Category: Russian Federation

MIL-OSI Russia: Wonderful gardens, the tsar’s residence and a Moscow salon: what the capital’s parks looked like in different years

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Moscow parks have long been a place of attraction for residents. Lectures, excursions, master classes and even open-air film screenings are held here. This year, 14 Moscow parks will celebrate their anniversaries – many of them will be over 50 years old. We tell you which recreation area was improved by Sergei Tretyakov, where football player Alexei Khomich began his career and which park was founded by Peter I.

Center of cultural life

This year is special for Tagansky Park, located on Taganskaya Street (40–42 buildings) — it is turning 90 years old. It was founded in 1934 at the N. I. Bukharin Workers’ Club and immediately became the center of cultural life in the Tagansky District. In 1957, the Zenit Cinema was built on the site of the old club, housing a concert hall. At the same time, amateur art and applied arts clubs for children and adults opened here.

The history of Tagansky Park is connected with the names of outstanding residents of the capital. For example, football players Konstantin Beskov and Alexey Khomich, USSR tennis champion Nikolay Ozerov and Olympic figure skating champion Irina Rodnina began their sports careers here.

After the Great Patriotic War, the park hosted meetings with heroes of the Soviet Union, military-patriotic gatherings, competitions and holiday concerts. In addition, jazz and brass bands, as well as dance evenings, were organized here. The park hosted major festivals such as the Musical Bazaar on Taganka, Beauty Will Save the World, Moscow Yard, Spring in Tagansky Park, Taganka Running Festival and many others. And sports clubs from the districts and the city competed at the stadium.

In the early 2000s, the park began to actively work with children and teenagers. For example, a creativity center with a chamber auditorium was opened, where musical performances and festivals were held. Today, the park still hosts concerts, master classes and sports competitions. In the summer, guests practice yoga, bachata and zumba, and in the winter, ice discos are organized for them at the stadium, which turns into a skating rink.

Tagansky Park pleases visitors with a variety of plants, for example, poplars, chestnuts, lindens, maples, ash trees, apple trees and a three-hundred-year-old pedunculate oak grow here, tulips and lilacs bloom in the spring. While walking through the park, you can meet starlings, thrushes, tits, wagtails and squirrels.

On the territory of Tagansky Park there is a large fountain, an open stage, a rope park, children’s and sports grounds, a stadium with a football field, stands and running tracks, a creativity center, a physical education and health complex, a martial arts center, as well as a Museum of Tricks and Illusions.

In 2012–2013, a large-scale reconstruction of the park’s territory took place, during which the stadium was transformed and new sports grounds and leisure facilities appeared.

Tagansky Park includes the N.N. Pryamikov Children’s Park (Taganskaya Street, Building 15a, Building 1) — one of the first recreation areas in the city, the history of which began in 1775. The park is named after the hero of the October Revolution. In 2017, the landscape was updated, small architectural forms and new modern equipment were installed.

Today, Tagansky Park is a cultural, leisure and sports center, a place for active recreation and leisurely walks. It plans to continue its traditions and open even more clubs for the younger generation.

The first pleasure garden

The Hermitage Garden was founded 130 years ago. It was the first pleasure garden in Moscow with gazebos, flowerbeds, a theater, a stage, coffee houses and pavilions. From 1830 until the end of the 19th century, it was located on Staraya Bozhedomka (now Durova Street). The garden reached its greatest prosperity when it belonged to the entrepreneur and former actor of the Maly Theater Mikhail Lentovsky. However, after his destruction, the garden fell into disrepair and its entire territory was built up. In 1894, a new life for the garden began – but in a different place. In just a year, the plot of land on Karetny Ryad, which was owned by the Moscow merchant Yakov Shchukin, turned from a wasteland into a blooming garden. Flowerbeds and paths were laid out there, trees and bushes were planted, and the theater building was reconstructed. At the same time, electric lighting, running water and a swimming pool appeared in the Hermitage.

A year later, in 1896, one of the first film screenings in Russia took place in the garden – the townspeople were able to appreciate the invention of the Lumiere brothers. A performance by the famous American illusionist Harry Houdini was also a significant event.

Fyodor Chaliapin, Leonid Sobinov, Antonina Nezhdanova sang on the stage of the Hermitage, and it was here that Sergei Rachmaninoff made his debut as a conductor. In 1898, the Moscow Art Theatre opened in the building of the Hermitage Theatre, where the play Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich was staged. Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Lenin often visited the garden.

After 1917, the garden was nationalized and then leased privately. In 1924, the theater building was occupied by the Theater of the Moscow City Council of Trade Unions, which was later renamed the Mossovet Theater.

The Hermitage Garden survived the Great Patriotic War, and in the summer of 1945, it was reconstructed. Three years later, a summer concert hall was built on its territory, where Arkady Raikin, Klavdiya Shulzhenko, Lidiya Ruslanova performed and Leonid Utesov’s orchestra played. Vladimir Vysotsky also sang in the garden and the first game of “What? Where? When?” was held.

Today, the Hermitage Garden is a protected monument of landscape gardening. It is regularly renovated and landscaped. Concerts, performances and festivals are held here.

First entertainment. The Hermitage Garden celebrates its 130th anniversary Outdoor recreation and attractions: Glavarkhiv – about how parks were organized in the USSR

The famous Moscow salon

The history of the Vorontsovo estate, which has been around for five centuries, is no less interesting. The estate was first mentioned in the will of the Moscow Prince Ivan III. In 1640, the estate passed into the possession of the Repnin princes. However, all the buildings that have survived to this day were built at the turn of the 18th–19th centuries under Field Marshal Nikolai Repnin. At that time, the northern and southern wings, the greenhouse, the stable yard, the ensemble of the main entrance and the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity were erected.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, a hot air balloon was developed at the estate under the direction of the German mechanic Franz Leppich. This episode is described in Leo Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace. In the 1820s, the Vorontsovo estate was owned by Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya. All the celebrities of the time visited her Moscow salon; for example, the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz came here.

After 1918, members of European socialist parties Emil Vandervelde, Arthur Waters, Theodor Liebknecht and Kurt Rosenfeld lived here. After the evacuation of the All-Union Scientific Research Vitamin Institute from Leningrad at the end of 1942, the Vorontsov Central Biological Station appeared on the estate, and in the 1950s, the state farm built three two-story buildings on the estate.

Today, the Vorontsovo estate is a monument of landscape gardening and architecture with an area of 40.7 hectares. On its territory there is a cascade of ponds, an oak grove, Italian and Chinese gardens. The park has playgrounds, attractions, outdoor cafes and skating rinks. The estate often hosts city festivals and quests, flash mobs and exhibitions. Sports activities and excursions are also organized here.

The Tsar’s residence in the south of Moscow

Another historical park in Moscow is the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. Kolomenskoye was first mentioned in the spiritual charters of Prince Ivan Kalita. Over time, this place turned into a famous grand ducal, royal and imperial residence.

The names of representatives of the royal dynasties of Rurikovich and Romanov are associated with Kolomenskoye. Among them are Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan III, Vasily III, Ivan the Terrible, Alexei Mikhailovich the Quietest, Peter I, Catherine II and many others. At various times, the victory in the Battles of Kulikovo and Poltava was celebrated here and other events were marked.

Today, the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve is a unique historical and cultural territory where medieval landscapes and natural monuments have been preserved. It was created in 1923 on the initiative of the cultural figure Pyotr Baranovsky.

Sergei Sobyanin showed what Sokolniki, Gorky Park, Izmailovsky Park and Tsaritsyno looked like in spring several decades ago Art and nature: which theaters operate in the capital’s parks

From falconry to concerts of Feodor Chaliapin

Sokolniki Park is another favorite place for Muscovites to take walks since the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. In the 17th century, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, falconry was held here, hence the name of the park. All high society gathered here, including princes, emperors and empresses.

And, according to legend, at the end of the 17th century, by order of Peter I, the first clearing was cut in Sokolnichya Grove, which still exists today. In 1845-1848, a city park was created here, and new cascades of ponds appeared on the site of old reservoirs. In 1866, the recreation area was included in the boundaries of Moscow, and in 1879 it became the property of the city. The city mayor Sergei Tretyakov, the brother of the founder of the Tretyakov Gallery, invested his own funds in the improvement of the park territory, and he also ensured that the park territory became part of Moscow.

Here, in the openwork pavilion-rotunda, classical music concerts were held, where Fyodor Shalyapin and Leonid Sobinov performed. In addition, film screenings and children’s parties were held. For example, in 1919, Vladimir Lenin organized a festive Christmas tree in the park for the students of the forest school.

In 1931, the Moscow City Council declared Sokolniki a city park of culture and recreation. After the Great Patriotic War, the recreation area of over 500 hectares was reconstructed. In 1973, the legendary Sokolniki Sports Palace was built on its territory. In 1979, the park was recognized as a cultural heritage site, a monument of landscape gardening of regional significance.

Wonderful Gardens and Menagerie

The history of Izmailovsky Park goes back to the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich. In the 17th century, marvelous Italian-style gardens were laid out in the royal estate located here, decorative towers with promenades were built, which complemented the landscape paintings. Three kilometers from the sovereign’s court, the Prosyansky Garden was arranged. On the territory of the forest (now Izmailovsky Park) there was one of the largest menageries in Europe, which served for the royal amusement. Lions, tigers, leopards, monkeys and rare birds were kept there. The forest also had farmland where fish were bred.

The Izmailovsky Park of Culture and Leisure was created in 1931. Until 1961, it bore the name of Joseph Stalin. On its territory is the oldest Ferris wheel in the city, the open-air museum of military equipment “Ploshchad Muzhestva”, the 17th-century Round Pond and a music pavilion.

Open-Air Stages. Theatrical History of Moscow Parks and Estates All eyes on the front: life in the capital’s parks during the war

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/144324073/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Video: How the EU is Supporting Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom

Source: European Commission (video statements)

From the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has stood by Ukraine, delivering unprecedented political, humanitarian, economic, and military support.

This aid helps Ukraine pay wages, pensions, restore infrastructure, and keep public services running, including hospitals and schools.

The EU is also training and equipping Ukraine’s armed forces, and has set up solidarity lanes to ensure Ukrainian crops reach countries in need, addressing the global food crisis caused by the war.

Committed to Ukraine’s future the EU is providing €50 billion in grants and loans through the Ukraine Facility over the next four years. Tough sanctions have been imposed to hinder Russia’s war efforts, freezing over €210 billion in assets.

The EU stands united and resolute with Ukraine.

This video breaks down the help provided for Ukraine so far and reaffirms the unshakable support for Ukraine, for as long as it is necessary.

If you want to learn more about how the EU is delivering for YOU. Then check out our “Keeping our promise to Europe” webpage: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/story-von-der-leyen-commission_en

#StandwithUkraine #EUDelivers #ukrainefacility
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-260158

Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2X56Ju6

Follow us on:
-X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
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Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqX1lSHQniM

MIL OSI Video –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI China: US-proposed ban on Chinese software in vehicles prompts strong backlash

Source: China State Council Information Office

The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday proposed a ban on Chinese-developed software and hardware in connected and autonomous vehicles, provoking a strong backlash from economists and observers.

According to the measure, “malicious access” to the Vehicle Connectivity System and the Automated Driving System could allow “adversaries” to access and collect the most sensitive data and remotely manipulate cars on American roads. Adversaries, in this context, are China and Russia.

The Biden administration acknowledged that few Chinese or Russian vehicles are currently on U.S. roads but noted that it wanted to take “proactive” measures, highlighting national security concerns.

“I think that the U.S. government may be projecting the kind of malware itself plans to install in some connected systems,” Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Xinhua. “There is absolutely no evidence that China is doing so.”

Sachs also noted that another aim is protectionism, “to damage Chinese EV exports to the U.S. and Europe.”

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua that the proposed rule represents a giant step towards decoupling. “The United States is not yet at war with China, but it is well along the decoupling path,” he said.

Hufbauer, a former official at the U.S. Treasury Department, noted that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan previously promised that U.S. restrictions on direct commerce with China would be confined to limiting the flow of advanced technologies with “a small yard and a high fence”. “The small yard has since grown into a large pasture with no discernable fence,” said Hufbauer.

Earlier bans on Chinese tech giant Huawei and current efforts to force TikTok either to be sold to a U.S. firm or face a ban follow the same logic.

Hufbauer added that if the latest proposed rule charts the future path of U.S. import bans, with no consideration of the cost to the U.S. economy, then it is only a matter of time before de-risking becomes decoupling.

The New York Times viewed combating real and perceived Chinese threats as one of the few issues that have won both Democratic and Republican support, though “many experts on China believe that the fear of Beijing has gone too far — and that it is also hurting American consumers.”

U.S. automakers “risk falling behind” if they do not have access to the latest technology, said the American daily, depicting China as the world’s largest car market that dominates the production of electric car batteries.

“Rather than banning China’s technology, the United States and China should take cooperative and diplomatic steps to ensure that neither party nor other countries behave in this manner,” said Sachs.

MIL OSI China News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA News: Background Press Call on President Biden’s Engagements at UNGA

Source: The White House

Via Teleconference

5:33 P.M. EDT

MODERATOR: This is Michael Feldman with the NSC press team. Just as a reminder for today’s call, it is on background and attributable to senior administration officials. The call is also under embargo until 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow morning.

For awareness and not for attribution, on today’s call we have [senior administration official] and [senior administration official]. I will now turn the call over to [senior administration official] to give some opening remarks. Over to you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Excellent. Thank you. And good evening, everybody. We’re very excited for the President’s trip to this year’s U.N. General Assembly, the last one of his presidency.

So, at meetings at the U.N. this week, we’re going to get a lot of business done for the American people. The President, the Secretary of State, other Cabinet officials, and even some members of Congress are here in New York to advocate for our country’s interests and values.

At the General Assembly, the President will do what he has done throughout his presidency: rally global action to tackle some of our world’s biggest challenges. So, for example, he’ll be talking this week about the climate crisis and the environment. We’ll be talking about the need to strengthen our systems for providing humanitarian assistance; to end brutal wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan; and we’ll also be talking about the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

When President Biden came to office nearly four years ago, he pledged to restore American leadership on the world stage. And given that this is the President’s last General Assembly, it’s a chance for him to talk about how this approach has produced results, real achievements for the American people and for the world.

The President’s engagements this week reflect his vision for a world where countries come together to solve big problems. This stands in contrast to some of our competitors, who have a more cynical and transactional worldview, one where countries interpret their self-interest very narrowly and don’t work together for the common good.

An overarching theme at this year’s General Assembly will be the need to reform and strengthen our global institutions, including the U.N., to make them more effective and inclusive. And that’s been a big theme of the U.N. Secretary-General’s Summit for the Future, the marquee event at high-level week this year.

Last week, President Biden released a video message ahead of the summit. I encourage you all watch it. You can find it on the Web. In the video, the President spoke about using this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And he talked about pushing for a stronger, more effective United Nations and a reformed and expanded Security Council. And he also talked about our efforts, investing billions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building on the global consensus that we achieved last spring in the United Nations General Assembly on principles for the use of artificial intelligence.

We’re going into a General Assembly this year with the world facing many steep challenges, problems so big no one country can solve them on their own, but that’s why the President feels so strongly the world needs strong and effective global institutions, including an adapted United Nations. This is his vision of countries working together. It has been a theme of his presidency and an important part of his legacy.

Let me just briefly note the President’s key engagements, and then I’ll turn over to my colleague to discuss the major event that he’s hosting on the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.

On Tuesday morning, tomorrow, he will deliver and address to the U.N. General Assembly. It will have many of the themes that I’ve mentioned here and talk about — again, some of the achievements of his approach to the United Nations and global cooperation.

The President will also meet tomorrow with U.N. Secretary-General Guterres to talk about how the United States and the United Nations are working together to advance peace, safeguard human rights, and help countries develop.

On Tuesday afternoon, the President will host a summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, and I’ll turn over to my colleague in a second to talk about that.

The President is also giving a major address later that afternoon on the urgent need to combat climate change.

On Wednesday, the President will meet with the President of Vietnam, To Lam. The President of Vietnam just came into office four months ago, and this meeting will be an important opportunity for the two leaders to talk about our shared interest in stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

The President will also attend, that afternoon, a meeting focused on Ukraine reconstruction with other world leaders.

And then on Wednesday evening, at the Met, the President will host world leaders and senior U.N. officials for a reception.

This is just a small slice of all the diplomacy and business that we’re doing here at the U.N. General Assembly. There’ll be high-level meetings on the future of multilateral cooperation, sea level rise, antimicrobial resistance. Really, every big, major challenge will be addressed here, and we’ll have senior U.S. representatives at all of these main events on issues such as the impact of emerging technology and specific meetings on global crises such as the difficult situation in Haiti, Sudan, Venezuela, Ukraine, Syria, and the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Other U.S.-hosted and U.S.-attended side events will focus on climate; scaling clean energy for Africa; a major core group meeting of countries committed to LGBTQ rights that was attended by the First Lady; and partnering for a lead-free future.

So, again, this is just a small slice of everything that is going on, plus the countless private sector and civil society events focusing on the great challenges of the 21st century.

So, as I mentioned, we’re going to use this high-level week, the President’s last U.N. General Assembly, to get as much done for the American people in the coming days.

I’d like to now turn over to my colleague who will discuss the President’s summit on the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Great. Thanks so much, and thanks to all of you for joining this call.

I wanted to share with you the exciting news that, on Tuesday, President Biden will, as [senior administration official] already said, host a summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. This is a coalition that President Biden launched in June 2023 to mobilize international action to tackle the synthetic drug crisis.

In just over one year, this global coalition has grown to include 158 countries and 15 international organizations working together to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, to detect emerging drug threats, and to promote effective public health interventions.

With the summit as a motivating force, we now have 11 core coalition countries that will be joining the President tomorrow, and they will be announcing new initiatives that will continue to advance the work of the coalition, including work to prevent, detect, and disrupt the supply chain of synthetic drugs.

It’s important to emphasize that these international efforts complement intensive work that’s already been done and is being done domestically, including an increased focus on coordinated disruption of drug trafficking networks and concerted efforts to make the opioid overdose reversal medication, naloxone, widely available over the counter.

These are just some of a wide array of actions that the Biden-Harris administration has taken to tackle the synthetic drug threats.

And as a result of these efforts, we’re starting to see the largest drop in overdose deaths in recorded history. When President Biden and Vice President Harris came into office, the number of drug overdose deaths was increasing by more than 30 percent year over year. Now we have the latest provisional data released from the Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics, showing an unprecedented decline in overdose deaths of roughly 10 percent from April 2023 to April 2024.

But there’s a lot more to be done, and the Global Coalition’s work recognizes that we need a global solution to a global problem.

We are thrilled that we have so many countries coming together tomorrow to celebrate the work of the coalition, and we also will be announcing a new pledge that all of the core coalition members will be announcing — will be signing on to tomorrow, and we will be working over the coming months to ensure that all coalition members sign on to this pledge.

And we truly think that this is a reflection of President Biden’s commitment to work both domestically and globally on the most important challenges that we face, recognizing that we need both domestic action and global action working together.

And with that, I’ll turn it back to [senior administration official].

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, Michael. I’ll turn it back to you.

MODERATOR: All right. Thank you, [senior administration officials]. All right, with that, we will take some questions.

The first question is going to go to Zeke Miller. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    Thanks so much for doing this. You mentioned this is the President’s last U.N. of his presidency. He’s going to deliver remarks to the General Assembly tomorrow. Can you give us a preview, potentially, of what his message will be? And will it be different from his prior remarks, in the sense — you know, obviously, world events have changed, but, you know, with an eye towards his legacy? Or is there some message he’s trying to give on the world stage before he leaves office in January? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You know, the themes I — thanks, Zeke. The themes I previewed at the beginning will be really central to the President. So, again, he came into office four years ago with a vision of America returning to the world stage, having a new way of interacting with other countries, bringing countries together to solve some of these big challenges. This will be a good opportunity for him to look at the results that have been achieved.

We live in a world with many problems, with many divisions, but we have a story to tell about what we’ve done to rally the world to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, uphold principles of the U.N. Charter; what we’ve done to manage responsibly our competition with other countries including China; and also what we’re doing to deal with the ongoing and serious conflicts in our world in places like Gaza, where the President has worked tirelessly to get a hostage ceasefire deal, and conflicts like Sudan, where you have absolutely unprecedented displacement and a really serious crisis that we think needs to get more attention.

So I think that will be the frame, and I’ll leave the details for the President’s speech tomorrow.

MODERATOR: Great. Thank you very much. Our next question is going to go to Asma Khalid. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    Yes. Hi. Thanks for doing this. Similarly, sort of on the speech, could I get a sort of broad, I guess, framework or tone that you all are thinking about? I know you say that the President came into office talking about building international coalitions, wanting to rebuild the United States stature on the world, but this is a really different moment than when the President even gave the speech last year, before October 7th. He is now leaving office, and there are multiple sort of intractable problems right now in the world. And can you just kind of give us any sense of tone in how the President is thinking about that and the very limited time he has left to solve them?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, Asma. Look, I think it’s a good question. The world has changed. The world has gotten more difficult in many ways, as you noted.

But, you know, as I said, the President came into office with a vision of how countries need to work together, how they need to work through institutions, how they need to partner to solve big global challenges. And the fact that we do have these challenges, the fact that we do have Gaza, the fact that we do have Ukraine and Sudan, still serious issues in our world, just underscores the need for that kind of cooperation. And I think you’ll hear that in his speech.

Yes, he’ll talk about the significant accomplishments, achievements of his approach, but also talk about how we need the spirit, we need to continue working together to solve these big challenges, whether it is the wars you mentioned or other challenges such as the climate crisis or managing the implications of some of the new technologies.

So I think this will be an important moment to say: Where do we go and what are the principles in which we’re going to solve these problems? Thanks.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Our next question is going to go to Paris Huang. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    All right. Hi. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, [senior administration official]. Two-parts question. So, kind of follow up on the questions from Zeke and Asma. So, of course, we know China and Russia have been heavily influencing the U.N. for years. You know, we see all those voting records. And President Biden have been doing a lot of reform during the four years. Does he believe that those changes will sustain after he leaves the White House?

And second question: In last year’s UNGA remarks, President Biden talked about the peace and stability of Taiwan Strait, which was the first time a U.S. president actually talked about Taiwan at the UNGA. So, will he include Taiwan again in his remarks this year? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks. And I appreciate the question. I think it’s a good question in terms of, you know, have we left the United Nations as an institution better off. I think we do have results, and the President will talk about that. You know, it’s a time of great divisions, and the U.N. has already been — has always been a reflection of the world as it is.

That said, when you look at what we’ve done, including through the United Nations, to, for example, rally the world to defend the U.N. Charter after the Ukrainian invasion, we secured a U.N. General Assembly resolution in which 141 countries stood up and said, “We condemn this, and we stand in favor of the U.N. Charter.”

You’ve also seen a more progressive and forward-leaning position on institutional reform. For example, two years ago, the President announced a shift and a more forward-leaning position in reforming and expanding the United Nations Security Council. And that’s definitely a piece of this well as well.

I won’t get into the details on, you know, specifically what he’ll mention on individual issues, but I will say that an important part of the President’s legacy has been thinking about how we responsibly manage our competition with China, and that includes many facets, economic security, and those will be addressed in the speech.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Our next question is going to go to Sheryl Gay Stolberg. You should be able to unmute yourself, Sheryl.

Q    Hi. Thank you for doing this call. You know, this is not a political speech, but it does occur in the context of an election in which one of the candidates has an isolationist vision that is far apart, diametrically opposed to that of the President. And I’m wondering, to what extent can the President use this speech to ensure that his own vision of global alliances survives? Is he concerned that that vision will unravel?

And will this speech be in any way directed to the American people, as much as to world leaders, as a reminder of the importance of America’s place in the world?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Look, as you said, this is not a political speech, but the President, again, he has a vision. He came into a vision — into office. That vision has produced results. And there are many opponents and critics of that vision, not just internationally but at home. It has been the President’s view that he needs to explain why this vision of working together with countries to solve these big challenges actually produces results, and that’s actually how we’re going to be measured.

And when I say “produces results,” that means internationally, in terms of ending war, in terms of tackling challenges like sustainable development, the debt crisis, climate, but it also means that he needs to explain how his vision has produced results for the American people. And that’s where I think there’s a very strong record, and some of it is very, very tangible.

For example, the summit on the coalition on synthetic drugs, that is him bringing together countries, all of whom share a challenge — dealing with synthetic drugs — but convening them here, talking about deliverables, talking about how we’re going to work together. And this is something that directly affects the situation of the American public, as my colleague briefed earlier, in terms of the overall record on issues like fentanyl.

So I think he’ll lay that out tomorrow, and I think it will stand as representing that vision and what it’s achieved.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much. We will go to Danny Kemp. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q    Thanks very much for doing this. I just wanted to ask about the current situation in the Middle East. I mean, you know, the speech tomorrow is really going to be a bit overshadowed by the events in Lebanon, where we’ve seen nearly 500 people killed in the space of a day. How’s he going to address that? And more particularly, how will the President be seeking to — will he be talking to other leaders about that? What’s he actually going to be doing at the UNGA more generally to try and get this thing sorted out? Thanks.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: This is one of the advantages of the U.N. General Assembly: You literally have the whole world here. So when you do have crises of the day, they’ll be addressed. And I have no doubt that the situation in the Middle East will be an important theme in a lot of the meetings, not just that the President has, but other senior U.S. officials who will be convening to talk about various aspects of the crisis and what we can do to stabilize the situation.

He will address the Middle East, especially this very, very difficult year that we have all gone through. And again, I think it’s an opportunity to talk about what we have achieved and what we still need to do, given a situation that is just heartbreaking where hostages have not been returned, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and, as you know, just such a sensitive issue, such a delicate and dangerous situation between Israel and Lebanon right now.

Thanks.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much. And unfortunately, that is all the time we have today. Thank you all for joining this call. Thank you to our speakers. And feel free to follow up with our team at the NSC press team with any questions.

And again, this call is under embargo until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow. Thank you all again, and hope you have a great rest of your evening.

5:53 P.M. EDT

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Economics: BSTDB Builds Up Partnership with OCN Microinvest S.R.L. to Boost Moldova’s Real Economy and Green Financing

Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

Press Release | 24-Sep-2024

New Credit Line to Support Small Businesses and Green Projects

To bolster economic activity and promote green financing in Moldova, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has announced a new partnership with OCN Microinvest S.R.L., the leading microfinance company in the country. Under this partnership, BSTDB will provide a credit line of up to EUR 10 million, aimed at enhancing financial access for small businesses and supporting the real economy in Moldova.

OCN Microinvest S.R.L. will on-lend the funds offered by BSTDB to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to support their activities and growth. A portion of these funds will be specifically allocated for green financing initiatives, including energy and resource efficiency, green energy and low-carbon technologies.

Signing the loan agreement, Dr. Serhat Köksal, BSTDB President, said: “Developing strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions in our member countries is crucial for fulfilling our mandate, particularly when direct outreach to end users is not feasible. Access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises is vital for sustainable and inclusive growth in Moldova. In alignment with our Climate Strategy, we are pleased to see that a portion of our loan will be dedicated to financing green activities, thereby contributing effectively to the decarbonization of the Moldovan economy.”

Dumitru Svinarenco, CEO of OCN Microinvest SRL: “This new partnership with the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering Moldova’s economic resilience and environmental sustainability. The EUR 10 million credit line will provide a much-needed boost to the country’s MSMEs, helping them to scale and adapt in a challenging economic landscape. Moreover, the focus on green financing aligns perfectly with Microinvest’s strategy to encourage more businesses to embrace energy efficiency and sustainable practices. We are proud to be working with BSTDB to support not only the growth of small businesses but also the broader transition to a greener economy in Moldova.”

O.C.N. Microinvest S.R.L. was established in 2003 as a microfinance limited liability company in Moldova. The company has a solid shareholding structure, comprising reputable foreign and local non-profit and developmental financial institutions. The company’s activity focuses on lending to individuals and micro, small and medium size enterprises.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.

Contact: Haroula Christodoulou

Phone: +30 2310 290533

: @BSTDB

MIL OSI Economics –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Banking: Web tracking report: who monitored users’ online activities in 2023–2024 the most

Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

Headline: Web tracking report: who monitored users’ online activities in 2023–2024 the most

Web tracking has become a pervasive aspect of our online experience. Whether we’re browsing social media, playing video games, shopping for products, or simply reading news articles, trackers are silently monitoring our online behavior, fueling the ceaseless hum of countless data centers worldwide. In this article, we’re going to explore various types of web trackers and present a detailed annual report that dissects their geographical distribution and organizational affiliations.

What is web tracking?

Web tracking is the practice of collecting, storing, and analyzing data about users’ online behavior. This data can include demographics, website visits, time spent on sites, and interactions like clicks, scrolls, and mouse pointer hovers that can be leveraged for creating heatmaps, etc. The primary goal of web tracking is to gain valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and interests. This information allows businesses to personalize experiences, improve user engagement, target advertising more efficiently, and measure the performance of their online services.

Types of web tracking

Web tracking can be classified into several categories based on the methods and technologies employed:

Cookies

Cookies are small text files that websites place on a user’s device to store information about their visits, such as login credentials, preferences, and tracking identifiers. Despite a commendable commitment to enhance online privacy, primarily Google’s Privacy Sandbox project, Kaspersky experts anticipate that third-party cookies will persist for long time yet. In fact, even as we were processing the data to write this report, Antonio Chavez, Vice President of Privacy Sandbox, announced an intention to reconsider the plan of third-party cookies deprecation.

Web beacons

Also known as web bugs or tracking pixels, web beacons are transparent images — typically lines or 1×1 pixels — that send a lot of tracking data, usually via a query string. When a user accesses the content, the web beacon sends data back to the server. This allows businesses to track user interactions without requiring additional action from the user.

Social media tracking

Many websites embed social media buttons that help users to share content easily. However, these innocuous buttons often come with tracking capabilities. Even if the user does not engage with the social media site directly, these platforms still collect data on their online behavior.

Web analytics

Services like Google Analytics offer a deep dive into user engagement on websites. These tools track a wide range of metrics, from page views and bounce rates to conversion rates, empowering businesses to understand user behavior and optimize website performance.

Fingerprinting

Device fingerprinting is a tracking technique that identifies users by collecting unique information about their device and browser settings. This includes details like screen resolution, operating system, installed plugins, and browser language. This creates a unique “fingerprint” that can identify the user across different websites, even without cookies.

Statistics collection principles

For this report, we used anonymous statistics collected from July 2023 to June 2024 inclusive, by the Do Not Track (DNT) component, which prevents the loading of tracking elements that track user actions on websites. The statistics consist of anonymized data provided by users voluntarily.

Even the most experienced users often make the mistake to confuse DNT features with the built-in “incognito mode” offered by all leading web browsers. Incognito mode only ensures that all your data like browsing history and cookies is cleared after you close the private window. However, it does not prevent websites from tracking your activities within that session. It also does not make you anonymous to your internet service provider (ISP) or protect you from adware or spyware that might be tracking your online behavior, cryptominers, or worse.

Over the year, the DNT component was triggered 38,725,551,855 times. We have compiled a list of 25 tracking services that DNT detected most frequently across nine regions and certain individual countries. 100% represents the total number of DNT detections triggered by all 25 tracking services.

The DNT component is included in all Kaspersky security solutions and is disabled by default.

Global tracker giants

Eight tracking systems appeared in almost all of the TOP 25 lists for the regions we studied. Four of these belong to Google. Besides these, we will look at two other tracking systems which were also widely represented across almost all regions: New Relic and Microsoft.

In addition, two other systems – Criteo and Facebook Custom Audiences – also made it into the TOP 25 for all regions, but we’ve already covered them in previous articles.

Google

Google has several tracking systems responsible for various but often overlapping areas of marketing, advertising, and other fields involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of user data.

Google Display & Video 360 is a tool for managing advertising campaigns. Its trackers monitor advertising-related activities (clicks, technical metrics of ads, and so on). This system had the largest share among the TOP 25 tracking systems in Asia. In South Asia, it accounted for 25.47% of DNT component triggers, and in East Asia – 24.45%. The smallest share of this tracking system was in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) – just 8.38%, as this region features a strong presence of local tracking systems, which we will discuss later.

The share of DNT triggers for Google Display & Video 360 trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

Compared to our previous report, covering the period from August 2021 to August 2022, the presence of Google Display & Video 360 slightly increased in East Asia and the CIS, while it decreased in other regions.

The second frequently encountered tracking system is Google Analytics. This system analyzes user behavior and tracks keywords to enhance website traffic and efficiency. Its largest share is in Latin America – 14.89%, followed by the Middle East at 14.12%. The lowest share of these trackers in our statistics is in North America – 8.42%.

The share of DNT triggers for Google Analytics trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

Just like the previous system, Google Analytics slightly increased its share in East Asia (up to 13.83%) and the CIS (9.36%), while decreasing in other regions.

Trackers from Google AdSense, like Google Display & Video 360, monitor advertising activity and provide reports to website owners. This tracking system has its largest share in the Middle East (6.91%) and South Asia (6.85%). The smallest shares are in Oceania (3.76%) and the CIS (2.30%).

The share of DNT triggers for Google AdSense trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In almost all regions, the share for this tracking system increased. It’s worth noting that while some of these tracking systems reduced their presence in certain regions and others increased, they all belong to the same company – Google. Thus, user tracking by Google remains extensive, far exceeding other companies.

Another significant Google tracking system is YouTube Analytics. It gathers information about video views and audience engagement, measures engagement levels, and more. YouTube Analytics holds the largest share in South Asia (12.71%) and the Middle East (12.30%), and the smallest in Europe (5.65%) and North America (4.56%).

The share of DNT triggers for YouTube Analytics trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

Compared to other Google tracking systems, YouTube Analytics has notably increased its share in all regions.

New Relic

The share of DNT triggers for New Relic trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The San Francisco-based New Relic appeared for the first time in our list of global giants present in all regions. Its activity is focused on web tracking for subsequent performance analysis and the detection of website and application errors. The largest share of this tracking system is in Oceania – 15.79%, and the smallest in the CIS – 1.96%.

Bing and Microsoft Corporation

The share of DNT triggers for Microsoft Corporation trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

Microsoft trackers collect information about user interactions with its online services and other sites. This data is used to optimize service performance, find errors, and more. While this tracking system has a relatively small share, it is present in all regional TOP 25 lists. Microsoft Corporation largest share is in Latin America – 3.38%, and the smallest in the CIS – 0.68%.

We studied Bing as a separate tracking system, although it is actually part of Microsoft.

The share of DNT triggers for Bing trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

Bing is a full-fledged search engine. Its trackers collect information on search queries, location, and user preferences to display relevant ads – classic search engine functionality. It can be assumed that the share of Bing’s tracking system in various regions indicates the popularity of the search engine itself. A notable share of Bing trackers among the TOP 25 was in Africa – 8.46%, and the smallest in the CIS – 0.77%.

Regional statistics

Europe

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Europe, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In the European region, Google tracking systems occupy the top two positions in the TOP 25. Google Display & Video 360 accounts for 17.27%, while Google Analytics holds 11.93%. In third place, with a 9.13% share, is Amazon Technologies. Fourth is Criteo with 6.80%, followed by YouTube Analytics (5.65%), Bing (5.33%), and Google AdSense (5.23%).

In addition to the tracking systems that are in the TOP 25 of other regions, there is one company in the European ranking not found anywhere else: Improve Digital, a Dutch company that deals with advertising and marketing projects. It closes the TOP 25 with a small share of 1.22%. Next, we’ll look at regions and even countries where the tracking system rankings contain far more names not found in any other region.

Africa

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Africa, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In Africa, Google trackers occupy the top three spots, with Google Display & Video 360 leading at 19.03%. By the way, only one region and one country among those we examined do not have Google tracking systems in the top position; in nearly all other regions, Google Display & Video 360 leads the rankings, occasionally being surpassed by Google Analytics. In second and third place in the African region are Google Analytics (12.94%) and YouTube Analytics (10.25%). Following them are the aforementioned New Relic (8.55%), Bing (8.46%), Google AdSense (5.11%), Criteo (3.40%), and Xandr (3.17%) – a company owned by Microsoft that focuses on advertising and analytics. The African TOP 25 doesn’t contain any unique tracking systems that can’t be found in other regions.

Middle East

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in the Middle East (excluding Iran), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The top four most widespread tracking systems in the Middle East belong to Google: Google Display & Video 360 (22.92%), Google Analytics (14.12%), YouTube Analytics (12.30%), and Google AdSense (6.91%). Next are Criteo (6.55%), New Relic (4.42%), Bing (2.66%), and Amazon Technologies (2.37%).

In 19th place, with a small share of 1.42%, are trackers from the Turkish advertising company Virgul.com, unique to this region.

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Iran, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In the Middle East, there is one country worth considering separately due to the significant number of tracking systems that are not found in other rankings – Iran. Despite the presence of numerous local trackers, Google still takes the top spot. However, not with Google Display & Video 360, which ranks third at 11.35%, but rather with Google Analytics at 35.78%, the highest for this system across all the regions and countries we reviewed. In second place are Microsoft Corporation trackers (12.08%), and in fourth is Yandex.Metrica (4.90%). The latter is a division of the Russian company Yandex, responsible for user data collection and analysis for advertising and marketing services, such as analyzing audiences and their behavior. Following Yandex is the local Tehran-based company Yektan (4.52%), which collects and analyzes data for advertising services. Another local Iranian company in the TOP 25 is the internet advertising agency SabaVision (1.55%).

In addition to these domestic trackers, Iran’s TOP 25 also includes some that appear only in this country but which are not Iranian in origin. These include Tradingview.com (1.84%), an American company collecting telemetry, Amplitude (1.46%), a digital analytics company, Heap (1.18%), a product optimization platform, and Webklipper Technologies (0.96%), which specializes in internet marketing.

Latin America

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Latin America, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The TOP 25 tracking systems most frequently detected in Latin America contain no local companies. Google Display & Video 360 ranks first with 20.13%, followed by Google Analytics (14.89%) and YouTube Analytics (8.89%). The TOP 25 is completed by PubMatic (1.08%), a company providing software for internet advertising. While it appears in many TOP 25 rankings, its share is minimal.

North America

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in North America, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In North America, Google Display & Video 360 leads the TOP 25 with a significant margin, holding 16.84%. Amazon Technologies comes second with 9.08%. Interestingly, Amazon Technologies trackers appear in the TOP 3 only in three regions or countries we considered: Europe, North America, and Japan. In third place is Google Analytics with 8.42%, which is the lowest share for this system in any of the regions examined. New Relic comes in fourth with 7.62%.

The North American TOP 25 includes two tracking systems not seen in other regions: The Trade Desk (1.79%) and Quantum Metric (1.76%), both American companies providing platforms for digital analytics and advertising.

Oceania

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Oceania, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In Oceania, Google Display & Video 360 (18.43%) ranks first, and New Relic, with a 15.79% share, takes second, marking the highest percentage for this tracking system among all the regions and countries examined. Google Analytics is in third place with 12.00%. In addition to the trackers found in most regions, Oceania features Oracle Moat Measurement (2.10%), Chartbeat (1.11%), and Nielsen (1.03%), which appear only in this region’s ranking. Chartbeat is an American company that collects and analyzes user data for media companies to improve monetization. Nielsen is an American company specializing in market measurement, collecting and analyzing user data for this purpose. Oracle Moat Measurement is the advertising division of Oracle, which will cease operations on September 30, 2024. Oracle itself will exit the advertising market, so this is likely the last time we’ll see this tracking system in our research.

The CIS

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in the CIS (excluding Russia), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The CIS region is the most unusual in terms of the distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems. This is the only region where Google trackers do not occupy the top two spots, ranking third (Google Analytics) with a relatively small share of 9.30% or lower. The first place is held by Yandex.Metrica trackers with 26.19%. As mentioned earlier, Yandex system not only made the TOP 25 in the CIS but was also seen in the Iranian ranking (fourth place at 4.90%), the Middle East (2.30%), and of course, Russia, where it holds first place with a 26.43% share.

In second place in the CIS ranking is the tracking system from Mail.ru (owned by the VK corporation) with a share of 20.76%. In addition to these two giants in the CIS tracking market, several other local tracking systems also made it into the TOP 25. Right after the three Google systems – Google Analytics (9.30%), YouTube Analytics (8.34%), and Google Display & Video 360 (8.33%) – the tracking system of the local company Mediascope had 2.82%. Mediascope focuses on audience preference and behavior research. Also included in the TOP 25 of the CIS are developments from the following Russian companies: Adriver (2.75%), Buzzoola (2.02%), AdFox, owned by Yandex (1.69%), Rambler Internet Holdings (1.46%), Sape.ru (1.42%), Artificial Computation Intelligence (1.33%), Between Digital (1.01%), Otm (0.99%), Adx.com.ru (0.93%). In total, Russian tracking systems account for 63.35% of the overall CIS ranking.

Distribution of TOP 25 tracking systems in Russia, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In Russia, the TOP 5 is occupied by domestic tracking systems: Yandex.Metrica (26.43%), Mail.Ru (16.60%), Mediascope (6.16%), Sape.ru (4.89%) and Artificial Computation Intelligence (4.80%). Google AdSense only ranks sixth with a 4.50% share. In addition to the trackers seen in the CIS TOP 25, the Russian ranking features an even larger number of Russian tracking services: VK (2.09%), Uniontraff (1.79%), Bidvol (1.16%), Teleport Media (0.97%), Avito (0.87%), MoeVideo (0.79%), GetIntent (0.62%), AmberData (0.59%), Kimberlite.io (0.59%) and Bumlam.com (0.56%).

The share of Russian tracking systems in the TOP 25 amounts to 87.50%. This makes Russia the only region where the overwhelming majority of the TOP 25 tracking systems are local players.

East Asia

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in East Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The top four positions in East Asia are occupied by Google tracking systems. Google Display & Video 360 is in first place with a share of 24.45%, followed by Google Analytics (13.83%), YouTube Analytics (11.66%), and Google AdSense (6.61%). Unlike other regions, the tracking system of the major Chinese IT company Baidu made the TOP 25 in East Asia with a share of 1.87%.

There are also countries in the region that are worth considering separately, as they feature not only global tracking systems but also local players.

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Japan, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

In addition to global companies whose tracking services are observed around the world, in Japan there are trackers only popular within the country. The Yahoo! Japan web portal is widely used, with its trackers accounting for 4.70%. Yahoo Advertising, the digital advertising division of Yahoo, holds a share of 2.35%.

Local Japanese tracking systems are also well-represented in Japan’s TOP 25, including Geniee (2.77%), Adsp from the Japanese company SMN Corporation (1.35%), MicroAd (1.18%), Supership (1.05%), and LINE Corporation (1.04%). The total share of Japanese companies in the TOP 25 tracking systems is 12.08%.

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in South Korea, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The TOP 25 in South Korea also differs from other global rankings, as it includes local Korean trackers. For example, the tracking systems of the highly popular Korean online platform NAVER rank fifth with 7.75%. Another major local player, Kakao, appears twice in the rankings: Kakao trackers are in ninth place with a 1.83% share, while trackers from the web portal Daum (owned by Kakao Corporation) hold a 1.17% share.

South Asia

Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in South Asia, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

The last region under review is South Asia. The ranking here is fairly typical in terms of the global statistics. Google Display & Video 360 takes first place with 25.47%, followed by Google Analytics (13.97%), YouTube Analytics (12.71%) and Google AdSense (6.85%). Only three American trackers made it into the TOP 25 in South Asia: Sovrn (1.24%), Mux (1.10%) and LinkedIn (1.02%).

Takeaways

Google remains the undisputed leader in collecting, analyzing, and processing user data globally. However, in regions like South Korea, Japan, and Russia – where local internet services are particularly advanced – regional tracking systems not only make it into the TOP 25 but can even prevail over global ones. In some cases, such as in the CIS, local trackers can even take over entire regions. On one hand, looking at the TOP 25, it’s clear that user data collection and analysis is not limited to just a few large companies – and the more companies store and process our data, the higher the risk of data breaches. On the other hand, the list of companies is still finite, and the majority of tracking is handled by IT giants, who are motivated to protect user data to avoid reputational damage. The presence of local trackers is undoubtedly a sign of technological development in a region or country. However, the spread of local tracking systems increases the risk of data leaks and can weaken the user’s sense of control over who collects their data. To prevent unwanted data collection by various companies and, in turn, prevent data leaks, we recommend activating the Do Not Track (DNT) plugin.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – GlobalData raises global economic growth projection for 2024 to 2.52%

Source: GlobalData

The global economy is navigating through a complex landscape marked by persistent geopolitical tensions. Nevertheless, easing inflationary pressure, central bank rate cuts (including by the ECB), and stronger consumer spending are mitigating these issues.

Against this backdrop, GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, has revised the global economic growth forecast for 2024 to 2.52% in its Q3 2024 update, marking a slight increase of 0.05 percentage points (pp) from earlier projections in Q2 2024.

In the “Global Macroeconomic Outlook – Q3 2024 Update,” GlobalData has revised economic growth projections for the Americas and Europe upward. The Americas’ forecast increased by 0.11 pp to 2.16%, driven by strong consumer spending, easing inflation, and rising real incomes. Increased private domestic business investments are also expected to support the region’s economic resilience.

Europe’s growth projection rose by 0.21 pp to 1.38%, supported by higher real disposable incomes from stable wage growth and lower inflation, along with the recent ECB rate cuts, which are expected to stimulate the economic activity.

Conversely, forecasts for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) were reduced by 0.08 and 0.25 pps, respectively, to 2.59% and 3.57%. In MEA, the ongoing conflicts, oil market volatility, and shipping disruptions hinder the growth. For APAC, China’s economic slowdown, domestic challenges, and geopolitical tensions contributed to the downward revision.

Arnab Nath, Associate Project Manager, Economic Research Team at GlobalData, comments: “The slight upward revision in the global growth forecasts for 2024 reflects cautious optimism amid persistent geopolitical tensions. The resilience of key economies, including the US, which witnessed economic growth of 3% on an annual basis in Q2 2024 up from 1.4% in Q1, and the Eurozone, which achieved its strongest expansion in over a year at 0.6% in Q2 2024, contributes to this positive outlook.

“Gradual recoveries in the emerging markets will further bolster the projections. The major central banks, including the ECB, have commenced rate cuts, with the US Federal Reserve anticipated to follow suit, which may stimulate investments. However, central banks must tread carefully to avoid reigniting inflation or creating financial imbalance to ensure a balanced economic recovery.”

GlobalData forecasts the global inflation rate to decrease from 5.8% in 2023 to 4.5% in 2024, with a further decline to 3.7% anticipated by 2025. In 2024, the inflation rate is expected to decrease in all regions: the Americas, excluding Argentina and Venezuela (dropping to 5% in 2024 from 7.5% in 2023), Asia-Pacific (decreasing to 5% from 6.9%), Europe (declining to 4.3% from 7.8%), and the Middle East and Africa (falling to 22.1% from 27%).

Easing price pressure boosted the economic sentiment in major economies. According to GlobalData analysis using data from OECD, between January and June 2024, consumer and business confidence have risen considerably compared to the average of the previous six months in major economic groups, including the G20 and G7 countries. The rise in consumer confidence indicates robust consumer spending potential, which could bolster domestic demand and economic resilience.

Meanwhile, global political shifts indicated by the 2024 election cycle will have economic implications, including changes in trade policies, regulatory frameworks, and market stability. Far-right gains in Europe could result in protectionist measures, affecting international trade.

In South Korea and the UK, liberal victories may bring reforms that encourage foreign investment and market liberalization. Declining support for ruling parties in India and South Africa suggests potential instability, while voter dissatisfaction in Russia and Bangladesh signals economic uncertainty in these regions. These changes are likely to test global economic resilience.

Nath concludes: “While global growth is expected to remain stable, varying regional dynamics and persistent risks from geopolitical tensions may significantly shape the economic outlook for 2024 and 2025, necessitating careful observation of policy shifts and market trends.”

Notes

Quotes provided by Arnab Nath, Associate Project Manager, Economic Research Team at GlobalData
The information is based on GlobalData’s latest report: Global Macroeconomic Outlook – Q3 2024 Update (ref. https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/global-pestle-macroeconomic-analysis/?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_campaign=gd_press%20release_cision_bf_global%20economy_report )

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology, and professional services sectors.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Submissions: Russia – MSF-Netherlands is instructed to deregister in the Russian Federation and consequently has to close its programmes in the country

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Moscow/ Amsterdam, 17 September 2024: Thirty-two years after starting work in the Russian Federation, Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) had to close its operations in the country.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to close our activities in the Russian Federation,” says Yashovardhan, head of MSF programmes in the country. “Our organisation’s work is guided by the principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality and medical ethics, we provide assistance based on the needs.”

In August this year, we received a letter from the Ministry of Justice of Russia, with the decision to withdraw the affiliate office of the non-profit association ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ (Netherlands) in the Russian Federation from the Register of affiliate and representative offices of foreign NGOs.

The international humanitarian medical organisation had been present in Russia since 1992. For more than 30 years, we successfully implemented dozens of programmes, ranging from assistance to the homeless to emergency response to the collaborative work with the Ministry of Health in the innovative tuberculosis treatment. We worked in various regions of the country: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Kemerovo region, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and – more recently – in the Arkhangelsk and Ivanovo regions as well as in the south of Russia in Belgorod and Rostov-on-Don.

A significant part of the history of MSF in Russia and the region was linked to the implementation of advanced approaches to the treatment of tuberculosis. MSF has collaborated with medical academic community of Russia and other countries in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia to extend effective, innovative treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR TB) to patients in penitentiary and civil sectors across the region.

In 2004-2017, we worked in close partnership with the Chechen Ministry of Health (MoH), providing technical and advisory support to the local health authorities in the treatment of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Chechen Republic. The programme covered different aspects of TB diagnostics, treatment, laboratory services and health education, as well as adherence counselling and psychosocial support for patients and their families. In 2014, MSF supported MoH in introducing new treatment regimens for patients with extensively drug-resistant TB which yielded impressive results giving hope to patients who previously had no treatment options left.

In 2021, MSF and local health authorities of the Arkhangelsk region in the north of Russia started successful implementation of a nine-month all-oral course of treatment for DR TB. 173 patients were enrolled on this treatment regimen. And later, in 2023, we started enrolling patients on an even shorter – just six months-long – all-oral treatment course that was recommended by the World Health Organization in the updated treatment guidelines in late 2022.

In Arkhangelsk and starting from 2024 in Ivanovo, MSF was providing expertise and technical assistance to health authorities with a special emphasis on implementing new treatment regimens and enhancing patients’ adherence and integrating person-centred care. To date, 41 patients in the Arkhangelsk and Ivanovo regions started treatment for DR TB within this joint programme. The aim of the collaboration was to contribute to the evidence base for more effective – less toxic, person-centred – treatment with a view to scale up these scientifically proven treatment protocols in Russia.

In Moscow and St Petersburg since 2020, MSF partnered with two community-based NGOs to support access to general healthcare, as well as testing and treatment for infectious diseases, for people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants, who otherwise struggle to obtain medical assistance. Over 14,000 medical consultations were supported for patients from these vulnerable groups.

Since the escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine in 2022, many people have sought safety in Russia, and MSF in partnership with local NGOs in the Belgorod and Rostov regions in the south of Russia started providing assistance to those who crossed into Russia from Ukraine and later – with the development of the situation – internally displaced people. Since the start of our response in 2022, more than 52,000 refugees and displaced people were provided with humanitarian aid and more than 15,400 received free medical, mental health and psychosocial support.

As part of this partnership, we were also planning to respond to the humanitarian and medical needs of the internally displaced people in the Kursk region. MSF continues to stand in solidarity with people impacted by this conflict and remain steadfast in our commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, irrespective of what side of the front line they are on, should the necessary conditions for our work be provided by relevant authorities.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our colleagues in Russia for their hard work and commitment to humanitarian values we hold high as an organisation,” says Norman Sitali, MSF Operations Manager responsible for programmes in Russia. “We are very sad to conclude our programmes in the country as many people in Russia in need of medical and humanitarian assistance will now be left without the support we could have provided to them. MSF would like to still work in Russia again if and when possible”.

MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Nations: Meeting of the Group of Experts on Population and Housing Censuses

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

20 – 22 September 2023

Palais des Nations Room V Geneva Switzerland

See also Workshop on Population and Housing Censuses

42478 _ ECE/CES/GE.41/2023/2 – Report _ 388176 _ English _ 773 _ 405874 _ pdf

42478 _ ECE/CES/GE.41/2023/2 – Report _ 388176 _ Russian _ 864 _ 405875 _ pdf

42478 _ ECE/CES/GE.41/2023/2 – Report _ 388176 _ French _ 780 _ 405876 _ pdf

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement for Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and the UN, Simon Manley.

Location:

Geneva

Delivered on:

23 September 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Commissioners, for your update which as ever is all the more shocking and compelling for its sobriety and precision

As you make clear, Russia continues to commit appalling atrocities against the Ukrainian people.

It’s indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets have intensified dramatically. August and July saw the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024.

Thousands of deported Ukrainian children remain in Russia. We will not know the exact number or whereabouts of these children until Russia shares this information.

Your update only reinforces the already overwhelming evidence of the systematic and widespread use of torture against Ukrainian detainees, including sexual violence. We have also seen reports of POWs being executed in the most barbaric manner.

Three volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross were tragically killed in Donetsk this month.

Soon we will mark two years since Russia’s attempted annexation of four oblasts in eastern Ukraine. Those living under

Updates to this page

Published 23 September 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

September 23, 2024

Previous news Next news

Yuri Trutnev launched the energy center in Chukotka

A ceremonial launch of the energy center was held in the city of Bilibino in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The new facility was launched by Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev. The Governor of the region Vladislav Kuznetsov took part in the launch of the new facility at the energy center site.

“I congratulate everyone on the launch of the energy center in the city of Bilibino! First of all, I want to thank everyone who participated in the construction: those whose work created the facility, which, together with the floating nuclear power plant, creates the contours of the new energy system, replacing the decommissioned Bilibino NPP. Chukotka is one of the regions of Russia with extreme climatic conditions. Energy is of particular importance for the region with its low temperatures. The entire energy system must operate reliably and without interruptions. Not only the quality of life here, but also the very life of people directly depends on this. Therefore, thank you to the builders, thank you to everyone who took part in the creation of the energy center. Let’s launch it,” said Yuri Trutnev.

The energy center will gradually replace the Bilibino NPP, which provides heat and electricity to the city of Bilibino with a population of about 5.5 thousand people, as well as large mining and gold mining enterprises in Chukotka. During the implementation of the project, about 300 new jobs will be created.

“This is a major event for our Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. From 2025, the energy center will be the main heat source for the residents of Bilibin, which will ensure the functioning of the entire Chaun-Bilibinsky energy hub. The work has been underway since 2019 in the difficult conditions of the Arctic zone. During construction, we took into account the permafrost factor, low temperatures, increased wind and snow loads. During the work, we managed to successfully resolve the issue of import substitution of components. I would like to thank the federal government for your support, you, Yuri Petrovich, everyone who provided assistance to the region at the federal level. I thank everyone who was involved in the construction of the energy center,” Vladislav Kuznetsov addressed the ceremony participants and asked Yuri Trutnev to give the order to launch the facility.

Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Vladislav Kuznetsov, head of the Bilibinsky District Evgeny Safonov, deputy director of JSC Chukotka Trading Company Dmitry Ivanov together pressed the “start” button, after which the energy center equipment was put into operation. The total installed thermal capacity of the facility will be 66 MW, and the total installed electrical capacity will be 25 MW.

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

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

http://government.ru/nevs/52776/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: During Climate Week, Markey, Badum, Merkley, Barragán Lead Over 100 International Lawmakers in Urging Biden Administration to Reject New LNG Exports

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Letter Text (PDF)

Washington (September 23, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, today partnered with Representative Lisa Badum, group coordinator in the German Bundestag’s Climate and Energy Committee and chairwoman of the Subcommittee on International Climate and Energy Policy, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Senate and House colleagues, and leaders from around the world in sending a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, urging the administration to reject new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports amidst the global climate crisis.

The United States is already the world’s largest exporter of LNG and is on track to exponentially increase export capacity – a full build-out that could yield hundreds of million metric tons of additional greenhouse gases at home and abroad. Pushing back on arguments that United States’ international allies need the country’s LNG, members of the U.S. Congress and Parliaments around the world are requesting that the administration reject these applications.

In their letter to the administration, the lawmakers wrote, “Far from being a clean ‘bridge’ fuel, LNG causes significant environmental harm. In addition to the greenhouse gas released when LNG is burned, the potent greenhouse gas effects of pervasive methane leaks throughout the LNG supply chain — which extends from initial exploration all the way through gas production, pipeline transportation, liquefaction, vessel transportation, regasification, distribution, and end-use consumption — likely eliminate any climate advantage of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”

The lawmakers continued, “In addition to the environmental and health benefits, limiting U.S. LNG exports will actually support global energy security, not jeopardize it. In both emerging and developed markets, overinvestment in LNG diverts resources away from cheaper, more stable, and less trade-dependent clean energy investments.”

In Europe:

“While Europe’s energy system was strained in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, it has since recovered. Europeans united to slash overall gas demand by 20 percent over the past two years. Gas prices are lower than before the start of the war, despite drastically lower supply from Russia.”

In Asia:

“China, the world’s largest LNG importer, has emerged as a major re-exporter within the region and globally, cashing in on lucrative price differentials that are facilitated by long-term agreements with the United States. Similarly, Japan, facing declining domestic demand and oversupply, is redirecting LNG trade volumes to emerging markets in South and Southeast Asia, bolstering profitable re-trading ventures.” Additionally, “South Korea, despite existing low terminal utilization and climate commitments, has invested significantly in expanding LNG infrastructure, highlighting a mismatch between capacity expansions and actual demand.”

In Africa:

“The expansion of LNG export infrastructure has sparked displacement, conflict, and environmental degradation, with many projects facing the risk of becoming stranded assets amid declining global demand. The African LNG export market parallels the United States in prioritizing foreign market interests over local needs amidst declining demand. U.S. participation in the LNG export market fuels this exploitative industry, undermining claims of leadership in a just global energy transition.”

In the Americas:

“Investments in new re-exporting infrastructure in Mexico will soon become stranded assets with poor financial viability, threatening the economic stability of the country for the benefit of short-term U.S. interests. Moreover, the export of U.S. LNG through Mexico also transfers environmental and climate justice burdens associated with LNG infrastructure, expanding the footprint of the industry’s harm to the country’s unique biodiversity and frontline communities in Mexico.”

Cosigners in the U.S. include Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC). Cosigners internationally include 30 Members of the Thailand Parliament, 15 Members of the European Parliament, 10 Members of the German Parliament, 3 Members of the United Kingdom Parliament, 2 Members of the Flemish Parliament, 2 Members of the National Assembly of the Gambia, 2 Members of the South Sudan Parliament, 2 Members of the Tanzanian Parliament the Australian Senator for Victoria, Brazilian State Deputy for Para, Canadian Senator for Quebec, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, 1 former Member of the Sierra Leone Parliament, 1 former Member of the Catalan Parliament, 1 former Member of the Flemish Parliament, 1 Member of the Timor-Leste Parliament, Member of Parliament and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Environment from the Republic of Vanuatu, 1 Member of the Sierra Leone Parliament, 1 Member of Tasmania’s Legislative Council, 1 Member of the Australian Parliament, 1 Member of the Austrian Parliament, 1 Member of the Cambodian Parliament, 1 Member of the Cameroon National Assembly, 1 Member of the Colombian Congress, 1 Member of the Gambian Parliament, 1 Member of the Ghanaian Parliament, 1 Member of the Liberian House of Representatives, 1 Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1 Member of the Scottish Parliament, 1 Member of the Swedish Parliament, 1 Member of the Swiss Parliament (National Council), 1 Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1 Member of the Ugandan Parliament, 1 Member of the UK House of Lords, and 1 Member of the Victorian Parliament in Australia on behalf of the Victorian Greens Members of Parliament.

In July 2023, Senator Markey and several New England Senators sent a letter to the Department of Energy urging it to consider the disproportionate negative impacts of LNG on New England as the department considers updates to its underlying environmental and economic analyses to improve export authorization decisions for LNG.

In May 2024, Senator Markey and Representative Yvette Clarke (NY-09) announced the reintroduction of the Block All New (BAN) Fossil Fuel Exports Act, legislation that would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and ban the export of American crude oil and natural gas abroad to protect frontline communities from dangerous export infrastructure, prioritize U.S. consumers against fossil fuel profiteering, and help ensure the United States meets its climate and clean energy commitments on the world stage.

In March 2023, Senator Markey and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) reintroduced the Fossil Free Finance Act, legislation that would direct the Federal Reserve to require major banks and other Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs) to stop financing projects and activities linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions and submit a plan on how they would meet these requirements. In October 2022, Senator Markey reintroduced the OPEC Accountability Act, legislation to require the U.S. President to initiate consultations with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC countries to reduce crude oil production.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Global: A new wave of Venezuelan refugees would threaten a humanitarian crisis – Latin America could learn from Europe

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Omar Hammoud Gallego, Assistant Professor in Public Policy, Durham University

Latin American countries are bracing themselves for a wave of Venezuelan migrants. Sebastian Delgado C / Shutterstock

Venezuela’s disputed election results have thrown the country into chaos. The authoritarian leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was declared the winner in a contested vote in July and, since then, has used state violence to inhibit any hint of protest.

The crackdown has led to the deaths of more than 20 people at the hands of Venezuela’s security services and pro-government armed groups known as colectivos, while more than 2,400 people have been thrown in jail. And the opposition candidate who is widely believed to have won the vote, Edmundo González, has fled to Spain after being threatened with arrest.

This swift escalation has sparked widespread concern throughout Latin America and beyond. Another wave of migration may be imminent, adding to the nearly 8 million people who have already left Venezuela since 2015. Countries across Latin America, especially Colombia, have expressed concern that a new surge of displaced Venezuelans might overwhelm public services and fuel political tensions.

It is possible that governments in the region may respond by imposing stricter border controls to stem the flow of migrants. But past experience shows that this move would both be ineffective and harmful.

Venezuela is a nation that was once known for its vast oil wealth. However, it has endured a prolonged period of economic and political instability. The country’s democratic backsliding began under former president Hugo Chávez in the early 2000s, but it worsened dramatically after he died in 2013 and Maduro came to power.

Maduro’s rule has been marked by rampant inflation, a 75% reduction in GDP, and widespread political repression. These conditions have led to one of the largest migrations in modern history. Nearly a quarter of Venezuela’s population have fled their homes, primarily to other South American countries.

Read more:
Venezuelan migrants are boosting economic growth in South America, says research

Initially, many Latin American nations coordinated their response. Governments came together in Ecuador to sign the Quito Declaration in 2018, for example, which committed them to ensuring the safe and regular migration of Venezuelan citizens.

However, this cooperative spirit soon began to unravel. Chile, Ecuador and Peru made it much harder for ordinary Venezuelans to enter their countries legally by introducing visa restrictions by the middle of 2019. These restrictions replaced earlier policies that allowed entry to Ecuador and Peru with just an ID card.

The effectiveness of these restrictions has been the subject of much debate. In a recent study, I compared the experiences of countries that introduced restrictions with those of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, which kept their borders open.

My findings suggest that restricting migration in South America has not prevented it. Migration has instead been driven underground, with significant costs both for migrants and host countries.

The introduction of visa restrictions led to a 38% increase in the number of Venezuelan migrants who crossed borders via unauthorised routes, and a 41% rise in migrants without a regular residency permit in their destination country. The number of Venezuelan migrants who lacked legal status in their host country also jumped from less than one-in-five to more than half.

This shift towards irregularity has had consequences. For example, I found that falling into irregularity led to a shift in migrants’ priorities away from seeking employment and towards trying to regularise their migratory status.

There is also no evidence to suggest that migrants redirected their journeys to South American countries with more open policies. In fact, the composition of migrants remained largely unchanged after the introduction of restrictions.

Lessons from Europe

Before the election, a poll conducted by Venezuelan firm Meganálisis indicated that around 40% of Venezuelans would consider leaving the country if Maduro remained in power. This represents a potentially staggering increase in migration, even if we account for the gap between intention and action.

To avoid exacerbating an already critical situation, countries in the region must adopt pragmatic policies that prioritise safe and regular migration. And they should offer regular status to migrants that already reside there.

Europe’s response to the mass displacement caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine offers lessons that Latin American governments should not ignore.

In 2022, the EU coordinated efforts to allow Ukrainian refugees free and safe movement throughout Europe, while also guaranteeing their right to work and residency, as well as access to health and educational services.

Read more:
Ukraine war: a year on, here’s what life has been like for refugees in the UK

Despite the massive scale of this displacement, at over 6 million refugees, there was no widely reported “Ukrainian refugee crisis” because of this cooperative approach.

Ukrainian refugees entering Romania after crossing the border.
Pazargic Liviu / Shutterstock

While the refugee status of Ukrainians in Europe is guaranteed up to February 2026 (and can be extended if the European Council agrees), the story is quite different for displaced Venezuelans. Despite being considered refugees by the UN and the laws of most Latin American countries, governments in the region have largely decided not to recognise them as such.

Nevertheless, Latin American governments should pursue a strategy similar to the one we have seen in Europe. This must include renewing their commitment to the principles outlined in the Quito Declaration, as well as establishing common standards across the region for the reception of Venezuelan migrants.

These standards should include the possibility of allowing Venezuelans to cross borders using only their ID cards, as is still the case in Argentina and Brazil, given how costly passports and other travel documents are for many Venezuelans.

Such requirements would significantly reduce the likelihood of irregular migration and, together with mass regularisation programmes, have a positive impact on the integration of Venezuelans into their host countries.

As Venezuela continues to grapple with political and economic collapse, the international community – and particularly neighbouring Latin American nations – must be prepared for another surge of migration.

But the response should not be to close borders or restrict access. Governments must instead coordinate to ensure safe, regular and humane migration routes.

The future of millions of Venezuelans, as well as the stability of Latin America, depends on the region’s ability to manage this crisis effectively.

Omar Hammoud Gallego has received funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council to conduct this research.

– ref. A new wave of Venezuelan refugees would threaten a humanitarian crisis – Latin America could learn from Europe – https://theconversation.com/a-new-wave-of-venezuelan-refugees-would-threaten-a-humanitarian-crisis-latin-america-could-learn-from-europe-238345

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Global: Pink cocaine: the party drug cocktail putting a growing number of lives at risk

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Joseph Janes, Lecturer in Criminology, Swansea University

A synthetic drug cocktail known as pink cocaine, has rapidly become a major concern in Spain, the UK and beyond. Earlier this month, Spanish authorities carried out their largest ever synthetic drug bust, seizing a large quantity of pink cocaine alongside more than a million ecstasy pills. The operation targeted drug networks across Ibiza and Malaga.

This dangerous substance has been linked to a growing number of drug-related deaths. The unpredictable composition and rising popularity of pink cocaine have sparked calls from European drug harm reduction organisations for urgent action to address the risks it poses.

Despite its name, pink cocaine doesn’t necessarily contain any cocaine. Instead, it’s often a mixture of various other substances, including MDMA, ketamine and 2C-B. MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, is a stimulant with psychedelic properties while ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic which has sedative and hallucinogenic effects. 2C drugs are classed as psychedelics but they can also produce stimulant effects.

Typically found in powder or pill form, pink cocaine is known for its vibrant colour, which is designed to enhance its visual appeal. It’s coloured using food colouring and sometimes strawberry or other flavourings.

The original psychedelic form of the drug dates to 1974 and was first synthesised by American biochemist, Alexander Shulgin. But the modern variant emerged around 2010 in Colombia and is a knock-off version.

The drug gained popularity on the party scene in Latin America and has now spread to Europe. Common names for pink cocaine vary widely, from “cocaina rosada” and “tuci” to “Venus” and “Eros”.

Russian roulette

Today’s pink cocaine is an unpredictable mix of substances and that is where much of its danger lies. Users often expect a stimulant similar to cocaine, but the inclusion of ketamine can lead to serious health risks. Abuse of ketamine, which is widely available as a club drug, can lead to unconsciousness or dangerously laboured breathing. This in turn increases the potential dangers of pink cocaine.

Its aesthetic look and “designer drug” status have contributed to its appeal, particularly among young people and first-time users. This mirrors the historical allure of drugs like cocaine and MDMA. It highlights a persistent trend where certain substances are glamourised despite their risks.

Experts compare taking pink cocaine to playing Russian Roulette with substance use, underscoring the unpredictable and dangerous nature of pink cocaine.

The drug has spread beyond Ibiza to the UK, and there is evidence that it has gained traction in Scotland, parts of Wales and England. Across the Atlantic, New York City has also seen a surge in its availability.

Health officials across Europe are alarmed. Pink cocaine is difficult to detect through standard drug testing, particularly in Spain, where the current testing regime is not yet equipped to identify all its components.

Warning to Brits over “Russian roulette” party drug pink cocaine | ITV News.

The drug is sold for around US$100 per gram (£76) in Spain, and is often marketed as a high-end product. The legal response varies, with Spanish authorities working to curb its distribution.

In the UK, pink cocaine falls under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which classifies drugs into three categories, class A, B, and C, based on their perceived harm. While pink cocaine itself may not be explicitly listed, the substances commonly found in it are controlled by the law. Both MDMA and 2C-B are class A drugs, while ketamine is a class B.

Harm reduction

One of the most urgent needs highlighted by the rise of pink cocaine is for accessible drug-checking services. Drug-checking kits are an important harm-reduction tool for people looking to test the substances they intend to consume. These kits can help users identify unknown components, offering a layer of protection in a high-risk environment.

My own work shows how vital such harm-reduction services are. Public awareness campaigns and support services are also an important part of reducing harm.

The growing popularity of pink cocaine is a stark reminder of the ever-changing landscape of illicit drugs, where aesthetics, social media trends and risky behaviour can combine to create new threats. While its pink hue and “designer” label may attract a younger crowd, the unpredictable cocktail of chemicals it contains presents a serious and growing danger.

As pink cocaine continues to spread through Europe and beyond, it is crucial that authorities, health services and the public are equipped to deal with the risks it poses.

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

– ref. Pink cocaine: the party drug cocktail putting a growing number of lives at risk – https://theconversation.com/pink-cocaine-the-party-drug-cocktail-putting-a-growing-number-of-lives-at-risk-237592

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine drone strikes demonstrate its continuing intent to fight the long war against Russia

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

Ukraine recently launched a long-range drone strike on a Russian ammunition depot in the Tver region of Russia. Ukraine followed up the strike with additional drone strikes near Tver and Krasnador.

These strikes were notable for two reasons. First, the destruction may represent Ukraine’s most successful drone strikes in the current phase of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Second, Toropets, where the first strike took place, is approximately 480 kilometres from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The success of the attack has caused considerable elation among Ukraine’s supporters.

The drone strikes, however, will not fundamentally alter the current battlefield. But they are part of broader efforts by Ukraine to undermine Russia’s ability to wage war. These efforts are unlikely to bear fruit in 2024, but do improve Ukraine’s position for 2025 and potentially beyond.

The failed search for fast victory

Both Ukraine and Russia have sought rapid victories in the war.

Russia, based on captured documents, believed that its invasion in 2022 would only take 10 days to result in total Ukrainian capitulation. Ukrainian resolve and the weaknesses of Russian armed forces, however, doomed this effort.

Ukraine and its supporters, likewise, placed too much hope in a decisive victory in the 2023 summer offensive. But their hopes were quashed by a Russian army that was not only superior to its 2022 iteration and fighting on the defensive, but also by structural weaknesses in the newly constituted Ukrainian units as well.

The reality of the Russia-Ukraine war is that rapid and decisive victories for either side are impractical. Instead, both Ukraine and Russia are undertaking efforts to win in 2025 and beyond.

Russian tactical actions

Ukraine realized it was in an existential fight from the outset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s focus on a rapid victory in Ukraine, however, meant Russia was unprepared for a protracted conflict.

Russia, however, adapted to the prolonged war, using the mercenary Wagner Group to stabilize its position in Ukraine. Russia’s efforts to find soldiers for the war effort included giving the Wagner Group the green light to recruit from Russian prisons.

Read more:
Russians flee the draft as the reality of the war in Ukraine hits home

These efforts, however, were more akin to patching holes in the Russian war effort than addressing its underlying issues. In September 2022, Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian reservists, totalling 300,000 additional soldiers.

A Russian recruit and his wife kiss and hug each other outside a military recruitment centre in Volgograd, Russia, in September 2022.
(AP Photo)

This mobilization and subsequent recruitment efforts gave Russia the personnel advantages it had at the beginning of the conflict. The reinforcements have allowed Russia to resume grinding offensive operations in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Notably, Russian forces are now nearing the strategic city of Pokrovsk.

Economic sanctions have affected Russia’s ability to produce high-end weapons. Nevertheless, it’s still able to acquire arms at scale from its domestic arms industry as well as from countries like Iran and North Korea.

Combined with Russia’s diplomatic offensive in Africa, Putin is not as isolated as western countries commonly believe.

Ukrainian morale

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a war of attrition, and most analyses have assumed that type of war plays to Russia’s advantage given its material superiority. A factor neglected by many analysts in wars of attrition, however, is the importance of morale.

The Ukrainian government and armed forces have not neglected this crucial point. The recent and ongoing drone strikes help to boost declining Ukrainian morale as the war takes it toll and as hopes of a rapid conclusion have faded, both among Ukrainians themselves and their allies.

Ukrainian efforts over the summer should be viewed through this morale lens. When doing so, it also becomes evident that Ukraine is fighting the long war versus seeking decisive victories.

None of Ukraine’s major efforts over the summer, when viewed in isolation, have a serious chance of changing the war in a significant manner. The Ukrainian army’s occupation of parts of the Kursk region this summer brought the conflict to Russian territory. The amount of territory taken by Ukraine, however, is negligible.

Each operation improves Ukraine’s ability to fight a protracted war, however, while simultaneously undermining Russia’s material and moral resources. They also boost the country’s morale while humiliating Putin at the same time.

Long-term vision

Russia staked considerable political capital and material benefits in acquiring support in Africa through the Wagner Group.

Ukrainian special operation forces efforts in Africa against the Wagner Group undermine Russia’s ability to acquire diplomatic support and other resources.

Read more:
Ukrainian special operations abroad are part of its broader war effort against Russia

Ukraine’s drone strikes will not alter Russian military supplies in a permanent way. But the strikes, using domestically produced drones, creates pressure on Ukraine’s allies to allow western weapons to be used with potentially greater effect.

The daily news cycle focuses on the importance of individual acts. In assessing how the conflict is developing, however, it’s important to understand how these acts, ranging from drone strikes to ground offensives, are connected to an overall strategy. Each is designed to improve Ukraine’s position while undermining Russia’s during a protracted war.

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

– ref. Ukraine drone strikes demonstrate its continuing intent to fight the long war against Russia – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-drone-strikes-demonstrate-its-continuing-intent-to-fight-the-long-war-against-russia-239438

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Board of Governors Elects New Chairperson for 2024-2025

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ambassador Philbert Abaka Johnson. (Photo: A. Barber-Huescar/IAEA)

The IAEA Board of Governors elected Ambassador Philbert Abaka Johnson as the Chairperson of the IAEA’s Board of Governors for 2024–2025. His one-year term commences today. He succeeds Ambassador Holger Federico Martinsen of Argentina.

Ambassador Johnson is the Permanent Representative of Ghana to the Agency, the United Nations Offices and other International Organizations in Vienna. Since his appointment in 2020, he has chaired the 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Subsidiary Body III of the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the standing open-ended intergovernmental working group on improving the governance and financial situation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (FINGOV), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the Vienna-based African Group. He is currently serving as Co-Chair for the preparations of the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Application and Technology and Technical Cooperation in 2024.

A career diplomat with close to 30 years of experience, Ambassador Johnson’s first diplomatic assignment was in Liberia in 1995. He has since served in multiple Ghana Missions in Switzerland, the Russian Federation, Belgium, Canada and New York and has held numerous positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, including as the first Director of the Diaspora Affairs Bureau in 2014. Before his appointment in Vienna, he was the Director of Africa and Regional Integration Bureau and Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) National Office from 2019 to 2020 and contributed towards Ghana’s bid to host the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the establishment of the ECOWAS Early Warning Centre in Accra.

Ambassador Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, as well as two master’s degrees: a Master’s of International Affairs from the Legon Centre for International Affairs & Diplomacy in Ghana, and a Master’s of International Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Switzerland. He has participated in various courses on leadership and diplomacy and was the recipient of the Best Ghana Diplomatic Mission Award for 2024.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Brunei Darussalam

Source: IMF – News in Russian

September 23, 2024

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded on September 16, 2024 the Article IV consultation^{^[1]} with Brunei Darussalam on a lapse-of-time basis^{^[2]}.

Brunei’s real GDP rose by 1.4 percent in 2023 after two years of recession, mainly driven by the non-oil and gas (O&G) sector and the earlier-than-anticipated production from the new Salman oil field in Q4 2023. Inflation fell, reaching 0.4 percent in 2023 compared to 3.7 percent in 2022, supported by the easing of post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, the softening commodity prices, as well as large subsidies and price controls. The fiscal and external position deteriorated in 2023 reflecting weaker O&G production and prices. The current account was also impacted by higher service imports and net income outflows. The banking sector remains stable, liquid, and well capitalized with declining non-performing loans.

The recovery is anticipated to continue and risks to the outlook are broadly balanced. Growth is forecasted at about 2.4 percent in 2024 on the back of expected increase in O&G production, including from the new offshore oil fields and rebound in downstream sector, while domestic non-O&G non-tradeable sector growth is expected to plateau. Inflation is expected to remain unchanged at 0.5 percent in 2024, and fiscal and external balances would stabilize alongside O&G prices. Near-term risks tilted downward due to external factors and O&G production challenges. New O&G field discoveries would provide significant upside, while accounting for decarbonization pressures. Structural reform implementation, with product diversification and technological advancement, could boost productivity, but economic and social challenges would remain with adoption of artificial intelligence.

Executive Board Assessment

In concluding the 2024 Article IV consultation with Brunei Darussalam, Executive Directors endorsed staff’s appraisal, as follows:

Growth rebounded moderately in 2023. The stronger-than-expected growth turnaround was supported by a new O&G field coming to stream in late 2023, a high interest rate environment and post-pandemic momentum boosting finance, transport, and hospitality. However, persistent O&G production challenges and maintenance related disruptions in downstream activities along with lower O&G prices weakened the fiscal and external positions in 2023. Consequently, the external position for 2023 remained substantially weaker than suggested by fundamentals and desirable policies and the output gap is assessed to be negative. Disinflation continued mainly due to easing supply chain disruptions and the softening of commodity prices, aided by continuing large scale subsidies and price controls.

The narrowing output gap, O&G revenue uncertainty and long-term decarbonization trends warrant a prudent fiscal stance, while protecting the vulnerable and public investment. While the use of fiscal buffers in FY 2023/24 was appropriate in view of the cyclical position and to support economic recovery, restoring fiscal buffers through growth-friendly fiscal consolidation should be prioritized going forward. This will require enhanced revenue generation, and could be supported by a low-rate carbon tax, and expenditure rationalization—including via more targeted subsidies. These efforts should be guided by a fiscal consolidation plan with clear fiscal targets. Plans to establish a MTFF and fiscal anchors, strengthening fiscal risk management and transparency are welcome.

The currency board arrangement with Singapore is sound and has played a key role in supporting Brunei’s macroeconomic and financial sector stability. Efforts to improve monetary operations, by including Singapore’s interbank transactions in its analysis to understand the influence of Singapore’s policy rates since January 2024, and continuing to narrow the corridor by raising the SFDR, integrating I-bills into the Asset Maintenance Ratio and launching a website for better communication on monetary policies, are welcome. Enhancing inter-agency cooperation regarding the issuance and management of sukuks will be helpful. Over the medium-term, the BDCB is encouraged to build internal capacity in liquidity forecasting to calibrate the issuance of the I-bills and consider establishing a single treasury account.

The financial sector remained stable with strong capital and liquidity buffers. Systemic risk is assessed to be contained. Careful tracking of credit growth in both offshore and domestic personal loans is warranted, as declining oil prices could pose risks, despite low NPLs. Ensuring that that the foreign loans continue to be invested in highly credit-rated assets will help to mitigate credit risk. For domestic lending, continuing to deploy prudential measures like capping the Total Debt Service Ratio, assessing unsecured personal loan exposure, and maintaining NPL standards are welcome measures. Authorities are encouraged to stay on track with plans to implement Basel III standards for better liquidity management by the end-2024. Implementation of stress tests is recommended, while considering stress testing for climate transition and physical risks. Efforts to further strengthen prudential frameworks, develop a long-term sukuk markets, green taxonomy and unify disclosure standards, and to improve AML/CFT effectiveness will help to deepen markets, and support long-term green projects. The authorities’ commitment to continue implementing the recommended actions in the APG’s Mutual Evaluation Report is welcome.

The authorities’ commitment to ambitious and sustained structural reforms will be critical to ensure growth and diversification, including by transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Reaching the authorities’ net zero emissions goal by 2050, will require continued development of the non-O&G sector, including through adoption of green technologies. Continued skill development, while addressing AI-related challenges and closing structural gaps in the first-generation reform areas (external sector trade facilitation, improving business regulation, and governance) vis-à-vis top peers, will be key to facilitate FDI and PPPs. Completing the 2025 National Adaptation Plan and a Climate Vulnerability Assessment should support the prioritization of adaptation strategies.

Data provided to the Fund has some shortcomings that somewhat hamper surveillance and data quality should be strengthened. Steps are needed to close the identified data gaps in national income, prices, external and fiscal sectors. Efforts for improving external sector data through a survey to better gauge trends in errors and omissions, and payables/receivables and strengthening public financial management (PFM) to build more transparent and accountable fiscal systems and aligning these further with GFSM (2014) are welcome, as are plans to enhance dissemination via the Fund’s e-GDDS portal.

Table 1. Brunei Darussalam: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2019–29
Area: 5,765 sq. kilometers
Population (2023): 450,500
Nominal GDP per capita (2023): US$33,581.1
Main export destinations (2023): Australia (21.5 percent), China (16.9), and Singapore (16.7)
Unemployment rate (2023): 5.1%
Labor force participation rate (2023): total 67.2; male 75.8%; female 57.3%
			2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
							Est.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.
Output and Prices
	Nominal GDP (millions of Brunei dollars)		18,375	16,564	18,822	23,003	20,319	20,893	22,197	23,073	24,081	25,153	26,447
	Nominal non-oil and gas GDP (millions of Brunei dollars)		8,268	8,868	9,790	11,043	10,883	11,386	12,411	13,620	15,045	16,281	17,717
	Real GDP (percentage change) 1/		3.9	1.1	-1.6	-1.6	1.4	2.4	2.6	2.6	2.7	2.9	3.1
		Oil and gas sector GDP	3.9	-4.9	-4.8	-7.3	-2.0	2.6	3.1	3.1	1.7	1.1	1.0
		Non-oil and gas sector GDP	3.9	8.9	2.0	4.3	4.5	2.1	2.0	2.1	3.5	4.4	4.7
	Oil production (‘000 barrels/day)		121	110	107	92	74	84	94	94	99	90	90
	Natural gas output (millions BTUs/day)		1,402	1,358	1,253	1,151	1,214	1,226	1,201	1,220	1,277	1,313	1,313
	Average Brunei oil price (U.S. dollars per barrel)		68.6	43.3	72.1	107.7	87.1	89.5	83.3	79.9	77.0	75.1	73.8
	Average Brunei gas price (U.S. dollars per million BTU)		9.1	6.7	9.1	14.4	10.9	8.6	9.9	8.7	7.8	7.4	7.0
	Consumer prices (period average, percentage change)		-0.4	1.9	1.7	3.7	0.4	0.5	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
			(Fiscal Year, In percent of GDP)
Public Finances: Budgetary Central Government
	Total revenue		26.4	12.6	24.0	28.3	17.3	19.3	18.9	17.5	16.3	15.5	15.1
		Oil and gas	19.8	7.7	20.2	24.5	13.0	13.6	13.4	12.2	11.1	10.1	9.5
		Other	6.5	5.0	3.8	3.9	4.3	5.6	5.5	5.3	5.2	5.4	5.6
	Total Expenditure		31.9	32.6	29.1	26.7	29.2	29.4	28.6	27.8	26.9	25.9	25.1
		Current	29.5	31.3	28.0	25.7	27.4	27.0	26.2	25.4	24.5	23.6	22.8
		Capital	2.4	1.3	1.1	1.0	1.8	2.4	2.3	2.3	2.3	2.3	2.3
	Overall balance 2/		-5.6	-20.0	-5.1	1.6	-11.8	-10.1	-9.6	-10.2	-10.5	-10.4	-9.9
	Overall primary balance excluding royalties		-22.7	-25.8	-22.5	-19.8	-22.6	-21.5	-20.7	-20.2	-19.6	-18.7	-17.7
	Non-oil and Gas Balance (In percent of non-oil and gas GDP)		-49.5	-46.1	-44.3	-40.2	-41.8	-39.2	-36.5	-33.7	-31.1	-28.6	-26.1
			(12-month percent change)
Money and Banking
	Private Sector Credit		2.0	0.2	2.7	6.0	3.9	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
	Narrow money		6.6	20.8	6.5	1.2	0.7	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.8
	Broad money		4.3	-0.4	2.7	1.3	2.7	2.6	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.7
			(In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
Balance of Payments
	Goods		2,211	1,359	2,679	5,153	3,808	3,966	4,264	4,121	3,925	4,013	4,131
		Exports	7,210	6,535	11,001	14,130	11,264	11,416	11,987	12,098	12,024	12,390	12,780
		Of which: oil and gas	3,244	2,943	4,730	5,660	4,185	3,867	4,387	4,243	3,798	3,668	3,617
		Imports	4,999	5,176	8,322	8,977	7,456	7,450	7,723	7,977	8,099	8,377	8,649
	Services (net)		-1,189	-855	-696	-848	-1,305	-1,324	-1,271	-1,173	-1,086	-1,029	-989
	Primary Income (net)		362	360	90	-370	194	327	226	193	146	119	83
	Secondary Income (net)		-490	-350	-502	-671	-749	-641	-687	-692	-673	-684	-683
	Current Account Balance		894	514	1,570	3,264	1,949	2,328	2,532	2,448	2,311	2,419	2,541
	Current Account Balance (in percent of GDP)		6.6	4.3	11.2	19.6	12.9	15.0	15.5	14.4	13.0	13.0	13.0
	Gross Official Reserves 3/		4,273	3,997	4,980	5,035	4,485	4,583	4,682	4,780	4,879	4,977	5,075
		In months of next year’s imports of goods and services	8.0	5.2	5.9	6.6	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9
	Brunei dollars per U.S. dollar (period average)		1.36	1.38	1.34	1.38	1.34	…	…	…	…	…	…
	Brunei dollar per U.S. dollar (end of period)		1.35	1.34	1.36	1.35	1.33	…	…	…	…	…	…
Sources: Data provided by the Brunei authorities; and Fund staff estimates and projections.
1/ Non-oil and gas GDP includes the downstream sector.
2/ In absence of government debt and interest payments, this is also primary balance.
3/ Comprises foreign exchange assets of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank, SDR holdings, and reserve position in the Fund.

[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

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

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/09/23/pr-24340-brunei-imf-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Africa: UN security council: African countries face hurdles and dangers in getting permanent seats
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies, Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa

There is growing global consensus among the members of the United Nations that the UN security council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, requires reform or restructuring to reflect the current balance of forces, and to improve its working methods and ability to do its work.

There is also growing consensus among members of the African Union that Africa deserves a permanent presence at the council.

The debate took a new turn on 13 September, when the US announced it would support the creation of two new permanent seats for African countries, and a non-permanent seat for small island developing nations. This came after a pledge in 2022 by the Biden administration to support the expansion of the security council.

The new permanent seats would come without the power of a veto vote.

Read more: Africa on the UN security council: why the continent should have two permanent seats

There are several reasons why, in my view, this quest to expand the council is likely to fail. I have followed and published on the South African experience of the UN security council and believe there is need for a sober assessment of what is achievable.

First, those with permanent seats and veto power (Russia and China, the US, the UK and France) are reluctant to share it, for fear of diluting their own interests and influence.

Second, if there was agreement on expansion, who would be worthy to fill the extra seats, and how would they be chosen? There are many deserving candidates, from Latin America to Europe and Asia.

Third, how would Africa go about selecting two of its own to represent the continent on the council?

Fourth, what would prevent such newcomers from being co-opted by the powerful (in this case, the US) to support or help implement western peace and security agendas at the expense of African and global south agendas?

To offset the attractiveness and prestige of joining the premier international security club, Africa should be mindful of the entry requirements (namely, diplomatic nous, experience with peacekeeping and the ability to finance such), lest it find itself relegated to serving the security council’s longstanding members.

Africa would be wise to select and support candidates that have experience, resources and a credible peacebuilding track record on the continent.

Hurdles and dangers

It is far from obvious that the continent’s two economic giants, Nigeria and South Africa, should represent Africa. Size counts but doesn’t always translate into attractiveness or credibility at home – a key requirement for a successful role in regional and international affairs.

The unfortunate reality is that Africa remains divided on the basis of region, language and culture. The continent struggles to speak with one voice on critical matters such as peace and security – the priority of the UN security agenda.

Under these conditions, a drawn-out and perhaps even unsuccessful process of selecting two out of the 54 members of the African Union is likely.

In addition, the offer by the west for Africa to take up seats should not be viewed as an act of benevolence. Bringing Africa into the western sphere of influence is a strategic calculation to counter the growing impact of Russia and China on global affairs.

The emergence of a new world order produces stresses and strains. The west, led by the US, continues to exercise hard power but declining influence, while an assertive alliance of global south states, led by China, is bent on eventually determining international affairs.

Read more: Pan-Africanism remains a dream: four key issues the African Union must tackle

Prominent members of the global south are enticed or pressured to partner with one or the other power bloc.

Africa in particular is being courted precisely because of its large voting number (54 countries can swing decisions at multilateral meetings) but more strategically, because it constitutes the reservoir of the world’s future economy. Apart from being blessed with a youthful demographic, Africa can come into central focus due to its unique endowment of green transition minerals like cobalt, lithium and nickel.

Where to from here?

If all obstacles are overcome, the chosen countries would have their work cut out for them. Serving – never mind shaping – the UN security council agenda is a demanding, full-time task. The chosen African countries would have to commit significant human and financial resources, peacebuilding capacity and diplomatic leadership skills.

South Africa is arguably the best placed to meet these criteria and can play a constructive role pushing the African agenda. But it needs to be wary.

Read more: Rating agencies and Africa: the absence of people on the ground contributes to bias against the continent – analyst

The country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was quick to respond to the US statement. On the eve of departing for the annual UN general assembly talk show he told the media

We have been campaigning and the concept has been accepted and of course Africa continues to play through various countries on the continent, important roles, peacekeeping missions not only on our continent but around the world. So, we [have] got the capability, we know how and Africa needs to be given its rightful place in the UN system and its various structures.

Some critical questions need to be answered by all African leaders first:
- What are the benefits for an African country taking up a permanent seat on the UN security council?
- How would it contribute, and what would it receive in return?
- Would it be able to set agendas and norms, or would it be forced to carry out the tasks of those who allowed it a seat at the table?
Africa is not unfamiliar with the workings of the United Nations system. It has benefited immensely from UN involvement as it strove for decolonialisation and overcoming the apartheid system. It works closely with the UN as it faces the challenges of underdevelopment, unequal trade, extreme weather and the ongoing exploitation of its human and natural resources.

It is fitting and ethical for Africa to take up permanent seats at the apex institution and put the security council to work to address Africa’s peace and security challenges.

To do so, its chosen members must chart an African course of action, supported by the other members of the council.

– UN security council: African countries face hurdles and dangers in getting permanent seats
– https://theconversation.com/un-security-council-african-countries-face-hurdles-and-dangers-in-getting-permanent-seats-239642

MIL OSI Africa –
September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Fly-By: September 20, 2024

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

Pfluger Fly-By: September 20, 2024

Washington, September 20, 2024

September 20, 2024

Increasing Security for Presidential Candidates

Following the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sunday, it is clear that more protection is needed to protect President Trump and his family.

Today, I was proud to vote for theEnhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17). This bill directs the Director of the United States Secret Service to apply the same standards for determining the number of agents required to protect Presidents, Vice Presidents, and major Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates.

The Senate must immediately take up the measure and provide President Trump with increased protection.

Biden-Harris Border Policies Invite Chaos

This week, I chaired a joint hearing in the Committee on Homeland Security with Rep. Clay Higgins to examine the variety of terror threats to the United States because of the wide-open southern border.

It is no secret our nation is in the midst of a dire crisis at our nation’s borders. Over the last four years, a record number of migrants from across the globe have descended on our borders and have created security challenges our nation has never experienced.

Specifically, border encounters under the Biden administration have surpassed 10.1 million aliensencountered nationwide, with over 8.2 million encountered along the Southwest border. These are only the number of individuals encountered at one of our borders.

Experts estimate that nearly two million individuals have evaded arrest by CBP officials and are known to be “gotaways.”

The most glaring statistic that alarms me the most is the 382 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watchlist were stopped trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally between ports of entry from FY2021 to FY2024 year to date. This is compared to the 11 individuals apprehended from FY2017 – FY2020.

If we know that nearly two million individuals are considered “gotaways,” how many of these individuals also appear on the terror watch list?

During the hearing, it was deeply troubling to hear from a former U.S. Chief of Border Patrol about how he was barred from speaking publicly about the increase in threatening individuals.

We need strong border security now. Watch here or below for my full opening remarks.

Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the United States Air Force

This Wednesday marked the 77th anniversary of the United States Air Force. For twenty years, I had the honor of serving our country in uniform as a fighter pilot. As a Member of Congress, I remain committed to advocating for all service members and their families. The U.S. House Air Force Liaison Office joined me in celebrating the significant milestone. Fly-Fight-Win!

New Report on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unprecedented Border Crisis

The House Committee on Homeland Security majority released a comprehensive new report documenting how President Joe Biden, Vice President and Biden-appointed “border czar” Kamala Harris, and other administration officials schemed together to open our borders, gut interior enforcement, and spark a historic flood of illegal immigration—from immediately after the 2020 election through the present day.

Read the full report here.

Defunding Sanctuary Cities

Sanctuary Cities are communities and states that refuse to enforce immigration laws or cooperate with federal law enforcement and immigration officials. These policies actively incentivize illegal immigration and ignite the crises we are seeing across the country.

In New York City alone, free hotels, healthcare, and debit cards have attracted more than 100,000 migrants since the spring of 2022, and more than 65,000 remain in the city’s care.

Today, House Republicans passed The No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act to prevent sanctuary cities from receiving federal funding that would benefit illegal immigrants and bail out sanctuary cities from the crisis they created.

Paul Whelan is Free

I had the honor of meeting former US Marine Paul Whelan who was wrongfully detained in Russia for the last five years. It is an incredible relief to have Mr. Whelan home sharing his story and advocating on behalf of those who remain wrongfully imprisoned around the world. The United States will not tolerate its citizens being used as political pawns.

United States Air Force Cadets in Washington

It was great meeting with a group of U.S. Air Force Cadets during their visit to Washington. These young men and women have heeded the call to service and are the future of our armed forces. As a graduate of the Air Force Academy, I continue to be inspired by these incredible students who have chosen to pursue a career rooted in service.

STEP Program Enrollment

The U.S. State Department recently enhanced its Smart Traveler Enrollment Platform, known as STEP. This is an excellent resource and free service for U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to receive safety and security alerts and other local updates by email from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Sign up at STEP.

September is Passport Month

Are you planning to travel abroad in the coming year? Now is the perfect time to start the passport application process or check your current passport’s expiration date.

If you are having trouble renewing or are experiencing a longer than normal processing time, our six district offices are ready to help you out.

Visit this link to get started on your application or renewal process today.

Applications Extended for Congressional Youth Advisory Council

I am excited to announce the re-launch of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council for high school juniors and seniors in the 11th Congressional District of Texas. This esteemed program offers a unique opportunity for passionate and driven young leaders to engage with the government, collaborate with peers, and serve their communities.

Participants will have the chance to interact directly with me, special guests, and senior staff members in up to four interactive virtual meetings. Additionally, CYAC participants will be provided special admittance to the Pfluger Youth Leadership Conference in Spring 2025 (Date TBD).

Interested students are encouraged to apply by completing an application HERE.

The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024.

For questions about the program or application, please contact Corbette Padilla in the Midland district office at 432-687-2390.

Upcoming Service Academy Night

My office will be hosting a Service Academy Night on September 30th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for high school students interested in pursuing an education and military career through the U.S. military service academies.

The event will be held at the Angelo State University Houston Harte University Center in the CJ Davidson Conference Center, 1910 Rosemont Drive, San Angelo, Texas, 76901.

Students, parents, and educators are encouraged to attend! If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please reach out to Mary O’Connor in my office at mary.oconnor@mail.house.gov.

2024 Congressional App Challenge

My office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional App Competition. The competition is open to all 6-12 grade students in the 11th Congressional District of Texas and is an opportunity for students to develop their skills in computer science and STEM skills.

The deadline is October 24th, 2024, at 12:00 pm ET. Students can register and upload their app here.

Step-by-Step Video Guide

The Congressional App Challenge website has a step-by-step video guide that walks students, parents, and educators through the application process. Clickhereto access the video guide.

PRIZES

The winner from the 11th Congressional District, chosen by a panel of expert judges, will be featured on the House of Representatives website, House.gov, as well as onCongressionalAppChallenge.us. The winning app will also be displayed in the U.S. Capitol among other winners from across the country. Additional sponsor prizes to be announced.

RULES

· Students will create an application (aka app) for PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc Any programming such as C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or “block code” will be accepted.

· There are NO LIMITS on the application theme or topic.

· Students may work individually or in teams made up of no more than four.

Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on the Congressional App Challenge’s website. For more information, please visit congressionalappchallenge.us/or contact Kathy Keane in the San Angelo Office at Kathy.Keane@mail.house.gov.

Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.

Rep. August Pfluger

Member of Congress

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Global: UN security council: African countries face hurdles and dangers in getting permanent seats
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies, Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa

There is growing global consensus among the members of the United Nations that the UN security council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, requires reform or restructuring to reflect the current balance of forces, and to improve its working methods and ability to do its work.

There is also growing consensus among members of the African Union that Africa deserves a permanent presence at the council.

The debate took a new turn on 13 September, when the US announced it would support the creation of two new permanent seats for African countries, and a non-permanent seat for small island developing nations. This came after a pledge in 2022 by the Biden administration to support the expansion of the security council.

The new permanent seats would come without the power of a veto vote.

Read more:
Africa on the UN security council: why the continent should have two permanent seats

There are several reasons why, in my view, this quest to expand the council is likely to fail. I have followed and published on the South African experience of the UN security council and believe there is need for a sober assessment of what is achievable.

First, those with permanent seats and veto power (Russia and China, the US, the UK and France) are reluctant to share it, for fear of diluting their own interests and influence.

Second, if there was agreement on expansion, who would be worthy to fill the extra seats, and how would they be chosen? There are many deserving candidates, from Latin America to Europe and Asia.

Third, how would Africa go about selecting two of its own to represent the continent on the council?

Fourth, what would prevent such newcomers from being co-opted by the powerful (in this case, the US) to support or help implement western peace and security agendas at the expense of African and global south agendas?

To offset the attractiveness and prestige of joining the premier international security club, Africa should be mindful of the entry requirements (namely, diplomatic nous, experience with peacekeeping and the ability to finance such), lest it find itself relegated to serving the security council’s longstanding members.

Africa would be wise to select and support candidates that have experience, resources and a credible peacebuilding track record on the continent.

Hurdles and dangers

It is far from obvious that the continent’s two economic giants, Nigeria and South Africa, should represent Africa. Size counts but doesn’t always translate into attractiveness or credibility at home – a key requirement for a successful role in regional and international affairs.

The unfortunate reality is that Africa remains divided on the basis of region, language and culture. The continent struggles to speak with one voice on critical matters such as peace and security – the priority of the UN security agenda.

Under these conditions, a drawn-out and perhaps even unsuccessful process of selecting two out of the 54 members of the African Union is likely.

In addition, the offer by the west for Africa to take up seats should not be viewed as an act of benevolence. Bringing Africa into the western sphere of influence is a strategic calculation to counter the growing impact of Russia and China on global affairs.

The emergence of a new world order produces stresses and strains. The west, led by the US, continues to exercise hard power but declining influence, while an assertive alliance of global south states, led by China, is bent on eventually determining international affairs.

Read more:
Pan-Africanism remains a dream: four key issues the African Union must tackle

Prominent members of the global south are enticed or pressured to partner with one or the other power bloc.

Africa in particular is being courted precisely because of its large voting number (54 countries can swing decisions at multilateral meetings) but more strategically, because it constitutes the reservoir of the world’s future economy. Apart from being blessed with a youthful demographic, Africa can come into central focus due to its unique endowment of green transition minerals like cobalt, lithium and nickel.

Where to from here?

If all obstacles are overcome, the chosen countries would have their work cut out for them. Serving – never mind shaping – the UN security council agenda is a demanding, full-time task. The chosen African countries would have to commit significant human and financial resources, peacebuilding capacity and diplomatic leadership skills.

South Africa is arguably the best placed to meet these criteria and can play a constructive role pushing the African agenda. But it needs to be wary.

Read more:
Rating agencies and Africa: the absence of people on the ground contributes to bias against the continent – analyst

The country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was quick to respond to the US statement. On the eve of departing for the annual UN general assembly talk show he told the media

We have been campaigning and the concept has been accepted and of course Africa continues to play through various countries on the continent, important roles, peacekeeping missions not only on our continent but around the world. So, we [have] got the capability, we know how and Africa needs to be given its rightful place in the UN system and its various structures.

Some critical questions need to be answered by all African leaders first:
- What are the benefits for an African country taking up a permanent seat on the UN security council?
- How would it contribute, and what would it receive in return?
- Would it be able to set agendas and norms, or would it be forced to carry out the tasks of those who allowed it a seat at the table?
Africa is not unfamiliar with the workings of the United Nations system. It has benefited immensely from UN involvement as it strove for decolonialisation and overcoming the apartheid system. It works closely with the UN as it faces the challenges of underdevelopment, unequal trade, extreme weather and the ongoing exploitation of its human and natural resources.

It is fitting and ethical for Africa to take up permanent seats at the apex institution and put the security council to work to address Africa’s peace and security challenges.

To do so, its chosen members must chart an African course of action, supported by the other members of the council.

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

– ref. UN security council: African countries face hurdles and dangers in getting permanent seats – https://theconversation.com/un-security-council-african-countries-face-hurdles-and-dangers-in-getting-permanent-seats-239642
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport on the M-11 “Neva” highway

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport on the M-11 Neva highway

September 23, 2024

Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport on the M-11 Neva highway

September 23, 2024

Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport on the M-11 Neva highway

September 23, 2024

Vitaly Savelyev inspected the exhibition exposition of the International Forum of Digital Technologies

September 23, 2024

Vitaly Savelyev inspected the exhibition exposition of the International Forum of Digital Technologies

September 23, 2024

Vitaly Savelyev inspected the exhibition exposition of the International Forum of Digital Technologies

September 23, 2024

Previous news Next news

Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport on the M-11 “Neva” highway

Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev opened the movement of unmanned cargo transport along the entire M-11 Neva highway as part of the International Forum of Digital Technologies in Transport and Logistics “Digital Transportation – 2024”, which is taking place on the territory of the Lomonosov cluster in Moscow.

The Deputy Prime Minister also inspected the forum’s exhibition display, where leading domestic developers presented their software products that are widely used in the Russian transport sector.

“Today, the transport industry is a leader in the implementation and use of digital solutions in all areas. This allows us to increase the economic efficiency of transportation, improve the quality of passenger service and speed up the delivery of commercial cargo, and most importantly, provide additional security guarantees for consumers of transport services. We have something to be proud of in terms of creating competitive digital products, and we must remain at the forefront of digital processes. This became possible thanks to the coordinated work of the transport complex team and leading domestic developers,” said Vitaly Savelyev.

Opening the movement of unmanned trucks, Vitaly Savelyev recalled that the first vehicles began running along the M-11 Neva highway in the summer of 2022 as part of the Unmanned Logistics Corridors project proposed by the Ministry of Transport and businesses in the spring of 2021. The initiative was supported by the Government and included in the approved list of initiatives for the socio-economic development of Russia until 2030. By the end of this year, the fleet on the route will consist of 43 vehicles, and in 2025 it will increase to 93 vehicles.

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

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

http://government.ru/nevs/52777/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 09/23/2024, 18-09 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment of the ABIO security (iARTGEN ao) were changed.

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

09/23/2024

18:09

In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on September 23, 2024, 18:09 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 118.26) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 137,889 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 75.0%) of the ABIO security (iARTGEN ao) were changed.

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/n73343

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Three Federal Treasury deposit auctions will take place on 09/24/2024

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications	09.24.2024
Unique identifier of the application selection	22024484
Deposit currency	rubles
Type of funds	funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units	289,000
Placement period, in days	2
Date of deposit	09.24.2024
Refund date	09.26.2024
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)	FIXED
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum	18.14
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds	–
Minimum spread, % per annum	–
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)	Urgent
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)
Venue for the selection of applications	PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:	from 09:30 to 09:40
Preliminary applications:	from 09:30 to 09:35
Applications in competition mode:	from 09:35 to 09:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:	from 09:40 to 09:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:	from 09:40 to 10:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:	from 10:00 to 11:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:	from 10:00 to 11:00
Deposit transfer time	In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n

Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications	09.24.2024
Unique identifier of the application selection	22024478
Deposit currency	rubles
Type of funds	funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units	20,000
Placement period, in days	182
Date of deposit	09.24.2024
Refund date	03/25/2025
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)	FLOATING
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum	–
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds	RUONmDS
Minimum spread, % per annum	0.00
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)	Urgent
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)
Venue for the selection of applications	PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:	from 12:30 to 12:40
Preliminary applications:	from 12:30 to 12:35
Applications in competition mode:	from 12:35 to 12:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:	from 12:40 to 12:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:	from 12:40 to 13:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:	from 13:00 to 14:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:	from 13:00 to 14:00
Deposit transfer time	In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n

RUONmDS = RUONIA – DS, where

RUONIA – the value of the indicative weighted rate of overnight ruble loans (deposits) RUONIA, expressed in hundredths of a percent, published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued. In the absence of a publication of the RUONIA rate value on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued, the last of the published RUONIA rate values is taken into account.

DS – discount – a value expressed in hundredths of a percent and rounded (according to the rules of mathematical rounding) to two decimal places, calculated by multiplying the value of the Key Rate of the Bank of Russia by the value of the required reserve ratio for other liabilities of credit institutions for banks with a universal license, non-bank credit institutions (except for long-term ones) in the currency of the Russian Federation, valid on the date for which interest is accrued, and published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet.

Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications	09.24.2024
Unique identifier of the application selection	22024479
Deposit currency	rubles
Type of funds	funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units	100,000
Placement period, in days	35
Date of deposit	09/25/2024
Refund date	10/30/2024
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)	FLOATING
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum	–
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds	RUONmDS
Minimum spread, % per annum	0.00
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)	Urgent
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)
Venue for the selection of applications	PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:	from 15:30 to 15:40
Preliminary applications:	from 15:30 to 15:35
Applications in competition mode:	from 15:35 to 15:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:	from 15:40 to 15:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:	from 15:40 to 16:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:	from 16:00 to 17:00
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:	from 16:00 to 17:00
Deposit transfer time	In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n

RUONmDS = RUONIA – DS, where

Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232PR@moex.com

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/n73339

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Corporate Lending Continues to Grow Strongly in August, Retail Lending Grows More Moderately

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

The growth rate of corporate lending remained high (1.9% in August, 2.3% in July). Funds were attracted by companies from a wide range of industries, mainly for working capital financing.

Mortgages, according to preliminary data, grew by a moderate 0.9% (0.7% in July). A slight increase was shown by the issuance of both market and preferential mortgages, where about 90% fell to the “Family Mortgage”.

Amid rising rates and tighter macroprudential regulation, consumer lending continued to slow, growing 1.3% in August after 1.4% in July.

Household funds in banks are actively growing (1.3%; in July: 1.1%), especially in term deposits in rubles due to high rates. Legal entities’ funds also increased (1.3%; in July: 1.6%), mainly ruble balances of exporting companies grew.

The banking sector’s profit (adjusted for dividends from subsidiary banks) amounted to 435 billion rubles, having increased mainly due to positive currency revaluation caused by the decline in the ruble exchange rate against the euro and the dollar.

Read more in the information and analytical material “On the development of the banking sector of the Russian Federation in August 2024”.

Preview photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS

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.kbr.ru/press/event/?id=21026

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI NGOs: The long road to recovery for Gaza’s war-wounded children story Sep 20, 2024

Source: Doctors Without Borders –

“I heard that when you die, you can still hear people’s voices as they bury you—their prayers and their footsteps as they walk away from your final resting place,” says Karam.

Karam is receiving care at the hospital run by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Amman, Jordan, where our teams provide reconstructive surgery for patients from countries experiencing war, such as Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza, Palestine.

The home of Karam (left) was obliterated in an Israeli airstrike, killing everyone in his family except for his sister Ghina and father Ziad (right). Karam was badly injured, with burns across his whole face and body.
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman

“He had no human features”

On February 14, 2024, an Israeli airstrike obliterated Karam’s home in Gaza, killing everyone in his family except for his 7-year-old sister, Ghina, and his father, Ziyad. Karam was badly injured, with burns across his whole face and body.

“In the ambulance, I could feel the speed bumps but I couldn’t open my eyes,” Karam says. “I could still hear voices, so I was afraid that maybe I was already dead.”

That day, Al-Aqsa Hospital was overwhelmed with casualties after the bombing of Nuseirat camp in central Gaza by Israeli forces. When Karam arrived at the hospital, the emergency room team worked to resuscitate him, but they eventually had to move on to treat other patients because they, too, thought he was dead.

In the ambulance, I could feel the speed bumps but I couldn’t open my eyes. I could still hear voices, so I was afraid that maybe I was already dead.
Karam, 17, MSF patient

One hour later, Karam’s uncle, who worked as a nurse at Al-Aqsa Hospital, entered the emergency room and realized that his nephew was still breathing. He rushed Karam to the operating theater, where MSF staff performed CPR and emergency surgery, saving his life.

His father, Ziyad, is a psychologist for UNRWA and was working at a refuge center when their family home in Nuseirat was hit.

“When I found out about the strike, I rushed to Al-Aqsa, as my neighbor told me that Ghina and Karam had been taken there,” says Ziyad. “I got to the emergency room and there were bodies everywhere, all over the floor. I found Ghina with first-degree burns on her face, shoulders, and back.”

The impact of the bomb dropped on Ziyad’s home was so strong that all that remains of the house is a crater. The blast killed 13 members of Ziyad’s family, including his wife, his youngest son Mohammed, and his eldest son Tareq, who was stuck in Gaza due to the war while visiting from Russia, where he was studying dentistry.

Ziyad with his daughter Ghina and son Karam in the hospital room they share at MSF’s hospital in Amman. Ziyad’s elder son Tareq, who was visiting from Russia where he was studying to be a dentist, was killed in the strike that injured Ghina and Karam.
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman/MSF

“When Karam was brought into the emergency room, I didn’t notice it was my son,” says Ziyad. “He had no human features on him. There were no clothes left on him. His body was completely black. His eyes were closed.”

After stabilizing Karam, MSF and Ministry of Health staff at Al-Aqsa Hospital performed six rounds of plastic surgery on Karam’s severely burned body. For seven days he was in a coma.

Karam was later evacuated to the Emirati floating hospital in Al-Arish, Egypt and then was flown to MSF’s reconstructive surgery hospital in Amman, where he is currently receiving comprehensive rehabilitation, along with his sister and other patients who have been medically evacuated from Gaza.

Thousands in Gaza need specialized care but are trapped

The small number of patients from Gaza receiving vital rehabilitation at MSF’s hospital in Amman are barely a ripple on the surface of needs across the Gaza Strip.

“We know from our experience at the reconstructive surgery hospital in Amman, where we have treated people with war wounds from the region for nearly 20 years, that typically up to 4 percent of people who suffer war injuries will need reconstructive surgery,” says Moeen Mahmood Shaief, MSF head of mission in Jordan.

“In the case of Gaza, we are talking about nearly 100,000 people who have been injured since October 7, 2023. Therefore we are looking at up to 4,000 people in Gaza who need reconstructive surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation,” he says.

Deema was almost killed when she fell four storeys from her balcony following an Israeli airstrike and was buried under the rubble for an hour.
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman/MSF

Almost 60 percent of medical evacuation requests are denied

According to OCHA, at least 41,000 people have been killed—not counting at least 10,000 still missing under rubble—in Gaza since the war started last year, and over 95,000 people have been injured, with at least 14,000 in need of medical evacuation.

However, the process that allows a wounded patient to be referred abroad for care is long and complicated. The Israeli authorities’ criteria for approving requests are unclear and patients often have to wait months for a response. Almost 60 percent of requests for medical evacuations from Gaza are turned down, according to the World Health Organization. This includes requests to evacuate wounded children and their caretakers, according to MSF.

MSF calls for medical evacuations without prejudice to Palestinians’ right to return

Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza require complex and sustained medical care that is unavailable in the Strip due to the collapse of its health system during the war. Israel must resume issuing medical referral permits for treatment in the West Bank and Jerusalem for severe cases that cannot be treated in Gaza. All medical referrals, patients, and their caregivers must be guaranteed safe, voluntary, and dignified return to Gaza.

Learn more

“Of the eight cases for which we applied for medical evacuation in August, only three were approved with their caretakers by the Israeli authorities,” says Dr. Hani Isleem, MSF project coordinator for medical evacuations from Gaza.

“We will apply again for the next batch, but it is 100 percent clear that they will not approve all the patients. Perhaps they are suspicious of allowing adults to leave the Gaza Strip, but even that suspicion cannot explain the refusal to evacuate children.”

MSF calls on the Israeli authorities to ensure medical evacuations for Palestinians in need of specialized medical care, including their caregivers, and for other states to receive and facilitate treatment outside of Gaza, while ensuring that all patients and their caregivers are guaranteed safe, voluntary, and dignified return to Gaza.

Deema’s little brother Hazem was playing football outside when their home collapsed, leaving him severely injured, while Deema was holding her baby nephew inside. After being trapped under the rubble, Deema survived, but the baby was never found.
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman

“It was pitch black under the rubble”

Deema, 11, and her family were sheltering at their home in Gaza City when their neighbor’s house was hit by an airstrike on October 10, 2023. Deema was on the fourth floor, holding her baby nephew in her arms, when the building collapsed around them. She fell four stories to the ground floor.

“It was pitch black under the rubble,” says Deema. “I couldn’t open my eyes and could barely breathe. I couldn’t hear anyone and I couldn’t speak. There was dust and stones covering my face. I was convinced that I was going to die.”

“I managed to move my hand under the rubble and used a cable to signal to people that I was there,” she continues. “I remember hearing voices, and I felt air on my leg, and soon people were pulling me out and rushing me to the ambulance. To this day, they haven’t found my baby nephew.”

Seventy-five people were killed in the strike, including Deema’s 14-year-old brother, Hamza. Her younger brother, Hazem, was playing football outside and was also severely injured when the building collapsed. After the dust settled and rescue teams arrived at the scene, Deema and Hazem were rushed to Al-Shifa Hospital, where they received emergency medical care.

The most dangerous place in the world to be a child

Read more

Due to the incessant bombardment of Gaza City, Deema, Hazem, and their mother, Eman, stayed at Al-Shifa Hospital for six months. They were eating, sleeping, and receiving care there, along with thousands of other Palestinians who were taking shelter inside the hospital.

On March 18, 2024, Israeli forces surrounded the hospital, forcing the thousands of people inside to flee. In the chaos of the evacuation, Deema became separated from her mother and Hazem, who were forced to move south. Meanwhile, Deema managed to reunite with her father and took shelter with him at Asma’a School in Gaza City, where they remained for 45 days.

“We stayed in a classroom with around 50 families,” explains Deema. “We had almost no food or water, and there was no electricity or gas, so we had to light fires. My shoulder was broken, and I couldn’t move it at all and I was barely able to walk at that time.”

In early May, Deema was at last able to travel to the south of Gaza, where she was reunited with her mother and Hazem in Rafah. One week later they were medically evacuated, first to Egypt and then to MSF’s hospital in Amman, where Deema and Hazem continue to receive reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy, and mental health support.

As a result of the attack on her home, Deema suffered fractures to her right femur and shoulder as well as an open wound to her forehead. In Amman, the MSF physiotherapy team works with her daily to encourage her fractured bones to heal before the external fixator in her leg can be removed. With time, she hopes to be able to regain full function of her limbs.

“I wasn’t able to move my ankle or my arm when I first arrived in Jordan, but with the help of surgery and physiotherapy I can move them both again,” says Deema. “But it’s hard for me to think of the future as long as there is war in Gaza.”

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the acute stress and life-changing injuries they have suffered in Gaza.
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman

The mental health impact on Gaza’s war-wounded

MSF mental health teams at the Amman hospital have noted that before the start of the war, Palestinians from Gaza already suffered from depression and frustration, often related to unemployment, poverty, and high addiction rates, as well as to disabilities and amputations caused by previous wars. However, since the war started last October the mental health of Gazans has deteriorated dramatically.

“A lot of patients coming from Gaza to the Amman hospital are experiencing not only post-traumatic stress disorder, but even acute stress syndrome,” says Dr. Ahmad Mahmoud Al Salem, MSF psychiatrist at the hospital in Amman. “This means that the patients usually have a lot of nightmares and a lot of flashbacks, as well as low mood, insomnia, and avoidance of the whole memory.”

This is not a normal trauma. This is a huge, tormenting catastrophe, and psychologically their minds are unable to bear all of this stress.
Dr. Ahmad Mahmoud Al Salem, MSF psychiatrist

Many Palestinians in Gaza have witnessed the destruction of their homes and the killing of their families, and many have suffered life-changing injuries. On top of that, they are constantly learning of the loss of more family members and friends.

“This is not a normal trauma,” says Dr. Al Salem. “This is a huge, tormenting catastrophe, and psychologically their minds are unable to bear all of this stress.”

The mental health team at MSF’s hospital in Amman provide patients who have suffered acute trauma with comprehensive therapy. Children are offered one-on-one psychological support, as well as educational activities and occupational therapy to help them feel more empowered. The more severe cases are referred to Dr. Al Salem for psychiatric support and medication.

Longing for Gaza after medical evacuation: Abdul Rahman’s story

Read about Abdul Rahman

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the acute stress and life-changing injuries they have suffered.

“Adolescents can suffer real misery, as they are just starting to form their personality and their identity,” adds Dr. Al Salem. “They are beginning to understand their place in the world and they are asking themselves: ‘Will I be productive one day, will I be attractive, will I be able to earn money?’”

According to Dr. Al Salem, adolescent patients who have suffered horrific, life-changing wounds will need long-term psychotherapy and support, not only to deal with painful memories and mental trauma, but to rebuild their sense of self-worth and learn to live with a disability.

“These kids need support to rebuild their self-worth and self-esteem,” says Dr. Al Salem. “But it takes time.”

Shahed, 16, from Rafah, Gaza, survived a December 9, 2023, airstrike that killed her father and sister. “I remember waking up in the ambulance.”
Jordan 2024 © Moises Saman/MSF

Living life by the moment

For young Palestinian patients at MSF’s Amman hospital, the future remains dark and unclear. There is still no safe place in Gaza, and while they may be able to return to Gaza physically at some point, the prospects are bleak. All of them have lost family members, as well as their homes and their schools.

Deema wants to go back to school and to see her family, but not until the war is over and Gaza has been rebuilt.

“I would like to become an engineer,” says Deema. “I wish that Gaza could return to how it once was. We don’t want to be displaced or pushed out, we just want to go back to our lives before the war.”

I wish that Gaza could return to how it once was. We don’t want to be displaced or pushed out, we just want to go back to our lives before the war.
Deema, 11, MSF patient

Five months after the catastrophic attack on his home, Karam is walking again, he is able to move his left arm, and his left eye is slowly reopening—a nearly miraculous recovery considering he was originally thought dead by medical staff at Al-Aqsa Hospital.

Today, Karam is smiling as he lets go of his crutches in the physiotherapy department and grabs hold of the parallel stabilizing bars to take a few steps forward. Before the war he had wanted to become a dentist, like his older brother Tareq, but since he was injured, he is not sure if it will be possible.

“I’m taking it one step at a time,” says Karam. “If the war ends, God willing, we will head back to Gaza. It’s my country, it’s where I spent my whole life. My friends are there. But for now, I’m here and I want to get better, one second at a time.”

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MIL OSI NGO –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Rising Russian gas imports undermine European plans to become independent of Russian gas – E-001376/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Russian gas imports did not rise over the period 2022-24. On an annual basis the EU has significantly reduced its imports of Russian gas from ca. 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) before 2021 and the beginning of the gas crisis, to 45 bcm in 2023[1].

T he EU Energy Platform including its AggregateEU mechanism contributed to the security and diversification of gas supplies to the EU and Energy Community, and increased market transparency[2].

The expiry of the Russian gas transit agreement through Ukraine at the end of 2024 would contribute further to phasing out Russian fossil fuel dependence by halting imports via Ukraine.

Demand reduction measures contributed to reducing the gas demand by 18% between August 2022 and May 2024. Unprecedented development of renewables has been achieved. Wind and solar capacity have increased by 36% between 2021 and 2023, saving the equivalent of 24 bcm gas over 2 years .

The Commission continues to implement the REPowerEU plan[3], including through limited financing to gas projects by the Connecting Europe Facility and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

New projects will help diversify supplies, such as the Adriatica Line, Gdansk LNG terminal and Gdańsk-Gustorzyn pipeline, the expansion of Krk LNG Terminal, Romanian Black Sea Gas exploitation or Trans-Balkan pipeline reverse flow, which the Commission has facilitated through the work of the CESEC High-Level Group.

[1] To compensate, the EU replaced Russian gas supply with imports from other international suppliers. Norway and the United States became the EU’s largest gas suppliers, representing 34% (47 bcm) and 18% (25 bcm), respectively of EU gas imports in the first five months of 2024, followed by North Africa, Azerbaijan and Qatar.

[2] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-security/eu-energy-platform_en

[3] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en
Last updated: 23 September 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Turkey – an unreliable acceding country – E-001429/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

Türkiye is a candidate country, a key regional player and a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted Türkiye’s relevance as a regional actor, especially in the Black Sea.

Türkiye has supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, voting in favour of the relevant resolutions at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, engaged politically, economically and diplomatically, facilitating the export of Ukrainian grain and prisoner exchanges.

In August 2024, Türkiye ratified the free trade agreement with Ukraine[1]. While a strategic partner for Ukraine in the defence sector, Türkiye maintains strong trade, economic and political relations with Russia.

Türkiye has refrained from aligning with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia, keeping its position of not supporting those adopted outside the UN framework.

As the EU and Türkiye share a customs union, the EU has called consistently on Türkiye to implement additional measures to effectively prevent the circumvention of EU restrictive measures and this has led to some progress.

Türkiye took some measures throughout 2023 to prevent the transit and re-export of sanctioned goods to Russia notably what concerns the items in the common high priority (CHP/battlefield) list of 50 harmonised system (HS) codes.

The Commission continues to actively monitor the trade data and exchanging with Türkiye. The EU Sanctions Envoy leads the cooperation efforts, latest discussed with Türkiye at the High-Level Dialogue on Trade (8 July 2024)[2].

In its 2023 enlargement report[3], the EU called on Türkiye, as a candidate country, to align with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia.
- [1] https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2024/08/20240802.pdf (Türkiye’s Official Gazette, Law no. 7523).
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_24_3684
- [3] https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/eb90aefd-897b-43e9-8373-bf59c239217f_en?filename=SWD_2023_696%20T%C3%BCrkiye%20report.pdf
MIL OSI Europe News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Economics: Dispute panel established to review certain tax credits under US Inflation Reduction Act

Source: World Trade Organization

DS623: United States — Certain Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act

China submitted its second request to establish a panel to determine whether certain tax credits under the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are in line with WTO rules. The United States said it was not in a position to agree to China’s first request in July, justifying its actions as necessary to combat climate change. China stated that the IRA’s subsidies favour US goods over imports, violating WTO rules prohibiting such discrimination.

The United States expressed disappointment over China’s decision to pursue a panel request and reiterated that the IRA is its most significant step toward clean energy, aimed at ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for a global clean energy future.

The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Norway, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and Venezuela reserved their third party rights to participate in the panel proceedings.

DS597: United States – Origin Marking Requirement (Hong Kong, China)

For the 12th time, the United States raised the matter of the panel ruling in DS597 at a DSB meeting. The US said it was raising the matter again as a result of recent developments in Hong Kong, China regarding free speech and human rights. The US referred back to its previous statements regarding its position on essential security and its reasons for placing this item on the DSB agenda.

Hong Kong, China criticized the US for once again raising this matter at the DSB. It referred to previous WTO panels that dismissed US claims that invoking national security in defense of a trade-restrictive measure is entirely self-judging. Any objections should be heard by the WTO’s Appellate Body, which remains blocked due to the US refusal to allow appointment of new Appellate Body members, said Hong Kong, China.

China reiterated its firm belief that a restored appeal mechanism is the proper place to address claims of panel error made by the US and rejected in the strongest terms what it said was US interference in the internal affairs of another WTO member.

Appellate Body appointments

Speaking on behalf of 130 members, Colombia introduced for the 79th time the group’s proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common interest in the functioning of the Appellate Body and, more generally, in the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, Colombia said.

The United States repeated that it does not support the proposed decision to commence the appointment of Appellate Body members as its longstanding concerns with WTO dispute settlement remain unaddressed.

Twenty members then took the floor to comment. Many of these members referred to their previous statements made on this matter at earlier DSB meetings and underlined the urgent need to meet the mandates set out at the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences in 2022 and early 2024 respectively to conduct discussions with the view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024.

Several members welcomed the progress being made in the formal dispute settlement reform process now underway and the need to accelerate discussions to achieve the 2024 goal.

Colombia, speaking on behalf of the 130 members, said it regretted that for the 79th occasion members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and members shall comply with their obligation under the DSU to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said for the group.

The DSB chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Saudi Arabia), concluded by expressing his full support for the facilitator in the dispute settlement reform discussions, Ambassador Usha Dwarka-Canabady of Mauritius, in her efforts towards achieving a positive outcome within the mandated time frame.

Other business

Surveillance of implementation

The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, “US — Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan”, DS160, “United States — Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act”, DS464, “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea”, and DS471, “United States — Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.”

The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, “EC — Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.”

Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, “Indonesia — Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.”

Next meeting

The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 28 October.

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MIL OSI Economics –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Economics: Piero Cipollone: From dependency to autonomy: the role of a digital euro in the European payment landscape

Source: European Central Bank

Introductory statement by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament

Brussels, 23 September 2024

It is a pleasure to be here today to meet the new members of this Committee and to update you on the status of the digital euro project. Let me also congratulate Madame Lalucq on her election as ECON Chair.

The ECB appreciates the open and valuable exchanges we have had with the ECON Committee on the digital euro since the beginning of the project. I am fully committed to continuing these exchanges and look forward to our future discussions.

Today I will focus on three key areas. First, Europe’s dependency on foreign players for retail payments. Second, the benefits of a digital euro for everyone, including consumers, merchants and banks. And third, the progress we have made on the digital euro project so far.

Foreign dominance in the European payment landscape

Fast-forward to the year 2030. Imagine you are at the football World Cup in Spain. You want to buy a drink, but you can only pay with Alipay. This scenario is not as far-fetched as it may seem: this summer, buying tickets for the European Football Championships in Germany was only possible with Chinese or American means of payment.

Could you imagine this happening in the United States? Going to the finals of the American football league, for example, and having no American means of payment available? I certainly cannot.

The Eurosystem will of course continue to ensure that people in Europe can pay with cash.^[1] However, cash is becoming less and less popular as digital payments and online shopping grow.^[2]

For example, more and more people are buying their groceries online. But you can’t use cash to pay for these. More often than not, the only option is PayPal or an international card scheme like Visa or Mastercard.

And more and more people are using digital wallets like PayPal or Apple Pay on their mobile phones. By 2027 these platforms are expected to handle 40% of e-commerce and 27% of in-store payments in Europe.^[3]

At the same time, the share of companies in the euro area not accepting cash has been increasing significantly.^[4]

These developments are contributing to the marginalisation of elderly and less tech-savvy people. They also make us dependent on non-European companies, which is risky.

Imagine what would happen if you could not pay digitally. For example, two weeks ago significant parts of the European card payments market were shut down for almost an entire day.^[5] Just like with electricity, gas or water, we don’t think about payments until they stop working. For energy, we had to learn this the hard way following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For payments, we owe it to Europeans to do better.

We need our own strong digital payments system.^[6] We can achieve this by bringing central bank money into the digital era with the introduction of a digital euro: a digital form of cash, issued by the central bank and available to everyone in the euro area.^[7]

A digital euro would strengthen Europe’s financial sovereignty and resilience because it would be built with European technology and infrastructure. It would empower Europe to independently develop and manage digital payment solutions, supporting the further deepening of the Single Market.^[8]

But most importantly, the digital euro would offer tangible benefits to all stakeholders – consumers, merchants and banks.

Benefits for European citizens

We strongly support the Single Currency Package^[9], which will ensure that cash remains widely accessible and accepted. At the same time, it will pave the way for a digital euro, which would take the advantages of cash into the digital world.

Consumers could use a digital euro for all payments, everywhere in the euro area, also when shopping online. With a digital euro, making or receiving payments would be free of charge and as easy as using cash today. Consumers would need to use only one device and remember just one password. In addition, having a single means of payment for all circumstances would make it easier for users to have an overview of their expenditure.

Importantly, a digital euro would seek to promote digital financial inclusion by ensuring that no one is left behind.^[10] It would be accessible to everyone across the euro area, via a mobile app or a physical card, so everyone can choose the technology that they are most comfortable with, no matter how old or tech-savvy they are.

Finally, a digital euro would offer the best possible privacy and data protection afforded by the current technology used in large payment systems.^[11] From the outset, ensuring user privacy has been a central focus of the digital euro project.

A digital euro would be available both online and offline.^[12] With the offline functionality, users would enjoy cash-like privacy. The details of your offline payments would only be known to you and the recipient. For online payments, too, we would ensure that your personal data remain your own. The Eurosystem will not be able to identify you, nor directly link you to your payments.^[13]

New opportunities for merchants

A digital euro would also bring new opportunities for European merchants.

Right now, merchants in Europe are largely dependent on a handful of dominant online or card payment methods, often relying on non-European providers. International card schemes currently account for 64% of card transactions in the euro area.^[14]

This costs European merchants a lot of money. They collectively pay a significant amount each year to international card schemes like Visa or Mastercard. And the cost is mostly borne by smaller merchants, who incur charges three to four times higher than those of their larger competitors.^[15]

A digital euro would include safeguards for merchants by capping the fees they pay to banks for processing payments.^[16] A digital euro would thus narrow the gap between what smaller and larger merchants are charged for digital payments.

By providing a true alternative to existing payment solutions, a digital euro would also put all merchants, large and small, in a stronger position to negotiate better conditions with other providers. Finally, it could provide a safety net for merchants in case of network or power outages, thanks to its offline functionality.^[17]

Benefits for banks

Banks would benefit too, particularly in our rapidly evolving payment landscape, in which new players – especially big tech companies from outside Europe – are increasingly entering the market. The banks would be remunerated for the services they offer, while the Eurosystem would cover the costs of the digital euro scheme and infrastructure.

When you compare a digital euro with services like PayPal or Apple Pay, the benefits for banks become even clearer. For instance, banks do not earn anything if people top up their PayPal wallet via direct debit. And with Apple Pay, banks actually have to pay a fee just to let their cards be used in Apple Wallet.

A digital euro would also open up a new source of revenue by allowing banks to provide value-added services to their customers.^[18]

We are working closely with the market to ensure that a digital euro leverages the existing standards as much as possible, which would keep costs down and support Europe’s competitive payment landscape.^[19]

Moreover, cards and applications currently available in only one or a handful of Member States could use these standards to reach customers across the euro area without the need to invest in new acceptance infrastructure. Therefore, a digital euro would mean that European payment service providers could offer their customers the convenience of using their product everywhere in the euro area – just like international card companies. It would also strengthen banks’ negotiating positions vis-à-vis these companies.

Finally, banks and other payment service providers would be responsible for distributing a digital euro, thus serving as the sole point of contact for digital euro users. So a digital euro could help banks retain their customers in the face of growing payments competition.

Project preparation phase at full speed

Let me now give you a brief update on where we stand with the project.^[20]

We started the investigation phase back in 2021 and are now at the midpoint of the preparation phase, with roughly one more year to go.

One of our key focus areas during this phase is to develop a methodology for determining the maximum amount of digital euro a person could hold at any time.^[21] The holding limits are important to ensure financial stability and prevent large-scale transfers from bank deposits to digital euro, especially during crises.

These limits would be high enough to avoid negatively affecting the digital euro user experience.^[22]

Experts from the ECB, the national central banks in the Eurosystem and national competent authorities, building on their unique know-how, have started to identify the factors that could influence the holding limit calibration, on the basis of three key areas defined in the draft Regulation: usability, monetary policy and financial stability.^[23]

While the exact holding limits would be defined closer to the potential launch and on the basis of a well-defined governance process enshrined in the draft Regulation,^{[the ECB’s Governing Council will decide whether to move to the next phase of the project. But the Governing Council will not take any decision about the issuance of a digital euro before the legislative act has been adopted.}

Conclusion

To conclude, introducing a digital euro across the euro area would take time, but it is key for Europe’s future. Countries across the world are exploring retail central bank digital currencies. If we want to be standard-setters and keep our position among the frontrunners, we need to move swiftly.

A digital euro is a common European project, which is why we are talking to all the relevant stakeholders and carefully listening to their views and concerns. I also remain committed to engaging regularly with the European Parliament.

Introducing a digital euro that all banks and other providers make available to their customers and that all merchants accept, everywhere in the euro area, would take several years. Market participants need certainty to invest in the digital euro and this requires coordination between co-legislators and the central bank.

I appreciate all the work that the ECON Committee has done on the digital euro so far. The legislative discussions are now in your hands. The ECB is of course ready to engage with the negotiating team and to provide continued technical support when needed.

It is important that the legislative and technical work advance in parallel, swiftly and in close cooperation. Together, we can ensure that the digital euro strengthens Europe’s financial sovereignty and serves all its citizens.

MIL OSI Economics –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

September 23, 2024

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

September 23, 2024

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

September 23, 2024

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

September 23, 2024

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

September 23, 2024

Previous news Next news

Valery Falkov and Gennady Krasnikov discussed the future of microelectronics with young scientists at Sirius

A dialogue about the future of microelectronics in Russia took place between the head of the Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov, the president of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov and participants of the 6th School of Young Scientists, which this year is working within the framework of the forum “Microelectronics-2024”.

The School of Young Scientists is a unique project, the participants of which are aspiring and established microelectronics specialists from more than 80 universities and scientific organizations.

One of the main topics of the conversation was the training of highly qualified personnel for the industry. The head of the Ministry of Education and Science noted that cooperation between universities and industrial partners plays an important role in solving this problem. This allows students to be involved in solving practical problems for the industry already at the training stage, offering them to work on equipment that is currently used in the real sector.

This task can be solved by such measures as, for example, the creation of basic departments of universities at enterprises, the Advanced Engineering Schools project, the Priority 2030 program, the program for the creation of youth laboratories, of which 940 have already been created, 60 of which are in electronics.

It is also necessary to increase the interest of young specialists in the microelectronics industry – so far, not all graduates of the relevant educational programs go to work in their profession. In addition to the systematic work of interested government bodies, it is important that each potential employer creates attractive working conditions for a young specialist.

“Our task is to bring the industry as close as possible to universities, and for this purpose, a whole range of state support programs for universities and research organizations is in place. In turn, it is important for the employer to think about the quality characteristics of the workplace – the salary of a young specialist, his career growth, social package, mentoring in a new workplace – all this together makes the industry itself attractive,” the minister emphasized.

At the meeting with young specialists, special attention was paid to popularizing the profession. President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov emphasized that today there are enough events aimed at building communication between young scientists, including the Congress of Young Scientists, which will be held in November on the federal territory of Sirius. At the same time, scientific councils and other conferences with the participation of young specialists are held at the RAS site.

As an example of a good support measure for young scientists, the meeting cited the Kamil Valiev scholarship, established last year. It is available to students and postgraduates who have achieved significant success in the electronics industry. The amount of the payment for students is 55 thousand rubles, and for postgraduates – 75 thousand rubles.

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

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

http://government.ru/nevs/52781/

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024