Fixes #3969: Move r29875 to v1.7 branch (Initialize sm global variables in)

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r29876 [[BR]]
remove debug print
Refs #3969
Fixes #3981: Move r29928 to v1.7 branch (Update NEWS)

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r29928 [[BR]]
Update NEWS

cmr=v1.7.4:reviewer=ompi-gk1.7


r29935 [[BR]]
Add news item
Fixes #3982: Move r29930 to v1.7 branch (Update platform files to always)

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r29930 [[BR]]
Update platform files to always enable mpi-thread-multiple

cmr=v1.7.4:reviewer=ompi-gk1.7