwater. The team also defined the safe planetary boundary for each process. A safe and sustainable future for humanity lies within these boundaries.

    _____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU2-Ikmijoc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Statement by the Prime Minister on World Teachers’ Day

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Teachers’ Day:

    “Teachers are the best. They help us learn and grow. They encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. They pick us up when we fall. And they are our guides and advisors when we need extra encouragement to succeed.”

    “We all have a favorite teacher. The one who comforted us when we lacked self-confidence. The one who, despite the thousands of questions we asked, was happy to answer each one. The one who made learning fun.”

    “This year’s theme, ‘Elevating Teacher Voices: Toward a New Social Contract for Education,’ highlights the critical role educators play in advancing and shaping our future. Whether in the classroom or in after-school programs, as early childhood educators or counselors, or as coaches or mentors, teachers lay the foundation for each generation to reach their full potential.

    “By awarding thePrime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in STEM Education and those for theexcellence in early childhood education, we thank exceptional educators across the country for their dedication to their students and communities. Today, I am pleased to launch the call for nominations for the 2025 awards. I invite Canadians to nominate an exceptional educator in their community who has made a real difference in their life or the life of one of their children.

    “The federal government is working to ensure that teachers and students have what they need to succeed. Through programs likeCanCode, we are providing professional development opportunities to 100,000 teachers. This will enable more than nine million students to acquire skills in areas such as coding and artificial intelligence over the next two years. In addition, through our newNational School Feeding Program, we will provide healthy meals to some 400,000 more children in schools, because teachers know that students learn better when their stomachs are full.

    “Beyond our borders, initiatives such as theGlobal Partnership for Educationand the Simameni Project(in English only) improve access to quality education, particularly in low-income and crisis-affected countries. In addition, as part of its work towards achieving the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Canada is playing its part in making learning more inclusive for young students, regardless of their background.

    “Some of my fondest memories are from my time as a teacher. I was proud of my job. And I know how hard the thousands of teachers across the country work and sacrifice every day.

    “So on behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to thank you. For the nights spent grading homework. For the weekends spent creating course materials that engage your students. For the times you feel like a parent, guardian, mentor, guide, and coach all rolled into one. For the contributions that often go unnoticed but help others succeed.

    “Today, on the occasion of theWorld Teachers’ Day, and every day, let us show our gratitude to our teachers and educators and thank them. They contribute to making the world a better and more prosperous place.”

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/THAILAND – Myanmar refugees fleeing war arrested or repatriated

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – Those who, fleeing from Myanmar devastated by civil war, cross the border with Thailand in search of peace, with the desire to start a new life, are migrants, often illegal. The flow of migrants from former Burma to Thailand has been recorded for many years, since there was a dictatorial military regime in power in Yangon, before the democratic season that began in 2016. Now, after the new military coup of 2021 and, with the recent law of compulsory recruitment in the Burmese army, many young people have tried to leave the country, choosing to go to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand (see Fides 7/6/2024). Some enroll in schools, universities and courses of study, asking for a student visa; for others the only way is to go underground, with the hope of finding work and regularizing their status. The Thai government has always tried to stem the phenomenon and implemented policies of rejection, creating detention camps for migrants or refugee camps guarded by the police, not allowing refugees to integrate into society. In the past four months, the policy of rejection has materialized with the arrest of almost 200,000 citizens of Myanmar. As reported by the Thai Ministry of Labor, the police authorities have inspected 18,000 workplaces and other locations to check the documents of 256,213 migrant workers. According to the department, among the workers arrested because they were considered “illegal migrants” there were over 193,000 citizens of Myanmar, 39,000 Cambodians, 15,000 Laotians, and over 7,000 of other nationalities. About 1,830 illegal migrant workers have been prosecuted, while others have been fined and taken to detention camps pending repatriation. The Burmese military junta announced that about 1,000 Burmese workers were repatriated from Thailand in August. According to the NGO “Myanmar Humanitarian Action Center” it is a roundup of unprecedented scale. The Thai government has said that the controls on illegal migrant workers are necessary “to protect job opportunities for Thai citizens”. Thai law already prohibits migrant workers of any nationality from working in 27 specific occupations reserved for Thai citizens (such as passenger transport, traditional Thai massage, hairdressing, interpretation and money transfer services). Thailand is home to about two million people from Myanmar who work in agriculture, hospitality, fishing, manufacturing and other sectors. Many live without documents after crossing the border as illegal immigrants, hoping to obtain a “Certificate of Identity,” issued by a Thai government office that allows them to remain in the country and work regularly. If they do not have that certificate, migrants are repatriated but, as soon as they return to Myanmar – reports “Myanmar Humanitarian Action Center” – they are imprisoned or enlisted in infantry divisions of the Burmese army and sent to the front lines. In a situation of civil conflict, repatriation represents a serious threat to their lives, the organization notes. Then there are the Burmese refugees (about 100,000) who live permanently in refugee camps set up by the Thai government along the border between Thailand and Myanmar and closed to the outside. According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since 2021 the number of these refugees has continued to grow, due to the civil conflict in Myanmar. It should be noted that Thailand has not acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not have a specific national legal framework for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. Those Burmese refugees are, therefore, stuck in Thailand in a legal and social “limbo”, while the government does not issue them permission to move to third countries, where they would like to go. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2024) Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/MADAGASCAR – School as a means of evangelization and a meeting place between religious confessions

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Saturday, October 5, 2024

    Beandrarezona (Agenzia Fides) – Contributing to the formation of young people by offering them quality education that gives them equal opportunities compared to other young people in the cities, this is the goal of the Consolata Missionaries’ school (IMC) recently opened in Beandrarezona. “School is a great tool for evangelization in many ways. Although many young people are not particularly interested in religion, through school they can discover the message of the Gospel and their families can also be reached” says Fr. Jean Tuluba, IMC, from the mission of Beandrarezona. “After contact with the local reality we noticed that in Beandrarezona, which is the center of the mission, and in the other villages, there are private and public schools: nursery, elementary and first cycle of middle school, but there were no schools for the second cycle of middle school and high school – he continues. Hence the need, after having spoken with local leaders and parents, to build a secondary school because the young people of Beandrarezona and other nearby villages are forced to leave their families after primary school to continue their studies in the city with a significant economic impact on families and consequently many young people drop out of school to go and work in the fields.” “Among the first 30 students, a good percentage come from other religious confessions. The school also becomes a way to dialogue with other religions through the education we give to their children, since from the beginning these other confessions have placed their trust in us by sending their children to study – the priest points out. In this way, the school is not only an education center, but also a meeting place between religious confessions. Furthermore, we have chosen to manage the school gradually, opening one class per year until the completion of the three-year cycle. This is because the level of education of the students is very low. Opening a class each year will help us to support the formation of students and also the ongoing formation of teachers.” The Consolata missionaries arrived in Madagascar on March 13, 2019 to work in the diocese of Ambanja, in the northwest of the Big Island. After a period of study of the Malagasy language, on October 20, 2019 they began their pastoral service in the new mission of Beandrarezona, created with the arrival of the first three missionaries, Fathers Jean Tuluba (DR Congo), Jared Makori (Kenya) and Kizito Mukalazi (Uganda). “Our mission is the latest parish created in the diocese of Ambanja, in the northwest of the Big Island and is located almost 1,000 kilometers from Antananarivo, the capital of the country,” explains Father Tuluba. “It extends over three rural municipalities and has more than 80 villages, of which only 12 have Christian communities. The villages are very far from each other and the only possible means of transport to visit them is by motorbike, but in most of them you can almost always get there only on foot. To reach some communities we have to walk up to 14 hours. It takes strength and determination to face the difficulties of the roads. Of the 2,587,014 inhabitants (2022 census) of the diocese, only 7% of the population is Catholic and in our mission Catholics are about 3% of the total of 21,170 inhabitants (2018 census). As you can see, it is truly a mission ad gentes that needs our presence and attention”, the missionary remarks. The main activities of the mission are visits to the communities, sacramental catechesis, the formation of catechists, missionary and vocational animation, the formation of young people and children. The majority of the population of the mission is made up of young people and children. In fact, it is estimated that 75% of Madagascar’s population is made up of young people and children. The school, whose construction began in 2021 after the Covid-19 epidemic, was officially inaugurated and opened on September 2, 2024 with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the diocesan bishop of Ambanja, Francis Donatien Randriamalala, who blessed the building. Other priests, nuns, local administrative and political authorities, representatives of local religious confessions, Christians of the mission, friends and acquaintances participated in the celebration. The following day, lessons began immediately with 30 students. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2024) Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/HOLY LAND – October 7, one year later. Patriarch Sabbah: there will be peace only if the Palestinian tragedy ends

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Jerusalem (Agenzia Fide) – The catastrophe that overwhelms the Holy Land and the entire Middle East “did not begin on 7 October 2023”. The cycles of violence that generated the tragic present also experienced in the land of Jesus «were infinite, starting in 1917, reaching their peak in 1948 and 1967, continuing from then until today». Now the angry retaliation of the Israeli military force “can destroy and bring death”, but “it cannot lead to the security that Israelis need”, because peace can return “only when the tragedy of the Palestinian people comes to an end”. These are words irrigated with lucid realism, pain and at the same time hope “against all hope” those collected in the document-appeal released by the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah and the members of the “Christian Reflection” group one year after the massacres carried out by Hamas against Israeli Jews on 7 October 2023, a massacre that has opened the new vortex of death and annihilation that sucks in entire populations and drags the entire world towards the abyss of global war. The “Christian Reflection” of Jerusalem is a group of Christians from the Holy Land – priests, religious and lay people – gathered around Patriarch Emeritus Sabbah to share reflections on the role of Christians in the face of conflict and in society. Precisely for brothers and sisters in faith in Christ, the document signed by Patriarch Emeritus Sabbah poses decisive questions: «As Christians» we read in the text, entitled “Keeping hope alive” «we are also faced with other dilemmas: this is a war in which we are merely passive spectators? Where do we stand in this conflict, too often presented as a struggle between Jews and Muslims, between Israel, on the one hand, and Hamas and Hezbollah supported by Iran, on the other? Is this a religious war? Should we hunker down in the precarious safety of our Christian communities, isolating ourselves from what is happening around us? Must we simply watch and pray on the sidelines, hoping that this war will eventually pass?”“We are staring into the darkness”After a year of incessant war, “as the cycle of death continues unabated,” Patriarch Sabbah and think tank members warn the urgency “” of seeking the hope that comes from our faith”, while they admit that they are “exhausted, paralyzed by pain and fear. We are staring into the darkness”, while “our beloved Holy Land and the entire region are reduced to ruin” and “every day we mourn the tens of thousands of men, women and children who have been killed or injured, especially in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon and beyond, in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Iran.” In Gaza – the tragic description of the facts continues – “houses, schools, hospitals, entire neighborhoods are now piles of rubble. Disease, hunger and desperation reign supreme.” In all of this – the authors of the document ask – “has the Zionist dream of a safe home for the Jews in a Jewish state called Israel brought security to the Jews?”. International inaction “Incredibly” note the Sabbah Patriarch and the members of Christian Reflection «the international community watches almost impassively. Calls for a ceasefire, ending the devastation, are repeated without any meaningful attempt to rein in those wreaking havoc. Weapons of mass destruction and means to commit crimes against humanity converge in the region”. If the international community is absent – the document continues – Christians, despite their defenselessness and small numbers, are called to be confident in the Resurrection of Christ also in the present tragic situation. The one underway – the document insists – «is not a war of religion. And we must actively take sides, on the side of justice and peace, freedom and equality. We must stand alongside all those, Muslims, Jews and Christians, who seek to put an end to death and destruction” Sabbah and his companions in the think tank turn to Christian leaders, “our bishops and our priests for words driving. We need our pastors to help us understand the strength we have when we are together. Alone, each of us is isolated and silenced.” Above all – they add – there is a need to ask for God’s help “so as not to despair, so as not to fall into the trap of hatred. Our faith in the Resurrection teaches us that all human beings are to be loved, equal, created in the image of God, children of God and brothers and sisters of one another.” For this reason “our schools, hospitals, social services are places where we take care of all those in need, without discrimination”. And faith in Christ “makes us spokespersons for a land without walls, without discrimination, spokespersons for a land of equality and freedom for all, for a future in which we can live together”.Putting an end to the Palestinian tragedyWith lucid realism, the authors of document-appeal recognize that peace will be possible “only when the tragedy of the Palestinian people comes to an end”. For this reason there is a need “for a definitive peace agreement between these two partners and not for temporary ceasefires or provisional solutions”. Israel’s massive military force “can destroy and bring death, it can wipe out political and military leaders and anyone who dares to stand up and oppose the occupation and discrimination. However, it cannot bring the security that Israelis need. The international community”, they add, “must help us by recognizing that the main cause of this war is the denial of the right of the Palestinian people to live in their land, free and equal”. “We are one people, Christians and Muslims. Together”, continues the document addressed to the Palestinians, “we must seek the way beyond the cycles of violence. Together with them, we must engage with those Israeli Jews who are also tired of the rhetoric, the lies, the ideologies of death and destruction.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2024)Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/THAILAND – Arrest or repatriation: the fate of many Burmese fleeing war

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – These are migrants, often illegal immigrants, who flee from Myanmar, devastated by civil war, across the border to Thailand in search of peace and to build a new life there. The flow of migrants from former Burma to Thailand has not stopped for many years, since a dictatorial military regime was in power in Yangon before the democratic phase began in 2016. After the new military coup in 2021 and with the recent law on forced recruitment, many young Burmese are trying to leave the country and opt for neighboring Southeast Asian countries, especially Thailand (see Fides, 7/6/2024). Some enroll in schools, universities and courses and apply for residency visas as students; for others, the only option is to go underground, hoping to find work and legalize their status sooner or later.The Thai government has always tried to curb the phenomenon and pursued a hostile policy by setting up migrant detention centers or controlled refugee camps that do not allow refugees to integrate into society. In the past four months, this policy has led to the arrest of nearly 200,000 Myanmar nationals. According to the Thai Ministry of Labor, police authorities inspected 18,000 workplaces and other locations to check the documents of 256,213 migrant workers. According to the ministry, the workers arrested as “illegal migrants” included over 193,000 Myanmar nationals, 39,000 Cambodians, 15,000 Laotians and over 7,000 other nationalities. Some 1,830 illegal migrant workers have been prosecuted, others have been fined, and still others have been sent to detention camps to be sent back to their countries of origin.The Burmese military junta confirmed that around 1,000 Burmese workers were repatriated from Thailand in August. According to the Myanmar Humanitarian Action Centre, a non-governmental organization, this was an unprecedented restrictive measure. The Thai government, meanwhile, has said that the controls on illegal migrant workers are necessary to protect employment opportunities for Thai citizens. Under Thai law, migrant workers of any nationality are already prohibited from working in 27 specific professions reserved for Thai citizens (such as passenger transport, traditional Thai massage, hairdressing, interpreting and money transfer services). Thailand is home to around two million Myanmar people employed in agriculture, hospitality, fishing, manufacturing and other sectors. Many of them live in the country without papers, having crossed the border as illegal immigrants in the hope of obtaining a “Certificate of Identity”, issued by a Thai government office that would allow them to stay and work in the country.”Refugees who do not have such a certificate and return to Myanmar are detained there or drafted into infantry divisions of the Burmese army and sent to the front,” reports the Myanmar Humanitarian Action Centre. Given the civil conflict, repatriation poses a serious threat to their lives, the human rights organization says.In addition, there are Burmese refugees (around 100,000) who live permanently in refugee camps set up by the Thai government along the Thailand-Myanmar border and closed to the outside world. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of these refugees has continued to rise since 2021 due to the civil war in Myanmar. Thailand did not adhere to the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not have a specific national legal framework for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. Burmese refugees are therefore in a legal and social “limbo” in Thailand, while the government does not grant them permission to travel to third countries where they would like to go. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/10/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Christina Bohannan and national Democrats caught red-handed

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

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

    October 5, 2024

    Christina Bohannan and national Democrats were caught LYING about Rep. Miller-Meeks’ record.

    In fact, they were proven wrong three separate times.

    WQAD:

    KCCI:

    KCRG:

    “It is worth noting Miller-Meeks was not in the legislature when that law was passed, so she never voted on it.”

    “Christina Bohannan and national Democrats were caught red-handed lying about Rep. Miller-Meeks because they have nothing else on which to run. Iowa voters see through Bohannan’s act — she’s nothing more than a radical leftist who supports defunding the police, bailing out criminals and abolishing prisons.” — NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/HOLY LAND – October 7, after a year. Patriarch Sabbah: there will only be peace when the tragedy of the Palestinian people is brought to an end

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – The catastrophe that is devastating the Holy Land and the entire Middle East «did not begin on October 7, 2023». The cycles of violence that have generated the tragic present experienced also in the land of Jesus «have been unending, beginning in 1917, peaking in 1948 and in 1967, continuing ever since, until today». Now the furious retaliation of the Israeli military force «can destroy and bring death», but «it cannot bring the security that the Israelis need», because peace can return «only when the tragedy of the Palestinian people ends».These are words imbued with lucid realism, pain and at the same time hope “against all hope” in the document-appeal issued by the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah and the members of the group “Christian Reflection” one year after the massacres committed by Hamas against Israeli Jews on October 7, 2023, a massacre that opened the new turmoil of death and annihilation that sucks entire peoples and drags the entire world towards the abyss of global war.“We are staring into the darkness”After a year of relentless war, «as the cycle of death continues unabated» Patriarch Sabbah and the members of the reflection group feel the urgency «to seek out the hope that comes from our faith» while admitting that they are «exhausted, paralyzed by grief and fear. We are staring into the darkness» while «our beloved Holy Land and the entire region are being reduced to ruins» and «daily we mourn the tens of thousands of men, women and children who have been killed or wounded especially in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon and beyond in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Iran». In Gaza, the tragic description of events continues, «homes, schools, hospitals, entire neighborhoods are now heaps of rubble. Disease, starvation and hopelessness reign». In all of this – the authors of the document ask – «has the Zionist dream of a safe home for Jews in a Jewish state called Israel brought security for Jews?»International Absence«Shockingly» Patriarch Sabbah and members of Christian Reflection note «the international community looks on almost impassively. Calls for ceasefire and an end to the devastation are repeated with no meaningful attempt to reign in those wreaking havoc. Weapons of mass destruction and the means to commit crimes against humanity flow into the region». If the international community is absent – the document continues – Christians, despite their helplessness and small numbers, are called to be confident in the Resurrection of Christ even in the current tragic situation.What is taking place – the document insists – «is not a religious war. And we must actively take sides, the side of justice and peace, freedom and equality. We must stand alongside all those, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, who seek to put an end to death and destruction»Sabbah and his companions in the reflection group turn to Christian leaders, «to our bishops and our priests for words of guidance. We need our shepherds to help us discern the strength that we have when we are together. Alone, each one of us is isolated and reduced to silence». Above all – they add – there is a need to ask for God’s help «so as not to despair, not to fall into the trap of hatred. Our faith in the Resurrection teaches us that all human beings are to be loved, equal, created in the image of God, children of God and brothers and sisters of one another». For this reason, «our schools, hospitals, social services are places where we care for all in need, indiscriminately». And faith in Christ «makes us spokespeople for a land without walls, without discrimination, spokespeople for a land of equality and freedom for all, for a future in which we live together».Ending the Palestinian tragedyWith lucid realism, the authors of the appeal-document recognize that peace will only be possible «when the tragedy of the Palestinian people is brought to an end». For this reason, there is a need for «a definitive peace agreement between these two partners and not temporary ceasefires or interim solutions».Israel’s massive military force «can destroy and bring death, it can wipe out political and military leaders and anyone who dares to stand up and oppose occupation and discrimination. However, it cannot bring the security that Israelis need. The international community» they add «must help us by recognizing that the root cause of this war is the negation of the right of the Palestinian people to live in its land, free and equal».«We are one people, Christians and Muslims. Together», the document addressed to the Palestinians continues, «we must seek the way beyond the cycles of violence. Together with them we must engage with those Jewish Israelis who are also tired of the rhetoric, the lies, the ideologies of death and destruction». (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 5/10/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards Opens Call for Nominations

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 5, 2024

    Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards Opens Call for Nominations

    – – –
    Parents, Guardians, Students, Teachers, Administrators and School Trustees Encouraged to Nominate Exceptional Educators: Altomare

    Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024-25 Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards to recognize exceptional achievements in education, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare announced today. 

    “On World Teachers’ Day, I want to celebrate Manitoba educators across the province who work tirelessly every day to help young Manitobans learn, grow and reach their full potential,” said Altomare. “Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards provides an opportunity to celebrate the inspirational stories of K to 12 educators who make a difference. It’s an honour to recognize their dedication to their students and communities.” 

    Nominations are open until Dec. 5. Nominees must be educators who hold a valid, permanent Manitoba teaching certificate and work directly with kindergarten to Grade 12 students in a school setting daily. 

    Awards will be presented in the following categories:

    • teaching excellence award;
    • outstanding new teacher award;
    • outstanding team collaboration award;
    • outstanding school leader award; and
    • premier’s award for excellence in education.

    Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee that includes representatives from across the education sector and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning. 

    Award recipients will be honoured at a ceremony in the spring, added Altomare. 

    For more information on the awards and to access nomination forms, visit: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/excellence. 

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –