NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Registration and nomination invited for Labour Advisory Board Election of Employee Representatives

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Labour Department (LD) is inviting employee unions registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance (TUO) to register as electors, appoint authorised representatives to vote and nominate candidates for the 2025-2026 Labour Advisory Board (LAB) Election of Employee Representatives.

         “Registration as electors, appointment of authorised representatives and nomination of candidates start today (September 23) and will close on October 15, 2024 (Tuesday),” a spokesman for the LD said.

         The LAB is a tripartite consultative body comprising representatives of employees and employers to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters. The current term of the LAB will end on December 31 this year. An election of five employee representatives to the LAB for its next two-year tenure, ending December 31, 2026, will be held at Mei Foo Community Hall, 1/F, Mei Foo Government Complex, on November 16 (Saturday) this year. Authorised representatives may cast their votes at the above polling station between 9am and 5pm.

         Employee unions registered as electors in the LAB elections held in 2006 or thereafter are only required to submit forms to appoint authorised representatives in order to vote in the election.

         “We have sent out today related forms and copies of the rules and procedures for the election to all employee unions registered under the TUO,” the spokesman said.

         Meanwhile, the LD has invited five employer associations to each nominate one representative to sit for the next tenure of the LAB as employer representatives. These associations are the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

         Enquiries on matters relating to the above election can be made at 2852 4024.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 350 Students of Samsung Innovation Campus certified in Future-Tech Skills at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University in Presence of Shri Yogi Adityanath, Honourable Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung India’s flagship CSR initiative, the ‘Samsung Innovation Campus,’ (SIC) has concluded its Coding & Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT) courses for 350 students in Gorakhpur at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University. The students were handed over certificates of completion by the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath at a ceremony held at the University premises. This initiative reiterates the brand’s commitment to being a strong partner of the country and working alongside the government in its mission to skill India and power #DigitalIndia.
     
    Senior Samsung executives and representatives from the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), which collaborated in training and mentoring the students were also present during the occasion. A total of 350 students were awarded certificates across various future-tech domains, including 150 in Coding & Programming, 100 in Artificial Intelligence, 50 in Big Data, and 50 in Internet of Things (IoT).
     
    Samsung will train 3500 students across India as part of this programme in 2024. At the conclusion of the 2024 programme top performers of Samsung Innovation Campus will be awarded a cash prize of INR 1 lakh and will have the chance to visit Samsung’s facilities in Delhi/NCR. During these visits, they will have the opportunity to engage with and receive mentorship from Samsung’s leadership team. Not just that, the national course toppers will also receive exciting Samsung products, including Samsung Galaxy Buds and Samsung Galaxy Smartwatches.
     
    “Samsung has been in India for around 29 years now and Uttar Pradesh has been a hub for manufacturing and research-led initiatives for Samsung during this time. We are a committed partner to the growth story of both India and Uttar Pradesh. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, our flagship CSR programme, we are committed to the mission of educating the youth of the nation in future-tech skills, which will strengthen our vision of powering Digital India,” said Mr. JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.
     
     “Skill development of the youth is a key priority of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. We welcome this initiative by Samsung that will impart employment-oriented future-tech skills to our students. Samsung has been a strong partner of Uttar Pradesh for many years, and this programme will further strengthen our bond,” said Shri Yogi Adityanath, Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
     
     “This collaboration reinforces the shared vision of equipping India’s youth with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. It is heartening to see the programme expand and reach a vast pool of young talent across the country, including those in remote areas. Through this initiative we want to empower the youth and create opportunities for them in domains like Coding & Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Internet of Things,” said Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India.
     
    Samsung Innovation Campus offers in-depth training across four key technology areas — AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming. Students gain hands-on experience through capstone projects and soft skills training aimed at boosting their employability. The AI course participants undergo 270 hours of theory training followed by 80 hours of project work, while those enrolled in IoT and Big Data courses receive 160 hours of theory training and complete 80 hours of project work. Participants in the Coding & Programming course complete 80 hours of training and take part in a hackathon.
     
    The programme covers eight educational institutions across four states. In the northern region, training centres are established in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, besides two in Delhi NCR. In the southern region, which includes Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, training centres are located in Chennai and Sriperumbudur, in addition to two in Bengaluru.
     
    During the programme, participants will continue to receive instructor-led blended classroom and online training. Youth enrolled for the programme will undergo classroom and online training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas in AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming.
     
    They will also be imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability. The participants are being mobilized through ESSCI’s training and education partners across India. The approach includes a combination of offline and online learning, immersive hackathons and capstone projects, as well as expert mentorship provided by Samsung employees.
     
    During 2023, Samsung Innovation Campus successfully trained 3000 students in future-tech courses. Samsung’s involvement in this initiative underscores its commitment to nation building through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in India. It complements Samsung’s other CSR endeavours, including Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Through these initiatives, Samsung aims to empower future leaders of India by providing them with the necessary education and skills to drive meaningful change.
     
    With the global CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’, Samsung Electronics is committed to provide education to young people around the world to empower the leaders of tomorrow. Read more stories on Samsung Electronics’ CSR efforts on our CSR webpage http://csr.samsung.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sri Lankan PM resigns following new president elected

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena submitted his resignation on Monday morning following Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as the country’s new president.

    In his resignation letter, Gunawardena stated that with the election of Dissanayake as the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka, he is stepping down in accordance with the country’s constitution.

    Gunawardena also extended his congratulations to Dissanayake on Sunday night, following his victory in the election.

    “I respectfully congratulate you on being elected as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presidential election held on Sept. 21, 2024,” he said in a statement.

    “I hope that you as the president will be able to provide welfare to the people by continuing the work we have done to recover and lift the country and the countrymen from the difficult and challenging situation Sri Lanka has faced,” he said in his message.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: REO’s Electoral Information Centre Open Days to celebrate National Day open for public appointments

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    REO’s Electoral Information Centre Open Days to celebrate National Day open for public appointments
    REO’s Electoral Information Centre Open Days to celebrate National Day open for public appointments
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         To celebrate with members of the public the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Electoral Information Centre (EIC) of the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) (address: 7/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon) will hold National Day Open Days from September 30 to October 2 (Monday to Wednesday).      The Open Days will offer a wide range of programmes, including a talk on electoral information, a mock polling session and National Day-related interactive games. Visitors can not only take photos with the National Day decorations and the festively dressed Ballot Box Family mascots at the venue, but they can also receive souvenirs of the Ballot Box Family in the National Day special edition.      The REO has earlier issued invitations to primary and secondary schools as well as non-governmental organisations and institutions, and the relevant group appointment quota is full. For individual appointments, members of the public who are interested in visiting may call the REO’s hotline at 2891 1001 during office hours from 8.45am to 6pm to make an appointment from today (September 23) until September 27. Throughout the period of the Open Days (from September 30 to October 2), there will be a total of 10 sessions open for individual visits, including three on the afternoon of September 30, five on the afternoon of October 1 and two on the afternoon of October 2. Each visit session will last for 30 minutes.      All visits to the National Day Open Days are free, but quotas are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, please visit the REO’s website (www.reo.gov.hk/en/service-desk/ecenter/openday.html) or call the hotline at 2891 1001.

     
    Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 16:18

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Parks have vital role for climate and community

    Source: Scottish Greens

    23 Sep 2024 Nature

    Scotland’s National Parks are special places.

    More in Nature

    Scotland’s National Parks are playing a vital role for our environment and nature, and for local communities, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater MSP.

    Ms Slater’s comments follow the publication of a groundbreaking new report by Scottish Environment Link, which has found that, as well as having vast benefits for nature, Scotland’s two existing National Parks regularly generate hundreds of millions of pounds a year for the economy.

    At present the Scottish Government is considering whether a third National Park should be created in Galloway.

    The pledge to create at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026 was a key commitment of the Bute House Agreement that saw Scottish Greens entering government for the first time. 

    As the former Minister for Biodiversity, Ms Slater led on the project and oversaw a lot of the process that has led to the designation.

    Ms Slater said: “Scotland’s National Parks are really special and beautiful places, and are rightly celebrated around the world. When the Scottish Greens were in government we pushed hard for a third one to be created. 

    “I have no doubt that if it is given National Park status, Galloway will be just as renowned and iconic as the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. The status will also lead to greater investment in the local economy while creating high quality jobs, especially for local young people.

    “Our National Parks are jewels in our nation’s crown and have been the backdrop to millions of wonderful memories. They are having a transformative impact for local nature and communities, and they are responsible for a lot of vital investment, protections and opportunities.

    “If we are to build a greener future for Scotland then our National Park network has a key role to play. I welcome this report and hope we will see even more National Parks across Scotland in the years ahead.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents supported to apply for benefits

    Source: City of York

    A report indicating financial pressures among York residents reveals the level of need facing the council’s welfare benefit resources and how it plans to support those households.

    In July 2024, 2,700 households, including 1,844 children were shown to be in relative poverty.

    A range of local welfare support for residents includes the York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS), Council Tax Support and Discretionary Housing Payments as well as a food and fuel voucher scheme.

    A measure of need in the city is the YFAS. In 2023 and 2024, it received 1,223 applications for help and the average award value has risen from £499 in 2022 and 2023 to £635 in 2023 and 2024. This is due to the level of need facing applicants and an increase in the cost of the items provided such as flooring which helps manage energy costs.

    To ensure the council can continue to provide emergency support to the end of the 2024 and 2025 financial year, residents can apply to YFAS once a year.

    Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive member for Finance, Performance and Major Projects, said:

    Far too many people in York are struggling to afford to live. We cannot fix the entire system but we can work to ensure that our resources are directed to those who need them most.

    “While I welcome the extension of the Household Support Fund up until March 2025, we have much to do to support residents with the continued pressures of the high cost of living. We’re writing to eligible residents and urging others to apply for Pension Credit. This could put £100s of extra a month individually in their pockets, totalling an additional £1.3m across York, while also unlocking benefits including automatic payment of the Winter Fuel Payment.

    “It was good to hear from council officers the plans they are making to support those who may just miss out on Pension Credit but still face difficult choices this winter between heating and eating.

    “We’re also continuing our Talk Money campaigns to encourage people to get all they’re entitled to, find out how to reduce costs and get good advice. The next campaign will be from 4 to 15 November when we’ll be encouraging applications for Council Tax Support and Attendance Allowance.”

    Cllr Bob Webb, Executive member with joint responsibility for financial inclusion, said:

    York households and families face more expensive daily lives than ever before. To give them a more secure financial footing, council services have collaborated and adapted to meet the increased needs and challenges facing residents, alongside the council’s own budgetary constraints.

    “In close partnership with voluntary and community organisations, we continue to co-ordinate and make the best use of the resources to effectively support residents.”

    To find out more about what support you could apply for, check which benefits you could be eligible for.

    Read the full report for the Decision Session for Executive Members for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, Thursday 19 September 2024 at 10.00am.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP Receives US$33 Million from USDA for School Meals in Nepal

    Source: World Food Programme

    KATHMANDU – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes US$33 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the National Mid-day Meal Programme in Nepal for more than 120,000 children annually.

    The funds have been awarded to WFP’s Nepal office through a competitive process operated by USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole), which has a long history of supporting Nepal’s efforts to promote food security and opportunities for education.

    This award will support a comprehensive five-year initiative (2023-2028) focused on improving education, nutrition and health for children across the country, jointly implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Embassy of United States of America in Nepal, cooperating partners World Education (a division of JSI), Integrated Development Society Nepal, and Mercy Corps.

    The award (in-kind and cash) will ensure that children receive nutritious meals every day at school, a vital social safety net promoting access to and equity in education, health and literacy, especially for children from food-insecure families. This essential support will annually benefit 122,000 pre-primary and primary school children from more than 1,000 schools across Bajhang, Bajura and Darchula Districts of Sudur Paschim Province. 

    “For many families in far western Nepal, food scarcity is a serious challenge that makes it difficult for parents to feed their children,” said Robert Kasca, WFP Nepal’s Representative and Country Director. “Offering school meals serves as an incentive for these parents to send their children to school, especially girls, creating opportunities for breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty.”

    The school meals will be prepared with fortified rice and fortified vegetable oil, donated by the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The rest of the ingredients will be sourced from local markets and smallholder farmers in the vicinity of schools, scaling up a home-grown approach to the Mid-day Meal Programme. 

    “In Nepal, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program works through its implementing partner, the World Food Programme. Through the McGovern-Dole Program, more than 700,000 children have received a daily school meal in the most remote areas of Nepal. Building on previous success here in Nepal, the project will continue to carry out complementary activities with a strong focus on building the government’s capacity to eventually and successfully handover the project to the government of Nepal,” says Erika Beltran, Senior International Program Specialist, for USDA’s McGovern-Dole Program.

    In addition to implementing the school meals programme, WFP will continue to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in strengthening government capacity at federal, provincial and local levels to ensure a full transition of the programme to the government by 2028. Moreover, the Ministry will receive technical assistance and capacity strengthening support from WFP in the areas of logistics and supply chain, planning and implementing cost-efficient and nutritious school meal menus, procurement and supply of commodities, and consolidating the national policy framework.

    McGovern-Dole funds school meals and education and nutrition programs for women, infants, and children in countries with high food insecurity. By providing school meals, teacher training, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. The program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities, local and regional procurement of agricultural commodities, and financial and technical assistance to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects. It started providing school feeding assistance in Nepal since 2005. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/mcgovern-dole-food-education-program

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    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

     

    Follow us on Twitter: @WFP_Nepal  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ireland and WFP renew partnership to support self-reliance for refugees and boost food security in Karamoja

    Source: World Food Programme

    KAMPALA – Through a multi-year commitment (2024-2027), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$19.6 million (EUR18 million) from the Government of Ireland to support the Government of Uganda to strengthen self-reliance initiatives for refugee communities and to enhance social protection and school feeding in the Karamoja sub-region.

    “Support to Karamoja and refugee communities continues to be an integral part of our strategy in Uganda,” said H.E Kevin Colgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Uganda. “This contribution is part of Ireland’s commitment to keeping Karamoja children in school, improving food security and nutrition, strengthening people’s livelihoods, and boosting the local economy. Reaching the furthest behind is core to our international development policy.”

    In Karamoja, this contribution will enable WFP to procure locally-available maize, beans, and vegetable oil for school meals, benefiting 220,000 school children and smallholder farmers, and thereby stimulating local economies. In this hotspot of the climate crisis, WFP will also boost community resilience by restoring degraded land, promote crop diversification and improve post-harvest management. WFP will also support the Government to extend social protection programmes, particularly through the dissemination of early warning information via radio and other channels ahead of climate shocks such as droughts and floods.

    In refugee hosting districts, over 50,000 refugees will be empowered to transition from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance by supporting them to invest in alternative livelihoods so they can sustain their families. WFP is collaborating with the Government of Uganda and other partners to promote income generation for refugees and host communities through farming and other livelihood opportunities to support refugee and host communities in surrounding areas to become food secure. This Self-Reliance Model is funded by the governments of Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.

     “We are grateful for the contribution from the Government of Ireland supporting our efforts to encourage self-reliance and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in Karamoja and in refugee settlements,“ said Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Uganda. “By providing life-changing assistance, WFP is creating a pathway to a brighter future for Uganda.” 

    Karamoja faces multiple development and socio-economic challenges. While Uganda is expecting improved crop production in 2024 due to increased rainfall, more than 400,000 people in Karamoja (30 per cent of the population) are projected to face crisis-levels of food insecurity (IPC3+) according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis (IPC). Similarly, WFP’s April 2024 Post-Distribution Monitoring indicates that 7 in 10 refugee households are still facing severe or moderate food insecurity levels.

    Faced with limited resources and following extensive consultations with refugees and key stakeholders, WFP is prioritising the most vulnerable refugees for food assistance. While building pathways towards self-reliance, WFP continues to support close to 1.4 million out of 1.7 million refugees in Uganda with monthly food and cash assistance.

    Ireland has previously contributed EUR 11.4 million to WFP’s operations in Uganda from 2020 to 2023. 

    #                            #                         #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. 

    Follow us on Twitter @WFP_Uganda @WFP_Africa

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Maile to visit Cemetery View informal settlement

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, September 23, 2024

    Gauteng’s Acting MEC for Human Settlements Lebogang Maile is this morning expected to visit Cemetery View informal settlement following a fire that destroyed shacks in Pretoria East.

    “MEC Maile will use the visit to outline government’s interventions to assist those affected. More than 2000 shacks were engulfed by the fire. MEC Maile is undertaking this important visit to ensure the safety, security and comfort of those affected by this unfortunate situation,” said the Gauteng Provincial government on Monday.

    The MEC will be joined by the City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, councillor Ofentse Madzebatela.
    This as the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to multiple shacks on fire in Woodlake Street in Pretorious Park on the morning of 21 September 2024.

    “The multiple-shack fire was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Call Centre at about 04:07 am. The centre immediately dispatched multiple firefighting resources from Silverton Fire Station, Hazelwood Fire Station, Central Fire Station, Mamelodi Fire Station, Centurion Fire Station and Heuweloord Fire Station to the scene. These included two fire trucks, an industrial pumper, a mobile command unit, two rapid intervention units, a water carrier and a district commander’s unit,” said the city’s Emergency Services Department in a statement.

    The City said that upon arrival firefighters reported that a large area in the informal settlement was on fire with multiple shacks well alight and many people standing outside.

    Firefighters then started with firefighting operations and initiated evacuation procedures and the fire was extinguished at 5am.
    About 814 shacks burned down and about 2600 people were affected by the fire.

    “One male patient was treated on-site and transported to Steve Biko Academic Hospital for critical burn injuries. Another female patient with a critical medical condition was also treated on-site and transported to Mamelodi Hospital. A third patient sadly suffered fatal burn injuries. Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services are managing all emergencies pertaining to patients in this regard,” said the city.

    The cause of the fire had not been determined.

    “The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and the scene is a declared as a hot zone and a crime scene.” 

    The city urged residents to be cautious and to extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher and to never overload electrical plugs, among others. –SAnews.gov.za 
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Green, Professor of Politics, Aston University

    German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD has narrowly held off the rightwing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in regional elections in Brandenburg, nudging them into second place.

    The close call follows two other recent elections in Germany’s eastern federal states (Länder). In Thuringia, the AfD won the highest share of the votes. In Saxony, the AfD narrowly came second to the centre-right CDU. Importantly, the regional AfD organisations in both Saxony and Thuringia, along with Saxony-Anhalt, have officially been designated as extreme right. This means that the party in these states is formally considered by Germany’s domestic security service to be a threat to the country’s democratic constitutional order.

    Although the country’s proportional electoral system means that the AfD cannot form a government in any of the three states by itself, this is the first time since 1945 that an officially extremist party has won an election in Germany.

    It’s not unreasonable for those outside Germany to questions whether these election results show that the country once more stands on the cusp of a slide into fascism, as it did in the 1930s. However, quite apart from the fact that 2024 is not the same as 1933, there is one important structural difference: Germany’s constitution (the Grundgesetz or Basic Law). This was explicitly designed to prevent a recurrence of a totalitarian regime such as national socialism.

    The Basic Law dates back to 1949 – a time when the country was in the process of splitting into west and east. Coming into force during this period of transition, the document was only a provisional constitution. Yet the Basic Law has outlasted any of the previous three state forms since Germany was first unified in 1871. Today, it enjoys widespread popular support: a recent survey showed 81% of the population view it positively.

    In its content, the Basic Law is a living testimony to Germany’s desire to prevent a return to National Socialism. In articles 1-19, it enshrines a comprehensive catalogue of fundamental rights, which cannot be removed from the constitution. These include the right to dignity, freedom, privacy, free assembly, freedom of the press and to political asylum.

    The Basic Law also established one of the most powerful independent constitutional courts in the world. The court even has the right to ban political parties, or to limit the fundamental rights of individuals who are found to be undermining the constitutional order, as had been in the case in Weimar Germany. For this reason, Germany is considered to be a militant democracy. While the outright banning of parties is fraught with political difficulties (and hence rare historically), there is a live debate over whether the AfD’s policies and rhetoric are ultimately compatible with Germany’s constitution.

    More subtly, Germany’s governance structures are designed to make it practically impossible for a hostile grouping to seize power democratically. The German chancellor has much less power than, say, the British prime minister. In particular, the structures of federalism and coalition government further constrain the room for manoeuvre of any individual politician or indeed any single political party.

    The Grundrechte is inscribed on a wall in Berlin for all to see.
    Jakob-Kaiser-Haus/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

    Major functions of policy implementation are delegated to powerful societal actors, such as professional bodies. These are geographically distributed around the country, along with the media, key corporate headquarters and the unions. The ability of Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, to set monetary policy independent of political control, itself a response to the hyperinflation of the early 1920s, has made it a model for both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England today.

    In short, and in the words of the German-American political scientist Peter Katzenstein, the German state is only “semisovereign”.

    In consequence, the Basic Law is not just a document setting out the political “rules of the game”, but an expression of Germany’s values. Its longevity has benefited from the willingness of political elites down the years to adapt its provisions, where necessary, to changing circumstances. And in several respects, the past remains very much the present in German politics. For instance, the right to privacy, which was originally included to prevent the reoccurrence of Nazi Germany’s pervasive surveillance, is given new meaning in an age of global digital connectivity.

    Pressures ahead

    Certainly, Germany today faces multiple challenges. As society has evolved, Germany’s party system has fragmented, with more parties securing seats in the national parliament, the Bundestag. Of these, the AfD has been by far the most successful, and could potentially become the second largest party at the next parliamentary elections in 2025. This fragementation, which is not unique to Germany, has made the formation of coalition governments harder. Fortunately, this has so far not led to out-of-cycle national elections, of the kind which plagued the latter years of the Weimar Republic.

    And there are concerns beyond politics. From the “economic miracle” in the 1950s, Germany’s growth has slowed significantly, averaging just 1.2% per year between 2012-2022; in the last two years, the economy has barely grown at all. Compared to other advanced economies, it remains disproportionately reliant on exporting high added value manufactured goods.

    The reunification of Germany in 1990 also continues to cast a long shadow. In any number of economic and social indicators, including household incomes, religion and childcare patterns, eastern Germany remains structurally different to western Germany. Across the country, the population is ageing and, without substantial net migration over time, will decline over the next 30 years. Yet immigration also remains one of the biggest political issues of the day, and a key driver of the AfD’s electoral success.

    Nonetheless, given Germany’s difficult journey to statehood in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Basic Law remains a strong guarantor of Germany’s democratic credentials. For this reason, former federal president Joachim Gauck was surely right to declare earlier this year that the Germany created by the Basic Law is “the best that ever existed”.

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

    – ref. AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind – https://theconversation.com/afd-how-germanys-constitution-was-designed-with-the-threat-of-extremism-in-mind-230594

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Carson, Jayapal Introduce UNRWA Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09),  André Carson (IN-07), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced H.R. 9649, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024.This bill will end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA).

    The United States has historically been one of the largest financial supporters of UNRWA, which serves nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In March of this year, the U.S. paused UNRWA funding after the Israeli government alleged that 12 agency employees had direct involvement in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack.

    Following the UN’s investigation and proactive commitments made by UNRWA toward complete accountability and reform, all countries except the U.S. have resumed their UNRWA funding, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Sweden.  Approximately 1.9 million people – 9 in 10 Gazans – have been displaced at least once, and an estimated 43,580 are pregnant women. UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian aid organization operating in Gaza, and without funding, hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians are left vulnerable. It is estimated that over 1 million Gazans will not have enough food this month, and availability of basic hygiene items has dropped to 15%. In addition to a polio outbreak, Gazans are suffering from malnutrition and treatable diseases due to “systematic dismantling of healthcare”from bombardments on civilians.

    “For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a lifeline for Palestinians, providing food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education, and livelihoods. Today, UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza as it endures ongoing war and a dire humanitarian crisis. UNRWA and the United Nations have taken swift and decisive actions to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government when it paused funding in January and our allies have all resumed funding for UNRWA. The U.S. must follow suit and resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to co-lead the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act to restore funding to UNRWA and help Gazans get the humanitarian assistance they need at a time of unprecedented crisis.”

    “The scale of this devastating, man-made crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated,” said Congressman André Carson. “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation – with funding Congress has appropriated year after year – should not be controversial. I urge my colleagues who care about basic human rights, the rights of pregnant women, and the wellbeing of innocent children to join our bill. UNRWA has taken appropriate and proactive steps towards accountability and transparency, conducting multiple independent reviews that continue to prove the organization is both in compliance and imperative to provide the region with lifesaving assistance.  It’s past time we restore funding and save lives.”

    “UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare of Palestinian refugees for decades. Their on-the-ground understanding is invaluable to ensure that humanitarian aid makes it to the people who need it most — in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and critically in this moment in Gaza,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “There is no question in my mind that revoking funding for UNRWA will lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza. We must ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives are not undermined by a lack of US funding.”

    “J Street is proud to be supporting the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 introduced by Representatives Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky. We should restore funding, as all our major allies have, and stop playing politics with Palestinian welfare and Israel’s security,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “As UNRWA’s largest donor and Israel’s key security guarantor, the United States has a special obligation to address this crisis.”

    “Gaza isn’t starving. It’s being starved,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “Over two million Palestinian civilians are enduring a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to blocked aid access. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Congress continue to withhold all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza—the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is the backbone of aid delivery in Gaza, ensuring that millions receive desperately needed assistance. Blocking U.S. funding for UNRWA’s critical work is a cruel and unjustified decision that only deepens Gaza’s humanitarian suffering. Congress and the Administration must act swiftly to correct this wrong by supporting the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act and restoring this urgently needed aid.”

    “Restoring funding to UNRWA is a humanitarian imperative,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “For over six decades, the United States has been one of the strongest supporters of UNRWA, which provides lifesaving aid and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Those services are desperately needed in Gaza right now, and UNRWA is the only organization with the capacity and expertise necessary to provide them at scale. The United States must uphold its commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people and pass this legislation to reinstate funding to the humanitarian agency immediately. Failing to do so would lead to further human suffering.”

    “In restoring funding for food, water, shelter, and medical care for Palestine refugees, the UNRWA Restoration Act honors this most basic and inalienable truth — that the people of Palestine are human beings, just like all of us, and all lives are sacred, not just some,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director UNRWA USA.

    “UNRWA is indispensable to providing Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with the education, healthcare, and other critical services that are key to successful, productive livelihoods and citizenry, and a future of peace and prosperity, which should be in everyone’s interests. We support full restoration of funding to UNRWA,” said Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera.

    “We express our gratitude to Representatives André Carson, Pramila Jayapal, and Jan Schakowsky for introducing the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024,” said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. “This lifesaving legislation aims to restore critical U.S. financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by repealing previous funding restrictions and encouraging the Secretary of State to lift the temporary pause on federal funding. UNRWA plays a vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The ongoing genocide in Gaza has resulted in increased displacement, starvation, and death. It is both inhumane and unconscionable to continue withholding financial support from UNRWA. We recognize that the majority of Americans are horrified by the death and destruction they witness daily in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA’s humanitarian aid and services often mean the difference between life and death for these vulnerable populations. Restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA is urgent, just, and the only morally responsible option. We urge lawmakers to prioritize the passage of this crucial legislation and ensure that UNRWA can continue to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinian refugees in the region.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Switzerland participates in G20 discussions on research and innovation

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

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation

    Bern, 23.09.2024 – On 19 September 2024, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama attended the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Research and Innovation in Manaus, Brazil. Switzerland had previously been invited by Brazil, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, to join the new working group set up this year.

    The ministerial meeting was held under the slogan “Open Innovation for a Just and Sustainable Development”. International cooperation in science and innovation, with a particular focus on open innovation, was the main theme. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, discussions focused on the contribution of science and innovation to the decarbonization of the economy, research dedicated to the Amazon, and diversity, equity, inclusion and access to research. The ministers attending the meeting adopted the Manaus Declaration, which reflects the political consensus of the G20 countries on these issues.

    During the event, Secretary of State Martina Hirayama engaged with heads of delegation from Brazil, the G20 presidency, as well as other countries and organizations.

    Address for sending questions

    State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SEFRICommunicationmedien@sbfi.admin.ch 41 58 462 96 90

    Author

    State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovationhttp://www.sbfi.admin.ch

    Social sharing

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Interparliamentary meeting in Neuchâtel: artificial intelligence at the heart of the debates

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

    Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland

    09/23/2024

    ​On the occasion of the 61st annual meeting of the offices of the parliaments of French-speaking Switzerland, Bern and Ticino, delegations bringing together around seventy people were received in Neuchâtel on 20 and 21 September 2024 for a reception, visits and a working seminar. The discussions focused in particular on the theme of artificial intelligence and its impact on parliamentary activity.

    As a reminder, the offices constitute the executive committees of the parliaments. Bringing together representatives of the different political groups as well as the functions of presidency and vice-presidency, these bodies ensure the administrative management of the Grand Councils as well as various missions set by law such as the allocation of objects to the committees, the setting of the agenda of the sessions, or the representations.

    Every year, the offices of the Latin cantons meet for two days. This year, it was the turn of the Neuchâtel parliament to host the event. On Friday, September 20, the delegations were received at a friendly reception in the city of Neuchâtel during which Neuchâtel’s heritage and local products were honored. On this occasion, Mr. Jonathan Gretillat, municipal councilor, sent a message on behalf of the municipal authorities. On Saturday, September 21, the participants were received at the Château de Neuchâtel by the President of the Grand Council, Ms. Mary-Claude Fallet, and by the President of the Council of State, Ms. Florence Nater. With the contribution of experts in the field, the parliamentarians discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on parliamentary activity.

    The President of the Grand Council of Neuchâtel noted in her introduction to what extent “parliaments, pillars of democracy, are faced with immense challenges in the face of rapid technological developments”, while exploring existing solutions to assert “their role as regulatory bodies, capable of protecting citizens while promoting positive and democratic innovation”. The way in which AI could facilitate parliamentary work by automating certain administrative tasks, synthesizing information or allowing better promotion of parliamentary debates among citizens was also discussed.

    As in previous editions, this visit allowed for rich and useful exchanges on the practices and realities of cantonal parliaments, in a fine spirit of intercantonal understanding.

    BodyRight

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Immigration, meetings between Government and trade unions, employers’ organizations and international bodies

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: Government of Italy

    September 23, 2024

    Meetings are being held today at Palazzo Chigi between the Government and the trade unions (10:00), employers’ organizations (12:30) and international organizations (16:30) on the new immigration regulations being prepared. The Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council, Alfredo Mantovano, is present for the government.

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on building safety levy proposals

    Source: Scottish Government

    Legislation to raise funds for fixing cladding issues.

    Proposals for a tax on developers, aiming to raise funds to fix building safety issues in Scotland, have been published for public consultation.

    Views are being sought on the proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy, which will be introduced under powers due to be devolved by the UK Government later this year. The consultation will open on 23 September and run for eight weeks, closing on 18 November. 

    The levy would apply to the construction of new residential buildings, mirroring measures being introduced in England through the UK Building Safety Act. Funds raised would support the Scottish Government’s cladding remediation programme.

    Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:

    “We are keen to hear from people across Scotland about our proposals, which would raise funds from developers to help safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding.

    “I know that developers share our determination to keep people safe and have continued to make significant progress. This legislation will build on that momentum, ensuring developers make a fair contribution to address building safety defects in Scotland, just as the UK Government is asking them to do in England. 

    “We are continuing our work in partnership with developers, in line with our New Deal for Business and Framework for Tax, to ensure this levy best contributes to our mission of keeping people safe.”

    Background

    Views sought on building safety levy proposals – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    The UK Government agreed in principle to devolve the powers needed for a Scottish Building Safety Levy in April . Powers secured to introduce building safety levy – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    Following the recent General Election, the new UK Government has renewed the agreement. The process to devolve powers and the necessary legislative procedures is anticipated to be completed in December 2024.

    An earlier, joint consultation sought views on the devolution proposal, including any evidence to inform consideration of the potential for the new tax to create or incentivise economic distortions and arbitrage within the UK. Consultation on devolving powers for a Scottish Building Safety Levy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Details of how the Scottish Building Safety Levy will operate will be developed through consultation and liaison with the UK Government and residential construction sector.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor visits New York to promote London as leading destination for business, tourism and sport

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is heading to New York this week for a series of meetings and events with global leaders to bang the drum for London as a place to invest, hold sporting events and promote the capital as an unrivalled destination for tourists.

    Sadiq’s visit takes place during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where business leaders, politicians and major organisations converge on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.

    During his visit Sadiq will promote London as an exceptional place to work and invest in, including meetings with Accordion, CLA Global, Salesforce and Thoropass. He will also use meetings to promote London as an unparalleled destination for sporting events and tourism.

     

    The Mayor will speak at a number of high-profile events, including the Concordia Annual Summit, a global affairs forum that works to address the world’s most pressing needs, the Climate Pledge Summit and the NYC Climate Week Hub.

    London faces stiff competition but is still the leading location globally for US businesses looking to expand overseas. Last year saw New York invest $1.7 billion into London climate start-ups and climate focused companies, with the capital the top city for foreign direct investment from the United States over the last 10 years, when compared to all other cities globally.

    Around 3.5 million visits were made between the US and London in 2023, surpassing pre-Pandemic levels by 12 per cent. This week’s visit to the US follows the Mayor’s announcement last week that he plans to transform oxford street into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, encouraging even more tourists to come to central London, restoring the street as the leading retails destination in the world.

    While in New York the Mayor will also meet with senior sporting officials as he fulfils his pledge to explore bringing more sports from North America and around the world to our city. London, under Sadiq’s mayoralty has great pedigree in hosting the biggest international sporting events from around the globe – and Sadiq is determined to cement our city’s reputation as the undisputed sports capital of the world. 

     

    This capital has had a fantastic summer of music and sport, with Taylor Swift performing The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium more times than any other city in the world and London hosting Major League Baseball, Diamond League Athletics, the Champions League Final and world title heavyweight boxing. In the coming months there are more major events with the 68th BFI London Film Festival, three NFL games and the League of Legends grand final at the O2 Arena, while next summer the capital will host the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

    Sadiq will also remind global leaders that now is the time to take firm action to tackle climate change. He will speak at New York Climate Week and at the Climate Pledge Summit emphasising how cities are at the forefront of climate action, with over half of the world’s population living in them and consuming 75per cent of global energy. The Mayor will highlight London’s bold initiatives and plans for the future including his commitment to make London rivers swimmable in ten years.

     

    Sadiq is in New York in his capacity as Mayor of London and also Chair of C40 Cities – a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis, and will call on leaders to follow London’s example, turning our current global challenges into opportunities for transformative climate action.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am looking forward to visiting New York to bang the drum for London as the perfect location for global businesses to expand, invest and to hold sporting events.

    “With so many key business leaders and politicians in New York this week, this really is the perfect time to promote London on the global stage – whether as an exciting tourist destination or the host of the world’s best sporting events.  

    “It is also an important week for global leaders to restate their commitment to tackle climate change, to learn from other cities and nations and showcase how London remains at the forefront of global action.”

    While in New York, Sadiq will also speak at the UN’s SDG Lounge event – hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships – on the need to accelerate climate action and give the keynote address at a Clinton Global Initiative opening the session on “Leveraging Technology and Nature for Equitable Urban Resilience”.

    C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts, said: “This UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week come at a pivotal time, amidst an upcoming election in the USA and following the general election here in the UK. The world will be watching to see how global leaders are addressing—or, in many cases, delaying action on the climate crisis. That is why Mayor Khan’s role this week, representing both London and C40 Cities, is so crucial. His unwavering dedication to creating healthier and greener cities sets a powerful example for city and national leaders around the globe. His presence here highlights the leading role of mayors in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.” 

     

    Janet Coyle, Managing Director of Business Growth, London & Partners, said: “The business ties between London & North America have always been prevalent. From the future of drug discovery with Recursion to a leading cloud provider in CoreWeave, it has already been an impactful year for US expansion to London. New York and London in particular have always enhanced one another’s ecosystem to strengthen not only each other but the collective transatlantic community.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DUP signal capitulation on the Protocol

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV Bannside Councillor Anna Henry:

    “If anyone had any doubt about the DUP’s commitment to their promises to the Unionist people about restoring Northern Ireland’s place within the UK those were removed by Gavin Robinson this morning on Radio Ulster when he categorically ruled out pulling Stormont down or even boycotting North/South Ministerial Council meetings.

    “Now that there are no elections for a number of years, the DUP have reverted to type and rolled over to Sinn Fein. Pledges like that of Gordon Lyons who once told us, “If there is a choice between remaining in office or implementing the protocol in its present form, then the only option for any unionist Minister would be to cease to hold such office” have been disposed of.

    “It is clear that the DUP have abandoned any pretence of speaking up for the Loyalist people and continuing the battle against the Protocol. Clearly, they have calculated that the Unionists will, like them, come to terms with a border in the Irish Sea. TUV will remain true to the pledge signed by all Unionist leaders in which we said that it was our “unalterable position that the Protocol must be rejected and replaced by arrangements which fully respect Northern Ireland’s position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom”.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon: grave concern of explosions & Palestine/Israel: Displaced people- Security Council Briefing

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing UN Security Council members today (19 Sep) on the situation in the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed his “grave concern” on the “the series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days,” warning that these incidents add to the overall volatility. Wennesland urged all parties to “refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to deescalate.”

    In his briefing, Wennesland also highlighted the ongoing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. He noted that over 550 people, including 250 children, had been displaced. He said, “demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures continued… citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.”

    The Special Coordinator also expressed alarm over provocative actions and rhetoric on both sides. Urging all parties to reject such dangerous incitements, he said, “a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened a return to the use of suicide bombings… while an Israeli minister said, ‘Palestinian prisoners must be killed. Shot in the head.’”

    Helen Clark, a member of The Elders and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the Security Council that the current approach to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed. She criticized member states that use their veto power to “protect allies” or “obstruct geopolitical rivals,” warning that this undermines the authority of the Council.

    Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, referred to a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as unlawful. “The Court reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlements… stressing the obligations of the occupying Power to cease immediately all settlement activities,” Mansour said.

    Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “this Council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses. The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups; it is Iran pulling the strings,” He said, “the Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in the North, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.” Danon further said that Iran is not only targeting Israel but is seeking domination of the entire Middle East, while the Palestinian Authority is being “utterly weak and impotent.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONnkcIa8MYE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council By-elections for Wards 6 & 14 – Voters urged to make sure their vote counts

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer

    Polling will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024 to fill the two vacant seats for The Highland Council’s Cromarty Firth ward and the one vacant seat for the Inverness Central Ward. Voters are being reminded to be ready to make their vote count.

    The single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish.

    Postal packs have been despatched to those registered electors that submitted a form by the postal vote deadline.  Further guidance on how to complete your postal pack is available here 

    Anyone who has requested a postal vote will not be able to vote in person at a polling station. If you are unable to post it in time, it is possible to hand in your completed postal pack into any of the polling stations located within wards 6 and 14 between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 26 September 2024. There are no restrictions on the number of postal votes that can be handed in to a polling station.

    For those opting to vote in person on Thursday 26 September 2024, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. Voters are reminded to check their poll cards as this will have details of where they need to go to cast their vote.

    For those opting to vote in person on Thursday 26 September 2024, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. People are reminded to check their poll cards as this will have details of where they need to go to cast their vote. There is no requirement to bring any form of voter ID.

    The confirmed candidates standing for election to Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth are:

    • Ryan BARROWMAN – Scottish Greens
    • Sinclair COGHILL – Independent
    • Richard James CROSS – Independent
    • John EDMONDSON – Scottish Liberal Democrats
    • Brideen GODLEY-MACKENZIE – Independent
    • Kim HANNING JACKSON – Reform UK
    • Roland HANNING JACKSON – Reform UK
    • Odette MACDONALD – Scottish National Party (SNP)
    • Tina MCCAFFERY – Independent
    • Innes MUNRO – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
    • Michael PERERA – Scottish Labour Party
    • Martin RATTRAY – Independent

    The confirmed candidates standing for election to Ward 14 – Inverness Central are:

    • Andrew BARNETT – Scottish Greens
    • Michael GREGSON – Scottish Labour Party
    • Chris LEWCOCK – Scottish Liberal Democrats
    • Martin MACGREGOR – Scottish National Party (SNP)
    • Donald MACKENZIE – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
    • Iain RICHMOND – Reform UK

    The electronic election counts for both wards will take place on Friday 27 September 2024 starting at 9.00am. People will be able to follow the count and watch the declaration of the results live via the Council’s social media channels – @highlandcouncil

    All information about the by-election, including answers to frequently asked questions and short video clips to show how to vote is available by visiting the Council’s website  

    23 Sep 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arrington Supports Overturning Biden-Harris “EV Mandate”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

    Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after House passage of H.J.Res 136: 

    “The Biden-Harris Administration’s obsession with the Radical Left’s climate crusade and foisting electric vehicles on Americans is adding to the economic hardships of everyday working families.

    “This legislation will repeal their disastrous “EV Mandate” – that aimed to require 67% of all cars and light duty trucks be electric by 2032 – and place purchasing power back in the hands of the American consumer, while cutting down the woke government bureaucracy.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salazar Condemns Biden Administration for Allowing Oil Companies to Finance Maduro Regime

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) convened a hearing to condemn American and European oil companies for continuing to conduct business with the Maduro regime, even after its attempt to steal the 2024 presidential election.

    “In Venezuela, a cruel contradiction has unfolded. Maduro has intensified his brutality through jail and death since July 28th,” said Chairwoman Salazar. “In the meantime, unfortunately, American and European oil companies led by Chevron, Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom have now increased their pumping and their profits—directly fueling the tyrannical machinery of oppression. Shame on them!”

    Chairwoman Salazar began her hearing by describing the current human rights situation in Venezuela, where the dictator Nicolas Maduro has unleashed an unprecedented wave of repression against the opposition and regular civilians in the weeks following the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. She identified a key weakness in the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy towards the Maduro regime: Allowing American oil companies to continue operating in Venezuela without complaint. Chevron, Repsol, Eni, and Maurel et Prom are the four companies with the largest licenses to operate within Venezuela.

    Salazar began her line of questioning by asking the top Biden-Harris State Department official on Venezuela Kevin Sullivan why his agency renewed Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela 33 days after Maduro lost the election on July 28, 2024. Sullivan insisted that the decision comes down ultimately to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Salazar reminded Sullivan that OFAC only issues policy at the direction of the State Department, so any independence in their decision-making process is simply wrong. Chairwoman Salazar also indicated that by allowing these companies to continue operating in Venezuela, the Maduro regime will retain the financial support it needs to continue its repression against the Venezuelan people.

    Next, Chairwoman Salazar asked Mr. Sullivan about the 50 companies who applied for licenses to operate in Venezuela more broadly. After deflecting and referring the Congresswoman to OFAC again, Salazar made the case that by allowing these companies to operate in Venezuela without repercussions from the U.S. government, the United States is sending a weak and ambiguous message to the international community that what Maduro is doing is ultimately acceptable. Furthermore, Chairwoman Salazar asked about the possibility that the State Department will pause these licenses. Sullivan responded that the possibility is always there as a matter of policy, but again said it was still under review.

    Chairwoman Salazar continued her opening line of questioning by asking about the Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to recognize Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela. Sullivan responded that Gonzalez is definitely the victor in the Venezuelan elections, and that the U.S. government has called on Nicolas Maduro to release the results showing these results. Salazar reminded the State Department that anything short of recognition will be seen as a lack of support for the opposition in the eyes of the Maduro regime.

    Salazar closed her opening remarks by asking the leading officials on human rights and aid at the State Department and USAID, Mr. Enrique Roig and Mr. Greg Howell, respectively, about the impact this major policy weakness will have on migratory flows. 4 million Venezuelans said they would leave their country if the dictator Maduro refuses to hand over power. This will strain resources in neighboring South American countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador, and add to the growing national security crisis at the United States’ southern border. Salazar received no response other than that the U.S. government is working with those South American governments to strengthen their capacity to receive these migrants.

    Chairwoman Salazar ended the hearing by emphasizing the need for bipartisan support for the Venezuelan opposition at this crucial hour.

    To watch the full hearing, click here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sherrill Introduces Legislation to Protect Reproductive Care and Abortion Access for Servicewomen

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced two pieces of commonsense legislation that will improve access to reproductive care for servicewomen and military families. The Expanding Knowledge on Military Reproductive Health Care Act will help ensure that service members and military health care providers know their abortion rights, no matter where they are stationed. The Improved Contraception Access for Service Members Act, co-led by Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14),will make sure that active-duty service members can access a year’s worth of contraceptives at a time.

    “We send servicewomen overseas to risk their lives for their country. We should not be sending them to Texas or Florida to lose access to basic reproductive health care and risk their lives giving birth. That’s why I am introducing two critical bills to ensure that servicewomen and our military families know how they can access abortion care if they need it, and so our servicewomen have access to contraception regardless of where they are stationed,” said Rep. Sherrill. 

    “This issue is deeply personal to me – my daughter recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy. And I know that she and her fellow servicewomen do not have a choice where they are sent to serve. As MAGA extremists continue to implement abortion bans nationwide, we have a responsibility to ensure that women have the baseline reproductive care and rights they need,” Sherrill continued.

    “Our active-duty service members deserve the very best health care that we can provide,” Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) said. “That includes consistent and uninterrupted access to reproductive health care. The Improved Contraception Access for Service Members Act will make it easier for Americans in uniform to get the contraceptive care they need, bolstering our military readiness, improving health outcomes for service members, and lowering health care costs.”

    “This should not be up for debate: Service members and their families deserve access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care – including birth control and abortion. As they fight for our freedoms, they too should have the freedom to control if, when, and how they build their families. To truly support our service members and military families, we must protect and expand their access to the health care they need, when they need it, free from politically motivated interference. We applaud Reps. Sherrill and Underwood for introducing these critical pieces of legislation to ensure greater access to reproductive health care for our service members and military families,” saidAlexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

    “As a practicing OB-GYN who includes abortion care as part of my practice, I have seen firsthand the struggle some of my patients face just to get to me,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide.  “Our service members and their families do not choose where they live, and they deserve access to the care they need for their reproductive well-being. These bills will help to ensure military health care providers and patients are empowered to provide and receive essential health services. We’re grateful to Representatives Sherrill and Underwood for their leadership.”

    “Everyone, including service members, deserves the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and futures without political interference. Yet, service members and their families face significant barriers to accessing reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception, within the military health care system,” said Jackii Wang, Senior Legislative Analyst at the National Women’s Law Center. “The Improved Contraception Access for Service Members Act and the Expanding Knowledge on Military Reproductive Health Care Act are crucial to breaking down these barriers. By expanding access to contraception and ensuring service members and military health care providers are fully informed of their rights, these bills help service members and their loved ones access the care they need, regardless of where they are stationed.”

    Sherrill’s legislation has earned endorsements from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Rights, Minority Veterans of America, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and Reproductive Freedom for All.

    The Expanding Knowledge on Military Reproductive Health Care Act would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide service members with information on the reproductive health care, including abortion care, they are entitled to in the military health care system; how they can find reproductive care not provided by military health providers; and how they can request leave and travel reimbursement if they need to travel to another state to receive an abortion. 

    Additionally, the DOD would be required to provide doctors with information and training on their obligation to provide reproductive care, including abortions in circumstances covered by current federal law. Information for service members and medical personnel would need to be provided annually and within two weeks of a change of station.

    The Improved Contraception Access for Service Members Act, led by Reps. Sherrill and Underwood, would require TRICARE to allow active-duty servicemembers and beneficiaries the ability to access up to 365-day supplies of contraception at military treatment facility pharmacies, certain retail pharmacies, and the TRICARE national mail-order pharmacy program. This legislation would extend Sherrill and Underwood’s  Convenient Contraception Act to active-duty military families and service women.

    Representative Sherrill continues to lead in the fight for women’s health in Congress. She  stood up for servicewomen and military families against Senator Tommy Tuberville’s efforts to overturn the  Department of Defense’s abortion travel policy. Additionally, she successfully  secured an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA to codify access to year-long supplies of contraceptives to service members. Sherrill has introduced legislation to promote education about  women’s heart health, and has co-led a bill to ensure women can access a  full year’s supply of contraceptives, rather than just three months at a time. Finally, she is leading efforts to  end “judge shopping,” a tactic used by anti-abortion advocates to gain favorable outcomes.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Díaz-Balart and Wasserman Schultz Lead Bipartisan Effort to Set $100 Million Reward for Arrest and Conviction of Nicolás Maduro

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), co-chairs of the Congressional Venezuela Democracy Caucus, along with Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL-28), Jenniffer González-Colon (PR-At-Large), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), and Darren Soto (D-FL-09) introduced a bill to raise the U.S. Department of Justice’s bounty on dictator Nicolás Maduro from $15 million to $100 million. The increase would be funded by assets already seized from Maduro and his regime.

    The reward would be paid out by the federal government using seized assets already being withheld from Maduro, officials of the Maduro regime and their co-conspirators, not taxpayer funds. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida and its federal law enforcement partners who have brought dozens of criminal charges against high-level regime officials, asset seizures total approximately $450 million.

    The Senate companion was introduced by U.S. Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Marco Rubio (FL).

    “For nearly two months since the July 28th presidential elections, in which the Venezuelan people overwhelmingly voted for President-elect Edmundo González, the Maduro regime has only escalated its brutal repression. According to reports, arbitrary detentions, torture, and politically motivated persecution – have intensified under Maduro’s oppressive rule.

    Maduro’s regime is a criminal enterprise that fuels narco-terrorism, suppresses independent media, and violates human rights with impunity. Last year, I warned that the Biden-Harris Administration’s appeasement of this dictatorship would only embolden Maduro. Lifting sanctions has endangered our national security, aiding a regime closely allied with dangerous adversaries like Russia, Iran, Cuba, and the PRC.

    Instead of easing sanctions, the Biden-Harris Administration should stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people in their fight for freedom by increasing this bounty and strengthening sanctions,” said Díaz-Balart.

    “Super-sizing the reward that leads to Maduro’s conviction will reinforce the already-decisive actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to target the criminal enterprise behind Venezuela’s election theft and the violent repression of its people,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The Biden-Harris White House deftly marshaled swift international pressure onto the Maduro regime, expanded existing sanctions, and rallied global support around this reality: Edmundo González won in a landslide and the Venezuelan people deserve to have their votes counted and rights respected. As Vice President Harris laid out emphatically in a recent letter, the United States ‘will remain steadfast with the Venezuelan people in their fight for freedom.’ This magnified reward for Maduro’s arrest would amplify those efforts.”

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    Díaz-Balart y Wasserman Schultz lideran esfuerzo bipartidista para establecer una recompensa de $100 millones por el arresto y condena de Nicolás Maduro.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hoy los legisladores Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) y Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), copresidentes del Comité Parlamentario a favor de la Democracia en Venezuela, junto con los legisladores Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL-28), Jenniffer González-Colón (Puerto Rico), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), y Darren Soto (D-FL-09) presentaron la Ley para Asegurar Oportunidades de Pago y Maximizar Recompensas por la Detención de Funcionarios de Regímenes Ilegítimos (Ley STOP MADURO). Esta legislación aumentaría la recompensa del Departamento de Justicia de EE.UU. sobre el dictador Nicolás Maduro de $15 millones a un máximo de $100 millones, por información que conduzca a su arresto y condena.

    La recompensa sería pagada por el gobierno federal utilizando activos incautados que ya están retenidos a Maduro, a funcionarios de su régimen y a sus cómplices, sin utilizar fondos de los contribuyentes. Según la Oficina del Fiscal de EE.UU. en el Sur de Florida y sus socios federales de aplicación de la ley, quienes han presentado decenas de cargos criminales contra altos funcionarios del régimen, las incautaciones de activos suman aproximadamente $450 millones.

    El Proyecto del Ley compañero en el Senado fue presentado por los Senadores Rick Scott (R-FL) y Marco Rubio (R-FL).

    “Por casi dos meses desde las ‘elecciones’ del 28 de julio, en las cuales el pueblo venezolano votó abrumadoramente por el presidente electo Edmundo González, el régimen de Maduro solo ha intensificado su brutal represión. Según informes, las detenciones arbitrarias, la tortura y la persecución políticamente motivada se han intensificado bajo el régimen opresivo de Maduro.

    El régimen de Maduro es un grupo criminal que alimenta el narco-terrorismo, suprime los medios de comunicación independientes y viola los derechos humanos con impunidad. El año pasado advertí que el apaciguamiento de esta dictadura por parte de la Administración Biden-Harris solo envalentonaría a Maduro y el levantamiento de sanciones ha puesto en peligro nuestra seguridad nacional, ayudando a un régimen estrechamente aliado con peligrosos adversarios como Rusia, Irán, Cuba y la República Popular China.

    En lugar de aliviar las sanciones, la Administración Biden-Harris debería solidarizarse con el pueblo venezolano en su lucha por la libertad aumentando la presión y fortaleciendo sanciones”, afirmo Díaz-Balart.

    “Aumentar la recompensa que conduzca a la condena de Maduro reforzará las acciones ya decisivas adoptadas por la Administración Biden-Harris para apuntar a la organización criminal detrás del robo electoral de Venezuela y la represión violenta de su pueblo”, dijo Wasserman Schultz. “La Casa Blanca de Biden-Harris dirigió hábilmente una rápida presión internacional contra el régimen de Maduro, amplió las sanciones existentes y reunió apoyo mundial en torno a esta realidad: Edmundo González ganó de manera aplastante y el pueblo venezolano merece que se cuenten sus votos y se respeten sus derechos humanos. Como lo expresó enfáticamente la vicepresidenta Harris en una carta reciente, Estados Unidos ‘permanecerá firme junto al pueblo venezolano en su lucha por la libertad’. Esta recompensa engrandecida por el arresto de Maduro amplificaría esos esfuerzos”.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland participates in G20 discussions on research and innovation

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

    Bern, 23.09.2024 – On 19 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Manaus, Brazil. Switzerland was invited by Brazil, which currently holds the G20 presidency, to participate in the new working group set up this year.

    The theme of the meeting was Open Innovation for a Just and Sustainable Development. The main topic of discussion was international cooperation in science and innovation, in particular with regard to open innovation. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, the contribution of science and innovation to decarbonisation, research in the Amazon, and the topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in research were discussed. The ministers adopted the Manaus Declaration, which reflects the political consensus of the G20 countries on the above issues.

    In the course of the event, Ms Hirayama exchanged views with the heads of delegations from the G20 presidency, Brazil, as well as other countries and organisations.

    Address for enquiries

    State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI
    Communication
    medien@sbfi.admin.ch
    +41 58 462 96 90

    Publisher

    State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
    http://www.sbfi.admin.ch

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering artisans and enhancing India’s position in the global textile industry main focus of Ministry of Textiles in first 100 days of government

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 2:34PM by PIB Delhi

    As part of the Government’s transformative vision for the textiles sector, the Ministry of Textiles has focused on strengthening the sector’s contribution to India’s socio-economic progress, empowering artisans, and enhancing India’s position in the global textile industry during the first 100 days of this Government. Below are some of the key highlights:

     

    1. 10th National Handloom Day Celebration

    On August 7, 2024, the Ministry of Textiles celebrated National Handloom Day, raising awareness about the handloom industry’s pivotal role in India’s economy. The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred 5 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 17 National Handloom Awards.

     

    Various activities were organized across the country to promote handlooms, with participation from State Governments, Weaver Service Centres, and various educational and handloom institutions. These included a social media campaign through the My Gov portal, a Special Sourcing Show (B2B) in Varanasi by the Handloom Export Promotion Council, and the “Know Your Weaves” event at the Crafts Museum, which raised awareness among 9,000 Delhi school students.

    Additionally, the Virasat exhibition of handloom products was held at Handloom Haat and Delhi Haat, with expos and awareness activities in colleges. Institutions like NIFT and Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs) also organized thematic displays, weaving demonstrations, panel discussions, quizzes, and fashion presentations.

     

    2. Skilling Programme in 100 Handloom & Handicrafts Clusters

    On July 27, 2024, the Ministry launched the ‘Bunkar and Karigar Utthan Upskilling Programme’ to enhance technical and soft skills among artisans and handloom weavers. So far, 3,600 artisans and weavers have benefited, with certificates and toolkits distributed to improve their craft and market competitiveness. The initiative is aimed at fulfilling the current demand & design needs of the market.

     

    3. ‘Shilp Didi Mahotsav 2024’

    Launched on August 22, 2024, the ‘Shilp Didi Mahotsav 2024’ empowered 100 women artisans known as Shilp Didis from 72 districts across 23 states. Through this fortnight long initiative, women artisans were provided marketing opportunities at Dilli Haat, INA, fostering economic independence and entrepreneurship among women artisans.

     

    4. Textile Gallery Inauguration at Crafts Museum

    On August 8, 2024, the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated a new Textile Gallery at the Crafts Museum, showcasing India’s rich handloom and handcrafted textile heritage. The gallery features around 28,000 handmade artifacts, with 150 displayed items reflecting the country’s vibrant cultural legacy.

      

     

    5. Eri Sericulture Promotional Project in Gujarat

    In a major boost to sustainable agriculture, the Ministry launched the Eri Sericulture Promotional Project on August 9, 2024, aimed at encouraging 500 castor-growing farmers to adopt Eri culture. This initiative has so far educated 100 farmers and aims to provide an additional income stream for farmers in Gujarat, leveraging the state’s abundant castor plants.

     

     

    6. Startups in Technical Textiles

    On September 6, 2024, the Ministry approved 12 startup proposals under the component for Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) initiative under National Technical Textiles Mission. Support up to ₹50 lakhs per startup is provided under the Scheme. These startups focus on innovative fields such as composites, medical textiles, smart textiles, and sustainable textiles, driving job creation and reducing dependency on imports.

     

    7. New Pricing Methodology for Jute Sacking Bags

    In a landmark decision on August 28, 2024, the Government approved a new pricing methodology for jute sacking bags based on Tariff Commission study report, which will provide better pricing to jute mills. This move benefits around 4 lakh jute mill workers and 40 lakh farmer families engaged in jute cultivation, primarily in West Bengal.

    This would facilitate jute mills for investment in the jute industry for modernization and diversification. The decision is aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by promoting domestic jute production and protecting the environment through the use of biodegradable and renewable jute.

     

    8. VisioNxt Fashion Trend Insight and Forecasting System

    On September 5, 2024, the Ministry launched VisioNxt, a pioneering fashion trend insight and forecasting system using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). This initiative aims to support weavers, manufacturers, startups, and retailers by providing accurate trend forecasts, thus strengthening India’s position in the global fashion industry.

      

    VisioNxt has developed a comprehensive Web Portal, a bilingual Fashion Trend Book available in both Hindi and English, and a detailed Taxonomy E-book. These tools are designed to be easily accessible and provide valuable insights and trends that can help industry professionals stay ahead in the dynamic world of fashion.

     

    9. Curtain Raiser of Bharat Tex 2025

    On September 4, 2024, the Ministry unveiled the website and brochure for Bharat Tex 2025, a mega global textile event promoting India as a sourcing and investment destination. Over 5,000 exhibitors, 6,000 international buyers from 110 countries, and more than 120,000 visitors are expected to participate, making it one of the largest global textiles shows.

       

    The event aims to build on the tremendous success of its last edition in 2024. Centered around the themes of resilient global value chains and textile sustainability, this year’s show promises to be even more dynamic and engaging. It is expected to attract top policymakers, global CEOs, international exhibitors, and buyers from around the world, making it an even more vibrant and influential platform than the first edition.

     

    10. International Conference on Technical Textiles

    From September 6-7, 2024, the Ministry organized an international conference that brought together industry leaders, researchers, state governments, line Ministries and international stakeholders to discuss the future of technical textiles. This conference aimed at promoting indigenous products and developing new markets for technical textiles in both domestic and export segments.

    The direct engagement and exhibition of products provided valuable insights into the requirements for technical textiles and the availability of indigenous products. Additionally, participating State Governments informed participants about their investment policies and incentive structures. This initiative is expected to stimulate market growth in new application areas and open up new avenues for exports, further enhancing the industry’s development.

    These achievements highlight the Ministry of Textiles’ commitment to revitalizing India’s textile sector, fostering innovation, and improving the livelihoods of artisans and weavers across the country.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Ministry’s #Ideas4LiFE Initiative Gains Momentum with 46.5 million Impressions, 13.5 million Reach, and Over 1000 Ideas Submitted on Portal

    Ideas4LiFE Ideathon Covers Seven Key Themes Aligned with Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, and More

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 2:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, launched the Ideas4LiFE portal on 29th July 2024 at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi for inviting innovative ideas related to products and services, which induce behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles.

    The portal ‘Ideas4Life.nic.in’, created in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, will allow participants to submit their ideas and innovations online. The winning ideas under each of the seven themes of Mission LiFE will be recognized and awarded with attractive prizes for individuals as well as for institutions.

    Further, an event aiming to inspire innovative environmental solutions, at IIT Bombay, was organised on 31st Aug’24 in collaboration with the State Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra. Therein Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the extension of deadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from 15th September to 15th October 2024.

    Partnerships with key educational bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to strengthen the initiative’s presence in academic institutions, encouraging students, faculty, and researchers nationwide to contribute innovative ideas toward sustainable living has been made.

    The UGC, AICTE, IITs, and various educational institutions nationwide will play a key role in promoting the Ideas4LiFE Ideathon among students, researchers, and the academic community. They are encouraged to contribute innovative, citizen-focused ideas and technologies that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. The Ideathon encompasses seven themes aligned with the Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, E-Waste Management, Minimizing Single-Use Plastics, Embracing Sustainable Food Practices, and Fostering Healthy Lifestyles.

    The Ministry is also propagating the ideas4LiFE initiative through social media outreach on #Ideas4LiFE.  As on date appx 3300 registrations and 1000 ideas have been received at the Ideas4LiFE portal. Social Media Outreach of the #Ideas4LiFE shows that there are 46.5 million impressions and 13.5 million reach.

    It is planned to further amplify the reach of campaign by having meetings with UGC/AICTE/ Department of Education/ State Governments etc. After the culmination of the challenge, innovative ideas will be evaluated by a jury to announce shortlisted and winning ideas. These ideas will not only be recognized with attractive prizes but will also be part of a national repository of innovations. These can be nurtured, scaled, and implemented by various stakeholders, including government bodies and private entities.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/SRI LANKA – President Dissanayake: The New Face of the Nation

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Colombo (Agenzia Fides) — Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the new president of Sri Lanka, as announced yesterday by the Electoral Commission, after the vote on Saturday 21 September. A left-wing MP, Dissanayake received – as announced by the Electoral Commission – over 5.7 million votes, followed by candidate Sajith Premadasa with 4.5 million. During the election campaign, Dissanayake aimed to gain the favor of the working class and found polarization among young people and in the middle-lower social classes, while Sri Lanka is trying to recover after an economic and political crisis that brought the country to its knees and exacerbated widespread poverty. Two years ago, tens of thousands of Sri Lankans rebelled and forced the then President Rajapaksa to flee the country, “and since then there has been a great desire for change in society: this is the result, which I would not hesitate to define as historic”, comments Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, a priest of the Archdiocese of Colombo and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies on the island. Fr. Fernando notes “a positive atmosphere in society: first of all, it should be noted that the electoral process was peaceful and transparent and then, in the aftermath of the vote, there were no clashes between opposing factions, as has often happened in the past”. Furthermore, he notes, “there is an atmosphere of great hope in society. The population wanted something new, they strongly wanted a change and so it was, the will of the people was expressed democratically”. If the international press calls Dissanayake “the “Marxist” president, Fr. Fernando notes: “The label should not cause alarm and is related to ideological positions of the past. The new president is well inserted in the democratic framework and his declared objective is to work for the poor and vulnerable, which is what the nation needs. It is believed that within a month the president will also call general elections for the renewal of Parliament and this will allow the nation to be given a totally new face, with the entry into active politics of educated and qualified young people, which will be a clear break with the old establishment, involved in corruption games”. On the Catholic community – about 1.5 million faithful out of 22 million inhabitants – the priest notes that in the “coastal belt, which includes Colombo, Chilaw and other places where most of the Sri Lankan Catholic population lives, support for Dassyake has been very high. This shows that there has also been consensus among the Catholic population. Generally I see the faithful satisfied and hopeful. The population expects a lot from the new president, “In particular, the Catholic Church does not forget the sensitive topic of the Easter attacks of 2019: “The hope is that even on that front, a serious episode of now five years ago, a wound in national history, we can sincerely and truly promote the justice that is still missing, with the recognition of those responsible and help to the victims”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2024) Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/DR CONGO – Religious confessions’ commitment to peace in South Kivu

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    CDJP Bukavu

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – The important interreligious meeting for peace held on September 21 in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, one of the three provinces in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have been tormented for decades by violence committed by dozens of armed groups, ended on a note of hope. The meeting was held at the archbishopric of the city and saw the participation of representatives of various religious denominations of the entire ecclesiastical province of Bukavu (Catholics, Kimbanguists, Muslims, Orthodox Christians, revival churches, Anglicans, Protestants, Salvation Army, Union of Independent Churches), as well as those of the diocese of Cyangugu, in Rwanda. The participation of Rwandan representatives is particularly significant and important. The government of Rwanda is accused by the Congolese government of providing support to guerrilla groups operating in the DRC, in particular to the M23, active especially in North Kivu. Kigali, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of tolerating the presence on its territory of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) for decades, considered an emanation of the old Rwandan regime responsible for the genocide of 1994. The effort of dialogue of all religious confessions was praised by the governor of South Kivu, who stressed the importance of collaboration between civil authorities and religious faiths to establish an exemplary system of government. Joining his voice with that of religious leaders, the governor recalled that building peace and good governance requires the involvement of all, beyond political or spiritual differences. During the meeting, the other emergency that this area of the DRC is experiencing, the Mpox epidemic (the so-called “monkeypox”), was also addressed. Dr. Deogratias Cigwerhe, a specialist in the field, provided a detailed anamnesis of the disease, determining its origin, the methods of transmission and the preventive measures to be adopted to limit its spread. His speech made it possible to raise awareness among participants about the dangers posed by the disease and the importance of collective efforts to prevent it. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2024)Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Video: Reminder to world leaders of the incredible potential of refugees – Youth at Summit of the Future

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Remarks by Monicah Malith, (Republic of South Sudan), refugee youth advocate at the Opening of the Summit of the Future.

    Malith reminded world leaders of the incredible potential of refugees when they are seen, heard, and empowered.

    She also reminded young people that “The future is ours to forge. Not theirs to cling to. Not theirs to pass down like spoils of war.”

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    The Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

    The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

    Effective global cooperation is increasingly critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today’s political and economic realities.

    World leaders will convene at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.

    Screenshot Credit:
    UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    Website: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future

    Programme: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future/programme

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4t692S9rBo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Call for Climate Justice and Indigenous Wisdom – Youth Representative at the Summit of the Future

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Niria Alicía Garcia, a Xicana human rights advocate from the United States, climate justice organizer, educator and storyteller, said her generation’s hearts are breaking as it endures the impacts of climate disaster that could have been prevented.

    “Our mother earth is hurting, and she needs our help. Worldwide our waters and sacred places are being desecrated. Corporate greed and war are pushing life to the verge of extinction. Global governments and politics are void of spirituality, of morality and basic respect for life,” she said.

    Speaking about the Pact for the Future, she highlighted that while it mentions words like sustainable development nearly 300 times, words like children, Earth and future generations are mentioned less than 60 times.

    “Do Indigenous Peoples still not exist to you? Are we not the stewards of 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity?” she emphasised.

    However, she concluded on a hopeful note, stating firmly, “make no mistake that we have the medicine that this world needs and that with the help of creation, we will turn the tide for good.”

    ——————————-

    The Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

    The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

    Effective global cooperation is increasingly critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today’s political and economic realities.

    World leaders will convene at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.

    Screenshot credit:
    UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    Website: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future

    Programme: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future/programme

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgie5rC8x7Y

    MIL OSI Video –