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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Progress on joint water trading framework

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Progress on joint water trading framework

    Published: 11 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Water

    The NSW and ACT Governments are taking important steps towards developing the first joint water trading framework to deliver an extra 6.36 gigalitres (GL) of water to the environment.

    Both jurisdictions are working closely together to develop a robust water trading framework that will help them meet their commitments to the Commonwealth’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

    Once in place, the framework will enable environmental water from the ACT to be released into the Murrumbidgee River in NSW through Burrinjuck Dam, supporting healthier rivers, ecosystems and communities.

    Currently, there is no way that water can be transferred into NSW from the ACT under the Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water Source Water Sharing Plan, so the NSW Government is proposing to amend these rules by 1 July 2025.

    Targeted information sessions and consultation that will provide more detail on the amendments to establish a water trading framework will be carried out in late February 2025.

    To learn more, visit the web page about the Murrumbidgee region.

    NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

    “As a fellow signatory to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, we want to support the ACT in meeting its environmental water targets and ensuring everyone is doing their bit to restore our rivers.

    “The reality is the national capital is landlocked by our state, and they can’t deliver this water back to the system without our help.

    “The proposed water trading framework will not only be good news for the environment – it will also allow us to explore how we can work together to improve access and support greater regional development in the future.”

    ACT Minister for Water Suzanne Orr said:

    “This is an important step which will benefit our local waterways and fulfill our commitment to return water to the system.

    “Improving river flows within the Murrumbidgee River catchment not only helps support the Murray-Darlin Basin but also catchment health, the environment and regional communities.

    “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the NSW Government to progress this critical work.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, Greta Valley

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can now name the two women who died in a crash on State Highway 1, Greta Valley on 19 December.

    They were Lu-Yao Lin from China, and Siriyakorn Sovitayasakul from Thailand.

    Both women were aged 28 and were in New Zealand on working holidays.

    Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones in their home countries, and their friends and colleagues in New Zealand.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kāinga Ora getting firmer on rent payments

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Kāinga Ora is introducing clearer consequences for state house tenants who skip rent payments, build up debt, then refuse to work with the social housing provider to encourage better responsibility, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.

    In March 2024, Ministers instructed Kāinga Ora to end its Sustaining Tenancies Framework which had allowed tenants to stay living in a KO home no matter how threatening or disruptive their behaviour, or how huge their debt from unpaid rent.

    “We’ve seen success so far that taking action against disruptive tenants is leading to improved behaviour. Now we want to keep up that momentum when it comes to encouraging people to responsibly pay their rent,” Mr Potaka says.

    “Under the previous Government, tenants were allowed to build up so much debt that it has become unrealistic for them to repay. Between 2017 and 2023, the total debt owed to Kāinga Ora by its tenants increased from $1 million to $21 million.

    “This isn’t in anyone’s best interests – not for tenants or taxpayers. The new rent debt policy being introduced will change that,” Mr Potaka says.

    “Tenants who fall behind in their rent will receive support from Kāinga Ora to get back on track, but if they don’t make a genuine effort to repay what they owe, they will be putting their tenancy at risk. This will provide clear incentive to tenants who are not currently meeting their obligations to change their behaviour and speed up repayment.

    “Since we came into office, Kāinga Ora has already begun working harder with tenants to reduce their rent debt. This has resulted in total rent debt falling from $21.6 million in January 2024 to $16.1 million at the same time this year.

    Mr Potaka said the decision by the Board of Kāinga Ora to help some tenants with significant rent debt get on top of their debt faster by reducing the amount they owe down to 12 weeks’ worth of rent is a pragmatic one.

    “Kāinga Ora is bringing the rent debt down to a level that is more realistic for the tenant to repay in full, with the right payment arrangement in place. Kainga Ora will only do this for tenants who had more than 12 weeks’ worth of rent debt at the beginning of February 2025 who are consistently paying their rent and making reasonable payments to reduce what they owe. 

    “All tenants whose rent debt is reduced will still have a significant amount to repay – and they will have a strong incentive to do this under the new policy.

    “While most Kāinga Ora tenants are great tenants who respect the properties, are good neighbours and pay their rent on time, some need a little more tautoko and encouragement to do the right thing.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Raise the Alarm Over Oregon Community Health Centers’ Delays in Accessing Federal Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    February 10, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined an effort led by Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to press the Trump Administration about reports that community health centers are experiencing significant delays in accessing funding.

    There are 34 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Oregon, including two Look-Alikes, operating more than 270 sites—a majority of which serve rural areas with limited access to medical care across the state. Merkley and Wyden are hearing immense concern from several centers in the state, including the La Pine Health Center in Central Oregon laying off 11 percent of its workforce to prepare due to the funding uncertainty.

    The lawmakers pressed U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Dorothy A. Fink, M.D. after an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that suspended all federal grant and loan funding. The memo has since been rescinded following pressure from Democratic members of Congress and the public, but many grantees that rely on federal funding are still experiencing confusion and uncertainty and have received little to no guidance from the Trump Administration about their funding.

    “As safety net providers operating on razor-thin margins, health centers need certainty to provide care in underserved communities,” the lawmakers pointed out. “When health centers close, people with chronic conditions miss appointments, pregnant women miss prenatal visits, and behavioral health services are interrupted, worsening outcomes and increasing costs to the entire health care system.

    “Despite a judge’s order blocking the funding freeze, we are troubled by reports that health centers are unable to access funding duly appropriated by Congress through the PMS. To compound this issue, our offices have heard troubling reports that since the Trump Administration’s executive orders and funding freeze, funding that has already been appropriated and directed by Congress is still being restricted, and standing webinars, briefings, and meetings are being cancelled at the last minute,” the lawmakers stated. “Health centers are receiving little communication regarding these cancellations and changes, and the communication they have received from HRSA has been unclear, directing actions that may conflict with current court orders.”

    Wyden and Merkley signed the letter led by Kaine and Warner, alongside additional signers U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-CT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). The letter is also signed by U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-02), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), and Sarah McBride (D-DE-At-Large).

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Acting Secretary Fink,

    We are writing to express serious concerns regarding reports that Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grantees, such as Community Health Centers (health centers), continue to experience significant delays in accessing funding to support services, as well as restrictions on regular communications with agency staff as a result of the Trump Administration’s January 20, 2025 executive orders to pause external communication from federal agencies, and subsequent memorandum directing all federal departments and agencies to freeze all financial assistance.

    Community Health Centers provide high-quality primary and preventive care, dental care, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and low-cost prescription drugs to more than 32 million Americans annually, serving one in five rural Americans and one in three people living in poverty. Nationally, more than 1,400 health centers operate over 15,000 service sites across every state and Territory, employing more than 500,000 individuals and generating nearly $85 billion in economic output.

    Despite the critical role health centers play in addressing health inequities, many centers struggle to keep up with the growing demand for services and rising costs to deliver high-quality care in their communities. While nearly 70 percent of health center revenue comes from payments from Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, and self-pay patients, health centers rely on their regular federal grant funding to meet payroll obligations and keep their doors open. Beginning in late January, health centers started reporting issues accessing the Payment Management System (PMS) – getting “locked out”, being denied funding they had been awarded, and experiencing long delays in funding being released. As a result, health centers across the country are experiencing panic, unsure how to pay their staff and keep their doors open. Due to delays in funding, health centers have reported:

    1. “We have put off signing a contract to replace our mammography machine, which has reached end of life, because of this freeze and the uncertainty.”
    2. “I’m also now getting providers asking if they should be looking for a new job. Without any understanding and guidance, I’m pretty limited with how much I can actually assure them to do other than tighten our belts…”
    3. “Any services that are directly funded by federal funds will be placed on hold…”
    4. “We had to use all reserves in 2024. We will not make payroll or any other payments next week without access to this federal funding. Staff will be dismissed without access to federal funds.”
    5. “If everything stays the same…the best guess is that we could be fully operational for six months.”
    6. “We have the ability to sustain current or full operations for 60 days…Outreach and case management staff…would be in the first wave of layoffs. Unfortunately, those positions rely on federal support as they are typically not reimbursable through third-party payors. In a short period of time, this has had a profound impact on our staff. [Staff are] concerned that we will lose valuable staff members as they are concerned about the stability of the organization.”
    7. “We will step back on hiring and likely implement hiring pause unless this is resolved quickly.”
    8. “We have enough in reserve to cover two payroll periods.”
    9. “The pause in grant funding would create a deficit for us…We would likely need to start reducing staff and healthcare services to the…patients we serve…within the next couple of weeks if the freeze persists.”

    As safety net providers operating on razor-thin margins, health centers need certainty to provide care in underserved communities. In Virginia alone, ongoing delays in accessing funding have caused health centers to close their doors and cancel patient appointments. When health centers close, people with chronic conditions miss appointments, pregnant women miss prenatal visits, and behavioral health services are interrupted, worsening outcomes and increasing costs to the entire health care system.

    Despite a judge’s order blocking the funding freeze, we are troubled by reports that health centers are unable to access funding duly appropriated by Congress through the PMS. To compound this issue, our offices have heard troubling reports that since the Trump Administration’s executive orders and funding freeze, funding that has already been appropriated and directed by Congress is still being restricted, and standing webinars, briefings, and meetings are being cancelled at the last minute. Health centers are receiving little communication regarding these cancellations and changes, and the communication they have received from HRSA has been unclear, directing actions that may conflict with current court orders.

    We request that you provide answers to the following questions in writing no later than Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

    1. How many health centers have draw-down requests pending in the PMS?
      1. How has that number changed, daily, since January 27, 2025?
      2. What is the average wait time from submission of a draw-down request to disbursement of funds prior to January 27, 2025 and after January 27, 2025?
    1. How many health center draw-down requests have been denied since January 27, 2025?
      1. What is the rationale for these denials?
    1. What is the exact timeline for ensuring the PMS is fully operational and disbursing all pending health center draw-down requests?
    2. What specific authority and under which executive action did HRSA or the Department of Health and Human Services use to restrict health center access to the PMS and funding that they had been previously awarded?
    3. Please provide a list of regular standing calls or meetings between HRSA staff and HRSA grantees that have been cancelled since January 20, 2025. Please include the following:
      1. A description of the grantees impacted, including the type of grantees and number of grantees.
      2. Whether funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of the grant are being withheld from being awarded to the grantees.
    1. Please provide a list of webinars, briefings, information sessions, and trainings that have been cancelled since January 20, 2025. Please include the following:
      1. A description of the purpose of each webinar, briefing, information session, or training.
      2. Whether or not the webinar, briefing, information session, or training is required by statute and if so, provide the corresponding citation.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Hassan, Pappas Join Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Facility to Increase Efficiency and Support Shipyard Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    ** Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipbuilding Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA**

    (Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) delivered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s new Waterfront Production Facility. The facility will house training and production facilities at the shipyard and construction was funded through the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). This and other projects under SIOP will increase maintenance capacity at public shipyards. Shaheen secured full authorization for SIOP projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 NDAA. You can view photos from the event here.  

    “One of the real advantages we have over our adversaries is our attack submarines, and we want to make sure that those nuclear submarines are on the water as much as possible. This new facility makes our shipbuilding workforce more efficient, saving time and money, which is exactly what we need to strengthen our national security,” said Senator Shaheen. “It also reaffirms the key role that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays not only in our local economy, but also in our nation’s shipbuilding industry, bringing and keeping good-paying jobs for Granite Staters.” 

    “With the construction of the new Waterfront Production Facility, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said Senator Hassan. “The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an indispensable pillar of our national security and today’s ribbon cutting marks the latest chapter in the history of Portsmouth helping keep America safe, secure, and free.” 

    “I was pleased to take part in the ribbon cutting of this state-of-the-art facility that will help the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continue to achieve America’s national security goals well into the future while preserving this installation’s storied history. It is an honor to represent the Shipyard and the men and women who serve there in Congress, and I remain committed to ensuring that they always have the support and resources needed to do the job and complete the mission,” said Congressman Pappas.

    Senator Shaheen has long advocated for New England’s shipbuilding industry and workforce, including through authorizing funding and workforce development for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Through the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipbuilding Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which will expand the Shipyard’s capacity to maintain America’s fast-attack submarine fleet. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, Senator Shaheen helped secure this funding beginning in the FY 2019 funding legislation, which she has continued in ensuing years. Additionally, in the FY 2025 government funding bills, Shaheen worked to include a $9.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending add for a new parking structure at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard—which will contribute to quality of life for Shipyard’s workforce. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hassan, Shaheen Help Reintroduce Bipartisan SHRED Act to Keep Ski Fees Local, Support New Hampshire Recreation Management

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) helped reintroduce the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act, led by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Barrasso (R-WY). The bipartisan bill would fuel investment in outdoor recreation in mountain communities by enabling National Forests like the White Mountain National Forest to retain a portion of the annual fees paid by ski areas operating within their boundaries. 

    “During the winter, New Hampshire’s stunning White Mountains and impressive ski slopes attract Granite State residents and tourists alike – making it a key pillar of our outdoor recreation economy,” said Shaheen. “This bipartisan bill will reinvest ski fees to improve ski areas and support overall recreation in the White Mountain National Forest. I’ll continue supporting commonsense investments in our recreation economy to benefit local communities and preserve our landscapes for generations to come.”    

    “New Hampshire’s ski resorts are cornerstones of our winter tourism industry and our state’s economy,” said Hassan. “The SHRED Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will help strengthen our local communities by ensuring that ski fees are invested in maintaining and improving the places that make New Hampshire a premier destination for winter sports. This legislation will benefit both our local communities and the millions of visitors who come to experience the Granite State’s natural beauty.” 

    In exchange for using some of America’s most stunning forestlands, the 124 ski areas operating on Forest Service lands across the country pay fees to the Forest Service that average over $40 million annually. The SHRED Act would establish a framework for local National Forests to retain a portion of ski fees to offset increased recreational use and support local ski permit and program administration. The SHRED Act also provides the Forest Service with flexibility to direct resources where they are needed the most.  

    Specifically, the SHRED Act would invest in the Granite State by:  

    • Keeping Ski Fees Local: By establishing a Ski Area Fee Retention Account to retain the fees that ski areas pay to the Forest Service. For National Forests that generate ski fees, 80 percent of those fees are available for authorized uses at the local National Forest. The remaining 20 percent of those fees would be available to assist any National Forests with winter or broad recreation needs.   
    • Supporting Winter Recreation: In each forest, 75 percent of the retained funds are directly available to support the Forest Service Ski Area Program and permitting needs, process proposals for ski area improvement projects, provide information for visitors and prepare for wildfire. Any excess funds can be directed to other National Forests with winter or broad recreation needs. 
    • Addressing Broad Recreation Needs: In each forest, 25 percent of the retained funds are available to support a broad set of year-round local recreation management and community needs, including special use permit administration, visitor services, trailhead improvements, facility maintenance, search and rescue activities, avalanche information and education, habitat restoration at recreation sites and affordable workforce housing. This set-aside would dramatically increase some Forest Service unit’s budgets to meet the growing visitation and demand for outdoor recreation.  

    Shaheen and Hassan have long led efforts in Congress that support and invest in New Hampshire’s tourism and travel industries that fuel local economies across the state. Shaheen led her bipartisan Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act into law to require the federal government to measure the impact of the outdoor recreation on the economy. In November 2024, Shaheen applauded the release of an annual report showing a $1.2 trillion economic contribution by the outdoor recreation sector in 2023, including adding $3.9 billion to New Hampshire’s economy. In New Hampshire, outdoor recreation accounts for 3.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 32,000 people, which is a 2.9% increase in jobs. 

    Shaheen and Hassan led efforts to help secure full funding and permanent authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has helped protect more than 2.5 million acres of land and supported tens of thousands of state and local outdoor recreation projects throughout the nation. In 2020, the Senators helped lead the Great American Outdoors Act into law to permanently fund the LWCF and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces He Will Vote for President Trump’s Intelligence Pick

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement announcing he will vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard to serve as the 8th Director of National Intelligence.
    “President Trump chose Tulsi Gabbard to be his point person on foreign intelligence,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I will trust President Trump on this decision and vote for her confirmation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Attorney General’s Office on Rep. Mace’s comments on U.S. House floorRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Recent statements made by Congresswoman Nancy Mace regarding the conduct of the South Carolina Attorney General are categorically false. Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General. At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters. Additionally, the Attorney General and members of his office have had no role and no knowledge of these allegations until her public statements.

      

    Congresswoman Mace and the Attorney General have been at multiple events together over the last six months. She also has the Attorney General’s personal cellphone number. Not once has she approached or reached out to him regarding any of her concerns. 

     

    Regarding her claim that the Attorney General refused to receive evidence of a crime from a victim’s attorney, it is important to clarify that the Attorney General is the chief prosecutor. For this reason, the Attorney General would always direct any citizen to provide evidence of a crime to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which would be responsible for the investigation. 

     

    Since stepping into office, the Attorney General has made it a priority to strengthen the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, establish the Human Trafficking Task Force, which is now considered a model nationwide, led efforts to reform the state’s domestic violence laws, and created the Crime Victim Services Division, which makes it easier for victims to receive help. Before serving as Attorney General, Alan Wilson served as an Assistant Solicitor and Assistant Attorney General, successfully prosecuting many heinous crimes against women and children.

     

    It is clear that Attorney General Alan Wilson has built his career on protecting the most vulnerable in our state; any statement otherwise is blatantly false and politically motivated. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Thousands of Australian pets may soon have ‘useless’ microchips. It’s a symptom of a bigger problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Orr, Veterinarian, Southern Cross University

    Mitchell Orr/Unsplash

    Late last year, rumours swirled online that HomeSafeID, a private Australian pet microchip registry, had stopped operating.

    On Feburary 5 2025, a notice appeared on the HomeSafeID website, ostensibly from the site’s administrator. It states the website “is likely to go offline” soon due to unpaid bills. This means the database of information stored on HomeSafeID would also go offline.

    There has been no official word from HomeSafeID as to the status of the company. HomeSafeID did not respond when The Conversation reached out for comment.

    According to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), the company is still registered and no insolvency notice has been published. However, it’s possible HomeSafeID has stopped operating or will do so in the near future.

    If this happens, any pet with a HomeSafeID registered microchip would no longer have searchable microchip details. If these pets become lost, vets and shelters will have no way of finding or verifying their owner.

    The situation is a symptom of a bigger problem with pet microchip registries in Australia – a lack of national oversight.

    Why should you microchip your pet?

    If your pet goes missing, their microchip is key to you being reunited. Vets and shelters can scan a stray animal’s microchip, search one of the seven microchip registries in Australia, find the pet owner’s details and contact them. Pet microchips significantly increase the likelihood lost pets will be reclaimed by their owners.

    In fact, microchipping pets is a legal requirement in all states and territories of Australia except the Northern Territory, although it is required in the City of Darwin. In New South Wales, fines for failing to microchip your pet range from A$180 to $880.

    A pet microchip should contain up-to-date details of the pet’s owner so they can be contacted if the animal becomes lost.
    Todorean-Gabriel/Shutterstock

    If HomeSafeID does go offline, many pets will have microchips that don’t connect to a database any more, making them essentially useless.

    It’s difficult to estimate the scale of the problem, but it could affect hundreds of thousands of pets, including ones adopted from RSPCA Queensland.

    According to ASIC, RSPCA Queensland was a part-owner of HomeSafeID until 2020. A spokesperson for the charity told The Conversation it has no current partnership with HomeSafeID, and “don’t know the extent of how many animals are affected”. Yesterday, RSPCA Queensland issued advice for pet owners to check their registration details.

    Where are microchip details stored?

    There are currently seven registries in Australia. Five are privately owned, including HomeSafeID, and two are owned by state governments, in NSW and South Australia. Pets microchipped in those states are meant to be registered with the state registry.

    The five private registries jointly fund a website called Pet Address, which allows you to search the five private databases to find where your pet’s details are stored.

    However, Pet Address doesn’t cover the state registries – these have to be searched separately. Only NSW vets and “authorised identifiers” (such as shelters) can access the pet owner details stored in the NSW registry.

    If a pet is moved to another state but their owner doesn’t update the registry, their microchip won’t be readable in the new location by non-NSW vets and shelters.

    There are currently no rules, regulations or even guidelines around how private pet microchip registries should operate in Australia. If a microchip database were to cease operating, there is no safety net to ensure information is automatically moved to another database.

    A vet can scan your pet’s microchip to retrieve the number and find out the registration details.
    Lucky Business/Shutterstock

    What can I do to make sure my pet’s microchip is up to date?

    Given current uncertainty around the HomeSafeID registry, pet owners across Australia should check their pets’ microchip numbers and find out which database they’re registered in.

    If you don’t already know your pet’s microchip number, vets and shelters can use a microchip scanner to find that number for you. Then, you can run it through Pet Address or the SA and NSW registries where relevant, to find out which database the number is registered on.

    If your pet’s microchip is currently with HomeSafeID, it might be prudent to move your pet’s details to another database. You can do this by contacting one of the other microchip registries and applying to register with their database (this may involve a small fee).

    Australia needs national coordination on pet microchipping

    Given it’s mandatory to microchip dogs and cats, it might seem strange there are no regulations or guidelines around how microchip registries should operate. However, this is a symptom of a much bigger issue.

    There is almost no national leadership or collaboration on companion animal issues in Australia. Pets are firmly the domain of state governments, with the federal government only really involved in the export and import of companion animals.

    There are, however, avenues for national coordination. The renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is one, and the national Animal Health Committee is another.

    Regardless of who takes responsibility, it’s clear a round table on pet microchipping is urgently required to prevent hundreds of thousands of pets walking around with microchips that don’t work anymore.

    Otherwise, lost pets may find themselves at shelters and pounds unnecessarily, and animals that might have otherwise been returned home could end up being adopted, or worse, euthanised.

    Bronwyn Orr is a Director of the Walk In Clinic For Animals and Veterinary Support Group.

    – ref. Thousands of Australian pets may soon have ‘useless’ microchips. It’s a symptom of a bigger problem – https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-australian-pets-may-soon-have-useless-microchips-its-a-symptom-of-a-bigger-problem-249492

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Introduces Legislation to Hold NGOs Accountable for Facilitating Illegal Immigration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today introduced the Fixing Exemptions for Networks Choosing to Enable Illegal Migration (FENCE) Act, legislation to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations that engage in a consistent pattern of providing financial assistance, benefits, services, or other forms of material support to individuals they know to be unlawfully present in the United States.
    “It’s absurd that our federal government has been giving tax exemptions and federal funding to NGOs that have helped facilitate record illegal immigration and carry out the far-left’s agenda, while cloaked as charities,” said Senator Hagerty. “President Trump’s executive order requiring a review of federal funding to NGOs will expose this malpractice that has occurred for too long. I’m pleased to introduce this legislation that will augment the President’s work to hold these NGOs accountable by revoking their tax-exempt statuses.”
    Background:
    The Biden Administration’s immigration policies have drawn significant attention to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in facilitating illegal immigration. Many of these organizations have been involved in efforts to transport and harbor illegal aliens, actions that undermine the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its ability to enforce federal immigration laws. In numerous cases, these activities have also raised concerns about risks to American citizens’ safety and security.
    Despite their tax-exempt status and, in many cases, access to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, these NGOs continue to play a significant role in aiding illegal migration into the United States. Taxpayers have been double-funding these organizations, once through resettlement grants and again through tax exemption.
    In March 2024, Hagerty forced the Senate to take a vote to stop taxpayer dollars from going to NGOs who were facilitating resettlement of illegal aliens in American cities. Unfortunately, every Senate Democrat voted against the proposal, which would have shifted funding away from NGOs flying illegal aliens into U.S. cities and toward deportation flights to send them back to their country of origin.
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Lummis Delivers Remarks on DOGE, USAID, and Wasteful Government Spending

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C.—  Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) applauded President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the Senate floor last Thursday for revealing millions in taxpayer dollars spent on government waste, fraud, and abuse.

    During her speech, Lummis said, “Here are some of the ways the last administration have wasted your money: more than $4.5 million to combat disinformation in Kazakhstan… $20 million for a new Sesame Street show in Iraq, $25 million for Deloitte to promote green transportation in the country of Georgia…”

    “Speaking on behalf of the people of Wyoming, I want to say thank you,” Lummis continued. “Thank you, President Trump, thank you for bringing in a group of people to help us shine a light on how we can make America better in just the way the American people yearned for, wanted, expect, and celebrate.”

    Click here to watch the full video.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At CFPB Headquarters, Warren Sounds Alarm on Elon Musk’s Attack against Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 10, 2025

    “Donald Trump ran his campaign on lowering costs for working families…now he and his co-president, Elon Musk, have tried to shut down the agency that has delivered $21 billion to hardworking families.”

    “Congress built [the CFPB], and no one other than Congress — not Donald Trump, not Elon Musk, no one – can fire the financial cops.”

    Video of Remarks

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA), delivered remarks at the headquarters of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in defense of the agency. The rally comes in response to billionaire Elon Musk and Project 2025 architect Russ Vought attempting to shut down the CFPB. 

    Transcript: Rally to Defend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
    February 10, 2025 
    As Delivered

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: I am so glad to be here with you today. My name is Elizabeth Warren, and I’m here with you to fight for our Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

    The CFPB is the cop on the beat, and that cop is the one that caught the crooks and, so far, has made them give back $21 billion. 

    That cop is the one that put that $21 billion right back into the hands of the American people who got cheated.  

    That cop is the one who has worked, day by day, to get your money back when some slimeball decided they could cheat you and there wouldn’t be anything you can do about it.

    Now, the CFPB is the little agency that has fought for us, and we’re here today to fight for the CFPB. Let’s give a huge cheer for the CFPB!  

    Donald Trump ran his campaign on lowering costs for working families. Yeah, now, he and his co-president, Elon Musk, have tried to shut down the agency that has delivered $21 billion to hardworking families. $21 billion to people who got cheated—and Trump and Musk want to just take that agency away.   

    Donald Trump and Elon Musk have told the financial cops at the CFPB to stand down. Now, think about this – I want you to think about this for a minute – no matter how big the scam, no matter how bold the trap, they have said just stand by and let the Wall Street boys take your money.  

    Well, we are here to fight back! We want our financial cops back on the beat! 

    This is a fight – and I want you to watch who this fight is between – this is a fight between millions of hardworking people, who just don’t want to get cheated, and a handful of billionaires like Elon Musk who want the chance to cheat them. 

    So here’s how we have to think about this: for every person who wants to buy a home without getting scammed, this fight is your fight.

    For every family that doesn’t want to get put out on the street in an illegal foreclosure, this is your fight.

    For every student who wants to borrow money to go to school without getting defrauded, this is your fight.

    For every member of our military who doesn’t want to get trapped by some sleazy payday lender – say it with me: this is your fight. 

    For every person who borrows money to buy a car and doesn’t want to get trapped in the fine print, this is your fight.

    For every American who doesn’t want to see Wall Street crash our economy again, this is your fight.  

    And for every American who doesn’t want some weird Elon Musk suck-up searching through your personal, private data, this is your fight.

    Your fight, my fight, our fight—and we will win this fight!

    Because, understand this – this fight is about more than one little agency.

    This fight is about more than just our financial rules and regulations.

    This fight is about more than just Democrat versus Republican politics. 

    This fight is about hardworking people versus the billionaires who want to squeeze more and more and more money out of them. And now, now is our time to put a stop to this!

    Look, these damn billionaires are making their moves right out in the open. Look at Elon. Please. No, just look. He invested $288 million to buy an election for Donald Trump. And now he is right here to collect on that investment.  

    Elon Musk owns “X,” which has been losing money like crazy. So Elon has a plan for a new payment platform called “X Money”. Elon wants X Money to touch every part of your financial life. 

    But Elon has got a problem: the financial cops. The CFPB is there to make sure that Elon’s new project can’t scam you or steal your sensitive personal data. So Elon’s solution? Get rid of the cops. Kill the CFPB. 

    This is like a bank robber trying to fire the cops and turn off the alarms just before he strolls into the lobby.

    We are here to fight back!  

    So I’ve got to ask: are you ready to stand up to the scammers?

    Are you ready to push back against the fraudsters?

    Are you ready to say no to Elon Musk?

    Look, after the 2008 financial crash and the big bank bailout, Congress created the CFPB to protect people from getting swindled.  

    Congress built it, and no one other than Congress — not Donald Trump, not Elon Musk, no one can fire the financial cops. 

    We are fighting back, and understand this: there is power in fighting back. Real power. We, the people, not Elon Musk, we the people have the real power in this country—and we are going to use that power.  

    So here it is: are you ready to fight for the little agency that fights for us? Are you ready to fight the billionaires who are trying to take over this country? Are you ready to say no to Elon Musk? 

    We will fight it out in Congress. We will fight it out in the courts. We will fight it out all across this country—and I promise you, we will win.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Use of children in armed conflict remains a disastrous trend

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    “I wish for all children to be free,” says Alfred Orono Orono, former Child Protection Adviser for the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He understands this need more than most: at age 11, he joined the Tanzanian forces fighting to oust the dictator Idi Amin from his home country, Uganda. As an adult, he worked to prevent children from experiencing similar childhoods.

    Today, UNMISS, along with peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) are working to free children from  parties to conflict and prevent their recruitment in the face of numbers that have been on the rise.

    Armed groups have increased their recruitment and use of children in the wars they are fighting, according to 2024 recent UN reports. Children are used in multiple roles like soldiers, spies, or cooks, or for sexual purposes. This constitutes a grave violation of the children’s rights and takes a devastating toll on their childhoods and their futures.

    Children used in conflict are deprived of growing up with their families, can be injured or killed, and can be forced to watch or even participate in atrocious acts of violence. Many are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, with dramatic consequences, and children returning to their communities often face stigmatization and rejection. Despite their experiences, these children have demonstrated resilience and often see themselves as strong and hardworking. With the right support they can live successfully and in dignity, and many become agents of peace in their communities.

    This was the case with Alfred. On leaving the army, he returned to school, eventually attending university in Canada. Later, he worked as a UN peacekeeper, protecting children in conflict-affect South Sudan. He called it his “dream job” despite the challenging and often dangerous environment he worked in.

    “I have to see how do I work together with others to ensure that the children do not get recruited into the armed forces? And if the children already in the army, how do I get them out of the army? Which commander should I talk to? How am I going to get there safely? So that my colleagues are not killed, so that they go back home to meet their children, their wives, their parents,” he said in an interview. “I work with children, who when I look at them, I know exactly what’s going on in their minds. And I know how they feel. And I’m part of the solution to their problems.”

    Through work like Alfred’s, peacekeeping missions have secured the release of over 100,000 children from armed forces and armed groups since the first Child Protection Adviser was deployed to Sierra Leone in 2001. Today, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, and UNMISS are continuing this critical work.

    Once released, the peacekeeping missions work with UNICEF and other partner organizations to ensure the children receive the support they need to rejoin their communities and thrive. Missions provide security and logistical support to allow for the verification of instances of grave violations against children to take place, a task they are uniquely positioned to perform. The data collected lays the foundation for all the UN’s interventions, from high-level political engagement and advocacy with parties to conflicts, to policy and programmatic interventions.

    Prevention is also at the heart of peacekeeping’s efforts. UNMISS, MONUSCO and MINUSCA work to address the factors that make children vulnerable to recruitment, and engage with governments, armed groups and other actors to get commitments to end the use of children by armed forces and armed groups.

    Every February 12th Red Hand Day raises awareness of the issue and call for urgent political action to end it. This call is more urgent than ever, as the recruitment and use of children has continued, and as growing global conflict places more children at risk. Member States have committed to accelerate the implementation of their commitments under the children and armed conflict agenda: in 2025, we must all ensure these commitments are met.

    Learn more about the work of peacekeeping’s Child Protection Advisers here, and about UNICEF, and the work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict.

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy Commissioner welcomes Government rethink of social service data collection

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    Privacy Commissioner John Edwards has welcomed the Governments plans to rethink the practice of collecting individual client level data from social service providers. The Government announced today that social service contracts will no longer require providers to disclose individual client level data until a new data protection and use policy is in place. This is in contrast to previous plans, which required service providers such as NGOs to provide information about individual clients in order to receive funding. This information included clients’ names, number of children and other social services they engaged with. Mr Edwards said I commend this pause in approach. Projects like this have the potential to do a lot of good by measuring and improving the efficacy of social services.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files: Antarctica’s Weddell Seal

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files: Multimedia Gallery — Astronauts, Satellites, Airplanes and Solar Flares

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Astronauts, Satellites, Airplanes and Solar Flares

    Weather in outer space is unpredictable, high-energy solar particles bombard earth and objects in our orbit with radiation that can endanger the lives of astronauts and destroy electronic equipment.

    Is there a way to more accurately predict these dangerous particle bursts? We’ll explore as we look into the U.S. National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files.”

    These cosmic rays are strong enough to reach passengers in airplanes flying over the north pole. Despite scientists’ best efforts, a clear understanding of how and when these flare-ups will occur has remained elusive.

    For decades, scientists have believed that the sun’s plasma generates high-energy particles. But these particles move so erratically and unpredictably that until now they have not been able to be simulated.

    NSF-supported researchers have created complex 3d computer models that show the exact movements of solar energy particles.

    These fully kinetic simulations track ion and electron acceleration from their electric field inception, shedding new light on the origin of particles in space and astrophysical systems.

    The findings allow a greater understanding of the origin of solar energy particles, pave the way for more accurate forecasting of dangerous cosmic weather events, and invite future simulations of other celestial bodies.

    To hear more science and engineering news, including the researchers making it, subscribe to “NSF’s Discovery Files” podcast, available wherever you get podcast.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arecibo Observatory: Media Resources

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Completed in 1963 and stewarded by U.S. National Science Foundation since the 1970s, Arecibo Observatory has contributed to many important scientific discoveries, including the demonstration of gravitational waves from a binary pulsar, the first discovery of an extrasolar planet, composition of the ionosphere, and the characterization of the properties and orbits of a number of potentially hazardous asteroids.

    More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/arecibo/index.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

    This is an NSF News item.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files: Material That Thinks For Itself

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Material That Thinks for Itself

    When someone taps your shoulder or brushes your arm, the touch receptors in your skin send a message to your brain, which processes the information and directs you to look in the direction of the contact.

    What if you could make a material that is capable of thinking and reacting in a similar manner? We’ll explore as we look into the U.S. National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files.”

    Theorized in the 1930’s and made practical by computer chips created in the 1960’s, integrated circuits are engineers’ realization of information processing similar to the brain’s role in the human body.

    Integrated circuits run all types of modern electronics, including phones, cars, and robots.

    NSF-supported researchers have created novel, integrated circuit materials made from conductive and non-conductive rubber materials.

    When forces is applied to the engineered material, it digitizes the information to signals that its electrical network can advance and assess, allowing the material to react to how the forces are applied to them.

    Using this soft materials system, nearly any material around us could act like its own integrated circuit: being able to sense, think and act upon mechanical stress without requiring additional circuits to process such signals.

    The soft polymer material has potential applications in autonomous search-and-rescue systems, in infrastructure repairs and even in bio-hybrid materials that could one day be used to identify, isolate and neutralize airborne pathogens.

    To hear more science and engineering news, including the researchers making it, subscribe to “NSF’s Discovery Files” podcast.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Files Podcast: Microplastics Are Everywhere

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Renames Fort Liberty to Fort Roland L. Bragg

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    While flying aboard a C-17 from Joint Base Andrews to Stuttgart on February 10, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Roland L. Bragg. The new name pays tribute to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge. This change underscores the installation’s legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation. 

    Attributed to DOD Press Secretary John Ullyot.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Wind 25 Reaffirms U.S.-Japan Alliance

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP MAKOMANAI, Japan  –  

    U.S. Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force close out North Wind 25, a bilateral cold-weather field training exercise designed to enhance combat readiness and promote interoperability after 10 days of training at Camp Makomanai and the Hokudai-en Hokkaido Large Training Area in Hokkaido, in northern Japan on February 9, 2025.

    The exercise was comprised of approximately 190 U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment and approximately 400 members of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force. 



    “Northwind Exercise continues to be a terrific opportunity to share individual and small unit tactics and skill craft,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Hanrahan, chief of exercises for USARJ. “The focus of this year’s exercise is squad-level integration containing numerous days and nights in the field environment, which has increased communication, cold weather techniques, bilateral teamwork, and interoperability. This unique opportunity gives the U.S. Army and its allies the ability to fight and win in any environment. This exercise showcases the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan.”


    North Wind 25 featured a first of its kind: bilateral field housing. Soldiers from 1-5 IN stayed in tents with their counterparts in the JGSDF. The integration of the units provided more time to exchange techniques, tactics, and procedures.

    Not everything was friendly exchanges, participants were also challenged. The culminating event was a three-day field training exercise that was meticulously planned via a rehearsal of concept. This was the JGSDF’s first time participating in this style of planning and it proved invaluable to the success of the mission.


    “I got the opportunity to work with my counterparts in the JGSDF staff section,” said 2nd Lt. Richard Hall, a battalion staff officer, 1-5 IN. While the JGSDF may do some things different than their U.S. Army counterparts, there is always an exchange where they learn from each other.


    The 1-5 IN is stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska where they regularly endure temperatures as low as -30° Fahrenheit, so the relatively warm conditions of 10° to 40° F during North Wind 25 were business as usual. However, the Northern Army had much more experience than the 1-5 IN in certain tactics like skiing. Working with such an experienced ally, like the JGDSF, gives the Army the opportunity to learn and train together to further increase readiness in the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic.

    “If a perfect score is 100, then I would say 200! Japanese and U.S. forces training to this level as one body has exceeded my expectation, which was actually very high. Any short time spent together turns to fulfilling exchange experience,” said Col. Naoki Uehara, Commander of 18th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, Northern Army, JGSDF. “I believe Japan-U.S. collaboration will be built upon foundation of relationship of trust and mutual understanding.”


    North Wind, which is a series of Operation PATHWAYS, is U.S. Army Pacific’s premier annual operation, demonstrating USARPAC and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s commitment to the region. Operation PATHWAYS employs thousands of U.S. Army forces from around the globe to conduct concurrent multilateral security cooperation and training events across the Indo-Pacific. Operation PATHWAYS helps us to see, sense and understand the region, which in turn, assists senior leaders making sound decisions.

    There is no more important anchoring frontline ally in this region than Japan, and our commit to the partnership and friendship with their JGSDF is ironclad.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Governor, Joint Region Marianas, Joint Task Force-Micronesia Convene Civil-Military Coordination Council

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    ASAN, Guam  –  

    Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman convened the Civil-Military Coordination Council (CMCC) at the Governor’s Complex in Adelup, Feb. 5.

    Military officials from the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Guam Army National Guard attended. Additionally, participating on behalf of various government of Guam agencies were representatives from the Guam Department of Agriculture, the Guam Department of Civil Defense and Homeland Security, the Guam Power Authority and the Guam International Airport Authority.

    “The CMCC is an opportunity to get together to synchronize and synthesize our efforts on all of the major priorities for our island,” Huffman said. “Our meeting not only signifies the culmination of hard work and planning by our collective teams, but it is a demonstration of the strong partnership and close collaboration that are the hallmarks of our discussions.”

    Military and civilian members offered informational briefs and updates on significant topics that require a One-Guam holistic approach including critical civilian infrastructure for the defense of Guam, utilities resiliency specifically for the island’s electrical grid, and the proposed Guam Defense System by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

    “The Civil-Military Coordination Council continues to be an essential platform for ensuring that Guam’s needs and interests remain at the forefront of the ongoing military buildup. At our latest meeting, we placed a strong emphasis on resiliency—particularly in strengthening our island’s power infrastructure through the Guam Power Authority and the One Guam Power Infrastructure Resiliency & Reliability Projects,” said Leon Guerrero. “The military buildup is an ongoing conversation that requires careful planning, preparation, and the right subject matter experts at the table. It is critical that we have the latest and most relevant information to support our justifications and ensure that progress aligns with the best interests of all who call Guam home. As we continue these discussions, I remain committed to advocating for our people and working with our federal partners to reinforce the importance of Guam in national security and regional stability.”

    The CMCC was established in 2010 to foster collaboration among the DoD, local government, and federal agencies to share information, discuss, and provide recommendations for construction activities for the U.S. Marine Corps relocation to Guam. These meetings have expanded to include all DoD items of interest and military construction on Guam. The next CMCC meeting is scheduled in June.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USAF and USMC Work With Allies and Partners to Enhance Capabilities for CN25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam   –  

    Aircraft from the United States Air Force along with our Allies and Partners line the runway at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for Cope North 25. CN25 aims to enhance the capabilities of partner air forces through training, exercises, and knowledge sharing.

    With Allies and Partners taking to the skies of Guam this week for the start of CN25, the main focus of the exercise is the integration and flight operations with the F-35A Lightning and F-35B Lightning II from all three participating nations: Japanese Air Self Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the United States.

    “Exercise Cope North [25] will be the showcase for the true integration of 5th gen capability,” said RAAF GPCAPT Darryl Porter, Australian Task Force commander. “Most significantly with this being the first training exercise under the trilateral memorandum of intent signed by Japan, Australia, and the U.S., following the defense minister meeting last year.”

    Following the influx of participating fighters and refuelers, CN25 kicked off with a welcoming brief and academics where the commanders of the participating nations took the stage to address military members and civilian participants of the exercise.

    JASDF Col. Takeshi Okubo, flight group commander, 3rd Air Wing, addressed the attending participants by stressing the importance of a unified partnership to deter conflict.

    “We train together and fight together,” said Okubo. “And together we are an active deterrence to conflict.”

    With the idea of deterring conflict and achieving regional security, an emphasis on shared knowledge of 5th generation fighters has taken the spotlight in achieving these objectives. CN25 fosters the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques, and procedures.

    “When you have many different nations flying the same aircraft, it’s important to train together so that we learn small differences between how each nation employs, maintains, and C2’s [command and control] those airplanes,” said Schuck. “We’ll never learn those differences without actually exercising together. And the reason that 5th generation is so important is that 5th generation fighters are the forward edge of our fighting force, especially in the Indo-Pacific, so it’s important to practice together with all the nations that fly them.”

    With two weeks left in the exercise, USAF and its representing commander are eager for the opportunity to learn with its Allies and Partners, with Schuck saying, “I’m happy to be here and represent the commander of PACAF to our foreign partners and Allies in order to strengthen our resolve, strengthen our alliance in the Pacific and hopefully lead to a stronger fighting force and a more open and freer Indo-Pacific.”

    For over 45 years, Cope North has conducted exercises in the Pacific between the U.S. and allied forces, focusing on several aspects of defense and interoperability throughout the Indopacific. As with past iterations, CN25 maintains a dedication to realistic combat training for the success of air and space operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese arts troupe brings ‘Happy Spring Festival’ celebration to Zagreb

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A Chinese artist performs during the “Happy Spring Festival” celebration in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 10, 2025. The “Happy Spring Festival” performance by an arts troupe from central China’s Hubei Province captivated audiences at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM) in the Croatian capital on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

    The “Happy Spring Festival” performance by an arts troupe from central China’s Hubei Province captivated audiences at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM) in the Croatian capital on Monday.

    Artists from the Hubei Provincial Performing Arts Group presented a rich variety of traditional performances, including the folk music ensemble “Prosperous National Music,” suona solo “A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” and a guzheng and pipa duet “Spring River Moon Night.”

    The program also featured Hubei folk songs such as “Dragon Boat Tune,” Han Opera’s “Drunken Concubine,” and the guzheng and dance piece “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”

    In addition to musical and operatic performances, the show also included magic acts, Sichuan face-changing, and breathtaking Wudang martial arts displays.

    “It was a wonderful, absolutely fascinating performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year,” ZSEM dean Mato Njavro said, expressing his pleasure and honor in hosting the event.

    More than 500 guests from various fields attended the performance, including former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, former Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, former Deputy Speaker Davorko Vidovic, and Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Art exhibition at Grand Egyptian Museum showcases creativity of Arab artists

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A visitor looks at an artwork during the sixth edition of Art Cairo at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, on Feb. 10, 2025. The sixth edition of Art Cairo, currently underway at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is captivating art lovers with a stunning array of contemporary Arab art. Running from Feb. 7 to 11 under the theme “Peace to All Nations,” the event brings together over 300 artists and 35 galleries from across the Arab world and Europe, showcasing more than 3,500 works of art. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

    The sixth edition of Art Cairo, currently underway at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is captivating art lovers with a stunning array of contemporary Arab art.

    Running from Feb. 7 to 11 under the theme “Peace to All Nations,” the event brings together over 300 artists and 35 galleries from across the Arab world and Europe, showcasing more than 3,500 works of art.

    The exhibition features a diverse range of artistic expressions, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces such as intricate embroidery on canvas. The event also showcases a mix of artistic styles, from abstract paintings and realistic portraits to conceptual pieces that challenge ideas and spark discussion.

    A major highlight of Art Cairo is the “Egyptian Sarcophagi” series by Syrian contemporary artist Nizar Sabour, featuring paintings of iconic Egyptian figures such as singer Umm Kulthum, Nobel laureate novelist Naguib Mahfouz, and composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab.

    These elongated vertical portraits are inspired by Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagi and ancient Egyptian funerary traditions, with a halo of light circling each honored figure, reminiscent of sacred iconography.

    His “Egyptian Sarcophagi” is part of a larger artistic exploration project following his previous “Syrian Sarcophagi” and “Lebanese Sarcophagi.”

    Sabour stressed the importance of artistic gatherings like Art Cairo in the Arab world, calling them a vital platform for exchanging expertise.

    “We need such spaces for artistic communication, where artists can meet, interact, and assess their artworks. These gatherings not only enrich Arab art but also foster direct engagement between Arab artists,” he said.

    Among the Egyptian artists participating in Art Cairo is Mohamed Abla, a renowned visual artist known for his contributions to contemporary Egyptian art.

    “This event is important, and we fully support it. It’s great to see strong participation from Arab countries this year, and I hope this diversity continues to grow in the future,” Abla said.

    Abla underscored the connection between ancient and contemporary art through holding the fair at the GEM, whose official opening is approaching, noting that attendance has been strong, with a noticeable presence of young people.

    Jon Kapp, an American visitor from New York who lives and works in Egypt, expressed his excitement to explore the art in the Arab world.

    “I am excited to discover the different stories being told through the artworks,” Kapp said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: December crime statistics

    Source: South Australia Police

    Almost every category of theft has continued to decline in South Australia, the latest crime statistics have revealed.

    The December rolling year crime statistics reveal further significant reductions in house break-ins, shop theft and car theft – with an encouraging decrease in reported incidents of fuel theft also recorded in the latest period.

    Sustained pressure on recidivist offenders has resulted in a second successive decrease in shop theft with a three per cent drop in reported offences – from 18,124 to 17,583 offences – reported this period. This follows a two per cent decrease in the previous period.

    The number of offences involving the receiving or handling of stolen goods continued to increase as policing initiatives such as Operation Measure target recidivist offenders selling goods on online forums. An increase of 230 offences occurred during the period – from 1,963 offences to 2,193 offences.

    House break-ins declined for the sixth successive period with a six per cent decline reported from 5,960 offences to 5,606 offences. This followed a three per cent drop in the November period, four per cent in the October period and five per cent in the September period.

    Car theft and theft from a vehicle have again recorded significant decreases in the December rolling year period. Car theft declined by 11 per cent – from 3,928 offences to 3,492 offences. This follows a seven per cent decrease in the November period, an eight per cent decline in the October period and a 10 per cent decline in the September period.

    Theft from a vehicle dropped by 19 per cent – from 10,304 offences to 8,397 reported offences. This followed successive decreases of 17 per cent in each of the November, October and September periods.

    Other theft – the category that includes fuel theft – has also declined by five per cent in the December rolling year period. A decrease of 1,139 reported offences was recorded from 23,022 offences in the 2022/23 period to 21,833 reported offences in the 2023/24 period.

    Police intelligence data shows nine of the top 10 locations for fuel theft are in the northern suburbs with the tenth in the southern suburbs. The thefts are concentrated in three of the four major policing districts in the metropolitan area with the Barossa, Hills Fleurieu and Murray Mallee the main country districts in which fuel thefts occur.

    The December rolling year crime statistics also reveal another large decline in robbery and related offences with a 22 per cent decline – 202 offences – reported. This followed a 26 per cent drop in the previous period.

    Aggravated robbery offences declined by 19 per cent or 94 offences – from 503 reported offences to 409 reported offences. Non-aggravated robbery showed a slight increase of four per cent or three offences – from 79 reported offences to 82 reported offences.

    The number of murders committed also continued to decline with a 59 per cent decrease in reported offences – from 22 to nine.

    Serious assaults resulting in injury recorded a three per cent increase in reported offences in the period – from 3,657 reported offences to 3,774 reported offences while common assault rose by 209 offences – a four per cent increase.

    While the number of family and domestic abuse related offences increased by 11 per cent – from 12,098 offences to 13,468 offences, the reporting rate has declined after successive increases.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fire trail upgrades for NSW opal fields

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Fire trail upgrades for NSW opal fields

    Published: 11 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Lands and Property

    Northwest communities around the Lightning Ridge opal fields are now better protected from bushfires following the Minns Labor Government’s completion of more than $1.35 million in fire trail upgrades and other protection works.

    At Lightning Ridge, a network of 34 fire trails spanning approximately 28 kilometres has been established through upgrades to existing access tracks on a Crown land reserve managed by the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve.

    A further 6 fire trails at Grawin covering about 6.7 kilometres, and 13 fire trails at Glengarry covering about 17 kilometres upgrades were also undertaken.

    Work included hazard reduction burns, the removal of excess vegetation, and improving fire trails to meet Rural Fire Service standards. Upgrades involved grading, drainage improvements to prevent erosion, and compacted gravel surfacing of some trails for year-round access. Turning and passing bays were also installed to support firefighting efforts. 

    Separately, Crown Lands and the Rural Fire Service collaborated on a $34,500 project to install and fence a 110,000-litre water supply tank to support firefighting at Grawin and surrounds.

    These critical upgrades undertaken by Crown Lands, with the support of the Soil Conservation Service, Rural Fire Service, Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve land manager, Walgett Shire Council, and community members will improve emergency access and help safeguard residents, businesses, and the local environment from the threat of bushfires.

    Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

    “These critical fire trail upgrades enable firefighters to do their job battling bushfires.

    They are imperative to improving emergency access to help keep communities protected against bushfires.

    There are over 1,180 fires trails on Crown land across NSW covering over 2,120 kilometres and over 660 hectares of bushfire asset protection zones, with Crown Lands delivering projects each year to help guard against bushfires.”

    Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

    “Following the recent bushfires in the Lightning Ridge area and the massive effort from firefighters to contain it, this is incredibly welcome news from the NSW Government, and I hope this work continues throughout NSW.

    Firefighters rely on a network of roads, trails, and tracks to prevent, manage, and contain bushfires. Maintaining NSW’s fire trails by removing excess fuel loads is critical to keeping firefighters safe and helping them reduce the risk and impact of fires on people, property, and the environment.

    Reducing fuel loads also significantly reduces the severity and impact of bushfires and assists emergency services in controlling and managing them.”

    MIL OSI News –

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    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

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    Source: China State Council Information Office

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