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  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Noah’s arks’ for fruit trees: How conservation orchards preserve and boost biodiversity

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Amandine Cornille, Research associate professor, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)

    There are wild apple orchards across France, including on the Saclay plateau south of Paris. Fourni par l’auteur

    The COP16 biodiversity conference opened on October 21, 2024. The UN conference is an opportunity to highlight that biodiversity is crucial for ensuring a sustainable food system. However, it is directly threatened by climate change and its side effects, such as the emergence of parasites. These disruptions, which reduce crop productivity and increase harvest uncertainty, threaten global food security.

    Finding solutions to save the viability of our crops is a priority. In this area, the wild relatives and varieties of currently cultivated plants offer a source of genetic diversity for coping with global changes. Indeed, for thousands of years, they have faced major environmental changes. Some wild species have thus contributed to the adaptation of cultivated plants to high altitudes and various climatic conditions.

    If we intend to rely on wild relatives to ensure crop diversification, we must characterize their diversity and ability to respond to climate change. Conservation and development programmes for diversity in agrosystems have already been initiated for annual species, such as cereals. Perennial species, like fruit trees, however, remain too neglected, even as human activities threaten their wild relatives. It is high time to come to their rescue!

    The limitations of large seed banks for protecting fruit trees

    Vavilov Institute, Saint Petersburg.
    Dag Terje Filip Endresen, CC BY-NC-ND

    Faced with the collapse of biodiversity, nearly 2,000 seed banks have been created worldwide. The oldest, a pioneer in conserving the genetic diversity of plants, was established over 100 years ago in Saint Petersburg, Russia, at the Vavilov Institute, named after the scientist who initiated these collections. Another well-known example is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set up in Norway in 2008. These “bunkers” are essential for preserving the genetic diversity of as many cultivated plant species and their wild relatives as possible. However, they are somewhat challenging to utilise in emergencies for certain plant species.

    While new seeds can be obtained within a year for annual cereals, fruit trees can take years to reach sexual maturity and produce flowers and pollen, which presents a major challenge. Crossbreeding wild relatives with cultivated species, necessary to introduce favourable traits such as parasite resistance or climate adaptation, is lengthy. Leveraging the genetic heritage of fruit trees to address immediate challenges requires access to genetic material from mature trees, whose traits are already known and proven under specific environmental conditions. Therefore, genetic resource “bunkers,” while crucial for preserving diversity, are insufficient for fruit trees.

    Our access to the genetic diversity of cultivated fruit trees and their wild relatives is currently limited, making it difficult to address the rapid changes occurring globally.

    Conservation orchards: the “Noah’s arks” for fruit trees

    Fruit trees have played a central role in human history through their economic and cultural value. The genetic exchanges between wild and cultivated fruit trees form the basis for the diversity of shape and taste in our fruits. The wild relatives of these cultivated fruit trees also have a significant role to play, as they have demonstrated resilience to parasites and climate change.

    Conservation orchards, or living collections, for fruit trees serve as a means to preserve genetic diversity while making it available in case of emergencies to preempt threats associated with global changes. Unlike seed banks, these collections provide immediate access to the necessary materials (pollen and flowers) for crossbreeding in varietal improvement programmes, as well as for reforestation and the conservation of wild relatives in forests.

    These conservation orchards also serve as open-air laboratories to study the response of fruit trees to climate conditions and parasite attacks, as well as the evolutionary and ecological processes that give rise to biodiversity. These spaces of genetic diversity, where different genotypes are planted over several years across a large area, also help limit the emergence of parasites by controlling their populations, thereby maintaining the delicate balance of biodiversity and ensuring dynamic agroecosystems. Finally, they act as venues for outreach and scientific mediation to raise awareness about fruit biodiversity in agroecosystems and ecosystems.

    The “poor cousins” in conservation efforts

    In France, living collections of cultivated fruit trees, housed by both research institutes and associations such as the “Croqueurs de Pommes” (munchers of apples) represent a valuable genetic heritage. In 2020, 168,400 hectares of orchards were recorded; however, wild fruit tree orchards are less documented and much rarer. This is regrettable, considering that these wild relatives are directly threatened by habitat fragmentation and gene flow from cultivated fruit trees in orchards, even though they are invaluable allies in addressing climate change.

    However, there are some notable examples, such as the conservation orchards of wild olive trees at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) centre in Montpellier, the wild plum orchard in Lorraine, the wild apricot orchards at the INRAE centre in Bordeaux-Aquitaine, and various wild apple orchards across France including on the Saclay plateau [https://x.com/PommierVerger]. These orchards, established with the help of research institutes and local public initiatives, provide a unique opportunity to study the impact of parasite attacks and climate change on cultivated fruit trees and their wild relatives. Many more are being established across Europe, so it’s definitely something to keep an eye on!

    Screening local fruit trees to help them adapt to global changes

    Public involvement via citizen science is another way to gather information for the conservation of genetic diversity of fruit trees. Individuals can directly collect data from fruit trees near them – whether in their gardens, public parks or nearby fields – to advance research. These valuable contributions help ensure the monitoring of changes in flowering times related to climate change.

    This aligns with initiatives launched through Pl@ntNet, an application that allows users to identify plant species using a simple photo, and Tela Botanica, which connects beginners with expert botanists to assist in launching collaborative projects.

    By investing in the creation and maintenance of new orchards, strengthening collaboration among research institutes, associations and conservation organisations, and mobilising the public, one can play a role in preserving fruit biodiversity while enhancing fruit trees’ resilience to increasing environmental pressures.

    Acknowledgments: Evelyne Leterme, Henri Fourey, Mathieu Brisson, Amandine Hansart, Alexandra Detrille, Mouhammad Noormohamed, the association Les Croqueurs de Pommes, and all project collaborators and participants as well as the general public.

    Amandine Cornille (associate professor at New York University Abu Dhabi) has received funding from NYUAD, CNRS (ATIP-Avenir CNRS-Inserm), the European LEADER/FEDER program, the BNP Paribas “Climate and Biodiversity Initiative” Foundation, Institut Diversité Ecologie et Evolution du Vivant (IDEEV), Université Paris Saclay, CNRS, AgroParistech, INRAE, Center for interdisciplinary studies on biodiversity, agroecology, society and climate (C-BASC), CLand Convergence Institute and ANR.

    Karine Alix has received funding from AgroParisTech, CNRS, INRAE, ANR and IDEEV.

    – ref. ‘Noah’s arks’ for fruit trees: How conservation orchards preserve and boost biodiversity – https://theconversation.com/noahs-arks-for-fruit-trees-how-conservation-orchards-preserve-and-boost-biodiversity-242421

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Autumn Budget 2024 speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Autumn Budget 2024 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Madam Deputy Speaker…

    [redacted political content]

    This government was given a mandate. 

    To restore stability to our economy… 

    … and to begin a decade of national renewal. 

    To fix the foundations… 

    … and deliver change. 

    Through responsible leadership in the national interest.  

    That is our task.  

    And I know that we can achieve it. 

    My belief in Britain burns brighter than ever.  

    And the prize on offer is immense.  

    As my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister said on Monday – change must be felt. 

    More pounds in people’s pockets.  

    An NHS that is there when you need it.  

    An economy that is growing, creating wealth and opportunity for all…  

    … because that is the only way to improve living standards.   

    And the only way to drive economic growth… 

    … is to invest, invest, invest.  

    There are no shortcuts. 

    And to deliver that investment… 

    … we must restore economic stability…

    [redacted political content]

    INHERITANCE

    [redacted political content]

    … it is the first Budget in our country’s history to be delivered by a woman.  

    I am deeply proud to be Britain’s first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer.  

    To girls and young women everywhere, I say:  

    Let there be no ceiling on your ambition, your hopes and your dreams.  

    And along with the pride that I feel standing here today… 

    … there is also a responsibility… 

    … to pass on a fairer society and a stronger economy to the next  

    generation of women.

    [redacted political content]

    A black hole in the public finances… 

    Public services on their knees…. 

    A decade of low growth. 

    And the worst parliament on record for living standards. 

    Let me begin with the public finances. 

    In July, I exposed a £22bn black hole

    [redacted political content]

    The Treasury’s reserve, set aside for genuine emergencies… 

    … spent three times over… 

    … just three months into the financial year.  

    Today, on top of the detailed document that I have provided to the House in July… 

    … the government is publishing a line by line breakdown of the £22bn black hole that we inherited… 

    It shows hundreds of unfunded pressures on the public finances… 

    … this year, and into the future too.  

    The Office for Budget Responsibility have published their own review of the circumstances around the Spring Budget forecast.  

    They say that the previous government – and I quote – “did not provide the OBR with all the [available] information to them”… 

    … and – had they known about these “undisclosed spending pressures that have since come to light”… 

    … then their Spring Budget forecast for spending would have been, and I quote again: “materially different”.  

    Let me be clear: that means any comparison between today’s forecast and the OBR’s March forecast is false… 

    … because the party opposite hid the reality of their public spending plans. 

    Yet at the very same budget… 

    … they made another ten billion pounds worth of cuts to National Insurance.

    [redacted political content]

    That’s why today, I can confirm that we will implement in full… 

    … the 10 recommendations from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s review. 

    But, the country has inherited not just broken public finances… 

    … but broken public services too. 

    The British people can see and feel that in their everyday lives. 

    NHS waiting lists at record levels. 

    Children in portacabins as school roofs crumble. 

    Trains that do not arrive. 

    Rivers filled with polluted waste.  

    Prisons overflowing. 

    Crimes which are not investigated… 

    … and criminals who are not punished.  

    That is the country’s inheritance

    Since 2021, there had been no detailed plans for departmental spending set out beyond this year.  

    And [redacted political content] plans relied on a baseline for spending this year which we now know was wrong… 

    … because it did not take into account the £22bn black hole.  

    The previous government also failed to budget for costs which they knew would materialise.  

    That includes funding for vital compensation schemes…  

    … for victims of two terrible injustices…

    [redacted political content]

    … the infected blood scandal… 

    … and the Post Office Horizon scandal.  

    The Leader of the Opposition rightly made an unequivocal apology for the injustice of the infected blood scandal on behalf of the British state… 

    … but he did not budget for the costs of compensation.  

    Today, for the very first time, we will provide specific funding to compensate those infected and those affected, in full… 

    … with £11.8bn in this budget. 

    And I am also today setting aside £1.8bn to compensate victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal… 

    … redress that is long overdue for the pain and injustice that they have suffered.

    [redacted political content]

    … and we will restore stability to our country again. 

    The scale and seriousness of the situation that we have inherited cannot be underestimated. 

    Together, the hole in our public finances this year, which recurs every year… 

    … the compensation schemes that they did not fund… 

    … and their failure to assess the scale of the challenges facing our public services… 

    … means this budget raises taxes by £40bn. 

    Any Chancellor standing here today would have to face this reality. 

    And any responsible Chancellor would take action. 

    That is why today, I am restoring stability to our public finances… 

    … and rebuilding our public services.  

    FISCAL RULES / OBR FORECASTS 

    Economy forecast/growth 

    As a former economist at the Bank of England, I know what it means to respect our economic institutions.  

    I want to put on record my thanks to the Governor of the Bank, Andrew Bailey…  

    … and to the independent Monetary Policy Committee. 

    Today, I can confirm that we will maintain the MPC’s target of two per cent inflation, as measured by the 12-month increase in the Consumer Prices Index. 

    I want to thank James Bowler, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, and my team of officials. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I would also like to thank my predecessors as Chancellor of the Exchequer… 

    … for their wise counsel as I have prepared for this Budget.

    [redacted political content]

    Finally, I want to thank Richard Hughes and his team at the Office for Budget Responsibility for their work in preparing today’s economic and fiscal outlook. 

    Let me now take the House through that forecast. 

    The cost of living crisis under the last government stretched household finances to their limit, with inflation hitting a peak of above 11%.  

    Today, the OBR say that CPI inflation will average 2.5% this year, 2.6% in 2025, then 2.3% in 2026, 2.1% in 2027, 2.1% in 2028 and 2.0% in 2029.  

    Next, I move on to economic growth.  

    Today’s budget marks an end to short-termism.  

    So I am pleased, that for the first time, the OBR have published not only five year growth forecasts… 

    … but a detailed assessment of the growth impacts of our policies over the next decade, too… 

    … and the new Charter for Budget Responsibility, which I am publishing today, confirms that this will become a permanent feature of our framework. 

    The OBR forecast that real GDP growth will be 1.1% in 2024, 2.0% in 2025, 1.8% in 2026, 1.5% in 2027, 1.5% in 2028 and 1.6% in 2029. 

    And the OBR are clear: this Budget will permanently increase the supply capacity of the economy…

    [redacted political content]

    … boosting long-term growth. 

    Every Budget I deliver will be focused on our mission to grow the economy. 

    And underpinning that mission are the seven key pillars of our growth strategy… 

    … developed and delivered alongside business…  

    … all driven forward by our Financial Secretary to the Treasury.   

    First, and most important, is to restore economic stability. That is my focus today. 

    Second, increasing investment and building new infrastructure is vital for productivity, so we are catalysing £70bn of investment through our National Wealth Fund… 

    … and we are transforming our planning rules to get Britain building again. 

    Third, to ensure that all parts of the UK can realise their potential… 

    … we are working with the devolved governments… 

    … and partnering with our Mayors to develop local growth plans.  

    Fourth, to improve employment prospects and skills we are creating Skills England, delivering our plans to Make Work Pay and tackling economic inactivity.  

    Fifth, we are launching our long-term modern industrial strategy and expanding opportunities for our small and medium sized businesses to grow. 

    Sixth, to drive innovation we are protecting record funding for research and development to harness the full potential of the UK’s science base.  

    And finally, to maximise the growth benefits of our clean energy mission, we have confirmed key investments such as Carbon Capture and Storage to create jobs in our industrial heartlands. 

    Our approach is already having an impact. 

    Just two weeks ago – we delivered an International Investment Summit which saw businesses commit £63.5bn of investment into this country… 

    … creating nearly 40,000 jobs across the United Kingdom.

    [redacted political content]

    Economic growth will be our mission for the duration of this parliament.  

    Stability rule 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in our manifesto, we set out the fiscal rules that would guide this government. 

    I am confirming those today… 

    Our stability rule… 

    And our investment rule… 

    The “stability rule” means that we will bring the current budget into balance… 

    … so that we do not borrow to fund day to day spending. 

    We will meet this rule in 2029-30, until that becomes the third year of the forecast.  

    From then on, we will balance the current budget in the third year of every budget, held annually each autumn. 

    That will provide a tougher constraint on day to day spending… 

    … so difficult decisions cannot be constantly delayed or deferred.  

    The OBR say that the current budget will be in deficit by £26.2bn in 2025-26 and £5.2bn in 2026-27… 

    … before moving into surplus of £10.9bn in 2027-28, £9.3bn in 2028-29 and £9.9bn in 2029-30… 

    … meeting our stability rule… 

    … two years early.  

    Monthly public sector finances data shows that government borrowing in the first six months of this year… 

    … was already running significantly higher than the OBR’s March forecast. 

    And so the OBR confirmed today, that borrowing in this financial year is now £127bn…

    [redacted political content]

    The increase in the net cash requirement in 24-25 is lower than the increase in borrowing, at £22.3bn higher than the spring forecast.  

    Because of the action that we are taking… 

    … borrowing falls from 4.5% of GDP this year to 2.1% of GDP by the end of the forecast. 

    Public sector net borrowing will be £105.6bn in 2025-26, £88.5bn in 2026-27, £72.2bn in 2027-28, £71.9bn in 2028-29 and £70.6bn in 2029-2930. 

    FIXING THE FOUNDATIONS 

    Spending  

    Madam Deputy Speaker, before I come to tax… 

    … it is vital that we are driving efficiency and reducing wasteful spending. 

    In July, to begin delivering, and dealing with our inheritance… 

    … I made £5.5bn of savings this year.  

    Today we are setting a 2% productivity, efficiency and savings target for all departments to meet next year… 

    … by using technology more effectively and joining up services across government 

    As set out in our manifesto, I will shortly be appointing our Covid Corruption Commissioner, they will lead our work to uncover those companies that used a national emergency to line their own pockets. 

    Because that money belongs in our public services. And taxpayers want that money back.  

    And I can confirm today that David Goldstone has been appointed as the Chair of the new Office for Value for Money…  

    … to help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending. 

    Welfare 

    Today, I am also taking three steps to ensure that welfare spending is more sustainable.  

    First, we inherited [redacted political content] plans to reform the Work Capability Assessment.  

    We will deliver those savings…  

    …as part of our fundamental reforms to the health and disability benefits system that my Right Honourable Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary will bring forward. 

    Second, I can today announce a crackdown on fraud in our welfare system… 

    … often the work of criminal gangs.  

    We will expand DWP’s counter-fraud teams.. 

    … using innovative new methods to prevent illegal activity…  

    … and provide new legal powers to crackdown on fraudsters… 

    … including direct access to bank accounts to recover debt. 

    This package saves £4.3bn a year by the end of the forecast. 

    Third, the government will shortly be publishing the “Get Britain Working” white paper…  

    … tackling the root causes of inactivity with an integrated approach across health, education and welfare.  

    … and we will provide £240m for 16 trailblazer projects… 

    … targeted at those who are economically inactive and most at risk of being out of education, employment or training… 

    … to get people into work and reduce the benefits bill.  

    Tax avoidance 

    Before a government could consider any change to a tax rate or threshold… 

    … it must ensure that people pay what they already owe. 

    So we will invest to modernise HMRC’s systems using the very best technology… 

    … and recruit additional HMRC compliance and debt staff. 

    We will clamp down on those umbrella companies who exploit workers… 

    … increase the interest rate on unpaid tax debt to ensure that people pay on time… 

    … and go after promoters of tax avoidance schemes. 

    These measures to reduce the tax gap raise £6.5bn by the end of the forecast… 

    … and I want to thank the Exchequer Secretary for his outstanding work on this agenda. 

    PROTECTING WORKING PEOPLE 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I know that for working people up and down our country… 

    … family finances are stretched… 

    … and pay checks don’t go as far as they once did. 

    So today, I am taking steps to support people with the cost of living. 

    Cost of living

    [redacted political content]

    As promised in our manifesto, we asked the Low Pay Commission to take account of the cost of living for the first time.  

    I can confirm that we will accept the Low Pay Commission recommendation to increase the National Living Wage by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour… 

    … worth up to £1,400 a year for a full-time worker. 

    And for the first time, we will move towards a single adult rate…  

    … phased in over time…  

    … by initially increasing the National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds by 16.3% as recommended by the Low Pay Commission… 

    … taking it to £10 an hour.

    [redacted political content]

    Second, I have heard representations from colleagues across this house about the Carer’s Allowance… 

    … and the impact of the current policy on carers looking to increase the hours they work… 

    … including from the Honourable member for Shipley, the Honourable member for Scarborough and Whitby and the Rt Hon Member for Kingston and Surbiton, too. 

    Carer’s allowance currently provides up to £81.90 per week to help those with additional caring responsibilities.  

    Today, I can confirm that we are increasing the weekly earnings limit to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage per week… 

    … the largest increase in Carer’s Allowance since it was introduced in 1976.  

    That means a carer can now earn over £10,000 a year while receiving Carer’s Allowance… 

    … allowing them to increase their hours where they want to… 

    … and keep more of their money. 

    I am also concerned about the cliff-edge in the current system and the issue of overpayments. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary has announced an independent review to look at the issue of overpayments, and we will work across this house to develop the right solutions. 

    Third, we will provide £1bn from next year to extend the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, to help those facing financial hardship with the cost of essentials.  

    Fourth, having heard representations from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Trussell and others… 

    … to reduce the level of debt repayments that can be taken from a household’s Universal Credit payment each month… 

    … by reducing it from 25% to 15% of their standard allowance. 

    This means that 1.2 million of the poorest households will keep more of their award each month… 

    … lifting children out of poverty…  

    … and those who benefit will gain an average of £420 a year. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, our Plan to Make Work Pay will also protect working people.

    [redacted political content]

    It is right that we protect those who have worked their whole lives.  

    In our manifesto, we promised to transfer the Investment Reserve Fund in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to members… 

    … and I have listened closely to my Honourable Friends for Easington, Doncaster Central, Blaenau Gwent, and Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock on this issue. 

    Today we are keeping our promise…  

    … so that working people who powered our country receive the fair pension that they are owed. 

    Our manifesto committed to the Triple Lock… 

    … meaning spending on the State Pension is forecast to rise by over £31bn by 2029-30… 

    … to ensure that our pensioners are protected in their retirement.  

    This commitment means that while working age benefits will be uprated in line with CPI, at 1.7%… 

    … the basic and new State Pension… 

    … will be uprated by 4.1% in 2025-26. 

    This means that over 12 million pensioners will gain up to £470 next year… 

    … up to £275 more than if uprated by inflation.  

    The Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee will also rise by 4.1%…  

    … from around £11,400 per year to around £11,850 for a single pensioner.  

    Fuel duty 

    While I have sought to protect working people with measures to reduce the cost of living… 

    … I have had to take some very difficult decisions on tax. 

    I want to set out my approach to fuel duty.  

    Baked into the numbers that I inherited from the previous government… 

    … is an assumption that fuel duty will rise by RPI next year… 

    … and that the temporary 5p cut will be reversed.  

    To retain the 5p cut… 

    … and to freeze fuel duty again… 

    … would cost over £3bn next year.  

    At a time when the fiscal position is so difficult…  

    … I have to be frank with the House that this is a substantial commitment to make. 

    I have concluded… 

    … that in these difficult circumstances… 

    … while the cost of living remains high… 

    … and with a backdrop of global uncertainty… 

    … increasing fuel duty next year… 

    … would be the wrong choice for working people. 

    It would mean fuel duty rising by 7p per litre. 

    So, I have today decided to freeze fuel duty next year… 

    … and I will maintain the existing 5p cut for another year, too. 

    There will be no higher taxes at the petrol pumps next year.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the last government made cuts of £20bn to employees’ and self-employed national insurance in their final two budgets.

    [redacted political content]

    Because we now know they were based on a forecast which the OBR say would have been “materially different”… 

    … had they known the true extent of the last government’s cover-up.   

    Since July, I have been urged on multiple occasions to reconsider these cuts.  

    To increase the taxes that working people pay and see in their payslips. 

    But I have made an important choice today: 

    To keep every single commitment that we made on tax in our manifesto.  

    So I say to working people: 

    I will not increase your National Insurance… 

    …I will not increase your VAT… 

    …And I will not increase your income tax. 

    Working people will not see higher taxes in their payslips as a result of the choices I make today. 

    That is a promise made – and a promise fulfilled. 

    TAX 

    But any responsible Chancellor would need to take difficult decisions today. 

    To raise the revenues required to fund our public services. 

    And to restore economic stability.  

    So in today’s Budget, I am announcing an increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions.  

    We will increase the rate of Employers’ National Insurance by 1.2 percentage points, to 15%, from April 2025.  

    And we will reduce the Secondary Threshold – the level at which employers start paying national insurance on each employee’s salary – from £9,100 per year to £5,000.  

    This will raise £25bn per year by the end of the forecast period.  

    I know that this is a difficult choice. 

    I do not take this decision lightly.  

    We are asking business to contribute more… 

    … and I know that there will be impacts of this measure felt beyond businesses, too… 

    … as the OBR have set out today. 

    But in the circumstances that I have inherited, it is the right choice to make.  

    Successful businesses depend on successful schools. 

    Healthy businesses depend on a healthy NHS.  

    And a strong economy depends on strong public finances.

    [redacted political content]

    That is the choice our country faces too.  

    As I make this choice, I know it is particularly important to protect our smallest companies.  

    So having heard representations from the Federation of Small Businesses and others… 

    … I am today increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. 

    This means 865,000 employers won’t pay any National Insurance at all next year… 

    … and over 1 million will pay the same or less than they did previously. 

    This will allow a small business to employ the equivalent of 4 full time workers on the National Living Wage… 

    … without paying any National Insurance on their wages. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, let me come now to capital gains tax. 

    We need to drive growth, promote entrepreneurship, and support wealth creation… 

    … while raising the revenue required to fund our public services… 

    … and restore our public finances.  

    Today, we will increase the lower rate of Capital Gains Tax from 10% to 18%, and the Higher Rate from 20% to 24%… 

    … while maintaining the rates of capital gains tax on residential property at 18% and 24%, too.  

    This means the UK will still have the lowest Capital Gains Tax rate of any European G7 economy. 

    Alongside these changes to the headline rates of Capital Gains Tax… 

    … we are maintaining the lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief at £1m… 

    … to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses.   

    Business Asset Disposal Relief will remain at 10% this year… 

    … before rising to 14% in April 2025… 

    … and 18% from 2026-27… 

    … maintaining a significant gap compared to the higher rate of Capital Gains Tax.  

    Together, the OBR say these measures will raise £2.5bn by the end of the forecast. 

    In a sign of this government’s commitment to supporting growth and entrepreneurship… 

    …we have already extended the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust schemes to 2035… 

    … and we will continue to work with leading entrepreneurs and venture capital firms… 

    … to ensure our policies support a positive environment for entrepreneurship in the UK. 

    Next, inheritance tax. 

    Only 6% of estates will pay inheritance tax this year. 

    I understand the strongly held desire to pass down savings to children and grandchildren. 

    So I am taking a balanced approach in my package today. 

    First, the previous government froze inheritance tax thresholds until 2028. I will extend that freeze for a further two years, until 2030. 

    That means the first £325,000 of any estate can be inherited tax-free… 

    … rising to £500,000 if the estate includes a residence passed to direct descendants…. 

    … and £1m when a tax free allowance is passed to a surviving spouse or civil partner. 

    Second, we will close the loophole created by the previous government… 

    … made even bigger when the Lifetime Allowance was abolished… 

    … by bringing inherited pensions into inheritance tax from April 2027. 

    Finally, we will reform Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.  

    From April 2026, the first £1m of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax at all… 

    … but for assets over £1m, inheritance tax will apply with 50% relief, at an effective rate of 20%. 

    This will ensure we continue to protect small family farms… 

    … and three-quarters of claims will be unaffected by these changes. 

    I can also announce that we will apply a 50% relief, in all circumstances, on inheritance tax for shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and other similar markets… 

    … setting the effective rate of tax at 20%. 

    Taken together, these measures raise over £2bn in the final year of the forecast. 

    Next, I can confirm that the government will renew the Tobacco Duty escalator for the remainder of this Parliament at RPI+2%… 

    … increase duty by a further 10% on hand-rolling tobacco this year… 

    … introduce a flat rate duty on all vaping liquid from October 2026… 

    … alongside an additional one off- increase in tobacco duty to maintain the incentive to give up smoking. 

    And we will increase the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to account for inflation since it was introduced… 

    …  as well as increasing the duty in line with CPI each year going forward. 

    These measures will raise nearly £1bn per year by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madame Deputy Speaker, we want to support the take-up of electric vehicles. 

    So I will maintain incentives for electric vehicles in Company Car Tax from 2028… 

    … and increase the differential between fully electric and other vehicles in the first year rates of Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2025. 

    These measures will raise around £400m by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker let me update the House on our plans for Air Passenger Duty…

    [redacted political content]

    Air Passenger Duty has not kept up with inflation in recent years… 

    … so we are introducing an adjustment… 

    … meaning an increase of no more than £2 for an economy class short-haul flight.  

    But I am taking a different approach when it comes to private jets…  

    … increasing the rate of Air Passenger Duty by a further 50%.

    [redacted political content]

    These measures will raise over £700m by the end of the forecast period. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, let me turn now to our high street businesses.  

    I know that for them, a major source of concern is business rates.  

    From 2026-27, we intend to introduce two permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties which make up the backbone of high streets across the country… 

    … and it is our intention that is paid for by a higher multiplier for the most valuable properties.

    [redacted political content]

    So I will today provide 40% relief on business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure industry in 2025-26… 

    … up to a cap of £110,000 per business. 

    Alongside this, the small business tax multiplier will be frozen next year.  

    Next, I can confirm that alcohol duty rates on non-draught products will increase in line with RPI from February next year… 

    … but nearly two-thirds of alcoholic drinks sold in pubs are served on draught. 

    So today, instead of uprating these products in line with inflation… 

    … I am cutting draught duty by 1.7%… 

    … which means a penny off a pint in the pub. 

    Alongside the changes I am making today, I am publishing a Corporate Tax Roadmap.. 

    … providing the business certainty called for by the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce and the Institute for Directors. 

    This confirms our commitment to cap the rate of Corporation Tax at 25% – the lowest in the G7 –  for the duration of this parliament…. 

    … while maintaining full expensing and the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance… 

    …and keeping the current rates of research and development reliefs, to drive innovation. 

    Manifesto 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, in our manifesto we made a number of commitments to raise funding for our public services.  

    First, I have always said that if you make Britain your home, you should pay your tax here. 

    So today, I can confirm… 

    … we will abolish the non-dom tax regime… 

    … and remove the outdated concept of domicile from the tax system from April 2025. 

    We will introduce a new, residence based scheme… 

    … with internationally competitive arrangements for those coming to the UK on a temporary basis… 

    … while closing the loopholes in the scheme designed by the party opposite. 

    To further encourage investment into the UK, we will also extend the Temporary Repatriation Relief to three years and expand its scope… 

    … bringing billions of pounds of new funds into Britain. 

    The independent Office for Budget Responsibility say that this package of measures will raise £12.7bn over the next five years.  

    Next, the fund management industry provides a vital contribution to our economy… 

    …  but as our manifesto set out, there needs to be a fairer approach to the way carried interest is taxed.  

    So we will increase the Capital Gains Tax rates on carried interest to 32% from April 2025… 

    … and – from April 2026 – we will deliver further reforms to ensure that the specific rules for carried interest are simpler, fairer and better targeted. 

    In our manifesto we committed to reforming stamp duty land tax to raise revenue while supporting those buying their first home.  

    We are increasing the stamp-duty land tax surcharge for second-homes… 

    …known as the “Higher Rate for Additional Dwellings”… 

    … by 2 percentage points, to 5%, which will come into effect from tomorrow.  

    This will support over 130,000 additional transactions from people buying their first home, or moving home over, the next five years. 

    Next, we committed to reform the Energy Profits Levy on oil and gas companies. 

    I can confirm today that we will increase the rate of the levy to 38%, which will now expire in March 2030… 

    … and we will remove the 29% investment allowance. 

    To ensure the oil and gas industry can protect jobs and support our energy security… 

    … we will maintain the 100% first year allowances and the decarbonisation allowances too.  

    Finally, 94% of children in the UK attend state schools. 

    To provide the highest quality of support and teaching that they deserve… 

    … we will introduce VAT on private school fees from January 2025… 

    … and we will shortly introduce legislation to remove their business rates relief from April 2025, too.  

    We said in our manifesto that these changes… 

    … alongside our measures to tackle tax avoidance… 

    … would bring in £8.5bn by the final year of the forecast. 

    I can confirm today that they will in fact raise over £9bn… 

    … to support our public services and restore our public finances. 

    That is a promise made – and a promise fulfilled. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I have one final decision to take on tax today. 

    The previous government froze income tax and National Insurance thresholds in 2021… 

    … and then they did so again after the mini-budget. 

    Extending their threshold freeze for a further two years raises billions of pounds.  

    Money to deal with the black hole in our public finances…  

    … and repair our public services.  

    Having considered this issue closely… 

    … I have come to the conclusion… 

    … that extending the threshold freeze… 

    … would hurt working people. 

    It would take more money out of their payslips.

    I am keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto. 

    So there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and National Insurance thresholds beyond the decisions of the previous government.  

    From 2028-29, personal tax thresholds will be uprated in line with inflation once again.

    When it comes to choices on tax, this government chooses to protect working people every single time.  

    SPENDING 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, these are the choices I have made. 

    To restore economic stability. 

    And to protect working people.  

    The next choice I make is to begin to repair our public services.  

    In recent months, we have conducted the first phase of the Spending Review… 

    … to set departmental budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26… 

    … and I want to thank my Right Honourable Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for his tireless work with colleagues from across government.  

    Because I have taken difficult decisions on tax today… 

    … I am able to provide an injection of immediate funding over the next two years… 

    … to stabilise and to support our public services.  

    The next phase of the Spending Review will report in late Spring, and I have set the overall envelope today. 

    Day to day spending from 2024-25 onwards will grow by 1.5% in real terms… 

    … and total departmental spending, including capital spending, will grow by 1.7% in real terms. 

    At the election we promised there would be no return to austerity.  

    Today we deliver on that promise. 

    But given the scale of the challenges that are facing our public services… 

    … that means there will still be difficult choices in the next phase of the Spending Review. 

    Just as we cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity… 

    … nor can we simply spend our way to better public services.  

    So we will deliver a new approach to public service reform… 

    … using technology to improve public services… 

    … and taking a zero-based approach… 

    … so that taxpayers’ money is spent as effectively as possible…  

    … and so that we focus on delivering our key priorities.  

    Spending Review: Phase 1 

    In the first phase of the Spending Review… 

    … I have prioritised day-to-day funding to deliver on our manifesto commitments. 

    I want every child to have the best start in life… 

    … and the best possible start to the school day, too… 

    … and I know my Right Honourable Friend the Education Secretary shares my ambition.  

    So I am today tripling investment in breakfast clubs to fund them in thousands of schools.  

    I am increasing the core schools budget by £2.3bn next year… 

    … to support our pledge to hire thousands more teachers into key subjects.   

    So that our young people can develop the skills that they need for the future… 

    … I am providing an additional £300m for further education. 

    And finally, this government is committed to reforming special educational needs provision… 

    … to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children and ensure the system is financially sustainable. 

    To support that work, I am today providing a £1bn uplift in funding, a 6% real terms increase from this year.  

    There is no more important job for government than to keep our country safe, and we are conducting a Strategic Defence Review to be published next year. 

    And as set out in our manifesto, we will set a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence at a future fiscal event. 

    Today, I am announcing a total increase to the Ministry of Defence’s Budget of £2.9bn next year… 

    … ensuring the UK comfortably exceeds our NATO commitments…  

    … and providing guaranteed military support to Ukraine of £3bn per year, for as long as it takes. 

    Last week, alongside my Right Honourable Friend the Defence Secretary, I announced, in addition to this, further support to Ukraine – on top of our NATO commitment…  

    … through our £2.26bn contribution to the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration agreement… 

    … repaid using profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets. 

    And as we approach Remembrance Sunday…  

    … it is vital that we take time to remember those who have served our country so bravely.  

    So I am today announcing funding to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ day next year… 

    … to honour those who have served at home and abroad. 

    We must also remember those who experienced the atrocities of the Nazi regime first hand.  

    I would like to pay tribute to Lily Ebert, the Holocaust Survivor and educator who passed away aged 100 earlier this month.  

    I am today committing a further £2m to holocaust education next year… 

    … so that charities like the Holocaust Educational Trust, can continue their work to ensure these vital testimonies are not lost and are preserved for the future. 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to repair our public services we also need to work alongside our mayors and our local leaders. 

    We will deliver a significant real-terms funding increase for local government next year…  

    … including £1.3bn of additional grant funding to deliver essential services… 

    … with at least £600m in grant funding for social care…  

    … and £230m to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping 

    We are today confirming that Greater Manchester and the West Midlands will be the first mayoral authorities to receive integrated settlements from next year… 

    … giving Mayors meaningful control of the funding for their local areas. 

    * 

    And to support our local high streets… 

    … we are taking action to deal with the sharp rise in shoplifting we have seen in recent years. 

    We will scrap the effective immunity for low-value shoplifting introduced by the party opposite. 

    And having listened closely to organisations like the British Retail Consortium and USDAW… 

    … I am providing additional funding to crack down on the organised gangs which target retailers… 

     … and to provide more training to our police officers and retailers to help stop shoplifting in its tracks.  

    Finally, I am today providing funding to support public services and drive growth across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

    Having discussed the matter with the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, and my HFs for Llanelli and Pontypridd… 

    … I am providing a £25m to the Welsh Government next year for the maintenance of coal tips to ensure we keep our communities safe.  

    And to support growth, including in our rural areas, we will proceed with City and Growth Deals in Northern Ireland… 

    … in Causeway Coast and Glens; and Mid-South West.

    And we will drive growth in Scotland [redacted political content] including a City and growth Deal in Argyll and Bute.

    This budget provides the devolved governments with the largest real-terms funding settlement since devolution… 

    … delivering an additional £3.4 billion for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula… 

    … funding which must now be spent effectively to improve public services in Scotland.  

    This budget also provides £1.7 billion to the Welsh Government… 

    …  and £1.5 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2025-26. 

    I said there would be no return to austerity, and that is the choice I have made today.  

    REBUILDING BRITAIN 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to rebuild our country we need to increase investment. 

    The UK lags behind every other G7 country when it comes to business investment as a share of our economy. 

    That matters.  

    It means the UK has fallen behind in the race for new jobs… 

    … new industries… 

    … and new technology.  

    By restoring economic stability… 

    … and by establishing the National Wealth Fund to catalyse private funding… 

    … we have begun to create the conditions that businesses need to invest.  

    But there is also a significant role for public investment.

    Hospitals without the equipment they need.  

    School buildings not fit for our children.  

    A desperate lack of affordable housing. 

    Economic growth held back at every turn.  

    Under the plans I inherited… 

    … public investment was set to fall from 2.5% to 1.7% of GDP.  

    But in Washington last week, the International Monetary Fund were clear:  

    More public investment is badly needed in the UK.  

    So today, having listened to the case made by the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney… 

    … former Treasury Minister, Jim O’Neill… 

    … and the former Cabinet Secretary, Gus O’Donnell… 

    … among others…  

    … I am confirming our investment rule.  

    As set out in our manifesto, we will target debt falling as a share of the economy. 

    Debt will be defined as Public Sector net Financial Liabilities, or “net financial debt”, for short… 

    … a metric that has been measured by the Office for National Statistics since 2016… 

    … and forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility since that date too. 

    “Net financial debt” recognises that government investment delivers returns for taxpayers…  

    … by counting not just the liabilities on a government’s balance sheet, but the financial assets too. 

    This means that we count the benefits of investment, not just the costs… 

    And we free up our institutions to invest… 

    … just as they do in Germany, France and Japan.  

    Like our stability rule, our investment rule will apply in 2029-2030… 

    … until that becomes the third year of the forecast. 

    From that point onwards, net financial debt will fall in the third year of every forecast. 

    Today, the OBR say that we are already meeting our target two years early… 

    … with “net financial debt” falling by 2027-28…  

    … with £15.7bn of headroom in the final year. 

    So that we drive the right incentives in government investments… 

    … we will introduce four key guardrails to ensure capital spending is good value for money and drives growth in our economy.  

    First, our portfolio of new financial investments will be delivered by expert bodies like the National Wealth Fund which must, by default, earn a rate of return at least as large as that on gilts.  

    Second, we will strengthen the role of institutions to improve infrastructure delivery.  

    Third, we will improve certainty, setting capital budgets for five years and extending them at every spending review every two years. 

    Finally, we will ensure there is greater transparency for capital spending, with robust annual reporting of financial investments… 

    … based on accounts audited by the National Audit Office… 

    … and made available to the Office for Budget Responsibility at every forecast. 

    Taken together with our stability rule… 

    …these fiscal rules will ensure that our public finances are on a firm footing… 

    … while enabling us to invest prudently alongside business. 

    Growth projects  

    The capital plans I now set out… 

    … to drive growth across our country… 

    … and repair the fabric of our nation… 

    … are only possible because of our investment rule.  

    Let me set out those investment plans. 

    Industrial strategy 

    Today we are confirming our plans to capitalise the National Wealth Fund… 

    … to invest in the industries of the future… 

    … from gigafactories, to ports to green hydrogen. 

    Building on these investments, my Right Honourable Friend the Business Secretary is driving forward our modern industrial strategy… 

    … working with businesses and organisations like Make UK… 

    … to set out the sectors with the biggest growth potential. 

    Today, we are confirming multi-year funding commitments for these areas of our economy, including… 

    … nearly £1bn for the aerospace sector to fund vital research and development, building on our industry in the East Midlands, the South-West and Scotland… 

    … over £2 billion for the automotive sector… 

    …  to support our electric vehicle industry and develop our manufacturing base… 

    … building on our strengths in the North East and the West Midlands… 

    And up to £520m for a new Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund. 

    For our world-leading creative industries…  

    … we will legislate to provide additional tax relief for visual effect costs in TV and film… 

    .. and we are providing £25m for the North East Combined Authority… 

    … which they plan to use to remediate the Crown Works Studio site in Sunderland… 

    … creating 8,000 new jobs.  

    Research & Development 

    To unlock these growth industries of the future, we will protect government investment in research and development with more than £20bn worth of funding. 

    This includes at least £6.1bn to protect core research funding for areas like engineering, biotechnology and medical science… 

    …through Research England, other research councils, and the National Academies. 

    We will extend the Innovation Accelerators programme in Glasgow, in Manchester and in the West Midlands.  

    And with over £500m of funding next year, my Right Honourable Friend the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretary, will continue to drive progress in improving reliable, fast broadband and mobile coverage across our country, including in rural areas. 

    Housing 

    We committed in our manifesto to build 1.5 million homes over the course of this parliament… 

    … and my Right Honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is driving that work forward across government. 

    Today, I am providing over £5bn of government investment to deliver our plans on housing next year. 

    We will increase the Affordable Homes Programme to £3.1bn…  

    … delivering thousands of new homes.  

    We will provide £3bn of support in guarantees… 

    … to boost the supply of homes and support our small housebuilders. 

    And we will provide investment to renovate sites across our country… 

    … including at Liverpool Central Docks… 

    … where we will deliver 2,000 new homes… 

    … and funding to help Cambridge realise its full growth potential.  

    Alongside this investment, we will put the right policies in place to increase the supply of affordable housing.  

    Having heard representations from local authorities, social housing providers and from Shelter…  

    … I can today confirm that the government will reduce Right to Buy Discounts… 

    … and local authorities will be able to retain the full receipts from any sales of social housing… 

    … to reinvest back into the housing stock, and into new supply.. 

    … so that we give more people a safe, secure and affordable place to live.  

    We will provide stability to social housing providers, with a social housing rent settlement of CPI+1 percent for the next five years.  

    And we will deliver on our manifesto commitment to hire hundreds of new planning officers, to get Britain building again.  

    We will also make progress on our commitment to accelerate the remediation of homes following the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry… 

    … with £1bn of investment to remove dangerous cladding next year.  

    Transport

    Working with my Right Honourable Friend the Transport Secretary, I am changing that.  

    We are today securing the delivery of the Trans-Pennine upgrade to connect York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester…  

    … delivering fully electric local and regional services between Manchester and Stalybridge by the end of this year… 

    … with a further electrification of services between Church Fenton and York by 2026.… 

    … to help grow our economy across the North of England… 

    … with faster and more reliable services.  

    We will deliver East-West Rail to drive growth between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge…  

    … with the first services running between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes next year… 

    … and trains between Oxford and Bedford running from 2030.  

    We are delivering railway schemes which improve journeys for people across our country… 

    … including upgrades at Bradford Forster Square…  

    … improving capacity at Manchester Victoria… 

    … and electrifying the Wigan-Bolton line. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Transport Secretary has also set out a plan for how to get a grip of HS2. 

    Today, we are securing delivery of the project between Old Oak Common and Birmingham… 

    … and we are committing the funding required to begin tunnelling work to London Euston station… 

    … This will catalyse private investment into the local area. 

    I am also funding significant improvements to our roads network.  

    For too long, potholes have been an all too visible reminder of our failure to invest as a nation. 

    Today, that changes… 

    … with a £500m increase in road maintenance budgets next year… 

    … more than delivering on our manifesto commitment to fix an additional one million potholes each year. 

    We will provide over £650m of local transport funding to improve connections across our country… 

    … in our towns like Crewe and Grimsby… 

    … and in our villages and rural areas, from Cornwall to Cumbria.

    … we understand how important bus services are for our communities… 

    …so we will extend the cap for a further year, setting it at £3 until December 2025. 

    Finally we will deliver £1.3bn of funding to improve connectivity in our city regions, funding projects like…  

    … the Brierley Hill Metro extension in the West Midlands… 

    … the renewal of the Sheffield Supertram… 

    … and West Yorkshire Mass Transit, including in Bradford and Leeds.  

    Energy 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, to bring new jobs to Britain and drive growth across our country… 

    … we are delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, led by my Right Honourable Friend the Energy Secretary. 

    Earlier this month, we announced a significant multi-year investment between government and business into Carbon Capture and Storage… 

    … creating 4,000 jobs across Merseyside and Teesside. 

    Today, I am providing funding for 11 new green hydrogen projects across England, Scotland and Wales – they will be among the first commercial scale projects anywhere in the world… 

    … including in Bridgend, East Renfrewshire and in Barrow-in-Furness 

    We are kickstarting the Warm Homes Plan by confirming an initial £3.4bn over the next three years… 

    … to transform 350,000 homes… 

    … including a quarter of a million low-income and social homes. 

    And we will establish GB Energy… 

    … providing funding next year to set up GB Energy at its new home in Aberdeen. 

    Overall, we will invest an additional £100bn over the next five years in capital spending… 

    … only possible because of our investment rule.  

    The OBR say today that this will drive growth across our country in the next five years… 

    … and in the longer term increase GDP by up to 1.4%. 

    It will crowd in private investment… 

    … meaning more jobs, and more opportunities… 

    … in every corner of the UK.  

    That is the choice that I have made.  

    To invest in our country… 

    … and to grow our economy. 

    Today, I am setting out two final areas in which investment is so badly needed… 

    … to repair the fabric of our nation. 

    Schools

    [redacted political content]

    … schools roofs are crumbling….  

    … and millions of children are facing the very same backdrop as I did. 

    I will be the Chancellor that changes that.  

    So today, I am providing £6.7bn of capital investment to the Department for Education next year… 

    … a 19% real-terms increase on this year. 

    That includes £1.4bn to rebuild over 500 schools in the greatest need… 

    … including St Helen’s Primary School in Hartlepool, and Mercia Academy in Derby… 

    … and so many more across our country. 

    And we will provide a further £2.1bn to improve school maintenance, £300m more than this year… 

    … ensuring that all our children can learn somewhere safe… 

    … including dealing with RAAC affected schools in the constituencies of my HFs the members for Watford, Stourbridge, Hyndburn, and beyond.   

    Alongside investment in new teachers… 

    … and funding for thousands of new breakfast clubs… 

    … this government is giving our children and young people the opportunities that they deserve.   

    NHS 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, I come to our most cherished public service of all: our NHS.

    [redacted political content]

    In our first week in office, he commissioned an independent report into the state of our health service by Lord Darzi.  

    Its conclusions were damning.  

    While our NHS staff do a remarkable job, and we thank them for it… 

    … it is clear that, that in so many areas… 

    … we are moving in the wrong direction.  

    100,000 infants waited over 6 hours in A&E last year.  

    350,000 people are waiting a year for mental health support. 

    Cancer deaths here are higher than in other countries.  

    It is simply unforgiveable. 

    In the Spring, we will publish a 10 year plan for the NHS… 

    … to deliver a shift from hospital to community… 

    … from analogue to digital… 

    … and from sickness to prevention. 

    Today, we are announcing a downpayment on that plan…  

    …  to enable the NHS to deliver 2% productivity growth next year. 

    These reforms are vital.  

    But we should be honest.  

    The state of the NHS we inherited… 

    … after – and I quote Lord Darzi – “the most austere decade since the NHS was founded” –  

    … means reform must come alongside investment. 

    So today… 

    … because of the difficult decision that I have taken on tax, welfare and spending… 

    … I can announce… 

    … that I am providing a £22.6bn increase in the day to-day health budget… 

    … and a £3.1bn increase in the capital budget… 

    … over this year and next year. 

    This is the largest real-terms growth in day to day NHS spending outside of Covid since 2010.  

    Let me set out what this funding is delivering.  

    Many NHS buildings have been left in a state of disrepair. 

    So we will provide £1 billion of health capital investment next year to address the backlog of repairs and upgrades across the NHS.  

    To increase capacity for tens of thousands more procedures next year… 

    … we will provide a further £1.5bn… 

    … for new beds in hospitals across the country…  

    … new capacity for over a million additional diagnostic tests… 

    … and new surgical hubs and diagnostic centres … 

    … so that those people waiting for their treatment can get it as quickly as possible. 

    My Right Honourable Friend the Health Secretary will be announcing the details of his review into the New Hospital Programme in the coming weeks… 

    … and publishing in the new year… 

    … but I can tell the House today… 

    … that work will continue at pace to deliver those seven hospitals affected including… 

    … West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds… 

    … and Leighton Hospital in Crewe.  

    And finally… 

    … because of this record injection of funding… 

    … because of the thousands of additional beds that we have secured… 

    … and because of the reforms that we are delivering in our NHS…  

    … we can now begin to bring waiting lists down more quickly… 

    … and move towards our target for waiting times no longer than 18 weeks… 

    … by delivering our manifesto commitment for 40,000 extra hospital appointments a week.

    [redacted political content]

    CLOSING 

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the choices that I have made today are the right choices for our country.  

    To restore stability to our public finances. 

    To protect working people. 

    To fix our NHS. 

    And to rebuild Britain.  

    That doesn’t mean these choices are easy. 

    But they are responsible.

    [redacted political content]

    This is a moment of fundamental choice for Britain.  

    I have made my choices.  

    The responsible choices. 

    To restore stability to our country. 

    To protect working people.  

    More teachers in our schools.  

    More appointments in our NHS.  

    More homes being built.  

    Fixing the foundations of our economy. 

    Investing in our future.  

    Delivering change.  

    Rebuilding Britain.

    We on these benches commend those choices… 

    … and I commend this Statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by President Trump at Executive Order Signing

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    For Immediate Release                            January 24, 2025
    REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP
    AT EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNING
    Oval Office
    (January 23, 2025)
    3:10 P.M. EST
         THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.
         Q    Hello, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  You all set?  Okay.  Very good.
         I’m going to sign some executive orders.  They were very important in just about every case.  And we’ll go through the first one, please. 
         MR. SCHARF:  Sure.  Do you want to —
         MR. SACKS:  Yeah.  Mr. President, this is an executive order on crypto.  We’re going to be —
         MR. SCHARF:  That’s AI.  Sorry.
         MR. SACKS:  Oh, sorry.  We’re doing AI first.  Sorry.
         MR. SCHARF:  Yeah, AI.
         MR. SACKS:  Sir, this is an executive order on AI.  We’re forming — we’re — we’re basically announcing the administration’s policy to make America the — the world capital in artificial intelligence and to dominate and to lead the world in AI. 
         THE PRESIDENT:  Do you want to say your name — your full name and serial number?
         MR. SACKS:  Yeah, David Sacks, AI and crypto czar.
         THE PRESIDENT:  David is one of the greatest in the world at AI — most respected, probably, there is. 
         (The executive order is signed.)
         So, that should take us to the forefront, right?
         MR. SACKS:  Absolutely.  We got to win. 
         THE PRESIDENT:  Okay. 
         Thank you. 
         MR. SCHARF:  Thank you, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  And this, David, is?
         MR. SCHARF:  Crypto.
         MR. SACKS:  Yeah, this is the crypto EO.  We’re going to be forming a internal working group to make crypto — to make America the world capital on crypto under your leadership.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Which is really going up, right? 
         MR. SACKS:  Absolutely.
         (The executive order is signed.)
         THE PRESIDENT:  All right, David.  That’s for you.  (The president gives Mr. Sacks the signing pen.)  Thanks.
         MR. SACKS:  Thank you, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  You find them exciting?  They might not be exciting, but we’re going to make a lot of money for the country.  Okay?
         MR. SACKS:  Thank you, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  And so is David.  You have to check him out.  There is nobody like this guy.  They said, “How did you get David Sacks?  How did you do that?”  And he’s — he’s doing it for the country more than anything else.  So, we appreciate it, David.  Thank you very much.
         MR. SACKS:  Thank you, sir.
         MR. SCHARF:  This is an executive order establishing a presidential commission — an advisory commission on science and technology.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Good.
         (The executive order is signed.)
         Do you want to explain that a little bit?
         MR. SCHARF:  The basic idea is to get together top people from government to private-sector technology industry, as well as educational institutions, to make sure that America maintains its leadership position with respect to science and technology development in the years ahead.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Good.  That’s great.
         MR. SCHARF:  Next, sir, we have a presidential memorandum encouraging departments and agencies in your government, including the Department of the Interior, to promote federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of —
         THE PRESIDENT:  Ohh.
         MR. SCHARF:  — North Carolina.
         THE PRESIDENT:  I love the Lumbee Tribe.  So, this is their first big step, right?
         MR. SCHARF:  This would be a huge step for them, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  They were with me all the way.  They were great — North Carolina Lumbee Tribe.
         (The presidential memorandum is signed.)
         And we’ll send — you’ll send them a copy of that?
         MR. SCHARF:  Yes, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  They were great. 
         Okay?
         MR. SCHARF:  And, if you’d like, I could get them that pen, sir, as well.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, let’s do that.  (The president gives Mr. Scharf the signing pen.)
         MR. SCHARF:  Next, we have a set of pardons for peaceful pro-life protestors who were prosecuted by the Biden administration for exercising their First Amendment rights.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Do you know how many?
         MR. SCHARF:  I believe it’s 23, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Twenty-three people that were prosecuted.  They should not have been prosecuted.  Man- of — many of them are — are elderly people.  They should not have been prosecuted.  This is a great honor to sign this.
         (The proclamation is signed.)
         They’ll be very happy.
         MR. SCHARF:  Thank you, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  So, they’re all in prison now?
         MR. SCHARF:  Some are.  Some are — are out of custody. 
         THE PRESIDENT:  It’s ridiculous.
         Okay?
         MR. SCHARF:  Lastly, sir, we have an executive order ordering the declassification of files relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
         THE PRESIDENT:  That’s a big one, huh?  A lot of people are waiting for this for a long — for years — 
         MR. SCHARF:  Yes, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  — for decades.  And everything will be revealed.
         (The executive order is signed.)
         Okay.  Give that to RFK, Jr.  (The president gives Mr. Scharf the signing pen.)
         MR. SCHARF:  Yes, sir.
         THE PRESIDENT:  Okay. 
         Okay.  Thank you very much.
         (Cross-talk.)
         Q    Mr. President — Mr. President, a U.S. judge temporarily blocked the birthright citizenship order.  Do you have any reaction to —
    THE PRESIDENT:  No.  Obviously, we’ll appeal it.  They put it before a certain judge — in Seattle, I guess, right?  And
    there’s no surprises with that judge. 
    Q    Mr. President, Senators Collins and Murkowski have now said they will vote against Pete Hegseth.  Are you worried about his confirmation, and your reaction?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No.  And no surprises there.  It’s too bad.  You know, it’s the way — the way it is.  Too bad. 
    Q    And when would you adjourn Congress to make recess appointments, Mr. President?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I’d take a look at that.  I’d listen to John Thune.  He’s doing a fantastic job.  We’re moving along.  The Democrats are trying to delay government, as they always do.  They can’t help themselves.  Even John Ratcliffe, who’s very, very strong, very popular and liked by the Democrats — I guess, he gets a lot of Democrat votes — that’s taking a long time, and it shouldn’t be taking a long time. 
    They — they’re maxing everything out so they can delay everything as much as possible.
    Q    Does Senator Thune support an effort to use recess appointments if you choose to do that?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I’d be willing to use recess appointments.  It’s up to John.  We’ll see.  John Thune is a great guy, great senator, knows his stuff inside out and backwards.  But I would use recess appointments if he wants to do that.  Absolutely.
         (Cross-talk.)
    The Democrats are just delaying.  They always delay.
    Q    Mr. President, you spoke with the Saudi crown prince yesterday.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Who?
    Q    The Saudi crown prince.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.
    Q    How was the — the call?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Great.  It was great.
    Q    And they said $600 million — billion dollar they can invest?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Six hundred.  I’ll ask them for a trillion. 
    Q    You said you’re going to ask them for a trillion.  Will Saudi Arabia be the first foreign country you will visit, since they’re investing that much money?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, if they do that, I would, yeah.
    Q    You would?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I would be glad to do that.  I did it, as you know, four years ago.  We did $450 billion — meaning the money all goes to American companies — and they purchased jets and they purchased computers and everything else.  And we did $450 billion, and I guess we’re at $600, $650.
    (Cross-talk.)
    And I’ll see if I can talk them into a trillion.
    Q    And on the Middle East again.  You showed great confidence in Steve Witkoff.  Why you said that you doubt that the ceasefire in Gaza will — will hold since you appraised his efforts?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, no, I think he’s great.  But it’s a very tricky place.  It’s very tricky.  And we’ll see.  And if it — if something does happen, they will not be happy. 
    Q    Sir, follow-up on that one.  In terms of Steve Witkoff, are you going to put him in charge of — of Iran strategy?  And do you want him talking directly with the Iranians?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, but he — he certainly is somebody I would use.  He’s done a fantastic job.  He’s a great negotiator.  He’s a very good person, great — a very popular person.  Gets along with people.  I have great negotiators.  They — they have no personality whatsoever, and then I have some that do. 
    Steve has a wonderful way about him and people like him.  And even in this case, both sides like him, and he was able to make a deal.  That deal would have never been made without Steve. 
    The Biden people couldn’t make the deal.  They were working on it for a year and a half.  They couldn’t make a deal.  We got it done prior to the inauguration.  We said it has to be before the inauguration. 
    I mean, the deal should hold, but if it doesn’t hold, there’ll be a lot of problems.
    (Cross-talk.)
    Q    Related to your AI EO.  Just hours after you made that big Stargate announcement, Elon Musk tweeted that they don’t actually have the money.  Is that true?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t know if they do, but, you know, they’re putting up the money.  The government is not putting up anything.  They’re putting up money.  They’re very rich people, so I hope they do. 
    And, I mean, Elon doesn’t like one of those people.  So, (inaudible).
    (Cross-talk.)
    Q    Are you worried that AI is going to replace many American jobs? 
    THE PRESIDENT:  No.
    Q    Does that worry you?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, no.  It’s going to create tremendous numbers of jobs.  It’s going to also create a lot of benefits, medically, for cancer research and other things.  It’s going to have a huge positive impact.
    And, you know, we want to be ahead of China.  We’re, right now, way ahead of China.
    David Sacks is one of the all-time experts.  You know, that — people are amazed that he — you just met him.  I don’t know if he’s still here.
    MR. SACKS:  (Inaudible.)
    THE PRESIDENT:  There he is.
    But — but one of the most respected people in that world.  It’s a world.  That’s a whole different world. 
    And we’re ahead of China now because of what I’m doing, and I think it’s going to be very successful. 
    (Cross-talk.)
    Q    On NATO spending, please.  You just asked the Davos forum again that NATO countries should spend 5 percent of GDP on defense.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.
    Q    The United States don’t spend 5 percent.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I — I don’t think so, no.
    Q    Do you think it should also apply to the United States?
    THE PRESIDENT:  We’re protecting them, you know?  They’re not protecting us.  We’re protecting them.  So, I don’t think we should be spending — I’m not sure we should be spending anything, but we should certainly be helping them.  But they should — they should up their 2 percent to 5 percent, yeah.
    Q    Mr. President — Mr. President, you said earlier during your speech at Davos that you would like to see interest rates come down.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.
    Q    How much would you like to see them come down?
    THE PRESIDENT:  A lot.
    Q    And will you talk with Powell?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I’d like to see them come down a lot, and oil prices will come down.  And when oil prices come down, everything is going to be cheaper for the American people — and actually for the world — but for the American people.  So, I’d like to see oil prices come down.
    And when the energy comes down, that’s going to knock out a lot of the inflation.  That’s going to automatically bring the interest rates down. 
    Q    Are you worried that it’s too much going on at once if you’re —
    Q    Mr. President, you said that you would demand —
    Q    Are you worried that there’s too much going on at once if you’re trying to bring interest rates down and —
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, no.
    Q    — get the economy back going?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No.  It just works that way.  I mean, it just economically works that way.  When the oil comes down, it’ll bring down prices, then you won’t have inflation, and then the interest rates will come down.  (Inaudible.)
    (Cross-talk.)
    Q    You said that you would demand that the interest rates come down. 
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I would put in —
    Q    Do you expect —
    THE PRESIDENT:  I would put in a strong statement.
    Q    Do you expect the Fed to listen to you?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah. 
    Q    Are you going to talk to Powell about this and — bringing the rates down?
    THE PRESIDENT:  At — at the right time, I would.
    Q    Sir, do you plan to meet with any of the people you pardoned that were — participated in the January 6th, 2021, attack — do you plan to meet with any of them or meet with them at the White House?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t know.  I’m sure that they probably would like to.  I did — I did them something important.  But what they did is they were protesting a crooked election.  And, you know, I mean, people understand that also.  And they were treated very badly.  Nobody’s been treated like that. 
    So, I’d be open to it, certainly.  I — I don’t know of anything like that, but I think they — they’re going to — meeting some of the congresspeople — congressmen, -women —
    Q    Have you spoken to them?
    THE PRESIDENT:  — who want to — want to meet.  But I’d certainly be open to it. 
    Q    Have you spoken to them since you issued the pardons?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I haven’t spoken to any of them yet, but I know they’re very happy. 
    (Cross-talk.)
    I gave them — I gave them their life back.  Their life was taken away from them unnecessarily and unfairly.  I gave them their life back.  So, I can imagine they probably would like to.
    Q    What did you mean when you said that Biden took bad advice in not pardoning himself yesterday? 
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, he did.  I think he did, because he — he pardoned all these people that are crooked as hell.  Look, the congressmen, they’re crooked.  What they did is they destroyed evidence.  When you destroy evidence, especially criminally like that — they did it criminally. 
    And the reason they destroyed the evidence is because it proved that I was right.  They didn’t destroy evidence for no reason.  They destroyed it because they found many documents saying that I offered 10,000 soldiers.  If they had 500 soldiers or National Guard, there would have been no problem.  If they had 200, that would have been — I offered 10,000, if they needed them — there would have been no problem. 
    That’s been now totally disproven.  And it’s also been disproven by Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, who has her on tape saying it was her fault, that she has full responsibility for this. 
    But — and they have all that stuff.  They destroyed everything, and they go through a year and a half, two years of nonsense, they come up with tremendous evidence, and they destroyed evidence.
    And Schiff knew about it.  That’s why he’s on there.  He knew all about the destruction of evidence.  A lot of people said he’s the one that got them to do it.  And he’s a crooked guy — you know? — totally crooked politician.  And so, he’s pardoned, and some other people are pardoned. 
    And these are crooked politicians, every one of them.  Bennie Johnson [Thompson], what he did is incredible.  I mean, he was the leader of the committee, and he did it.  Cheney, Crying Adam Kinzinger, all of them — they destroyed evidence and deleted everything. 
    There’s nothing with — there’s no evidence now.  They’re crooked politicians, and they should be punished.  You know, that’s — even in a civil trial, you go to jail for a thing like that.  They destroyed every document, from what I understand — every document — because it proved that I was totally innocent. 
    Q    Do you plan to send up to 10,000 troops to the southern border, sir?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Oh, southern border?
    Q    Yes, the border. 
    THE PRESIDENT:  When you say “southern border” — when I said “10,000 troops,” I was referring to the Capitol. 
    Q    Oh, I see.  A- — and when does that —
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, no, you got it wrong.  I was referring — 
    Q    When do you plan —
    THE PRESIDENT:  — to the Cap- — 
    Q    When do you plan to do that?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I offered 10,000 troops to the Capitol before January 6th.
    Q    And as for the 1,500 at the southern border, sir, to clarify, what exactly do you want them to be doing right now?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Making sure that the border is safe and secure and that criminals don’t come into our country.
    Q    Mr. President, do you think that sanctions on Russia will force President Putin to negotiate?
    THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t know, but I think he should make a deal. 
    Q    Mr. President, does it bother you that Elon Musk criticized a deal that you made publicly, that he said — that he tweeted that?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, it doesn’t.  He hates one of the people in the deal.  So — 
    Q    Have you spoken to him since then?
    THE PRESIDENT:  No, no.  I’ve — well, I’ve spoken Elon but —
    Q    Not about that? 
    THE PRESIDENT:  I’ve spoken to all of them, actually.
    No, no.  The people in the deal are very, very smart people.  But Elon, one of the people he happens to hate.  But I have certain hatreds of people too —
    Q    Sir —
    THE PRESIDENT:  — you know?
    Q    Sir, on China.  What do you think Xi Jinping can do on the Ukraine-Russia war? 
    THE PRESIDENT:  Which one?
    Q    Ukraine-Rus- — -Russia war.  What can Xi Jinping do about that?
    THE PRESIDENT:  China?
    Q    Yeah.
    THE PRESIDENT:  They have a lot of power over Russia.  They supply energy to Russia, and Russia supplies energy to them.  They supply other things to — you know, it — it’s really a very big trade.  It’s a very big trading partner.  But Russia supplies a lot of energy to China, China pays them a lot of money for that, and I think they have a lot of power over Russia.  So, I think Russia should want to make a deal. 
    Maybe they want to make a deal.  I think, from what I hear, Putin would like to see me, and we’ll meet as soon as we can.  I’d — I’d meet immediately.  Every day we don’t meet, soldiers are being killed in a battlefield, and that battl- — battlefield is like no battlefield since World War II.  That’s a —
    Q    You said that U- — Ukraine wants to —
    THE PRESIDENT:  And I have — I have pictures that you don’t want to see.  Soldiers are being killed on a daily basis at numbers that we haven’t seen in decades.  And it would be nice to end that war.  It’s a ridiculous war. 
    Q    You said that Ukraine is ready to make a deal.  Did President Zelenskyy tell you that at — personally?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, sure.  He’s ready to negotiate a deal.  He’d like to stop.  He’s a — he’s somebody that lost a lot of soldiers, and so did Russia — lost a lot.  I mean, Russia lost more soldiers.  They lost 800,000 soldiers.  Would you say that’s a lot?  I’d say it’s a lot.
    (Cross-talk.)
    Q    Mr. President, you said that you wanted to make Dr. King’s dream a reality.  What’s your response to his children and civil rights leaders who say that your DEI orders are a contradiction of his dream and could further drive racial disparities?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I haven’t heard that. 
    Q    Mr. President, you put the Houthis back on the terror list.  How do you see the war in Yemen end now?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we’ll see what happens, but they can’t shoot down our ships — the Houthis.
    Q    Yes.
    THE PRESIDENT:  And that — you can’t shoot down our ships or any ships, and that’s what they’ve been doing.  So, they’re on the terror list, and —
    Q    Mr. President —
    THE PRESIDENT:  — that’s not good for them.
    Q    Mr. President —
    Q    Sir, why did you revoke security protections for former Secretary of State Mi- — Mike Pompeo and — and Brian Hook?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, the same reason I do — when you, you know, have protection, you can’t have it for the rest of your life.  Do you want to have a large detail of people guarding people for the rest of their lives?  I mean, there’s risks to everything. 
    Q    Do you think a former presidents should (inaudible) —
    Q    Sir, would you support striking Iran’s nuclear facilities?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Say it? 
    Q    Would you support Israel, for example, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities?  Or do you — 
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I’m not going to answer that.
    Q    — believe in diplomacy?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Obviously, I’m not going to answer that question.  We’ll have to see.  I — I’m going to be meeting with various people over the next couple of days, and we’ll see.  But hopefully that can be worked out without having to worry about it.  It would be nice — it would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step. 
    Q    And who are you going to meet with, if I — if I may ask?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I’d rather not say that, but very high-level people.  But hopefully that could be worked out. 
    You know, look, Iran, hopefully, will be — make a deal.  And if they don’t make a deal, I guess that’s okay too.
    Q    And, Mr. President, just to follow up, you said you think the Fed should listen to you.  Can you elaborate on why you think it should?
    THE PRESIDENT:  With regard to interest rates?
    Q    Correct, yes.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Because I think I know interest rates much better than they do, and I think I know it certainly much better than the one who’s primarily in charge of making that decision. 
    But, no, I’m guided by them very much, but if I disagree, I will let it be known.
    Q    Mr. President —
    Q    Sir, your tariffs planned for China and Mexico are much tougher — or the ones for Canada and Mexico are much tougher than the one for China.  Why is it softer for China?
    THE PRESIDENT:  Well, China is already paying a lot of tariffs because of me, and when you add them up, I would say, you know, they’re paying a lot.  They paid hundreds of billions of dollars.  They never paid 10 cents until I came along.  When I came along, they pay hundreds of — they’ve paid hundreds of billions of dollars.  Never paid anything.  And so, they’ve already started at a higher base.
    Q    Is February 1st —
    Q    Sir, about the border —
    Q    — the date for Chinese tariffs as well, sir?  February 1?  Or was that just Mexico and Canada?
    THE PRESIDENT:  It’s Mexico and Canada.  But we’ll — we’re talking about China too.  Look, China is sending us tremendous amounts of bad drugs: fentanyl — really bad stuff.  Most of it comes through Mexico.  And we’re losing, I s- — I think, 300,000 lives a year because of that.  People say 150, 100, 120.  I think 300,000 lives a year.  Those are old numbers.  The other — the lower number is a low number.  And we can’t have that.  They’ve got to stop sending it. 
    I had a deal with President Xi, but it was a deal that wasn’t followed up by Biden, of course, where they were going to issue the death penalty to people that make fentanyl, and that would have stopped it.  But we’ll have to stop it with tariffs. 
    Okay?  Thank you very much, everybody. 
    Q    So, is China (inaudible) —
    (Cross-talk.) 
    THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Appreciate it. 
    Q    Thank you, Mr. President.
    THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 
                             END                    3:30 P.M. EST

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SUM Renews Traditions: The University Hosted the D.S. Lvov National Economic Forum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 30, 2024, the National Economic Forum named after D.S. Lvov was held at the Information Technology Center of the State University of Management, within the framework of which a new master’s educational program of the Eurasian Network University “Economics of Integration Processes in the Eurasian Economic Union” was opened.

    The plenary session was attended by: Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina, Co-Chair of the Forum, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Institutional Economics of the State University of Management Georgy Kleiner, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Albert Bakhtizin, Head of the Scientific Direction “Macroeconomics and Institutional Theory” of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Viktor Dementyev, Director of the Department of Support of New Businesses of the State Corporation “Rosatom” Dmitry Baidarov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Economic Policy and Economic Measurements of the Institute of Economics and Finance of the State University of Management Sergey Glazyev. The moderator was Director of the IEF of the State University of Management Galina Sorokina.

    The renewal of the tradition of holding the Forum will allow the State University of Management to advance in economic science. This was stated by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina. Addressing all participants, students of Academician Dmitry Lvov and future economists, she also noted that this decision will contribute to interdisciplinary research, which is especially relevant today.

    It should be noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Dmitry Lvov’s graduation from the Moscow Ordzhonikidze Engineering and Economics Institute (now the State University of Management). The head of the Department of Institutional Economics at our university, Georgy Kleiner, delivered a report to the audience. Georgy Borisovich drew attention to the fact that not many economists offered their economic paradigm to the world. Academician Lvov saw the essence of economics in the fusion of material factors, spiritual quests, emotions and institutional influences. It is thanks to this science that we are a society. A person is not only the main resource of the economy, but also a beneficiary, a source of progress. He should not be a hostage to the economic system, but a part of it. Dmitry Lvov’s key idea was that the economy should be a link between man and humanity. It was to study such global issues that Academician Lvov created the first Department of Institutional Economics in Russia at the State University of Management.

    During the active work of Dmitry Lvov, the Internet had not yet penetrated into all spheres of life, but today the academician’s speeches would be constantly on everyone’s lips, because he outraged the space with uncomfortable questions. This was very subtly noted by the director of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Albert Bakhtizin. Back in 2004, he drew attention to the depopulation of Russia, the unfair division of resources, noted the importance of contacts with China, described the instruments of pressure of the USA on other countries, that is, he saw the contours of the future world order. The speaker analyzed modern economic problems in detail, in particular, he noted that even experts in the USA understand how harmful excessive dollarization is for the world economy.

    Viktor Dementyev, head of the Macroeconomics and Institutional Theory research department at the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave a report on the topic of “The Resilience of Russian Regional Economies under Different Shocks.” According to him, the modern economy has experienced four shocks: the Great Recession of 2009, the sanctions wave of 2015, the pandemic, and, of course, the second wave of sanctions, which is still ongoing. Research has shown that entities that are resilient to one shock are also resilient to others. But at the same time, methods for successfully overcoming one crisis do not always work under another.

    Dmitry Baidarov, Director of the Department for Support of New Businesses at the Rosatom State Corporation, expressed the opinion that economic challenges facing Russia did not appear after the start of the SVO or during the pandemic – they have always been there, it’s just that the attitude towards them was different before. The history of Rosatom shows that if you pay attention to a gap in the economy in time, you can quickly and effectively fill it. For example, the corporation currently fulfills 88% of global orders for the construction of nuclear power facilities. Dmitry Baidarov regretfully noted that the paradigm of a competitive rather than a partnership economy, imported from outside, still prevails in Russia. The speaker said that Rosatom only realized two years ago how much engineers and economists are needed in production, and there are almost none left on the labor market, so the focus of the State University of Management on training just such specialists is very timely.

    Sergey Glazyev, Head of the Department of Economic Policy and Economic Measurements at the Institute of Economics and Finance at the State University of Management, said that Dmitry Lvov was his academic advisor, with whom they substantiated the priorities of Russia’s new economic development and discussed the need to create state corporations as opposed to the fragmentation of production cycles. China has followed this path and achieved a lot, and we are facing dynamic catch-up, which is also impossible without the creation of state corporations. For an economic breakthrough, we need not just a sharp increase in investment, but targeted investment lines. The experience of Asian economies shows that this is the only way it works. If we followed the ideas of Lvov, who claimed that money cannot be a moral value and the core of the economy, we would already be world leaders along with India and China, where this is carefully monitored.

    The second part of the plenary session was no less interesting and productive. It was dedicated to the opening of the educational program of the Eurasian Network University “Economics of Integration Processes in the Eurasian Economic Union”.

    The program was presented by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov, who noted that questions about the “fifth freedom”, freedom of knowledge, are becoming increasingly loud today, so the opening of the new program is fully supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo. The Vice-Rector reported that the program was developed with the assistance of the Eurasian Economic Commission and about 20 master’s students have already been enrolled, and training will start this week. The process will be hybrid, for which a special information environment has been developed.

    One of the developers of the program, Deputy Director of the Department of Macroeconomic Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission Kanybek Azhekbarov wished all applicants good studies and drew the attention of those gathered to the fact that the program was created on the basis of additional professional education, which has already trained 40 specialists.

    The head of the program, Sergey Glazyev, thanked the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the government of Kyrgyzstan and the State University of Management for their support. He shared plans to expand the program and noted that the Eurasian Economic Union and its labor market cannot effectively exist without a common educational space, and the State University of Management is an excellent platform to begin forming it.

    At the end of the new program, students were presented with a symbolic pass to the State University of Management. After the break, the Forum continued in sections and round tables.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/30/2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/30/2024 Changes in the parameters of the fourth deposit auction of the Federal Treasury

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Application selection parameters. The date of selection of applications is 10.30.2024. Unique application selection identifier 22024560. Deposit currency is rubles. Type of funds in the single treasury account. The maximum amount of funds placed on bank deposits, million monetary units 645,000. Placement period, in days 2. Date of depositing funds 10/30/2024. Refund date 11/01/2024. Interest rate for placing funds (fixed or floating) FIXED. Minimum fixed interest rate for placing funds, % per annum 20.05. Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds – Minimum spread, % per annum – Conditions for concluding a bank deposit agreement (term, replenishable or special) Term. Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units 1,000. Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.5. Application selection form (open or closed)Open. Application selection schedule (Moscow time). Place of application selection PJSC Moscow Exchange Acceptance of applications: from 18:30 to 18:40. Applications in advance mode: from 18:30 to 18:35. Applications in competition mode: from 18:35 to 18:40. Formation of a consolidated register of applications: from 18:40 to 18:50. Establishment of the cut-off percentage rate and (or) recognition of the selection of applications as failed: from 18:40 to 18:50. Sending an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement: from 18:50 to 19:30. Receiving acceptance of an offer from credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement: from 18:50 to 19:30. Time of deposit transfer In accordance with the requirements of clause 63 and clause 64 of Order of the Federal Treasury dated April 27, 2023 No. 10n.

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

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

    https://www.moex.com/n74437

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: List of changes made to the Main directions of the unified state monetary policy for 2025 and the period 2026 and 2027

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia (2) –

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

    Category24-7, Central Bank of Russia, MIL-AXIS, Russian Banks, Russians Savings, Russian Finance, Russians Language, Russian economy, Russian banks

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  • MIL-OSI USA: 56th Security Consultative Meeting Joint Communique

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    1. The 56th United States (U.S.)-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Washington, D.C., on October 30, 2024. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. On October 17, 2024, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., and ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Kim Myung-soo, presided over the 49th ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meeting (MCM).

    2. The Secretary and the Minister reaffirmed that the U.S.-ROK Alliance is the linchpin of peace, stability, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond based on our shared values, including freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. The two leaders reviewed progress taken during 2024 to implement the “Defense Vision of the U.S.-ROK Alliance,” including enhancing extended deterrence against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), modernizing Alliance capabilities based on science and technology cooperation, and strengthening solidarity and regional security cooperation with like-minded partners. They noted that the SCM has played a pivotal role in developing the ROK-U.S. Alliance into a Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance and would continue maintaining its role as a core consultative mechanism to discuss the future development of the Alliance and provide strategic direction.  The two leaders also provided direction and guidance for continued progress in 2025 through a newly endorsed framework of U.S.-ROK bilateral defense consultative mechanisms that effectively and efficiently support Alliance objectives.  Both concurred that the current U.S.-ROK Alliance is stronger than ever and reaffirmed the two nations’ unwavering mutual commitment to a combined defense posture to defend the ROK as stated in the U.S-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, and as reflected in the Washington Declaration. The two leaders also resolved to continue to strengthen the Alliances’ deterrence and defense posture against DPRK aggression and promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region.

    3. The Secretary and the Minister reviewed the current security environment in and around the Korean Peninsula and discussed cooperative measures between the two nations. The Secretary and Minister expressed grave concern that the DPRK continues to modernize and diversify its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.  The two sides condemned the DPRK’s multiple missile launches, including ballistic missiles, its attempted launches of a space launch vehicle, and Russian-DPRK arms trade as clear violations of existing UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).  They noted that these actions present profound security challenges to the international community and pose an increasingly serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific region, as well as in the Euro-Atlantic region.

    4. Secretary Austin reiterated the firm U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK, utilizing the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, missile defense, and advanced non-nuclear capabilities.  He noted that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the United States or its Allies and partners is unacceptable and would result in the end of the Kim regime in line with the 2022 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review.  He highlighted the increased frequency and routinization of U.S. strategic asset deployments as committed to by President Biden in the Washington Declaration, and noted that these were tangible evidence of the U.S. commitment to defend the ROK.

    5. The two leaders highly appreciated the work of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) inaugurated following the Washington Declaration.  Both applauded the completion on July 11, 2024, of “United States and Republic of Korea Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula,” which represents tremendous progress of the NCG commended and endorsed by President Biden and President Yoon. The two leaders affirmed that the completion of the Guidelines established the foundation for enhancing ROK-U.S. extended deterrence in an integrated manner.  Minister Kim noted that, through such progress, the ROK-U.S. Alliance was elevated to a nuclear-based alliance. The two leaders stressed that the principles and procedures contained in the Guidelines enable Alliance policy and military authorities to maintain an effective nuclear deterrence policy and posture.  The Secretary and Minister also welcomed the successful execution of the ROK-U.S. NCG table-top simulations and table-top exercises to enhance decision-making about nuclear deterrence and operations, and planning for potential nuclear contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.  Both sides affirmed that the full capabilities of the two countries would contribute to the Alliance’s combined deterrence and defense posture, and in this regard the Secretary welcomed the recent establishment of the ROK Strategic Command.  The Secretary and Minister directed the NCG to continue swift progress on NCG workstreams, including security protocols and expansion of information sharing; nuclear consultation processes in crises and contingencies; nuclear and strategic planning; ROK conventional support to U.S. nuclear operations in a contingency through conventional-nuclear integration (CNI); strategic communications; exercises, simulations, training, and investment activities; and risk reduction practices.  They noted that such efforts would be coordinated to strengthen capabilities of the ROK and United States to enhance U.S.-ROK extended deterrence cooperation in an integrated manner, and looked forward to receiving regular updates on NCG progress activities at future SCMs.

    6. The two sides pledged to continue coordinating efforts to deter DPRK’s nuclear threat with the Alliance’s overwhelming strength, while continuing to pursue efforts through sanctions and pressure to dissuade and delay DPRK’s nuclear development.  Both leaders stressed the importance of full implementation of UNSCRs by the entire international community, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council.  The two leaders urged the international community to prevent and respond to DPRK’s sanctions evasion so that it abandons its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile development.  To this end, they decided to work closely with each other and the international community to combat the DPRK’s illegal and malicious cyber activities, cryptocurrency theft, overseas laborer dispatches, and ship-to-ship transfers.  The Secretary and Minister expressed concern that Russia-DPRK military cooperation, which has been intensified since the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two, is deepening regional instability.  The two leaders made clear that military cooperation, including illegal arms trade and high-technology transfers between Russia and the DPRK, constitute a clear violation of UNSCRs, and called on Russia to uphold its commitments.  The two leaders also strongly condemned in the strongest terms with one voice that the military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK has expanded beyond transfers of military supplies to actual deployment of forces, and pledged to closely coordinate with the international community regarding this issue. 

    7. Both leaders reiterated the willingness of their Presidents to pursue dialogue and diplomacy, backed by a robust and credible deterrence and defense posture.  In this regard, Secretary Austin expressed support for the goals of the ROK’s Audacious Initiative and President Yoon’s vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous unified Korean Peninsula, and welcomed President Yoon’s desire to open a path for serious and sustained diplomacy with the DPRK.  Both sides reaffirmed that they remain open to dialogue with the DPRK without preconditions and pledged to continue close coordination.

    8. The Minister and the Secretary noted concerns that the DPRK’s claims of “two hostile countries,” and activities near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) could threaten peace and the Armistice on the Korean Peninsula.  The two leaders strongly condemned DPRK’s activities that raise tension on the Korean Peninsula, such as multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) infiltrations in the past, as well as the recent unilateral detonation of sections of inter-Korean roads and ongoing launches of “filth and trash balloons,” and urged the DPRK to immediately cease such activities.  The Secretary and the Minister concurred that the Armistice Agreement remains in effect as an international norm guaranteeing the stable security order on the Korean Peninsula, and that all parties of the Korean War should abide by it while it remains in force.  Both sides noted that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) has been an effective means of separating military forces and preventing military tension over the past 70 years, and urged the DPRK to respect the NLL.

    9. Secretary Austin and Minister Kim reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in implementing, managing, and enforcing the Korean Armistice Agreement, deterring DPRK aggression, and coordinating a multinational, united response in case of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.  They reaffirmed that UNC has successfully contributed to those aims for more than 70 years and continues to carry out its mission with the utmost respect for the sovereignty of ROK, the primary host nation.  Both sides welcomed the successful organization of the second ROK-UNC Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting and expressed their appreciation for UNC Member State contributions.  They welcomed the addition of Germany to UNC, and noted that peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, including the Korean Peninsula, and Euro-Atlantic regions are increasingly connected.  The two leaders are determined to continue seeking the expanded participation in UNC by like-minded countries that share the values of the 1953 Washington Declaration, anchored in the principles of the UN Charter and mandates of relevant UNSCRs. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Kim for the ROK’s efforts to support the UNC’s role to maintain and enforce the Armistice Agreement, and to support the defense of the ROK against DPRK aggression.  In this regard, the Secretary and Minister both highlighted their desire to expand combined exercises, information sharing, and interoperability between the ROK, the Combined Forces Command, and UNC Member States.

    10. The Secretary and the Minister also noted the critical role that U.S. forces in the ROK have played for more than 70 years and reaffirmed that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) continues to play a decisive role in preventing armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and in promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia.  Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to maintain current USFK force levels to defend the ROK. 

    11. The Secretary and Minister also reviewed the work of the various bilateral mechanisms such as the U.S.-Korea Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD).  They welcomed efforts to enhance information sharing through the U.S. Shared Early Warning System (SEWS) for strengthening the Alliance’s detection capabilities in response to advancing DPRK missile threats.  They also commended the work of the Counter-Missile Working Group (CMWG) and reviewed “the Joint Study on Alliance Comprehensive Counter-Missile Strategy” aimed at informing recommendations for counter-missile capabilities and posture of ROK and United States.  The Secretary and Minister also discussed concrete efforts to strengthen cooperation in space and cyber to robustly deter and defend against growing threats.  They endorsed efforts by the Space Cooperation Working Group (SCWG) to improve space situational awareness information sharing and interoperability, and acknowledged the need to expand ROK participation in exercises and training that can strengthen Alliance space capability and improve resilience against growing space threats.  In particular, the Secretary also welcomed ROK participation in the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell to leverage space industry and strengthen allied space capabilities.  The Secretary and Minister also pledged to deepen cyber cooperation through the Cyber Cooperation Working Group and improve coordination through cyber defense exercises, such as Cyber Alliance and Cyber Flag.  Overall, both leaders expressed appreciation for the continuing cooperation to ensure the Alliance’s space, cyber, and counter-missile efforts to keep pace with the evolving threats posed by the DPRK.

    12. Noting the importance of science and technology (S&T) cooperation, the Secretary and Minister decided to establish the Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee (DSTEC) at the Vice-Minister-Under Secretary level within this year, to guide and prioritize Alliance defense S&T cooperation.  They noted priority areas for cooperation including autonomy, artificial intelligence, and crewed-uncrewed teaming are particularly vital to ensure the ROK is able to achieve the goals of Defense Innovation 4.0 and modernize Alliance capabilities.  Both leaders also welcomed future S&T cooperation related to quantum technologies, future-generation wireless communication technologies, and directed energy to ensure that S&T advancements enhance the combined capabilities of the Alliance.  This included efforts to identify potential areas of collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II.  The Secretary welcomed the Minister’s proposal to host a Defense Science and Technology conference in 2025, and concurred that the DSTEC should leverage this conference to baseline and prioritize Alliance defense S&T collaboration.

    13. The Secretary and Minister also reviewed efforts to improve the interoperability, interchangeability, and resilience of the U.S. and ROK defense industrial base.  They underscored the need to improve efficient and effective collaboration in the development, acquisition, fielding, logistics, sustainment, and maintenance of defense capabilities, and to ensure that S&T advancements are swiftly and seamlessly transitioned into acquisition and sustainment efforts.  Both leaders welcomed progress under the U.S. Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) and welcomed ROK participation in a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) pilot project on Air Force aviation maintenance.  The two leaders noted that this pilot project could lead to more bilateral co-sustainment opportunities, and also expand defense industrial collaboration with like-minded partners in the region in light of the ROK’s key role in the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) contact group.  The Secretary and Minister also noted with satisfaction the recent U.S. Navy contract with ROK shipyards to conduct MRO services for U.S. vessels, and underscored the potential to expand such work to improve the resilience of the Alliance’s posture in the Indo-Pacific Region.  The Secretary and Minister also recognized the need to improve reciprocal market access to deepen defense industrial cooperation and enhance supply chain resiliency, and are committed to accelerate cooperation with the goal of signing the Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement next year based on guidance from both Presidents.

    14. The Secretary and the Minister received and endorsed the MCM Report to the SCM presented by the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown.  They welcomed the efforts of General Brown, Admiral Kim, and the MCM to enhance military plans, posture, training, exercises, and efforts to coordinate U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command (CFC) activities and enhance military strength of the Alliance.  The Secretary and Minister concurred that the Freedom Shield 24 (FS 24) and Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 (UFS 24) exercises, which included realistic threats from the DPRK advancing nuclear, missile, space, and cyber threats, enhanced the Alliance’s crisis management and strengthened deterrence and defense capabilities.  In addition, they assessed that combined field training exercises (FTX), which were more extensive than the past year and conducted in land, maritime and air domains, enhanced interoperability and combined operations execution capabilities.  Based on such outcomes, both leaders decided to continue strengthening combined exercises and training in line with the rapidly changing security environment of the Korean Peninsula, and further decided that future combined exercises should include appropriate and realistic scenarios including responses to DPRK nuclear use.  The Secretary and the Minister also emphasized that ensuring consistent training opportunities for USFK is critical to maintaining a strong combined defense posture.  Secretary Austin noted the efforts of ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND) to improve the training conditions for U.S. and ROK forces and stressed the importance of maintaining close cooperation between USFK and MND for the joint use of ROK facilities and airspace for training. 

    15. Given the growth and diversification of the DPRK’s chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons and delivery systems, both leaders assessed efforts and works to ensure execution of Alliance missions under a CBRN-challenged environment.  In particular, they welcomed progress by the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee (CWMDC), including the expansion of information sharing required for nuclear elimination operations consistent with the Nuclear Weapons Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the strengthening of cooperation to prevent proliferation of WMD in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders welcomed continued multinational counter-proliferation activities in the region amidst advancements of DPRK nuclear and missile program and intensification of arms trade between Russia and the DPRK following the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.  Secretary Austin expressed appreciation for ROK contributions to various global security efforts such as Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), and the Minister and the Secretary concurred on the importance of maintaining cooperative efforts to enforce relevant counter-proliferation UNSCRs.

    16. The Secretary and Minister also reviewed the progress and works to fulfill the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control (OPCON) Transition Plan (COTP).  Both leaders reaffirmed that the conditions stated in the bilaterally approved COTP must be met before wartime OPCON is transitioned in a stable and systematic manner.  They received the results of the annual U.S.-ROK bilateral evaluation on the capabilities and systems for conditions #1 and #2 based on the bilaterally-approved assessment criteria and standards.  Both leaders affirmed that there was a significant progress of this year’s bilateral evaluation on readiness posture and capabilities, and pledged to continue close consultations between the ROK and the United States. for the establishment of the Future-CFC.  The Secretary and the Minister also reaffirmed that Future-CFC Full Operational Capability (FOC) Certification would be pursued when the results of the bilateral evaluation on the capabilities and systems of conditions #1 and #2 meet the mutually approved levels.  Regarding condition #3, the Secretary and the Minister decided to remain in close consultation for the assessment of the security environment.  Both sides pledged to support continued evaluation and progress in wartime OPCON transition implementation through annual MCMs and SCMs, and affirmed that the wartime OPCON transition would strengthen ROK and Alliance capabilities and the combined defense posture. 

    17. The Secretary and the Minister reviewed the regional security environment, and plans to expand U.S.-ROK security cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific region to support maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.  They also reaffirmed support for Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture as well as regional efforts of the Pacific Islands Forum.  In particular, the two leaders noted the importance of enhancing cooperation during the implementation of both the ROK and U.S. respective strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.  To this end, the Secretary and the Minister endorsed the “Regional Cooperation Framework for U.S.-ROK Alliance Contributions to Security in the Indo-Pacific,” and discussed priorities areas and partners to better respond to the complex regional and global security situation.  After reviewing the work of the ROK-U.S. Regional Cooperation Working Group (RCWG), both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen defense cooperation with ASEAN members and work together with the Pacific Island Countries to contribute to regional security.  The Secretary and the Minister also acknowledged the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as reflected in the April 2023 “Joint Statement in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Alliance between the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.”  

    18. The Secretary and the Minister reflected on the remarkable progress made during 2024 to fulfill the historic understandings at the Camp David Summit.  They welcomed the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework (TSCF), signed by the Ministers and the Secretary of the United States, ROK, and Japan in July, along with enhanced sharing of missile warning information and efforts to systematically conduct trilateral exercises, including the first execution of the multi-domain trilateral exercise FREEDOM EDGE.  The Secretary and the Minister reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to promote and expand trilateral security cooperation including senior-level policy consultations, trilateral exercises, information sharing, and defense exchange cooperation.

    19. The two sides also took the opportunity to reaffirm that expediting the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in the ROK is in the interests of both countries, and decided to work closely to ensure the timely return of the bases in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and related agreements.  The two leaders noted the significance of the complete construction of Yongsan Park, and pledged to expedite the remaining return of Yongsan Garrison.  The Minister and the Secretary also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to discuss the return of other U.S. military bases through regular consultations through SOFA channels to reach mutually acceptable outcomes in the future.

    20. Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude that the ROK is contributing toward ensuring a stable environment for U.S. Forces Korea.  The Secretary and Minister also welcomed the recent conclusion of consultations related to a 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA), and concurred that it would greatly contribute to the strengthening of the U.S.-ROK combined defense posture.

    21. Secretary Austin and Minister Kim affirmed that the discussions during the 56th SCM and the 49th MCM contributed to strengthening the U.S.-ROK Alliance with a vision toward the further development of a truly global alliance.  The two leaders commended the U.S. and ROK military and civilian personnel that worked to strengthen the bond of the Alliance, and expressed appreciation for their shared commitment and sacrifice.  Both sides expect to hold the 57th SCM and 50th MCM in Seoul at a mutually convenient time in 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Fully Operational Rigetti QPU Included in UK’s Recently Opened National Quantum Computer Centre

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) officially opened the doors of its landmark facility on Harwell Campus on October 25. The state-of-the-art facility includes a fully operational 24-qubit Ankaa™-class Rigetti system, which will be made available to NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and exploratory applications development.

    LONDON, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rigetti UK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced that the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) officially opened the doors of its landmark facility on Harwell Campus on October 25. The facility will support world-class quantum computing research and provide state-of-the-art laboratories for designing, building, and testing quantum computers. Rigetti’s system located at the NQCC is a fully operational 24-qubit Ankaa™-class quantum computer, featuring tunable couplers and a square lattice for fast gate times, enhanced connectivity, and high fidelity. As part of the implementation, Rigetti will be integrating Riverlane’s technology with the long-term objective of large-scale error correction.

    In February 2024, Rigetti was awarded a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) grant delivered by Innovate UK and funded by the NQCC to deliver a quantum computing system based on the Company’s Ankaa-class architecture to the new facility. The 24-qubit system will be made available to NQCC researchers for testing, benchmarking, and exploratory applications development.

    Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni and CTO David Rivas attended the official inauguration to celebrate the milestone.

    “The NQCC opening is a great occasion for both the UK and Rigetti. We are proud that Rigetti’s on-premises quantum computer is fully operational for the NQCC research team to pursue critical research to advance our understanding of how to use quantum computing to solve real-world problems,” says Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni.

    About Rigetti
    Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

    Rigetti Computing Media Contact:
    press@rigetti.com

    Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, expectations related to the Company’s 24-qubit Ankaa-class system operating at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, including the results of researchers testing, benchmarking and performing exploratory applications development on that system, and the SBRI grant to the Company from Innovate UK. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap, help unlock quantum computing, and develop practical applications; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the ability of the Company to expand its QPU sales; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives, expansion plans and continue to innovate its existing services; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including financial and credit market fluctuations and uncertainty, rising inflation and interest rates, disruptions in banking systems, increased costs, international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare (such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions and the state of war between Israel and Hamas and related threat of a larger conflict), and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia should end the war now instead of sending other countries’ sons to die: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    When Russia invaded Ukraine, almost 1000 days ago, the General Assembly was clear in its condemnation: it deplored Russia’s aggression in the strongest terms, demanded its full withdrawal and declared Russia’s invasion to be in violation of the UN Charter.

    Only five countries voted against, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

    Today the DPRK’s support for Russia goes even further. Pyongyang provides significant support to Russia by supplying munitions, arms, and other materiel, and now 10,000 troops have arrived in Russia, with a significant number believed to be deploying to Kursk.

    In addition to aiding Russia’s ongoing violation of the UN Charter, and a UN Member State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, this cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a direct violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

    Russia voted for these resolutions. Now it violates them. This undermines not only international peace and security, but also the Security Council itself.

    Council members have repeatedly condemned these violations, yet the transfers continue.

    This latest development, Russia’s training and deployment of DPRK troops, is a significant step further for both countries. Russia has now suffered over 600,000 casualties. Instead of sending other countries’ sons to die for the imperialistic whims of one man, they should end the war now.

    Russia is not just paying for this invasion in the lives of young men. Defence and security will consume over 40% of state spending next year. 

    We can be sure that DPRK will be extracting a high price from Russia in return for the transfer of its troops, including military assistance. This risks further raising tensions on the Korean peninsula and undermining regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

    A DPRK with improved military technology and enhanced capacity to export weapons, could fuel instability in vulnerable conflict areas around the world.  An escalation of violence and expansion of the battlefield is in no one’s interest.

    It is clear that a desperate and impoverished Russia needs external support for this war to continue. Any country providing assistance to Russia’s aggression is thereby prolonging Russia’s illegal war.

    But Russia’s desperation will not deter our resolve to support Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defence in line with the UN Charter, and to protect their people and sovereignty.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kishida’s legacy: Scandals and compromise at home, global respect for security and diplomacy – AP

    Source: United States Institute of Peace

    TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down Tuesday, handing over leadership to his successor Shigeru Ishiba,…

    TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down Tuesday, handing over leadership to his successor Shigeru Ishiba, who is expected to formally take office later in the day. He says he plans to call a snap election for Oct. 27.

    Kishida’s popularity ratings were precarious during most of his three-year term due to damaging corruption scandals that eventually led him to bow out.

    At home, Kishida was seen as a leader without a vision who compromised with powerful conservative nationalists within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to stay in power. But he has won respect outside Japan, especially from the United States, for pushing bold changes in Japanese defense and security policies and for standing tougher against Russia and China.

    Here is a lookback at Kishida’s leadership and his legacy:

    Distress at home

    After taking office in October 2021, Kishida made a number of major decisions, such as reversing Japan’s nuclear energy phase-out and pursuing a rapid military buildup. But he avoided controversial social issues related to gender and sexual diversity. As head of a smaller faction in the ruling party, his top priority appeared to be keeping a stable grip on power by avoiding clashes with members of the Liberal Democrats’ powerful conservative group, led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    Abe’s assassination in July 2022 and subsequent major corruption scandals linked to Abe’s faction members left constantly in damage control mode, as his support ratings tumbled. Kishida himself narrowly escaped an explosives attack during a speech at a fishing port in western Japan’s Wakayama in April, 2023.

    Investigations into Abe’s assassination led to revelations of the Liberal Democrats’ decades-long links to South Korea’s Unification Church. That was followed by a more damaging corruption scandal involving more than 80 LDP lawmakers, again mostly in Abe’s faction, involving illegal slush funds.

    Several lawmakers, their aides and accountants were indicted in that scandal.

    Kishida led internal probes and moved to reform and tighten political funding laws, but opposition lawmakers and voters viewed the measures as inadequate.

    Public outrage over the slush funds scandal has caused the LDP to lose a few local elections this year and lawmakers within the party called for a fresh face to shake off the scandals in order to win the next national election.

    Kishida ends his term as a kingmaker who could remain influential behind the scenes after he helped lift Ishiba to a come-from-behind victory in the party’s vote on Friday against staunch conservative Sanae Takaichi.

    Stronger defense

    Kishida, who long served as foreign minister under Abe, has won respect for his national security and foreign policies that significantly deepened ties with the United States and other partners such as Australia, the U.K., South Korea and the Philippines, while elevating the country’s international profile.

    In December 2022, Kishida’s government adopted a security and defense strategy involving a rapid buildup of Japan’s military power to acquire a “counter-strike” capability with long-range cruise missiles, a major break from Japan’s post-World War II self-defense-only principle.

    Kishida’s government set a five-year goal to double Japan’s military spending to nearly 2% of GDP, eventually to about 10 trillion yen ($70 billion), making it the world’s third biggest spender after the United States and China. But it’s unclear how Japan will fund that spending and balance it against other urgent needs such as coping with the country’s shrinking population.

    In December, Kishida substantially eased Japan’s weapons export rules, allowing licensing of Japanese-made PAC-3 missile interceptors to the United States and future foreign sales of fighter jets that Japan is developing with the U.K. and Italy.

    Kishida quickly joined other G7 countries in sanctioning Russia and supporting Ukraine. He has repeatedly said “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow,” comparing the Russian invasion of Ukraine to China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. He has worked on strengthening economic and security cooperation in the region.

    “Although Kishida’s successes on foreign affairs were overshadowed by domestic political scandals involving his Liberal Democratic Party, as well as lackluster economic growth, he oversaw increases in Japan’s reputation and popularity in the region and globally, as well as the institutionalization of related partnership gains,” Mirna Galic, a senior policy analyst at the U.S. Institute of Peace, wrote in a recent article.

    Better ties with South Korea

    One of Kishida’s diplomatic successes was Japan’s improved ties with South Korea, especially in regional security and in ties with their mutual ally, the United Sates, due to shared concerns about China and North Korea.

    Kishida, under pressure from Washington and with support from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, helped mend ties between the two Asian neighbors that have suffered over Japan’s colonial-era legacy of colonialism and atrocities. Stable relations are key to the U.S.-led united front in the Pacific.

    In April, Kishida made a state visit to Washington and spoke to Congress, stressing Japan’s determination to stand by America as a global partner. In 2023, President Joe Biden invited him to a trilateral summit at Camp David with Yoon where they agreed to strengthen their trilateral security framework.

    When Kishida announced in August his plans to step down, Biden lauded Kishida’s leadership, saying he had helped take the U.S.-Japan alliance “to new heights.”

    “Guided by unflinching courage and moral clarity, Prime Minister Kishida has transformed Japan’s role in the world,” Biden said in a statement. Kishida’s “courageous leadership will be remembered on both sides of the Pacific for decades to come,” he said.

    Kishida also recently helped work out a deal with Beijing to lift a Chinese ban on imports of Japanese seafood that Beijing imposed due to Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific from its wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Tensions over China’s military activity near Japanese water and airspace persist.

    He also deepened ties with Southeast Asian countries, the Pacific Island nations as well as so-called Global South developing countries.

    G7 Hiroshima and nuclear disarmament

    Kishida represents a constituency in Hiroshima and hosting a summit of the Group of Seven wealthy nations in the city in May 2023 was a highlight of his time in office aligned with his career goal of working toward a world free of nuclear weapons.

    However, the G7 summit statement on nuclear disarmament defended the possession of nuclear weapons as a deterrence, disappointing and angering survivors of the U.S. 1945 atomic bomb attack.

    Kishida says he adheres to Japan’s principles of not developing, possessing or allowing the deployment of nuclear weapons in its territory. Ishiba, a former defense minister, has advocated deepening a discussion among regional partners about the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy.

    “New Capitalism” never took off

    Kishida espoused a “new capitalism” economic strategy calling for more equitable distribution of national wealth, an alternative to Abe’s heavy government spending and hyper-easy monetary policy. Neither policy has managed to get flagging growth back on track.

    Kishida’s defense and childcare policies would require big spending and the wage hikes he supported failed to keep pace with price increases.

    Government moves to try to reverse Japan’s falling birth rate involved mostly childcare allowances for married couples and didn’t address the problems of the growing number of young Japanese reluctant to marry and start families due to bleak job prospects, the high cost of living and a corporate culture that is unfriendly to working mothers.

    Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Evolving Threat of ISKP – Caspian Tides Podcast

    Source: United States Institute of Peace

    Welcome to Caspian Tides, the Caspian Policy Center’s new monthly podcast unpacking the major issues facing the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

    On our inaugural episode, we delve into Islamic State – Khorasan Province, the Afghanistan-based offshoot of the Islamic State. In recent months, ISKP has grabbed major headlines not only for attacks conducted within Afghanistan, but also for major attacks in Iran, Russia, and Europe. What distinguishes ISKP from other terror groups and how does it interact with Central Asia? To answer these questions and more, we welcome our expert guests, Dr. Tricia Bacon of American University and Dr. Gavin Helf of the United States Institute of Peace.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Materials for the Government meeting on October 31, 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The following issues are planned to be considered at the meeting:

    1. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727320-8 “On the federal budget for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying the provisions of the draft federal law adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.

    2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 2 of the Federal Law “On Assistance to the Development and Improvement of Management Efficiency in the Housing Sector and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”

    The adoption of the bill will contribute to achieving the goals of the state program of the Russian Federation “Provision of affordable and comfortable housing and utilities to citizens of the Russian Federation”, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2017 No. 1710.

    3. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 340 and 342 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at eliminating ambiguous interpretations of the current legislation on taxes and fees.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (in terms of bringing the provisions of certain federal laws into line with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation)

    The bill is aimed at bringing legislative acts regulating the specifics of the civil-legal status of non-profit organizations of certain organizational-legal forms, types and kinds, as well as the special procedure for their state registration, into line with the provisions of the Civil Code.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses”

    The bill was prepared in order to secure the legal basis for the use of modern information technologies in proceedings on administrative offences.

    6. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Implementation of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses” (in terms of the use of electronic documents and regulation of remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses)

    The bill was prepared with the aim of empowering individual government agencies to adopt regulatory legal acts governing the procedure for electronic document management and remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses.

    7. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation” (in terms of providing guarantees to employees undergoing military service in connection with a special military operation, during the period of suspension of the employment contract, regardless of the term of the contract)

    The bill is aimed at protecting the labor rights of workers.

    8. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727321-8 “On the budget of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying certain provisions of the draft federal law in terms of the areas of expenditure carried out by the Social Fund of Russia and the names of budget classification codes.

    Moscow, October 30, 2024

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2024, No. 32)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    1. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727320-8 “On the federal budget for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying the provisions of the draft federal law adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.

    2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 2 of the Federal Law “On Assistance to the Development and Improvement of Management Efficiency in the Housing Sector and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”

    The adoption of the bill will contribute to achieving the goals of the state program of the Russian Federation “Provision of affordable and comfortable housing and utilities to citizens of the Russian Federation”, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2017 No. 1710.

    3. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 340 and 342 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at eliminating ambiguous interpretations of the current legislation on taxes and fees.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (in terms of bringing the provisions of certain federal laws into line with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation)

    The bill is aimed at bringing legislative acts regulating the specifics of the civil-legal status of non-profit organizations of certain organizational-legal forms, types and kinds, as well as the special procedure for their state registration, into line with the provisions of the Civil Code.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses”

    The bill was prepared in order to secure the legal basis for the use of modern information technologies in proceedings on administrative offences.

    6. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Implementation of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses” (in terms of the use of electronic documents and regulation of remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses)

    The bill was prepared with the aim of empowering individual government agencies to adopt regulatory legal acts governing the procedure for electronic document management and remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses.

    7. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation” (in terms of providing guarantees to employees undergoing military service in connection with a special military operation, during the period of suspension of the employment contract, regardless of the term of the contract)

    The bill is aimed at protecting the labor rights of workers.

    8. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727321-8 “On the budget of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying certain provisions of the draft federal law in terms of the areas of expenditure carried out by the Social Fund of Russia and the names of budget classification codes.

    Moscow, October 30, 2024

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes the Seventh and Eighth Reviews under the Extended Fund Facility and Extended Credit Facility and Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement with Kenya

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 30, 2024

    • The Executive Board’s decision to complete the reviews enables a combined disbursement of around US$606 million to support the authorities’ efforts to rebuild fiscal and external buffers, including to enhance resilience to climate shocks.
    • Resolution of the exceptional external financing pressure earlier this year has revived market confidence, aided stabilization of the shilling, and enabled a faster buildup of foreign exchange reserves. However, large revenue shortfalls in FY2023/24 and pushback against revenue measures owing to governance concerns pose a challenge to the ongoing fiscal consolidation efforts.
    • The Kenyan authorities face a difficult balancing act of boosting domestic revenues to protect critical spending in priority areas while meeting heavy debt service obligations. Delivering on this would call for improving governance and transparency to restore public trust in the effective use of public resources.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded today the seventh and the eighth reviews under the extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), approved in April 2021, and a review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement, approved in July 2023, with Kenya.

    The EFF/ECF arrangements aim to support Kenya’s program to address debt vulnerabilities while safeguarding resources for priority social and developmental needs; build resilience to shocks; improve governance and transparency; and support broader economic reforms to realize the country’s medium-term potential. The RSF arrangement aims to reinforce Kenya’s strong efforts to address climate-related challenges and catalyze further private climate finance.

    The Executive Board’s decision allows for the immediate disbursements of SDR365.28 million (about US$485.8 million) under the EFF/ECF arrangements and SDR90.47 million (about US$120.3 million) under the RSF arrangement. In addition, following the resolution of exceptional financing needs earlier this year, the Board approved a reduction in the total access under the EFF/ECF arrangements from exceptional access, approved in January 2024 (see PR24/12), to within the normal access limits and a rebalancing of access toward the zero-interest ECF arrangement. Together with the recent changes to the IMF’s charges and surcharges policy, these adjustments would lower Kenya’s interest payments to the IMF.

    Under the EFF/ECF arrangements, total IMF financial commitment stands at SDR2.714 billion (about US$3.61 billion), of which SDR2.343 billion (about US$3.12 billion) has been approved for disbursement. For the RSF arrangement, the corresponding amounts are SDR407.1 million (about US$541.3 million) and SDR135.70 million (about US$180.4 million), respectively.

    In completing the reviews, the Executive Board recognized that the resolution of the exceptional external financing pressure earlier this year has revived market confidence, supporting shilling stabilization and facilitating faster buildup of reserves. However, the fiscal consolidation efforts have faced headwinds following a sizable tax revenue shortfall in FY2023/24 and withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill after widespread public protests. Nevertheless, the EFF/ECF program has delivered on reducing inflation, strengthening external buffers, and stabilizing the exchange rate. In addition, the Board approved waivers of non-observance for the end-December 2023 tax revenue and the end-June 2024 primary budget balance and tax revenue targets based on the corrective action taken through the passage of the Supplementary FY2024/25 Budget, which together with medium-term fiscal consolidation would help reduce debt vulnerabilities, a core objective of the program. The Board also completed review under the RSF arrangement and approved the disbursements associated with two reform measures implemented.

    The Board emphasized that sustaining progress requires improving the quality of fiscal adjustment, addressing fiscal and financial sector vulnerabilities, advancing governance reforms, and implementing the structural agenda, including climate-related reforms. Continued efforts to support the vulnerable population, broadening the socio-political support for reforms, and ensuring agile policymaking will also be necessary.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Ms. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

    “Kenya’s economy remains resilient, with growth above the regional average, inflation decelerating, and external inflows supporting the shilling and a buildup of external buffers, despite a difficult socio-economic environment.

    “The EFF/ECF and the RSF arrangements continue to support the authorities’ efforts to anchor macroeconomic stability, reduce debt vulnerabilities, promote reforms, and mitigate climate-related risks.

    “Performance since the last reviews of these arrangements has weakened. While accumulation of foreign exchange reserves and inflation were better than expected, the fiscal performance fell significantly short of the targets. The revenue and export underperformances increased debt vulnerabilities. Implementation of several reforms was also delayed.

    “In this context, a difficult adjustment path lies ahead. A credible fiscal consolidation strategy remains central to addressing debt vulnerabilities while protecting social and development spending. Reforms to make the tax regime more efficient, equitable, and progressive as well as strengthening accountability, transparency, and efficiency of public finances will help garner political and societal support for reforms. Clearly communicating the necessity and benefits of the reforms is paramount.

    “Given the elevated risks around the fiscal strategy, policymaking needs to be agile. Contingency planning remains critical, with policies adapting to evolving outcomes to safeguard stability and ensure that program objectives continue to be met.

    “The Central Bank of Kenya’s decisive actions have supported price stability and external sustainability, including through institutional changes to improve the functioning of the monetary policy operational framework and the money and foreign exchange markets. Exchange rate flexibility is vital to improve resilience to external shocks and competitiveness. Addressing banks’ deteriorating asset quality and emerging risks requires close monitoring and strengthened oversight.

    “Fast-tracking key reforms would raise medium-term potential. In particular, addressing deficiencies in governance, anti-corruption frameworks, and AML/CFT, including leveraging the requested governance diagnostic, is essential for garnering public trust and enhancing policy credibility, and for attracting fresh investments, including finance to build climate resilience.”

    Kenya: Selected Economic Indicators, 2021–2026

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    Act.

    Act.

    Act.

    Est./ Proj.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Output

    Real GDP growth (percent)

    7.6

    4.9

    5.6

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    Prices

    Inflation –average (percent)

    6.1

    7.6

    7.7

    5.0

    5.3

    5.1

    Central government finances (fiscal year)1

    Total revenue (percent of GDP)

    16.1

    17.5

    16.7

    17.2

    18.0

    18.7

    Expenditure and net lending (percent of GDP)

    24.4

    23.7

    22.5

    22.8

    22.3

    22.7

    Overall fiscal balance (percent of GDP)

    –8.3

    –6.2

    –5.6

    –5.3

    –4.3

    –4.0

    Public debt

    Gross nominal debt (percent of GDP)

    68.1

    67.8

    73.1

    67.0

    68.8

    68.8

    Gross external debt (percent of GDP)

    34.7

    34.6

    40.4

    34.9

    37.0

    37.4

    Money and Credit (end of period)

    Broad money (percent change)

    6.1

    7.1

    21.3

    5.6

    10.3

    10.2

    Credit to private sector (percent change)

    8.6

    12.5

    13.9

    3.3

    12.4

    11.2

    Policy rate, end-of-period (percent)

    7.0

    8.75

    12.50

    …

    …

    …

    Balance of payments

    Current account balance (percent of GDP)

    –5.2

    –5.0

    –4.0

    –3.9

    –4.0

    –4.1

    Gross international reserves (in months of imports)

    4.7

    4.4

    3.8

    4.1

    4.1

    4.2

    Exchange rate

    REER (average percent change; positive = appreciation)

    –2.6

    2.2

    –8.3

    …

    …

    …

    Sources: Kenyan authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1 Based on fiscal year (i.e., 2025 represents fiscal year 2024/25, covering July 2024–June 2025).
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/30/pr-24398-kenya-imf-concludes-7th-and-8th-rev-under-the-eff-and-ecf-and-rev-under-rsf-arrangement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Wicker Statement on Georgia’s Parliamentary Election

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

    WASHINGTON – Following Georgia’s election results, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., issued this statement:

    “This past Saturday, the people of Georgia went to the polls to exercise their democratic right to choose their next government. Instead of a dignified, transparent, and lawful process, what they got was a farce. The people of Georgia’s democratic choice was undermined by rampant violations, including intimidation, violence, vote buying, and results that diverged sharply from credible independent pre-election and exit polling as well as trends from prior elections.

    “We share Georgian President Zourabichvili’s belief that these elections were neither free nor fair and do not reflect the will of the people. Unfortunately, the Moscow-backed Georgian Dream party seems to think that alongside Russia and its authoritarian axis, they can wait out the United States and Georgia’s democratic allies. They are wrong.

    “The manipulation of this election is not only a blow to Georgia’s fragile democracy but, if allowed to stand, an end to the country’s longstanding Euro-Atlantic aspirations—and possibly its very sovereignty. This is electoral fraud, and its illegitimate result must be confronted with clarity and resolve. As long as Georgian Dream clings to power through undemocratic means and under the tutelage of violent authoritarians, they will reap the contempt and isolation they so richly deserve.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun Hold Joint Media Availability

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Well, good afternoon and thank you for being here today. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin and Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun. The secretary and the minister will deliver opening remarks and then we’ll have time to take a few questions.

    Please note that I will moderate and call on journalists. And with that, Secretary Austin, over to you sir. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN: Thanks, Pat. Good afternoon, everybody and thanks for being here. Minister Kim, let me again welcome you and your team to the Pentagon. It’s our honor to host our allies in the Republic of Korea for our 56th Security Consultative Meeting. The SCM is the annual capstone event for the US-ROK Alliance. It brings our defense leaders together to tackle shared challenges and to deepen our friendship.

    For more than 70 years, our alliance has been the foundation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Our two proud democracies share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and we stand shoulder to shoulder against those who would upend the status quo. Now we’re closely tracking the unprecedented level of direct military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. In our meetings today, we shared our deep concerns about the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia.

    We also discussed how we’re going to work together with our allies and partners to respond to this dangerous and destabilizing escalation. The evidence now suggests that North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia and some of these DPRK troops have already moved closer to Ukraine.

    And we’re seeing them outfitted with Russian uniforms and provided with Russian equipment. And I am increasingly concerned that the Kremlin plans to use these North Korean soldiers to support Russia’s combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region near the border with Ukraine. And let me remind you that Russia signed on to the UN Security Council resolutions agreeing not to provide military assistance to North Korea.

    Of course, we know that Putin has gone tin cupping to get weapons from the DPRK and Iran. Turning to a pariah state like North Korea for troops just underscores how much trouble he is in. And we take this very seriously. We urge the Kremlin to change course and we fully understand the security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

    Putin will not prevail in Ukraine even with more help from North Korea, but these deeply concerning developments only underscore the importance of our alliance with the ROK and other allies and partners committed to shared security and prosperity. Now, Minister Kim and I had an outstanding meeting today.

    Our discussions move the ball forward to modernize and deepen our alliance that will help protect the security of the Korean Peninsula and shape the future of the Indo-Pacific. It was with a sense of urgency we’ve delivered on a shared security objectives that we set forth just a year ago in a defense vision of the US-ROK Alliance.

    The US Department of Defense and the ROK Ministry of National Defense signed the Nuclear Consultative Group guidelines in July and later that month I traveled to Japan to join an historic trilateral ministerial meeting with the ROK and Japan. It was held in Tokyo for the first time as envisioned by the 2023 Camp David Summit.

    Now I assured Minister Kim today that the United States remains fully committed to the defense of the ROK and our extended deterrence commitment remains ironclad. That commitment is backed by the full range of America’s conventional missile defense, nuclear and advanced non-nuclear capabilities. We’ve also returned to large scale exercises with our ROK allies and that strengthening our combined readiness and our interoperability.

    We’re also working together to tackle shared security challenges across the Indo-Pacific. So today Minister Kim and I endorsed a framework to expand our cooperation throughout the region based on our shared values and common interests. We also discussed the important role of the United Nations Command, which reflects the international community’s long-standing commitment to peace on the peninsula.

    And earlier this year with support from the ROK, we accepted Germany as the 18th member state of the UNC. Moving forward, we’ll build on our momentum and will expand the scope and scale of our cooperation. We’ll use our strategic advantages and innovation in our defense industrial bases to bring cutting edge tech to our warfighters.

    Now our alliance has always been rooted in our shared commitment to act together in the interests that brought us together seven decades ago have continued to grow stronger. Today’s discussion again underscored our shared vision for this alliance’s future. So, Minister Kim, thanks for your leadership and your commitment to this proud alliance.

    We got a lot done today and I look forward to doing even more tomorrow in the US-ROK 2+2 with Secretary Blinken and Minister Cho and thanks very much and now let me turn it over to Minister Kim. SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTER KIM YONG-HYUN: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon. This is the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, Kim Yong-hyun. I find it highly meaningful to conduct my first overseas defense diplomatic engagements after my inauguration here at the Pentagon, the heart of safeguarding liberal democracy. Today at the SCM, Secretary Austin and I reviewed the work of implementing the defense vision of the ROK-US alliance over the last year.

    In addition, we reaffirmed that the ROK-US alliance remains more robust than ever, even amid complex international security crisis. While asserting its theory of hostile two nations. North Korea continues to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula through detonation of sections of inter-Korean roads. In order to deter and respond to DPRK, provocations and

    threats, Secretary Austin and I agreed to maintain an overwhelming combined defense posture and engage in close coordination and responses.

    In particular, we made it clear that DPRK’s ongoing practice of sending filth and trash balloons constitutes a violation of the armistice agreement and called for an immediate cessation of this activity with one voice. Furthermore, we condemned in the strongest terms with a unified voice, the unlawful military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which directly violates the rules-based order through the deployment of North Korean forces to Russia and arms trade and pledged to closely work with the international community.

    This July, the defense authorities of Korea and the United States completed the NCG Joint Guidelines through the Nuclear Consultative Group, thereby elevating the ROK-US alliance to an unequivocal nuclear based alliance. Building on these guidelines, Secretary Austin and I will diligently pursue the NCG tasks in a substantive manner to enhance the execution capabilities of extended deterrence of ROK and US equal partners.

    Throughout this process, the ROK Strategic Command will be a key unit in the execution of the ROK-US conventional nuclear integration, CNI, operations. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to providing extended deterrence to the Republic of Korea by utilizing the full range of its military capabilities.

    In addition, as tangible evidence of the US commitment to the defense of the ROK, Secretary Austin reiterated that the frequency and intensity of US strategic asset deployment would be increased and made regularized in accordance with President Biden’s commitment in the Washington Declaration. The ROK and the United States will further enhance their — continue to further enhance the Alliance’s capabilities and posture in response to nuclear and missile threats through implementing combined exercises that reflect the North Korean nuclear threats.

    Secretary Austin and I agreed to strengthen security cooperation in the region based on the respective Indo-Pacific strategies of our two countries. The nuclear and missile threat from North Korea is now an existential threat, not only to the ROK, but also to the Indo-Pacific region. We had a shared understanding that the ROK-US-Japan Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework signed this July represents a historic milestone in trilateral security cooperation.

    We will continue to further enhance it. In particular, we highly appreciated the achievements of freedom to exercise the first multi-domain training and have decided to conduct a second training in the near future. In today’s meeting, Secretary Austin and I approved the regional cooperation framework for ROK-US Alliance contributions to security in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating our commitment to cooperation both domestically and internationally.

    Based on the framework, we will expand substantive cooperation with ASEAN and Pacific Island nations, enhancing the level and broadening the scope of the ROK-US Alliance.

    Secretary Austin and I pledge to strengthen cooperation in science and technology and defense industry based on the defense vision of the alliance.

    We plan to establish a vice minister level defense Science and Technology executive committee within this year to explore the application of cutting-edge science and technology in the defense sector as well as cooperation on all cause Pillar 2. Furthermore, we acknowledge the significance of securing supply chain resilience and modernizing alliance capabilities and pledge to engage in active cooperation in the defense industry sector.

    In this regard, Secretary Austin welcomed ROK’s participation in the US MRO pilot project and underscored the efforts to expand cooperation between our two countries. For more than 70 years, the ROK-US Alliance has overcome countless challenges establishing itself as one of the world’s most premier and exemplary alliances.

    Through the 56th Security Consultative Meeting, Secretary Austin and I reaffirmed our resolve to leap forward as a stronger alliance in response to uncertain future challenges. As the minister of National Defense, I will work closely with Secretary Austin so that the ROK-US Alliance serves as a linchpin of peace and stability in the world extending beyond the Korean Peninsula.

    I deeply appreciate Secretary Austin’s active support for the successful meeting we had today. We go together, [untranslated]. Thank you. MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Thank you very much, gentlemen. Our first question will go to Phil Stewart, Reuters. Q: To Secretary Austin, how soon do you believe that North Korean soldiers may enter the fight against Ukrainian forces in Kursk? Are we talking days or weeks? And do you believe there’s anything the international community can still do to stop that deployment? And to Mr. Kim, does this deployment increase the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula?

    And does this change South Korea’s willingness to provide lethal direct aid to Ukraine? If not, why not? SEC. AUSTIN: Well, Phil, as you heard me say in my opener (pause for translation)— Phil, as you heard me say in my opener, we believe that the DPRK has sent some 10,000 troops into eastern Ukraine and there they’ve been drawing equipment and conducting some training. And some of those troops have begun to make their way towards the border of Ukraine in the Kursk region.

    Whether or not they’ll be employed in the fight, is left to be seen yet. But certainly, if they are employed, then that’s very disturbing. And so, we remain concerned that they’re going to use these troops in combat. I won’t speculate on the timing of employment. Again, this is something we’re going to continue to watch and we’re going to continue to work with allies and partners to discourage Russia from employing these troops in combat.

    Again, this is a violation of the UN security agreement. So, this is pretty serious. Again, we’re going to continue to watch it and continue to work with our allies and partners to discourage it, so (pause for translation) Phil, to be clear, violation of UN sanctions. Q: Do you mean eastern Ukraine? SEC. AUSTIN: I’m sorry? Q: I thought you said deployed to eastern Ukraine. Yeah? Q: Did you mean eastern Ukraine or Eastern Russia that they had deployed to? SEC. AUSTIN: They had deployed to Eastern Russia and then they’re making their way west towards the Ukrainian border, sorry about that. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM YONG-HYUN: (Via interpreter) I’d like to answer the question regarding the increase in the possibility of war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula following the North Korean’s troops deployment to Russia. I do not necessarily believe that the North Korean troops deployment to Russia results in the changes in the possibility of war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula.

    However, I believe this can result in the escalation of the security threats on the Korean Peninsula. This is because there is a high possibility that North Korea, in exchange for their troops deployment, would ask for cutting edge technology transfer. There is a high chance that they would, in exchange for their deployment, North Korea is very likely to ask for technology transfers in diverse areas, including the technologies relating to tactical nuclear weapons technologies related to their advancement of ICBM, also those regarding reconnaissance satellite and those regarding SSBNs as well.

    There is also a high chance that they will try to replace their equipment that have been taken a lot of time, so therefore old technologies or equipment. I believe such changes in the technological situation of North Korea can pose an increase in the escalation of security threats on the Korean Peninsula.

    However, one thing to consider is that as we have witnessed in the Russia-Ukraine war, the conventional weapon capabilities of Russia is not as formidable as we expected it to be. Therefore, even with the possibility of Russia’s cutting-edge technology flowing into North Korea and thereby resulting in the advancement of North Korea’s military technology, I believe it is possible for us to overcome such challenges based on our robust ROK-US alliance and ROK-US-Japan trilateral security cooperation.

    And through these cooperation, I believe we can secure enough and sufficient capability in order to overcome such security challenges. In short, I would rather see the results or impacts of the deployment as an increase that can result. I believe the deployment can result in the security threats on the Korean Peninsula and it could also have a destabilizing impact on the security of the Korean Peninsula, but I don’t believe it is going to be any changes in the possibility of war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula.

    MR. RYDER: Thank you both. Our next question will go to Ji Hun Kim, Yonhap News Agency. Q: (Via interpreter) This is Reporter Kim from Yonhap Agency, and first I have a question to direct it to Minister Kim. Last year’s munition deal between Korea’s corporation and the United States is an exemplary case where Korea was able to provide support toward United States in accordance with the mutual defense treaty. And do you have any additional plans to give indirect support to Ukraine by supplying munitions to the United States in an indirect way?

    And also, there’s another question about the trash and filth balloons. Korea has been showing consistently the kind of response — Korea has been showing response such as collecting the trash balloons after they were dropped on the territory of Korean Peninsula, or they have consistently asked North Korea to cease the release of trash balloons.

    Do you have any additional measures in order to respond to such release of trash or filth balloons from North Korea? And this question, the last question is directed to both Minister Kim and Secretary Austin. North Korea has consistently shown their anti-humanitarian provocations. Do you have any messages in mind that you can deliver to Kim Jong Un and North Korea? DEFENSE MINISTER KIM YONG-HYUN: (Via interpreter) So the first question about munitions supply to United States, I have to give you an answer that at the current moment, nothing is determined. And for your second question about Korea’s response to North Korea’s release of trash and filth balloons, in today’s meeting, Secretary Austin and I have confirmed that the deployment of trash and filth balloons are a violation of armistice agreement. And as the release of trash and filth balloons is a provocation that poses a safety threat to our people, we have been using the response of first identifying and then tracking and then after we found out the location of the dropping. And then we checked if there is any biological or chemical weapons in it after we have gone through all the tests, then we collected those balloons.

    These measures were taken under our assessment that this is the best and most optimal way of guaranteeing and confirming the safety of our people and that this is the way to protect our people in our best way. However, North Korea is crossing the line with various methods of provocations and we are open to all alternatives when it comes to the risk — when it comes to our response to North Korea’s provocation.

    On your third question, I recall it was if I have any message toward — that I have to Kim Jong Un. I believe the essence of North Korean troop deployment is the possibility of expansion of the war. And this results from the intervention of the third party, which is North Korea. And such possibility is resulting in grave concerns of European countries, including Ukraine.

    And the deployment is — North Korea is joining the collusion of Russia’s illegal aggression and invasion, and therefore I see that the deployment is Kim Jong Un’s attempt to maintain

    its dictatorship and Kim Jong Un didn’t hesitate to sell out its young people and troops as cannon fodder mercenaries. I believe such activities is a war crime that is not only anti-humanitarian but also anti-peaceful.

    Therefore, I would like to strongly condemn the activity of Kim Jong Un and I believe all responsibility from the results of the deployment belong to Kim Jong Un. We call for Kim Jong Un’s immediate withdrawal of his troops in our strongest terms. Thank you.

    SEC. AUSTIN: Thank you for the question. I don’t have any messages for the leadership of DPRK. I call upon them to cease their potentially destabilizing behavior in both the Indo-Pacific region and now in the European theater as well. And like my colleague here, Minister Kim, I call upon them to withdraw their troops out of Russia.

    It does have the potential of lengthening the conflict or broadening the conflict if that continues. MR. RYDER: Our next question will go to Courtney Kube, NBC. Q: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, you told Phil that you — the US will continue to watch this deployment and work with allies to discourage it. But how specifically can the US or the international community actually stop? Is there anything the US can do? And you just said that that this does have the potential for broadening the conflict.

    Does that mean that you see the possibility that if in fact Russian troops are fighting alongside North Korean troops that that means other countries could send troops perhaps even to fight alongside the Ukrainians in an advisory level or fighting or anything? And then just one more, this is my real question. Those were follow ups.

    My real question is just what happens when North Korean troops are killed by US provided weapons? And then Minister Kim, do you see any signs that North Korea plans to interfere in the US elections? We — your DIA said today that DPRK may be ready to launch an ICBM, perhaps a nuclear weapon.

    Is there any indication that that could be or other actions that they may be taking could be specifically to interfere with the US election? Thank you. You only get one. SEC. AUSTIN: So Courtney, the first of your 20 questions here was whether or not we can stop the DPRK from sending troops. We certainly can work with others to discourage this — this kind of behavior. But I didn’t mean to imply that we can stop that. But certainly, their actions have consequences as all actions have consequences.

    And we need to be mindful of that. In terms of what could happen, you mentioned my reference to potentially broadening this conflict. Yes, it could encourage others to take action, different kinds of action, but I won’t speculate on what could exactly happen. But we — there are a number of things that could happen.

    And what happens when DPRK soldiers are killed with US provided weapons? Well, if the DPRK soldiers are fighting alongside Russian soldiers in this conflict and attacking Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian soldiers have the right to defend themselves and they will do that with the weapons that we provided and others have provided.

    That’s to be expected. But if they are fighting alongside of — of Russian soldiers, they are co-belligerents and you have every reason to believe that those kinds of things will happen, that they will be killed and wounded as a result of battle. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM YONG-HYUN: (Via interpreter) Thank you for giving 20 questions to Secretary Austin, but only one for me. I’m so happy. So on your question about the possibility that North Korea attempts to interfere with US presidential election, my short answer is that the possibility is not high. I believe there isn’t a high chance of them attempting to interfere with the election.

    However, I believe there is a high chance that they would want to exaggerate their existence around the season of US presidential election before and after the election. The expected courses of action that North Korea could take in their attempt to provoke could be either their launch of ICBM or their seventh nuclear tests. MR. RYDER: Thank you. Our final question will go to Ji-ho Yang, Chosun. Q: (Via interpreter) This is Reporter Yang from Chosun Daily. First, I have a question to Minister Kim. The main opposition party of Republic of Korea has expressed their opposition to North Korea’s dispatch of analysis team and Korean delegation to Ukraine. So from your perspective, Minister Kim, what do you think is the role that Korean military can play in Ukraine?

    And I have another — I have a question to Secretary Austin. So it is my understanding that the current assessment of the United States DOD is that North Korea did deploy troops to Ukraine — to Russia, however, they were not involved in any combats at the moment. So however, some are claiming that North Korean troops that are — are already being deployed are being — are already being in engagement.

    So like, what would be your standard to determine whether the participation of these North Korean troops will be deployment or actual participation in combat operations? And also you have — US DOD has also made a statement that the North Korean troops who are in Russia will also be classified as enemies that can be attacked by — by US weapons that are supplied to Ukraine.

    So could you give a little more elaboration on this statement? This concludes my question. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM YONG-HYUN: So I recall the question was about our observers and monitoring teams of Korea that are — that are and could be sent to Ukraine. So throughout the history in many different wars, including the Iraq war, there have been many

    cases where we have sent monitoring teams or lesson learned analysis team to the countries that are currently — that were in war.

    The role of such observers or analysis team play in the war is mainly analysis of the trends of the modern warfare or different aspects of modern welfare. And especially as we have confirmed North Korean troops were deployed to Russia, I believe it could serve as a great opportunity for our analysis team or observer to learn the movements or trends of the North Korean troops.

    In many wars there — we have witnessed many new and diverse weapon systems continuously popping up and also we were able to witness many different modern tactics in the war. I believe if we can collect such information diligently and then utilize it for our future safety of — and stability of our country, I believe it can serve as an opportunity for us to provide better protection to our — the people of Republic of Korea.

    I believe it is an obvious task that our military should play to send observers and analysis team to the Russia-Ukraine war. And I — I would even say that if we don’t send our observers or analysis team, it would mean that we are not faithfully doing our jobs. SEC. AUSTIN: So thank you for your question. As I understand it, the first question was what was our — what is our standard for determining whether or not the DPRK troops are actually fighting or in the fight. And the second question was whether or not they can be engaged with US weapons. So I think standards are pretty easy.

    If they’re fighting, if they’re attacking Ukrainian soldiers and they are co-belligerents, they’re a part of this fight, that’s fairly easy to determine. And it’s not certain that they will be introduced into this fight. But clearly 10,000 soldiers, and some of them are moving west towards the Ukrainian border, then there’s a good likelihood that they will be employed, but we’ll see.

    We won’t speculate. We’ll collect evidence. They’re doing this because Putin has lost a lot of troops, a lot of troops. And you know, he has a choice of either getting other people to help him or he can mobilize. And he doesn’t want to mobilize because then the people in Russia will begin to understand the extent of his losses of their losses.

    So there’s a good likelihood that these troops will be introduced into combat, not certain, but I think the likelihood is pretty high. But this is not a sign of strength. It’s a sign of weakness. Putin has not achieved one strategic objective in two and a half years against a force that was far inferior to his force. That’s a sign of weakness. Again, he’s gone to other countries for weapons and munitions and now he’s going to other countries for people. And as I said earlier, if they are fighting and they’re co-belligerents, they’re attacking Ukrainian troops and the Ukrainian troops have the right to defend themselves, and we have every expectation that they will.

    They’ll use their own weapons. They’ll use the weapons that they’ve been provided, and that won’t be a surprise to anyone. But this doesn’t have to happen. Putin can end this war

    today. It was his choice to launch this war. He’s not achieved his objectives. He can end this war and he should end this war.

    Otherwise, we’ll see a lot more losses on both sides and that’s really highly unnecessary. But I think in terms of our standards for determining whether or not they’re fighting, they’re in the fight, I think it’ll be pretty easy to determine that. OK. MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Secretary Austin, Minister Kim, thank you both, gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s all the time we have available today. This concludes our press briefing. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the list of railway infrastructure facilities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Order dated October 29, 2024 No. 3053-r

    Document

    Order dated October 29, 2024 No. 3053-r

    The new railway, which is necessary for transporting coal from deposits in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Yakutia to ports in Khabarovsk Krai, has been included in the list of railway infrastructure facilities, the construction of which is being carried out at an accelerated pace. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    The railway is being built by a private investor. The new line will connect the Tunguska coal basin, as well as the Elga coal complex with the sea terminals in the area of Cape Manorsky in Khabarovsk Krai. Now this construction is included in the list of objects covered by the federal law “On the specifics of regulating certain relations for the purpose of implementing priority projects for the modernization and expansion of infrastructure.” The document introduces a special legal regime in the construction sector and allows for the acceleration of the implementation of projects for a period of 9 to 21 months.

    The construction of a new railway line will make it possible to relieve the BAM and Trans-Siberian Railway. In addition, the constructed engineering infrastructure – electrical networks and communication networks – will improve the quality of life of people in Siberia and the Far East.

    The signed document introduces changes toGovernment Order of September 7, 2020 No. 2278-r.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 600 tons of garbage during navigation: how river waters are cleaned in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The municipal fleet collected more than 600 tons of garbage from the capital’s waters during the navigation period this year. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Communal vessels were engaged in daily garbage collection from the water surface of the Moscow River and the navigable part of the Yauza, eliminated pollution, and removed silt sediment. In total, they collected over 600 tons of floating garbage, eliminated almost 140 different types of pollution, and removed about 6.5 thousand tons of sand and soil from the bottom,” noted Pyotr Biryukov.

    Thanks to the competent arrangement of the fleet and waste collection bases, the entire water area of the Moscow River within the city boundaries and the navigable section of the Yauza are under 24-hour control. The main efforts to collect floating waste were concentrated in the upper reaches of the Moscow River, which ensured the cleanliness of the riverbed downstream. Garbage collection vessels worked mainly, with small vessels operating in shallow areas. Floating cranes and non-self-propelled barges with tugs were used to extract bottom sediments of sand and soil.

    The head of the city economy complex reminded that the capital’s municipal fleet operates all year round. Even after the end of the seasonal navigation, two vessels with an ice class of up to 20 centimeters remain on the water. Garbage collectors and rapid response boats continue to operate on non-freezing rivers.

    During the inter-navigation period, the bulk of the fleet is moored in winter mooring areas, where maintenance and routine repairs are carried out.

    Sergei Sobyanin: Icebreakers of the municipal fleet patrol the Moscow River every dayThe southern part of the Moscow River water area has been cleared of abandoned ships and floating objects

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145940073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Foreign secondary school students compete in 17th ‘Chinese Bridge’ contest

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    On the evening of Oct. 28, the global finals and awarding ceremony for the 17th Chinese Bridge—Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students and the 4th Chinese Bridge—Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students took place in Tianjin. The event was attended by officials from the Tianjin Municipal Government, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the MOE, along with the Kenyan Ambassador to China and representatives from the UAE’s Chinese Language Teaching “100 Schools Project.”

    The global finals of the 17th Chinese Bridge—Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students. [Photo courtesy of Chinese Bridge]

    The finals opened with a visually stunning show titled “Jin·Cai Hua Zhang,” featuring outstanding primary and secondary school students from around the world, who gathered to communicate in Chinese and share their understanding of Chinese culture. After a series of rigorous selections during the overseas preliminary rounds, Chitpasong Souvanhxay from Laos, Irina Mei Li from Madagascar, Kuchinskaia Anastasiia from Russia, Rothschild Shiraz Palestrant from the U.S. and Blaom Oliver Garion from New Zealand emerged as continental champions to advance to the global finals. 

    Chitpasong Souvanhxay from Laos wins the global champion of the 17th Chinese Bridge—Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students. [Photo courtesy of Chinese Bridge]

    During the finals, the five contestants competed in five rounds: “History of the Spring and Autumn Period,” “Books of the Qin and Han Dynasties,” “The Lasting Appeal of the Tang and Song Dynasties,” “Window to Modernity,” and “The Final Showdown.” Chitpasong Souvanhxay from Laos showcased exceptional skills and won the global championship. Guests at the event presented awards to the participants who received individual awards in the 4th Chinese Bridge–Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students, as well as to those who won individual awards and the first, second, and third prizes in the 17th Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students, along with the continental champions and the global champion.

    In the finals, contestants including Kiri Meier Werner from the U.S., Solo Uniacke from the U.K., Frida Quetzalli Garcia Lins from Mexico, Tessa Mir from Georgia and her mother shared personal stories about their experiences with the Chinese Bridge competition and the growth and benefits they gained from participating in the competition.

    This year, 181 primary and secondary school contestants from 102 countries gathered in Beijing and Tianjin for a grand celebration of Chinese language learning and cultural exchange. Over a period of 15 days filled with competitions and cultural activities, contestants explored iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. They also experienced intangible cultural heritage such as Clay Figurine Zhang, Yangliuqing New Year paintings, shadow puppetry and traditional opera, allowing them to appreciate the development and heritage of Chinese culture and history. Additionally, contestants toured Tianjin, visiting attractions like the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, Haihe River, the historic Wudadao area (Five Great Avenues), Jingwu Town, the National Maritime Museum, and Tianjin Port, witnessing the city’s inclusiveness and application of intelligent technologies.

    At the award ceremony, primary and secondary school contestants from around the world, together with previous champions, sang the “Chinese Bridge” theme song. Through the medium of Chinese, they connected cultures, fostered lasting friendships, and strengthened global understanding of China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hello, Lucky: “Active Citizens” Chose a Name for a Baby Dolphin from Moskvarium

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Muscovites chose a name for a Black Sea bottlenose dolphin calf in the Active Citizen project. More than 290,000 people took part in the voting.

    According to its results, the baby will be called Lucky, which means “lucky” in English. This option was chosen by 34 percent of participants. In second place was the name Fedya – 24 percent of votes. 14 percent of “active citizens” voted for Kesha. 13 percent of Muscovites would like to name the baby Leon. 12 percent of participants liked the name Lars. Four percent of users trusted their choice to specialists.

    The baby dolphin was born in the Moskvarium oceanography and marine biology center in July. As Moskvarium reported, during the two months of voting, the baby managed to grow a lot and become more independent.

    “The baby is developing quickly, gaining weight well and growing actively. Since birth, its weight has tripled, and it has grown by about 40 centimeters. It has also started teething. We regularly monitor all of its physiological indicators and can confidently say that the baby’s development is within the biological norms for this age,” shared Irina Suvorova, head of the veterinary service at Moskvarium.

    The baby dolphin is also increasingly showing interest in the world around him. Previously, he spent all his time with his mother, but now he often communicates with other inhabitants, especially with the cubs Loki and Izy.

    “The baby is very playful and inquisitive. He loves his toys, especially the fitballs and the big ring. Recently he learned to blow bubbles with his blowhole, his favorite pastime now is blowing them up and popping them. He actively tries to interact with the trainers, comes up to scratch himself, offers his tummy and tail,” said Ilya Siplivy, a marine mammal trainer at Moskvarium.

    With the help of voting in the Active Citizen project, residents of the capital have already chosen names for animals of the Moscow Zoo and the City Farm at VDNKh. Among them are panda Katyusha, tiger Amur, macaques Manya and Dunya, yak Zvezdochka, alpacas Shokoladka and Chernichka, and others.

    The vote is prepared VDNKh and the Active Citizen project. The results can be found on the website or in the project’s mobile application.

    Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it, and over 6.7 thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30–40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”.

    The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the capital “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found Here.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145915073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Renovation program: phased resettlement of almost 900 residents of old houses begins in Kryukov

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Kryukovo district, a phased resettlement of 860 residents of four old houses to a new building on Zavodskaya Street is beginning. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The new building is located at the address: Zavodskaya Street, Building 14, Buildings 1 and 2. It was erected on the site of four old buildings that were resettled and dismantled. 860 residents of the Kryukovo district are starting to move to the new residential complex. In total, 34 houses are to be resettled under the renovation program in Zelenograd, and more than seven thousand residents of the district will receive modern apartments,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The first stage of the renovation program in the district has come to an end. The resettlement of city residents has been completed ahead of schedule.

    “The completion of the new building on Zavodskaya Street has made it possible to speed up the resettlement of residents of buildings included in the second stage of the renovation program. The building is designed for 477 apartments. For the convenience of Muscovites, entrance groups were made on both sides. You can exit both into the inner courtyard space with a playground, and into the outer part of the courtyard with guest parking for cars,” added the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    The first to be resettled are residents of old buildings located at the following addresses: Zavodskaya Street, Buildings 4 and 6. According to the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property Maxim Gaman, letters offering equivalent apartments to 280 Muscovites were sent on October 30. City residents will be able to inspect the new housing starting the next day. Another 580 residents of two buildings at the addresses: Zavodskaya Street, Building 2 and 1 Maya Street, Building 4 will begin inspecting apartments on November 6 and 12, respectively. Specialists from the City Property Department will send them notifications with offers the day before — November 5 and 11.

    On the first floor of the new building, a public information center will be open from October 31, where you can get free consultations on resettlement issues.

    To all participants renovation programs The city offers spacious apartments with improved finishing, plumbing, electric stoves and lighting fixtures. The entrances are level with the ground. Thanks to this, parents with strollers and residents with limited mobility can get into the entrance without assistance. Children’s and sports grounds are arranged in the courtyards.

    Previously Sergei Sobyanin reported, that since the beginning of the year, 23 new buildings have been commissioned under the renovation program and 44 residential complexes have been handed over for occupancy.

    Renovation program housing was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. In 2023 alone, 59 new buildings in the capital were handed over for settlement and the resettlement of over 47 thousand people was ensured. The Mayor of Moscow has instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. In recent years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” the volume of construction and commissioning of residential properties in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year. More information about national projects being implemented in Moscow can be found Here.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145937073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has improved the mechanism for providing tax incentives for scientific research and development work

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The government continues to create favorable conditions for conducting research and development work. A decree has been signed establishing a new coefficient value, which reduces the base for calculating income tax.

    We are talking about expenses incurred in conducting research and development, which are excluded from the calculation base of the profit tax. They are classified as other expenses. Until now, the coefficient increasing them was equal to 1.5, now it will be equal to 2. Thus, the tax payments of organizations and enterprises will decrease, which will allow them to allocate more funds for conducting research.

    The list of research and development activities covered by this benefit is approved by the Government. Today, it includes several hundred types of work in 10 areas. Among them are “Nanosystems Industry”, “Information and Telecommunication Systems”, “Transport and Space Systems”, “Small- and Medium-Tonnage Chemistry”.

    The increase in the coefficient reducing the base for calculating income tax is provided for by the new version of the Tax Code. It was adopted by legislators in July 2024.

    The document will be published.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: What excursions await the participants of the ninth season of the project “Discover

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From November 5 to 22, more than 170 excursions will be held around the capital’s high-tech industrial enterprises. Participants will visit production facilities that produce cosmetics, footwear, clothing, confectionery and bakery products, ventilators, emergency medical supplies, elevators and other products. You can register for the excursion on the project’s website “Open. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy Anatoly Garbuzov.

    “We continue to introduce Moscow residents to the production processes of food products, children’s educational kits, laser equipment, pharmaceuticals, auto parts and other high-tech products. In November, we prepared over 170 excursions to 35 enterprises, as well as 75 master classes. This season, four new factories have joined the project, which produce Christmas tree decorations, clothing, cable products and printed products,” said Anatoly Garbuzov.

    The new season will see the first tours of the Kolomeyev Christmas tree toy factory. Guests will see how the products are blown and painted. The company makes classic Soviet toys: pine cones, Christmas trees, houses, astronaut figurines, as well as New Year’s decorations for the interior and dolls for the tree. Most of the products are made using traditional technologies and hand-painted by master artists.

    For the first time, the company “Printing House “Tissot”” will welcome visitors. The company’s specialists will show how postcards, books, calendars, folders and other products are produced. In addition, a master class on making notebooks will be held here.

    In addition, Muscovites will be able to visit the production of PLNB Jeans, where jeans, trousers, jackets, shirts and much more are produced. The tour will tell about all stages of preparation and production of products, as well as the history of denim culture and the capital brand.

    At the Spetskabel plant, which will also welcome visitors for the first time, guests will see how modern cable and wire products are manufactured. The company manufactures cables for all industries, including the oil and gas, energy, shipbuilding and space sectors. Many of the company’s developments have no analogues in the world. The plant produces more than 40 thousand kilometers of cable per year.

    The Open Project

    Sobyanin: This year, the project “Open

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145935073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin named the most popular measures to support technology companies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow is constantly increasing support for high-tech companies in the form of grants and loans. This was reported by Sergei Sobyanin in his telegram channel.

    “In May, they determined

    main tasks to support innovation and business development until 2030. We approach the issue comprehensively: over the past years, we have formed a unique line of tools,” the Mayor of Moscow emphasized.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    One of the successful and fast growing programs is preferential loans under the pledge of rights to the results of intellectual activity. With the support of the city, entrepreneurs concluded 20 contracts for the amount of 608 million rubles, 13 of them this year for the amount of 452 million rubles, which is already almost three times more than for the whole of last year.

    Sobyanin: 66 billion rubles were attracted to the city’s SME economy through guaranteesMoscow Mayor Talks About City Projects to Support Tech Business

    Thus, a loan was received by a company that produces special pipeline fittings for heating systems of housing and communal services. Support was also provided to a company that creates briquettes from small waste of large industrial enterprises for their further use as raw materials or fuel.

    Another measure in demand is grants for the purchase of equipment and development of activities. The city compensates businesses for expenses already incurred. Since the beginning of the year, Moscow entrepreneurs have been approved for over 450 applications for a total of almost 1.9 billion rubles. This is 17 percent more than last year’s figure for the same period. Thanks to the capital’s support, companies have purchased equipment for over 4.2 billion rubles.

    Among those receiving compensation was a company that produces vaccines for adults and children. In addition, the list includes a developer and manufacturer of equipment for precision machining of parts in various industries with numerical control.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11970050/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Cinema Park “Moskino” invites you to a historical program in honor of National Unity Day

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On November 3 and 4, the Moskino Cinema Park will present a large-scale historical reconstruction for National Unity Day. The holiday is dedicated to an important event in Russian history that united the country — the liberation of Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian occupation in 1612. City residents and tourists will be able to travel back to those times, get acquainted with the daily life of the residents and see how the militia of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky defeats the invaders in a decisive battle.

    “150 reenactors from Moscow, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, Tolyatti and Kaluga will take part in recreating the atmosphere and events of the 17th century. Visitors will be treated to more than 60 historical shows, master classes, lectures, concerts and performances,” she said.

    Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    The main part of the program will take place in the Cathedral Square decorations. At 11:00 on November 3 and 4, guests are invited to watch the troop parade, at 12:00 — the performance of horsemen, at 13:00 — maneuvers and drill training of riflemen and pikemen. The largest will be the reconstruction of the decisive battle of the second people’s militia led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky with the Polish-Lithuanian army, the victory in which helped lead the country out of the Time of Troubles. The event will begin at 17:00.

    Craft classes and interactive activities will be held from 10:00 to 18:00. The territory will house a camp, command headquarters, folk theater, archery range, as well as mints and printing houses. Craftsmen will offer to master the art of blacksmithing and pottery, calligraphy, practice throwing a lasso and pikemanship. Also planned are performances by artists of the court and puppet theaters, lectures on musical instruments of those times and old Russian games.

    Tours of exhibitions of national costumes, military equipment and the everyday life of Muscovites in the 17th century will help you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the era.

    On the Gonzaga Theatre site, folk music and dance groups will perform at 12:00 on the weekend. On Sunday at 17:00, there will be a meeting with producer and director Eduard Boyakov. In December, he will organize a multimedia show in the cinema park, the plot of which is connected with the events of the Time of Troubles.

    On November 3 and 4, the Uyezdny Gorod set will host an immersive performance based on the novel by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov, The Twelve Chairs. In addition, at various venues, those wishing to do so will be able to take part in filming scenes based on cult films such as The Man from Boulevard des Capucines and Buratino, as well as take photos as the characters from the films.

    Additional information and conditions of visit are published on the websitecinema park “Moskino”.

    How to get there, where to buy a ticket and what to take with you: instructions for guests of the Moskino cinema park

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145912073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Technograd opens free courses on programming and protection against cyber threats

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Muscovites can get a profession in the field of programming and information security for free, as well as master design and marketing on free courses at the Technograd innovation and educational complex, subordinate to the capital’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development. Training will begin in November.

    During the classes you can learn programming languages C

    In the same language with the IT sphere

    Python is considered an ideal language for starting a career in programming. It will suit students who are attracted by web development and data analysis, machine learning, simplicity of code and a variety of ready-made solutions. Course “Python for Web Development. Flask and Web Application Development” will start on November 1st.

    Students will be introduced to the Flask software platform, style templates and writing code to create a request form, databases and much more. Students will learn the basics of web development using Python and the Flask framework, learn how to manage database storage and build user authentication on websites.

    Classes under the program will begin on November 3 “Functional Programming in Python. Basic Level”. The teacher will tell about the structure of the language, teach how to write and read program code, solve algorithmic problems and create flow charts. As a result, students will be able to analyze other people’s programs and work with data arrays.

    On the same day, November 3, classes on the course will begin. “Functional programming in C. Learning a universal programming language will be useful for students who want to create games, desktop applications for Windows, web services, neural networks or graphics for metaverses. This language is used by banks, digital agencies, communication providers and large IT companies. Choosing this direction of study will help beginners find a job in a short time. During the classes, students will master the language structures, learn to use branches and cycles, work with the selection operator and data arrays.

    Well “JavaScript. Basic Level” will start on November 6. Webinars will help expand knowledge in the field of web technologies for designers and marketers, as well as those who are already mastering programming in a comprehensive manner. JavaScript does not require complex concepts and technical details from beginners. The visual part of most websites on the Internet is written in it. Therefore, programmers who have studied this language are always in demand. The course program includes training in the principles of object-oriented programming, working with control structures and data structures, as well as familiarity with the logic of program execution.

    In addition, Technograd is opening courses and for advanced JavaScript users. Training will begin on November 6th.

    Future mobile developers for iOS and macOS, as well as gamedev and ackend developers will find this useful Webinars on the basic level of programming in Swift. Starting November 16, the teacher will introduce students to the basics of the language, the Xcode development environment, data collection, and user interface elements. During the training, students will create the To-Do List and Exchange Rates applications and test them in the iPhone Simulator.

    Russian companies are always in demand for specialists who can find and eliminate vulnerabilities in the system and minimize the consequences of cyber attacks. From November 1, it will be possible to study the specifics of the profession and solve real problems on the course “Computer networks and information security”. Students will learn about the structure, topology, infrastructure and security of networks, protocols and network services. Particular attention will be paid to threat analysis and vulnerability detection, cryptography and advanced security methods.

    Creativity and self-realization

    Marketing and design are traditionally popular areas among young professionals. These areas offer creative freedom, the opportunity for self-realization and a dynamic career. Given digitalization and the development of new media formats, social networks and online trade, the demand for employees in these areas remains high.

    In November, Technograd offers 11 specialized programs, where you can master the graphic editors Figma and Photoshop, the website builder Tilda, the 3D engine Blender, animation and video in After Effects. And also learn how to set up targeted advertising, engage in promotion in social networks and create selling photo and video content.

    Upon completion of the training, a certificate or certificate of advanced training is issued. The project is supervised by Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145917073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: History, culture and traditions: the Great Ethnographic Dictation will be held from November 1 to 8

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Big Ethnographic Dictation will take place from November 1 to 8. This all-Russian educational event is being held for the ninth time and is attracting more and more participants. In 2023, over 3.4 million people from 89 regions of the Russian Federation and 228 foreign countries tested their knowledge.

    Traditionally, the dictation will be held in offline and online formats. Each subject of the Russian Federation will organize sites: one of them will be unique, reflecting the specific cultural characteristics of the region. Online participants will be asked to answer questions on the official website, by selecting the “Take dictation” tab.

    Residents of Russia and foreign countries who speak Russian, English or Spanish will be able to assess their knowledge of the history, culture and traditions of the peoples of the Russian Federation.

    The tasks consist of 20 federal questions for participants under 16 years old. All those over this age will answer 30 questions. 20 of them are federal and 10 are unique to each region. Participants at foreign sites will test their knowledge of places that are connected with our country, but are located outside of it.

    In total, you can get 100 points for your answers, the maximum time to complete the tasks is 45 minutes. The online format participant certificate indicating the results will be available immediately after the end of the dictation in electronic form.

    The correct answers will be published on the official website until November 13.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145939073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Muscovites from 83 old houses completed the paperwork for the renovation program in the third quarter of 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    All residents of 83 old buildings signed documents in July-September 2024 to receive new apartments under the renovation program. The resettlement of these five-story buildings has been completed or is still ongoing. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, the head of the capital’s Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “In the third quarter of 2024, 100 percent of Muscovites from 83 old buildings completed the paperwork for housing in new buildings under the renovation program in 10 administrative districts. Thus, about 14 thousand people became owners of equivalent apartments. Most of them live in the east of the capital. There, almost 2.7 thousand Muscovites from 16 old buildings received the keys to new apartments. In the southeast, more than 2.6 thousand people from 14 buildings signed contracts for modern housing, and in the west, more than 2.6 thousand city residents from 13 buildings,” said Maxim Gaman.

    New buildings will be erected on the site of the old buildings, intended for the subsequent resettlement of city residents under the renovation program.

    “From July to September of this year, 23 new buildings were handed over for settlement. The areas around the residential complexes were landscaped. Trees and shrubs were planted there, and children’s and sports grounds were equipped for the leisure of city residents. Residents of 80 old houses have already begun moving to new residential complexes,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy of the capital

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin reported, that 1.2 trillion rubles have been allocated in the draft budget for three years to implement the renovation program.

    The program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Last year alone, 59 new buildings were handed over for settlement in the capital and over 47 thousand people were resettled. Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction rates and volumes. Over the past five years, within the framework of the federal project “Housing” of the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” the volume of construction and commissioning of residential properties in the capital has doubled – from three to five to seven million square meters per year. More information about this and other national projects being implemented in Moscow can be found Here.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145936073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will finance the renovation of public transport in the Kaliningrad region and Ingushetia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Order of October 23, 2024 No. 2971-r and order of October 29, 2024 No. 3054-r

    Documents

    Order dated October 23, 2024 No. 2971-r

    Order dated October 29, 2024 No. 3054-r

    The public transport fleet in the Kaliningrad Region and Ingushetia will be replenished with new equipment. The orders to allocate a total of 668.3 million rubles for these purposes were signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    418.3 million rubles will be sent to the Kaliningrad region. It is planned to purchase trolleybuses that will operate on routes in Kaliningrad using funds from the Government’s reserve fund, on a co-financing basis.

    The decision taken will increase the share of environmentally friendly transport operating in the city. Trolleybuses have an increased reserve of autonomous running. Thus, they can be used as electric buses on previously operating trolleybus routes. The vehicles will be equipped with media systems. This will make it possible to provide passengers with information in audio and video format.

    Speaking about the decision taken during a meeting with deputy prime ministers on October 28, Mikhail Mishustin noted that such vehicles will provide a better level of transport service and make trips more comfortable and reliable.

    “The President emphasized that the invested resources should bring maximum benefit to people. We expect that such work will continue in the future,” said the Prime Minister.

    For the purchase of 30 medium-class buses for Ingushetia, 250 million rubles will be allocated from the Cabinet’s reserve fund, also on a co-financing basis. The buses are equipped with a cashless fare payment system, as well as equipment for counting passengers. These devices will make the bus schedule more convenient for people.

    The work is being carried out within the framework of the state program “Development of industry and increasing its competitiveness.”

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Preparations for the 2025 admission campaign have started: the Academic Council of the State University of Management discussed all the nuances

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 29, 2024, a meeting of the Academic Council of the State University of Management was held. Those gathered discussed the results of the 2024 admissions campaign and preparations for organizing admissions in 2025.

    The meeting began traditionally with a formal part. Irina Merkulova and Nikolay Malyshkin received associate professor certificates, Sergey Lenshin was awarded a diploma of the national Father’s Recognition award in the nomination “Scientific Works and Research in the Field of Demography and Culture”. Of course, they did not forget to congratulate the birthday boys of the month, after which the council members began the official part.

    The first issue on the agenda was the nomination of GUU teachers for the academic title of associate professor. Council Secretary Marina Zhukova reported on the documents submitted by the candidates and the decisions made following their consideration. Those gathered made their choice by secret ballot.

    Acting Vice-Rector Nikolai Mikhailov made a proposal to petition for the nomination of SUM employees for departmental awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, which was unanimously supported.

    Head of the International Cooperation Department Inessa Bogatyreva informed those gathered about the development of the university’s international activities and the organization of training foreign students at our university.

    “The most popular areas of study among foreign citizens are management and economics. Significantly fewer applicants enter law, state and municipal administration, personnel management, advertising and public relations, business informatics and hotel business,” noted Inessa Yuryevna.

    Head of the Department for Organizing Admissions of Applicants Vadim Dikikh presented a report on the results of the admissions campaign for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs in 2024.

    “This year, we used new tools for accepting applicants on a targeted basis, new practices for working with applicants. As in the previous year, the vast majority of applications were submitted digitally. Among the interesting facts, I would like to note the reluctance of applicants to answer phone calls, preferring to communicate exclusively via messengers, which is also worth considering in future work,” the speaker emphasized.

    Continuing the topic, Vadim Dikikh presented for approval regulatory and legal acts on the organization of admission in 2025 for bachelor’s and master’s degree educational programs and training of scientific personnel in postgraduate studies.

    The meeting also discussed structural changes at the State University of Management, approved new continuing education programs, and agreed on student nominations for the E. T. Gaidar scholarship and tuition discounts.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/30/2024

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

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