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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Resurfacing work and road closures coming for State Highway 73 Arthur’s Pass.

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Arthur’s Pass is about to get the benefits of the ongoing state highway summer maintenance season.

    Contractors will be hard at work on the Alpine Highway near Arthur’s Pass Village early next month carrying out essential resurfacing works.

    Work is planned for Monday, 3 February, and Tuesday February. It will require State Highway 73 to be closed between  Rough Creek Bridge and Peg Leg (near the  Otira Viaduct Lookout) between 10 am and 5 pm on both days.

    The highway will open on the hour, every hour, to clear queued traffic. However, travel delays can be expected, and drivers must plan their journeys accordingly.

    The narrowness or the road means a full closure is required. This is for the safety of road crew as well as drivers. It will also allow the work to be completed faster.

    Because resealing work requires warm and dry conditions, and the location is in an alpine area, this work can only be done during the day.

    State Highway 73 is a critical link between the South Island’s east and west coasts. This maintenance is essential for ensuring it remains a safe and resilient route for road users.

    NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks drivers for their patience and co-operation while this work is underway.

    Works Schedule:

    • Monday, 3 February and Tuesday, 4 February. 10 am – 5 pm
    • SH73 CLOSED between Rough Creek Bridge and Peg Leg
    • The highway will reopen on the hour, every hour, to let queued traffic through.

    These works are weather-dependent and may be scheduled if bad weather occurs

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Comm, Clear and Connected: The 8th Communication Squadron keeps Beverly Pack 25-1 connected

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

    Secure and seamless communication is important to complete day-to-day military operations. It’s required when they are executed from afar.

    The 8th Communications Squadron successfully tested their extended capabilities for the first time during Exercise Beverly Pack 25-1, simultaneously connecting operations at Kunsan Air Base and a simulated forward operating base through an expeditionary communications team Jan. 12-16. The exercise marks the largest-scale agile combat employment generation, deployment, and sustainment exercise within Seventh Air Force.

    “The 8th expeditionary communications team consists of four AFSCs within the communications career field who are dedicated to providing ACE support and capability,” said 1st Lt. Mackenzie Clay, 8th CS operations flight commander. “They were given orders to provide C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) for the wing, simulating and testing all the equipment in the flyaway kits to ensure constant communication between operational forces and wing leadership.”
    The Communication Flyaway Kits, consisting of tactical satellite communications and network devices, are designed by coordinating with other units and assessing deployment requirements to sustain operations at Kunsan and at simulated locations. They are imperative to integrate plans and agencies during exercises and any potential contingency operations.

    “The team operates on mission-type orders to provide C4I, communicating through the Emergency Operations Center via the primary, alternate, contingency and emergency (PACE) plan,” said SrA Luis Del Carmen Diaz, expeditionary communications operator. “Through the use of the Communication Flyaway Kit package, the 8 CS can provide short and long range Non-Classified and Secret Internet Protocol Router (NIPR and SIPR) Networks as well as mission partner environment communication capabilities.”

    Expeditionary communications teams and other CS assets are necessary for ACE operations: they help provide integral information regarding locations and statuses of adversaries and friendly forces. Providing the fullest picture of the operational scenario, they are a necessary component for quality decision-making which enables dispersed forces to adapt and prevail.

    “We are continuously testing our equipment and ideas to bring faster speeds, options, and sizes to support ourselves and our allies,’ said SSgt Guillerma Khan, expeditionary communications NCOIC. “Mobility is essential, and our assets are the glue between us and any given location. The ability to communicate on-the-go pushes us further ahead of our adversaries.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 01.23.2025 Sen. Cruz Introduces MEDAL Act to Decrease Financial Burden on Medal of Honor Recipients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today introduced the Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends (MEDAL) Act. The legislation increases the monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients to $100,000 annually. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration bestowed by the United States. There are only 61 living Medal of Honor recipients.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Our Medal of Honor recipients are heroes who embody the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice, and selflessness. They continue to serve our nation by sharing their stories, inspiring generations, and encouraging the next wave of America’s heroes. Yet, they often lack the resources for these activities. The MEDAL Act addresses those shortfalls. Congress should act swiftly to advance and pass this badly needed fix.”
    Sen. Cruz was joined by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in introducing the legislation.
    Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22) and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.-01) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    Read the MEDAL Act here.
    BACKGROUND
    Medal of Honor recipients are often neither formerly nor medically retired from the United States Military, and cannot be compensated for the financial burdens of public engagements. In these engagements, they share stories of their heroism, which directly and significantly influence military recruiting and retention, as well as more broadly enhancing American life and public memory. Increasing the monthly pensions for living Medal of Honor recipients is essential to reducing the financial burden on their families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Shaheen Raises National Security Concerns with Nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, Announces She Will Vote Against His Confirmation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), took to the Senate floor to outline her concerns for our national security ahead of the possible confirmation of Pete Hegseth as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. Specifically, Shaheen addressed Hegseth’s inconsistencies on various foreign policy issues, including respect for the norms of armed conflict, support for our alliances like NATO and Putin’s war on Ukraine. At the conclusion of her remarks, Senator Shaheen announced she will vote against the Secretary of Defense nominee—the first time she’s done so since joining the U.S. Senate. You can watch the Senator’s full remarks here.

    Key quotes from Senator Shaheen:

    • “The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics.”
    • “Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order. And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries.”
    • “And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States. If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.”
    • “He [Mr. Hegseth] has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes […] I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.”  
    • “I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world […] Our men and women in uniform deserve better. And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.”   

    Remarks as delivered can be found below:

    Mr. President, I come to the floor today to address some of my concerns about the qualifications of the President’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, Mr. Pete Hegseth. 

    Like many of my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I left Mr. Hegseth’s hearing last week with a number of unanswered questions and some real concerns about his qualifications and abilities to serve in the role of Secretary of Defense. 

    Now, every single nominee for Secretary of Defense—from both Democrat and Republican administrations—have met with me and other members from both sides of the aisle on the committee before their confirmation hearings.  

    And I voted for every one of those nominees from both Democrat and Republican administrations: Secretaries Panetta, Hagel, Carter, Mattis, Esper and Austin.  

    I didn’t always agree with their views or their policies, but I felt that they had the qualifications and the temperament to be Secretary of Defense, so I supported their confirmations. 

    But Mr. Hegseth chose not to meet with me or any other Senate Democrats, except the Ranking Member, Jack Reed. And he broke with strong, longstanding tradition to ensure that our work on national security remains free from partisanship.

    And I think that’s the important point: we are stronger as Senators, as Congress, as a nation if we are acting together.

    The Committee unfortunately was not afforded the opportunity to ask a number of rounds of questions, and so there were a number of questions about his views, particularly regarding foreign policy and military policy that we did not get an answer to.

    I’ve become the Ranking Member on the Foreign Relations Committee, and so I’m very concerned about the role of the United States in the world.

    I think the American people expect transparency regarding Mr. Hegseth’s ability to stand by our allies and partners, to uphold international agreements, to abide by rules of engagement and the bottom line—support the men and women in the military in a way that not only keeps us safe, but protects them as well.

    The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics. 

    So, I’d like to address a few issues now that we were not able to get to at the hearing, because we were not able to ask more than one round of questions. And I want to start with the role alliances and that our allies and partners play in our own national security.

    I believe – and we’ve seen it many times since the start of this nation – that we are stronger and safer when we lead together with our allies. 

    And we’re fortunate, because we have strong allies and partners. We don’t see that coming from Vladimir Putin, from Xi in China, we don’t see it from the North Koreans or the Iranians, but the United States has strong allies who can stand with us.

    The most important security agreement we’ve had, I think any time in our nation’s history, is NATO.

    It is a critical, indispensable part of our national security, and yet, the President’s nominee for Secretary of Defense wrote in his book, American Crusade, that NATO is quote “a relic” and quote that it “should be scrapped.”

    Now since his nomination, Mr. Hegseth has tried to walk back his opposition to one of our key international alliances, to NATO. 

    In advance policy questions for the Committee, he calls NATO a quote, “vital U.S. interest” in defending Europe and American interests from Russia and Vladimir Putin. 

    This sudden reversal is welcome, because I think it’s very important that our Secretary of Defense understand how critical NATO is, and that it’s stronger now than it was any time since it was formed, probably. We now have 32 members of NATO.

    But Mr. Hegseth’s 11th hour conversion to understanding the importance of our allies and partners raises questions about what he really believes.

    We asked on our questions for the record about NATO, and we didn’t get much of a response.

    Now, if I had had the opportunity, I would have brought up Ukraine and Mr. Hegseth’s head-spinning contradictions on this matter.

    Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order. 

    And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order, that is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries. 

    So again, I’m puzzled about how we should think about Mr. Hegseth’s contradictory positions on a variety of national security and foreign policy issues.

    For example, he was critical of the Biden administration—as have many of us on both sides of the aisle been in this chamber—for not moving fast enough to aid Ukraine. But then question the wisdom of sending any U.S. assistance to Ukraine at all. 

    In 2022, Mr. Hegseth called Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” and called for faster U.S. aid to Ukraine. Now, he says the idea of Russia launching a nuclear war is “over-inflated” and plays down the severity of the conflict as merely Putin’s “give-me-my-shit-back war.”

    Well, I don’t think that our NATO allies, those in the Baltics and Poland and Eastern Europe, think Vladmir Putin’s nuclear ambitions are “over inflated.”

    They know the threat he poses to their countries and the world.

    And to be flippant about the threat of nuclear war, I think is beneath the office of the Secretary of Defense, who will have to engage with those partners on a regular basis. 

    Now, I agree with President Trump that the American people want to see a resolution to this years-long war. I’m sure that’s true of the Ukrainians as well.

    But Mr. Hegseth has not, either in his hearing nor in response to the questions that we submitted to him for the record, expanded on what the Department of Defense’s role should be with respect to Ukraine, even though we have already invested $66 billion in military assistance.

    And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States.

    If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.

    Now, on Afghanistan, Mr. Hegseth has also been inconsistent on his views of the President’s foreign policy.

    Actually, he’s been inconsistent in general on the President’s foreign policies.

    In the lead up to the 2016 election, Mr. Hegseth was highly critical of then-candidate Trump’s foreign policy stances, particularly on Iraq and Afghanistan. 

    Mr. Hegseth called Mr. Trump, who was a candidate at the time, and I quote “all bluster, very little substance” and again quoting, “an armchair tough guy.” 

    He criticized then-candidate Trump in 2015 for advocating for the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, but then he took the criticism back. 

    He sharply criticized the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, as did I, but he’s failed to publicly comment on President Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban, which is what set the date certain for withdrawal in 2021 that then the Biden administration was actually tied to.

    Now, I agree. I agree that that withdrawal was not what I wanted to see. I didn’t support it.

    But they were terms that President Trump, in his first term, set with the Taliban. 

    Terms that I thought gave away the store to the Taliban. Because there were no concessions from them, on what we were to get from the United States. The Government of Afghanistan was not at the table and now we’re seeing the fallout from that.  

    And I know that no one is watching for gaps in U.S. national security policy more closely than President Xi and the People’s Republic of China. 

    Now Mr. Hegseth identifies China as our peer competitor, something that I think all of us on the Armed Services Committee and probably everyone this chamber agree with.

    But if Mr. Hegseth is so concerned about China, then he should realize that nothing will encourage President Xi’s aggression more than seeing America abandon our allies and partners. 

    Mr. Hegseth sees China’s ambitions as, quote, “a fait accompli,” and yet, he does not seem to recognize that his own inconsistencies on all these foreign policy positions could contribute to this.

    A question I would like Mr. Hegseth to attempt to answer is: What message would it send to our adversaries if the U.S. ceases its support not just for Ukraine, but for the international rules and norms that underpin the global order?

    Now, I’m also concerned about that with respect to the conduct of conflict. In his book “The War on Warriors,” Mr. Hegseth argued, and again I’m quoting, “our boys should not fight by rules written by dignified men in mahogany rooms eighty years ago. America should fight by its own rules.”  

    Well, the rules that he’s talking about are the Geneva Conventions—which established bare minimum protections against violence, torture and inhumane treatments.

    And they don’t just protect those people we’re fighting on the battlefield, they protect American soldiers.

    During his hearing, he even doubled down to say, quote, “restrictive rules of engagement” have “made it more difficult to defeat our enemies,” and that it would be his priority, quote, “that lawyers aren’t getting in the way.”

    Unfortunately—and dangerously—this appears to be the few issues that Mr. Hegseth is consistent on. 

    He has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes.  

    These are individuals who were turned in not by our enemies, but by members of their own units who were convicted of crimes by military juries. Individuals for whom Mr. Hegseth lobbied to get pardons.  

    I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.  

    Now, while embracing officers convicted of war crimes, Mr. Hegseth has stated it is his intent to review all general officers currently serving in the Department of Defense. 

    And when asked if he would remove the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Hegseth responded, on the record, that, quote, “all senior officers will be reviewed.”

    So, let’s just think about what that means – subjecting our general officers, in our military that is not politicized, to a political litmus test is not only unprecedented, it is dangerous. 

    It will convey to the American public that their leadership is political. 

    One of the most important roles of the Secretary of Defense is to seek out and consider open, honest and direct military advice from the senior officers in charge of our forces.  

    I don’t know how Mr. Hegseth expects to receive open and honest advice from his commanders when he is advocating for a purge of anyone who disagrees with him. 

      

    And I am also deeply troubled by the idea that Mr. Hegseth would act as a “yes man” himself, putting his own personal political interests above the wellbeing of our military men and women.

    At Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, when asked what he would do if he received orders from President Trump that he knew to be illegal or unconstitutional, Mr. Hegseth wouldn’t give a straight answer. All he could do was deny that President Trump was capable of giving an illegal order.

    And just for the record, to be clear: in his first term, President Trump did give an illegal order that then-Secretary Esper refused to follow. 

    And for that, Secretary Esper was fired by the President. 

    So, Mr. President, I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world. 

    And I’m very disappointed that this body would put a nominee on the floor without the due process of advise-and-consent that the position of the Secretary of Defense deserves. 

    Our men and women in uniform deserve better. 

    And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.  

    Thank you, I yield the floor.

    As the second-ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Shaheen is instrumental in helping to accomplish top national security objectives and enhancing New Hampshire’s role in support of America’s national defense. A member of the Committee since 2011, Shaheen has voted to confirm multiple nominees from both parties under multiple administrations. During his confirmation hearing, Shaheen questioned Hegseth about his support for women service members and the Shaheen-led Women, Peace and Security law. The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump, which Shaheen leads with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), was signed into law in 2017 and requires the U.S. Government to strengthen the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and peace negotiations. 

    Senator Shaheen is the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs and Defense. In 2018, Shaheen re-established the bipartisan U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group with U.S. Senator Tillis (R-NC). Senator Shaheen believes that a strong and active United States is fundamental to securing our national interests at home and abroad. She also believes that U.S. global leadership is directly tied to the strength of our ideals, our alliances and our diplomacy, and she is constantly working to ensure our national security policies reflect our broader democratic values. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Hassan Join Senate Colleagues Urging Republican Leadership to Pursue Bipartisan Solutions on Border and Immigration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined 11 of their Senate colleagues, led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in sending a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune stressing the importance of working together on pressing border security and immigration needs. Along with Shaheen, Hassan and Kelly, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Warner (D-VA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Chris Coons (D-DE) signed this letter.

    In part, the Senators wrote: “As we have shown, Democrats and Republicans can work together on real bipartisan solutions. We can solve big challenges when we work together, and there is much work to do to improve border security, protect Dreamers and farmworkers, and fix our immigration system to better reflect the needs of our country and our modern economy.”

    In the letter, the lawmakers stress that bipartisan cooperation is necessary to craft and advance meaningful and long-lasting solutions.

    They continued, “We understand that Senate Republicans have discussed using the budget reconciliation process to advance border security budget measures without any Democratic input. While that’s your right, in working together on a bipartisan basis, we can achieve the best outcome for the American people. There are also limitations to what can be done under budget reconciliation, and as we’ve seen time and time again, no party has all the solutions on this or any issue.”

    At the conclusion of the letter, the Democratic senators emphasize their willingness to work with their Republican counterparts on legislation that can pass the Senate: “We remain ready to work with you in good faith to craft legislation that can achieve bipartisan support and 60 votes in the Senate. While there will be challenges, addressing the pressing needs of our nations’ borders and finding bipartisan solutions to our outdated immigration system are too important to ignore in the 119th Congress.” 

    Click here to read the full letter.

    Last year, Shaheen and Hassan twice voted in favor of the bipartisan border security agreement – which would have supplied the border with critical resources that are necessary to increase security, stop the flow of illicit drugs and better protect all Americans – negotiated by Senate Republicans and Democrats. This week, Shaheen and Hassan voted to pass the bipartisan Laken Riley Act and called for comprehensive reform.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Postal services to Greece return to normal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Postal services to Greece return to normal
    Postal services to Greece return to normal
    ******************************************

         ​Hongkong Post announced today (January 24) that, as advised by the postal administration of Greece, mail delivery services previously impacted by a local strike have returned to normal.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 10:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 gazetted
    United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 gazetted
    *************************************************************************************

         ​The Government today (January 24) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.      ​”The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Yemen) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2758 in respect of Yemen,” a Government spokesman said.      The amendments renew the financial sanctions and travel ban.      The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Proposed construction of lift and pedestrian walkway system between Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Proposed construction of lift and pedestrian walkway system between Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road gazetted
    Proposed construction of lift and pedestrian walkway system between Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road gazetted
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Government gazetted today (January 24) the proposed construction of a lift and pedestrian walkway system linking Lau Sin Street and Tin Hau Temple Road, Tin Hau, to provide a convenient, comfortable and barrier-free pedestrian link between Tin Hau Temple Road and the MTR Tin Hau Station as well as the public transport interchange at King’s Road.     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,G/F, Harbour Building,38 Pier Road, Central, Hong KongWan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,G/F, 2 O’Brien Road, Wan Chai, Hong KongDistrict Lands Office, Hong Kong East,19/F, Southorn Centre,130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong     The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:

    By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
    By fax to 2868 4643; or
    By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

         A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than March 25, 2025.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Finds Hopkinsville, Kentucky Man Guilty of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy and Money Laundering

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Paducah, KY – Today, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Hopkinsville, Kentucky, man of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as seven counts of money laundering.

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison, of the USPIS Pittsburgh Division, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd, of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Cincinnati Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department made the announcement.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, Robert Blaine, 46, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture. During that time frame, Blaine wired money to Ochoa as payment for the drugs and in furtherance of the overall conspiracy. Blaine also mailed a box containing $36,960 in U.S. currency to Ochoa that he obtained from proceeds of illegal drug sales. On January 21, 2022, Blaine arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to pick up fentanyl and methamphetamine from Ochoa.  Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville. Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine.     Blaine has numerous prior drug trafficking convictions.

    On July 20, 2023, Roderick Tutt, 36, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Jessica Ochoa, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiring with Blaine to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Ochoa also pled guilty to seven counts of money laundering. Tutt and Ochoa are scheduled for sentencing on March 25, 2025, before a United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.

    Blaine is scheduled for sentencing on May 5, 2025, and remains in federal custody pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, ATF – Louisville Division, and the Hopkinsville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Louisville Field Division, the Tonto Apache Police Department, and the DEA – Phoenix Division.  

    Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Cristy Crockett.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Primary, secondary schools to place greater focus on science

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s top education authority has issued a guideline to enhance science education in primary and secondary schools, emphasizing a more comprehensive curriculum, a stronger teaching workforce and better integration of science education resources.

    The guideline requires each primary school to have at least one science teacher with a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Schools must also appoint at least one vice-principal for science, tasked with leading science lectures, collaborating with teachers, developing courses and supervising student projects.

    STEM scientists and experts from leading universities and research institutions are encouraged to take on these vice-principal roles in primary and middle schools.

    The guideline builds on ongoing efforts to improve science education, including the establishment of 125 national science education experimental zones and 994 experimental schools under construction.

    “Promoting high-quality development in science education requires designing a comprehensive system, training highly qualified science teachers, creating robust education resources and leveraging digital tools to develop open science courses,” Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said at a December conference on science education.

    The document emphasizes strengthening theoretical research on science education through collaboration among universities, research institutes and natural science foundations, as well as fostering international exchanges. Teachers are encouraged to engage in research on science education.

    It also advocates establishing science education and practice bases through partnerships with universities, research institutes, science museums and technology companies. Schools are urged to organize regular extracurricular scientific activities at these locations.

    The guideline promotes a coordinated science curriculum system integrating national, local and school-based content, focusing on critical thinking, scientific exploration, engineering practices, technology and the humanities. Interdisciplinary learning projects combining science education with moral, aesthetic, labor and physical education are recommended.

    Science education is also to be incorporated into after-school activities tailored to students’ knowledge, experiences, cognitive abilities and interests.

    Activities such as nature observation, scientific exploration, engineering practices and project research are suggested to make these services more engaging.

    Education administrators are directed to guide schools in utilizing the Smart Education of China platform, which provides digital learning resources for teachers and students.

    The development and sharing of high-quality digital resources for science education are to be prioritized.

    The guideline also calls for immersive learning environments powered by intelligent technologies such as virtual simulations, computer modeling and data analysis, to enhance teaching models and improve learning assessments.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Toronto ETO celebrates Year of Snake at joint reception with HKTB (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Snake together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on January 23 (Toronto time) in Toronto. Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.

         In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2024.

         “We shone brightly on the world stage,” she said. “Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre. It has risen two places to fifth in world competitiveness, and re-entered the top 10 for talent competitiveness. The city continues to maintain the world’s top position in investment environment, international trade, business legislation, and air freight volume.”

         The International Monetary Fund Executive Board just published a Staff Report today acknowledging Hong Kong’s economic recovery and resilient financial system. The Report recognised that Hong Kong’s economy is on a path of gradual recovery, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status and function as an international financial centre and recognised that Hong Kong’s financial system remains resilient, supported by robust institutional frameworks, ample room for policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System.

         Looking ahead to the Year of the Snake, Ms Mo added that Hong Kong will better leverage its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. The city will continue to be a “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” bridging traditional and emerging markets and creating opportunities for global investors, including Canadian businesses. 

         At the reception, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB, Mr Jorge Lee, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2024 and tourism publicity initiatives in 2025.

         “In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed almost 45 million travellers, with 1.2 million visitors from North America. For our Canada market, over 320,000 Canadians visited Hong Kong last year, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of nearly 50 per cent. We introduced unique offerings centred around iconic events with our trade partners, bringing Canadians closer to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. To our trade partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to and appreciation for their continued collaboration.

         “In the coming years, visitors to Hong Kong can expect a vibrant and evolving destination that seamlessly blends its ‘East-meets-West’ cultural identity with sustainable tourism initiatives. Hong Kong will continue to showcase distinctive experiences by integrating culture, art, sports, nature, and mega events, appealing to diverse interests.”

         This year, the Toronto ETO invited internationally renowned Hong Kong sand artist Hoi Chiu to showcase his skills at the spring reception. Through sand and his exquisite technique, the artist told the traditional story of the Lunar New Year. His performance was a perfect fusion of skill, art, and storytelling, drawing the audience into an engaging narrative world.

         In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia’s world city.

         The Toronto ETO and the HKTB will jointly host a spring reception in Vancouver on January 28, celebrating the Lunar New Year with local guests and friends.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender period extended for electrical and mechanical works and construction of biological treatment building for Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender period extended for electrical and mechanical works and construction of biological treatment building for Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1
    Tender period extended for electrical and mechanical works and construction of biological treatment building for Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (January 24) announced that the tender period for the contract for the Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1 – E&M Works and Biological Treatment Building (Contract No. DE/2024/09) has been extended to noon on March 7.           The DSD invited tenders for the contract on November 29, 2024. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on February 7, 2025.           The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available on the DSD website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html).                The DSD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please contact the company (tel: 3922 9000; fax: 3922 9797; email address: desmond.ng@aecom.com) during office hours.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 11:07

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Pathways for Low-Carbon Transition in Bangladesh 2025–2050

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    This report examines business-as-usual and low-carbon scenarios for Bangladesh at the national level and Dhaka at the city level. It outlines the technologies, efficiency measures, and investment costs associated with the low-carbon transition in the country for 2025¬–2050.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH’s second Maternal and Child Health Centre in North District to commence service on January 27

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Department of Health (DH) announced today (January 24) that the North District Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) will come into operation next Monday (January 27), making it the second MCHC in the district and strengthening health services for children and women.
          
         “The new MCHC will be located on the seventh floor of the North District Community Health Centre Building at 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui. Its service hours are from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month that are not public holidays. Its services include child health service, cervical screening service and postnatal service. The DH has already contacted people who have made appointments for services at the North District MCHC to remind them of the appointment time and the address,” the DH spokesman said.
          
         The DH’s MCHCs provide health promotion and disease prevention services for children from birth to five years and women at or below 64 years of age.
          
         Together with the North District MCHC, there are 29 MCHCs in operation in the 18 districts throughout Hong Kong. For more information, please visit the DH’s website.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Contractors/employers and employees urged to ensure workplace safety before Chinese New Year holidays

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         With Chinese New Year around the corner, the Labour Department has urged contractors, employers and employees to be more vigilant and take adequate safety precautions at workplaces before the holidays.

         A spokesperson for the department said today (January 24) that employers and employees should pay more attention to work safety before the Chinese New Year holidays to prevent accidents.

         The spokesperson said, “As Chinese New Year is coming, employees may become less aware of work safety due to the festive atmosphere or may have to rush to complete work before the holidays. Employers should therefore step up monitoring to ensure workplace safety and eliminate potential hazards through pre-holiday safety inspections, thereby minimising the chance of grave consequences during and after the Chinese New Year holidays. Safety precautions before the holidays include turning off the power for plant and machinery, proper storage of chemicals, stacking materials in an orderly manner, extinguishing naked flames, shutting down gas welding equipment, and securing temporary structures.”

         “Management should remind supervisors and employees not to compromise work safety for tight work schedules, including failure to take adequate safety precautions, failure to follow safety procedures, and failure to use personal protective equipment. Risk assessment should be conducted by competent persons prior to the commencement of different work processes, with safe work method statements formulated and proper monitoring systems in place, especially for work involving high-risk operations, such as working at height, lifting operations, tunnelling work, and electrical work,” the spokesperson added.

         The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

         Meanwhile, employees should co-operate by following safety instructions and using safety equipment.

         For enquiries on occupational safety and health, please contact the department’s occupational safety officers at 2559 2297.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Qualification and programme eligibility – final-year Fees Free

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Only qualifications and programmes at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) are eligible. Eligible qualifications and programmes must be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or Universities New Zealand and funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) from:

    the Delivery at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training Fund (DQ3-7), or
    the Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF Fund (DQ7-10), or
    grants under section 556 of the Education and Training Act 2020 for tertiary provision towards a qualification on the NZQCF at Levels 3 or above.

    Provider-based qualifications
    Eligible provider-based qualifications are TEC-funded and are equal to or greater than 0.5 equivalent full-time students (EFTS).
    Work-based programmes
    Eligible work-based programmes are TEC-funded programmes comprising at least 120 credits.
    Qualifications and programmes that are not eligible for final-year Fees Free
    The following are not eligible for final-year Fees Free:

    School learning programmes and secondary tertiary programmes
    Certificates of proficiency
    Pathway qualifications
    Zero fee programmes
    Programmes where fees are met under another funding arrangement, such as the Youth Guarantee (YG) Fund, Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), or the Refugee English Fund
    Qualifications and programmes at Levels 1 or 2 on the NZQCF
    Provider-based qualifications that are less than 0.5 EFTS, or work-based programmes that are less than 120 credits.

    Pathway qualifications
    Pathway qualifications are qualifications that prepare learners to progress into further study and training by supporting them to meet minimum entry requirements and/or develop the required skills for higher study. For the purposes of final-year Fees Free:

    This includes bridging qualifications, Certificates of University Preparation, Certificates in Study and Employment Pathways, and Level 3 Study and Career Preparation (except when primarily intended for career preparation).
    This does not include qualifications that are used for staircasing, or programmes that comprise part of, or are cross-credited towards a higher qualification.

    Any qualification confirmed as a pathway qualification will be excluded for all learners. The exclusion is not able to take into account individual learner intentions.
    You can view the list of pathway qualifications that are excluded from Fees Free:
    Pathway qualifications (XLSX 15 KB)
    To request to add or remove a qualification from the list of pathway qualifications excluded from Fees Free, contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject: (EDUMIS number) Final-year Fees Free – pathway qualifications. Please briefly outline how the qualification you wish to add/remove from the list does/doesn’t meet the definition of a pathway qualification.
    Qualification completion date
    The date the learner completes their eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme is defined as the date the requirements have been met by the learner to be awarded the qualification. This should align with what is recorded on the learner’s New Zealand Record of Achievement.
    For provider-based study, TEOs will be required to submit the qualification completion date as part of their SDR submission from August 2025.
    TEOs already report work-based programme completion dates to NZQA, which NZQA provide to TEC.
    Qualification and programme eligibility FAQs
    Why must provider-based qualifications comprise at least 0.5 EFTS and work-based programmes at least 120 credits to be eligible?
    Setting a minimum threshold mitigates the risk of learners using their Fees Free entitlement on small pieces of study or training. For example, a learner will not be able to inadvertently consume their entitlement on a very short programme of 0.2 EFTS.
    Setting the eligibility criteria for provider-based qualifications at 0.5 EFTS or greater means that the large number of learners who complete qualifications at this level, and don’t go on to do further study or training, can access final-year Fees Free.
    A work-based programme minimum of 120 credits gives assurance that the training programme has career benefit to the learner. It reduces the risk that learners will use up their Fees Free entitlement on short training programmes directed by (and often entirely paid for by) their employers, or that employers will shift training costs onto learners.
    Why aren’t Level 1 and 2 qualifications covered by Fees Free?
    The Fees Free policy aligns eligibility with student support and government tuition subsidies.
    Foundation programmes and qualifications (at NZQCF Levels 1 and 2) are excluded because provider-based Level 1 and 2 study is already fees-free, and learners shouldn’t have to use their Fees Free entitlement on courses and programmes intended to prepare them for tertiary education at Levels 3 and above.
    Why do programmes and courses have to be recognised and funded to be available for Fees Free?
    Fees Free was designed to help New Zealanders access high-quality tertiary education that provides skills for life and work. When a course or programme is both recognised by the NZQA or Universities New Zealand, and funded by the TEC, it means the course is of a high educational standard.
    Are private training establishment (PTE) courses covered by Fees Free?
    Yes, as long as the provider-based qualification or work-based programme meets the eligibility criteria.
    What happens if a learner is enrolled in two qualifications at the same time?
    For provider-based study, a learner enrolled in two qualifications at the same time will only receive Fees Free on completion of their first qualification. This applies, for example, when a learner is enrolled in a concurrent degree, or is studying towards two qualifications simultaneously. We’ll use the qualification completion date reported by TEOs to determine the first completed qualification.
    For work-based learning, eligibility is based on the learner’s first programme completion (apprenticeship or training programme) rather than the qualifications that make up that programme, many of which will be under the 120-credit minimum.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Historian Dr Toby Boraman announced as 2025 JD Stout Fellow – Vic

    Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    Historian Dr Toby Boraman has been appointed as the 2025 JD Stout Fellow by the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

    As the JD Stout Fellow, Dr Boraman will continue his in-depth research for his upcoming book, provisionally titled Knocking Off: A History of Strikes in Aotearoa New Zealand from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.  

    Dr Boraman says this was the most popular and lengthy period of strike action in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, yet it has been often overlooked.

    “It was a time of profound strike activity, yet it has remained largely unexplored in historical scholarship.

    “This project will explore the extent to which the period under study was a key transitional phase that has profoundly shaped the present. Much like today, it also demonstrates how political polarisation, and right-populism, can develop rapidly in response to major crises and conflict.”

    A specialist in the labour history and social movements of Aotearoa New Zealand, Toby has published numerous articles and chapters on the political and social turbulence of the 1970s and 1980s. He has also worked as a historian at the Waitangi Tribunal and served as a politics lecturer at Massey University. His international experience includes a fellowship at the re:work International Research Centre studying the global history of work at Humboldt University in Germany.

    His research aims to uncover the hidden history of strikes, amplifying voices that have long been excluded—Māori workers, migrant Pasifika workers, women workers, and rank-and-file unionists—while offering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional history of workplace conflict, combining critical analysis of the causes, reactions, lasting impacts, and contested legacies of these disputes.

    “This research project will close a significant gap in our knowledge of the period in question. I am very much looking forward to hosting Toby at the centre,” says Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich, Director of the Stout Research Centre.

    The JD Stout Fellowship is funded from the legacy of John David Stout and stewarded by Perpetual Guardian. It awards a scholar of high standing the opportunity to research an area of New Zealand society, history, or culture.  

    The Fellowship, which was established in 1985, has resulted in a body of influential publications in the field of New Zealand studies.

    Dr Boraman will take up the Fellowship on 1 March 2025.

    Learn more about the Fellowship on the Stout Research Centre’s website: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/research-opportunities/the-john-david-stout-fellowship-in-new-zealand-studies/jd-stout-info

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: COMLOG WESTPAC Sailors take E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam. [Image 4 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (Jan. 16, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Bowman, attached to Motor Vessel Carolyn Chouest, participates in the E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam at Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 16, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in Naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings/Released)

    Date Taken: 01.16.2025
    Date Posted: 01.21.2025 03:35
    Photo ID: 8836748
    VIRIN: 250116-N-YV347-1036
    Resolution: 8256×5504
    Size: 6.73 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 11
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, COMLOG WESTPAC Sailors take E-7 Navy-wide advancement exam. [Image 5 of 5], by PO2 Jordan Jennings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Chief of Staff, NAVELSG Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, January 23, 2025 [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (Jan. 23, 2025) Capt. James Bach, left of center, Chief of Staff, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, delivers a command capabilities brief to staff and personnel assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/ Task Force 73 (COMLOGWESTPAC/CTF 73), during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, Jan. 23, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 01.23.2025
    Date Posted: 01.23.2025 22:49
    Photo ID: 8840610
    VIRIN: 250123-N-ED646-1007
    Resolution: 8256×5504
    Size: 4.11 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 1
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Chief of Staff, NAVELSG Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, January 23, 2025 [Image 3 of 3], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 23, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,43,213.23 6.56 5.00-6.95
         I. Call Money 10,718.40 6.57 5.10-6.70
         II. Triparty Repo 3,81,865.60 6.54 6.22-6.64
         III. Market Repo 1,49,466.53 6.61 5.00-6.85
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,162.70 6.91 6.90-6.95
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 146.40 6.41 5.95-6.75
         II. Term Money@@ 624.00 – 6.50-7.50
         III. Triparty Repo 750.00 6.56 6.55-6.60
         IV. Market Repo 3,048.63 6.62 6.60-6.80
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Thu, 23/01/2025 1 Fri, 24/01/2025 1,25,015.00 6.52
      Thu, 23/01/2025 1 Fri, 24/01/2025 20,668.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 23/01/2025 1 Fri, 24/01/2025 2,831.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 23/01/2025 1 Fri, 24/01/2025 67,458.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       81,056.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 10/01/2025 14 Fri, 24/01/2025 2,25,006.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.48  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     2,34,562.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,15,618.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 23, 2025 8,92,467.19  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending January 24, 2025 9,10,251.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ January 23, 2025 1,45,683.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on December 27, 2024 64,350.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1990

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Native oyster and other shellfish recovery rests with robust reef restoration – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    When you slurp an exotic Pacific oyster or throw fresh seafood on the BBQ this weekend, spare a thought for our local shellfish reefs – most of which have been destroyed or forgotten.

    Coastal management and reef restoration has never been more important with shellfish reefs among the most impacted coastal ecosystems, warn Flinders University marine biology experts.

    “As we approach the middle of the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, shellfish ecosystems have suffered enormous declines worldwide, including losses of up to 85% of oyster reefs, and South Australia is no exception,” says Brad Martin, from the College of Science and Engineering, in a new article in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management.

    The new research, led by Flinders PhD candidate Brad Martin, trawled through historical and archival records tracking centuries of South Australia’s shellfish management, reviving new information on past reef ecosystems and management practices.

    “This research offers a multi-species approach to guide shellfish reef restoration today,” says Mr Martin.

    “Successful conservation requires robust knowledge of ecosystem characteristics and the environmental stressors, to inform better coastal management, restoration targets and important community and other stakeholder support. Efforts to restore shellfish reefs have increased due to growing awareness of their loss and ecological importance.”

    Flinders researchers analysed data from the state’s libraries, archives and newspaper articles that described South Australia’s flat oyster (Ostrea angasi), razor clam (Pinna bicolor), and hammer oyster (Malleus meridianus) reefs.

    Oysters are classified as filter feeders that remove plankton and other organic particles from marine systems. As a result, shellfish reef losses have had significant outcomes for documented marine life and negative socio-economic impacts to coastal fisheries and communities.

    More than 140 shellfish reef locations were identified, which covered about 2630 square kilometres of the state’s coastal waters – including approximately 887 sq km of former native oyster reefs, and temperate coral oyster reefs. Most of these shellfish reefs no longer exist today.

    Commercial wild oyster harvesting commenced in the 1840s, and more than 43 million oysters were consumed by the 1910s, based on historic shipping and landing records. The high demand and potential declines motivated South Australia’s earliest fisheries legislation (in 1853) and marine restoration efforts, including fishery closures (est. 1875), shellfish translocation (est. 1887), and marine reserves (est. 1912).

    “We found successful, large-scale oyster reef restoration historically occurred in Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island in the 1910s, and community awareness of the impacts of shellfish reef loss to local fisheries and other marine life including snapper and whiting. These provide important case studies for future restoration efforts.”

    Community research and restoration efforts in SA include the Port River shellfish reef restoration with OzFish Unlimited, Flinders University Citizen Science Reef on Kangaroo Island and the Coffin Bay citizen science oyster reef project, which supports production of the native oyster and razorfish for future generations.

    The public is also encouraged to report records of existing shellfish ecosystems via citizen science programs such as iNaturalist or the Atlas of Living Australia.

    The historical records indicate that shellfish reefs, of multiple ecosystem-forming bivalves, ultimately diminished over the past 200 years or so due to cumulative impacts of destructive benthic fishing practices, changes in marine resource management and environmental stressors, such as droughts, runaway predation and disease, despite multiple legislative and restoration attempts to reverse the declines.

    “Past records indicate that razor clams or ‘razorfish’ (Pinna bicolor) were foundational to establishing multi-species shellfish reefs in South Australia by providing natural settlement surfaces for oysters,” adds Mr Martin.

    “While razor clams and hammer oyster ecosystems can still be found today, the data demonstrates that these ecosystems are understudied and diminished. Future studies may unlock additional restoration opportunities to revive South Australia’s native shellfish.”

    Flinders marine biologist Dr Ryan Baring, a senior author on the paper, says: “There is a bias towards commercially popular species compared to the distribution and conservation status of our ‘less loved’ shellfish ecosystems, particularly razor clams, hammer oysters and native mussels, which co-occur in these reefs.

    “By reconstructing past shellfish reef distributions and socio-cultural connections, this review identifies evidence-based opportunities and key knowledge gaps to guide future research and management efforts,” says Dr Baring.

    The article, ‘Reviving shellfish reef socio-ecological histories for modern management and restoration’ (2025) by Brad Martin, Charlie Huveneers, Simon Reeves (The Nature Conservancy Australia) and Ryan Baring has been published in Ocean and Coastal Management (Elsevier) DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107540.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her: Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:56AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today, on National Girl Child Day, reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her.

    In a thread post on X, Shri Modi wrote:

    “Today, on National Girl Child Day, we reiterate our commitment to keep empowering the girl child and ensure a wide range of opportunities for her. India is proud of the accomplishments of the girl child across all fields. Their feats continue to inspire us all.”

    “Our Government has focused on sectors like education, technology, skills, healthcare etc which have contributed to empowering the girl child. We are equally resolute in ensuring no discrimination happens against the girl child.”

     

     

    ***

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    (Release ID: 2095662) Visitor Counter : 61

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: SA Police to conduct three road safety operations during Australia Day long weekend

    Source: South Australia Police

    South Australia Police will conduct three road safety operations during the Australia Day long weekend, bringing a strong police presence focused on targeting road safety offences statewide.

    Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge Superintendent Shane Johnson warns road users not to take risks on the road.

    “Police will have a strong presence across South Australia with Operation Safe Long weekend, Operation Safe Hills and Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive,” said Superintendent Johnson.

    “The Australia Day long weekend has historically marked a busy season on South Australian roads with people commuting for holidays and traveling to events.

    “In addition, the Tour Down Under is still attracting an increased number of cyclists on the roads.

    “Our long weekend operations will cover proactive detection activities for drink and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving and illegal mobile phone use, non-use of seatbelts and dangerous driving.

    “Drivers should share the road with cyclists safely by checking blind spots frequently, signal clearly and early, respect bike lanes and maintain a safe distance from cyclists.

    “Road safety offenders risk heavy penalties, but more importantly, they risk the loss of life or serious injury – a lasting tragedy for the families and communities left behind. It’s imperative we do our part to keep roads safe for ourselves and others.”

    During the 2024 Australia Day long weekend there was one life lost and 14 serious injuries.

    Visit SA Police website for long weekend safety tips:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Visible police presence for Australia Day

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police will have a strong presence in the city on Sunday to ensure community safety as six major events coincide.

    Police have been working with event organisers within the Adelaide CBD with the bulk of events taking place between Elder Park, King William Road and Victoria Square.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said tens of thousands of people are expected in the city throughout the day.

    “Police will have additional resources to ensure public safety and the capacity to boost numbers if needed,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “Everyone has the right to participate in these activities safely and police will have a highly visible presence in all parts of the city and North Adelaide to ensure this occurs.

    “While SAPOL supports the right for peaceful protest and freedom of expression, police will have zero tolerance for anti-social, racist or violent behaviour.

    “For those events which have not been planned in conjunction with police, any inflammatory conduct or criminal offending will be dealt with quickly to ensure public safety.”

    Starting the day with a Morning of Mourning at Elder Park from 7:30am the Women’s Tour Down Under (TDU) race will kick off nearby on King William Road at 10am. Survival Day 2025 events will be held at Victoria Square, with a march down King William Street at 11 and events continuing at the Square. The Men’s TDU will be held from 1:30pm and Aus Lights on the River, including the Respecting Country Parade will begin at 5pm.

    “Many of the events will occur in the Declared Public Precinct, meaning police can conduct a metal detector search of a person and any property in their possession for the presence of weapons,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    Police also have the power to:

    • carry out general drug detection in relation to any person within the precinct,
    • order a person or group posing a risk to public safety to leave the declared public precinct
    • ban a person who commits an offence of a kind that may pose a risk to public safety and order or behaves in an offensive or disorderly manner within the precinct (for up to 24 hours).
    • remove children from the declared public precinct who are in danger of physical harm or abuse, behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner, or otherwise committing or about to commit an offence.

    Road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, so motorists are encouraged to check www.traffic.sa.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING

    Source: Australian Education Union

    Prime Minister Albanese has today delivered an historic commitment for full funding of Australia’s public schools.

    Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the AEU welcomes the announcement that the Commonwealth Government will lift their commitment to a full 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2034, with states expected to get rid of the 4% accounting trick brought in by the Morrison Government in 2018.

    The Albanese and Malinauskus Governments have today signed the first heads of agreement under the new offer, providing $1 billion in additional funding for South Australian public schools.

    The Prime Minister also announced an agreement has been signed with the Allan Government for Victorian public schools.

    “This heralds a major breakthrough on full and fair funding negotiations for public schools,” Ms Haythorpe said.

    “With the signing of these agreements, public schools in South Australia will see guaranteed funding increases every year, allowing them to employ more teachers, more education support staff and to provide more help for those students who need it.”

    “That is lifechanging for students and for the teachers and support staff who give 100% every day.”

    “Teachers, students and parents will finally see their public schools funded to the level needed for every child to reach their potential.”

    AEUSA President Jennie Marie Gorman welcomed today’s announcement, and the benefits it will bring to South Australian teachers and students.

    “As a former principal, I know the realities facing schools everyday and I understand the value of what this funding deal will bring for schools across our state. For students who need support with their learning, for teachers who need resources to address escalating workloads and to provide high quality learning programs, this announcement will be welcome news indeed,” Ms Gorman said.

    AEUVIC President Justin Mullaly said the Victoria agreement will see teachers and students better resourced in public schools.

    “Additional Commonwealth funding for Victorian public schools means dedicated and hardworking teachers, Education Support staff, and principals will have more of the resources they need to better meet the learning and wellbeing needs of all students,” Mr Mullaly said.

    “The commitment to increase funding means it will be easier to attract and retain school staff and better address teacher shortages. Public schools will be able to employ extra teachers and ES so that every student gets more of the individual support they need and that school staff workloads can be managed.”

    This announcement ends the practice of states artificially inflating their SRS share by 4% through the inclusion of non-school spending and sets a precedent that must be followed in new agreements in every state and the NT.

    “Today’s announcement provides all state governments the opportunity to ensure that public schools are genuinely on the pathway to 100% SRS funding. We urge all state governments to finish negotiations and deliver full funding for their public school communities. Further delay means that public schools will be denied the vital resources that they need to deliver high quality teaching and learning programs,” Ms Haythorpe said.

    “We welcome South Australia and Victoria signing on to this historic agreement and look forward to the other states signing. We call on the states not to delay.”

    “Teachers know the importance of this funding, and the need for it to be rolled out as quickly as possible because of the difference it will make in classrooms, and parents understand the importance of teachers being supported to do their jobs well,” Ms Haythorpe said.

    The AEU now calls on all political parties to support this full funding, for the future of Australian public schools.

    “With a federal election looming, all political parties must back the Albanese Government’s offer in. Further, the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton must give an iron clad guarantee to public school communities that he will honour all school funding bilateral agreements in full should he become Prime Minister in any future election,” Ms Haythorpe said.

    “Australia’s students cannot afford further delays in negotiations. It is time to get the deals done so that public schools have certainty.”

    ENDS

    MEDIA CONTACT:

    Kylie Jensen – 0402 298 728

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suspect Wanted on Double Homicide and Failure to Appear on Drug Charges Arrested in New York City

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Martinsburg, WV – On June 5, 2024, a warrant was issued out of Berkeley County for Manuel Ernest Watson Gordon,33, of Hagerstown, Maryland. The warrant charged Watson Gordon with failure to appear on charges of distribution of Fentanyl and Cocaine.

    The charges were a result of an undercover purchase of narcotics in September of 2023 conducted by the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

    On July 26, 2024, the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force in apprehending Watson Gordon. Investigators quickly learned Watson Gordon was wanted by the Hagerstown Police Department in Maryland for a double homicide. The charges stem from a shooting on Washington Street in July of 2024.

    The task force searched for Watson Gordon in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. At the end of 2024, information was developed Watson Gordon may have returned to New York where his family was originally from. The USMS requested the assistance of the Marshals Service New York and New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force to help locate Manuel Watson Gordon.

    On January 23, 2025, members of the task force located and arrested Manuel Watson Gordon in the unit block of Main Street, Yonkers, New York without incident.

    “Federal, and local law enforcement agencies in West Virginia, Maryland and New York working together were able to develop a location for this violent offender,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Terry Moore. “This arrest is a great example of how the Marshals Service’s partnerships with state and local agencies give these fugitives no place to hide.”

    Agencies involved in the search for Watson Gordon were: U.S. Marshals Service, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Hagerstown Police Department, Martinsburg Police Department, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

    Watson Gordon is currently being held in Yonkers, New York and will be extradited to West Virginia and Maryland. Additional information on this case may be obtained from the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office in Martinsburg, West Virginia, or the Hagerstown Police Department in Maryland.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump has called time on working from home. Here’s why the world shouldn’t mindlessly follow

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Richardson, Professor of Human Resource Management, Head of School of Management, Curtin University

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump has called time on working from home. An executive order signed on the first day of his presidency this week requires all federal government departments and agencies to:

    take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person.

    There are a few different models of working from home. Strictly speaking, remote work is where employees work from an alternative location (typically their home) on a permanent basis and are not required to report to their office.

    This is distinct from “telework”, a hybrid model whereby employees work from home an agreed number of days each week. But it’s clear Trump wants to end telework too.

    Under guidelines released on Wednesday, federal agencies were given until 5pm local time on 24 January to update their telework policies to require all employees back in the office full-time within 30 days.

    Obviously, Trump can’t end working from home for everyone. Private organisations are allowed to set their own policies. But the US government is a seriously big employer, with more than 3 million employees.

    According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), about 10% of federal workers are fully remote. The impact of this order will be far-reaching.

    Trump abruptly pulls the rug

    The work-from-home movement was a profound global shift, brought on by the COVID pandemic. We’ve been living with it for five years.

    Federal workers who have been working remotely for an extended period are likely to have made significant life decisions based on their flexible working arrangements.

    Flexible working arrangements have been mainstream for years, influencing key life decisions for many people.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    It may have influenced where they bought a house, what school their children attend, and what their spouse or partner does for work.

    Trump’s order is likely to have a dramatic ripple effect on workers’ families and other life arrangements and responsibilities.

    True, federal heads of department and managers and supervisors will be allowed to make some exceptions – including for a disability, medical condition or other “compelling reason”.

    But the message is clear. What has been a growing but informal trend among some employers worldwide to “bring employees back into the office” is now being incorporated into US government policy.

    Why the backlash?

    Trump’s executive order reflects longstanding concerns among some employers and managers who think it is simply better to have employees in the office.

    They argue, among other things, that in-office work makes it easier to keep a close eye on performance, and supports more face-to-face collaboration. It also makes better use of often very expensive real estate.

    Amazon recently ordered all of its staff back into the office five days a week. Other surveys suggest many employers are planning a crackdown this year.

    City planners and businesses have also lamented the impact of remote and flexible working on restaurants, dry cleaners and coffee shops that rely on trade from commuters.

    What might be lost?

    Some employees may actually welcome the return to the office, particularly those who prefer more social interaction and want to make themselves more visible.

    Visibility is often linked with more promotion and career development opportunities.

    Others will find the change jarring, and may lose a range of benefits they’ve grown used to.

    A 2023 report by policy think tank EconPol Europe found working from home had become most prevalent in English-speaking countries.

    It suggested strong support, saying:

    the majority of workers highly value the opportunity to work from home for a portion of their work week, with some placing significant importance on it.

    Many also wanted to work more days from home than their employers were willing to allow.

    A recent analysis by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) found that working from home had significantly increased workforce participation for two key groups: working mums and people with a disability or health condition.

    Many employees now prioritise flexible work arrangements, and some are willing to sacrifice part of their salary for the privilege.

    Work-from-home arrangements also offer individuals living in remote communities access to employment. That benefit goes two ways, allowing employers to tap into a bigger talent pool.

    Will Australia follow?

    Trump’s executive order could have big, immediate impacts on federal workers in the US, but it’s unclear whether there’ll be domino effects here. It would be unwise for the Australian government or major employers to adopt a blanket approach.

    Indeed, some multinational US firms with offices in Australia may get caught up in Trump’s return-to-office movement.

    In the short term, this forced change is unlikely to make its way to Australia. While social trends do travel between regions, each country has its own employment laws, customs and trends.

    Researchers have shown it can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to transfer human resource practices between countries
    and across cultures.

    Australia’s geography may be a factor on remote work’s side. A complete ban would immediately have a negative impact on employment opportunities for talented workers in the regions.

    The key message for Australian employers and policy-makers is that the benefits of remote work aren’t just for employees.

    It can enhance an organisation’s performance, widening the talent pool to include not only those who live far away from the office, but also talented workers who may otherwise be excluded.

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

    – ref. Trump has called time on working from home. Here’s why the world shouldn’t mindlessly follow – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-called-time-on-working-from-home-heres-why-the-world-shouldnt-mindlessly-follow-248036

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Tenney Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation Allowing Pregnant Mothers to Receive Child Support

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here for audio.***
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pro-life members of Congress like U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have long recognized the importance of providing additional support for pregnant mothers. In recent sessions of Congress, Cramer has co-sponsored legislation to expand child support payments for expectant mothers, implement tax credits, and create a clearinghouse for pregnancy and post-partum resources.
    In honor of the annual March for Life in Washington, Cramer and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) reintroduced the Unborn Child Support Act in support of mothers-to-be and their children. Cramer is a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and received an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony List for voting “consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants.”
    The Unborn Child Support Act allows pregnant women to receive child support payments. It recognizes the needs of mothers and allows them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Specifically, the judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.
    “I believe life begins at conception and therefore, our duty to care for mothers also begins at conception,” said Cramer. “What our bill does, is empowers moms to simply seek prenatal child support and rightly puts the financial obligation on fathers to help provide for their unborn children. We should encourage motherhood and fully support them along the way.”
    “By enabling child support to begin at conception, we empower mothers with financial assistance while respecting their freedom to make the best choices for themselves and their unborn children,” said Tenney. “The Unborn Child Support Act emphasizes the value of life from the very beginning of pregnancy and provides vital support to mothers. If a mother chooses to seek prenatal child support, we must ensure she and her unborn child receive the resources and assistance they deserve.”
    Additional cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
    The Unborn Child Support Act is endorsed by several organizations, including Concerned Women for America, March for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), CatholicVote, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life, Christians Engaged, and National Association of Pro-Life Nurses.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Bags Bureaucrat Swag

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – After a recent report estimated that Washington spends more than $1.8 billion annually on “advertising” and millions more on mascots, trinkets, and trash, U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is introducing the Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government (SWAG) Act to end unnecessary spending on government propaganda, taxpayer-funded trinkets, and mascots.
    Senator Ernst found taxpayer funds being spent on creepy bug mascots for the Department of Agriculture, graphic novels for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coloring books featuring bird-watching ICE agents at DHS, and much more.
    “You might mistake Washington for a very expensive kid’s birthday party, with federal employees playing dress up, appearing as mascots, and making coloring books,” said Ernst. “I am going to crash the party and bag this costly swag. Misbehaving bureaucrats need to stop wasting tax dollars trying to refurbish their bad reputation, and focus on serving the American people.”
    Congressman Michael Cloud (R-Texas) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “The American people demand a better return on their investment from the federal government than frivolous spending on self-promotion and propaganda,” said Cloud. “They expect transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a government focused on delivering results.  Especially as so many families are working to make ends meet, DC agencies should not squander the People’s money on mascots, trinkets, and giveaways. The SWAG Act will ensure taxpayer dollars are no longer spent on these wasteful gimmicks.”
    Click here to view the bill.
    Background:
    As chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, Senator Ernst unveiled a $2 trillion plan, featuring the SWAG Act, to cut down federal spending, save taxpayer dollars, and downsize the government – in addition to her telework reportthat exposed an absent federal workforce.
    Her playbook has already racked up a win with the announcement of the sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen building, a 1.2 million square foot monument to waste, where just 72 of 3,341 workers were showing up to work.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCSD opens application for relaxation of entry restrictions at licensed billiard establishments starting February 25

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCSD opens application for relaxation of entry restrictions at licensed billiard establishments starting February 25
    LCSD opens application for relaxation of entry restrictions at licensed billiard establishments starting February 25
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (January 24) that applications will be welcome from licensed billiard establishments which meet relevant requirements for relaxing the entry restrictions for youth, so as to facilitate more young people to access billiard sports and promote its development in Hong Kong. The measures include lowering the minimum age limit from 16 to 8 years; relaxing the restriction of entry hours for young patrons from the current 8pm to 10am to a new timeframe of 11pm to 7am; and permitting persons in school uniforms to enter licensed billiard establishments. Applications can be made starting from February 25.     In response to views received on promoting local billiard sports development, the LCSD set up a working group in February 2024 to explore suitable measures. Based on the discussion of the working group, the LCSD will relax the above restrictions for licensed billiard establishments that meet relevant requirements in accordance with the existing provisions of the Places of Amusement Regulation (Cap. 132BA). The LCSD will duly process applications received, and factors to be considered include the billiard establishments’ operational situation, the surrounding environment, facilities and activities within the premises, etc. The LCSD will review the effectiveness in a timely manner.     For further inquiries, please contact the Licensing and Prosecution Unit of the LCSD at 2601 8799 or via email at lpu@lcsd.gov.hk.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 12:16

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –