Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Ecomark Rules under Lifestyle for Environment initiatve

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Ecomark Rules under Lifestyle for Environment initiatve

    Ecomark Scheme to Promote Sustainable Consumption and Eco-Friendly Production with Strict Environmental Standards

    The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 12:05PM by PIB Delhi

    In alignment with the ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission announced by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi in 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Ecomark Rules on 26thSeptember 2024. It replaces the Ecomark scheme of 1991.

    The scheme will encourage the demand for environment-friendly products aligning with the principles of ‘LIFE’, promote lower energy consumption, resource efficiency and circular economy. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.

    Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria, ensuring minimal environmental impact. It will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainable consumption. It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production.

    The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

    The scheme marks a significant step in promoting sustainable lifestyles and, through individual and collective decision making, encourages sustainable consumption in India. It aligns with global sustainability goals and reflects the government’s commitment to conservation and protection of the environment.

    The gazette notification can be accessed through the following link: –

    https://moef.gov.in/storage/tender/1727787383.pdf

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Ecomark Rules under Lifestyle for Environment initiative

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Ecomark Rules under Lifestyle for Environment initiative

    Ecomark Scheme to Promote Sustainable Consumption and Eco-Friendly Production with Strict Environmental Standards

    The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 12:05PM by PIB Delhi

    In alignment with the ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission announced by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi in 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Ecomark Rules on 26thSeptember 2024. It replaces the Ecomark scheme of 1991.

    The scheme will encourage the demand for environment-friendly products aligning with the principles of ‘LIFE’, promote lower energy consumption, resource efficiency and circular economy. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.

    Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria, ensuring minimal environmental impact. It will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainable consumption. It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production.

    The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

    The scheme marks a significant step in promoting sustainable lifestyles and, through individual and collective decision making, encourages sustainable consumption in India. It aligns with global sustainability goals and reflects the government’s commitment to conservation and protection of the environment.

    The gazette notification can be accessed through the following link: –

    https://moef.gov.in/storage/tender/1727787383.pdf

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister to Release 18th Instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme at Washim, Maharashtra on 5th October 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister to Release 18th Instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme at Washim, Maharashtra on 5th October 2024

    More than 9.4 crore farmers to benefit with over ₹20,000 crore in direct transfers

    Distribution of 5th Instalment of Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana (Govt of Maharashtra)

    Dedication of 7516 completed projects under Agri. Infrastructure Fund

    Dedication of around 9,200 FPOs to the Nation

    Launch of Unified Genomic Chip for Cattle and Indigenous Sex Sorted Semen Technology

    e-Distribution of Social Development Grant to Gram Panchayat

    Dedication to the nation 5 Solar parks for 19 MW under MSKVY 2.0

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 1:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release the 18th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on 5th October 2024 in Washim, Maharashtra. This significant event will see over 9.4 crore farmers across the country receive direct financial benefits, amounting to more than ₹20,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without involvement of any middlemen.

    The occasion will be attended by prominent dignitaries, including Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Minister of Agriculture, Government of India, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Ajit Pawar and Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of Soil & Water Conservation, Shri Sanjay Rathod, who is also the Guardian Minister for Washim and Yavatmal districts. Around 2.5 Cr. farmers will join the event including those at 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), over 1 lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies and 5 lakh Common Service Centres across the country through web cast. Special events will also be organised in the States/UTs celebrating the day of the release as PM-KISAN Utsav Divas.

    Launched on 24th February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to landholding farmers in three equal instalments. The Prime Minister will release the 18th instalment of PM-KISAN on 5th October. With the 18th instalment release, the total disbursement under the scheme will exceed ₹3.45 lakh crore, supporting more than 11 crore farmers nationwide and further reaffirming the government’s commitment to rural development and agricultural prosperity.

    In Maharashtra, about ₹32,000 crores have been transferred to around 1.20 cr farmers in 17 instalments of the scheme which is second highest among all the States in India. In the 18th instalment, around 91.51 lakh farmers will receive the benefits of over ₹1,900 crore.

    Alongside the PM-KISAN instalment distribution, the Prime Minister will also release the additional benefit of around ₹2,000 crore to   the  farmers of  the Maharashtra under the 5th instalment of the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, to further support their efforts.  

    Further, as a significant step for boosting agricultural infrastructure, the event will witness the dedication of several projects completed under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in the first 100 days of New Govt. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched in 2020, is a medium to long-term debt financing facility aimed at enhancing post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The scheme provides one lakh crore rupees in loans to eligible borrowers with a 3% interest subvention and a credit guarantee facility. Over the last 100 days, more than 10,066 Agri-infrastructure projects have been sanctioned nationwide, involving a sanction of of  ₹6,541 crore (including 101 projects for FPOs with a sanctioned amount of ₹97.67 crore). Additionally, 7,516 projects with a total sanction of ₹1,929 crore have been completed, including 35 FPO projects valued at ₹13.82 crore will be dedicated. These projects are strengthening the agricultural infrastructure, improving storage, and processing and logistics facilities, and enabling FPOs to scale operations, significantly benefiting farmers and the agricultural sector on the whole.

    To establish a strong value supply chain and support small, marginal, and landless farmers, the Government of India launched the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for the formation and promotion of 10,000 FPOs, covering every block in the country. To date, around 9,200 FPOs have been formed, benefiting 24 lakh farmers, including 8.3 lakh women and 5.77 lakh ST and SC beneficiaries. These FPOs now have a combined annual turnover of over ₹1,300 crore, and they will also be dedicated by the Prime Minister to the nation during the event.

    In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, an indigenous sex-sorted semen production technology will also be launched at the event. This affordable technology aims to increase the availability of sex-sorted semen for farmers, reducing the cost by approximately ₹200 per dose. Additionally, the Prime Minister will launch a Unified Genomic Chip – the ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffalo – developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). This chip, tailored for Indian breeds, will enable farmers to make informed decisions on animal selection by identifying young, high-quality bulls at an early age, improving the efficiency of dairy farming in India.

    Looking ahead, the Prime Minister will also lead the e-Distribution of Letters of Award for around 3,000 MW under the KUSUM-C (MSKVY 2.0) scheme and the e-Distribution of Social Development Grants to Gram Panchayats. Five solar parks with a total capacity of 19 MW will be dedicated to the nation under MSKVY 2.0, contributing to sustainable power solutions and providing farmers with daytime electricity and an additional income source through land leasing.

    The 5 Solar parks are as follows:

    (i)   Dhondalgaon, Cha. Sambhaji Nagar-3 MW

    (ii)  Bamni Bk. Nanded – 5 MW

    (iii)   Kondgiri, Kolhapur – 3 MW

    (iv) Jalalabad, Akola – 3MW

    (v)  Palshi Bk. Buldhana – 5MW

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt is committed to make defence industry export-oriented with India as a global manufacturing hub, says Raksha Mantri at 7th annual session of SIDM

    Source: Government of India

    Govt is committed to make defence industry export-oriented with India as a global manufacturing hub, says Raksha Mantri at 7th annual session of SIDM

    Exhorts the industry to reduce import to export ratio with a target-oriented approach

    Shri Rajnath Singh urges SIDM to prepare a roadmap to encourage big companies & foreign OEMs to invest in India or open joint ventures on a firm-to-firm basis

    Calls for increased investment in cutting-edge tech, such as AI, cyber defence & autonomous systems to be future ready

    Posted On: 04 OCT 2024 2:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empower India’s defence industry by working hand-in-hand with them, and realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making the country a global manufacturing hub. Addressing the seventh annual session of Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) in New Delhi on October 04, 2024, Raksha Mantri described the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as a reminder to build a strong defence industrial base, which can be bolstered and expanded with time.

    Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the Government, in its third consecutive term, will provide a renewed thrust to its ongoing efforts towards developing a robust, innovative and self-reliant defence ecosystem. He enumerated the steps taken to attain ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, including creation of defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu, issuance of positive indigenisation lists (PILs), corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, handholding of private industries by DRDO, and unveiling of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.

    On the 10 PILs notified with over 5,500 items, Raksha Mantri stated that the idea is to equip the Armed Forces with platforms/equipment manufactured on Indian soil. Terming the lists as dynamic & not static, he exhorted the industry to achieve complete self-reliance for these items within the stipulated time, and keep shortening the list. He also urged them to assess and identify products that can be added to the PILs in view of the rapid changes being witnessed in the field of defence across the globe.

    Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that due to the Government’s efforts, an environment conducive to ease of doing business in the country has been created, and a target set for making India’s defence industry export-oriented. While he lauded the major contribution of the private sector in taking the defence exports to a record high of over Rs 21,000 crore in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, he called upon the industry to keep in mind the export and import figures, and strive to reduce the ratio between the two with a target-oriented approach. 

    Raksha Mantri expressed happiness over the fact that the annual defence production touched a record high of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. While the share of DPSUs was Rs one lakh crore, private companies contributed with about Rs 27,000 crore. He stated that there is a huge scope for increasing the share of private industries, and the next target should be to bring their participation to at least half of the total defence production. He promised full support of the Government in achieving this target.

    Highlighting the Government’s focus to encourage foreign companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to invest in India or open joint ventures with the private industry, Shri Rajnath Singh called upon SIDM to prepare a roadmap for collaboration on a firm-to-firm basis. He was of the view that the Indian industry has the potential of bringing niche technologies or processes to India.

    Recognising the potential of small & medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in the defence sector, Raksha Mantri acknowledged the challenges they face in achieving ease of doing business. He urged SIDM to work closely with the government to address ground-level issues & help these enterprises to play a larger role in defence manufacturing. “It is important to ensure that our policies translate into ease of doing business at the ground level. SIDM can help in identifying the practical challenges faced by start-ups and SMEs so that we can address them,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh urged the industry to invest more in cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber defence, & autonomous systems. “India’s defence industry must keep pace with global trends and focus on high-end technology. There is a need to increase investments in areas like AI & autonomous systems, which will define the future of warfare. The government is ready to provide all necessary support,” he said.

    During the session, Raksha Mantri also presented the SIDM Champion Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements in defence manufacturing. He termed the awards as a reflection to the dedication & excellence of Indian manufacturers, which will serve as a benchmark for best practices in the sector.

    Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, SIDM President Shri Rajinder Singh Bhatia and captains of the industry were among those present on the occasion. The theme of the session was Empowering Indian Defence Industry: Catalysing Exports and Indigenous Innovation. It served as a forum for stakeholders to discuss India’s growing role as a global defence exporter and innovation hub.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Hungary’s participation at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States – E-001800/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001800/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE)

    On 6 July 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó participated in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Shusha, Azerbaijan and hosted by H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Organization of Turkic States, currently chaired by H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, invited the leader of the illegal Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity known as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ as a ‘head of state’. This coincided with Hungary holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

    This action flagrantly violates international law and disregards the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, as affirmed by relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised as the sole legitimate government of the entire island. Given these provocative violations and disrespect towards the territorial integrity of an EU Member State:

    • 1.What measures does the Commission intend to take in response to Hungary’s participation in this summit?
    • 2.How does the Commission plan to deal with this incident and ensure that all Member States adhere to the principles of international law and EU solidarity?

    Submitted: 24.9.2024

    Last updated: 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – Revision of the ban on selling CO2-emitting cars beyond 2035 – O-000011/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for oral answer  O-000011/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 142
    Christine Anderson, Anja Arndt, Marc Jongen, Sarah Knafo, Milan Uhrík, Ivan David, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, Marcin Sypniewski, Stanisław Tyszka, René Aust
    on behalf of the ESN Group

    During the last term, Parliament helped to pass legislation to phase out sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035. During the campaign for the 2024 elections, many of the parties now represented in Parliament called to revise the law and revive the internal combustion engine. The President of the Commission herself has raised expectations regarding a possible review of the current discrimination against CO2-emitting cars. In her candidate speech to Parliament on 18 July 2024, she called for the European Green Deal to be implemented in a pragmatic, technology-neutral manner.

    Furthermore, the President of the Commission wants to enhance the EU’s competitiveness. The EU’s carmakers are especially competitive in building internal combustion engines. The Commission’s political guidelines for 2024-2029 stress: ‘For instance, the 2035 climate neutrality target for cars creates predictability for investors and manufacturers. Getting there will require a technology-neutral approach, in which e-fuels have a role to play through a targeted amendment of the regulation as part of the foreseen review’.

    All of this has created expectations among the public that internal combustion engines will continue to be used beyond 2035. At the same time, there is some confusion regarding what the Commission really wants. It would be particularly useful to ascertain whether any calls for the relaxation of the ‘ban on internal combustion engines’ were mere campaign promises.

    To shed more light on this issue, could the Commission answer the following questions:

    • 1.When will the Commission initiate a review of the regulation, and when will it be able to present it to Parliament?
    • 2.What does technology neutrality mean with regard to internal combustion engines vis-à-vis electric vehicles?
    • 3.Will the Commission limit itself to implementing e-fuels, or will there be a wider window that allows for the production, sale and use of internal combustion engines beyond 2035?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Lapses: 2.1.2025

    Last updated: 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Review of agreements with third countries to introduce mirror clauses – E-001852/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001852/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE)

    European producers are in dire straits as a direct consequence of the increase in production costs, ongoing geopolitical conflicts and a price crisis which is due in part to overlaps with the timing of imports from third countries.

    Imports from third countries create unfair competition because they do not have to meet the environmental, social and economic requirements that apply for European producers. This is causing profitability problems for European farmers. It is also undermining the generational renewal required to guarantee the future of farming in Europe, and therefore also the food security of the people of Europe, who cannot rely on third countries.

    In view of the above:

    Is the Commission intending to review trade agreements with third countries so as to introduce mirror clauses?

    Submitted: 27.9.2024

    Last updated: 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial health notice to improve: Warwickshire College Group

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A financial health notice to improve issued to Warwickshire College Group.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Details

    This letter and its annex serve as a written financial health notice to improve at Warwickshire College Group.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Video: Somalia: People stand against terrorism and extremism – Security Conical Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing by Mr. James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, on the Somalia – Security Council, 9740th meeting.

    ———————————

    The chief of the UN mission in Somalia (UNSOM) James Swan said that the mission will work closely with the Federal Government to implement the transition from UNSOM to a UN country team and to continuing its support to Somalia’s national priorities once a mandate is received from this Council.

    The Acting Special Representative for Somalia briefed the Council today (03 Oct) on the situation in the country.

    On elections, Swan noted that the transition from the previous indirect electoral system to the planned new system of universal suffrage will require broad and inclusive consultations, and a willingness of all stakeholders to engage in dialogue in order to build political consensus. He welcomed the meeting of the National Consultative Council.

    He said that the adoption of implementable electoral laws and the establishment of an independent elections commission will be important indicators of progress toward delivering universal suffrage elections.

    Swan stressed, “The United Nations is committed to supporting Somalia to address technical, logistical and other challenges and to mobilize financial support from donors to deliver timely and credible elections.”
    The fight against Al-Shabaab continues to be the key security priority for the Government of Somalia, the Mission’s chief reiterated, adding that while making commendable efforts to sustain military operations against Al Shabaab, Somalia is at the same time tackling the challenges of force generation; taking over security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS); planning the transition to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM); and implementing crucial stabilisation programmes in recovered areas.

    “The United Nations continues to support the Federal Government on these activities, working closely with the African Union and other partners,” Swan reiterated.

    He continued, “The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) continues to enable the ATMIS drawdown while fulfilling its ongoing support responsibilities.”

    The Acting Special Representative continued, “ The lifting of the arms embargo on the national government has facilitated its access to additional weapons and supplies, and I remind other entities operating in Somalia of the requirement to respect the arms embargo established by resolution 2713.”

    Al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate its disregard for civilian life, through its use of indirect fire on population centres, mainly Mogadishu and Baidoa, the use of improvised explosive devices, and suicide attacks against civilians, including the heinous 2 August attack on the Lido Beach in Mogadishu.

    Swan underscored the condemnation issued by the Secretary-General of such attacks and reiterated the United Nations’ support to the Government and people of Somalia as” they stand against terrorism and violent extremism.”

    He also note with concern the increased presence and activities of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DjbgyyWV1o

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Access to finance remains a challenge for SMMEs

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    While government is fully cognisant that access to finance remains the most significant barrier to entry for new venture creation, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and entrepreneurship, steps are being taken to address this.

    This is according to the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, who was during the Financial Inclusion Week session in Johannesburg.

    “The consequences of government inability to increase the pace of transformation after 30 years are evidenced by the lack of economic growth, unsustainably high levels of unemployment, widening inequality and market concentration,” Godlimpi said.

    “Though government policies have worked to dismantle many structures of the apartheid state and increase living standards, these efforts have not translated into the creation of job opportunities for many South Africans,” he said.

    Godlimpi pointed out that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and its agencies, which include the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), have managed to attract new business projects in which they will be investing R78 billion.

    “We have also agreed to push the dtic and its entities to go beyond the Treasury standards to pay SMMEs. This ensures that we, as an institution of nine branches and 18 entities, do not contribute to the barriers that constrain our SMMEs.”

    Glodlimpi explained that on the policy front, government is aware that SMMEs find it difficult to access different forms of finance, including debt.

    He said when SMMEs approach debt markets, they are often faced with onerous credit checks and, at times, fall victim to negative reinforcement tools such as credit bureaus due to a lack of access to patient capital.

    “When a small business owner misses debt repayment due to delayed payments from clients and, in many instances, the government, they are blacklisted. According to [the] Small Enterprise Development Agency’s SMME Quarterly and Stats SA, SMMEs contribute about 59% of total employment in the country,” he said.

    Godlimpi said this picture demonstrates the unsustainable structure of credit market in South Africa, which is embedded in a consumption logic rather than a developmental and investment orientation.

    “As part of the Minister Parks Tau’s new wall-to-wall approach, we have begun to look at sharing important economic data within the dtic to enhance our understanding of the economy and achieve complementarity in deploying the various tools to achieve our industrial policy objectives,” said Godlimpi. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Singapore: Unlawful execution despite ongoing legal appeal raises fears of more to come

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Responding to the news that Singapore authorities executed a man for a drug-related offence on Friday, Amnesty International’s Acting Deputy Regional Director for Research Kate Schuetze said:

    “Azwan bin Bohari’s execution was clearly unlawful under international law and standards. It is especially concerning that this hanging took place in spite of a pending legal application.

    “Executing people while they have ongoing appeals before the courts is a violation of international safeguards protecting the rights of people facing the death penalty. This execution calls into serious question the protections in the Singapore justice system to prevent the arbitrary deprivation of life.

    “With numerous others on death row, coupled with Singapore’s pursuit of executions even when there are appeals pending, there are grave fears that many more are at imminent risk of hanging. Most have been sentenced to death for drug-related offences in violation of restrictions limiting the death penalty’s use to ‘the most serious crimes’.

    “We urge the Singapore government to immediately end its unlawful resort to the death penalty and immediately establish a moratorium on executions as a first critical step towards abolition. The majority of the world’s countries have already abolished the death penalty in full and several governments in the Asia-Pacific region have taken steps in that direction. It is high time Singapore followed suit.”  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Africa: National Treasury announces MTBPS date

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, October 4, 2024

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament on 30 October 2024, his department has announced.

    “The MTBPS sets government policy goals and priorities, forecasts the macroeconomy trajectory, and projects the fiscal framework over the next three years by outlining spending and revenue estimates, amongst others,” Godongwana said on Thursday.

    An engagement session on the MTBPS logistics will be held and an invitation will be shared with media and economists in due course.

    The MTBPS will take place on Wednesday, 30 October 2024 in Parliament at 14h00. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA calls for financing model to fund climate change

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George has called for a comprehensive, outcomes-based financial model to effectively fund the global response to climate change.

    “For South Africa and many other developing countries, this is vitally important, given that financing available for adaptation is lagging behind,” George said on Thursday. 

    The Minister was speaking at the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministers meeting in Brazil.

    He said Brazil, through the G20, has seen the need to prioritise scaling-up and expediting adaptation financing and strengthening institutional capacity, through measures such as increasing the volume of adaptation finance; and strengthening capacities to access financing promptly and to implement effective adaptation programmes and initiatives.

    “The impacts of climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss and pollution are severe and far-reaching and require innovative global solutions.

    “We must acknowledge the centrality of the United Nations system and must continue to adhere to agreed multilateral processes, including the negotiating of outcome documents.

    “We must continue to strive towards a balance of ambition and action on all three aspects of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] and its Paris Agreement, namely mitigation, adaptation and the means of implementation,” George said.

    According to the United Nations, the UNFCCC is a multilateral treaty adopted in 1992 to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system”.

    “Since entering into force in 1994, the UNFCCC has provided the basis for international climate negotiations, including landmark agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015),” it said.

    The Paris Agreement sets long-term goals to guide all nations to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and to provide financing to developing countries to mitigate climate change, among others.

    The Minister said a collaborative and comprehensive approach to maintaining the integrity of biodiversity assets and ecological infrastructure will play a fundamental role in achieving various social and economic development objectives.

    “We are committed to increase economic incentives for nature conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological resources, with a focus on Payment for Ecosystem Services as a market-based instrument.

    “With regards to our oceans, South Africa with over 3 000 kilometres of coastline, has jurisdiction over one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones, spanning the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans. This represents a significant Oceans Economy asset for current and future generations,” the Minister said.

    South Africa has adopted the Marine Spatial Planning legislation and remains committed to the sustainable regulated use of our fishing resources and the active prevention of illegal fishing activity.

    The legislation intends to provide a framework for marine spatial planning in South Africa and to provide for institutional arrangements for the implementation of marine spatial plans and governance of the use of the ocean by multiple sectors, among others.

    South Africa also remains committed to the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee process to develop an international agreement of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

    “We are supportive of the work done by the G20 on Waste and Circular economy and are keen to take forward the outcomes to further develop an inclusive Circular Economy.

    “South Africa will continue to contribute its best effort to find solutions for these global environmental complexities,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Christian education charity receives official warning over failing to act on regulator’s advice

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    The Charity Commission has issued an Official Warning to the National Council for Christian Standards in Society (NCCSS) for failing to follow its advice.

    The National Council for Christian Standards in Society was established in 1986 to promote religion and religious education. 

    The regulator previously issued the charity with advice, making clear it must separate its charitable work from the political lobbying activities of Christian Voice, a connected, non-charitable body.  

    Advice given included ensuring a separate entity carries out any non-charitable work, evidencing a clear division of how each organisation is run and removing ‘Christian Voice’ as the charity’s working name on the Register of Charities. The trustees did not take sufficient steps to act on this advice, which has led the regulator to now issue an Official Warning. 

    The Official Warning sets out actions the charity’s trustees need to take to rectify the misconduct and/or mismanagement, including acting on previous advice. The regulator has also identified that the charity needs to amend its ambiguous purposes to ensure they are exclusively charitable. Failing to take remedial steps to address issues identified by the regulator can result in the charity facing further regulatory action. 

    Tracy Howarth, Assistant Director for Casework at the Charity Commission, said:  

    It’s clear this charity has not taken our previous advice on board and so we have issued an Official Warning with the expectation that changes are made at pace. When carrying out any activity, trustees must consider how it helps meet their charitable purposes and if they are acting within charity law. We, and the public, expect this of charities as a minimum.  

    This intervention should serve as a reminder for all trustees to take any advice and guidance they receive from us seriously. As regulator, we issue guidance to help trustees ensure their charity is run well to deliver for beneficiaries. If we step in, we’re giving advice to help avoid further regulatory action.

    Ends 

    Notes to editors: 

    1. The Official Warning was issued on Monday 30th September 2024 under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011

    2. Information about Official Warnings can be found in an online Q&A: Guidance – Official warnings to charities and trustees: Q and A (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

    3. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Our ambition is to be the expert Charity Commission that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive.   

    4. Our guidance on campaigning and political activity can be found via this link: Campaigning and political activity guidance for charities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We have produced a shorter ‘5 minute guide’ designed to refresh trustees’ knowledge on this topic. This can be found via this link: Political activity and campaigning by charities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

    5. Our guidance on writing charitable purposes can be found via this link: How to write charitable purposes – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on a New 38-Month Extended Credit Facility Arrangement with Sierra Leone and Completes 2024 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    September 20, 2024

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • IMF staff and the Sierra Leonean authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies and reforms that could be supported by a new 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, with requested access of SDR 187 million (about US$253 million).
    • The ECF would support restoring stability through continued macroeconomic adjustment to address debt vulnerabilities, reduce inflation, and rebuild international reserves; bolster inclusive growth and poverty reduction through structural reforms and targeted social spending; and revitalize the reform agenda to strengthen governance and institutions – all advancing the poverty reduction and growth aspirations outlined in the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-30.
    • The Article IV consultation focused on fiscal and debt sustainability, monetary policy operations, drivers of inflation, external sector stability, trade facilitation, macroeconomic implications of gender inequality, climate-related risks, and the adequacy of social policies.

    Washington, DC –  An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Christian Saborowski, visited Sierra Leone from September 4 to 13, 2024, to conduct the 2024 Article IV consultation and discuss with the Sierra Leonean authorities economic and financial policies that could be supported by a new 38-month ECF arrangement, with requested access of SDR 187 million (about US$253 million). The staff-level agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Management and Executive Board.

    Today, Mr. Saborowski made the following statement:

    “A new economic team took over last year and has since taken bold measures to tackle Sierra Leone’s macroeconomic imbalances including a severe cost-of-living crisis. The authorities reduced the domestic primary deficit by 2.8 percent of GDP in 2023 and are on track toward reducing it by another 2.1 percent this year. They also tightened monetary policy sharply by reducing year-on-year base money growth from a peak of 63.4 percent in June 2023 to 8.8 percent in June 2024, and raising the policy rate by 7.25 percentage points since end-2022.

    “The reform momentum has borne fruit. Inflation declined to 25 percent in August 2024, down from a peak of 55 percent in October 2023, and the sharp exchange rate depreciation experienced in 2022 and early 2023 was arrested. However, T-bill rates remain stubbornly high at over 40 percent, international reserves have fallen to less than two months of imports, and the electricity distribution company (EDSA) continues to make losses, resulting in significant fiscal pressures.

    “Economic growth reached more than 5 percent in 2022 and 2023, buoyed by strong mining activity. Sierra Leone’s public debt continues to be assessed as sustainable but at high risk of distress, while its external position in 2023 is assessed as broadly in line with the level implied by fundamentals and desirable policies.

    “The new ECF arrangement would aim to (i) restore stability by bolstering debt sustainability, addressing fiscal dominance, bringing down inflation, and rebuilding reserves; (ii) support inclusive growth through reforms—including to narrow gender gaps—and targeted social spending; and (iii) confront corruption, as well as strengthen governance, institutions, and the rule of law. These objectives would advance the poverty reduction and growth aspirations outlined in Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-30.

    “Restoring stability in the Sierra Leonean economy will require a continued ambitious macroeconomic adjustment over the program period. Enhancing revenue mobilization, boosting spending efficiency, and managing fiscal risks will be critical to make room for priority spending on social policies and investment. Strengthening the monetary policy framework and maintaining appropriately tight monetary conditions will be important to safeguard internal and external stability.

    “Making durable progress in fighting poverty and raising standards of living will require a commitment to reform, sustained political and social consensus, and well-targeted social policies. Promoting gender equality and increasing women’s economic participation are crucial to boosting Sierra Leone’s growth potential. So too are reforms to enhance the business environment by improving EDSA’s operational and technical efficiency, strengthening customs administration and transparency, and addressing climate change risks. Guided by the MTNDP 2024-30, steadfast progress in addressing these challenges will be critical.

    “The staff team is grateful to the authorities for the open and productive discussions. The team met with President Bio, Finance Minister Bangura, Deputy Finance Ministers Alie and Kalokoh, Financial Secretary Dingie, Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) Governor Stevens, Deputy Governors Tucker and Sesay, Commissioner General Bangura of the National Revenue Authority, and senior government and BSL officials. The mission also had fruitful discussions with representatives from the private sector and development partners.”

    More information about ECF: Extended Credit Facility

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/09/20/imf-reaches-sla-on-38-month-ecf-with-sierra-leone

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Join author talks and more for Green Libraries Week

    Source: City of Leicester

    A FASCINATING talk on travel, an insight into the mind of a local crime writer and the tale of an amusing encounter with a Time Lord are among the events on offer next week for Green Libraries Week.

    From 7-13 October, Green Libraries Week will put Leicester’s libraries in the spotlight, featuring everything from poetry and author talks to energy advice and craft activities – and it’s all free.

    On Wednesday at St Barnabas Library, crime author Champak Chauhan will talk about his work, his background in Leicester and how he came up with the character of DI Rohan Sharma, a relatively new and inexperienced homicide detective charged with finding a psychopathic killer.

    Join award-winning travel writer Ash Bhardwaj (pictured) for a talk at the Central Library on Thursday (10 Oct), when he’ll be giving a fascinating insight into his motivations for travel, how to do it better, and how it can help us to live a more fulfilling life. Ash’s journeys have included a recent 8,500km overland expedition from the top of Norway to Romania; retracing the footsteps of a Second World War special mission by British forces in the Albanian Alps, and accompanying renowned explorer Levison Wood for 700 miles of his Walking The Nile expedition in Uganda and Sudan.

    Also on Thursday, Lizzie Lamb and Adrienne Vaughan from the Romantic Novelists’ Association will be detailing their writing adventures at Knighton Library. “A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Typewriter” will include tales of amusing encounters with a starry cast of writers, actors, singers, royals, and even a Time Lord!

    As well as author talks and readings, there are lots of events taking place to highlight the diverse range of activities that take place at libraries, with a focus on climate and sustainability.

    Find out about conservation and volunteering with Leicester Environmental Volunteers at Hamilton Library on Tuesday 8 October; or join one of the energy advice drop-in sessions taking place at Leicester’s Central Library on Monday 7, Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October, from 11am-1pm.

    Leicester Adult Education will be offering free taster sessions and learning activities at city libraries throughout the week, and craft and wellbeing activities will also be on offer.

    Everything is free, but spaces may be limited, so booking is advised. To book, call or drop in to your local library.

    Assistant city mayor for neighbourhood services Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Libraries Week is an opportunity for people to discover all that their local library has to offer. Activities are taking on a ‘green’ theme, which gives us a great chance to show people how easy it can be to live more sustainably. I hope people will really enjoy getting involved with Green Libraries Week.”

    More information and a full list of everything that’s on offer throughout the week is available at leicester.gov.uk/librariesweek

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan was held in Dushanbe under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Marat Khusnullin and Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda.

    Previous news Next news

    Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    “Russia and Tajikistan maintain high dynamics of bilateral contacts. Constructive interaction has been established, all issues are discussed promptly thanks to our direct contacts. Our economic ties demonstrate high rates of development. Russia remains a key trading partner of Tajikistan. The volume of trade turnover for the first eight months of 2024 increased by 14%, both imports and exports are growing. Interregional cooperation is on the rise. More than 70 Russian regions have already established business contacts with the republic in a wide range of areas. I thank my colleagues for their fruitful work. I am confident that our mutually beneficial large-scale cooperation will develop in the future, and we will make every effort to achieve this,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that an important step in the development of Russian-Tajik relations was, among other things, the agreement reached on the construction of the Center for Gifted Children in Dushanbe and a new building for the Russian Drama Theater named after V. Mayakovsky. At present, the design assignments and general plans have been signed and a state registration certificate has been received. It is planned to begin construction directly this year.

    Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda noted the stability of development of Russian-Tajik relations in a wide range of areas. According to him, bilateral personal meetings are a good opportunity to resolve a number of issues and discuss important topics aimed at socio-economic cooperation of both states. The Republic of Tajikistan adheres to strategic partnership and alliance with Russia, and also intends to take further steps to develop Russian-Tajik partnership, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan noted.

    At the meeting, the parties discussed details of cooperation in the areas of trade, industry, customs, agriculture, culture, education, tourism, and also defined plans for the further development of bilateral relations.

    In conclusion, Marat Khusnullin and Kokhir Rasulzoda signed the protocol of the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as the Program of Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2027.

    In addition, within the framework of the intergovernmental commission, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the RVB company (Wildberries and Russ), as well as a memorandum between VisionLabs and the State Unitary Enterprise Smart City on cooperation aimed at developing joint projects in the field of digitalization.

    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/52896/

    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 Africa: Government working with communities to find suitable land for housing

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Human Settlements intends to partner with traditional leaders to identify disaster-resilient areas suitable for human settlements development, using geo-mapping.

    Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi made the announcement at meeting held with Members of Executive Councils (MINMEC) responsible for Human Settlements across the country on Thursday.

    Kubayi said the collaborative initiative with traditional leaders aims to enable traditional leaders to identify safe land parcels for settlement purposes and avoid disaster-prone areas in vulnerable provinces.

    She said the department intends to pilot this approach in rural KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces, paving the way for proactive disaster mitigation and sustainable human settlements.

    “By leveraging geo-mapping technology, the department aims to inform decision makers to make better land allocation decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities. We cannot be chasing after or reacting to disasters.

    “We must be proactive and put measures in place to mitigate future disasters. Climate change is upon us, and we should be better prepared and be able to respond accordingly,” Kubayi said.

    The Minister convened the meeting with the MECs, focusing on the 2024/2025 human settlements priorities.

    This was the second meeting in the seventh administration included the Mayors and Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs) for Human Settlements in metropolitan municipalities and representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to tackle key critical areas.

    These include prioritising vulnerable groups in housing allocation, the Title Deeds Restoration Programme, housing for military veterans, emergency housing, and an update on the Human Settlements White Paper.

    The meeting discussed the finalisation of the White Paper and MINMEC was informed that extensive consultations have been undertaken to ensure that all sectors of the community took part in shaping the new policy.

    Approved by Cabinet in 2023 for public consultation, the draft White Paper seeks to address the prevailing gaps and inconsistencies in the housing and human settlements sector by responding comprehensively to contemporary sector reforms.

    The meeting heard that sectors including NGOs, civil society, labour, academics, developers and contractors, and identified government departments were consulted.

    The draft White Paper will be presented to Cabinet for approval, and once approved, a nationwide awareness campaign will be launched to educate the public on the policy’s key points through various media channels.

    The Minister also underscored the importance of building integrated communities including rural areas, saying human settlements should be where people are, feel safe and have access to economic opportunities and social amenities.

    “Accordingly, the government has availed resources to build social amenities in rural areas including community halls and other facilities to encourage development within the communities,” the Minister explained.

    Assisting those affected by disasters

    On emergency response to people affected by disasters, MINMEC welcomed a briefing on the Emergency Housing Framework developed to ensure immediate response to people affected by disasters.

    MINMEC stressed the need to clarify roles and responsibilities since the national department has assumed responsibility.

    The meeting adopted a proposal outlining disaster response protocols, dividing responsibilities between the National Department of Human Settlements, provinces, and metros based on disaster severity.

    “Significant and severe disasters, affecting 51 to 100 or more households, will be jointly responded to by the National Department and provinces/metropolitan areas, while minimal and minor disasters, impacting 1 to 50 households, will be addressed by provinces working with metros,” Kubayi said.

    In response to disasters, the Emergency Housing Guidelines provide four key interventions, and these include restoration, rebuilding, relocation, and repairs.

    MINMEC emphasised the need to address historic disasters that occurred from 2019 to April 2024, which have affected numerous households, with estimated damages totalling R1 billion. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: Biz2Credit to Host “Small Business, Inflation, and the Economy in 2024” Online Town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biz2Credit will host U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) and Sylvia Garcia (D, TX-29) to discuss the state of the small business economy in 2024 and the actions that Congress is taking to support business owners. The virtual forum will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) and will explore topics including:

    • Challenges for small business owners in 2024 and looking into 2025.
    • Initiatives the Federal government is considering next that may provide further economic support to American small businesses.
    • How a President Harris or President Trump will address small business issues.
    • Preparing for what’s coming next with Biz2Credit’s review of business financing options as 2024 closes and amid the recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
    • Biz2Credit’s research and insights on primary data from small business owners.

    This online forum will give business owners a chance to hear from Rep. LaLota, a member of the House Committee on Small Business, and Rep. Garcia, who has helped provide crucial aid to Texas small businesses. They will discuss the small business environment in their districts, provide insights on how the Federal government and private industry are collaborating to help entrepreneurs, and respond to questions from constituents and business owners. To register for this event, click here.

    “We are thrilled to have Rep. LaLota and Rep. Garcia join our online Town Hall and discuss their positions on small business, the current economic environments in their home districts, and how Washington can best support entrepreneurial growth,” said Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2Credit and one of the nation’s leading experts in small business finance.

    U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) was sworn into office in January 2023. Inspired by his family’s history of service, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Later, he earned his MBA at Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business and his J.D. from Hofstra’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. As a member of the Amityville Board of Trustees, he focused on reducing taxes and improving services. Today, in Congress, he advocates for lower taxes, energy independence, and the protection of constitutional freedoms. As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, he serves as chair of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure and is a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access.

    “I’m excited to join the Biz2Credit Small Business Town Hall to tackle the challenges and opportunities our small businesses face,” said Rep. LaLota. “As a proud member of the House Small Business Committee, I know just how crucial these businesses are to our economy. I’ll keep pushing for policies that strengthen small businesses as the backbone of America!”

    U.S. Representative Sylvia R. Garcia (D, TX-29) was sworn into Congress in January 2019 and thereby became the first Latina to represent Texas in her district. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in social work and political science, and later graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Rep. Garcia has served as a social worker and a legal aid lawyer and later as Presiding Judge of the Houston Municipal System, Houston City Controller, and Harris County Commissioner. After serving in the Texas State Senate, she was elected to represent Texas’s 29th Congressional District 29 and became the first Hispanic member of the Houston Congressional Delegation and one of the first two Latinas to represent Texas in the Congress. She has long been an advocate for working families and economic development.

    “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the start of so many American Dreams. Women and minority entrepreneurs, especially in the Latino community, have been driving our recovery with strength and resilience,” said Rep. Garcia, who serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. “It’s our job in Congress to ensure they have the tools and resources to keep thriving. I’m excited to join Rep. LaLota and Biz2Credit to talk about how we can make that happen.”

    About Biz2Credit
    Founded in 2007, Biz2Credit has helped thousands of companies access more than $10 billion in small business financing. The company is expanding its industry-leading Biz2X® technology in custom digital platform solutions for banks and other financial institutions, investors, and service providers. Visit http://www.biz2credit.com, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

    Media Contact: John Mooney, (908) 720-6057, john@overthemoonpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two Board Members reappointed to The National Lottery Community Fund board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State has reappointed John Mothersole as the England Committee Chair and Kate Still as the Scotland Committee Chair for a second term of two years commencing on 14 May 2024.

    John Mothersole

    John Mothersole has held senior local government posts in UK cities including London, most recently as Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council. Since standing down from that post in December 2019 after 11 years, John has taken on a series of non-executive roles which now include Chair of The Sheffield College, trustee of a community care charity and advisory roles with companies involved in regeneration and environment. He was also an assessor for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, a role that concluded with the publication of the final report in September 2024. Prior to being selected as Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee John was a member of that committee.

    John has been heavily involved in the policy agenda for UK cities through the Core Cities network, the Northern Powerhouse initiative and with Government in securing city and city region devolution deals and participating in trade missions.His early career was in the arts, primarily in London and the North-East, and he sees a highlight of that part of his career being the reopening of the Roundhouse in London which enabled its subsequent redevelopment.

    Kate Still

    Kate is currently conducting the Independent Review of Community Learning and

    Development across Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. She was a Board

    member of ERSA for many years, Chair of Employment Support Scotland and a Fellow of

    the Institute of Employability. Kate started her career as a teacher after completing an MA

    (Hons) in Politics at Glasgow University.

    She has over 25 years of relevant experience in delivery of education, apprenticeships, skills, employability and community enterprise and regeneration programmes across multiple sectors, including 15+ years in the Charity sector. Kate has a passionate desire to make a difference coupled with the drive to achieve impact on issues of poverty, equality and diversity and social justice. Kate has held strategic leadership roles at EU and UK levels including Management of EU aid programmes to Central and Eastern Europe. A former Board Member of Strathclyde European Partnership, she completed her MPhil in European Policy research at Strathclyde University in 2011.Kate has held Director roles previously with the Prince’s Trust, Rathbone and Wise Group.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    These positions are remunerated at £24,000 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John Mothersole and Kate Still have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

    The application comprises a new roll-on/roll-off facility comprising a new jetty with three berths, improved hardstanding, Terminal buildings and an internal side bridge to cross over existing port infrastructure. 

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Associated British Ports on 10 February 2023 and accepted for Examination on 06 March 2023. 

    Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 25 April 2024.  

    This is the 53rd transport application out of 144 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.  

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.  

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State. 

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website. 

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:  

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inside the Oasis Restore secure school

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    YJB Chief Executive, Steph Roberts-Bibby reflects on her visit to the UK’s first secure school and its unique focus on education, healthcare and wellbeing.

    The secure school’s education centre.

    Back in May, I joined Minister Argar and the Youth Custody Service to visit the UK’s first secure school and explore its revolutionary approach to youth justice. As we toured the site, what stood out to me was an unmistakeable feeling of care.   

    The Oasis Restore secure school has now opened its doors and has started to welcome its first children.  

    What does the secure school offer?  

    The school, which was a former secure training centre, felt worlds away from my experiences as a prison officer at Feltham young offender’s institution (YOI) in 1997 and other adult prisons throughout my career, with more similarities to university accommodation than custody. The environment felt compassionate and child-orientated, nurturing children to change, grow and learn.  

    Security was built into the infrastructure without feeling oppressive, but still appropriately secure – there were no bars on the windows, no keys or locks, only wristband-operated fobs. It was these subtle differences that made me leave Oasis Restore feeling hopeful. 

    The bedrooms were calming and quiet with private ensuite bathrooms and built-in computer screens for doing homework and watching TV. The attention to detail throughout was evident. There was artwork on the walls, and soft blankets and sofas in the shared living spaces. These are incredibly important to help children learn to cohabit and foster a sense of community and responsibility. 

    Oasis Restore provides family rooms with kitchens so that children can cook and eat with their families when they visit. Our guide Dr Sadie pointed out that this can be very culturally important when living away from home, not least for successful rehabilitation but also for rebuilding existing family relationships. Siblings often visit with families, and evidence shows that intergenerational and sibling offending is common, so having a space promoting learning, togetherness and care is key to prevent further offending among families. 

    A shared living area in one of the flats at the secure school.

    The site boasts brand-new state-of-the-art facilities, including 3D printers in the design technology classroom, a hair and beauty salon and even music recording booths. While other sites do provide similar facilities, never had I seen them at this standard before. These facilities provide a wide range of educational opportunities, including core academic subjects and vocational training in areas like barbering, drama and catering, that children might otherwise have never been exposed to.  

    Therapeutic sensory rooms are also woven throughout the site. These supportive spaces have soft beanbags and padded walls to support children to regulate their emotions during the day and take time out when needed. 

    Looking to the future 

    As the tour was finishing, I stopped to speak to a restorative practitioner who was showing some of the creative activities on offer for children. She explained that she would be supporting children through every part of their day at Oasis Restore, be that walking with them to the education centre in the morning, or just being there to chat.  

    When I asked her what part of the new school she was most looking forward to, she said, “I’m just excited for the children to come now.” It’s clear that what makes this approach to youth custody different isn’t just the holistic model or the modern facilities; it’s the people.  

    Strong relationships between staff and children are at the heart of the Oasis model, to truly understand a child’s journey. Oasis Restore’s team are highly trained and committed to providing responsive, psychologically informed and developmentally appropriate models of support and education for children in their care. Relational practice is also crucial, with staff committed to loving children like their own, and this shone through from the practitioners I spoke with at the school.  

    The Oasis secure school is a prime example of how custody for children can and should be done: care-focused, needs-led and with children at the heart. This model inspires hope for the future about how we can best support children to go on to live crime-free lives and make our communities safer places with fewer victims. 

    What is a ‘secure school’?  

    The first-of-its-kind secure school in Rochester houses children who are on remand or sentenced to custody. But what exactly is a secure school? 

    Oasis Restore places education and healthcare at the heart of its approach to support children and steer them away from reoffending. This unique model was recommended by Charlie Taylor, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has long advocated for a different approach to children in custody. In 2016, prior to becoming Chair of the Youth Justice Board from 2017-2020, he conducted an independent review of the youth justice system 

    The Oasis Restore philosophy 

    At the Youth Justice Board, we have long advocated for a rethink of how children are cared for in custody. This is because our evidence tells us that to be effective, secure settings must be small and replicate a safe family home environment with a sense of community and trust. They should also have excellent healthcare and education provisions. 

    The Oasis Restore model mirrors this, and I was pleased to see that these values shine through when visiting the school. Oasis Restore is guided by the understanding that children are different from adults. Its philosophy ensures that each child’s voice is heard and valued, and opportunities are created for them to contribute within a school community.  

    In the words of the school: “Oasis Restore is a secure school enabling young people to live their best lives, through education, wellbeing, and hope.” 

    The secure school gives children the opportunity to make positive choices about their futures upon release from custody. By equipping them with essential skills and education, the school not only benefits children but hopes to reduce crime rates and make our communities safer places to live with fewer victims.  

    Who is the Oasis Restore secure school for? 

    Although the number of children in custody is the lowest on record since records began (an average of 440 children were in custody between 2022-23), we know that the children who remain in the secure estate are vulnerable and often have complex needs.  

    2021 Census data showed that more than three-quarters (79.8%) of people who went on to receive a custodial sentence had been identified with special educational needs (SEN) at some point during their schooling 

    Lower education levels are also likely. The same dataset also found that young adults who receive custodial sentences have lower levels of educational attainment, with only 37% achieving the expected level of English and maths by the end of key stage 2 compared with 53% of peers with non-custodial sentences.  

    In a 2022 joint inspection of education, training and employment services from HM Inspectorate of Probation, almost 65% of children had been excluded from school from at some point 

    Justice-involved children have also experienced higher levels of trauma throughout childhood and themselves are victims. This makes it crucial for the school to be care-focused, needs-led, and Child First. In one study of 80 children, over 75% had experienced family violence or child abuse  

    The secure school will care for children aged between 12-18-years-old who are on remand or sentenced to custody. It will be home to up to 49 children at any one time, both girls and boys. Every child will be enrolled in formal education or training and encouraged into further study or employment on release. This innovative new model of care will promote rehabilitation and contribute to positive outcomes for children, leading to fewer victims and safer communities. 

    The Discovery-i education centre at the secure school.

    What makes Oasis Restore different? 

    The Oasis Restore secure school is unique in its approach and Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said to visitors at the opening event: “From the day children arrive, the focus is on preparing them for the day they leave.”  

    The school has been co-designed with children working with youth justice services and will be registered as both an academy and a secure children’s home. It will be inspected by Ofsted and held to the same standards as other schools across England.  

    While the current secure estate is not fit for purpose, the secure school offers a Child First redesign. It’s an innovative, holistic approach to custody for children within a secure setting. This is what distinguishes the secure school from existing youth custody provisions and sends a message to children that they are valued; something many may not have experienced growing up.  

    I spoke to a colleague from NHS England during the visit, a key partner in the development of the school, and heard about just some of the wellbeing services on offer, including advice on dieting, smoking, body image, as well as wider mental health and physical health support.  

    Education at the school is based on the reflective practice model, with a therapeutic approach to learning. It is recognised that many of the children who will live at the secure school are likely to be disengaged from education and so staff are specially trained to focus on one-to-one support and children’s individual needs, which their curriculum will be tailored around.  

    A place of hope 

    The secure school is a place where children can feel safe and be supported by well-trained staff who are committed to developing positive purpose. We at the YJB support and advocate this approach in line with the evidence base. I echo the words of Ed Cornmell, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service, when he says the school represents a “revolutionary change for the youth justice system.” 

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Brazil Cancer Drug Clinical Trials Brazil Clinical Trial Registry ANVISA Brazil Guidelines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazil Cancer Drugs Clinical Trials Insight 2024 Report Offering:

    • Brazil Clinical Trials Market Opportunity 2024 and 2030 (In US$ Million)
    • Clinical Trials Regulatory Framework In Brazil
    • Total Number of Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials In Brazil
    • Total Number Of Cancer Drugs Approved In Brazil
    • 400 Pages Clinical Trials Insight On All Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials By Company, Indication and Phase
    • 80 Pages Clinical Insight On All Cancer Drugs Approved in Market By Company and Indication
    • Insight On 25 Pharmaceutical Companies & CRO In Brazil

    Download Report:  https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-clinical-trials-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-oncology-drug-development-brazil

    Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape has been evolving rapidly in recent years, positioning the country as an increasingly important player in global oncology research. As the largest country in Latin America, with a population of over 215 million and a diverse genetic makeup, Brazil offers unique opportunities for conducting clinical trials for conducting clinical trials in oncology. The Brazilian clinical trial environment is characterized by a mix of private and public health systems, providing researchers with access to a wide range of patient population. This diversity is particularly valuable in cancer research, where genetic and environmental factors can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Major urban cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre have become hubs for clinical research, housing state-of-the-art medical facilities and research institutions.

    One of the key drivers of Brazil’s growing prominence in cancer drug trials is the country’s high cancer burden. According to estimates, Brazil recorded around 630,000 new cancer cases in 2022, which is estimated to cross 750,000 by 2030. This high incidence rate, coupled with the need for innovative treatments, has created a song impetus for conducting oncology trials in the country. Breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers are among the most common types, aligning with global trends and research priorities.

    The regulatory landscape for clinical trials in Brazil has seen significant improvements in recent years. The Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) has streamlined i8ts approval processes, reducing timelines for trial initiation. The creation of the Rede Nacional de Pesquisa Clínica (RNPC) has also facilitated the convict of multicenter trials across the country. These regulatory advancements have made Brazil more attractive to international pharmaceutical companies and research organizations looking to conduct global trials.

    Brazil’s participation in international collaborative research networks has further enhanced its position in cancer drug trials. The country is increasingly involved in global phase III trials, allowing Brazilian patients access to cutting-edge experimental therapies this involvement not only contributes to global drug development but also helps build local expertise and infrastructure for conducting complex oncology trials.

    The Brazilian government has also played a role in fostering cancer research through initiatives like the National Policy for Cancer Care (PNAO). This policy aims to improve cancer care across the country and includes provisions for supporting clinical research. Additionally, public-private partnerships have emerged as a key strategy for advancing cancer drug development in Brazil, combining government resources with private sector expertise and funding.

    However, challenges remain in Brazil’s clinical trial landscape. Disparities in healthcare access and quality between urban and rural areas can affect patient recruitment and trial conduct. Language barriers and the need for translation of trial materials can also add complexity to international studies. Moreover, navigating the Brazilian regulatory system, despite improvements, can still be complex for foreign sponsors unfamiliar with local processes.

    Another significant aspect of Brazil’s cancer drug trials landscape is the focus on biosimilars and generics. As patents on several key oncology drugs expire, Brazil has become an important market for biosimilar development and testing. This aligns with the country’s efforts to increase access to cancer treatments and reduce healthcare costs.

    Looking ahead, Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape shows promise for continued growth and innovations. The country’s large and diverse patient population, improving regulatory environment, and growing expertise in oncology research make it an attractive destination for global cancer drug development. As Brazil continues to invest in its research infrastructure and capabilities, it poised to play an increasingly significant role in advancing cancer treatments on a global scale.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon struggles to cope as over a million people flee Israel’s military invasion- Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    The Lebanese authorities, communities and humanitarian agencies are struggling to shelter and provide the necessities of life to over one million people fleeing Israel’s airstrikes and invasion to the south, Oxfam said today. 

    Oxfam is working with local partners in Lebanon and alongside other aid agencies as part of the government’s humanitarian response plan following Israel’s invasion of Southern Lebanon and aerial bombardment. 

    Oxfam assessments in shelters across Lebanon have found people most need mattresses, bedding, and cooking and sanitation items. Women also need sanitary pads, towels, and underwear. Oxfam and partners have started distributing some of this aid as well as water.

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them are scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing.”

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director of SHIFT

    Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director for Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub, said more displaced people are arriving by the day and he fears shelters may buckle under the strain.  

    “The shelters are not ready to host the number of displaced people we are taking on and 629 are already full. They are public schools that are not equipped to be shelters and we are facing problems. For example, we don’t have hot water for showers. We will get to a point where we won’t be able to cope. Without funds, we cannot sustain our support to the shelters. The ground invasion will only increase the number of refugees, and we have already seen an increase in the number of displaced people on a daily basis with the continuous bombardment. The situation will only get worse as winter approaches. 

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them were scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing, and many others because of their fear of the unknown coming to a new city. People are suffering, they have many, many, issues to think about,” 

    Oxfam says without a ceasefire, the greenlight by Israel to a ground invasion in southern Lebanon will likely lead to a further escalation of the conflict and fighting, that will cause even more destruction of communities and inflame an already volatile region. 

    “The ground invasion and bombardment that includes Beirut and the southern suburbs will create a serious challenge for the humanitarian system in a few short days. People are being forced to flee with little to no notice, and often having to leave everything behind to shelters that are inadequate or sharing crowded homes with few essential supplies. None know when they can return. Without a ceasefire, the number of people desperately in need will only grow, as will their needs. The shelter system is set to collapse if there is no peace on the horizon,” said Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director, Bachir Ayoub. 

    Oxfam is appealing for donations globally. “The needs of people in Lebanon who’ve been injured, traumatized and displaced, in fear of what the future might hold for them, are already huge. No other solution other than a ceasefire can alleviate the crisis they are facing,” Ayoub said. 

    There must be an end to this violence. All parties must stop fighting. We need safe space to get people the aid they need,” he said.  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft supports projects to study and preserve biodiversity

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 4, the whole world celebrates Animal Protection Day, which was established in 1931 with the aim of drawing attention to the problems of preserving the inhabitants of our planet.

    Rosneft pays special attention to environmental issues and biodiversity conservation. Environmental care is an integral part of the Company’s corporate culture and social responsibility. The protection and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity is one of Rosneft’s main environmental goals until 2035.

    The Company is implementing the largest Arctic region study program since Soviet times. Over 50 expeditions have been conducted over 12 years, during which the country’s leading scientists have studied key species-bioindicators of Arctic ecosystem stability: polar bear, Atlantic walrus, wild reindeer and ivory gull. This has allowed them to collect a unique array of information about the Arctic animal world. The data obtained is used to create a series of ecological atlases by Rosneft and Innopraktika.

    In 2024, as part of the national project “Ecology”, the Company launched a new research program called “Tamura”. In the period up to 2027, it is planned to study reindeer, polar bear, valuable bird species, and fish in the mouth of the Yenisei River on the Taimyr Peninsula. In total, ten expeditions will be conducted over four years. This season, scientists have already carried out field work to study birds on the Brekhov Islands, as well as large islands of the Yenisei Gulf. The total length of the air routes of the bird study expedition conducted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory exceeded 4,000 km.

    In addition, with the support of Rosneft, a research expedition to study wild reindeer was organized within the Tamura program. The total length of the expedition’s boat routes to study wild reindeer exceeded 2,800 km, and the area of aerial observations was 360 thousand km2. Rosneft has been studying wild reindeer since 2014. During this time, large-scale ground and aerial surveys of animals were conducted in Evenkia and Taimyr. Using satellite tags installed on the reindeer, scientists tracked their full annual migration cycle for the first time, and also identified seasonal behavior patterns.

    The Company pays special attention to the study and conservation of the polar bear. Scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with the Company’s specialists, conducted a full-scale census of the polar bear population distribution during the ice-free period on the northwestern coast of the Taimyr Peninsula and the islands of the Kara Sea as part of the Tamura program. The total length of the polar bear study expedition’s air routes exceeded 2,500 km, and the scientists encountered 50 Arctic predators in total. For the first time in Russian practice, ear radio tags were placed not only on females, but also on males.

    Rosneft, together with the non-governmental development institute Innopraktika and the Center for Full Genome Sequencing, are implementing a unique project to create a genomic database of living organisms in the Russian Arctic. This information is needed for long-term planning of the region’s sustainable development and the preservation of its fragile ecosystems. Among the priority projects is the assembly of the polar bear’s full genome.

    Since 2013, Rosneft has been the guardian of all polar bears living in Russian zoos. Currently, the Company patronizes 34 polar bears in 16 zoos in the country, providing them with care, feeding, veterinary support, and updating their enclosures. With the support of the Company, special toys have been developed to increase the physical activity of the animals. In addition, Rosneft is implementing a program to rescue and rehabilitate young polar bears left in the wild without the care of their mothers.

    Rosneft also supports programs to preserve the Amur tiger population – interacting with specially protected natural areas in the predator’s habitat, rehabilitation and reintroduction centers for animals. With the Company’s participation, equipment and transport for scientific purposes are purchased, and social infrastructure for scientists is being built.

    In 2024, scientists from the Siberian Federal University, with the support of Rosneft, analyzed the state of the wolf population in the Evenki District of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The result of the research was a set of recommendations from specialists on improving the regulation of the number of predators to maintain the balance of ecosystems. In total, the researchers conducted 67 field trips to various areas and reserves of Yenisei Siberia. Specialists developed a method for calculating the number of predators, according to which the wolf population in Evenkia numbers 2,600 individuals.

    The study and protection of the whale and dolphin population is one of the areas of the Company’s environmental program. As part of environmental monitoring when supporting Rosneft projects, observations are made from ships of all mammals found in the vast expanses of the seas, including whales and dolphins. One of the main species that receives close attention is the gray whale of the Okhotsk Sea population. The program for monitoring the Okhotsk Sea population of gray whales on the northeastern shelf of Sakhalin Island has been conducted for 27 years. As part of the program, the population size is annually counted, animal behavior is observed, their food supply is studied, photo-identification studies and acoustic monitoring are carried out.

    In addition, in 2020, Rosneft, together with the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, implemented a large-scale project to study and monitor Black Sea dolphins. Based on the results of 3 years of observations, modern up-to-date data were obtained on the number and preferred habitats of Black Sea dolphins, and the characteristics of their seasonal distribution. Recommendations were prepared for the study and conservation of Black Sea cetaceans.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 4, 2024

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

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

    http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/220882/

    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: Hut 8 Operations Update for September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    19.5 EH/s and 762 MW under management in mining with path to 33.5 EH/s

    Announced partnership with BITMAIN to host next-generation ASIC miner with purchase option to reach 20 EH/s of self-mining

    GPU-as-a-service subsidiary generating revenue with first cluster fully online

    Outstanding balance of Anchorage Digital loan equitized at price of $16.395 per share

    MIAMI, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), a leading, vertically integrated operator of large-scale energy infrastructure and one of North America’s largest Bitcoin miners, today released its operations update for September 2024.

    “We made significant strides in scaling our compute layer across Bitcoin mining and AI this month,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “In partnership with Bitmain, we launched a next-generation, DLC-cooled ASIC miner. We are targeting a 15 EH/s hosting deployment at our Vega site in the Texas Panhandle by H1 2025, which is expected to generate ~$135 million in annualized hosting revenue on a fully ramped basis. The agreement’s purchase option creates a clear path to 20 EH/s of self-mining capacity by allowing us to fully acquire the hosted machines for our fleet. This deal demonstrates our commitment to pushing the mining industry forward while positioning for expansion into AI data centers.”

    “Our GPU-as-a-service vertical is now fully operational and generating revenue. As we advance discussions with potential partners to expand our digital infrastructure layer across Bitcoin mining and AI compute, we remain committed to maintaining balance sheet strength and creative structuring. To that end, we have also enhanced our financial position by fully converting our ~$38 million Anchorage Digital loan into equity at $16.395 per share of common stock, which represents a 51% premium to the Company’s 20-day VWAP through the day prior to the signing of the equitization agreement.”

    Highlights:

    • Announced partnership with BITMAIN to host U3S21EXPH ASIC miner in H1 2025 with path to 20 EH/s of self-mining capacity; partnership is expected to generate ~$135 million in annualized hosting revenue on a fully ramped basis
    • Brought 1,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs online and began generating revenue for new GPU-as-a-service subsidiary Highrise AI, Inc.
    • Announced equitization of ~$38 million Anchorage Digital loan at a price of $16.395 per share
    • Continued construction of Ionic Digital’s Cedarvale site and remain on track to complete site buildout by December

    Operating Metrics

    Average during the period unless otherwise noted September 2024 August 2024
    Total energy capacity under management1,2,3 762 MW 762 MW
    Total deployed miners under management4 189.9K 179.5K
    Total hashrate under management5 19.5 EH/s 18.5 EH/s
         
    Self-Mining6    
    Deployed miners7 58.6K 58.5K
    Deployed hashrate8 5.6 EH/s 5.6 EH/s
    Bitcoin produced1,9 85 BTC 87 BTC
    Bitcoin on balance sheet1 9,106 BTC 9,105 BTC
         
    Managed Services2,10    
    Energy capacity under management1 582 MW 582 MW
    Deployed miners under management 140.8K 130.5K
    Hashrate under management 14.9 EH/s 13.9 EH/s
         
    Hosting    
    Deployed miners under management11,12 76.7K 76.7K
    Hashrate under management13 8.6 EH/s 8.5 EH/s
         

    Energy Infrastructure Platform1

            Current/Contracted Revenue Stream(s)14
    Site Location Owner Power
    Capacity
    Self-
    Mining
    Managed
    Services
    Hosting HPC Power
    Sales
    Vega15 Texas Panhandle Hut 8 205 MW     Yes16    
    Medicine Hat Medicine Hat, AB Hut 8 67 MW Yes        
    Salt Creek Orla, TX Hut 8 63 MW Yes        
    Alpha Niagara Falls, NY Hut 8 50 MW Yes   Yes    
    Drumheller17 Drumheller, AB Hut 8 42 MW          
    Kelowna Kelowna, BC Hut 8 1.1 MW       Yes  
    Mississauga Mississauga, ON Hut 8 0.9 MW       Yes  
    Vaughan Vaughan, ON Hut 8 0.6 MW       Yes  
    Vancouver II Vancouver, BC Hut 8 0.5 MW       Yes  
    Vancouver I Vancouver, BC Hut 8 0.3 MW       Yes  
    King Mountain18 McCamey, TX Hut 8 (JV) 280 MW Yes Yes Yes   Yes
    Iroquois Falls19 Iroquois Falls, ON Hut 8 (JV) 120 MW         Yes
    Kingston19 Kingston, ON Hut 8 (JV) 110 MW         Yes
    North Bay19 North Bay, ON Hut 8 (JV) 40 MW         Yes
    Kapuskasing19 Kapuskasing, ON Hut 8 (JV) 40 MW         Yes
    Cedarvale3 Barstow, TX Managed 215 MW   Yes      
    East Stiles Midland, TX Managed 30 MW   Yes      
    Rebel Midland, TX Managed 25 MW   Yes      
    Stiles Midland, TX Managed 20 MW   Yes      
    Garden City Midland, TX Managed 12 MW   Yes      
    Total     1,322 MW          
                     

    Upcoming Conferences & Events:

    • October 7–9, 2024: Yotta 2024
    • October 15, 2024: USC Marshall Energy Business Summit 2024
    • November 13–14, 2024: Cantor Fitzgerald Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure Conference 2024
    • November 19, 2024: Craig-Hallum 15th Annual Alpha Select Conference
    • November 19, 2024: Benzinga Future of Digital Assets Conference 2024
    Notes:
    (1) As of the end of the period
    (2) Includes all Self-Mining, Managed Services, and Hosting infrastructure, including 100% of the energy capacity at the King Mountain site, which is owned by the King Mountain JV in which the Company has a 50% membership interest and a Fortune 200 renewable energy producer has the remaining 50% membership interest (the “King Mountain JV”).
    (3) Includes 215 megawatts assuming full capacity at Cedarvale, which was first energized in April and is currently under construction.
    (4) Includes all miners that are racked with power and networking, rounded to the nearest 100, in Self-Mining, Managed Services, and Hosting infrastructure with power and networking, including all miners at the King Mountain site.
    (5) Includes all Self-Mining, Managed Services, and Hosting hashrate, including 100% of the hashrate at the King Mountain site.
    (6) Self-Mining operations for Hut 8 include 100% of operations at the King Mountain site.
    (7) Deployed miners are defined as those physically racked with power and networking, rounded to the nearest 100; deployed self-mining miners net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 49.6K during September and 49.5K during August.
    (8) Indicates the target hashrate of all deployed miners; deployed self-mining hashrate net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 4.7 EH/s during September and August, respectively.
    (9) Bitcoin produced net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 72 BTC during September and 74 BTC during August.
    (10) The Managed Services figures reflected in this table include the Self-Mining and Hosting metrics from the sites where Hut 8’s Managed Services business is an additional service layer in the operation of the site (at King Mountain, Rebel, Stiles, East Stiles, and Garden City). As a result, the sum of the Self-Mining, Managed Services, and Hosting numbers will not add up to the “Total energy capacity under management”, “Total deployed miners under management”, and “Total hashrate under management” figures that are also reflected in the table.
    (11) Miners are rounded to the nearest 100.
    (12) 42.6K deployed miners under management net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner during September and August, respectively.
    (13) 4.7 EH/s under management net of Hut 8’s joint venture partner’s 50% share of the King Mountain JV during September and August, respectively.
    (14) Reflects revenue sources to Hut 8, its subsidiaries, and/or joint ventures in which they participate.
    (15) Site is currently under development.
    (16) Anticipated to begin generating revenue in H1 2025
    (17) Site currently shut down; Hut 8 maintaining lease with option value of re-energizing site.
    (18) Owned by a JV between Hut 8 and a Fortune 200 renewable energy producer in which Hut 8 has an approximately 50% membership interest.
    (19) Owned by a JV between Hut 8 and Macquarie in which Hut 8 has an approximately 80% membership interest.
       

    About Hut 8 

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure operator and Bitcoin miner with self-mining, hosting, managed services, and traditional data center operations across North America. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Hut 8 Corp. has a portfolio comprising twenty sites: eleven Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, and four power generation assets in Ontario. For more information, visit http://www.hut8.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Hut8Corp.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

    This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the business, operations, plans and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “allow”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “predict”, “can”, “might”, “potential”, “predict”, “is designed to”, “likely” or similar expressions. Specifically, such forward-looking information included in this press release includes statements relating to our path to increase our EH/s under management to 33.5 EH/s, our path to increase self-mining EH/s to 20 EH/s through the purchase option with Bitmain, the timing and potential revenues for the hosting deployment at our Vega site, our plans to expand into AI data centers, our discussions with potential partners to expand our digital infrastructure layer across Bitcoin mining and AI compute, our commitment to balance sheet strength and creative structuring, and the timing to complete the Cedarvale site buildout for Ionic Digital.

    Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to, security and cybersecurity threats and hacks; malicious actors or botnet obtaining control of processing power on the Bitcoin network; further development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; changes to Bitcoin mining difficulty; loss or destruction of private keys; increases in fees for recording transactions in the Blockchain; erroneous transactions; reliance on a limited number of key employees; reliance on third party mining pool service providers; regulatory changes; classification and tax changes; momentum pricing risk; fraud and failure related to digital asset exchanges; difficulty in obtaining banking services and financing; difficulty in obtaining insurance, permits and licenses; internet and power disruptions; geopolitical events; uncertainty in the development of cryptographic and algorithmic protocols; uncertainty about the acceptance or widespread use of digital assets; failure to anticipate technology innovations; the COVID19 pandemic, climate change; currency risk; lending risk and recovery of potential losses; litigation risk; business integration risk; changes in market demand; changes in network and infrastructure; system interruption; changes in leasing arrangements; failure to achieve intended benefits of power purchase agreements; potential for interrupted delivery, or suspension of the delivery, of energy to mining sites and other risks related to the digital asset mining and data center business. For a complete list of the factors that could affect Hut 8, please see the “Risk Factors” section of Hut 8’s Transition Report on Form 10-K, available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at http://www.sec.gov, and Hut 8’s other continuous disclosure documents which are available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov.

    Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
    Sue Ennis
    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Corp. Media Relations
    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Qylur Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract for a Tactical AI Spectrum Classifier Systems (TASCS)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sunnyvale, CA, Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qylur Intelligent Systems announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25M focused on a new Tactical AI Spectrum Classifier Systems (TASCS) to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on September 17th, 2024, Qylur has started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

    “Our mission has always been to leverage our unique AI experience and innovative AI-based intelligent machine solutions in the service of protecting life and our way of life” said Dr. Lisa Dolev, Founder and CEO of Qylur. “The spectrum environment is growing increasingly complex and more contested from both adversarial and unintentional sources. We are honored, through this SBIR contract, to be further extending our technology with new agile autonomous spectrum capabilities to help maintain spectrum superiority in support of Air Force mission imperatives.”

    The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

    About Qylur Intelligent Systems

    Qylur Intelligent Systems is an AI the systems company with breakthrough technologies that redefine intelligent machine capabilities for both the commercial and defense sectors. At the heart of Qylur’s innovation is its pioneering Mission Autonomous AI, delivering transformative software and hardware solutions for next-generation intelligent systems. Its flagship offerings include the SNIM® AI platform and the Q Sentinel, the world’s first fully autonomous self-service security screening solution. With a portfolio of patented AI core technologies, and under the visionary leadership of Founder and CEO Dr. Lisa Dolev—an accomplished technology entrepreneur and inventor with over 35 years of expertise in security and defense—Qylur continues to shape the future of AI-driven intelligent machines, visit http://www.Qylur.com.

    About AFRL

    The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.

    About AFWERX

    As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: http://www.afwerx.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Putin and Sobyanin opened an innovative practical platform in Rudnev

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the Day of Secondary Vocational Education, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov opened the Rudnevo practical training site for Moscow colleges.

    “We have started building a large area related to education. This is secondary vocational education. This building where we are is an intercollegiate center for training specialists on high-tech equipment. Next, a laboratory complex is being built. Next, a building for the Stankin University is being built, where there will be a student training center, their laboratories and production areas. Next, a building for the production of Rostec machine tools will be built. So this is a large machine-building complex that will be a center of competence for our country,” the Moscow Mayor said.

    The Rudnevo site is the first innovative educational space for practical training of qualified personnel taking into account the needs of the Moscow economy, which is the largest production and scientific-engineering center of Russia. More than 4.5 thousand enterprises operate here and over 750 thousand people work.

    Educational platform “Rudnevo”

    The college training platform was created taking into account the new concept of secondary vocational education (SVE) development. The capital’s industrial enterprises took part in the development of the project. Advanced training programs, workshops equipped with the most modern equipment, close cooperation with future employers ensure high quality training of sought-after specialists.

    The educational platform is located in the industrial park “Rudnevo”, which is part of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. College students will study on the same territory with industrial partners – future employers.

    “The site’s capacity allows for training more than three thousand people per year. Practical classes are conducted by the most competent and experienced master teachers and employees of partner employers. Students from 15 Moscow colleges will be the first to undergo practical training here. A Center for Professional Competencies has also been created on the site. Its tasks include updating educational programs and forecasting the emergence of new competencies,” he wrote in his

    telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The building with a total area of 9.1 thousand square meters houses a high-tech complex, which includes 21 workshops and laboratories. It is as close as possible to the conditions of real production. Here, students will be able to practice professional skills in production conditions in such areas and specialties as:

    — mechanical engineering (assembly mechanic, turner, milling machine operator, operator of CNC machines, general machine operator, welder (manual and partially mechanized welding – surfacing), adjuster of machines and equipment in mechanical processing, specialist in the quality control department);

    — electronics (installer of electronic equipment and devices, assembler of electronic equipment and devices, adjuster of electronic equipment and devices, SMD line operator);

    — automation of production (specialist in servicing mechatronic and robotic systems, fitter of control and measuring instruments and automation, specialist in additive technologies);

    — aviation industry, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (aircraft electrical equipment fitter, aircraft equipment assembler, aircraft composite parts assembler, unmanned aircraft system operator up to 30 kilograms).

    Thanks to cooperation with residents of the Rudnevo Industrial Park, all conditions for training have been created on the site. Workshops and laboratories are equipped with equipment that is installed in production facilities, and the training programs take into account the needs of future employers.

    The training and production complex of the site includes three blocks.

    The industrial block consists of a section where CNC machines are installed, laboratories for metrology, standardization and certification, precision digital measurements, mechanical engineering design, as well as testing grounds for turning, milling machines, and metalworking and welding work.

    The UAS production site includes areas for programming, installation of aviation and electronic equipment, final assembly of UAS, modeling and manufacturing of molds, composite materials, unit and modular assembly, as well as laboratories for aerodynamics, aeromechanics and UAS data analysis.

    The multi-profile unit consists of metalworking and electrical installation workshops, laboratories for technical systems control, materials science and composite materials, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.

    The uniqueness of the workshops is that they allow for a full-fledged production process to be organized. At the UAS site, students will be able to manufacture drone bodies, solder electronic boards, program, assemble, pilot, and decipher flight data, and in the mechanical engineering zone, they will be able to do metalwork and evaluate the quality of finished products.

    Large industrial enterprises take part in the practical training of students. Among them are the Moscow machine-building plants Avangard and Skorost, the production complex Salut, the National Helicopter Manufacturing Center named after M.L. Mil and N.I. Kamov, the Moscow Design and Production Complex Universal named after A.I. Privalov, the companies Gaskar Group, Kronstadt, Aeromax, Nyukon Energy, CARS, Vemina Aviaprestige, Monolith, Aeropribor-Voskhod.

    Preparing students at the educational site “Rudnevo”

    The capacity of the Rudnevo educational site allows it to train more than three thousand students per year.

    In the 2024/2025 academic year, practical training will be provided to students from 15 secondary specialized educational institutions. These include Polytechnic College No. 8 named after I.F. Pavlov, Polytechnic College named after N.N. Godovikov, Moscow State Educational Complex, College of Communications No. 54 named after P.M. Vostrukhin, College of Automation and Information Technology No. 20, Educational Complex “Yugo-Zapad”, Moscow Industrial College, College of Architecture, Design and Reengineering No. 26, College of Hospitality Industry and Management No. 23, Police College, Moscow College of Business Technologies, College of Modern Technologies named after M.F. Panov, College of Entrepreneurship No. 11, First Moscow Educational Complex and Technological College No. 24.

    Depending on the specialty, students will be able to complete a single professional module in one of the courses or work on site for the entire period of study. In addition, they will have the opportunity to find employment at a partner enterprise. In this case, you can complete your studies according to an individual schedule.

    Practical classes will be conducted by competent and experienced master teachers, as well as representatives of partner employers. In total, 42 masters of industrial training from Moscow colleges and 40 current employees of industrial enterprises of the capital will be able to teach at the site.

    A center of professional competencies has been created on the basis of the site. Here they will be engaged in updating educational programs taking into account the prospective development of science and production technologies, forecasting the emergence of new competencies based on the transformation of production and including them in training programs, as well as methodological support for industrial training masters and improving their pedagogical and professional skills. Cooperation with the country’s leading engineering universities, such as the Moscow State Technological University (MSTU) “Stankin” and the Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman, will help solve these problems.

    In addition, an entrance control of students’ readiness to master programs at the Rudnevo educational platform is provided. For this purpose, the center of professional competencies will interact with partner colleges, providing them with methodological and consulting support.

    Each student has an individual work place on the site. The logistics of the classrooms are well thought out: for example, there are areas for project and group work. Modern public spaces will make extracurricular time comfortable.

    In the coworking space, students can work on projects, discuss ideas, and analyze situations they have considered in class. The assembly hall is designed for conferences and business events.

    The college has a 147-seat canteen where students on a budget are provided with free hot meals. On the third floor there is a cafe whose products are produced and sold by students of Moscow food colleges.

    In addition to the practical training platform for colleges, the Moscow Government, together with MSTU Stankin, is implementing a project within the framework of which the first competence center for the machine tool industry in the country is being created in Rudnev.

    The 19.5 thousand square meter building will house a tool and equipment testing center, an expert analysis center, a design bureau, pilot production, a reverse engineering center, and a numerical control center.

    The center will be able to train and practice about a thousand students per year. The site also organizes pilot and small-scale production of specialized products.

    On the industrial policy of the city of Moscow

    Modern Moscow is the largest industrial and scientific-engineering center of Russia. There are more than 4.5 thousand industrial enterprises in the capital, employing more than 750 thousand people.

    Every year, 150 new technology companies open in Moscow and dozens of investment projects are implemented, providing the city with additional jobs. By 2030, the number of industrial production facilities will increase to 5.5 thousand, and their employees – to 850 thousand. The total area of industrial infrastructure will grow from 14 million square meters to 21 million.

    The manufacturing industry is the driving force behind Moscow’s economic development.

    “I will say about industry that in general it is actively developing. Over the past five years, I reported, the manufacturing industry has doubled,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    By the end of 2024, private and public investment will amount to 310 billion rubles. According to forecasts, by 2030 they will grow by 620 billion rubles – to 930 billion rubles.

    One of the effective measures to support the city is the localization of industrial enterprises in the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. This is the center for the development of the capital’s advanced high-tech industry, which includes six sites with a total area of more than 280 hectares. More than 1.5 million square meters of industrial and public-business areas have been built here. The plan is to increase this figure to 3.8 million square meters by 2030.

    Today, there are more than 220 enterprises operating in Technopolis Moscow, 112 of which have resident status and receive tax preferences. Residents are exempt from paying property, land and transport taxes for 10 years, and the income tax rate for them is only two percent instead of 20.

    During the operation of the special economic zone, companies invested about 330 billion rubles in the development of their high-tech production facilities and created 22 thousand jobs. The volume of investments from the Moscow budget amounted to almost 135 billion rubles.

    Innovative developments of enterprises can be applied in various fields – from microelectronics to medicine and space. Among them are optical multiplexers, portable ultrasound machines, mobile ventilator complexes, multifunctional amphibious robots designed for reconnaissance and liquidation of consequences of accidents at various flooded objects, nuclear power plants and mines.

    Another tool for developing Moscow industry is clustering. By 2030, more than 13 inter-industry clusters will operate in Moscow – this is over seven million square meters of production space and 100 thousand jobs.

    Thus, one of the largest pharmaceutical clusters in the country, which includes 13 companies, is successfully operating at the Alabushevo site of the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone. A photonics and microelectronics cluster has also opened there, with 61 companies participating. Total investments in this site amounted to 137.9 billion rubles, of which 7.9 billion rubles were invested by the Moscow Government. Total investments will grow to 353 billion rubles by 2030.

    Two years ago, the Moscow cluster of electric vehicle manufacturing began its work. It included 64 companies, most of which receive benefits from the city. In particular, they are exempt from paying property, land and transport taxes.

    One of the important projects is the construction of the first gigafactory in Russia for the production of batteries. The city has signed an offset contract for the supply of batteries for public electric transport. The total purchase amount will be 172 billion rubles over six years. The enterprise will produce 50 thousand batteries per year, which will cover about 40 percent of the needs of the Russian market. The opening of the production will create 900 new jobs. The total investment in the project is 52 billion rubles, of which 25 billion rubles were allocated by the Moscow Government, and 27 billion are private funds.

    On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a new industrial park was opened in Rudnevo in 2023. Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Today it unites 11 leading developers and manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems. The enterprises have created more than 2.8 thousand jobs. Investments in the industrial park “Rudnevo” amounted to 97 billion rubles, of which 20 billion rubles are private funds, and 77 billion rubles were invested by the Government of Moscow. By 2030, a total of 490 billion rubles will be invested.

    Work is currently underway to form food and construction clusters in TiNAO.

    The food cluster will build over 800 thousand square meters of industrial space and create 11.4 thousand jobs. Private investments will reach almost 90 billion rubles.

    The opening of the construction cluster will create 30 thousand jobs. More than 1.6 million square meters of industrial real estate will be built within its boundaries. Private investments will amount to almost 145 billion rubles.

    In the capital it is being created shipyard for the production of electric ships. Its capacity will occupy 23 thousand square meters. Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The enterprise will provide more than 500 new high-tech jobs. Investments from the Moscow Government amount to more than 4.6 billion rubles.

    In addition, two new large industrial clusters will appear in TiNAO – automobile manufacturing and eco-industrial. In total, almost 23 thousand highly qualified jobs will be created there.

    Sobyanin named innovative clusters that will be created in New Moscow

    A cluster of innovative technologies in the field of construction is being created on the basis of OOO “Innovative Technology Plant – Monarch”. Last year, the first stage was put into operation – this is an experimental plant with an area of 26.6 thousand square meters. The volume of investments amounted to 3.4 billion rubles. Today, 500 people work here.

    A glass cluster is also being built in TiNAO. 120 hectares will be allocated for it for facilities with a total area of 840 thousand square meters. 9.6 thousand jobs will appear here. Investments will exceed 105 billion rubles. The implementation of the project will allow to cover the need for special glass, including medical glass.

    The elevator construction industry is quite promising for investment. The departure of foreign companies from the domestic market opens up new opportunities for capital enterprises to occupy vacant niches. Thus, on the basis of the Karacharovsky Mechanical Plant, a cluster of elevator construction and vertical transport of Moscow is being formed, which will accelerate the development and localization of vertical transport production in Russia.

    The National Space Center is being built on the territory of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. This is a large-scale project implemented jointly with Roscosmos. According to preliminary estimates, about 27 thousand jobs will be created on the site.

    Moscow has historically had a strong scientific base. Today, in the R sphere

    There are 735 higher education institutions (excluding branches) in Russia. At the same time, every fifth university is located in Moscow, which confirms the presence of significant human resources potential in the capital and the high level of training of students for work in high-tech enterprises.

    Today in Moscow, specialists in engineering and technical fields are trained at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Stankin Moscow State Technological University, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Lomonosov Moscow State University, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the MISiS University of Science and Technology and other leading universities.

    In order to increase the number of qualified personnel annually graduating for the industrial sector, the Moscow Government is modernizing the system of secondary vocational education and implementing accelerated training of engineering personnel.

    Industrial Park “Rudnevo”

    “Rudnevo” is an industrial park within the SEZ “Technopolis Moscow”, built in the east of the city in record time to accommodate critically important production. This is an example of a modern high-tech industrial park, where it is convenient to work, study, create production and educational clusters.

    Construction work in Rudnev began at the end of 2020. During the construction of production buildings, domestic materials were used (for a number of items, import substitution was 100%) and modern technologies, which made it possible to reduce construction time by 35-50 percent, and the cost of work by 10-15 percent.

    Currently, 21 production buildings with a total area of 377 thousand square meters have been erected, including a pilot production facility and a design bureau. Additional production buildings are in the active stage of construction, as well as a social infrastructure building, which will house laboratories, office space, a training center and other social facilities for company employees.

    In the future, 21 thousand highly qualified jobs will be created at the enterprises in Rudnev, primarily for residents of the rapidly developing Moscow districts of Kosino-Ukhtomsky, Vykhino-Zhulebino and Nekrasovka, as well as the urban district of Lyubertsy in the Moscow region.

    Thanks to the SEZ regime, companies – residents of Rudnev receive significant tax benefits. In particular, they are exempt from property, transport and land taxes. The income tax rate for them is only two percent. Residents have a free customs zone regime and land lease benefits.

    In addition to the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the Rudnevo Industrial Park also houses a production building for the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern and an industrial complex for PJSC Yakovlev, which currently produces wing kits for the MS-21 medium-range aircraft.

    In addition, enterprises producing ATMs, electrical capacitors, absorbent linen, equipment for industrial waste sorting, and others have set up their production facilities in Rudnev.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11847050/

    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: Sobyanin spoke about the development of secondary vocational education in Moscow

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Today, 275 thousand students study in Moscow colleges, and by 2030 their number will double to 420 thousand. This was announced by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin during the opening of the practical training site for Moscow colleges “Rudnevo”. The event was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov.

    “We plan to double the number of students studying in colleges and graduates in five years. Thus, the number of students in colleges and higher education institutions will be comparable. Which, in general, is necessary for the economy today. What do we plan to do? We have two thousand real laboratories, workshops. We plan to update them by 100 percent by 2027. To make both laboratories and workshops modern,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    In addition, according to the Mayor of Moscow, it is planned to build 400 thousand square meters of campuses, renovate existing sites and create shared-use centers.

    Today, there are 178 colleges operating in Moscow. Most specialists are trained for the IT sector, industry, creative industry and construction. Thanks to the high quality of training, graduates of the capital’s colleges quickly find work, Sergei Sobyanin said in on your telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    Secondary vocational education is actively developing throughout the country. More than 65 percent of all workers are specialists with secondary vocational education, noted Sergey Kravtsov.

    “It is important that the programs in colleges have become as practice-oriented as possible. About 80 percent of the educational process is practice. We updated the standards together with the industries. New 400 standards, directly with the enterprises for the requirements that the enterprises need. We do not forget about general education: Russian, mathematics, history, new history textbooks for colleges from this year and education. Each college has an education advisor,” said Sergey Kravtsov.

    Colleges prepare specialists that industries need. Some of the students begin their professional activities while still studying. According to Sergey Kravtsov, today more than 90 thousand college students are employed in the military-industrial complex.

    “The measures that are being implemented increase the prestige of blue-collar jobs. Last year, 1.25 million applications were submitted to colleges. Three people per place on average, in some specialties – nine people per place. 62.5 percent of ninth-graders choose colleges. In particular, career guidance helps, which we have been conducting in schools since last year from the sixth grade, when children come to colleges and to production facilities,” said Sergey Kravtsov.

    Labor market in Moscow

    The capital’s labor market is one of the largest and most diversified in the world. More than 8.6 million people are employed in the city’s economic sectors. Moscow has a constant need for qualified personnel, as well as a minimal level of unemployment.

    75 percent of employers are interested in specialists with secondary vocational education. Demand for college graduates is observed in such industries as industry, transport, logistics, construction, trade and information technology (IT).

    “Today, 75 percent of secondary vocational education personnel are required. At the same time, we train 63 percent of specialists with higher education in Moscow, and only 18 percent of secondary vocational education specialists. And another 19 percent of short programs are workers,” added Sergei Sobyanin.

    At the same time, the professional training system is primarily focused on specialists with higher education. There is an imbalance between the needs of the market and the capabilities of the professional education system. The demand for mid-level specialists with decent salaries is a stable trend in the capital’s labor market.

    The city pays special attention to the development of the secondary vocational education system. Currently, there are 178 colleges in the capital, including 71 private, 44 federal and 63 colleges under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Government. More than 270 thousand students study there, including almost 130 thousand people receive education in city colleges.

    20.6 thousand students study in city colleges in IT fields. 20.1 thousand people receive education in the industrial sector, 14.7 thousand Muscovites in creative industries and construction, 14.2 thousand and 13.4 thousand students in transport and healthcare, respectively. 12.9 thousand city residents study specialties related to hospitality, nine thousand students in education and social spheres, and 6.5 thousand people in security and law. 3.2 thousand Muscovites receive education in finance and trade, 1.5 thousand in culture and art, and 0.4 thousand students in sports.

    Last year, 93 percent of city college graduates found jobs.

    In 2023, an additional program of career guidance and career testing for ninth-graders was introduced. Thanks to this, graduates were able to get acquainted with modern professions taught in Moscow colleges. The program aroused great interest among teenagers and their parents. More than 60 thousand schoolchildren took free career testing, and over 70 percent of its participants decided to enroll in secondary vocational education institutions.

    Professional auditions, excursions to employers and interactive quests: Moscow ninth-graders completed a comprehensive career guidance program

    In 2024, the Moscow Government doubled the number of Moscow schoolchildren who graduated from city colleges nine classes. In total, 16 thousand additional budget places were created in popular areas. These include medicine, security, finance, information technology, hospitality, creative industries, industry, construction and transport.

    As a result, about 45 thousand students entered city colleges. Of these, about 36 thousand ninth-grade graduates study on a budget basis.

    The increase in budget places satisfies the demand of young people to obtain promising and in-demand specialties, allowing them to begin professional activities as early as 18–19 years of age.

    It is planned that by 2030 the number of students in Moscow (city, federal and private) colleges will grow to 420 thousand. Admission will increase by 53 percent: more than 150 thousand students will enroll in colleges annually – primarily ninth-grade graduates from the capital and other regions. Secondary vocational education programs will be taught to 11th-grade graduates and adults who want to obtain a popular and promising specialty.

    Modernization of the secondary vocational education system

    Increasing the number of college students is an important component of the modernization of the secondary vocational education system carried out by the Moscow Government. It is based on two basic principles:

    — relevance and demand — educational programs are developed with the participation of employers and professional associations;

    — practical orientation — students are immersed in a professional environment from the first year, and practical classes make up at least 70 percent of the total training time and are conducted under the guidance of experienced mentors.

    Sergei Sobyanin: At least 70% of classes in Moscow colleges will be practical

    As part of the modernization of the secondary vocational education system, the infrastructure and content of educational programs are being updated. This work includes several aspects.

    Constant interaction with enterprises and work at their request. For this purpose, colleges cooperate with many organizations. Today, among the partners of the capital’s institutions of secondary vocational education are more than three thousand employers. Among them are the state corporation Rostec, the State Unitary Enterprise Moscow Metro, JSC Sheremetyevo Security, PJSC MOEK, JSC Concern VKO Almaz-Antey, OOO Glavstroy, PJSC MGTS, PJSC Rostelecom, GUP Mosgortrans, PJSC Sberbank of Russia, PJSC Gazprom, the association of Russian automobile dealers, OOO Inzhenerstroy, OOO Spetsgrad, JSC Moscow Automobile Plant Moskvich, JSC NPP Toriy, the holding company United Confectioners and other companies.

    For the second year, a unique practice has been implemented — conducting a qualification exam in the conditions of a real production process. Its successful completion provides an opportunity to receive a rank and a job offer at the same time. In addition, employers participate in the development of the content and criteria for assessing the final demonstration exam and are part of the examination committee.

    Updating educational programs. The content of educational programs is formed on the basis of a competency profile compiled jointly with the professional community and industry representatives. In total, city colleges provide training in 170 specialties.

    By September 1, 2024, 60 percent of the programs currently being studied by 43 thousand college students have been updated. By the 2026/2027 academic year, all educational programs will be brought up to the new standard. In addition, a system for adapting programs to new technologies and changing labor market needs will be created. The main objective is to train a student who is ready to start full-time work immediately after graduation.

    “One of the most important problems is the quality of teachers. Since we have a large production potential, we are solving this problem. Reducing the training time to three years, today – four years. We are simply compressing some programs so that the guys can enter real life faster,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    The duration of training is reduced by increasing its intensity. This academic year, the number of four-year programs has been reduced by 70 percent. Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, all preparatory programs will be designed for two years for those who have completed 11th grade and three years for ninth-graders.

    Multidisciplinary and increasing the level of qualification. Students have the opportunity to master not one, but even two or three professions during their studies. This increases the competitiveness of young specialists in the labor market.

    For example, in the specialty “mechanical engineering technology”, a graduate receives the basic qualification of “technician-technologist”, as well as the opportunity to work in the professions of “general profile machine operator”, “setter of machines and manipulators with program control”, “controller of machine and metalwork works”.

    The city is forming a mandatory level of training quality for each profession. The minimum standard of qualification level will be the third category, and for some specialties – the fourth.

    Previously, college graduates received no higher than a second degree. They were not allowed to work in complex types of production. The guys had to be trained further. As a result, the wages of young specialists were low.

    Digitalization of education using the services of “MES College”. Since September 2024, teachers and students of 47 city colleges have had access to the electronic services of the “Moscow Electronic School” to prepare for classes (“MESH”). This improved the quality of education and made the educational process more accessible and convenient for all participants.

    Currently, the “MES” is being finalized to meet the specifics and objectives of professional education. It will be completed by 2026. Specialized forms of control and certification will be introduced, a student portfolio, an electronic grade book, personal student and teacher accounts, as well as an electronic library of materials for teachers will be created.

    The MES library will feature a set of materials designed for modern formats and teaching technologies: electronic lesson plans with video assignments and tests, interactive applications, virtual laboratories, electronic teaching aids, and digital textbooks.

    Improving the material and technical base of secondary vocational education. A practical training site for Moscow colleges operates in the Rudnevo industrial park. In 2024–2025, it is planned to open two more similar sites — Pechatniki and Yug. Their educational capacity will allow them to train 20,000 students annually, as well as adults who want to get a new specialty.

    A large-scale process of equipping colleges with new modern equipment has begun. Thus, by the end of 2024, it is planned to update and create about 650 educational laboratories and workshops. In 2025, 1,450 workshops will be updated, and in 2026-2027 – another 300 workshops.

    In total, it is planned to re-equip about 2050 laboratories and workshops. This will allow practical and laboratory work to be carried out at a modern technological level using equipment installed at the capital’s enterprises.

    It is planned to build seven innovative educational campuses with a total area of almost 400 thousand square meters to accommodate more than 60 thousand students. Among them are colleges in the fields of creative industry, information technology, healthcare, hospitality, industry, transport, construction and others. The buildings are designed for modern educational technologies taking into account the best world practices. There will be ergonomic premises with a comfortable educational environment and the effect of complete immersion in the profession.

    The new campuses will feature professional workshops, as well as internal and external full-cycle production sites for students to practice their complex skills in conditions close to reality. The educational space will include coworking spaces and transformable rooms for group and project work.

    In addition, the plans include a major overhaul of the Moscow Technological College and the Moscow College of Management, Hotel Business and Information Technology “Tsaritsyno”. These are three buildings with a total area of 50 thousand square meters.

    By 2031, it is planned to completely renew the infrastructure of city colleges.

    Expansion of the career guidance program for schoolchildren. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the program will cover eighth-graders in addition to ninth-graders. It is expected that about 100 thousand Moscow schoolchildren will be able to take part in it.

    One of the new areas will be student-to-school mentoring. Senior students will visit schools and talk about college education, share their success stories, and help kids make the right choice.

    The pool of employers — project partners — will expand. In the new academic year, schoolchildren will visit companies operating in all sectors of the city’s economy. They will get acquainted with high-tech equipment and talk to specialists.

    In particular, excursions to the territories of industrial enterprises of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”, professional tests and master classes with the best employees of resident companies are planned.

    Particular attention will be paid to working with parents. Saturday meetings are planned at career guidance centers with labor market experts and college representatives.

    You can find out more about the in-demand professions and specialties taught in the capital’s colleges on the portal “School. Moscow”, in the section “Atlas of Professions” and podcast “The Key to the Profession”. Useful content about secondary vocational education is also published in the telegram channel “Moscow education” and the group of the same name on the social network “VKontakte”.

    Raising the prestige of secondary vocational education. In 2024, the Moscow Government established grants for capital colleges for achieving high results in teaching students.

    In total, it is planned to award 20 grants: three first-degree grants of 40 million rubles, seven second-degree grants of 25 million rubles, and 10 third-degree grants of 15 million rubles.

    When determining grant recipients, students’ results in passing qualification and demonstration exams, victories in professional skills championships, as well as graduate employment results and other achievements will be taken into account.

    The grant funds are planned to be used for additional material incentives for teachers and masters of industrial training who have achieved high results in their work. This will become an additional incentive for improving the quality of secondary vocational education in Moscow.

    The first colleges to receive grants will be determined based on the results of the 2024/2025 academic year. In the future, incentive funds are planned to be awarded to the best secondary vocational education institutions annually.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11848050/

    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 Translation: Government of Canada, CRITUC, and FortisAlberta support project to plan transition to zero-emission vehicles

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    Press release

    Edmonton, Alberta, January 31, 2024 — Communities across the country are developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing carbon emissions from public transit.

    Today, Minister Randy Boissonnault, Curtis Eck, Vice President, Engineering, FortisAlberta, and Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), announced a combined investment of $550,092 for the Alberta Municipal Constellation Project.

    The Alberta Municipal Constellation Project is a comprehensive study to guide the acquisition and deployment of zero-emission buses for nine transit agencies – Airdrie, Banff/Bow Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Hinton, Leduc, Rocky View, Spruce Grove, Strathcona County and Whitecourt – in Alberta by assessing the economic, technical and environmental considerations associated with this transition. The study, led by CUTRIC and FortisAlberta, is being conducted in collaboration with local municipalities and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE). The project will guide local transit agencies in planning for the integration of zero-emission buses in the years ahead and provide a regional energy needs modelling study to ensure that needs can be met. Once the project is complete, the results will be shared with all participating communities, helping to spread the benefits of this important project.

    By investing in the electrification of Canada’s public transit systems, the Government of Canada is ensuring that communities across the country have access to clean and affordable transportation, which helps grow our country’s economy and improve the lives of Canadians.

    Quotes

    “When we invest in Alberta, we must consider current and future generations of our province. Our government remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and we will achieve this goal by funding clean transit projects, like this collaboration with FortisAlberta, OSPE, CUTRIC and local transit agencies. This project will provide Albertans with cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel, while contributing to our collective efforts to combat climate change.”

    The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “We are committed to supporting municipalities in our service area in their efforts to decarbonize their transit fleets. Our collaboration is designed to provide a comprehensive analytical framework that assesses economic impacts and designs energy management strategies for seamless integration into Alberta’s electricity grid. Leveraging our distribution planning expertise, FortisAlberta will assess and mitigate the challenges of grid capacity and voltage constraints associated with the decarbonization of municipal fleets. This initiative will facilitate the efficient and effective use of existing distribution infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable transition to greener transit solutions.”

    Curtis Eck, Vice President, Engineering, FortisAlberta

    “This first-of-its-kind project symbolizes the power of collaboration, bringing together municipalities and FortisAlberta to lead the way in zero-emission vehicles in the years to come. Through this project, we hope to not only meet the evolving energy needs of these regions, but also serve as a catalyst for positive change in sustainable transportation. We are confident that the results of this study will guide our partner organizations in their strategic planning and decision-making, fostering a cleaner, greener future for Alberta communities. CUTRIC looks forward to leading the way in innovative and environmentally responsible public transit.”

    Josipa Petrunić, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)

    “The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission is committed to supporting the introduction of low-emission vehicles and related infrastructure in our region. As we operate in and around Banff National Park, it is essential that we respect the environment and be at the forefront of reducing emissions in the operation of our transit services. Fortis and CUTRIC’s involvement in the project is a critical step in continuing our transition and we are excited to be part of this initiative!”

    Martin Bean, CEO, Roam Transit

    “Our partnership with FortisAlberta and other municipalities on the electric bus feasibility study reflects our commitment to a more sustainable future. We are grateful for the support we receive from Infrastructure Canada through the Zero Emission Transit Fund. Airdrie is on the path to sustainable and efficient public transit.”

    Peter Brown, Mayor of the City of Airdrie

    Quick Facts

    The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $440,074 to this project through the Zero Emission Public Transit Fund (ZETF). FortisAlberta is contributing $110,018.

    The nine Alberta communities included in this study are: Airdrie, Banff/Bow Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Hinton, Leduc, Rocky View, Spruce Grove, Strathcona County and Whitecourt. The study will help these communities plan their transition to zero-emission buses.

    The FTCZE helps communities transition to zero-emission school and transit buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Canada’s net-zero emissions targets. By electrifying their bus fleets, communities are working to ensure our children benefit from a cleaner environment, while supporting Canada’s manufacturing sector.

    This Fund is closely coordinated with the Zero-Emission Bus Initiative, under which the BIC has committed to investing more than $1.5 billion to support the acquisition of zero-emission buses.

    The Government of Canada is investing billions of dollars to provide predictable federal funding for public transit. This funding will be available starting in 2026–27 to support solutions for reliable, fast, affordable and clean public transit. The CZETF complements Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. As part of this plan, the federal government is committing to providing permanent federal funding for public transit to ensure every community has clean and affordable transportation options.

    Under an agreement with CRITUC, the Government of Canada is investing $10 million over five years through the FTCZE to help transit bus operators conduct planning work and improve their readiness for a transition to zero-emission bus fleets.

    CRITUC’s mission is to support the commercialization of technologies through industry-led research, development, demonstration and integration projects that bring innovative design to Canada’s low-carbon smart mobility ecosystem.

    Related links

    Contact persons

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Micaal AhmedManager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca

    Media RelationsInfrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada

    Media RelationsFortisAlbertaPeter BrodskyManager, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications403-514-4040peter.brodsky@fortisalberta.com

    Media RelationsCanadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)Rachael D’AmoreTalk Shop Mediarachael@talkshopmedia.com

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

    MIL Translation OSI