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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister unveils game changing investment to tackle national security threat from people smuggling gangs

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The Prime Minister is set to announce an additional £75 million to boost border security, bringing the investment in the Border Security Command over the next two years to £150 million.

    • PM to outline major investments to smash criminal smuggling gangs at INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow
    • New capabilities for Border Security Command from £150 million funding pot to drive down Organised Immigration Crime both at home and overseas 
    • New additional funding will cover state-of-the-art tech and information centres, boosts to enforcement and intelligence resourcing and expanding CPS capacity

    The Prime Minister is set to announce an additional £75 million to boost border security, bringing the investment in the Border Security Command over the next two years to £150 million. 

    Marking the first time the INTERPOL General Assembly has been hosted in the UK in over 50 years, Keir Starmer will today (4 November) open the Assembly in Glasgow by setting out his personal mission to smash the people smuggling gangs by resetting the UK’s whole approach to this challenge and intensifying international collaboration to meet the global scale of the threat.

    The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body and comprises senior ministerial and policing leads from the organisation’s 196 member states. 

    In his speech, the Prime Minister will set out his plans to draw on his experience of bringing together agencies to tackle international terrorist and drug smuggling gangs during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions to dismantle the people smuggling gangs who drive illegal migration, profit from human misery and represent a serious threat to global security. 

    He will also set out how the £150 million will provide additional specialist investigators and state of the art surveillance equipment to ensure those behind this criminal activity are stopped and brought to justice. 

    This major funding boost for the government’s new Border Security Command will initially be directed towards a range of enforcement and intelligence activity, including:

    • Investing heavily in NCA technology and capabilities, delivering advanced data exploitation and improvements to technologies to boost collaboration with European partners to investigate and break people smuggling networks.
    • 300 staff for the new Border Security Command, who will strengthen global partnerships, deliver new legislation and lead the system through investment and strategy.
    • 100 specialist investigators and intelligence officers for the NCA, dedicated to tackling criminals who facilitate people smuggling. 

    • Creating a new specialist OIC Intelligence Source Unit which will cohere intelligence flows from key police forces. 

    • Boosting the Crown Prosecution Service’s ability to deliver charging decisions more quickly on international organised crime cases. 

    The Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt CBE QPM, will be provided with enhanced powers – through a new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill – to tackle organised immigration crime whilst providing for strong and effective border security. 

    New measures will make it easier to detect, disrupt and deter those seeking to engage in and benefit from organised immigration crime. The Command will also coordinate the work of intelligence agencies and law enforcement, who lead joint investigations with European counterparts to ensure we can bring those responsible to justice.

    Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to say:

    “The world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge.  I was elected to deliver security for the British people. And strong borders are a part of that. But security doesn’t stop at our borders.  

    “There’s nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women and children die in the Channel.

    “This is a vile trade that must be stamped out – wherever it thrives. So we’re taking our approach to counter-terrorism – which we know works, and applying it to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command. 

    “We’re ending the fragmentation between policing, Border Force and our intelligence agencies.”

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

    “Criminal smuggler gangs profit from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk and they have been getting away with it for far too long.

    “Our new Border Security Command, with the investment set out today, will mean a huge step change in the way we target these criminal gangs. People smugglers and traffickers operate in networks across borders, that’s why we have launched a major boost to our cooperation with international partners including other European countries, the G7 and Europol, and why we are so pleased to be hosting the INTERPOL conference on tackling international crime in Glasgow today.”

    The Prime Minister will also announce that the UK Government has increased its in-year support for INTERPOL’s global operations through a £6 million investment which harnesses the organisation’s unique capabilities to tackle serious organised crime affecting the UK. 

    Addressing the General Assembly, the Prime Minister will say that closer cooperation with international partners is key as he details how the gangs’ operations span from the money markets in Kabul through to the Kurdish region of Iraq and right across Europe and into the UK. 

    He will stress the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening security agreements to facilitate greater sharing of intelligence and more joint operational work, in particular through Europol. 

    The Home Office will also invest £24m in the new financial year to tackle international serious organised crime affecting the UK including drugs and firearms, fraud, trafficking and exploitation. Funds will in part be used to bolster work done by special prosecutors and operational partners in the Western Balkans.

    There were more than 5,000 drug related deaths in 2023, with most of the illegal drugs causing these coming from overseas or facilitated by transnational gangs. ISOC funding will also be used to tackle drug smuggling upstream and at the UK border, building on recent successes, such as the effective collaboration with the US and Ecuador, which has resulted in the seizure of 19 tonnes of cocaine.

    National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar said:

    “Serious and organised crime causes more harm, to more people, more often than any other national security threat. And almost all of serious and organised crime now has an international nexus. Distance, borders and languages are meaningless to criminals. This is why collaborations with INTERPOL have never been as important as they are today.

    “Tackling organised crime, and especially immigration crime, remains a top priority for the NCA. We are currently leading around 70 investigations into the gangs or individuals involved in the highest echelons of this type of criminality, and we are devoting more resources to it than ever before.

    “We have built up our intelligence sharing effort with law enforcement partners across Europe and beyond, including having more NCA officers based overseas, sharing intelligence and working side by side on joint investigations. This approach is bringing operational results with arrests and prosecutions, but we are also we are seeking to disrupt the people smugglers’ business model, through targeting their social media offering, their supply routes for equipment, and their financial flows.

    “We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks, wherever they operate.”

    The announcement comes just a month after Britain joined up to a new G7 anti migrant smuggling action plan which included pledges to bolster border security, combat transnational organised crime, and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation by smugglers. 

    The plan includes new, intelligence-led joint investigative actions to target criminal smuggling routes, working with social media platforms and internet providers to remove harmful content promoting illegal migration services or advertising fake job opportunities, and strengthening capabilities to monitor and anticipate irregular migration flows at both global and regional levels.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese astronauts return to Earth safely, experiencing busy, joyful space life

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

    In this combo photo, astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu (from L to R) are out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. The three astronauts are all in good physical condition, and the mission is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency. [Photo/Xinhua]

    JIUQUAN, Nov. 4 — The Shenzhou-18 crew consisting of three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth safely in the early morning on Monday, after completing a six-month space station mission.

    Shenzhou-18’s return capsule, carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 1:24 a.m. (Beijing Time). The crew had all left the return capsule by 2:15 a.m., according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

    The three astronauts, after staying in orbit for 192 days, were all in good health and the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was a success, the CMSA said.

    Ye, the Shenzhou-18 mission commander, has become the first Chinese astronaut with an accumulative spaceflight time of more than a year, setting a new record for the longest duration of stay in orbit by a Chinese astronaut.

    He served as a crew member in the Shenzhou-13 mission from October 2021 to April 2022.

    “Chinese astronauts have flown to space in successive missions. I believe that the record of the duration in orbit will be broken in the near future,” Ye said.

    Li Cong, who has just completed his first-ever space adventure, said that the crew was united as one and worked closely with the ground team, which ensured the extravehicular activities implemented smoothly and the scientific research and experiments advanced successfully.

    “We have all enjoyed the unique experience of weightlessness. It is exciting to return to Earth, but we are also unwilling to part the wonders of the space,” said Li Guangsu, who has just returned from his first spaceflight.

    At 12:34 a.m., the Beijing Aerospace Control Center issued a return command through the ground station, and the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship separated from its orbiting capsule. The brake engine then ignited, and the return capsule separated from the propulsion capsule.

    The ground search team arrived at the landing site soon after the return capsule landed.

    INTENSIVE SCIENTIFIC TASKS

    China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship on April 25, 2024. During the mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew utilized the scientific experiment cabinets and extravehicular payloads to carry out dozens of experiments in the fields of basic physics in microgravity, space material science, space life science, space medicine and space technology.

    They replaced the burner for the gas experiment in the combustion experiment cabinet and test samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet as planned. They also conducted in-orbit training on spacecraft rendezvous and docking.

    The Shenzhou-18 astronauts carried out extravehicular activities twice. Their first spacewalk in May set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts.

    Assisted by the space station’s robotic arm and a team on Earth, they worked for about eight-and-a-half hours during their first extravehicular activities, and completed multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices.

    The crew also carried out emergency decision-making research. By utilizing the computer and corresponding software, they completed a series of assessments, including tests on basic cognitive ability, risk perception, decision-making style, as well as comprehensive decision-making tasks.

    The ground personnel then used the test results to thoroughly evaluate the astronauts’ emergency decision-making ability in orbit and study the influence of the factors such as the duration of stay in orbit, emotional state and workload on their ability.

    During the mission, the crew also conducted regular medical check-ups as required, including routine examinations and dynamic monitoring of the heart rate and blood pressure. These procedures helped comprehensively monitor the astronauts’ physical state.

    JOYFUL SPACE JOURNEY

    During their space adventure, the Shenzhou-18 trio also experienced some special joy brought by the space “aquarium” and “garden” in the Tiangong space station.

    The three astronauts created a space “aquarium” using zebrafish and algae to study how the space environment affects their growth and system balance. It was also a breakthrough in the field of raising vertebrates in space.

    The astronauts discovered that zebrafish exhibited abnormal orientation behaviors in microgravity, such as upside-down swimming, spinning and circling.

    Scientists will later utilize the returned water samples, fish eggs and other specimens, in conjunction with videos of the zebrafish’s spatial movement behaviors, to conduct research on the impact of the space environment on the growth, development and behavior of vertebrates and to provide support for the study of material cycling in a closed space ecosystem.

    The Shenzhou-18 astronauts were also busy cultivating plants in the “space garden” during their stay in orbit.

    According to a video clip released by the CMSA, astronaut Li Guangsu said that they grew two types of plants — cherry tomatoes and lettuce — and they had harvested some lettuce leaves for food.

    “Being able to eat fresh vegetables in space is truly a blessing. These green plants have also brought a touch of green and good cheer to our busy work,” Li said.

    Planting in space could also help analyze the changes in the function and gene expression of plant stem cells in the microgravity environment, and provide theoretical support for designing crops that can adapt to outer-space conditions.

    Before their return to Earth, the Shenzhou-18 crew completed the removal of some module plants, replenishing water and other operations for the “space garden,” in preparation for the new batch of plant seeds brought into space by the Shenzhou-19 astronauts.

    They also planted a new batch of lettuce for the Shenzhou-19 crew, who were lifted off aboard the Shenzhou-19 spaceship and entered the Tiangong space station on Oct. 30.

    In 2025, China’s manned space program will launch the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crewed missions, and the Tianzhou-9 cargo craft for in-orbit supplies, the CMSA said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier stresses strengthening vocational education, nurturing skilled workers

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

    Chinese premier stresses strengthening vocational education, nurturing skilled workers

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the WorldSkills Museum in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2024. Li made the trip to Shanghai to research the city’s work on vocational education and cultivation of skilled workers on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    SHANGHAI, Nov. 4 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday urged efforts to strengthen vocational education and nurture skilled workers in order to meet the needs of the country’s economic and social development.

    During a trip to Shanghai to research the city’s work on vocational education and cultivation of skilled workers, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that fostering more high-caliber skilled workers will provide solid support for high-quality development and high-quality life.

    When visiting the Shanghai Nanhu Vocational & Technical College, Li said that it is necessary to deepen the integration of industry and education as well as the cooperation between colleges and enterprises, optimize the setting of college disciplines and majors based on the needs of the society and industries’ actual development and strengthen hands-on skill practice, adding that more skilled teachers are needed to innovate the models and methods of teaching.

    Noting that there are ever-growing demands for elderly care, childcare and medical care, Li urged efforts to strengthen the training of skilled workers in the related fields.

    When visiting the WorldSkills Museum, Li said governments at all levels should continue to refine support policies for the cultivation of skilled workers by strengthening institutional innovation and investment.

    Efforts should also be made to improve the systems of development planning and services for skilled workers with a view to broadening their development channels and enhancing their incomes, Li addeed.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the Shanghai Nanhu Vocational & Technical College in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2024. Li made the trip to Shanghai to research the city’s work on vocational education and cultivation of skilled workers on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth interviewed on Newschat on Today Show

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: Qantas flight upgrades; Airline duopoly; Cost of living; Education; Fee-free TAFE.

    SARAH ABO, HOST: Welcome back. Well, more now on the Qantas scandal that’s dominated political headlines in the past week, despite the Government’s attempts to handball it. The competitor airline Virgin now claiming more than 90 per cent of flights for politicians are with Qantas, despite the requirement to choose the cheapest fare. Joining us to discuss today’s headlines is Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth from Canberra and Jacqui Felgate from right here in Melbourne. Good to see you, Jacqui. Amanda, I’ll start with you. So, last time you were on the show, you were less than convincing when it came to your flight upgrades. Have you, as Bridget McKenzie did, find any additional flights that weren’t declared?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Look, I have absolutely declared everything is on my register. And as I said last week, I have not had the opportunity to fly many places on holiday because I’ve got two young children. So, look, everything I have declared appropriately on my register.

    SARAH ABO: Jason Clare yesterday said that he has made a personal call to Qantas to ask for an upgrade. Have you done the same?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: I haven’t made a personal call to Qantas for an upgrade, but, you know, I’ll let other MPs speak for themselves. But I actually think, Sarah, people are probably getting pretty sick of hearing about the itineraries of politicians – which airline they catch, when they catch it. I think people really want to talk about things that matter to them. Cost of living issues matter to them. That’s what they want to hear politicians talk about and not this sort of obsession about who flies what and where.

    SARAH ABO: No, of course. Of course you guys would say that. I guess this does come back to cost of living issues because we know that Qantas dominates the airspace here in Australia. And the problem is for punters is they don’t have much of an option. Virgin has now come out and said that you’re not helping in terms of the politicians federally because you fly Qantas above Virgin rather than choosing the cheapest airfare. Isn’t that the way it should work?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, I can tell you, Sarah, I fly on the airline that gets me home to my kids or that allows me an extra hour with my kids and to still do my work. So, last night I flew Virgin to Canberra and I will fly back on Qantas at the end of the week because both of those flights give me an extra hour with my children. So, I actually do think, once again, people are really getting obsessed with which, when and where politicians fly. It’s just not the case that there is not a focus on cost of living. There needs to be a focus on cost of living rather than when and where politicians fly.

    SARAH ABO: I guess the focus, Jacqui, has moved because this is what they should be doing and they’re not doing it. But it’s about public transparency, isn’t it?

    JACQUI FELGATE, 3AW RADIO HOST: I think it is. And I also think the publicity for this book, have you ever seen anything like it? Joe Aston must be sitting back and going, thank you very much. But one of the issues today I find really interesting is the Virgin issue.

    SARAH ABO: Yeah.

    JACQUI FELGATE: Do we need to put a rule in where perhaps 50 per cent of all flights we split between our two big carriers? Because it’s an incredible amount of money.

    SARAH ABO: Yeah, 90 per cent as well going to Qantas.

    JACQUI FELGATE: And then we’ve got the issue with the slots if we go back to Qatar, not being allowed to have extra slots into Australia. What was the relationship then between the politicians making those decisions and Qantas?

    SARAH ABO: Yeah, exactly. It’s all about how cosy they are, aren’t they. All right, well, Amanda, let’s move on, seeing as you’re so keen to. And the Government, it seems, is limbering up for an election, or perhaps just inspired by what you’re seeing in the US at the moment with that rally in Adelaide where new changes to student HECS debts were announced. So, Amanda, if re-elected, you’ve promised sweeping changes which would see student loans not repaid until a salary reaches $67,000. It’ll cost $16 billion. Is it unfair to lump this cost onto taxpayers?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Firstly, I would say that what was announced in Adelaide was really significant. Not only were there higher thresholds, but a 20 per cent wiping of people with student debt. We know a lot of people have been lumped with really significant student debts and it is impacting their lives. It may be affecting how they get a mortgage or whether they can get a mortgage or not. So, actually wiping this debt and increasing the threshold provides real cost of living relief, but also supports people into the future. This is really important for so many people that are starting out after their uni degree that have this significant debt, and this is a real practical measure that we can take to support them.

    SARAH ABO: Jacqui, obviously not everyone chooses to study. Economists say this is something that actually favours the wealthy. And the architect of this scheme himself says that this does nothing to improve student living for Australians.

    JACQUI FELGATE: No, I agree. And you know where I think the money should really be going, it’s actually more money to TAFE. And I know this system does include some extra funding for TAFE debt as well. But when we look at the university system, do we almost need to look at it on a wider scale now and say, should we be pushing everyone into uni when it doesn’t necessarily suit us? And I know here in Victoria, one of the number one issues is our lack of tradies and our lack of buildings. We have a housing crisis around the country, we cannot get enough builders. And I’d like to see a larger section of that money being pushed into traditional trades to get people into a career that is probably much more suited. There is this real reliance, I think in Australia that you must go to university if you’re a young person.

    SARAH ABO: Exactly.

    JACQUI FELGATE: And then you’re saddled with a debt that you may never be able to pay off.

    SARAH ABO: And that’s the issue, I think, Amanda. I mean, a lot of us, a lot of people do want an education, but not everyone does. And so the problem is those who aren’t getting educated through tertiary means are paying for those who aren’t.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: That’s why part of the announcement yesterday was about making fee-free TAFE permanent. When I look at the impact that fee-free TAFE that we’ve introduced has had in my local TAFE campus at Noarlunga, we see construction coming back onto that TAFE campus, we see motor mechanics coming back onto that TAFE campus. That’s all been as a result of our Government’s fee-free TAFE. And yesterday at the rally, not only did the Prime Minister announce a future where we would support people with student debt, but he announced that he would make fee-free TAFE a permanent feature of our vocational education system. So, Jacqui is absolutely right. We do need to be training in both areas if we’re going to actually achieve the type of job growth into the future.

    JACQUI FELGATE: I just think you need more places. If you ask anyone, there are not enough TAFE places, particularly in traditional trades. Like we talk about it on 3AW all the time. If you’ve got a kid that needs to go into that, the waiting list is really long in Victoria.

    SARAH ABO: It sure is. All right, a lot to address there. Thank you both so much for joining us today.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal pedestrian strike – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    On Wednesday 30 October, Northern Territory Police responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a bicycle in Nakara.

    Around 3:15pm, a youth on a bicycle collided with a 49-year-old woman on the corner of Goodman Street and Rowling Street.

    The woman was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital with serious injuries and later succumbed to her injuries on Saturday 2 November 2024.

    A report will be prepared for the coroner.

    The Lives Lost on Territory Roads in 2024 now stands at 54.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Talen Energy Statement on FERC Order Rejecting Susquehanna ISA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Nov. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talen Energy Corporation (“Talen”) (NASDAQ: TLN) released the following statement in response to Friday’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) order rejecting the amended Susquehanna Interconnection Service Agreement (“ISA”) between PJM Interconnection (“PJM”), PPL Electric Utilities (“PPL”), and Talen which would increase co-located load capacity at Talen’s Susquehanna nuclear power generation facility from 300 megawatts to 480 megawatts:

    On Friday, FERC issued an order denying PJM, PPL, and Talen’s Susquehanna ISA. Talen believes FERC erred and we are evaluating our options, with a focus on commercial solutions. We believe this ISA amendment is just and reasonable and in the best interest of consumers. FERC’s decision will have a chilling effect on economic development in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.

    Importantly, the existing ISA allows for 300 megawatts of co-located load at Susquehanna, and development of the first phases of the Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) data center campus can proceed using those 300 megawatts while Talen continues to pursue approval of the amended ISA.      

    Contrary to the Commission’s ruling, Talen’s co-location arrangement with AWS is part of the solution to issues raised on November 1 at the FERC technical conference on large co-located load. It brings service to the customer quickly and without expensive transmission upgrades necessary to serve large-load demand. But our direct-connect configuration is just one of several commercial solutions to the demand of large loads, and we are exploring other solutions as we move forward. The data center economy will require an all-of-the-above approach to satisfy the increased demand, including co-location such as Talen’s arrangement with AWS, hybrids that co-locate primary power behind the meter while using grid power for back-up, and front-of-the-meter connections to utility transmission. Talen looks forward to the continued dialogue.

    About Talen

    Talen Energy (NASDAQ: TLN) is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own and operate approximately 10.7 gigawatts of power infrastructure in the United States, including 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power and a significant dispatchable fossil fleet. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale U.S. power markets, with our generation fleet principally located in the Mid-Atlantic and Montana. Our team is committed to generating power safely and reliably, delivering the most value per megawatt produced and driving the energy transition. Talen is also powering the digital infrastructure revolution. We are well-positioned to capture this significant growth opportunity, as data centers serving artificial intelligence increasingly demand more reliable, clean power. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/.

    Investor Relations:
    Ellen Liu
    Senior Director, Investor Relations
    InvestorRelations@talenenergy.com

    Media:
    Taryne Williams
    Director, Corporate Communications
    Taryne.Williams@talenenergy.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this communication, or incorporated by reference into this communication, are forward-looking statements. Throughout this communication, we have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions or the negative thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions concerning, among other things capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, regulatory matters, hedging, liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future business, financial condition, results of operations or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this communication. All of our forward-looking statements include assumptions underlying or relating to such statements that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, and are subject to numerous factors that present considerable risks and uncertainties.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Prime Minister unveils game changing investment to tackle national security threat from people smuggling gangs

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    The Prime Minister is set to announce an additional £75 million to boost border security, bringing the investment in the Border Security Command over the next two years to £150 million.

    • PM to outline major investments to smash criminal smuggling gangs at INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow
    • New capabilities for Border Security Command from £150 million funding pot to drive down Organised Immigration Crime both at home and overseas 
    • New additional funding will cover state-of-the-art tech and information centres, boosts to enforcement and intelligence resourcing and expanding CPS capacity

    The Prime Minister is set to announce an additional £75 million to boost border security, bringing the investment in the Border Security Command over the next two years to £150 million. 

    Marking the first time the INTERPOL General Assembly has been hosted in the UK in over 50 years, Keir Starmer will today (4 November) open the Assembly in Glasgow by setting out his personal mission to smash the people smuggling gangs by resetting the UK’s whole approach to this challenge and intensifying international collaboration to meet the global scale of the threat.

    The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body and comprises senior ministerial and policing leads from the organisation’s 196 member states. 

    In his speech, the Prime Minister will set out his plans to draw on his experience of bringing together agencies to tackle international terrorist and drug smuggling gangs during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions to dismantle the people smuggling gangs who drive illegal migration, profit from human misery and represent a serious threat to global security. 

    He will also set out how the £150 million will provide additional specialist investigators and state of the art surveillance equipment to ensure those behind this criminal activity are stopped and brought to justice. 

    This major funding boost for the government’s new Border Security Command will initially be directed towards a range of enforcement and intelligence activity, including:

    • Investing heavily in NCA technology and capabilities, delivering advanced data exploitation and improvements to technologies to boost collaboration with European partners to investigate and break people smuggling networks.
    • 300 staff for the new Border Security Command, who will strengthen global partnerships, deliver new legislation and lead the system through investment and strategy.
    • 100 specialist investigators and intelligence officers for the NCA, dedicated to tackling criminals who facilitate people smuggling. 

    • Creating a new specialist OIC Intelligence Source Unit which will cohere intelligence flows from key police forces. 

    • Boosting the Crown Prosecution Service’s ability to deliver charging decisions more quickly on international organised crime cases. 

    The Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt CBE QPM, will be provided with enhanced powers – through a new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill – to tackle organised immigration crime whilst providing for strong and effective border security. 

    New measures will make it easier to detect, disrupt and deter those seeking to engage in and benefit from organised immigration crime. The Command will also coordinate the work of intelligence agencies and law enforcement, who lead joint investigations with European counterparts to ensure we can bring those responsible to justice.

    Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to say:

    “The world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge.  I was elected to deliver security for the British people. And strong borders are a part of that. But security doesn’t stop at our borders.  

    “There’s nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women and children die in the Channel.

    “This is a vile trade that must be stamped out – wherever it thrives. So we’re taking our approach to counter-terrorism – which we know works, and applying it to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command. 

    “We’re ending the fragmentation between policing, Border Force and our intelligence agencies.”

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

    “Criminal smuggler gangs profit from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk and they have been getting away with it for far too long.

    “Our new Border Security Command, with the investment set out today, will mean a huge step change in the way we target these criminal gangs. People smugglers and traffickers operate in networks across borders, that’s why we have launched a major boost to our cooperation with international partners including other European countries, the G7 and Europol, and why we are so pleased to be hosting the INTERPOL conference on tackling international crime in Glasgow today.”

    The Prime Minister will also announce that the UK Government has increased its in-year support for INTERPOL’s global operations through a £6 million investment which harnesses the organisation’s unique capabilities to tackle serious organised crime affecting the UK. 

    Addressing the General Assembly, the Prime Minister will say that closer cooperation with international partners is key as he details how the gangs’ operations span from the money markets in Kabul through to the Kurdish region of Iraq and right across Europe and into the UK. 

    He will stress the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening security agreements to facilitate greater sharing of intelligence and more joint operational work, in particular through Europol. 

    The Home Office will also invest £24m in the new financial year to tackle international serious organised crime affecting the UK including drugs and firearms, fraud, trafficking and exploitation. Funds will in part be used to bolster work done by special prosecutors and operational partners in the Western Balkans.

    There were more than 5,000 drug related deaths in 2023, with most of the illegal drugs causing these coming from overseas or facilitated by transnational gangs. ISOC funding will also be used to tackle drug smuggling upstream and at the UK border, building on recent successes, such as the effective collaboration with the US and Ecuador, which has resulted in the seizure of 19 tonnes of cocaine.

    National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar said:

    “Serious and organised crime causes more harm, to more people, more often than any other national security threat. And almost all of serious and organised crime now has an international nexus. Distance, borders and languages are meaningless to criminals. This is why collaborations with INTERPOL have never been as important as they are today.

    “Tackling organised crime, and especially immigration crime, remains a top priority for the NCA. We are currently leading around 70 investigations into the gangs or individuals involved in the highest echelons of this type of criminality, and we are devoting more resources to it than ever before.

    “We have built up our intelligence sharing effort with law enforcement partners across Europe and beyond, including having more NCA officers based overseas, sharing intelligence and working side by side on joint investigations. This approach is bringing operational results with arrests and prosecutions, but we are also we are seeking to disrupt the people smugglers’ business model, through targeting their social media offering, their supply routes for equipment, and their financial flows.

    “We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks, wherever they operate.”

    The announcement comes just a month after Britain joined up to a new G7 anti migrant smuggling action plan which included pledges to bolster border security, combat transnational organised crime, and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation by smugglers. 

    The plan includes new, intelligence-led joint investigative actions to target criminal smuggling routes, working with social media platforms and internet providers to remove harmful content promoting illegal migration services or advertising fake job opportunities, and strengthening capabilities to monitor and anticipate irregular migration flows at both global and regional levels.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 November 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City reminding residents to pay their rates

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The City of Greater Bendigo is reminding residents that rate payments have been adjusted for 2024/2025 and if rates were not paid in full in September, then ratepayers default to paying in quarterly instalments.

    Ratepayers either needed to have paid their rates in full or made their first payment by September 30, 2024. A decision was made earlier this year by Council to remove the option of paying in full in February to limit people delaying paying their rates and then getting into financial difficulty. An upward trend in those experiencing financial hardship over the past year led to the decision.

    Approximately 10,000 people are yet to pay their first instalment, with the second instalment due on December 2, 2024.

    Director Corporate Performance Jessica Howard encouraged residents to reach out to the City if they were unable to pay their rates.

    “By speaking with us now, our staff can help ratepayers find other suitable payment options that are smaller and regular, including the option to set up a regular direct debit for instalment amounts that can be deducted fortnightly or monthly,” Ms Howard said.

    “Reminder letters are being sent this week to anyone who is yet to pay their rates.

    “We understand it is a challenging time financially for some people, however rates are essential to supporting the City to deliver a range of services to the community.

    “Our Financial Hardship Guidelines allow for flexible payment arrangements, including the ability to temporarily defer a rate payment on eligible properties. Please get in touch with us if you need assistance.”

    Rates and charges make up around 60 per cent of the City’s income. Money received from rates delivers 68 different services in the community, including waste services, street cleaning, maintenance of parks and recreation facilities, maternal and child health, tourism, libraries and much more. Rates revenue also contributes to capital works, including critical infrastructure such as footpaths, roads, flood mitigation, and investment in community and recreational assets.

    To contact the City, phone:

    1300 002 642

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Young people encouraged to join Youth Council

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The City of Greater Bendigo is looking for up to 18 young people aged between 14 and 24 who want to have a stronger voice in their community and are interested in being part of the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council for the next two years.

    Expressions of Interest for positions on the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council for 2025-2026 are now open and will close on Tuesday November 19, 2024.

    City of Greater Bendigo CEO Andrew Cooney said the Youth Council is an initiative to engage with local young people in the City’s decision-making process for the future.

    “The Youth Council represents the views of young people on City plans and programs that impact them and represents young people at civic and other events and activities,” Mr Cooney said.

    “It also fulfils a key goal of the City’s Council Plan 2021-2025 to ensure young people are supported to explore, engage and be empowered to shape the world they live in.

    “I encourage young people from all backgrounds and walks of life to consider applying for Youth Council so that the voices of all young people can be reflected and heard.”

    2024 Youth Mayor Lilly Correll said the Youth Council is an amazing opportunity for all young people to enhance their skills and give back to the community.

    “Not only do you meet likeminded individuals, you also gain a real insight into the benefits of volunteering, including learning new skills and networking opportunities,” Ms Correll said.

    “Youth Councillors attend and MC events, write letters to Council, and sit on advisory committees and on non-for-profit boards, it’s a great opportunity for local young people to have their voice heard and an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to make a change.”

    In the six years of the Youth Council, Youth Councillors have providing input into over 50 City plans, strategies, policies, and projects, including the Council Plan 2021-2025, the Zero Emissions Roadmap, the Biodiversity Strategy, the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, the Fair Access Action Plan, the E-scooter trial, and the Managed Growth Strategy.

    They have also co-designed and overseen the development of the City’s Youth Action Plan 2023-2024 and have represented young people on several advisory committees including the Farming and Agribusiness Advisory Committee, the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration, the Arts and Creative Industries Advisory Committee, and the Bendigo Regional Manufacturing Group.

    The new Youth Councillors will undertake induction and training in January 2025 and attend their first meeting in February 2025.

    For more information, contact the City’s Youth Team via email or phone:

    [email protected]

    5434 6401

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Take off for extra tourism and trade capacity

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Government is boosting aviation competition, trade and tourism opportunities for Australians, securing new or updated air services arrangements with seven international markets following months of negotiations.

    These arrangements will allow Australian airlines to expand their international networks and international airlines to increase operations into Australia, a boost for Australian travellers and diaspora communities.

    This includes unrestricted capacity with Canada and Malaysia – the first arrangements of this type since a deal struck with India in 2018.

    Along with Canada and Malaysia, arrangements have landed with Hong Kong, Chile, Mongolia, Latvia, and Rwanda.

    Australia now has more than 110 bilateral air services arrangements in place with other countries or economies, with today’s announcement following recent enhanced arrangements secured in the past 12 months with Türkiye, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. 

    Each arrangement is negotiated to serve Australia’s national interest, with the Australian Government signing with some of our larger tourism markets, including:

    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 50,000 weekly passenger seats with Malaysia, and unrestricted capacity for passenger services from 2026
    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 50 weekly passenger services with Canada, and unrestricted capacity for passenger services from 2026
    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 84 passenger services per week, and unlimited cargo services with Hong Kong 
    • A doubling of available capacity for airlines to and from Chile by 2025

    Inaugural arrangements were signed between the Australian Government and the governments of Latvia, Mongolia and Rwanda, each allowing 14 passenger services per week to and from Australia along with unrestricted dedicated cargo services. 

    These arrangements deliver on our commitment in the Aviation White Paper to expand capacity under our bilateral air services arrangements ahead of demand, ensuring airlines have adequate time to plan for additional future services and add new routes to their schedules. It also aligns with our commitments to prioritise negotiations within our region.

    These arrangements have already resulted in significant additional capacity being added into the Australian market, supporting growth in visitor numbers. For example, ABS data for the 12 months to August shows arrivals from Vietnam were 49 per cent higher than pre-pandemic, making it Australia’s fastest growing inbound visitor market.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “We’re expanding our international aviation network to increase competition and deliver a better experience for Australian travellers. 

    “Whether travelling to these countries or using them as stepping stones to the rest of the world, each of these arrangements represents a stronger connection with our global market – for travel, trade and tourism. 

    “We committed to this in our Aviation White Paper and today we are delivering on that commitment – landing additional capacity in the international sector.” 

    Quotes attributable to Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:

    “Increased flights means we can welcome more visitors to Australia, boosting our tourism industry and supporting jobs and local economies, particularly in regional Australia.

    “It also means we can get more cargo in the bellies of outbound flights, giving our exporters more opportunities for growth and to expand into new markets.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Rain followed by warmer temperatures – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Monday 4th – Thursday 7th November – Rain followed by warmer temperatures

    •    A Heavy Rain Watch is in place for the Westland District south of Hokitika until 1pm tomorrow; and for the ranges of the Buller District, and the Paparoa Range for Tuesday from 6am to 9pm.
    •    Rain moves over northern parts of the South Island and the lower North Island on Tuesday.
    •    Warmer temperatures forecast, with Thursday temperatures to be the highest

    MetService weather stations were generally on the cooler side of average to start the week with Taupō getting down to -0.8°C Monday morning. The temperature is on the rise as we go through the week with warm air being dragged in from the west. This warmer air also brings risk of heavy rain – mainly for the west of the South Island.

    Largely fine and sunny conditions for most of the country as a high pressure system sits over Aotearoa New Zealand today. However a series of fronts moving up the South Island bring in wetter conditions there, particularly along the west.

    A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for the Westland District south of Hokitika from 12pm today until 1pm tomorrow; and for the ranges of the Buller District, and the Paparoa Range for Tuesday from 6am to 9pm.
    Rain moves over northern parts of the South Island and the lower North Island on Tuesday otherwise  the forecast is for dry weather with areas of cloud to the north, and sunny spells increasing from the south.  Showery conditions move up the North Island on Wednesday as the front continues on its journey northwards.

    MetService is forecasting warmer temperatures as the week progresses with westerly winds bringing  warm subtropical air onto the country. By Thursday temperatures are expected to reach above normal maximums for this time of the year for many parts of the country, especially in the east, with maximums of 21°C in Dannevirke, 22°C in Whanganui and 25°C in Masterton for the North Island; and 23°C for Invercargill, 25°C for Christchurch, 26°C for Alexandra and 27°C for Ashburton for the South Island.

    MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti advises, “Sunny conditions are expected for the North Island today under a high pressure system. However, a series of fronts move up Aotearoa New Zealand from the south from today with possible heavy showers and a risk of thunderstorms for the west of the South Island.  While the showers will move up the North Island on Wednesday they are likely to stay south of Auckland which should remain dry until Thursday”.

    “While wet conditions are expected with the passage of the front, we do expect New Zealanders to realise warmer temperatures towards the end of the week as westerlies continue bringing warmer air onto the country” added Shiviti.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – New consumer resources about managing stress urinary incontinence

    Source: Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality and Safety Commission

    Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission and Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora have released two new consumer resources about managing stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
    The ‘Understanding and managing urinary incontinence’ and ‘Surgery for stress urinary incontinence’ guides will replace previous SUI resources.
    Te Tāhū Hauora clinical director, Martin Thomas, said the guides had been endorsed by the Surgical Mesh Roundtable (MRT), an oversight and monitoring group chaired by the Ministry of Health which in August 2023 supported a pause in the use of surgical mesh for SUI.
    Development of the guides was one of four conditions of lifting the pause on the use of surgical mesh.
    The guides aim to provide detailed information about SUI and its management and were developed with input from health care professionals and consumers, including some with lived experience of SUI, Dr Thomas says.
    “It is the Surgical Mesh Roundtable’s expectation the guides will now be used by health care professionals when discussing with patients’ options in the treatment of urinary incontinence,” he said.
    The guides provided clearer, more detailed information than had been previously available, Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer, Joe Bourne, said.
    “Spaces in the guides to note questions or concerns to raise with health care providers will allow patients to work with health care teams to make informed decisions about the best treatment for them, or whether or not to undergo surgical treatment,” Dr Bourne said.
    The guides are available on the Health New Zealand website.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More than nine million Australian homes and businesses can now make the switch to ultrafast NBN

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Government is lifting the nation’s digital capacity with more than nine million homes and businesses able to access the fastest broadband speeds on the National Broadband Network (NBN).
     
    This is an important milestone on the way to enabling ten million premises – or up to 90 per cent of the NBN fixed line network – to access the NBN’s fastest speeds of up to one gigabit per second by the end of 2025.
     
    World-class fibre broadband enables gigabit speeds, allowing for faster upload and downloads, more connected devices, and better reliability for consumers – whether they are videoconferencing for work, enjoying high-definition movies or next-level gaming.
     
    Fibre upgrades are being delivered across the country thanks to the Albanese Government’s significant $2.4 billion investment to roll out fibre to 1.5 million more premises across Australia.
     
    Full fibre connections are delivering productivity benefits, with NBN users saving more than 100 hours and $2,580 per year working from home and undertaking tasks online.   
     
    Research shows the NBN has delivered $122 billion in economic uplift since 2022, and has supported the creation of approx 169,000 jobs – the equivalent of a 1.3 per cent increase in Australia’s labour force.
     
    Fibre upgrades are available on-demand to eligible households and businesses who take out an eligible higher speed tier plan. 
     
    For more information on NBN Co’s Fibre Upgrade program, visit: https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/network-technology/fibre-to-the-premises-explained-fttp.
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The Albanese Government is delivering on its vision for Australia to become the most connected continent.
     
    “We are delivering a better NBN for Australia, with nine million homes and businesses now able to access gigabit speeds thanks to Labor’s significant investment in the network.
     
    “Average data usage in Australia has increased ten times over the past ten years, with the average home now hosting 22 internet-connected or smart devices.
     
    “Faster speeds provide a world-class experience for consumers whether they are connecting for work, study or entertainment.

    “As Australia’s connectivity needs continue to grow, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver the nation-building infrastructure for the future. And we will ensure the NBN remains in public hands.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC)

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, yesterday delivered pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC), in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. In his remarks, Dr. Kao underscored that the rapid adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics will drive profound transformation across industries. He highlighted that these technologies will pave the way for new, innovative business models, helping to advance toward economic prosperity and sustainable development between ASEAN and China.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the World Internet of Things Convention (WIOTC) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Popular flea market returns to city centre

    Source: Auckland Council

    The city centre’s first regular ReUse Market in 40 years is attracting people from all over Auckland as buyers and sellers.

    On the second Sunday of each month, the ground floor of the Victoria Street Carpark becomes a different hive of activity when a diverse group of Aucklanders of all ages and backgrounds come together to sell and swap preloved items.

    “The ReUse Market brings together people who are at a stage when they are downsizing or wanting to pass on items they no longer use, young people who love thrifting and everyone in-between,” says ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick.

    Organiser Suzanne Kendrick and fairy helper Phoebe.

    “Shoppers range from city centre residents to tourists. We also get a lot of curious people who park their cars in the building on their way to a city event and are pleasantly surprised to discover the market,” she says.

    “People love a bargain, but they also love coming across retro things that remind them of their childhood, iconic toys like the Buzzy Bee.”

    Vivien, a resident in the city, says she was passing when she saw the bright orange signs for the Reuse Market. She remembers frequent visits to flea markets with her aunts many years ago.

    Now with her own extended family, including plenty of grandchildren, Vivien keeps an eye out for toys and bric-a-brac to use as prizes for the games they play at family get-togethers.

    “With a large family there are birthdays every month and we like to play games for entertainment. Markets are perfect places to pick up toys and prizes,” Vivien says.

    First-time stall holders Jo and Nodoka sell clothes and a wide range of items from their homes.  “We saw spaces to sell from the Reuse Market advertised on social media and decided to give it a try. It’s fun!” says Nodoka.

    Like Jo and Nodoka, most stall holders come in from the suburbs to sell or give away second-hand items.  

    Jo and Nodoka say selling at the market is fun.

    Some, like Lyn, a long-time car-booter, sell items that have been passed onto them. Lyn specialises in preloved, quality linen, clothing, jewellery and homewares.

    “I love the affordability and how reuse is catching on, especially amongst young people,” says Lyn.

    When ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick was looking for a space for a central city flea market, her wish list included a space big enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to sell or buy preloved goods, protection from the weather, and ample parking.  It seemed like a tall order, but Auckland Council’s City Centre Place Activation principal Barbara Holloway knew the perfect spot – the ground level of the Victoria Street Carpark.

    “We’re continuing to support initiatives like the ReUse Market that bring people into the city centre; it gives people a new reason to come and enjoy this exciting part of town, wander the lanes and rediscover midtown,” says Barbara. 

    With support from the city centre targeted rate, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, the ReUse Market, which launched in March 2024, is now thriving.

    And with Christmas around the corner Suzanne wants to see Aucklanders try the latest social trend of ‘buy nothing new’ – at least for some of their gifts. 

    “If you’ve got something to sell or give away, or you’re after Christmas gifts, you can make some money, save some money and help the environment,” says Suzanne.

    City centre resident Vivien searching for gift prizes.

    Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the ReUse Market is an important initiative for the council to support to help achieve our environmental goals for Auckland.

    “The ReUse Market keeps valuable resources out of landfill and aligns with our Zero Waste strategy as we enable Aucklanders to reconsider what they see as waste towards more reuse, repair and repurposing.  

    “It’s a great to have a ReUse Market in the city centre, joining the many new and established markets around the region,” she says.

    For more information on the ReUse Market events at the Victoria Street Carpark visit ReUse Market.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Commissioner initiated investigation finds breach of woman’s rights in residential care home 24HDC00460

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner
    A woman’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) were breached by a support worker when he provoked her, retaliated by spitting at her, failed to intervene when she was self-harming, and verbally insulted her, said the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall, in a decision released today.
    The woman was living in a disability residential care setting and had multiple complex social and mental health disorders which could manifest in challenging behaviours and actions. The interactions between her and the support worker at the centre of the investigation, where the support worker could be heard being verbally abusive and spitting at her, were recorded on video.
    A complaint was made to HDC about the woman being recorded without her consent, however, the content of these recordings were of sufficient concern for Ms Wall to undertake a commissioner-initiated investigation (CII).
    I consider this complaint is significant, as it raises concerns about a longstanding support worker’s verbal maltreatment of a vulnerable consumer with dual disabilities and challenging behaviour in residential care. The complaint may never have been brought to the attention of this office had it not come to light in another complaint investigation,” said Ms Wall.
    Ms Wall said it was clear the support worker had provoked and insulted the woman, which amounted to a serious lack of respect and that he failed to intervene when the woman was self-harming.
    “There were many options available to [MrB] to intervene, including talking to [Ms A], employing de-escalation techniques he had learned in Non-Violent Crisis-Intervention training, and/or calling for assistance. He did not attempt any of those actions or any other type of intervention.
    “I am critical and appalled when watching and listening to the videos, and I consider that [Mr B] behaved entirely inappropriately towards Ms [Ms A]. Under no circumstances is it acceptable for a community support worker to behave in this way.’
    Ms Wall found that the man failed to treat the woman with respect – breaching Right 1(1) of the Code and did not treat the woman with dignity in breach of Right 3.
    Ms Wall recommended [Mr B] provide a formal apology to the woman and for him to refamiliarise himself with the Code. Whilst [Mr B] no longer works at the residential care setting, in the event Mr B finds employment as a support worker, she has recommended he ask his future employer to put him through training on treating consumers with respect and dignity and relationship management/communicating with people who display challenging behaviour.
    Evidence of these actions is to be provided to HDC. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Health NZ Southern and registrar breach man’s rights for failures in care 21HDC02293

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

    A man’s rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights were breached by Health New Zealand|Te Whatu Ora Southern and a registrar, the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found in a decision released today. Sadly, the man died of a brain haemorrhage.
    The man had an unwitnessed fall at his care home and was taken to Southland Hospital emergency department. A yellow envelope containing patient information was misplaced which meant that hospital staff who were treating the man were not aware that he was on anticoagulants.
    The man had his initial observations taken by a registered nurse about six hours after his arrival at hospital. He was first seen by the registrar around nine hours after his arrival. The registrar noted it was usual practice for her to review the information in the yellow envelope but there wasn’t one. The registrar did not order a CT scan because she was not aware he was on anticoagulants.
    The man was kept under observation and was discharged back to the care home the next day. The man became increasingly ill and was taken back to Southland Hospital where a CT showed he had experienced an intracranial haemorrhage and he later died.
    Deborah James said Health NZ breached the Code by not providing services with reasonable care and skill.
    “Health NZ did not have a clear or well understood process in place for ambulance staff to hand over the yellow envelope when there were no available beds in ED, resulting in the man’s yellow envelope being misplaced,” she said.
    She added that the man was not assessed for initial observations until around six hours after his arrival and that several clinicians had failed to identify he was on warfarin. These factors combined meant Health NZ did not provide the appropriate standard of care.
    Ms James said that due to the man’s age, fragility and because he had suffered a head injury, a CT scan should have been completed, regardless of whether or not he was on anticoagulants. She found that the registrar breached the Code by not providing reasonable care and skill in their management of the man’s care by not ensuring a CT was completed or identifying that he was on anticoagulants.
    Health NZ says it has since increased the number of nurses on at night shift and made sure there is always a medical imaging technologist on site to take scans. The registrar has also made a range of changes, which are outlined in the report.
    Ms James has recommended both parties formally apologise to the man’s family. She has recommended Health NZ standardise its process for yellow envelopes to cover when there are no beds available. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Woman’s rights breached for failure to exclude pregnancy before insertion of a Jadelle contraceptive device 21HDC02688

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner
    In a report released today Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall has found a Medical Centre GP registrar breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for failing to reliably exclude pregnancy prior to insertion of a Jadelle contraceptive device.
    The woman at the centre of the report, accessed contraception following the birth of her son three months prior. The woman’s usual GP arranged for the woman to have a Jadelle device fitted by a GP registrar.
    The woman later discovered she was 20 weeks pregnant. The ultrasound indicated that she would have been pregnant at the time the contraceptive device was fitted. The discovery led to significant personal distress and concerns about the potential impact of her pregnancy.
    The woman told HDC she did not feel she could cope with another baby so soon, but the pregnancy was too far advanced for termination to be considered and she was concerned about the health of her unborn baby.
    Ms Wall considered several scenarios regarding pregnancy testing prior to fitting the device. On balance, she concluded that the GP registrar had omitted to discuss the method of contraception used by the woman prior to the consultation and to establish clearly whether the woman could be pregnant and, accordingly, offer her a pregnancy test.
    Ms Wall found the GP registrar breached the Code for failing to provide services with reasonable care and skill, in particular failing to reliably exclude pregnancy before the Jadelle insertion, either through a pregnancy test or established criteria.
    In addition, the medical centre’s documentation practices were found lacking, particularly in recording discussions about contraception and pregnancy risk.
    Since the event, the GP registrar has made significant changes to her practice, including additional training and development of a detailed template to ensure thorough documentation and assessment. The medical centre has also taken steps to improve its practices and prevent similar issues in future.
    Ms Wall said, “this case highlights the importance of thorough documentation and reliable exclusion of pregnancy in contraceptive consultations. We commend the GP registrar and the medical centre for their proactive steps to improve their practices.”
    In addition to the changes made, Ms Wall made further recommendations in her report. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese researchers make breakthrough in precision management for thyroid cancer

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese researchers have made progress in localizing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a form of thyroid cancer that poses challenges in identifying metastatic lesions.
    This breakthrough is based on a new imaging technique utilizing a novel class of radiopharmaceutical, known as covalent targeted radioligand (CTR). This approach addresses one of the major challenges in treating MTC: precisely locating metastatic lesions, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, according to researchers.
    The development of this innovative imaging method was a collaborative effort between Liu Shaoyan’s team from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Liu Zhibo’s team from Peking University and Changping Laboratory, along with their collaborators. Their study was published online in Cancer Discovery, a leading journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, in late October.
    Liu Shaoyan, the director of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the Cancer Hospital, emphasized that existing imaging techniques often fail to locate metastatic lesions accurately. “Surgery is a primary curative option for MTC. A precise imaging method is crucial to assist surgeons in accurately determining the extent of the surgical procedure,” he stated.
    The new approach allows for selective targeting of tumor cells, enabling higher amounts and longer duration of the radioactive agents to remain in the tumor. This provides better imaging contrast, clearer tumor identification and more precise treatment planning, as explained by Kong Ziren, a member of Liu’s team and the co-first author of the paper.
    Looking ahead, Liu noted that as this imaging approach continues to evolve and expand its applications, CTR has the potential to become a valuable diagnostic tool not only for MTC but also for various other cancers. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese astronauts return to Earth safely

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    In this combo photo, astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu (from L to R) are out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Shenzhou-18 crew consisting of three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth safely in the early morning on Monday, after completing a six-month space station mission.
    Shenzhou-18’s return capsule, carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 1:24 a.m. (Beijing Time). The crew had all left the return capsule by 2:15 a.m., according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
    The three astronauts, after staying in orbit for 192 days, were all in good health and the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was a success, the CMSA said.
    Ye, the Shenzhou-18 mission commander, has become the first Chinese astronaut with an accumulative spaceflight time of more than a year, setting a new record for the longest duration of stay in orbit by a Chinese astronaut.
    He served as a crew member in the Shenzhou-13 mission from October 2021 to April 2022.
    “Chinese astronauts have flown to space in successive missions. I believe that the record of the duration in orbit will be broken in the near future,” Ye said.
    Li Cong, who has just completed his first-ever space adventure, said that the crew was united as one and worked closely with the ground team, which ensured the extravehicular activities implemented smoothly and the scientific research and experiments advanced successfully.
    “We have all enjoyed the unique experience of weightlessness. It is exciting to return to Earth, but we are also unwilling to part the wonders of the space,” said Li Guangsu, who has just returned from his first spaceflight.
    At 12:34 a.m., the Beijing Aerospace Control Center issued a return command through the ground station, and the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship separated from its orbiting capsule. The brake engine then ignited, and the return capsule separated from the propulsion capsule.
    The ground search team arrived at the landing site soon after the return capsule landed.
    Intensive scientific tasks
    China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship on April 25, 2024. During the mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew utilized the scientific experiment cabinets and extravehicular payloads to carry out dozens of experiments in the fields of basic physics in microgravity, space material science, space life science, space medicine and space technology.
    They replaced the burner for the gas experiment in the combustion experiment cabinet and test samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet as planned. They also conducted in-orbit training on spacecraft rendezvous and docking.
    The Shenzhou-18 astronauts carried out extravehicular activities twice. Their first spacewalk in May set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts.
    Assisted by the space station’s robotic arm and a team on Earth, they worked for about eight-and-a-half hours during their first extravehicular activities, and completed multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices.
    The crew also carried out emergency decision-making research. By utilizing the computer and corresponding software, they completed a series of assessments, including tests on basic cognitive ability, risk perception, decision-making style, as well as comprehensive decision-making tasks.
    The ground personnel then used the test results to thoroughly evaluate the astronauts’ emergency decision-making ability in orbit and study the influence of the factors such as the duration of stay in orbit, emotional state and workload on their ability.
    During the mission, the crew also conducted regular medical check-ups as required, including routine examinations and dynamic monitoring of the heart rate and blood pressure. These procedures helped comprehensively monitor the astronauts’ physical state.
    Joyful space journey
    During their space adventure, the Shenzhou-18 trio also experienced some special joy brought by the space “aquarium” and “garden” in the Tiangong space station.
    The three astronauts created a space “aquarium” using zebrafish and algae to study how the space environment affects their growth and system balance. It was also a breakthrough in the field of raising vertebrates in space.
    The astronauts discovered that zebrafish exhibited abnormal orientation behaviors in microgravity, such as upside-down swimming, spinning and circling.
    Scientists will later utilize the returned water samples, fish eggs and other specimens, in conjunction with videos of the zebrafish’s spatial movement behaviors, to conduct research on the impact of the space environment on the growth, development and behavior of vertebrates and to provide support for the study of material cycling in a closed space ecosystem.
    The Shenzhou-18 astronauts were also busy cultivating plants in the “space garden” during their stay in orbit.
    According to a video clip released by the CMSA, astronaut Li Guangsu said that they grew two types of plants — cherry tomatoes and lettuce — and they had harvested some lettuce leaves for food.
    “Being able to eat fresh vegetables in space is truly a blessing. These green plants have also brought a touch of green and good cheer to our busy work,” Li said.
    Planting in space could also help analyze the changes in the function and gene expression of plant stem cells in the microgravity environment, and provide theoretical support for designing crops that can adapt to outer-space conditions.
    Before their return to Earth, the Shenzhou-18 crew completed the removal of some module plants, replenishing water and other operations for the “space garden,” in preparation for the new batch of plant seeds brought into space by the Shenzhou-19 astronauts.
    They also planted a new batch of lettuce for the Shenzhou-19 crew, who were lifted off aboard the Shenzhou-19 spaceship and entered the Tiangong space station on Oct. 30.
    In 2025, China’s manned space program will launch the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crewed missions, and the Tianzhou-9 cargo craft for in-orbit supplies, the CMSA said.

    Astronaut Li Guangsu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Ye Guangfu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Ye Guangfu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Li Cong is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, touches down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Li Guangsu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Li Guangsu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Ye Guangfu is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Astronaut Li Cong is out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 75% of Shenzhen-listed firms report profits in Jan.-Sept.

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    More than 75 percent of companies listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange reported profits during the first nine months of 2024, according to the latest data from the bourse.

    Over 2,844 companies listed on this stock exchange released their financial reports during the period, reporting a combined net profit of 806.2 billion yuan (about 113.5 billion U.S. dollars).

    Of these companies, more than 300 saw a net profit increase exceeding 100 percent year on year, the Shenzhen bourse said.

    Consumption-related sectors maintained steady growth in profitability from January to September. Specifically, the net profits of transportation and social services increased by 15 percent and 7 percent year on year, respectively, driven by rising travel demand.

    Digital sectors also demonstrated robust performance, with net profits rising by 13 percent year on year during this period, the bourse confirmed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Number of listed companies in China reaches 5,363

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    There were 5,363 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of September 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

    The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,271, 2,839 and 253 listed firms, respectively, by end September, data from the association showed.

    State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing, information transmission/software/information technology services, and wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

    Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.42 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

    Ten companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in September, raising a combined total of 5.62 billion yuan (about 790 million U.S. dollars), while five companies were delisted.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reports sharp increase in EV charging facilities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 8, 2024 shows new energy vehicles charging at a charging station in Changsha County, central China’s Hunan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The number of charging piles for electric vehicles (EV) in China reached 11.43 million as of the end of September this year, marking an increase of 49.6 percent from a year ago, latest government data showed.

    Among them, around 3.33 million were public charging facilities while 8.1 million were private, according National Energy Administration data.

    Based on a total stock of 28.09 million registered new energy vehicles in the country at present, there is one charging pile for every 2.46 vehicles, the data showed.

    In the first nine months of 2024, the country reported a net increase of 2.84 million charging piles, while the charging amount for vehicles totaled 66.67 billion kWh, up 12.4 percent year on year, the data showed.

    The government agency said that the growing network of charging facilities is providing services across more highways in the country. At the same time, charging facilities in counties and towns were growing, having reached 417,000 units as of the end of September.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Moldova’s incumbent president leads presidential runoff

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Moldova’s incumbent President Maia Sandu led the country’s presidential election runoff with 54.19 percent of the votes, as most ballots have been counted by Monday morning, according to local media reports.

    Former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, the president’s main contender for the next four-year presidential term, trailed with 45.81 percent, as reported by the country’s Central Electoral Commission after counting 97.8 percent of the votes.

    “I voted with Moldova, I have confidence that our citizens will choose well for our country. Today, more than ever, we must stand together, keep our peace, keep our vote, keep our independence,” said Sandu. As the former leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity, she got the most votes in the first round of the election.

    Stoianoglo, who is supported by Moldova’s Socialist Party, expressed his commitment to “a free, stable, prosperous Moldova” and emphasized his support for the country’s path to European integration.

    After the presidential election on Oct. 20, Moldova moved to a runoff election between the top two candidates, as none of the 11 candidates in the presidential race received an absolute majority of the votes — defined as 50 percent plus one vote — in the first round.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5 killed in car-train collision in Poland

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A car collided with a train at an unguarded railway crossing in northeastern Poland on Sunday afternoon, killing all five passengers in the vehicle on the spot, according to Warmian-Masurian province police.

    According to the local media report, the car ran directly into the path of an oncoming train. The five victims included two adults and three children.

    Police, prosecutors, and firefighters are working at the railway crossing in Karwica Mazurska near the historic town of Pisz, investigating the tragedy. It is not yet known why the car driver did not stop at the “STOP” sign.

    Train traffic between Pisz and Spychow has been completely suspended. Traffic disruptions may last several hours due to the accident.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US blamed for ‘terrorism, divisions in Muslim world’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People attend a rally in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 3, 2024. Iranians took to the streets on Sunday, staging a march to the premises of the former U.S. embassy, chanting slogans against the U.S. and Israel. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hossein Salami, chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), on Sunday said the U.S. policies are to blame for the terrorism and divisions in the Muslim world.

    Salami made the remarks at a rally to mark the 45th anniversary of the former U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran and the “National Day of the Fight against Global Arrogance,” also known as the “National Student Day.”

    Speaking at the gathering, the IRGC chief commander stressed that the “phenomenon of Takfiri (extremist) terrorism and bloody divisions in the Muslim world” were all outcomes of the U.S. policies.

    Salami described the United States as a “paradoxical identity,” according to the official news agency IRNA.

    He added while the United States spoke of global peace, security and order, it was the source of all “crimes, massacres and occupations” in the world.

    Iranians took to the streets on Sunday, staging a march to the premises of the former U.S. embassy, chanting slogans against the U.S. and Israel. The demonstrators waved flags of Iran, Hezbollah and Palestine, as well as pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and slain leaders and commanders of Iran and the regional resistance groups.

    At the end of the rally, the demonstrators issued a statement vowing allegiance to Iran’s supreme leader and condemning Israel’s “crimes” in Gaza and Lebanon, “which are being perpetrated with the direct participation and support of the United States.”

    They also called on the international community to work towards the achievement of ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.

    A few months after the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in February 1979, Iranian university students took over the U.S. embassy building, saying that the embassy was, based on the documents found in it, planning to overthrow the Islamic Republic and serving as an espionage base for the U.S. government. Iran commemorates the takeover every year by holding nationwide rallies.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 10 killed, 9 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Baalbek, Lebanon, on Nov. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Ten people were killed and nine others injured on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes on different areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, Lebanese official sources said.

    An anonymous source from the Lebanese Civil Defense said that the Israeli raid on the Saida neighborhood in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of three people and left nine others injured. Additionally, three civilians were killed in a raid on the town of Machghara in eastern Lebanon, and two more were killed in the village of Jabal al-Batam in southern Lebanon.

    The source added that two paramedics from the Islamic Health Authority were killed in the municipality of Bazourieh in southern Lebanon.

    Also on Sunday, a team from the Lebanese Red Cross retrieved five bodies of Lebanese civilians from the rubble of two houses destroyed by Israel’s Wednesday airstrikes on the eastern edge of the southeast town of Khiam.

    Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that its military wing attacked various Israeli settlements and military bases with drones and missiles.

    The Israeli army has launched intensive attacks on Lebanon since late September in an escalation with Hezbollah.

    According to a report by the Lebanese Health Ministry on Sunday, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, reached 2,986, while injuries went up to 13,402.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israeli airstrike on S. Gaza kills 9 Palestinians

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People stand on the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli attack in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Nine Palestinians, including four children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Sunday.

    Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of Palestinians in the Sheikh Nasser area, east of Khan Younis city.

    Paramedics reported that medical workers retrieved the bodies of the victims, and transferred several others with varying injuries to hospitals.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Sunday that IDF troops are continuing operational activities in central and southern Gaza, locating weaponry and eliminating militant cells.

    Also on Sunday, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestine’s minister of state for foreign affairs and expatriates, received a European Parliament delegation at the ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah, central West Bank.

    During the meeting, Shahin discussed with the delegation the latest developments concerning the war in Gaza, according to a ministry statement.

    Shahin emphasized the importance of cooperation with international partners to stop the killings in Gaza and build on the international recognitions and court rulings that affirm the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, said the statement.

    Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 taken hostage.

    The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 43,341, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shenzhou-18 return capsule touches down, astronauts all sound

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

    The return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, touches down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 4, 2024. The three astronauts are all in good health condition, according to the China Manned Space Agency. [Photo/Xinhua]

    JIUQUAN, Nov. 4 — The return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday.

    The three astronauts are all in good health condition, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Investment in electric vehicle charging network

    Source: Scottish Government

    Expansion announced ahead of Ayr Travelling Cabinet.

    Ahead of his first Travelling Cabinet since becoming First Minister, John Swinney will today (Monday) announce plans to expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Ayrshire and the Glasgow City Region. A £6.3 million investment from the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund will lead to the introduction of approximately 3,550 new public EV charge points across the region.

    The First Minister has also welcomed confirmation from charge point data provider ZapMap that Scotland has already reached its target of installing more than 6,000 public EV charge points, two years ahead of the 2026 target.

    Cabinet Secretaries will visit businesses and projects across South Ayrshire to highlight their four priorities: eradicating child poverty, building prosperity, protecting the planet and improving public services. The First Minister and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop will visit an electric vehicle charging hub where they will meet representatives from EV infrastructure company IONITY.

    The Cabinet will then go on to meet at Ayr Town Hall, followed by a public discussion.

    The First Minister said:

    “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of our commitment to making sustainable travel accessible for everyone in Scotland.

    “We need to maintain this rapid progress, working in greater partnership with the private sector to accelerate the pace and scale of delivery right across the country.

    “By fast-tracking EV infrastructure, we’re paving the way for a net-zero Scotland while advancing our goal to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

    “This is a key example of how the Scottish Government is focused on delivering on our key priorities and I am looking forward to hearing from people in Ayr about how we can continue to deliver for them.

    “Connecting with communities across the country enables us to make informed decisions as we strive to create a wealthier, fairer and greener Scotland.”

    Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

    “In 2023, we published our Vision for public EV charging infrastructure, highlighting the key role the private sector will play in delivering Scotland’s future EV charging requirements for public charging.

    “Through our £30 million EV Infrastructure Fund we are continuing to support public EV charging; providing Local Authorities with funding to enable them to work in partnership with the private sector to continue to expand public EV charging across Scotland.

    “This approach is paying dividends – ensuring faster delivery and greater reliability of public charge points across the country. I’m pleased to welcome the matched investment from businesses such as IONITY which is helping to scale up the provision of public EV charging across Scotland.”

    Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Region Cabinet Chair and Leader of Glasgow City Council said:

    “Electric vehicles are to key to reducing carbon emissions and the expanded charging network this funding will deliver can persuade more citizens across the City Region to switch to electric.

    “And in creating the biggest network of charge points across Scotland’s most populous communities we can make a real impact on our national climate targets.”

    IONITY Country (UK & Ireland) Manager Andreas Atkins said:

    “For Scotland to have reached its ambitious target of delivering 6,000 public chargers well ahead of its 2026 target is a huge achievement, especially in such a difficult economic environment at present in the UK.

    “A continued collaborative approach between the public sector and private industry is required to tackle and deliver the roadmap for net zero transport, and IONITY will continue to play a key role in this.

    “We have already injected £20 million investment in Scotland by the end of 2025, with a further £20 million committed into Scotland by 2028 – delivering 100% green electricity through our chargers from Scotland’s main cities to the West Coast and the Highlands.

    “Not only will we enable electric transit right across Scotland, but our charging hub site partners, such as food and beverage retailers, retail parks and hospitality venues will directly benefit. The IONITY hubs are introducing those businesses – and wider local economies – to new revenue streams and additional footfall, bringing entire communities with us into the era of electric vehicles.”

    Zapmap COO and Co-founder Melanie Shufflebotham said: 

    “Reaching the milestone of 6,000 public chargers across Scotland is a significant achievement, with the Scottish government showing great commitment to the EV sector with the forward-looking investment in the ChargePlace Scotland network over the last decade. This has then been supplemented with other private networks and investment across the country.

    “Since the target of 6,000 public EV charge points by 2026 was announced by the Scottish Government in June 2023, charge point infrastructure has grown at an impressive rate – up over 49% from 4,023 in June 2023.

    “This number covers many different charging use cases across diverse locations, from low powered on-street chargers to destination chargers at scenic spots to 150kW+ charging hubs.

    “It’s exciting to see charging hubs being established across the country, from Inverness and Aberdeen in the north to around the urban centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh. This infrastructure not only supports Scottish EV drivers in their daily travels but also enables visitors to explore the stunning Scottish landscape with confidence on longer journeys.”

    Background

    Since 2011 the Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in public EV charging. Charge point data provider ZapMap has confirmed Scotland had 6,007 public charge points as of 31 October, delivered through a combination of public and increasing private sector investment.

    As a direct result, per head of population, Scotland has more public EV charge points than any other part of the UK, except London. We also benefit from more rapid public EV charge points than any other UK region,

    The Scottish public EV charging Vision was published in June 2023 and sets out our ambition to see a comprehensive, convenient and efficient network. The Scottish Government has announced a commitment to enabling approximately 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030, and we expect the majority of these to be delivered by the private sector.

    Public charge points are only one part of the overall charging mix. The Scottish Government has also provided £5.7 million to support the installation of 18,861 domestic charge points and £10.8 million to support 1,432 higher powered workplace charge points – all complementing the public network.

    Map of electric charging points for electric cars UK: Zapmap (zap-map.com)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –