NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Republican strategist Scott Jennings about Republican leadership in in the U.S. Senate and House.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about his new book "The ABCs of Democracy," and Democrats' outlook following the 2024 election.

February 20, 2015 The African American experience is taught in many forms from songs to films to performance, but one of the latest forms to grow in popularity is the graphic novel. We’ll talk with author Joel Christian Gill about his newest work, Strange Fruit: Uncelebrated Narratives From Black History.

Later in the show, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the death of Malcolm X, we look at the last years of his life and the meaning of his movement for contemporary times. Panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, Anchor, NECN
- Phillip Martin, Senior Reporter, WGBH News
- Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College
- Joel Christian Gill, author, Strange Fruit: Uncelebrated Narratives From Black History
- Laura Jimenez, Lecturer, School Of Education, Boston University
- Emmett Price, III, Associate Professor of Music, Northeastern University Image: From Bass Reeves, Tales Of The Talented Tenth, Vol 1., by Joel Christian Gill, 2014.

The mega-coral measures 34 metres by 32 metres – making it larger than a blue whale – and it is thought to be three centuries old

4 awesome discoveries you probably didn't hear about this week -- Episode 31

4 awesome discoveries you probably didn't hear about this week -- Episode 32

Yesterday, we heard about the hyper-loop, a system that could get you from L.A. to San Francisco in about 30 minutes without losing your eyeballs.

Steve Julian: Business analyst Mark Lacter, that might come in handy given how crowded California's air corridor has become...

Mark Lacter: We'll talk about the hyper-loop in a moment, Steve, but yes, the L.A.-to-San Francisco air route is the busiest in the U.S., and it's already the most competitive.  We're talking about more than 50 flights a day, which - if you spread them out between six in the morning and 10:30 at night - there'd be one flight every 20 minutes.  But, Delta obviously thinks there's room for more because it's announced an hourly shuttle between the two cities.  That's another 14 daily flights beginning September 3.  The airline will be using a somewhat smaller jet, and it sounds as if the focus will be on the business traveler, with free newspapers, wine, and beer.

Julian: How much will it cost, do we know?

Lacter: As usual, it's a lot cheaper if you make an advance purchase, but if you're buying your tickets at the last minute - which is what a lot of business travelers do - roundtrip runs a hefty $430.  Actually, this Bay Area shuttle is just the latest effort by Delta to expand out of LAX, which is different from other major airports in that it doesn't have any one airline that dominates (United has a slight edge in market share over American, with Delta about three percentage points behind).  American also has been adding flights out of LAX.

Julian: Sounds like the airline business is improving...

Lacter: That's what happens when you pack planes to the absolute max, which is bad news for travelers being crammed into coach seats.  But it's good news for LAX, which continues to be the airport of choice among airlines looking to add service - matter of fact, domestic passenger traffic was up almost 8 percent in June compared with a year earlier.  Some of those gains might be at the expense of service elsewhere - most especially Ontario Airport, which has seen a big exodus among airlines and passengers.  Ontario city officials have been trying to regain control of the airport, which has been operated by the city of Los Angeles.

Julian: Back to the hyper-loop - is this kind of transport possible?

Lacter: Well, it's the brainchild of billionaire Elon Musk, and you never say never with this guy.  He started the electric car company Tesla and the private space company Space X.  The hyper-loop is a high-speed system of passenger pods that would travel on a cushion of air (think of air hockey table).  The pods would travel at more than 700 miles per hour, but they wouldn't result in sonic booms that severely restricted the Concorde aircraft.  Of course, anything that promises super-speed travel is bound to get people talking - and, from what the physics professors are saying, the Musk idea seems feasible.

Julian: How would its cost compare to the bullet train?

Lacter: He says a lot cheaper.  The price tag on the train is $70 billion at last check; Musk says he can do his for $6 billion.  But, the issue isn't so much the cost or even the technology, but the politics.  As a rule, governments do not think outside the box, and that's what a project like this is all about.  Already, you have bullet train supporters saying that the hyper-loop is impossible, but what they're really saying is we have a lot riding on the train, and we don't want this guy to mess it up.

Julian: But, how much demand is there for high-speed transport?

Lacter: You'd think there would be a lot, but when Boeing came up with a nifty idea for a souped-up plane that would shave almost an hour from L.A. to New York, the airlines said no because it would require more fuel - and that would mean raising fares.  Musk says his system would be a lot cheaper than traveling by plane, which could be a game changer in the attitudes about going places.  But, those attitudes won't change until the thing is actually built, and that can't realistically happen until attitudes change.  That's the ultimate problem.

Julian: Hence, why we're content to squeeze into coach.

Lacter: Yep.

Mark Lacter is a contributing writer for Los Angeles Magazine and writes the business blog at LA Observed.com.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

When plastic debris meets coral

Sticky solution to the places on the body that are difficult to bandage up

We toured Nonni’s Foods 45,000-sq.-ft. biscotti production facility in Ferndale, N.Y.

Issued at 400 AM EST Thu Nov 14 2024

000
WTNT44 KNHC 140848
TCDAT4
 
Tropical Depression Nineteen Discussion Number   3
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL192024
400 AM EST Thu Nov 14 2024
 
The satellite presentation of the system has gradually been 
improving.  The latest subjective intensity estimates from TAFB and 
SAB are both T-2.0/30 kt.  Based on the subjective Dvorak estimates 
and the improvement in the convective structure noted on satellite 
imagery, the system is upgraded to a tropical depression.  This is 
supported by data from the Indian Oceansat scatterometer, which 
shows a well-defined circulation.  The intensity is set to 30 kt 
based on the Dvorak estimates.
 
Tropical Depression Nineteen has been moving faster, just south of 
due west, or 265/14 kt, although it should begin slowing down later 
today.  A mid-level ridge centered to the north of the depression 
over the Straits of Florida should keep it on a westward track until 
Friday, taking the system near the north coast of eastern Honduras, 
and possibly inland.  After that, the ridge is expected to break 
down, and the models agree that the cyclone will meander in weak 
steering currents late Friday through the weekend.  This expected 
slow motion will cause the system to produce heavy rains over the 
same region, likely causing life-threatening flooding over portions 
of Central America.  By early next week, ridging should become 
re-established over Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which 
should cause the system to move northwestward across Belize and the 
Yucatan Peninsula.  Very little change was made to the first 3 days 
of the track forecast.  Beyond day 3, there has been a notable 
westward shift in the track guidance.  The NHC forecast is a bit 
west of the previous forecast beyond day 3, but not as far west as 
the bulk of the latest model guidance.
 
Environmental conditions are conducive for intensification during 
the next day or two while the system remains over water, with low 
vertical wind shear and relatively high mid-level humidities. 
However, there is a significant amount of uncertainty in how much 
land interaction with Honduras occurs.  The majority of the models 
are showing the center move just barely inland over Honduras, or 
parking it right on the coastline, between hour 48 and 72. However, 
if the system stays offshore, as shown by the latest HWRF model 
solution, it could take advantage of the conducive atmospheric and 
oceanic conditions and continue to strengthen.  The latest NHC 
intensity forecast is similar to the previous one through 36 h, but 
then is about 5 kt lower than the previous forecast since this 
forecast shows a bit more land interaction beyond 36 h.  The latest 
NHC intensity forecast is above the high end of the guidance 
envelope beyond 36 h.
 
KEY MESSAGES:
 
1. Through early next week, heavy rainfall will cause significant,
life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across portions of
Central America, particularly Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern
Guatemala, and western Nicaragua.
 
2. The disturbance is forecast to be near hurricane strength when
it moves near the eastern coast of Honduras on Friday and Saturday.
Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect for
portions of that area.
 
3. The system is forecast to approach Belize and the Yucatan
Peninsula of Mexico at or near hurricane strength by early next week
where there is a risk of dangerous storm surge and damaging winds.
Residents in these areas should monitor the latest forecast updates
and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.
 
4. It is too soon to determine what impacts the system could bring
to portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, the
Florida Keys, and Cuba during the middle portion of next week.
Residents in these areas should regularly monitor updates to the
forecast.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  14/0900Z 15.9N  81.7W   30 KT  35 MPH
 12H  14/1800Z 15.9N  83.1W   35 KT  40 MPH
 24H  15/0600Z 16.0N  84.4W   40 KT  45 MPH
 36H  15/1800Z 16.1N  85.1W   50 KT  60 MPH
 48H  16/0600Z 15.9N  85.3W   55 KT  65 MPH...NEAR THE COAST
 60H  16/1800Z 15.9N  85.3W   55 KT  65 MPH...NEAR THE COAST
 72H  17/0600Z 15.9N  85.8W   50 KT  60 MPH...INLAND
 96H  18/0600Z 17.1N  87.8W   55 KT  65 MPH...OVER WATER
120H  19/0600Z 20.4N  89.7W   45 KT  50 MPH...INLAND
 
$$
Forecaster Hagen
 

Publicado en 400 AM EST Thu Nov 14 2024

313 
WTNT54 KNHC 140849
TDSAT4

Depresión Tropical Diecinueve Discusión Número 3
Centro Nacional de Huracanes del SNM Miami FL  AL192024
400 AM EST jueves 14 de noviembre de 2024

La presentación del sistema por satélite ha ido mejorando
gradualmente. Las últimas estimaciones de intensidad subjetiva de
TAFB y SAB son T-2.0/30 kt. Basado en las estimaciones subjetivas de
Dvorak y la mejora en la estructura convectiva observada en las
imágenes de satélite, el sistema se actualiza a una depresión
tropical. Esto se ve respaldado por los datos del scatterómetro del
Indian Oceansat, que muestra una circulación bien definida. La
intensidad se establece en 30 kt según las estimaciones de Dvorak.

La Depresión Tropical Diecinueve se ha estado moviendo más rápido,
justo al sur del oeste, o 265/14 kt, aunque hoy debería comenzar a
disminuir la velocidad. Una cresta de nivel medio centrada al norte
de la depresión sobre el Estrecho de Florida debe mantenerla en
dirección oeste hasta el viernes, tomando el sistema cerca de la
costa norte del este de Honduras y, posiblemente, tierra adentro.
Después de eso, se espera que la cresta se rompa, y los modelos
coinciden en que el ciclón serpenteará en corrientes débiles hasta
el viernes hasta el fin de semana. Se espera que este movimiento
lento provoque que el sistema produzca fuertes lluvias en la misma
región, lo que probablemente provocará inundaciones que amenazan la
vida en zonas de América Central. Para principios de la próxima
semana, las perforaciones de crestas deben restablecerse sobre
Florida y el este del Golfo de México, lo que debería provocar que
el sistema se mueva hacia el noroeste a través de Belice y la
Península de Yucatán. Se hicieron muy pocos cambios en los primeros
3 días del pronóstico de trayectoria. Más allá del día 3, se ha
producido un notable cambio hacia el oeste en la guía de
trayectoria. El pronóstico del CNH está un poco al oeste del
pronóstico anterior más allá del día 3, pero no tan al oeste como la
mayor parte de la guía del último modelo.

Las condiciones ambientales son propicias para la intensificación
durante el próximo día o dos, mientras el sistema permanece sobre el
agua, con baja cizalladura vertical del viento y humedades
relativamente altas de nivel medio. Sin embargo, existe una
incertidumbre significativa en cuanto a la interacción entre tierras
y Honduras. La mayoría de los modelos muestran que el centro se
mueve apenas tierra adentro sobre Honduras, o lo estacionan justo en
la costa, entre las horas 48 y 72. Sin embargo, si el sistema se
mantiene en alta mar, como lo demuestra la última solución modelo
HWRF, podría aprovechar las condiciones atmosféricas y oceánicas
propicias y continuar fortaleciéndose. El último pronóstico de
intensidad del CNH es similar al anterior hasta las 36 h, pero luego
es de unos 5 kt más bajo que el pronóstico anterior, ya que este
pronóstico muestra una interacción más profunda con la tierra más
allá de las 36 h. El último pronóstico de intensidad del CNH está
por encima del límite máximo del envolvente de orientación más allá
de las 36 h.

MENSAJES CLAVE:

1. Hasta principios de la próxima semana, las fuertes lluvias
causarán inundaciones repentinas y deslizamientos de tierra que
amenazan la vida en porciones de América Central, particularmente
Honduras, Belice, El Salvador, el este de Guatemala y el oeste de
Nicaragua.

2. Se pronostica que la perturbación estará cerca de la fuerza de
huracán cuando se mueva cerca de la costa este de Honduras el
viernes y el sábado. Las vigilancias de huracán y los avisos de
tormenta tropical están vigentes en porciones de esa área.

3. Se pronostica que el sistema se acercará a Belice y a la
península de Yucatán en México con la fuerza de huracán o cerca de
ella a principios de la próxima semana, donde existe el riesgo de
marejadas ciclónicas peligrosas y vientos destructivos. Los
residentes de estas áreas deben monitorear las últimas
actualizaciones del pronóstico y asegurarse de que tienen su plan de
huracanes establecido.

4. Es demasiado pronto para determinar qué impactos podría causar el
sistema en porciones del este del Golfo de México, incluidos
Florida, los Cayos de Florida y Cuba durante la mitad de la próxima
semana. Los residentes de estas áreas deben monitorear regularmente
las actualizaciones del pronóstico.


POSICIONES DE PRONÓSTICO Y VIENTOS MÁXIMOS

INIT 14/0900Z 15.9N 81.7W 30 KT 35 MPH
 12H 14/1800Z 15.9N 83.1W 35 KT 40 MPH
 24H 15/0600Z 16.0N 84.4W 40 KT 45 MPH
 36H 15/1800Z 16.1N 85.1W 50 KT 60 MPH
 48H 16/0600Z 15.9N 85.3W 55 KT 65 MPH...CERCA DE LA COSTA
 60H 16/1800Z 15.9N 85.3W 55 KT 65 MPH...CERCA DE LA COSTA
 72H 17/0600Z 15.9N 85.8W 50 KT 60 MPH...INLAND
 96H 18/0600Z 17.1N 87.8W 55 KT 65 MPH...SOBRE EL AGUA
120H 19/0600Z 20.4N 89.7W 45 KT 50 MPH...INLAND

$$
Pronosticador Hagen

*** Este producto ha sido procesado automáticamente utilizando un
programa de traducción y puede contener omisiones y errores. El
Servicio Nacional de Meteorología no puede garantizar la precisión
del texto convertido. De haber alguna duda, el texto en inglés es
siempre la versión autorizada. ***

The auto repair shop, Express Oil Change & Service Center, talks about the options the Atlanta Braves have for choosing a new left fielder. Express Oil Change and Service Center is a proud partner of the Atlanta Braves.

Express Oil discusses who the Braves are considering adding to the lineup for the upcoming season. They want to remind customers of the discounts they receive when the Braves play well.

Increasing the value of your home with a new garage door.

Atlanta tinting company, The Tint Guy, would like to discuss some of the benefits of getting your commercial tinting done in the off season.

Wheelcare Ltd. are a supplier of garage and tyre equipment with many products on offer such as their wheel balance equipment.

For newly added discount Fisher and Meyer snow plow parts - in stock - visit www.PartsforSnowPlows.com. Lowest prices - fastest shipping!

Colby Fischer is an innovative leader with more than a decade of experience in the field of corporate finance

China’s latest fiscal announcements seem aimed at addressing medium-term structural impediments to economic growth from strained local government finances, but are unlikely to immediately boost or offset deflationary risk, Fitch Ratings said. It expects a budget deficit of 7.1 per cent of GDP this year. It believes fiscal stimulus will remain incremental and responsive to downside risks.

Rob Bristow, JISC as Programme Manager for e-Administration gives a plenary talk on Institutional Responses to Emergent Technologies - What JISC is Doing. As users of all sorts become more familiar with new technologies (including both Web 2.0 type software tools and user-owned devices) and become used to, and expectant of, managing their own data through 'self-service' applications and systems, questions are asked of institutions as to how they will respond to these new demands. JISC has been investigating this area through strands within its e-Learning and Users and Innovation programmes which have been focussed in the main on the learners' and users' experience. JISC has recently funded a further series of projects that address the way that institutions are responding to these new challenges, looking at organisational policies, practice and strategies, as well as funding pilot projects that demonstrate actual institutional responses. This work is in its early stages but the scope of the responses to the call for projects and some of the early results of the landscape study will provide some interesting real life information about institutional responses from across the sector. This talk will describe the work that JISC is doing and relate it to the Institutional Web Manager world.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 6:00pm
Location: Fellows Lounge (8th Floor of Munger)
Organized By: Sessions @ Michigan

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Have you ever been interested in being a part of a Fortune 100 retailer supporting the heart of the business? If so, The TJX Companies, Inc., the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to join our Merchandising team as we believe it is important thatour workforce reflect the diversity of our customers and the communities we serve. Merchandising is the heart of our business. Our Buying and Planning & Allocation teams work together to drive sales and profit for TJX. They create the “WOW” you find in our stores!Ifyou have an entrepreneurial spirit and are passionate about blending youranalytical and creative mindset to drive a business, we are currently recruiting Sophomores and Juniors for our Merchandising Internship Program for Summer 2025.Please see below to review our opportunity. Should you choose to apply, we will be reviewing your resume and be in touch with any next steps.CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY! 

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 3:00pm
Location: Randall Laboratory
Organized By: Interdisciplinary QC/CM Seminars

In this talk, I will explore the emergent physics resulting from the complex interaction between real-space and momentum-space topology in strongly correlated quantum materials, with a particular focus on skyrmions. Using quantum Hall and quantum spin Hall insulators as key examples, I will explain the mechanisms behind skyrmion formation through electron doping in these correlated and gapped topological systems. We provide a detailed analysis of the phase diagrams and the formation of skyrmion lattices within the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model, supported by calculations from both the unrestricted real-space Hartree-Fock and density matrix renormalization group methods. In these systems, the doped electron and skyrmion form a composite object whose density is governed by the doped electron density. This electron-skyrmion bound state is stabilized by the coupling between the orbital magnetization of the Chern band and the emergent magnetic flux generated by the skyrmion. Moreover, we find that doping induces quantum anomalous Hall crystals, which exhibit quantized Hall conductance and broken translational symmetry. Our theory offers an intrinsic mechanism for the experimentally observed robust quantum anomalous Hall insulator over an extended doping range near a filling factor of ν = 1 in twisted transition metal moiré superlattices.

Reference: Miguel Gonçalves and Shi-Zeng Lin, arXiv:2407.12198

Short-bio:
Shizeng Lin completed his Ph.D. at the National Institute for Materials Science and the University of Tsukuba in Japan. After earning his Ph.D., he joined Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in 2011, initially as a postdoctoral researcher in the Theoretical Division. In 2014, he was appointed as a scientist at LANL. He is also currently affiliated with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnology at LANL, one of the five Nanoscale Science Research Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Lin’s research primarily focuses on theoretical studies of novel quantum materials, with a particular emphasis on systems characterized by correlation and topology. He received the LANL Laboratory-Directed Research and Development Program Early Career Award in 2017 and the LANL Fellows Prize for Outstanding Research in 2024.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 1:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

In 2015, Johnson & Johnson launched WiSTEM2D – Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing, and Design (STEM2D) – initiative to promote learning and career opportunities in STEM2D disciplines. Led by a network of volunteers from across Johnson & Johnson and its local operating companies, this ambitious initiative seeks to promote learning across Youth, University and Professionals.  We are inviting university students to participate in a WiSTEM2D Virtual Event – Leadership Development Program Panel! Participants will hear fromfive female panelists working in a variety of pharmaceutical and medical technology roles at Johnson & Johnson, on the topics noted above, as well as an opportunity to submit questions.- Meredith DiBona, Associate Director – Global Trial Associate Leadership Development ProgramLead- Erin McGrann, Global Trial Associate (GTA) – Global TrialAssociate Leadership Development Program- Kaiya Mitchell, Global Trial Associate (GTA) – Global Trial Associate Leadership Development Program- Nora Tovar, Early In Career Programs Manager, MedTech – R&D Leadership Development Program- Saila Incollingo, IT Director, MedTech – Technology Leadership Development Program

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 11:30am
Location:
Organized By: Learning Community on Inclusive Teaching in Mathematics - Department of Mathematics

In the Math LCIT, individuals interested in inclusive teaching in mathematics meet to discuss topics related to this subject. Details of each meeting are found on the U(M) Math Learning Community on Inclusive Teaching page, which is included in the links for this event.

This week's interview is with Connections Director, Layla Granata. The Crew will interview Layla about her new position at The Well and her passion for cultivating awareness of our city. The Crew also discusses their thoughts from the AOD Series. Email thespoutpodcast@gmail.com with any feedback or leave a review on iTunes. Like The Well - Spoutcast on Facebook, find us on Twitter: @thespoutcast, or add us on Instagram: @thespoutcast. Check back in with the Spoutcast each week for a new episode or search Spoutcast in iTunes to subscribe to this podcast. This week's music is from Josh Garrels. Speaker: The Spoutcast Team

TASHKENT, 15 October 2015 – An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion introducing representatives of local law enforcement bodies to the methodology of a national assessment of money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks in Uzbekistan was held today in Tashkent.

International experts invited by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan presented the results of their work on devising a comprehensive and tailored methodology for conducting a national risk assessment in the country.

“The OSCE continues to support international efforts that have made national risk assessment the standard in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” said the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Gyorgy Szabo. “We see this as an essential step on the road to eliminating money laundering and terrorism financing in Uzbekistan.”

The discussion is part of a wider process of consultations with representatives of Uzbek law-enforcement agencies and the private sector to implement a national risk assessment on money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

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• OSCE trains Uzbek law enforcement bodies on asset recovery and mutual legal assistance
• OSCE Project Co-ordinator lights up central Tashkent with 20 solar-powered street lamps
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OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 26 July 2016 – Some 25 athletes and sport trainers today discussed gender-based violence at an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion attended by a world amateur boxing champion (1986) and former member of parliament, Orzubek Nazarov.

At the event organized by the Ensan-Diamond NGO with support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, participants discussed how violent behaviour at training venues might impact social relationships further in life. Gender equality, gender-based stereotypes and promoting positive images of masculinity without resorting to violence, were among the main topics of the discussion.

“Preventing gender based-violence and promoting gender equality is at the centre of OSCE human rights commitments and comprehensive approach to security,” said Anete Erdmane, OSCE Human Dimension Officer at the Osh Field Office. “The initiative aims at supporting Kyrgyzstan in achieving positive change through dialogue and engagement with men.”

Jamilya Kaparova, director of Ensan-Diamond, said: “The nature of sports training and overall culture of masculinity can contribute to an increased aggression among athletes. Such behaviour can result in gender-based violence and negatively affect family and community members. To reach out to this important audience and promote positive role models, we have invited Mr. Nazarov who has been an outspoken advocate for gender equality.”

The roundtable discussion follows a similar event which also took place in Osh in November 2015.

The initiative was held in line with the OSCE’s efforts to assist Kyrgyzstan in implementing its National Action Plan for 2015-2017 on gender equality. The National Action Plan foresees developing a culture of aversion to gender discrimination and violence against women and men at all levels of society.

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• To mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports public awareness raising campaign
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• OSCE Centre in Bishkek trains defence lawyers and prosecutors on right to liberty and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention

BISHKEK, 8 July 2016 – As part of the first phase of the two-day military Command-Staff Exercise ‘Barrier 2016’, representatives of the State Border Service (SBS), local authorities and civil society of Osh region focused on border security and management problems during a roundtable discussion and video-conference supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The discussions, held at the SBS headquarters, aimed to promote co-operation between the military, law enforcement agencies and civil society and improve the existing mechanisms of co-ordination. Participants were able to directly ask border management-related questions to the deputies of Jogorku Kenesh (the parliament), government officials and SBS representatives.

Head of the SBS Colonel Abdikarim Alimbaev detailed the complex measures taken by the Service to strengthen the Kyrgyz-Uzbek and Kyrgyz-Tajik border areas, such as improving the infrastructure of border units and setting additional border barriers and posts. “Through improved relations with neighbouring countries, the strengthening of border security and management will ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State and in this way safeguard peace and stability in the specific border areas and in the broader Central Asian region,” he said.

Daniele Rumolo, acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek highlighted the crucial significance of border security for Kyrgyzstan: “Effective counter-efforts to the current challenges remain the most relevant strategic priority for continuous co-operation and also an important aspect of OSCE activities in the framework of transnational threats. The OSCE Centre in Bishkek greatly values its engagement and interaction with the Kyrgyz Government and the SBS, and expresses its readiness to further develop the co-operation in this field.”

Vice Prime-Minister on border issues Jenish Razakov stressed the importance of co-operation between security and law enforcement agencies and local governments, stating that in their absence it would be impossible to resolve border crises. He also noted that in the past two years such joint exercises to enhance the combat readiness of units have demonstrated positive results.

On 8 July, following the roundtable discussion and video-conference in Bishkek, the practical phase of the ‘Barrier 2016’ simulation exercise took place in Osh with the participation of the Special Forces Unit, the SBS, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Command-Staff Exercise ‘Barrier 2016’ was held jointly by the SBS and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as part of the Centre’s project to enhance the ability of the Kyrgyz Government to engage in regional co-operation on border security and management. 

BAKU, 13 April 2015 - The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry organized a two-day conference on ensuring national security in the information age, which brought together more than 80 representatives from more than 30 government and private organizations in Azerbaijan as well as international experts on cybersecurity.

The conference aims at raising awareness within the government, private and non-profit sectors about new developments in the sphere of cybersecurity with special emphasis on legislation, policy framework, international co-operation and overall capacity development for the security of cyberspace.

“The rapid economic development that Azerbaijan is enjoying, accompanied by the modernization of infrastructure and permeation of information technologies throughout the public and private sectors, reinforces the need for developing the capacity for preventing and countering cyber-crimes in Azerbaijan,” said Ambassador Alexis Chahtahtinsky, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku. “In our efforts to effectively address all possible threats, we have to ensure that we do not overreact and sacrifice the benefits that a functioning cyberspace brings to society as a whole.”

During the conference, renowned experts and practitioners shared with Azerbaijani colleagues the best international practices in cybersecurity. The panel discussions provided an opportunity to develop the operational and technical knowledge of prosecutors, judges and law enforcement officers. They also opened avenues for officials to develop partnerships with the private sector in order to increase the capacity of Azerbaijan for cybersecurity.

This event is part of a project by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku on preventing and countering cybercrimes in Azerbaijan. The project is being implemented in co-operation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Justice as well as Communications and High Technologies.

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VIENNA, 4 July 2015 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku’s operations in Azerbaijan were discontinued today. The OSCE remains open to other forms of co-operation with Azerbaijan.

The discontinuation follows the termination by Azerbaijan of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Project Co-ordinator in Baku between the government of Azerbaijan and the OSCE at the beginning of last month, resulting in a month-long process which ended today.

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BISHKEK, 12 July 2016 – A two-day training course on effective investigation of cases of torture conducted by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the General Prosecutor’s Office and its Prosecutors’ Training Centre ended today in the Kyrgyz capital.

Twenty-four public prosecution officers from Chui, Issyk-Kul, Jalalabad, Talas and Osh provinces had a chance to enhance their knowledge of the notion of “torture” as a criminal offence and the criteria for efficient investigation of torture allegations. The participants also received a comprehensive insight into the mechanisms of prevention of gender-based violence and the specifics of victim assistance.

“According to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, human rights and fundamental freedoms have supreme value. No one may be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In this regard, prevention of torture and effective investigation of torture allegations represent one of the key priorities in the work of the prosecutorial bodies,” said Damira Kaimova, Director of the Prosecutors’ Training Centre under the General Prosecutor’s Office.

The training elicited a vigorous debate among the participants on the challenges arising during investigation of torture allegations. The attendees also exchanged best practices applied within their respective duty stations to address these challenges.

The training course is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on promoting a comprehensive approach to the rule of law, administration of justice, prevention of torture and capacity building.         

BISHKEK, 22 July 2016 – Three public discussions on the regulatory legal acts regarding the use of natural resources and environmental protection are being organized from 19 July to 27 July 2016 by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the local Aarhus Centre in the districts of Toktogul, Aksy and Kadamjay in southern Kyrgyzstan.

The discussions are gathering representatives of environmental services, the local authorities, village- and district-level state administrations, local council deputies and public organizations, to exchange ideas on environmental problems and discuss how to address them through active public scrutiny.

“Local stakeholders should be aware of the environmental legislation upfront. This will help them to prevent conflict arising from the use of natural resources,” said Dmitry Prudtskikh, Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre. “I am glad to see that the Aarhus Centre in Osh has established a platform for communication between governmental, public and private structures, with the support of the OSCE.”

Kanybek Isabaev, Director of the Aarhus Centre in Osh, said: “For several years, we have been disseminating information to the public and our partners on the legislation regarding environmental protection, the rational use of natural resources, and subsoil and environmental safety in our country. It is very significant that citizens can participate in decision-making in the area of ecology, a sphere that is becoming increasingly important in Kyrgyzstan.”

During the discussions, participants will gain knowledge on issues of environmental protection, public access to environmental information, the normative legal acts of the Kyrgyz Republic on ecology and the basic principles of the Aarhus Convention.

The event was organized as part of the OSCE Centre's project on promoting environmental security through dialogue and enhanced disaster risk reduction.

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 26 July 2016 – Some 25 athletes and sport trainers today discussed gender-based violence at an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion attended by a world amateur boxing champion (1986) and former member of parliament, Orzubek Nazarov.

At the event organized by the Ensan-Diamond NGO with support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, participants discussed how violent behaviour at training venues might impact social relationships further in life. Gender equality, gender-based stereotypes and promoting positive images of masculinity without resorting to violence, were among the main topics of the discussion.

“Preventing gender based-violence and promoting gender equality is at the centre of OSCE human rights commitments and comprehensive approach to security,” said Anete Erdmane, OSCE Human Dimension Officer at the Osh Field Office. “The initiative aims at supporting Kyrgyzstan in achieving positive change through dialogue and engagement with men.”

Jamilya Kaparova, director of Ensan-Diamond, said: “The nature of sports training and overall culture of masculinity can contribute to an increased aggression among athletes. Such behaviour can result in gender-based violence and negatively affect family and community members. To reach out to this important audience and promote positive role models, we have invited Mr. Nazarov who has been an outspoken advocate for gender equality.”

The roundtable discussion follows a similar event which also took place in Osh in November 2015.

The initiative was held in line with the OSCE’s efforts to assist Kyrgyzstan in implementing its National Action Plan for 2015-2017 on gender equality. The National Action Plan foresees developing a culture of aversion to gender discrimination and violence against women and men at all levels of society.

Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 2 June 2016, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors described country engagement and highlighted the disturbing increase in hate speech.

The statement covered the High Commissioner’s activities since her last statement to the Permanent Council in November 2015. During this period Thors visited Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities. Thors called for renewed efforts to tackle hate speech in order to prevent tensions and to promote integration with respect for diversity.

Thors also informed the Permanent Council about the work her institution is doing together with researchers to identify best practices that highlight the bridge building potential of national minorities in diverse societies.

The full statement can be found here.

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RIGA, 22 June 2016 – Media development and reform were in focus of an OSCE-organized study visit to Latvia that concluded today for six representatives of Turkmenistan’s print and broadcast media and the Mejlis (Parliament).

Organized in close co-operation with Latvian Foreign Ministry, the three-day visit familiarized the delegation from Turkmenistan with Latvia’s experiences in implementing media reforms and enhancing national legislation in line with international standards and requirements of the modern media environment.

“Media development and reform should be underpinned by the reforms of the relevant national legislation that serves to promote the freedom of the media and freedom of expression,” said Adam Walendzik, Project Co-ordinator at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“In the last several years, Turkmenistan has been undertaking successive steps to reform its media legislation and we believe that this visit will facilitate the exchange of practical experiences of implementing media legislation and developing free media.”

The delegation from Turkmenistan had meetings with high-level representatives of the Latvian Parliament’s European Affairs Committee and Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, Foreign and Culture Ministries, the National Electronic Mass Media Council, and the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre.

Meetings with representatives from the national news agency LETA, the News Service of the Latvian Public |Service Television, the Internet portal Delfi and newspaper Latvijas Avize familiarised participants with the practical aspects and experiences of the Latvian media’s activities.

The delegation members included a member of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, representatives from newspapers Neytralniy Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan, TV channels Altyn Asyr and Turkmenistan, as well as the State Information Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH).

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PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 27 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission together with the Kosovo Police will hold a two-day conference on preventing violent extremism and radicalization, starting tomorrow in Prishtinë/Priština. 

The conference will gather representatives of law enforcement agencies, religious communities, civil society, academia and media, and will explore a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the threats of violent extremism and radicalization in Kosovo.

Participants will also elaborate on measures taken so far to prevent violent extremism and radicalization, as well as the challenges they face.

Major Fatos Makolli, Director of the Directorate against Terrorism of the Kosovo Police, and Naim Hoxha, Organized Crime Advisor at the OSCE Mission, will deliver opening remarks.

Media representatives are invited to attend the opening of the conference on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, at the Hotel Sirius in Prishtinë/Priština, starting at 09:30 hrs. 

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The OSCE Mission to Skopje on 28 June 2016 launched a two-day workshop for 22 members of the Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination with the aim of advancing the position of women in police services and increasing gender sensitivity among police officers.

The workshop focused on areas of gender-based discrimination in employment, education, health and family, explaining what gender inequality is and how it is addressed in international and domestic legislation and in practice.

Participants will learn how to identify harassment and sexual harassment as forms of discrimination, as well as workplace bullying. The legal protection, prevention and measures against such bullying will be illustrated through real cases.

This workshop is part of the Mission’s programme to support the democratization of the Police and is in line with the Mission’s efforts to encourage gender equality in all segments of society.

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Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 2 June 2016, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors described country engagement and highlighted the disturbing increase in hate speech.

The statement covered the High Commissioner’s activities since her last statement to the Permanent Council in November 2015. During this period Thors visited Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities. Thors called for renewed efforts to tackle hate speech in order to prevent tensions and to promote integration with respect for diversity.

Thors also informed the Permanent Council about the work her institution is doing together with researchers to identify best practices that highlight the bridge building potential of national minorities in diverse societies.

The full statement can be found here.

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As part of a one-year project to support the engagement of national minority youth and civil society in public discussions and public service, a roundtable discussion was held at the OSCE Mission to Moldova on 24 June 2016.

The event brought together 23 representatives of the Moldovan Parliament, the authorities of Gagauz-Yeri, civil society and the international community to discuss institutional dialogue between central and Gagauz authorities.

Independent researchers from the Comrat-based NGO Piligrim-Demo presented a recent report detailing the joint commissions formed over the years to initiate dialogue on the implementation of Gagauzia’s status as an Autonomous Territorial Unit. They outlined their recommendations for improving the functioning of the current working group established between the Parliament of Moldova and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. 

“Such discussions on the process of dialogue between civil society, the expert community and members of the Parliament and People's Assembly are important as they provide critical input to the process and build common understanding of issues,” said Jale Sultanli, Country Manager Moldova of the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI). Participants from Comrat and Chisinau welcomed the opportunity to study past and present practices to strengthen co-operation between the central and regional authorities in Moldova.

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Representatives of relevant ministries and other state agencies of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan responsible for implementing provisions of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction met at an OSCE-supported peer review meeting in Minsk from 2 and 5 August 2016, to discuss progress in their work.

Experts from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee also attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and is the second event of its kind to be held in the OSCE region and in the world, and the first to be held in trilateral format.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov said that the issues of non-proliferation are among his country’s priorities in the area of international security.

He noted that Belarus was the first state of the former Soviet Union to voluntarily refuse the opportunity to possess weapons of mass destruction, and that the withdrawal of such weapons from the country’s territory was completed in 1996. Rybakov added that his country also initiated the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on prohibiting the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons.

Adriana Volenikova of the  OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre said regional co-operation on UNSCR 1540-related issues has become one of the most efficient means in bolstering national implementation and enhancing an open dialogue between countries that face similar challenges and benefit from close interaction in related areas.

The three States will work on a joint report on implementation and later submit it to the UNSC 1540 Committee and the UN Security Council.

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Representatives of relevant ministries and other state agencies of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan responsible for implementing provisions of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction met at an OSCE-supported peer review meeting in Minsk from 2 and 5 August 2016, to discuss progress in their work.

Experts from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee also attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and is the second event of its kind to be held in the OSCE region and in the world, and the first to be held in trilateral format.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov said that the issues of non-proliferation are among his country’s priorities in the area of international security.

He noted that Belarus was the first state of the former Soviet Union to voluntarily refuse the opportunity to possess weapons of mass destruction, and that the withdrawal of such weapons from the country’s territory was completed in 1996. Rybakov added that his country also initiated the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on prohibiting the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons.

Adriana Volenikova of the  OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre said regional co-operation on UNSCR 1540-related issues has become one of the most efficient means in bolstering national implementation and enhancing an open dialogue between countries that face similar challenges and benefit from close interaction in related areas.

The three States will work on a joint report on implementation and later submit it to the UNSC 1540 Committee and the UN Security Council.

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Chef Cristina Bowerman, the only female chef with a Michelin star in Rome for her restaurant, Glass Hostaria, takes over Anantara Siam’s Italian restaurant, Biscotti until Dec 30. 

Electronics, apparel and other products are priced at under $20.

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