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  • MIL-OSI USA: Boston Globe: Elizabeth Warren on why we need universal child care now

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 04, 2021
    In an essay adapted from her new book, the senator says the pandemic made it clear: The economy depends on child care and caregivers.
    In early April 2020, just as wave after wave of coronavirus cases were hitting the United States and hospitals in hot spots were worried about being overrun with sick and dying people, I set up a conference call with a big group of Massachusetts nurses. They were working long hours, there were no known COVID-19 treatments, and they were watching their patients die alone. I’d also heard terrible stories about the shortage of face masks and other protective gear. Let’s be clear: If nurses can’t do their jobs, then the whole health care system breaks down and all of America is at risk.
    I thanked the nurses and said I agreed with everyone in our country who had been calling them “heroes.” There were some polite responses, and then I asked the obvious question: What do you need so you can do your jobs? The first answer: child care. Another chimed in, saying, Yeah, we need child care. And then the dam broke, with the nurses talking over each other. The always-tricky and always-stressful task of arranging child care had become so much harder exactly at the moment when the need for these parents to be in the workforce was at its most desperate.
    Their employers saw the problem as well. And the same was true for other employers who were trying to keep their people on the front lines so that, say, grocery stores could stay open or bus lines would run. One in five of those who couldn’t work cited child care as the reason. Without adequate child care, an economy that was already under great strain faced the very real possibility of breaking down entirely.
    …
    Read full article here.
    By:  Senator Elizabeth WarrenSource: Boston Globe

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington Post: How to fix our rigged tax system

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    Now that the Senate has passed a budget resolution, we’re one step closer to realizing President Biden’s transformational agenda: a once-in-a-generation investment in child care and Medicare, combating climate change and other efforts that would actually make our government work for families. The other half of the package — how to pay for these investments — is equally important.

    The already huge gap between the 0.1 percent and everyone else is just getting wider. Billionaire wealth surged by $1.8 trillion from the early days of the pandemic through last month. The 400 richest Americans had more total wealth, as of 2019, than all 10 million Black American households, plus a quarter of Latino households, combined. Yet the ultrarich pay only 3.2 percent of that wealth in taxes, while 99 percent of families pay 7.2 percent. And scores of giant U.S. corporations pay zero.

    I’ve proposed measures that would raise more than $5 trillion in revenue — far more than we need to enact the Biden plan. Though not every Democrat agrees with every one of my ideas, Biden campaigned aggressively on a suite of progressive tax policies, and voters embraced these changes at the ballot box. No matter how loudly Washington lobbyists bleat otherwise, progressive tax policies are wildly popular. Americans understand that our tax system has been rigged to reward the rich and powerful at the expense of everyone else. So let’s fix it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Closure of Thio mines: the government expresses its solidarity and calls for a rapid resumption of activity

    MIL OSI Translation. French Polynesian to English –

    Source: Government of New Caledonia

    The government deeply deplores the announcement of the closure of the three mining sites in Thio by Société Le Nickel (SLN), the historic cradle of the mining industry in New Caledonia. This decision, which concerns the sites of Dothio, Plateau and Camp des Sapins, represents a hard blow for the municipality and all its inhabitants.

    With 350 jobs cut, including 230 direct jobs and 120 indirect jobs, hundreds of families are being severely impacted. Subcontracting, which represented nearly 3.7 billion francs for the municipality, will also suffer the consequences of this decision.

    The government wishes to express its solidarity with the families affected by this closure and acknowledges the historical and economic importance of the Thio mine, which has contributed to the growth of the Caledonian metallurgical industry for 140 years. As a reminder, nearly 20% of the ore processed at the Doniambo plant comes from Thio, highlighting its central role in the territory’s nickel sector.

    Furthermore, the government is asking SLN and all stakeholders to work in a concerted and responsible manner to explore all possibilities for resuming activities on the site. It is crucial to preserve local employment and ensure a sustainable future for the families of Thio and for the nickel industry, a pillar of the New Caledonian economy.

    The government finally reiterates its commitment to support any initiative aimed at restoring hope to the commune of Thio and revitalizing mining activity while respecting social, economic and environmental balances.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – Stats NZ media and information release: Consumers price index: September 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – 16 October 2024 – New Zealand’s consumers price index increased 2.2 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with the September 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    The 2.2 percent annual increase follows a 3.3 percent annual increase in the June 2024 quarter.

    “For the first time since March 2021, annual inflation is within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3 percent. Prices are still rising, but not as much as previously recorded,” consumer prices manager Nicola Growden said.

    Higher rent prices was the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate, up 4.5 percent. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 percent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices.

    Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – One week until Meet the Buyer: Facilitating business deals for WA’s food and beverage sector

    Source: ProntoPR.com.au

    There’s one week to go before the Buy West Eat Best trade show, ‘Meet the Buyer,’, which will be held at Crown on 22 October.

    Now in its fourth year, ‘Meet the Buyer’ is Western Australia’s largest and most diverse showcase of WA food and beverage businesses.

    Buy West Eat Best program manager Melissa Worthington said exhibitor space sold out in record time and there are delegate tickets still available.

    “The growth of ‘Meet the Buyer’ has been driven by the state’s agrifood business community and it’s always gratifying to hear the positive outcomes for suppliers and buyers,” Ms Worthington said.

    “It’s WA’s most important food and beverage trade show, and it’s the only event of its kind that brings together buyers, importers, chefs, sommeliers, media and educators under one roof for one day,” she said.

    Almost 70 percent of respondents to the 2023 ‘Meet the Buyer’ survey said their attendance had resulted in a positive commercial outcome, whether it was finding new stockists or simply gaining more knowledge about how to improve their chances of getting their products into the market or business to business connections.

    Chef Paul Lange, from Smokey Q rubs and sauces, connected with a Woolworths buyer at the inaugural ‘Meet the Buyer’ and went on to pursue opportunities with a Coles representative.

    “It’s really exciting for a smaller business to get that recognition from the larger players,” Mr Lange says.

    More than 80 percent of respondents said the trade show had enabled them to meet buyers or business contacts they had not met previously.

    Sweeter Banana Co-operative’s Doriana Mangili said Meet the Buyer has helped build relationships, opening up opportunities outside the event.

    “Over the years with one retailer we would just have a bit of a yarn and then this year we were invited to attend one of their trade shows. This wouldn’t have happened without us attending ‘Meet the Buyer’ each year and getting to know them,” Ms Mangili said.

    The inclusive atmosphere at ‘Meet the Buyer’ enables attendees to get to know one another in an informal setting, including at the sundowner event after the show. Many attendees have commented on the positive engagement with others and the joys of meeting new people and building their networks.

    For chefs like Blair Allen, from Amelia Park Restaurant in Wilyabrup in WA’s south west, ‘Meet the Buyer’ is also a great way to catch up with suppliers who he might only otherwise deal with over the phone or email.

    “Just putting faces to names was great – it just makes the whole ordering process easier,” Mr Allen said.

    ‘Meet the Buyer’ is also an ideas incubator, with so many people in the know at hand to offer suggestions and advice.

    Almost 40 percent of respondents to the 2023 survey said they had changed their business strategy, product range or packaging as a result of ‘Meet the Buyer’.

    One said they had introduced a couple of new lines, while another said they were customising products for WA companies.

    Chef Rob Nixon, from That Plant Café, said it’s great to see producers take suggestions on board.

    “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever been to,” Mr Nixon said.

    “As chefs, we’re so busy running our own restaurant that we would have a hard time going to see one or two small-batch producers, let alone 100 or so. Here, they are all under the one roof.”

    More than 92 percent of attendees said they would be returning to ‘Meet the Buyer’ in 2024.

    ‘Meet the Buyer’ will host more than 80 food and beverage exhibitors showcasing in excess of 550 products and is set to attract local, interstate and international visitors.

    For more information about Meet the Buyer, visit meetthebuyer.com.au.

    About Buy West Eat Best

    The Buy West Eat Best program is a voluntary food labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local food and beverage producers to promote their products to grocery shoppers and those that dine out.

    Buy West Eat Best works with members to support and promote the buy local message, highlight the importance of seasonality and champion delicious, fresh ranges of fruits and vegetables that grocery shoppers can seek out, particularly as new seasons commence.

    The program works across the supply chain, from producers, processors, retail, and foodservice businesses; providing a critical conduit to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of businesses and identify source of origin for consumers. There is a vast and diverse range of local businesses and brands that are members of the Buy West Eat Best community.

    When you see the distinctive Buy West Eat Best bite mark logo you can be assured that you are buying premium food that has been grown, farmed, fished, processed, prepared and served right here in WA.

    The program has matured, and it is vitally important to the State from an economic and employment perspective – the food and drink industry or agrifood sector is the second largest export sector to mining and resources and critical to the diversification and sustainability of local communities across the State.

    The Buy West Eat Best logo is a registered trademark owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), administered by government and championed by business and industry.

    http://www.buywesteatbest.org.au

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash – Wickham Point

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Wickham Point overnight.

    Just before 5am, the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received a report of a single vehicle rollover on Channel Island Road.

    Police and St John Ambulance responded to the scene, where they found a deceased female, aged 29, inside the vehicle. She was the sole occupant.

    Major Crash Detectives have arrived at the scene and are currently investigating. A crime scene has been established, and one lane of the road is open, although traffic delays are likely.

    The time and circumstances surrounding the crash remain under examination.

    The number of lives lost on NT roads this year has reached 51, compared to 21 at the same time last year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Malnutrition in women and girls costs $1.6 trillion annually: World Vision urges action for World Food Day

    Source: World Vision

    • Two thirds of children under five are living in food poverty in low and middle-income countries, with one in three living in severe poverty only consuming milk and grain every day
    • Girls are 40-50% more likely to die in infancy and childhood than boys because parents prioritise nutrition and medical care for sons over daughters 
    • Anaemia in low-and middle-income countries is costing women and girls $110 billion2 in lost productivity. Without the effects of stunting and anaemia, 15.8 million more girls would complete secondary school every year 
    • In NZ, there is an estimated loss of $897m in income from malnutrition
    • Ultra-processed foods now make up 80% of diets in high-income countries and 30% in middle income countries, adding additional complexity to a global nutrition crisis 
    • Without change more than three million girls will die in the next four years due to low birthweight and Vitamin A deficiencies.

    Malnutrition in women and girls costs the global economy more than $1.6 trillion annually in lost productivity, according to a disturbing new report from aid agency, World Vision.

    The report, Breaking the Cycle: Malnutrition’s Toll on Women and Girls, is launched ahead of World Food Day (October 16th) and underscores the urgent need for action to address a global nutrition crisis.  

    The research reveals that women and adolescent girls comprise nearly two-thirds of the world’s chronically malnourished, with more than one billion suffering from various forms of malnutrition.  

    World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Fragile and Developing Countries, Belinda Robb, says girls’ malnutrition weakens their immune system, heightens disease, and leads to higher mortality rates.

    She says it is a pervasive global crisis with far-reaching implications, affecting their education, future earnings, and increasing their likelihood to experience violence and stress.  

    “This report highlights the enormous costs of malnutrition to girls and women worldwide, and the urgency needed to address it. We need to invest in essential nutrition and address systemic issues in food production so we can enhance health, expand educational opportunities, and improve economic outcomes for millions of women and girls to ensure a healthier, more equitable future for future generations.”

    Currently, two thirds of children under five in low- and middle-income countries live in food poverty, with a third of these subsisting on a diet limited to milk and grain each day.  

    Robb says without significant intervention, hundreds of thousands of infants are expected to die from low birth weight, and 2.5 million girls could die due to Vitamin A deficiencies.  

    Globally, women face a higher risk of food insecurity than men, with a widening gender gap evident in Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.  

    Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and anaemia predominantly affect women and girls in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In some countries, the prioritization of nutrition and medical care for boys over girls reveals a tragic truth: girls are 40-50% more likely to die in infancy and childhood than boys.

    Globally, 30% of girls and women globally are suffering from anaemia, which has a wealth of negative health implications for women and girls. Maternal iron deficiency and anaemia can increase the risk of maternal death from haemorrhage, causes low birth weight in infants, and impairs child development. Anaemia also harms women’s productivity and their ability to generate income, reducing the health and quality of life for millions of women and future generations.

    Malnutrition, particularly anaemia, costs children and women $110 billion in lost productivity in low- and middle-income countries. Without the impacts of stunting and anaemia, an additional 15.8 million girls could complete secondary school each year.  

    World Vision’s Advocacy lead, Dana Buzducea, says many families turn to child labour to provide short-term economic relief, but this traps girls in a cycle of low-incomes and chronic food insecurity.

    “The number of people going to bed hungry and living with the long-term effects of malnutrition shot-up during the pandemic and have not dropped. This is after years of success in reducing hunger.  People who cannot feed their children are left with little choice but to leave their countries and seek survival elsewhere,” she says.  

    Buzducea says the nutrition crisis is not just an issue in low-income countries either.  Since the 1990s, poverty among girls has risen in more than half of OECD countries, trapping many in a cycle of poverty and malnutrition that threatens the next generation.  

    She says ultra-processed foods now make up 80% of diets in high-income countries and 30 per cent in middle income countries, causing a plethora of health issues.  

    World Vision is calling on governments, organisations, and individuals to unite in combating malnutrition and advocating for the rights and health of women and girls globally.  

    To help ensure a girl has the nutrition she needs to survive and thrive, visit: https://www.worldvision.org.nz/give-now/sponsor-a-child/#choose  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Southland Police acknowledge sentencing in intimate visual recordings case

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Southland Police acknowledge the recent guilty plea and sentencing of a 54-year-old man, who was charged with making numerous intimate visual recordings of several victims over a five-year period.

    The man was sentenced on 9 October to 10.5 months home detention and ordered to pay $3000 emotional harm payment to each of the victims.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Nicholas Leigh says Police were able to hold this serious offending to account largely thanks to the help of the victims.

    “The bravery of the women who came forward to assist in the prosecution of this offender cannot be overstated.

    “While we are pleased with the guilty plea and sentencing in this instance, we are also mindful that offending around intimate visual recordings, blackmail and sextortion continues to be rife around the country.

    “We often see younger victims being coerced into sharing photos or videos of themselves, their school friends or their family. In time, these images can be used by offenders as blackmail with threats to post online, or share them with people close to the victim.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh urges parents and caregivers to discuss online safety with young people, and the importance of reporting any online offending. 

    “It pays to be vigilant with people you don’t know – whether that’s meeting online or in person.

    “Save any online chat, and immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.”

    To report this type of offending, please contact Police on 105, or an online report through Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz/report.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – Stats NZ media and information release: Consumers price index: September 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Annual inflation at 2.2 percent – 16 October 2024 – New Zealand’s consumers price index increased 2.2 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with the September 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    The 2.2 percent annual increase follows a 3.3 percent annual increase in the June 2024 quarter.

    “For the first time since March 2021, annual inflation is within the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s target band of 1 to 3 percent. Prices are still rising, but not as much as previously recorded,” consumer prices manager Nicola Growden said.

    Higher rent prices was the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate, up 4.5 percent. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 percent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices.

    Visit our website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – Greenpeace condemns rapid removal of freshwater protections by Government

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace is slamming the Government for proceeding with a controversial bill to strip back freshwater protections, which passed its second reading late last night.
    Greenpeace freshwater spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “New Zealanders value clean, swimmable lakes and rivers, and access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right.
    “By stripping away freshwater protections, the Government will undermine these key values that New Zealanders hold dear. Christopher Luxon’s coalition Government is positioning itself as anti-environment by putting commercial interests over the health of communities and ecosystems.”
    The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill seeks to remove the requirement for resource consent applicants to comply with Te Mana o Te Wai, as well as removing restrictions on mud farming or intensive winter grazing.
    “Nobody wants to see cows giving birth knee-deep in mud. Nobody wants local streams choked with algal blooms or their tap water contaminated. But these are the real consequences of pushing this bill through Parliament,” says Appelbe.
    Already, many rural communities across the country, especially in Canterbury, are facing high levels of nitrate in their drinking water. A growing body of science shows that long-term exposure to levels of nitrate above 1 mg/L can lead to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, and at levels above 5 mg/L, the New Zealand College of Midwives advises pregnant people to find an alternative water source due to an increased risk of preterm birth.
    “Greenpeace will continue to stand with communities and fight to end pollution of lakes, rivers, and drinking water at source. This means reducing the dairy herd, ending the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, and stopping new big irrigation schemes,” says Appelbe.
    Greenpeace is hosting a town hall meeting this Saturday in Rangiora to discuss the water pollution crisis in Canterbury – the hotspot of freshwater pollution in Aotearoa – and to support local communities in taking action on the issue. Additionally, more than twenty thousand people have signed a Greenpeace petition calling on the Government to leave New Zealand’s freshwater protections alone.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Latin America Expands Newsroom To Include Paraguay and Uruguay

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Latin America (SELA) has today announced the expansion of its regional Newsroom to include news and updates from Paraguay and Uruguay, extending its reach to an even wider audience across Latin America. Starting this month, these two strategic markets join a regional network that already serves Central America, the Caribbean, Ecuador and Venezuela.
     
    The inclusion of Paraguay and Uruguay expands the global Samsung Newsroom network to cover a total of 60 regions around the world.
     
    Samsung Newsroom has established itself as a leading source of information on Samsung for media outlets, business partners, tech enthusiasts and product users across Latin America. The online platform offers in-depth access to product launches, technological innovations and key events shaping Samsung’s agenda in Paraguay, Uruguay and other Latin American markets. In addition to the latest updates on mobile devices, smart appliances and business solutions, Samsung Newsroom highlights the company’s sustainability efforts and social responsibility initiatives throughout the region.
     
    “We are thrilled to welcome Paraguay and Uruguay to our news platform,” said Larissa Espinal, Head of Corporate Marketing Group at Samsung Electronics Latin America. “This expansion will allow us to further strengthen our connection with local audiences and share information on how Samsung transforms lives through innovation and technology.”
     
    Visit the Samsung Electronics Latin America Newsroom to discover the latest in Samsung technology from Paraguay, Uruguay and the broader Latin American region.
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Roy fights against radical progressive Democrats’ judicial power grab

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (OH-4) thanking Chairman Jordan for working with him to stand against radical progressive Democrats’ efforts to hijack the federal court system, usurp Congress’ constitutional powers, and disenfranchise countless American citizens.

    The Judicial Conference, the supervisory body of the federal court system, is attempting to engage in a thinly veiled, ideological power grab intended to hamstring states’ ability to fight back against the federal government in court by prohibiting single-judge divisions from hearing certain cases. Representative Roy is encouraging the House Judiciary Committee to continue to block any legislation supported by the Judicial Conference until it reverses course.

    In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Representative Roy wrote, “it is critical for the House Judiciary Committee to protect against unlawful left-wing activism – whether it is packing the courts or a backdoor judicial rule-making exercise designed to stop judges from carrying out their duty according to current congressional enacted law.”


    “I have greatly appreciated working with you and Judiciary Committee staff this summer to ensure that the Committee refuses to move legislation supported by the Judicial Conference until it abandons this dangerous proposal to disenfranchise Texans and other Americans,” Roy added. “This clearly is rooted in the desire of a few progressive democrats to limit states like Texas’ ability to halt federal actions that adversely impact Texans, including the work of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.”

    More background (via The Federalist):

    • “Earlier this year, the Judicial Conference issued ‘advisory guidelines’ to all the nation’s district courts, recommending that all cases be randomly assigned throughout the district in which they are filed — regardless of the division that actually receives the filing.”

    • “Now, just weeks before a monumental election, leftists have once again ramped up their efforts to ram through a rule in the Rules Committee of the Judicial Conference that would make the previously ‘advisory’ guidance outright mandatory, thus caving to the demands of, among others, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Biden Justice Department.”

    Read the full letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Ammunition

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Jamar Johnson, 30, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2019, a shooting occurred at the ARCO station at Fresno and C Streets in Fresno. During the incident, Johnson drove his silver Mercedes in the ARCO lot and fired a handgun at another vehicle. After the Johnson left the area, a cellphone belonging to Johnson was found in the parking lot where the Mercedes had been parked along with .45 caliber shell casings.

    The judge noted a number of factors supporting the sentence, including this being Johnson’s third firearms-related conviction, each of the firearms-related convictions involving Johnson discharging a firearm, Johnson’s history of violating the terms of his supervision, and continued risky behavior that put the community in danger. At the time of this offense, Johnson was on federal supervised release for a federal conviction for conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He violated the terms of his supervised release on that conviction within 71 days of commencing supervision.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – New Zealand’s leading pre-loved fashion marketplace expands across the ditch to Australia

    Source: Designer Wardrobe

    Auckland, New Zealand – 16 October 2024 – Following significant growth, New Zealand’s leading two-way marketplace for pre-loved fashion, Designer Wardrobe, has officially launched in Australia to offer fashion-loving Aussies a more sustainable, affordable, and smarter way to shop and sell pre-loved fashion.

    With a thriving community of over 325,000 members using the marketplace, Designer Wardrobe will help Australians earn money with fashion pieces from their wardrobes that they no longer reach for and might otherwise remain unworn. Australians will also be able to enjoy more than 160,000 pre-loved fashion pieces from both Australian and New Zealand sellers, opening up the pre-loved market on both sides of the Tasman.

    With this latest move, Designer Wardrobe aims to help extend the life of thousands, if not millions, of fashion pieces and accessories, keeping them in active circulation and reducing the number of items that might otherwise end up in landfill.

    Designer Wardrobe’s launch comes at the perfect time, with industry insights revealing:

    • 300,000 tonnes of clothing in Australia either ends up in landfill or being exported each year;
    • 73 per cent of Australians already purchase pre-loved clothing;
    • Two-thirds of Australians are considering side hustles to make ends meet.

    Additional insights from Designer Wardrobe highlights:

    • Total sales traded on the marketplace increased 14 per cent year-on-year compared to the same period in 2023 (*1 January – 30 September 2024 v 1 January – 30 September 2023;
    • Over the same period of time*, Designer Wardrobe has seen 208,688 pieces sold – helping to reduce what may otherwise end up in landfill, And, almost half a million (469,320) listings have been created on Designer Wardrobe. 
    • Designer Wardrobe’s user base has reached an impressive 325,000, doubling since pre-Covid times (2020), with approximately 1 in 10 women in New Zealand now using the marketplace.  Additionally, the number of clothing items sold on the platform has increased more than fivefold during the same period, underscoring Kiwis’ growing enthusiasm for pre-loved fashion.

    Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe, says: “After 10 successful years in New Zealand, the growth we’ve experienced has been monumental, and we’re thrilled to now bring our thriving marketplace and community of fashion lovers to Australia.”

    “Global trend data highlights that there has been a significant surge in sustainable shopping trends, with consumers increasingly opting for smarter and more affordable fashion alternatives in response to rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.”

    According to GlobalData’s report for ThredUp, global sales of pre-owned clothing rose by 18 per cent last year, reaching $197 billion, and are projected to grow to $350 billion by 2028; And, second-hand clothing is projected to account for 10 per cent of global fashion sales, underscoring the rising demand for more sustainable shopping options.

    Bartlett continues: “At a time when many are seeking additional income streams and looking to make smarter fashion choices by purchasing pre-loved, Aussies can feel confident buying and selling through a trusted marketplace with thousands of active members.

    “Australians will have access to thousands of listings across both Australia and New Zealand, and Kiwis can also enjoy pieces from popular Australian brands like Aje, Shona Joy, Caitlin Crisp, Alemais, Bec + Bridge, and Sir the Label.

    “The average shopper can save up to 60 per cent off the original RRP of their favourite luxury, designer, and high-street brands. Even better, they can feel great about their smart purchasing decisions by extending the life of items they may otherwise end up in landfill.”

    “Our platform has always been about more than just buying and selling clothes; it’s about empowering our community to find value in what they own and to contribute to a more circular economy. It’s a win-win for both the wallet and the environment,” Bartlett adds.

    Just like in New Zealand, Aussies can shop with confidence using the Designer Wardrobe app or website. Every order comes with Purchase Protection, ensuring a secure experience. Sellers can list items for free and ship them to buyers via tracked courier. Once the item is received, the earnings are deposited into the seller’s DW Wallet, where they can be withdrawn at any time or used toward their next purchase.

    For more information about New Zealand’s largest community of pre-loved fashion enthusiasts, please visit http://www.designerwardrobe.co.nz

    About Designer Wardrobe

    Since its founding in 2014, Designer Wardrobe has experienced unprecedented growth, becoming a major player in the pre-loved fashion industry and forming New Zealand’s largest community of pre-loved fashion enthusiasts. The company’s purpose-built New Zealand-made marketplace platform is the go-to for 325,000 users to shop and sell pre-loved clothing and now facilitates around $1.6 million in transactions every month.

    Designer Wardrobe champions its customers’ needs, regularly launching innovative products, including seller add-ons, AI and an integrated resale widget, to create a seamless shopping and selling experience while promoting sustainability in New Zealand’s bustling fashion industry.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Water Safety – New Mangawhai Water Safety Ambassador

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Following increased water activity in recent years, a new role dedicated to keeping people safe at several popular Northland marine areas is set to start in time for summer.
    From Labour Weekend Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) new Water Safety Ambassador will be out on the water in Mangawhai and surrounds, ensuring people are kept safe and practising good maritime behaviour.
    Experienced skipper and former Naval hydrographic technician, Barry Nielson, has taken up the new part-time position, working across Mangawhai, Waipu and Kai Iwi Lakes throughout the busy summer season until mid-February.
    Nielson said many people were now using areas like Mangawhai Harbour for kayaking, jet-skiing, and paddle boarding, which was causing the small area to become increasingly congested.
    After trialling last year’s pilot programme, he said he was confident he could make a difference and looked forward to doing his bit for the community.
    “I really want to make sure people have an enjoyable time out on the water, so I’m here to help educate people on where they can do their chosen activity in a safe manner,” he said.
    “Last year we had several people operating vessels they were unfamiliar with, or who had sailed into areas they thought were safe when they weren’t.
    “There’s also a compliance element to my role, so if people are not playing the game, I can gather their details and in conjunction with the harbour master, take some form of action.”
    One of the major issues Nielson said he was seeing was people not wearing life jackets on vessels six metres or smaller.
    “It’s actually a legal requirement to wear a life jacket on boats or vessels that size,” Nielson said.
    Another big issue was the lack of an assigned observer when someone was being towed behind a vessel, including personal watercraft (PWC) or jet skis.
    “Remember it takes three to ski. The skipper, observer and the person being towed.”
    In response to community feedback, NRC last year invested in a 4.6m catamaran patrol boat, a ‘Fat Cat’ design, named ‘Mangawhai’.
    NRC Deputy Harbourmaster – Operations Peter Thomas said Nielson’s vast maritime knowledge and experience, combined with the new vessel, made them the perfect combination for the role.
    “Prior to having the water safety ambassador, our harbour wardens were the only ones able to assist people or to intercept inappropriate behaviour sighted out on the water,” Thomas said.
    “Although they’ve been doing a great job, they’ve been land-based, which has meant limited ability to affect behaviour out on the water or to interact with people when they come ashore, which can be in several different locations.
    “After last year, we were able to realise more of an on-water service, which is a more effective method of maintaining control and being able to sort out any potential issues.”
    Nielson echoed Thomas’ comments and said he’d noticed once people spotted the unique vessel, there tended to be immediate compliance.
    “The Mangawhai is the perfect vessel, as it’s really short and stocky, is well-marked and stands out, so I have definitely seen how people respond to its presence.”
    Northland Regional Council Coastal South General councillor and long-time Langs Beach resident Rick Stolwerk said he wasn’t surprised to see more people coming to visit over the summer given the beauty of the area.
    He said he was therefore pleased to see the introduction of the new Water Safety Ambassador role to accommodate the growing need for an on-water presence.
    “As someone who is passionate about keeping our community safe, both on and off the water, I think this is a great initiative,” Cr Stolwerk said.
    “Our message to the community is, just be safe out there and look out for other water users operating in the same space.
    “If one person is not abiding by rules, that makes it difficult for everyone else, so just be mindful, respectful and considerate of others.”
    Things to remember when planning on going out in the water this summer:
    • Abide by all bylaws, including 5 knot rules
    • Life jackets must be worn by all people on a 6m (or smaller) vessel
    • Take two forms of communication to call for help
    • Check marine weather forecast
    • Avoid alcohol
    • Be a responsible skipper
    • Check all systems prior to heading out on the water.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: West and Central Africa: About 10 million children forced out of schools by worst flooding in recent years

    Source: Save the Children

    About 10 million children across four countries in West and Central Africa are currently out of school due to massive regional flooding, which has damaged and destroyed infrastructure and displaced nearly one million people from their homes, said Save the Children.
    The unprecedented heavy rains across Nigeria, Mali, Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have created a worsening education crisis with the damage or destruction of schools, the occupation of school buildings by displaced families, and the displacement of families away from schools. These kinds of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe as a result of the climate crisis.
    While back-to-school season was expected to start at the end of September, all four countries are seeing masses of children missing out on the start of the school year. The 10 million children currently stuck at home or displaced due to floods are in addition to about 36 million children – of which over 20 million are in Nigeria – estimated to ,already be out of school in the four countries due to conflict and poverty according to the UN [1].
    At the end of September, Niger declared the postponement of the start of the school year for at least three weeks because of the floods, forcing 3.8 million learners out of school [2]. The floods have also leftover 5,520 classrooms in Niger damaged, destroyed, or occupied by displaced families [3].
    Earlier this month, Mali also declared a month’s postponement to the start of the school year. This nationwide decision is impacting some 3.8 million learners from primary and secondary schools [4].
    In Nigeria, at least 3 million children are out of school in Borno state, with 2.2 million children newly out of school due to statewide closures from flooding. [5] Heavy rains have affected 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states over the past month, killing 269 people and forcing 640,000 people from their homes [6].
    In the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the beginning of the year, flooding had resulted in the destruction of 1,325 schools and impacted over 200,000 children [7]. As of today, at least 59,000 children are out of school, with the province of Tanganyika most affected [8]. In May, at the peak of the flooding season, another 120 classrooms were destroyed in the province forcing 12,000 children to miss out on school [9].
    Before the flooding, 14,000 schools in Central and West Africa were already closed because of attacks and threats on education [10]. This catastrophic situation makes the already fragile chances of access to education for thousands of children even more dire.
    Vishna Shah-Little, Regional Director of Advocacy and Campaigns for Save the Children said, said:
    “Around the world, the start of a new school year is a time of joy and hope. For many children in West and Central Africa, the start of the school year is synonymous with sadness at the sight of their homes, schools and classrooms under water.
    “As well as seeing their families devastated and their homes destroyed, the children have to come to terms with witnessing the flooding of their education.”
    Save the Children is calling for donors to support scaling up the response to the devasting consequences of natural disasters on affected population especially children.
    Governments and partners must urgently take measure to provide alternative offers to allow children missing out on school to continue their education in this period and ensure as a way forward that schools are more resilient to extreme weather events such as flooding so that children can learn safely.
    Save the Children is responding to the situation in central and west Africa by providing emergency relief such as water, sanitation and hygiene kits, health and cash and voucher assistance support for affected families. We are also investing in strengthening national and community level early warning system for floods to better anticipate and prepare for such shocks.
    In the global response to the climate crisis, Save the Children is calling for national governments to rapidly phase out the use and subsidy of fossil fuels to limit warming temperatures to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels and to include the voices, needs and rights of children in the global response to climate change.
    Notes
    [1] UNESCO: https://education-estimates.org/out-of-school/data/. Total based on UNESCO’s middle estimate for 2023 for the four countries of DR Congo, Mali, Nigeria and Niger. Breakdown of 2023 out of school children (primary and secondary) according to the UN estimates: Nigeria: 21.4m; DRC: 6m; Niger: 5.5m; Mali: 3.3m
    [2] According to the Education cluster, 3,812,733 children were expected to go back to school at the start of the academic year in Niger.
    [3] As of 8 th October 2024, 5,520 classrooms were affected by flooding.
    [4] Based on national statistics on fundamental education from Mali’s Ministry of Education, noting that 2,972,650 children were enrolled in primary schools and 854,312 children were enrolled in secondary schools as of 2023.
    [5] In Nigeria, we estimate 2.2 million children out of school due to floods in Borno, in addition to 800,000 children already out of school in the state before the floods, according to local sources.
    [7] As of 24 February 2024, the flooding in DRC had inflicted significant damage across the DRC, resulting in the destruction of over 98,000 homes and1,325 schools. https://cerf.un.org/what-we-do/allocation/2024/summary/24-RR-COD-63589
    [8] DRC: As of July 2024, according to the Education Cluster, 10% of the 1,593 schools closed in the DRC were due to natural disaster. In total, the cluster estimates 590,000 children have been affected by school closures for all reasons in 2024.
    [9] According to the Education cluster, 117 classrooms were destroyed by flooding in Kalemi and Moba, in the province of Tanganyika, affecting 12 289 children https://reliefweb.int/map/democratic-republic-congo/republique-democratique-du-congo-alerte-sur-les-inondations-des-ecoles-dans-la-province-de-tanganyika-mai-2024
    [10] As of 9 September 2024, 14,364 schools have closed in central and West Africa because of armed violence according to the regional situation report Q2 2024 of Education in Emergencies Working Group for West and Central Africa [1]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Construction Economy – NZ construction costs show minor uptick amidst ongoing industry slowdown – CoreLogic

    Source: CoreLogic

    Tax changes, high levels of existing stock on the market, and credit-constrained buyers have compounded the building industry slowdown, holding construction cost growth low for more than 18 months.

    CoreLogic’s latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) recorded a 1.1% rise in the September quarter, reversing the fall recorded in Q2. It marks the first time quarterly growth has exceeded 1% since December 2022.

    However, the annual growth rate remains subdued at 1.3% – the second lowest since late 2013 and well below the long-term average growth rate of 4.3%.
    CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said overall construction cost growth remains subdued, reflecting an easing of pressure for both labour and materials.

    The index recorded a drop in sub-contractor charge-out rates in Q3, alongside many plumbing materials such as PVC piping, although the cost for materials such as window hardware and kitchen joinery rose over the period.
    “The wider residential construction sector has been in a downturn for about two years now, with dwelling consents falling and actual workloads subsequently declining too,” he said.
    “The industry has come off extreme highs recorded during COVID, and building activity remains solid when compared to previous cycles. Even so, it does look like there is capacity opening up, which has reduced the pressure on costs.”

    Mr Davidson said the industry is grappling with additional challenges, as many households remain financially cautious despite falling mortgage rates and the number of established property listings available for sale remains high.
    New Zealand currently has about 26,000 properties listed for sale—up from 23,000 at the same time last year and double the 13,000 that were available in 2021.
    “With such an elevated stock of existing listings, there’s less incentive for buyers to consider new-build properties,” he said. “The shortening of the Brightline Test and the reinstatement of mortgage interest deductibility for all properties regardless of age has also lessened the appeal of new-builds.”
    The supply pipeline has also slowed, with annual dwelling consents peaking at about 51,000 in May 2022 before falling 34% to 33,632 in August this year. Meanwhile, Mr Davidson said actual construction workloads, measured by ‘work put in place’, are down around 15% from their peak.
    While the outlook for the sector isn’t particularly buoyant in the short term, signs of life might just be starting to emerge, and Mr Davidson noted that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s newly introduced debt-to-income ratio restrictions, which exempt new builds, could help stimulate demand in this segment.

    Further interest rate cuts and improvements in the labour market are also likely to have a positive impact on construction activity into 2025.
    “Developers may feel more confident to increase supply if these changes, combined with falling mortgage rates, create a relative shift in demand towards new builds over the next 12 to 18 months,” Mr Davidson said.

    “This could lead to a resurgence in New Zealand’s construction sector, with agents and developers watching closely for any signs of a turnaround in 2025.”

    CoreLogic’s research, tracks and reports on materials and labour costs which flows through to its Cordell construction solutions to help businesses make more informed decisions, estimate rebuild and insurance quotes easily and, ultimately, appropriate risk effectively.
    The CCCI report measures the rate of change of construction costs within the residential market for a typical, ‘standard’ three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick and tile single-storey dwelling.
    To read the report, visit http://www.corelogic.co.nz/reports/cordell-construction-cost-index.

    About CoreLogic
    CoreLogic NZ is a leading, independent provider of property data and analytics. We help people build better lives by providing rich, up-to-the-minute property insights that inform the very best property decisions. Formed in 2014 following the merger of two companies that had strong foundations in New Zealand’s property industry – Terralink Ltd and PropertyIQ NZ Ltd – we have the most comprehensive property database with coverage of 99% of the NZ property market and more than 500 million decision points in our database.
    We provide services across a wide range of industries, including Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Government, Insurance and Construction. Our diverse, innovative solutions help our clients identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. We also operate consumer-facing portal propertyvalue.co.nz – providing important insights for people looking to buy or sell their home or investment property. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of CoreLogic, Inc – one of the largest data and analytics companies in the world with offices in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and United Kingdom. For more information visit corelogic.co.nz.
    About Cordell Building Indices
    The Cordell Building Indices (CBI) are a series of construction industry index figures that are used to monitor the movement in costs associated with building work within particular segments of the industry. The CBI indicate the rate of change in prices within particular segments of the New Zealand construction industry.
    The changes in prices are measured daily through the use of detailed cost surveys, and are reported on a quarterly basis. This ensures the most current and comprehensive industry information available. Each index is based on a combination of labour, material, plant hire and subcontract services required to construct buildings within the particular segment being measured. The CBI measure the change in the cost of constructing buildings, and as such do not provide the actual costs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy and employee snooping: The greatest threat in the workplace could be sitting next to you

    Source: New Zealand Privacy Commissioner – Blog

    Originally published on the New Zealand Herald 3 October 2024.

    Beware the risk within

    By Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner

    One of the greatest risks to privacy in the workplace could be sitting next to you – or it could even be you.

    Employee browsing or the unauthorised access and misuse of personal information is one of the most common privacy breaches. I also believe it’s one of the least understood or reported on, as required by the Privacy Act.

    New Zealand is a small place and there’s a good chance a familiar name will crop up in a database or on a file at work and it can prove very tempting to have a look.

    However, a sneaky peek isn’t a harmless case of nosiness; it’s inappropriate and can be a breach of the principles underpinning the Privacy Act. In the cases I see it can have potentially serious consequences such as harassment and blackmail.

    In one example, a person in a position of power looked up the details of a colleague’s partner then used their position to repeatedly sexually harass them via text message. The victim felt intimidated, scared, and fearful in their own home so contacted our Office.

    In some circumstances employees look up information and then pass it on for the explicit purpose of causing harm – for example, finding the address of someone who owns expensive assets to be targeted for a burglary.

    In other examples they do it because they think they’re helping a friend when they’re acting illegally. Like the employee working for a counsellor who had a friend in a custody dispute with their ex-partner. The employee looked up information about the wellbeing of their friend’s ex-partner and shared it with their friend who then used it in their custody dispute hearing.

    Sometimes the temptation to ‘just have a quick look’ is a powerful force but employees need to be stronger. One story I’ve see was from a clinic doing STI and HIV testing. A new employee was being trained and decided to look up their own records while their trainer was in the room with them. That’s fine, it’s their information. However, when the trainer left the room, the new employee took the opportunity to look up the names of their ex-partner, current partner, and best friend – all in breach of the Privacy Act.

    The Privacy Act protects the personal information of all New Zealanders, which means that as well as employees not snooping, we need managers and owners to be informing their staff that it’s wrong to snoop, and to act when it’s found out.

    There’s a lot of information about us held in various databases, including contact details, bank accounts and financial records, and copies of identity documents. This material needs to be protected from internal threats from staff as well as external threats from third parties.

    Employers have a responsibility to secure databases and to limit access only to the staff that need that information to do their job. Employers also have a responsibility to recognise the potential for serious harm if staff are misusing their access privileges.

    The bottom line is organisations have an obligation to prevent their employees from inappropriately accessing and/or disclosing customer information. 

    Building privacy safeguards into your databases enables you to have access controls in place to protect personal information, ideally supported by audit logs so you can monitor who’s doing what and follow up on any unusual activity.

    Significant personal information is held in various databases across New Zealand. A good example is around driver licences and car registration details. Businesses and organisations like insurance providers, vehicle importers, or sellers can be granted access to the motor vehicle register for lawful purposes. However, when staff at those types of agencies access the database for their own reasons or interests then it’s a problem, which often leads to employee dismissal as well as the agency needing to report a privacy breach.

    Businesses have an obligation to ensure their staff have privacy training and a general awareness about the risks of employee browsing. They also need to take steps to make sure staff know they can only access information for work purposes.

    This can be reinforced by having clear policies about employee browsing in your agency’s code of conduct, including consequences for being caught inappropriately accessing personal information about customers and clients.

    Staff access to personal information comes with serious accountabilities about appropriate and lawful behaviour. We all need to treat it with respect. Organisations need to ensure there are consequences for employee browsing and treat any breaches of trust as serious compliance incidents.

    Back

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Celebrates Grand Opening of 52-Unit Edmonds Affordable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    10.15.24

    Cantwell Celebrates Grand Opening of 52-Unit Edmonds Affordable

    Half of the new units at Madrona Highlands are designated specifically for previously homeless families

    EDMONDS, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined the Housing Hope organization and other community leaders in celebrating the grand opening of Madrona Highlands, a 52-unit affordable apartment complex in Edmonds focused on providing housing for families with children.

    Madrona Highlands was paid for in part by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), a federal housing program championed by Sen. Cantwell. LIHTC funds covered $13.1 million of the total project.

    “This project is more than just a place to live. Moving into Madrona Highlands is about also having access to education, job training, […] and childcare development programs. Also, for the first time, Housing Hope is going to integrate healthcare services into this project,” Sen. Cantwell said. “So put simply, this is bringing hope into this community and bringing families together.”

    “We just need to build more supply in the United States of America,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “This affects everyone. So building more supply helps us drive down costs, and that’s why we are here today — because housing costs are a significant part of inflation. Over the last 10 years, our state has continued to grow, and that has continued to [unlock] new economic opportunities in Snohomish County. We’ve seen some of that growth, and we’ve seen the average cost of rent go up. So what we’re doing here today is helping these families, but [also] helping the whole community in providing more supply.”

    More information about the affordable housing crisis and Sen. Cantwell’s work to support and expand the LIHTC program is HERE.

    The new housing complex is Housing Hope’s first community in south Snohomish County and includes six one-bedroom, 34 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom apartments. Half of the apartments in Madrona Highlands are designated specifically for families coming directly from homelessness; residents will have access to all Housing Hope’s wraparound supportive services, including family support coaches, education and employment specialists, substance use disorder professionals, and mental health therapists. Housing Hope partnered with Snohomish County Human Services to fill the units designated for families currently without permanent housing through the County’s Coordinated Entry process, which families can begin by calling 211.

    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s speech and b-roll of her touring the new units is HERE; photos of the event are HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overnight southbound closures of SH1 Western Hills Drive from Thursday

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises the southbound lane of State Highway 1 Western Hills Drive will be closed overnight between Kensington Ave and Central Ave for road resurfacing from this Thursday (17 October).

    Due to the narrow width of the road, we need to close the southbound lanes to ensure there is enough room for construction vehicles and large machinery.

    Works will take place overnight between 9pm and 5am on Thursday 17 October, Sunday 20 October and Monday 21 October. Outside work hours the road will be fully open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. No works will take place on Friday (18 October) and Saturday (19 October) nights.

    There will be a signposted detour in place for southbound traffic via Kensington Ave, Kamo Road, Bank St, Water St and Central Ave. The detour is expected to add approximately five minutes to southbound journeys.

    Important note for Heavy Vehicles (HPMV)

    The detour route is not approved for HPMV. HPMV will be parked and grouped together, and escorted through the closure approximately every 20 minutes, as required.

    Emergency services and residents will be accommodated at all times. 

    Please take care when travelling through our work sites and watch out for our crews as they undertake important work to improve our roads. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.

    NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while we complete these important works.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Stefanik Demand FBI Take Action Against Antisemitic Terrorist Threats

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – As antisemitic incidents in the United States have increased 200% since Oct. 7, 2023, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) demanded the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate Columbia University Apartheid Divest’s (CUAD) terrorist threats.
    After CUAD celebrated the anniversary of the horrific Oct. 7 attacks as a “moral, military and political victory,” praised a Hamas-claimed terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, and once again called for and endorsed violence, Ernst and Stefanik urged the FBI’s New York field office and Columbia University leadership not to repeat last year’s failures, when Jewish students were told to hide at home.
    “The time to act is now. Rarely has the FBI had such public and obvious evidence of potentially imminent violence. This cannot become another instance in which a terrible case of violence takes place at a school and the FBI issues a statement after the fact that the perpetrators were ‘on its radar,’ but did nothing,” the lawmakers wrote.
    Click here to read the full letter.
    Background:
    As cases of antisemitism on campuses started to increase after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Ernst introduced the Students Bill of Rights Act to protect the First Amendment rights of students and stem discrimination at its source.
    In May 2024, Ernst led her colleagues in demanding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigate if 501(c)(3) organizations that have backed the violent pro-Hamas protests on college campuses violated the terms of their tax-exempt status.
    In response to antisemitic incidents on college campuses increasing by 700% last year, Ernst introduced legislation requiring universities and the Department of Education to immediately address civil rights complaints if a student experiences violence or harassment on campus because of their heritage.
    Last week, Senator Ernst raised concern that Hamas-linked entities on college campuses may be circumventing the Foreign Agents Registration Act to shape U.S. public opinion and policy outcomes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW first in the world to identify number of people living with metastatic breast cancer

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 16 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for Women

    In a world first, Cancer Institute NSW has identified that around 7,900 people in NSW are living with metastatic breast cancer. A discovery which will help improve cancer outcomes not just in NSW, but across the entire country.

    Using the Cancer Institute NSW’s unique linked data sets, a methodology which will soon be shared nationally and internationally, it has been determined that 7,850 women and 50 men in NSW are living with metastatic breast cancer.

    Understanding the number of people living with this disease will help overcome the feeling of invisibility described by so many and ensure that NSW is prepared to support the growing number of people living with and surviving cancer, thanks to medical advancements in treatment and care.

    It will also ensure health professionals and researchers better understand the impact of diagnostics and treatment on breast cancer recurrence and survival, and work to make life-changing improvements in cancer research, care and policy reform.

    Metastatic breast cancer is an invasive form of breast cancer which has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. While the number of people initially diagnosed with breast cancer is available through each state and territories cancer registries, the exact number of people who go on to develop metastatic breast cancer, following an initial breast cancer diagnosis, is unknown in Australia and around the world.

    Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has led Australian advocacy efforts to develop a clearer picture of the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer, holding a roundtable last year with key government, non-government and community agencies.

    Following the roundtable, the Cancer Institute NSW set to work to identify the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer, using well established and robust data assets.

    By linking cancer incidence and mortality data with NSW clinical datasets, Commonwealth Medicare Benefits Schedule, Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule and National Death Index data, the Institute was able to determine the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer in NSW.

    The Cancer Institute NSW will soon share its robust data methodology to help support national and international efforts in understanding and treating metastatic breast cancer

    Today, Minister for Health Ryan Park also opened a new BreastScreen NSW clinic at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. For eligible women, a breast screen every two years can help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages when it is easier to treat. For more information on breast cancer and breast cancer screening visit http://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “As NSW Health Minister, I am incredibly proud NSW clinicians and researchers have made this remarkable discovery.

    “NSW is proud to lead global efforts to understand how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer and lift the veil of uncertainty and invisibility experienced by thousands of people in our community.

    “Australia is now one step closer to understanding just how many people are impacted by this aggressive form of breast cancer, and in an important next step, understanding how many other people in our community are living with other forms of metastatic cancer.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler:

    “This is an important step forward for people with metastatic breast cancer in New South Wales and I applaud the world-leading efforts of Cancer Institute NSW.

    “Knowledge is power and this information will help drive a new era of research to improve the lives of thousands of people, not just in NSW but across the country.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:

    “I congratulate the Cancer Institute NSW on this incredible research.

    “With breast cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, discoveries like this helps us get ahead and ensure that NSW is prepared to support the growing number of people living with and surviving cancer.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill:

    “Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time for women to make an appointment for your next mammogram. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free.

    “The refurbished and expanded BreastScreen NSW clinic here at The Royal Hospital for Women will make such a difference for local women, and as a result between 3 – 5 thousand additional women will be able to get a potentially life-saving mammogram each year.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM:

    “While our global understanding of cancer has improved significantly, cancer rates are projected to triple in the coming decades with more people currently living with cancer than are being newly diagnosed.

    “Pinpointing how many people have metastatic breast cancer is more than just knowing a number. It’s about giving a voice, options and hope to people living with and beyond cancer and letting them know we see them and are here for them.

    “Although a cure for metastatic breast cancer remains the ultimate goal, our immediate focus must be on helping those living longer with the disease to live well. It’s not just about treating the cancer – it’s about treating the whole person, improving their quality of life and addressing their physical, emotional, financial and practical needs.”

    Quotes attributable to Director Policy, Advocacy & Support Services Breast Cancer Network Australia Vicki Durston:

    “NSW is setting a benchmark as the first state to establish a method for reporting on the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer.

    “The data we now have reveals a reality far greater than we ever anticipated. BCNA stands for every individual whose life remains invisible in cancer data registries—not just here in Australia, but globally.”

    Quotes attributable to Breast Cancer Network Australia Consumer Representative Lisa Rankin:

    “As someone living with metastatic breast cancer, I am incredibly excited that it is now possible to recognise those living with the disease. Until now we have been hidden in plain sight and vastly underestimated in numbers.

    “I want to thank the NSW Government and BCNA’s advocacy for their achievement. I look forward to the positive change which will result from being recognised, improving the lives of those living with the disease, their families and others important to them.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – ATIDI and MIGA Partner to Streamline Investments in Africa

    Source: MediaFast

    ·       Organizations sign second three-year agreement to scale and replicate successful partnership models

    ·       Agreement will set up mechanism to measure progress and results as well as joint marketing initiatives to strengthen cooperation and explore new investment opportunities

    Washington, DC, USA – 15 October, 2024 – The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of World Bank Group Guarantees, have signed a three-year partnership to accelerate foreign direct investment across Africa. This is the second agreement between the two organizations aimed at maximising development impact.

    The organizations will collaborate by leveraging ATIDI’s expertise in insurance and guarantee products across the African continent and MIGA’s range of guarantee solutions and guarantee expertise through the World Bank Group guarantee platform. The partnership will also seek to improve efficiency in joint project due diligence, maximising cost savings and eliminating duplication.

     Quote from Manuel Moses, CEO, ATIDI

    “Enabling more investment to finance transformational projects is vital to Africa’s sustained development. MIGA and ATIDI’s de-risking solutions are essential to achieve this crucial agenda. Beyond signing of this agreement, we look forward to a dynamic collaboration with MIGA, to leverage our institutions’ respective assets for the benefit of our continent.”

    The agreement framework emphasizes mutual reliance, accountability, and comparability. Each party will regularly share operating standards and procedures to help identify comparable outcomes to further both organizations’ development mandates.

    Quote from Hiroshi Matano, MIGA Executive Vice President

    “Our partnership with ATIDI will enable us to support countries in Africa in scaling and replicating development projects, thereby accelerating prosperity. This agreement will play a significant role in helping the continent attract foreign investment for key development projects.”  

    Both organizations have agreed to set up mechanisms to measure progress and results, including reports on joint projects, new products, capital mobilized, and reduced project processing times. Moreover, both parties will carry out joint marketing efforts, training, and seminars to strengthen cooperation and explore new investment opportunities in Africa.

    The strategic agreement framework underscores the commitment of MIGA and ATIDI to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. The two organizations aim to mitigate investment risks by pooling resources, thereby accelerating sustainable economic growth in Africa.

    About ATIDI

    ATIDI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATIDI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATIDI has supported USD85 billion worth of investments and cross border trade into Africa. For over a decade, ATIDI has maintained an ‘A/Stable’ rating for Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit by Standard & Poor’s, and in 2019, ATIDI obtained an A3/Stable rating from Moody’s, which has now been upgraded to A2/Positive.

    For more on ATIDI, visit: http://www.atidi.africa

    Media registration link: https://www.atidi.africa/media-kit/

     About World Bank Group Guarantees  

    Initiated in 2024, World Bank Group Guarantees consolidates all guarantee products and experts from across the World Bank Group institutions at MIGA. It provides a simplified and comprehensive menu of guarantee solutions, enabling clients to select the instrument that best suits their needs. The platform streamlines processes, removes redundancies, and provides greater accessibility by de-risking investments in developing countries. Its goal is to boost the WBG’s annual guarantee issuance to USD20 billion by 2030.    

    For more information about the guarantee platform, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/wbgguarantees

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 12-14 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for security RU000A101590 (DOM 1P-7R) were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 12:14

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC), on 15.10.2024, 12-14 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 99.73) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1085.62 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A101590 (DOM 1P-7R) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73984

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 13-13 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JS4L7 (WSD 05) were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 1:13 PM

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC), on 15.10.2024, 13-13 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 113.3) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1272.44 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 31.25%) of the security RU000A0JS4L7 (ZSD 05) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73987

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 13-19 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A109080 (GazKap2P15) were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 1:19 PM

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC), on 15.10.2024, 13-19 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 109.79) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1179.82 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 16.25%) of the security RU000A109080 (GazKap2P15) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73989

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 14-04 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for security RU000A102986 (SUEK-F1P6R) were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 2:04 PM

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 15.10.2024, 14-04 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 103.93) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1152.03 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.75%) of the security RU000A102986 (SUEK-F1P6R) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73993

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 15:38 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the RU000A101MG4 (RossetB1R2) security were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 15:38

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 15.10.2024, 15-38 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 97.64) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1019.31 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A101MG4 (RossetB1R2) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n73998

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/15/2024, 16-14 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the RU000A100YQ0 (Rosnft2P9) security were changed.

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/15/2024 4:14 PM

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and the deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by NCO NCC (JSC), on 15.10.2024, 16-14 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 78.93) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 770.93 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 11.25%) of the security RU000A100YQ0 (Rosnft2P9) were changed

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n74007

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures Court Decision Largely Denying Meta’s Attempt to Evade Responsibility for Children’s Mental Health Crisis

    Source: US State of California

    Tuesday, October 15, 2024

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general, successfully blocked an attempt by Meta to dismiss the coalition’s lawsuit against the company for its part in harming children’s mental health and for allowing young children on its platforms in violation of federal law. In October 2023, Attorney General Bonta co-led a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit against Meta. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit alleges that Meta, among other things, deceived the public regarding its design and deployment of harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children and teens to their mental and physical detriment.

    “Meta needs to be held accountable for the very real harm it has inflicted on children here in California and across the country,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Along with legislation providing for market-wide changes, this litigation will help determine how social media companies can be held accountable and how these companies can treat our children for decades to come. I have an immense amount of hope for the future. As the home to the greatest innovators in the world and a robust technology sector, California has a particular opportunity and obligation to be a catalyst for change. Meta can and must do better. Our children deserve their childhoods back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –