NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA News: The Iron Dome for America

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including my authority as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Purpose.  The threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks, remains the most catastrophic threat facing the United States.
    President Ronald Reagan endeavored to build an effective defense against nuclear attacks, and while this program resulted in many technological advances, it was canceled before its goal could be realized.  And since the United States withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 and initiated development of limited homeland missile defense, official United States homeland missile defense policy has remained only to stay ahead of rogue-nation threats and accidental or unauthorized missile launches.
    Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems and their own homeland integrated air and missile defense capabilities.
    Sec. 2.  Policy.  To further the goal of peace through strength, it is the policy of the United States that: 
         (a)  The United States will provide for the common defense of its citizens and the Nation by deploying and maintaining a next-generation missile defense shield; 
         (b)  The United States will deter — and defend its citizens and critical infrastructure against — any foreign aerial attack on the Homeland; and
         (c)  The United States will guarantee its secure second-strike capability. 
    Sec. 3.  Implementation.  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall: 
         (a)  Submit to the President a reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements, and an implementation plan for the next-generation missile defense shield.  The architecture shall include, at a minimum, plans for: 
    (i)     Defense of the United States against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries; 
    (ii)    Acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer;  
    (iii)   Development and deployment of proliferated space-based interceptors capable of boost-phase intercept;  
    (iv)    Deployment of underlayer and terminal-phase intercept capabilities postured to defeat a countervalue attack; 
    (v)     Development and deployment of a custody layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture;  
    (vi)    Development and deployment of capabilities to defeat missile attacks prior to launch and in the boost phase; 
    (vii)   Development and deployment of a secure supply chain for all components with next-generation security and resilience features; and
    (viii)  Development and deployment of non-kinetic capabilities to augment the kinetic defeat of ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks;
         (b)  Review relevant authorities and organization of the Department of Defense to develop and deploy capabilities at the necessary speed to implement this directive;
         (c)  Jointly with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, submit to the President a plan to fund this directive, allowing sufficient time for consideration by the President before finalization of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget; and
         (d)  In cooperation with United States Strategic Command and United States Northern Command, submit to the President: 
    (i)   An updated assessment of the strategic missile threat to the Homeland; and
    (ii)  A prioritized set of locations to progressively defend against a countervalue attack by nuclear adversaries. 
    Sec. 4.  Allied and Theater Missile Defense Review.  The United States continues to cooperate on missile defense with its allies and partners to aid in the defense of ally populations and troops and of forward-deployed United States troops.  Following the submission to the President of the next-generation missile defense reference architecture under section 3(a) of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall direct a review of theater missile defense posture and initiatives to identify ways in which the United States and its allies and partners can: 
         (a)  Increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation on missile defense technology development, capabilities, and operations;
         (b)  Improve theater missile defenses of forward-deployed United States troops and allied territories, troops, and populations; and
         (c)  Increase and accelerate the provision of United States missile defense capabilities to allies and partners.
    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    1. the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    2. the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

         (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
         (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

        January 27, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring America’s Fighting Force

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  As Chief Executive and as Commander in Chief, I am committed to meritocracy and to the elimination of race-based and sex-based discrimination within the Armed Forces of the United States.  No individual or group within our Armed Forces should be preferred or disadvantaged on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, or creed.

    Unfortunately, in recent years civilian and uniformed leadership alike have implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and their attendant race and sex preferences within the Armed Forces.  These actions undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness.  They also violate Americans’ consciences by engaging in invidious race and sex discrimination.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of my Administration that the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security with regard to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and every element of the Armed Forces should operate free from any preference based on race or sex.

    Sec. 3.  Definitions.  (a)  A “DEI office” means an office, division, job, or other unit of an institution established for the purpose of:

    (i)   influencing hiring or employment practices at the institution with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of color-blind and sex-neutral hiring processes; or

    (ii)  promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, sex, color, or ethnicity.

    (b)  The term “gender ideology” has the meaning given to that term in section 2(f) of the Executive Order of January 20, 2025, (Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government).

    (c)  The term “divisive concepts” has the meaning given to that term in section 2(a) of Executive Order 13950 of September 22, 2020 (Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping).

    Sec. 4.  Abolishing the DEI Bureaucracy.  The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall abolish every DEI office within the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security with regard to the USCG, respectively, including any vestiges of DEI offices, such as sub-offices, programs, elements, or initiatives established to promote a race-based preferences system that subverts meritocracy, perpetuates unconstitutional discrimination, and promotes divisive concepts or gender ideology.

    Sec. 5.  Department of Defense Internal Review.  The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an internal review that documents actions taken in pursuit of DEI initiatives, including all instances of race and sex discrimination and activities designed to promote a race- or sex-based preferences system.  The report shall be delivered to the Secretary of Defense within 90 days of the date of this order.

    Sec. 6.  Protecting American Values.  (a)  The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces, including any educational institution operated or controlled thereby, are prohibited from promoting, advancing, or otherwise inculcating the following un-American, divisive, discriminatory, radical, extremist, and irrational theories:

    (i)    “divisive concepts,” as defined in section 3(c) of this order, and “race or sex stereotyping,” or “race or sex scapegoating” as both terms are defined in section 2 of Executive Order 13950, as amended;

    (ii)   that America’s founding documents are racist or sexist; and

    (iii)  “gender ideology,” as defined in section 3(b) of this order.

    (b)  The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces shall not hire employees, contractors, or consultants to teach the theories set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

    (c)  The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall carefully review the leadership, curriculum, and instructors of the United States Service Academies and other defense academic institutions associated with their respective Departments to ensure alignment with this order.  In addition, these institutions shall be required to teach that America and its founding documents remain the most powerful force for good in human history.

    Sec. 7.  Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue detailed guidance for the implementation of this order to their respective departments within 30 days of the date of this order.

    (b)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy documenting the progress of their respective Departments in implementing this order, and any recommendations for action to fulfill the objectives of this order.

    Sec. 8.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 

    Sec. 9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

        January 27, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese provinces set tailored plans to support emerging, future industries

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese provinces have outlined plans this year to strengthen support for tech-intensive industries, most of which are tailored to local conditions.
    In their annual government work reports delivered at local “two sessions” this month, regional policy-makers unveiled more details on where the provincial economic landscape will be shifting for the year ahead.
    At least five provinces or municipalities, including Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning, proposed blueprints to boost the semiconductor industry, considered a critical “bottleneck” sector in China. Beijing is set to accelerate production capacity for major integrated circuit projects while supporting relevant firms to withstand external pressures.
    In the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing field, where China holds a technological edge, Guangdong and Shanghai are gearing up to solidify their advantages. The Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions, where Guangdong and Shanghai are located, serve as China’s major NEV hubs.
    A southwestern economic circle that covers Sichuan and Chongqing is prioritizing smart and connected vehicle technologies, another innovation that drives the automotive industry forward. The country’s southern province of Guangdong is pushing to build pilot cities for the national “vehicle-road-cloud integration” initiative.

    An automatic assembly line is pictured at a smart factory of Changan Auto in Chongqing, southwest China, Jan. 9, 2025. Chongqing, a key hub of the country’s automotive industry, boasts a complete auto industrial chain and has registered a rapid growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) production in recent years. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
    Multiple provinces have introduced “AI plus” plans, with Beijing targeting the construction of two 10,000-card intelligent computing clusters. Guangdong is focusing on enhancing the application of general and industry-specific large language models (LLMs).
    Shanghai and Sichuan have identified brain-computer interfaces as a key technological frontier, while Anhui targets building a fusion reactor research facility.
    China’s local governments tend to develop innovation and industrial roadmaps based on their unique strengths. The eastern province of Anhui is advancing an international lunar research station project, while Shanghai, home to the C919 aircraft manufacturing, is pushing to grow its large aircraft industry.
    Hainan, China’s southern island province, has prioritized marine-related industries in its development strategy, accelerating offshore wind farm construction while pioneering a landmark offshore wind-to-hydrogen demonstration project.
    Anhui, Zhejiang and Hainan plan to build pilot platforms to foster the convergence of technological and industrial innovations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Arab health exhibition showcases Chinese innovations in medical technology

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People visit the booth of a Chinese company during the 50th Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 27, 2025. The 50th Arab Health Exhibition opened on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Center, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors from various countries, including more than 800 Chinese companies. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)

    The 50th Arab Health Exhibition opened on Monday at the Dubai World Trade Center, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors from various countries, including more than 800 Chinese companies.

    The four-day event showcases medical devices, equipment, home healthcare products, and portable health solutions. Chinese companies have garnered considerable attention from attendees due to their innovative technologies, including blood purification, respiratory therapy, smart health management systems, and comprehensive healthcare solutions.

    Gao Guangyong, chairman of Chongqing SWS Medical Co., a Chinese medical equipment manufacturer, said Chinese companies are emerging as key players in the global health industry, citing their strengths in technological innovation, full-chain solutions, and cost efficiency.

    Ahead of the exhibition, Yuwell Group, a Chinese household healthcare manufacturer, signed a strategic investment and cooperation agreement with U.S. oxygen concentrator manufacturer Inogen in Dubai.

    “This partnership will drive the global adoption of high-quality respiratory products and contribute to advancing the healthcare sector worldwide,” said Wu Qun, chairman of Yuwell Group.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Intl brands launch limited editions for Year of Snake

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hainan’s duty-free shops are full of snakes — but there is no cause for alarm! Shoppers are flocking to the island province drawn by Chinese new year themed products from top international brands, a major highlight of this year’s Spring Festival season.

    This year will be the Year of the Snake. To attract customers during the nation’s most important holiday, which starts on Jan. 29 this year, international brands are vying to incorporate snake-themed designs and elements of Chinese culture into their products.

    Limited-edition products designed specifically for the Chinese market — including clothing, jewelry and bags — are particularly popular with Chinese consumers in the duty-free shops in Haikou, capital of Hainan.

    He Shuai, a university student in Hainan returning home for the Chinese New Year, was picking gifts for her family at a Swarovski store. She quickly spotted a necklace and a pair of earrings from the Year of the Snake limited edition.

    “These international brands really know how to appeal to consumers. Since it’s the Year of the Snake, people are more drawn to these new designs,” she said.

    According to Wang Xiaohong, a salesperson at Swarovski, the brand has launched zodiac-themed collections in previous years. This year’s snake collection is selling very well.

    Some brands have even launched holiday-themed children’s clothing.

    Snake-themed T-shirts, jackets and other clothing are prominently displayed at Burberry Kids’ store.

    “The collection features the letter ‘B’ formed by a snake, symbolizing our brand. The red color fits well with the festive mood,” said the salesperson Li Xin, adding that some sizes have already sold out.

    The Adidas store was bustling with shoppers selecting newly launched shoes and apparel.

    Lu Yun, a tourist from Guangzhou, bought a pair of red shoes from the collection that featured an embroidered “fa” character, which means gaining wealth.

    “It’s perfect for the festival, and I hope these shoes bring prosperity in the new year,” she said.

    Lu said that she really likes the products that incorporate Chinese elements. “They combine the style of international brands with traditional Chinese culture, which makes them very fashionable.”

    Nowadays, duty-free shopping has become a key sector for luxury goods consumption worldwide. As a tropical island destination, Hainan is gradually becoming an important luxury consumption center.

    According to the Haikou Customs, the total amount of duty-free shopping in 2024 reached 30.94 billion yuan (about 4.32 billion U. S. dollars).

    The Chinese market, one of the world’s largest consumer markets, holds immense potential. Organizations like the World Bank and IMF have recently upgraded China’s GDP growth forecasts.

    According to Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum (WEF), China will continue to be a major engine for global economic growth.

    In recent years, international brands have increasingly turned their attention to the Chinese Spring Festival market, launching limited-edition products to resonate with local consumers and enhance their presence in the Chinese market.

    This strategy of the international brands underscores the importance of the Chinese market and reflects their confidence in its enormous potential.

    China aims to build Hainan into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Italy resumes controversial migrant transfers to Albania

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Italy has restarted its contentious program of sending asylum seekers picked up in the Mediterranean to Albania, months after judges in Rome ruled against the transfers.

    On Sunday, an Italian Navy vessel transported 49 male asylum seekers to Albania. The program involving Albania is part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s strategy to curb the number of migrants coming to Italy.

    The plan is controversial as Albania is outside the European Union, meaning the refugees are not protected under EU asylum rules.

    Domestic critics in Italy said the program is costly and ineffective, considering its projected expense of 800 million euros (around $840 million) will address only a tiny fraction of the migrant influx to Italy each year.

    According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 66,000 asylum seekers landed on Italian shores in 2024, down dramatically from nearly 158,000 in the previous year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Monday for talks over the development of the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza, an Egyptian security source told Xinhua.

    The negotiations will focus on the new batch of Palestinian prisoners who will be released on Saturday in exchange for the release of three Israeli hostages, the anonymous source said.

    The release of Israeli female hostage Arbel Yehud, who is expected to be released on Wednesday or Thursday, will also be discussed, the source added.

    Efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza will also be discussed, according to the source.

    Earlier in the day, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to release six Israeli hostages this week and allow displaced Gaza residents to return from southern to northern areas of the strip.

    Yehud and two others will be released before Friday and three more hostages will be released on Saturday by Hamas, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X.

    “Additionally, Israel will provide a list of 400 individuals detained since Oct. 7, 2023, every Sunday during the first phase of the agreement,” Al Ansari added.

    On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced the completion of the second phase of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, implemented under the initial terms of a ceasefire agreement.

    The first stage of the six-week ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Denmark boosts Arctic defence following US interest in Greenland

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Denmark has unveiled plans to bolster its military presence in the Arctic amid rising concerns over the U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish-owned territory.

    Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced late Monday that the government will allocate 14.6 billion Danish krona (approximately $2 billion) to boost the defence of Greenland, Arctic Sea and Northern Atlantic. The decision follows an agreement among Danish political parties.

    The plans will include three new arctic naval vessels and two long-range drones, increased surveillance and crisis training for the local residents. Poulsen said in a press conference that these preparations are just the initial phase, with further plans expected to be finalized by summer.

    According to Danish Broadcasting Corporation, the new vessels would enter service within five or six years, expected to replace existing vessels.

    When questioned about whether these measures would “calm down” U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, Poulsen refrained from a direct response, underlining the importance of co-operation with NATO allies, including Canada, the United States and Norway.

    President Trump has recently reiterated the U.S. interest in Greenland, which remains an autonomous area under Danish sovereignty.

    Referring to an upcoming meeting on Tuesday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe is in a serious situation. “With war on the continent and changes in the geopolitical reality. In such a time, unity is crucial.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Algeria welcomes Chinese tourists ahead of Spring Festival

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese Embassy in Algeria and the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts on Monday held a special welcome ceremony at the international airport in Algiers for Chinese tourists arriving to spend the Spring Festival in the North African nation.

    During the event, local performers dressed in traditional attire greeted the tourists with singing and dancing, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

    The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China, symbolizing renewal, family reunions, and prosperity.

    Rachid Ben Nacer, secretary-general of the Algerian tourism ministry, emphasized Algeria’s commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual exchanges with China.

    He expressed his honor in celebrating the Chinese New Year with the tourists and encouraged them to explore Algeria’s stunning landscapes, especially the enchanting Sahara Desert, as well as the country’s diverse customs and rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.

    Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Dong Guangli extended his holiday greetings to the tourists, highlighting the deep-rooted friendship between China and Algeria. He encouraged travelers to share their experiences upon returning home, helping more Chinese people learn about Algeria and promoting the enduring story of China-Algeria friendship.

    Algeria is known for its rich tourism resources, boasting seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the magnificent ancient Roman ruins and the vast, mysterious desert landscapes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nasdaq celebrates Chinese New Year with closing bell

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Nasdaq, a major stock exchange in the world, celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year on Monday afternoon by holding a closing bell ceremony in partnership with the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

    Marking the 16th year of celebrating the Spring Festival at Nasdaq, Chen Li, the Chinese consul general in New York, rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York City, one of the most populous cities in the United States.

    “The Spring Festival embodies values of reunion, renewal and resilience, which are essential as we work together to deepen economic ties between China and the United States,” Chen said.

    It is also meaningful to celebrate these values here at the heart of the global commerce center, Chen added.

    “We welcome more investors and friends from the United States and beyond to explore opportunities in China… It is inspiring to see more Chinese enterprises listed on Nasdaq with the blessings of the Year of the Snake. I hope China-U.S. economic ties can be stronger and bring greater benefits to the world,” Chen said.

    “The Lunar New Year has always been a time to express gratitude for our partnerships and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025,” said Robert H. McCooey, Jr., vice chairman of Nasdaq, at the ceremony.

    “Nasdaq’s commitment to China remains very strong and we are extremely proud to be the home of over 250 innovative Chinese companies who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that will help our two great nations continue to grow together,” said McCooey.

    According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Spring Festival falls Wednesday this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Missing swimmer at Piha Beach

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A man is outstanding after a group of swimmers got into difficult at Piha Beach this afternoon.

    Police were advised about the rescue by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand just after 4pm.

    At this stage, Police are aware five swimmers were rescued however the sixth member of the group was not located.

    Search efforts are ongoing to locate this man.

    The Police Eagle helicopter has also deployed to assist with aerial-based searches.

    No further information is available at this stage.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thousands of displaced Palestinians return to Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Displaced people are seen on their way home to the north of the Gaza Strip, near al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in Gaza City and the northern parts of the coastal enclave on Monday after 15 months of forced displacement.

    The return follows an announcement by Qatar on Sunday evening that Hamas and Israel had reached an agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday. On Saturday, Hamas is expected to release three additional hostages.

    Under the agreement, Israel has permitted displaced residents to return to the northern Gaza Strip starting Monday morning.

    The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated early Monday, “Hamas has conceded and agreed to proceed with an additional phase of hostage releases, scheduled for next Thursday following firm and determined negotiations.” The statement outlined that this phase will involve the release of Yehud, a soldier called Agam Berger, and another hostage. Additionally, three more hostages are set to be freed on Saturday as part of the agreement.

    Israel has also received from Hamas a list detailing the conditions and status of all hostages to be released in the initial phase of the deal.

    For many displaced families, the journey back to northern Gaza is bittersweet. While there is relief at the prospect of returning to familiar surroundings, there is also apprehension about what remains of neighborhoods now reduced to rubble.

    “We have to walk about 8 kilometers on foot, but we are happy that, finally, we will be able to return to our areas, even if they are completely destroyed,” said Mohammed Hamda, a Gaza resident, while making his way along the coastal route between Gaza City and southern Gaza. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE delivers Chinese New Year message (with photo/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the translation of the Chinese New Year message delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (January 28):
         
         Celebrating the Chinese New Year is one of our happiest moments. We are busy gathering with family and friends, doing New Year shopping and buying festive flowers for our homes, preparing for the New Year to come.
          
         Hong Kong is full of cheerful events. Last year, we received two adorable giant pandas from the motherland, and the giant panda babies born in Hong Kong will be ready to meet everyone in mid-February.
          
         This year is the Year of the Snake. In Chinese culture, the snake is nimble and agile, and is a symbol of prosperity and wealth. This year, Hong Kong will once again show its agility and resilience with flexible thinking to innovate, to reform, and to seek further development as we strive to build a bright future.
          
         My wife and I wish the people of Hong Kong good health in the Year of the Snake. May you have joy, prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Snake!
          
     
         (The message is available on the website of the Chief Executive’s Office: www.ceo.gov.hk/cny-message/25/en/)   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 27, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,48,635.18 6.55 5.10-6.85
         I. Call Money 12,208.54 6.57 5.10-6.65
         II. Triparty Repo 3,82,808.20 6.53 6.25-6.58
         III. Market Repo 1,51,866.04 6.60 5.95-6.75
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,752.40 6.80 6.80-6.85
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 242.00 6.49 5.90-6.60
         II. Term Money@@ 434.00 – 6.50-7.50
         III. Triparty Repo 1,600.00 6.58 6.55-6.65
         IV. Market Repo 797.72 6.89 6.65-6.90
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Mon, 27/01/2025 1 Tue, 28/01/2025 1,93,661.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Mon, 27/01/2025 1 Tue, 28/01/2025 682.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Mon, 27/01/2025 1 Tue, 28/01/2025 55,881.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       1,38,462.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 14 Fri, 07/02/2025 1,62,096.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.71  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     1,71,652.71  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,10,114.71  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 27, 2025 9,30,154.39  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending February 07, 2025 9,12,544.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ January 27, 2025 1,93,661.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on January 10, 2025 -40,102.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2020

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 22-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – Western Fumigation (Pennsylvania) (AEI: US4008SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    28 January 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended Western Fumigation (Pennsylvania) (AEI: US4008SB) from AusTreat.

    The treatment provider has…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: New survey reveals extent of Israel’s failure to improve humanitarian access in Gaza in the year since ICJ ruling

    Source: Oxfam –

    As pause in hostilities allows aid to flow in, agencies call for accountability and for same cycles of neglect and impunity not to be repeated 

    A new survey of 35 aid agencies working in Gaza found that Israel failed to improve humanitarian access over the last year, despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanding immediate action to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide and risk of irreparable harm to their rights.  

    The survey, conducted among NGOs including Oxfam, Islamic Relief, Médecins du Monde, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council reveals how Israel systematically denied and restricted aid, supplies and services both into and within Gaza since the ICJ ruling on 26 January 2024. It found that up until the commencement of the temporary ceasefire:

    • 89 per cent of those completing the survey said that Israeli actions regarding the provision of aid had worsened since the ICJ’s ruling.
    • 93 per cent said the humanitarian situation for the people receiving their aid and services had deteriorated.
    • 100 per cent of surveyed agencies importing humanitarian supplies into Gaza said the Israeli procedures for aid entry were either ineffective, had systematically impeded the humanitarian response, or were insufficient to meet the huge needs.
    •  95 per cent of agencies who imported aid supplies inside the Gaza Strip said they regularly encountered delays, with some reporting delays of more than two months.
    • Agencies reported essential items like personal protective equipment (PPE), tarpaulins, winterization supplies, mobile kitchens, hygiene kits, food and educational materials being denied due to the “dual use” procedure – because Israel deemed there was potential for them to be utilised for military use.

    “Given the volume of aid now entering Gaza, it is clear how much Israel has been obstructing the humanitarian response for the last 15 months. As the survey shows, Israel completely failed to improve humanitarian conditions, in disregard of international law, while systematically preventing life-saving aid from getting in.

    Oxfam’s Policy Lead, Bushra Khalidi

    Oxfam

    Oxfam’s Policy Lead, Bushra Khalidi, said: “Given the volume of aid now entering Gaza, it is clear how much Israel has been obstructing the humanitarian response for the last 15 months. As the survey shows, Israel completely failed to improve humanitarian conditions, in disregard of international law, while systematically preventing life-saving aid from getting in.

    “It is vital to assess past failures, even amid a ceasefire. Without accountability and a commitment to protecting humanitarian operations, we risk repeating the same cycles of impunity and neglect, leaving millions without hope of a better future.”

    The survey is part of a humanitarian access snapshot, produced by NGOs, which examines Israel’s compliance with the ICJ measure regarding the provision of humanitarian assistance. It found that the provision of essentials like food, water, fuel, shelter and sanitation in Gaza fell well below the minimum required to sustain life for Palestinians in Gaza, that Israeli policies and actions resulted in the dismantlement of the humanitarian architecture and operational environment in the Gaza Strip.

    Dr Jean-François Corty, President of Médecins du Monde, said: “Now that aid is getting into Gaza, the next weeks will be critical but challenging, given the level of destruction Israel has rained down upon Gaza and its near-total decimation of the humanitarian infrastructure and operational capacity.”

    The survey revealed the extremely challenging conditions aid workers in Gaza have faced, with Israel conducting systematic attacks on basic services and humanitarian infrastructure and personnel:

    •  94 per cent of aid workers from the reporting organizations had been displaced at least once – many of them multiple times.
    •  72 per cent of aid agencies surveyed report that their premises were damaged due to air or ground attacks by Israeli forces at least once since 26 January 2024, with many organisations reporting multiple attacks. At least 7 agencies’ offices in Gaza city were heavily damaged or destroyed as well as several NGO run medical centres.
    • 93 per cent of aid agencies surveyed had to forcibly relocate their operations at least once since the ICJ ruling, mainly due to Israeli displacement orders and military offensives. Almost all have had to relocate multiple times.

    “Now that aid is getting into Gaza, the next weeks will be critical but challenging, given the level of destruction Israel has rained down upon Gaza and its near-total decimation of the humanitarian infrastructure and operational capacity.”

    Dr Jean-François Corty, President of Médecins du Monde

    Médecins du Monde

    The snapshot also highlights the failure of Third States to fully meet their obligations to prevent atrocity crimes including the risk of genocide. It underscores that some states continue to supply weapons and support to the Government of Israel, while refraining from denouncing violations or taking meaningful action to prevent them.  

    The agencies are calling for continued, unhindered humanitarian access and for the international community to urgently address Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.

    Riham Jafari, Communication and advocacy coordinator at ActionAid, Occupied Palestinian Territories, said: “It is essential that humanitarian access is not only immediate but sustained and unimpeded. The rights of Palestinians in Gaza must be protected from acts of genocide, and Israel must be held to account for its continued violations of international law. Without meaningful accountability, the suffering will only deepen, and the path to justice and peace will remain blocked.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Warren Opposes Treasury Nominee for Backing Trump Billionaire Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    January 27, 2025

    “[B]illionaires dominate the American economy, and Republicans plan to give them more tax breaks…And Mr. Bessent is another billionaire ready to do the hard work of cutting taxes for every billionaire in America, himself included.” 

    “Mr. Bessent has been an advocate for deregulating Wall Street and letting the Big Banks load up on risk…[an] approach [that] brought our economy to its knees in 2008…Trump wants to run that same economic play and Mr. Bessent is the guy he’s picked to do it.”

    Video of Remarks (YouTube) 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate opposing the nomination of Mr. Scott Bessent for Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Bessent’s views – including support for policies that compromise the stability of our financial system and support for tax policies that help billionaires instead of working families – have raised deep concerns for Senator Warren. 

    Remarks from Senator Elizabeth Warren
    As Delivered
    January 27, 2025

    Madam President, I rise today in opposition of Scott Bessent to be the next Treasury Secretary and in support of tens of millions of working families who need a government on their side.

    The Treasury Secretary is one of the President’s top economic advisors. He has the power to lower costs for hard-working people—or to give billionaires another break. 

    Now, Mr. Bessent has a long history as an investment manager helping rich clients get even richer. In fact, helping rich people get richer has been a profitable business for him. Mr. Bessent is now a billionaire himself. He owns not one, but two, multi-million dollar mansions, including one in the Bahamas, and has hundreds of millions in investments. Now, he’s spent a lot of money, but he’s saved money in one area:  he hasn’t paid the taxes he owes. According to an analysis from the Congressional tax experts, Mr. Bessent has refused to pay $2 million in taxes that he owed on his hedge fund earnings just in the past 3 years. And Mr. Bessent has no demonstrated track record of fighting to make life better or more affordable for working people.

    So let’s start with some of Trump’s economic plans that Mr. Bessent would be in charge of advancing. 

    Right now, Republicans in the White House and in Congress are working through their plans to extend tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations – paid for in part with major cuts to health care.  

    In plain English, Republicans are hoping you won’t notice major budget cuts for nursing homes that take care of your grandpa or the cuts in school lunches for poor kids. Move grandpa out of the nursing home and let the little kids go hungry in order to make sure a tiny handful of billionaires get a few more truckloads of cash from Uncle Sam. 

    There’s a truth no one can escape: Someone has to pay to run this country. Folks like Scott Bessent think the burden should be just a little heavier on working people because billionaires like him are smarter than everyone else. One place or the other, someone has to pay. 

    So during his hearing, I asked Mr. Bessent about those cuts for billionaires. I asked if there were any billionaires already rich enough that they just didn’t need another tax cut. 

    He said, well, that it was unwise to single out anyone, not even billionaires. 

    You wouldn’t want to single out a billionaire like Jeff Bezos who pays a lower tax rate than a Boston public school teacher?

    You wouldn’t want to single out a billionaire like Mark Zuckerberg whose company Meta paid a tax rate of just 11.5-percent in 2023 despite making nearly $40 billion in profits?

    You wouldn’t want to single out a billionaire like Elon Musk who’s more focused on flying to Mars than making life better for working families here on Earth?

    Those billionaires had better seats at Donald Trump’s inauguration than Trump’s own cabinet nominees.

    Those billionaires dominate the American economy, and Republicans plan to give them more tax breaks. This is the payout for Trump’s quote ‘rich as hell donors.’ And Mr. Bessent is another billionaire ready to do the hard work of cutting taxes for every billionaire in America, himself included.

    The top economic issue today is how do we lower costs for families and build an economy that works, not just for the wealthy and well-connected, but an economy that works for everyone. 

    I’m hammering out plans to make it a little easier for families to be able to pay their bills, to buy a home, and to build some financial security. 

    Trump’s tax breaks for billionaires is the same old Republican playbook of trickle down economics. Help the rich get richer and leave everyone else behind. 

    But that’s not the Trump administration’s only bad economic idea.

    Mr. Bessent has been an advocate for deregulating Wall Street and letting the Big Banks load up on risk. 

    Deregulate Wall Street. Yeah, a lot of people remember how that approach brought our economy to its knees in 2008. People who remember include millions of people who lost their homes. The millions who lost their jobs. The millions who lost their savings. And now, once again, Trump wants to run that same economic play and Mr. Bessent is the guy he’s picked to do it.  

    We don’t need less oversight of the giant banks and Wall Street movers and shakers. Risk is building in the system. 

    The too-big-to-fail banks are quietly taking on riskier investments. 

    The shadowy private credit market has loaded up on highly leveraged loans. 

    And after waves of catastrophic losses, the insurance industry is facing a reckoning that even climate-change deniers can’t ignore. 

    Without significant changes, another financial crash is coming.

    As we learned, those big crashes fall hardest on hard working people who are just trying to make a living.  A billionaire willing to roll along on deregulation poses a threat to the economic well-being of every American. And a billionaire who supports more tax cuts for every single billionaire in America is not someone who is watching out for hard working families.

    For me, this is simple.  

    I’m ready to work together with President Trump’s team wherever we agree to help families, but I’m also ready to fight like hell when Republicans pursue economic policies that load up the risk in our financial system or tax policies that mostly benefit billionaires. 

    I will vote NO on Mr. Bessent to be the next Secretary of the Treasury, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. 

    Thank you, Madam President, and I suggest the absence of a quorum. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The anniversary season of the project “Your Move” has started

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The All-Russian student project “Your Move”, which is part of the presidential platform’s line of projects “Russia is a country of opportunity” and is being implemented with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, announced the start of the anniversary fifth season on Russian Students’ Day.

    Students of NSU and other universities of the Novosibirsk region can take part in both traditional and new competition tracks, including team ones, as well as in updated special projects.

    — “Your Move” is one of the main student projects in Russia, and its scale is growing every year. I know that thousands of students across the country are eagerly awaiting the start of the anniversary season. We are launching five competition tracks, including two new team tracks, one of which is created for regional teams of the project. There are other innovations. For example, teachers, employees and vice-rectors of universities and colleges can now take part in the special project “Your Move x Debate”, and in the special project “Your Move x Improvisation” you can choose one of three directions — become a member of a duet, a curator of a university club or a comedy coach. Let’s make the new season bright and memorable together!” — said Alexey Agafonov, First Deputy General Director of the presidential platform “Russia — Land of Opportunities”.

    The fifth season of the project “Your Move” includes five competition tracks, including two new ones – “Unite” and “Inspire”:

    ● The “I Do” track is aimed at identifying leadership positions among students whose projects involve others in changes in the country. Based on the results of the track, 100 projects will be identified, the leaders of which will receive a prize of 1,000,000 rubles, which can be used to pay for tuition at Russian educational institutions, improve living conditions, or develop their own project.

    ● The “Otkryvayu” (formerly “Pioneer”) track will allow first-year students to make a name for themselves, get acquainted with the opportunities of the student community and the ecosystem of youth policy in the country. Based on the results of the competitive tests, the top 200 winners will be determined, who will receive a prize from the project for the next six months of study. The track was launched for the first time last season, more than 35,000 applications were received for participation in it, and this year, for the first time, students of secondary vocational education will be able to take part in it.

    ● The team track “Unite” is intended for students of higher education institutions – members of youth organizations. It is designed to create a unified student community and involve students in social activity.

    ● The “Inspire” track was created for regional teams of the “Your Move” project and is designed to inspire activity, reveal the potential of regional teams and evaluate their contribution to the development of the unified student community “Your Move” throughout Russia.

    ● The “I define” track, which will continue to study the opinions of the Russian student community on current issues in the higher education system.

    — “Tvoy Khod” is not just a project, but a community that unites students from all over the country. The fifth season has become special and significant: we have symbolically launched five competition tracks and special projects that will cover the widest possible range of student initiatives and abilities. It is important for us that students have equal opportunities regardless of the form of education, so you can take part in the competition tracks in the fifth season both individually and in a team, both students of higher and professional educational organizations can make a name for themselves. Our main goal is to support students and their desire to live and create in Russia, so the project has established a scholarship that will help to appreciate their contribution. It is important that “Tvoy Khod” not only strives to help participants reveal their talents, but also forms in young people a sense of belonging to a large society, nurturing a sense of patriotism and responsibility for the future of their country, — noted the head of the All-Russian student project “Tvoy Khod” Yulia Epifanova.

    For the first time in the fifth season, special competition tracks will appear — these are additional competition directions that are organized and held jointly with partners of the project “Your Move” in parallel with the main competition tracks throughout the year. Upon completion of their passage, the winners will receive memorable gifts from partners.

    The project will include the second season of the educational program “Live and Create in Russia” (previously “Voice of a Generation. Students”), aimed at training leaders of the student community, as well as the all-Russian competition of academic group leaders “Your Move, Leader!” In addition, regional clubs will be assembled at universities and on the basis of regional teams for the special projects “Your Move x Debate” and “Your Move x Improvisation”.

    This season, the special project “Your Move x Debate” will be divided into two leagues for the first time – spring and autumn. In addition to the track, in which students of universities and colleges take part, a new category of participants will appear – teachers, employees and vice-rectors of universities and colleges. In the second season of the special project “Your Move x Improvisation”, you can take part in one of three roles: become a participant in the games as a duet, curator of the university improvisation club or take part as a coach in comedy and improvisation.

    In addition, in the fifth season of the project, the career center “Your Move” will begin operating, which will help students develop professional skills and successfully integrate into the labor market.

    You can get detailed information about the competition tracks and project opportunities, as well as apply for participation on the platform “Your Move“.

    In 2024, the NSU team showed a worthy result in all tracks of the “Your Move” project. Three NSU students at once – Rafael Arutyunyan and Ksenia Abysheva, NSU Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, and Lina Gumirova, NSU Faculty of Natural Sciences – became winners of the track for first-year students “Pioneer”. Alina Churkina, a student of the NSU Faculty of Economics, took first place in the “Your Move in Science” conference. Nikita Zelenkov (2nd year, NSU Institute of Intelligent Robotics) entered the top five curators in the country. Yusub Ozmanyan, a master’s student of the NSU Institute of Philosophy and Law, reached the final of the All-Russian competition “Student of the Year”, the results of which were also announced during the “Your Move” forum. In addition, NSU entered the top 10 universities that took part in the competition for the best practices of educational activities “Now Your Move, University!” More details about the results of the university team’s participation in the “Your Move” project read in the material.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Aggravated robbery and Attempted aggravated burglary – Tennant Creek

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 17-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated burglary that occurred in Tennant Creek on Saturday.

    Around 7.40am, police received reports that a male had attempted to unlawfully enter a residence on Ambrose Street and assaulted the two occupants at the property.

    The offender allegedly attended the premises, armed himself with a frying pan and threatened a 66-year-old female, demanding money and car keys. He obtained keys from the 66-year-old and then attempted to gain entry to the residence, before attempting to access the victim’s car. He allegedly choked the 85-year-old male victim and attempted to strike him with the frying pan, narrowly missing.

    A nearby neighbour intervened and the offender fled on foot.

    Police responded and a crime scene was declared.

    The 17-year-old male was located and arrested yesterday by Tennant Creek police. He was identified as being the remaining outstanding offender in relation to a stolen motor vehicle incident earlier this month.

    He has been remanded in custody and charged with the following in relation to both incidents:

    • Blackmail and Extortion
    • Aggravated Robbery
    • Two counts of Aggravated Burglary
    • Ram Raid
    • Attempted Aggravated Burglary
    • Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle
    • Criminal Damage
    • Theft

    Superintendent Katie Hatzismalis said, “This type of offending against vulnerable victims is abhorrent.

    “I acknowledge and commend the excellent work of the officers involved in the investigation and subsequent arrest, and thank the members of the community for their assistance.”

    Police urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444, or in an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man arrested in Adelaide over Nazi symbo

    Source: South Australia Police

    A man was arrested in Adelaide today after alleged offences committed on Sunday.

    On Sunday 26 January the suspect allegedly displayed a Nazi symbol in the Adelaide CBD while not involved in any organised events or protests.

    About 12.30pm Tuesday 28 January the man was located on Nelson Street where he allegedly displayed another Nazi symbol.

    The 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of displaying a Nazi symbol. He has been refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court either this afternoon or tomorrow.

    No case file number yet.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cultural traditions shine at Spring Festival reception in Brunei

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Chinese Embassy in Brunei hosted the 2025 Spring Festival Reception on Sunday, featuring Chinese calligraphy, lion dances, Chinese classical music, and other cultural traditions.

    The event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, with over 400 guests from all walks of life. Guests watched traditional Chinese cultural demonstrations and performed calligraphy together to extend their best wishes for the Spring Festival.

    Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo delivered warm regards and thanked the guests for their efforts over the past year in actively promoting China-Brunei relations, stressing that bilateral ties have reached a new starting point.

    He pledged that the Chinese side will work with the Brunei side to push forward bilateral relations in the direction of building a community with a shared future between the two nations.

    Brunei’s Legislative Council member Queenie Chong Chin Yee said in her speech that the recognition of the Spring Festival by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has lent the celebration global significance.

    “Five thousand years of cultural traditions continue to thrive. We must now shoulder the responsibility to carry them forward,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Terracotta Warriors welcoming Chinese New Year with extended hours, more tickets

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People visit an exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the discovery and excavation of the iconic Terracotta Warriors, at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, Sept. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, home to the renowned Terracotta Warriors located in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, will extend their opening hours and offer more tickets to accommodate the expected surge of visitors during the Spring Festival holiday.

    From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, the museum will add 90 minutes to its daily schedule, opening from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the daily ticket limit raised by 10,000 to 75,000, according to the museum.

    Other museums in the provincial capital Xi’an, including Shaanxi History Museum and Xi’an Beilin Museum, have also announced extended opening hours during the holiday.

    The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the country’s most important traditional holiday. The festival falls on Jan. 29 this year, with an eight-day public holiday from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. During the period, tens of millions of people will travel across the country to celebrate with family and explore cultural landmarks.

    Xi’an, a city with over 3,100 years of history, is one of China’s most renowned tourist destinations. As the capital of 13 ancient dynasties, it is home to iconic sites, such as the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower.

    By extending hours and increasing ticket availability, the museums aim to make their treasures more accessible, allowing domestic and international visitors to immerse themselves in the ancient capital’s history during this special time of the year.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Academy Awards venue in Los Angeles rings in Chinese New Year

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People in traditional Chinese costumes pose for a group photo during Chinese New Year celebrations in Hollywood’s Ovation Mall, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hollywood’s Ovation Mall and Dolby Theatre, normally home to the Academy Awards, for the first time ushered in the Chinese New Year with a delightful celebration that merged Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

    The celebration, which was held in Los Angeles on Sunday, featured three fashion shows, dancing performances, cultural events, music and a special art gallery show on Shanghai life in the 1930s.

    “Tourists come to LA from all over to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and now Hollywood and Ovation Mall are giving them an even more upscale and luxurious Chinese New Year destination to enjoy,” the event’s program director Evelyn Xu told Xinhua.

    “It was a terrific event,” Rob Martin, a tourist, told Xinhua. “My wife and I stumbled upon it by accident and really enjoyed all the colorful and beautiful fashion shows and the cool Chinese performances.”

    This high-profile event began with a stunning fashion show staged on the iconic Academy steps sweeping down from high above, where icons of cinema walk down after receiving their Academy Awards.

    Twenty gorgeous models floated down the Award steps, revealing the elegant new evening wear line from celebrity fashion designer Kiki Wang.

    “I consider myself an ambassador between Eastern and Western cultures,” Wang told Xinhua. “Fashion and beauty can unite our cultures — in fact, I want to unite the whole world with fashion!”

    Wang’s new “East Meets West” collection was designed entirely in red, with shimmering red silks, satins, gossamer and chiffons, and decorated with exquisite embroidery and brocade in gold, greens and blues.

    A second fashion show showcased the exquisite flowing robes and pastel colors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

    Models perform in a fashion show during Chinese New Year celebrations in the Dolby Theatre, which is part of the Ovation Hollywood complex in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Also featured was the Miss LA Chinatown Qipao Fashion and Beauty Show, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s, when these stylish and iconic, form-fitting dresses first became popular.

    To prepare for the Chinese New Year celebration, organizers also did rehearsals and selected dresses, models, dancers and songs, with many groups and community members coming together to help this cross-cultural tradition shine in this new venue.

    “Everything on display today from Chinese culture is unique and beautiful and so interesting because it is very different from a traditional American New Year celebration,” Xu told Xinhua. “That’s fun for people looking for something new.”

    “It’s all so elegant and gorgeous!” said actress and spectator Cici Lau, who came all the way from San Gabriel to enjoy the Chinese New Year festivities. “It’s so cultural and a wonderful delight for everyone.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Driver in custody following fleeing driver incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    One man is in custody after earlier being located in a vehicle with mismatching plates.

    Before 3pm, the vehicle was detected travelling city-bound on the Northwestern Motorway.

    Inspector Kerry Watson says Police staff went to approach the blue Subaru in Western Springs a short time later.

    “Instead, the driver took off from Police at speed on Great North Road towards Pt Chevalier.

    “Police have not pursued this vehicle, but the Police Eagle helicopter continued to monitor this vehicle’s erratic and dangerous driving behaviour.”

    The vehicle was driven across numerous central Auckland suburbs and the CBD, before heading towards Three Kings and eventually Onehunga.

    Spikes were successfully deployed on multiple occasions.

    Just after 3.30pm, the vehicle entered the car park at Dress Smart shopping centre in Onehunga.

    “Our staff blocked the vehicle in before taking the male driver into custody,” Inspector Watson says.

    Three Police vehicles suffered damage in the process of stopping the vehicle.

    “It is pleasing that this matter has been concluded without putting anyone in further harm’s way,” Inspector Watson says.

    “The man is now in Police custody and charges will follow in due course.”

    Inspector Watson says Police ask any members of the public who witnessed the blue Subaru’s driving this afternoon, to contact Police.

    You can contact 105 using the reference number P061434786.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Full Court dismisses appeal by Ultra Tune over contempt of court

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    The Full Federal Court has today dismissed an appeal by Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune), upholding a decision of the Federal Court in March 2024 to impose $1.5 million in fines for four separate instances of contempt of court.

    The contempt of court decision related to breaches of orders made by the Court in 2019 after earlier ACCC proceedings in relation to breaches of the Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) by Ultra Tune, including its failure to implement a compliance program.

    Ultra Tune appealed the decision on two grounds; first that the Court had no power to impose a punishment for contempt where no endorsement was included on the relevant orders as to the consequences of non-compliance with those orders and secondly as to how the fines were calculated.

    In dismissing the appeal, the Full Federal Court held on the first ground that there was no error in the primary judge’s construction of the relevant Federal Court rules relating to the endorsement.  On the second ground the Full Federal Court held that “Ultra Tune has not established any overt error on the part of the primary judge in determining the fines for the contempts nor that they are otherwise manifestly excessive, taken alone or as a total penalty”.

    “We are pleased with the Full Court upholding this decision, which we consider a clear message that compliance with the Franchising Code is of utmost importance,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.

    “This is a serious matter because Ultra Tune had failed to comply with the requirements which are in place to protect franchisees even after judgments in earlier ACCC court action against it.”

    “We will continue to monitor the compliance by Ultra Tune and other franchisors, and take appropriate action if required,” Ms Carver said.

    The Court also awarded the ACCC its costs of the appeal.

    Background

    Ultra Tune is a car servicing franchisor with operations in every mainland state and territory and over 260 centres across Australia.

    In 2017, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Ultra Tune in relation to alleged contraventions of the ACL and the Franchising Code. In January 2019, the Federal Court imposed total pecuniary penalties of $2.604 million against Ultra Tune (reduced to $2.014 million on appeal) for its contravening conduct.

    The penalties related to Ultra Tune’s:

    • late production and dissemination (by over six months in some instances) of marketing fund statements and disclosure documents mandated by the Franchising Code; and
    • treatment of a prospective franchisee, whom the court found Ultra Tune had misled.

    In March 2019, the Court ordered Ultra Tune to implement a compliance program and made injunctions restraining Ultra Tune from contravening certain provisions of the ACL and the Franchising Code. The Full Federal Court rejected an appeal by Ultra Tune against this decision in September 2019.

    In June 2022, the ACCC instituted proceedings alleging Ultra Tune was in contempt of court by failing to comply with the orders made in March 2019.  In March 2024, the Federal Court fined Ultra Tune $1.5 million for contempt of Court. The company appealed this decision in late March.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s delivery services at full throttle to meet festival shopping boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The file photo shows workers unload e-commerce parcels from a bullet train at Shuangliu West Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

    When Wang Lijun returned to his hometown in Hebei for the Spring Festival this year, he didn’t carry the usual load of holiday goods, as his New Year purchases — juicy navel oranges from Jiangxi and wild vegetables from the northeast — had already arrived at his doorstep via express delivery.

    “Returning home for the Spring Festival used to be physically exhausting, but now it’s a breeze,” said the 50-year-old man, who spent eight months constructing cliffside roads deep in the Taihang Mountains.

    Wang’s shipments were just a fraction of the billions of parcels crisscrossing China as people shop for gourmet treats, festive goods and gifts for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. With e-commerce now an integral part of daily life, the holiday season has become one of the busiest times for the country’s delivery network.

    At Sanya Phoenix International Airport, a major hub in China’s tropical island province of Hainan, packages of mangoes, dragon fruits and coconuts are flown across the country to eager holiday shoppers.

    “Over 70 percent of the air-shipped parcels are fruits, and during peak times, more than 70 tonnes are dispatched daily,” said Zhao He from the YTO Express branch at the airport. Even in the snow-covered northeastern regions, deliveries can arrive in as little as 24 hours.

    Data from JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform, showed that Chinese consumers are enjoying a greater variety of specialties from across the country for the festival. For instance, the sales of local products from the coastal city of Shanghai have surged by 277 percent year on year in the inland Qinghai Province on the platform.

    Driven by the holiday shopping frenzy, China’s express delivery network has been operating at high capacity since the beginning of this year, according to the State Post Bureau.

    During the first three days of the Spring Festival travel rush, which kicked off in mid-January, the daily average of express deliveries handled nationwide exceeded 670 million, a 29 percent jump from the same period in 2024, according to the bureau.

    Festive shopping gained momentum as China tapped into its growing domestic consumption potential, driven by the rise of online retail and the rapid expansion of its delivery network. In 2024, the country’s courier sector handled 174.5 billion parcels, with 974 million Chinese people shopping online by year-end.

    In the distribution center of Yunda Express in Shanghai, the pre-holiday delivery is in full swing. To handle the surge in parcels, the company has activated all of its smart sorting lines in the center, expanded its fleet of vehicles and upgraded the equipment.

    “We are also considering hiring more temporary workers to meet the business demand,” said Yang Shuai, who is in charge of the center.

    Logistics companies may face further challenges as many delivery workers, like all fellow Chinese, are returning to their hometowns for the Spring Festival, leading to a seasonal manpower shortage.

    According to Ye Wenhui, manager of ZTO Express’s Fengxian branch in Shanghai, only 30 percent of the couriers in the branch will stay on their post during the eight-day holiday which starts on Tuesday.

    To boost staffing, couriers will be paid three times their usual pay during the holiday, with bonuses that guarantee daily incomes of 400 to 600 yuan (about 56 to 84 U.S. dollars) for delivering 200 to 300 packages. They’ll also be able to take time off once their colleagues return.

    Ye said that innovative solutions have been put in place to address the staff shortage, such as setting up unattended pickup stations and adding delivery lockers to courier stores.

    Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has further alleviated labor shortages by deploying unmanned delivery vehicles.

    These automated systems would handle the most labor-intensive transportation tasks, allowing on-site workers to focus on sorting and last-mile deliveries. A dedicated operation team has been established to ensure smooth functionality of unmanned vehicles during the holiday period.

    According to a Cainiao delivery manager in east China’s Hangzhou, this year, six unmanned vehicles will handle the transportation work, allowing 60 percent of the staff to enjoy their Spring Festival holiday, significantly higher than about 30 percent in past years.

    Wang Lei, manager of a YTO Express branch in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, said that a decline in delivery volumes is expected in the first three days of the holiday. “But it will surge afterward as people ship local specialties back to the metropolitan cities like Shanghai where they reside and work.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shawo radish industry fuels rural revitalization in N. China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hao Lihong, general manager of Guli farm, an agricultural supply chain cooperative in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, shows the growth of Shawo radishes in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Song Rui)

    Rows of green Shawo radishes are growing well in a technology demonstration base covering an area of around 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares) in the suburb of north China’s Tianjin Municipality.

    It is currently the peak sales season for Shawo radishes, and most of the radishes in the greenhouses at the base are in cold storage, waiting to be distributed nationwide.

    “Via the Internet of Things and sensors in the greenhouses, the amount of watering, the temperature, humidity and light can be managed intelligently, increasing the quality of the radishes. The process of growing the radishes including seed selection, planting and maintenance is recorded in the smart system,” said Hao Lihong, general manager of Guli farm, an agricultural supply chain cooperative in Tianjin.

    Hao said that the smart planting technology would soon be introduced to more than 10 greenhouses in the area — allowing local farmers to plant in an automated way by using mobile phones.

    The Shawo radish is named after its growth localities in Xiaoshawo Village and Dashawo Village in Xinkou Town, Tianjin’s Xiqing District. Local Shawo radish growing dates back more than 300 years. The soil in these areas is sandy near the surface and sticky deeper down — making radishes grown there both crisp and sweet.

    In 2024, in order to promote the development of the Shawo radish industry, the district government made a plan and cooperated with towns, villages and enterprises to produce a well-known Shawo radish brand.

    “In the past, the radish planting here lacked both scale and standardization. The production facilities were old, while seeds were not standard. The taste of radishes grown by different people was different, which restricted the brand-inheritance potential of the Shawo radish,” Hao said.

    Notably, Guli farm and Dashawo Village have strengthened their cooperation efforts since last year. More than 300 contracted farmers have enjoyed technical training and guidance from experts with Tianjin Academy of Agriculture Sciences. They also did not need to find the sales channels by themselves, but instead sold radishes directly to Guli farm.

    Thanks to this cooperation model, Sun Guoqiang, a 62-year-old living in Dashawo Village, has benefited a lot. “The peak sales season for Shawo radishes is from December to February of the following year. By the end of 2024, all 25,000 kilograms of Shawo radishes in my five greenhouses had been purchased by Guli farm, earning me roughly 100,000 yuan (about 13,638 U.S. dollars),” Sun said.

    The price of the radishes has more than doubled compared with 2023, and Sun plans to expand his planting area this year to make even more money.

    In recent years, marketing activities to promote the Shawo radish brand have been implemented, boosting sales. In addition, a special promotion meeting focused on the Shawo radish was held in Beijing, while many Chinese cities including Changsha, Hangzhou and Guangzhou hosted exhibitions, where visitors could get a closer look at this special radish variety. Online and offline sales channels for this brand have been expanded recently, serving as another boost for the Shawo radish industry.

    “In 2024, we made a lot of efforts to expand the sales chain of Shawo radishes, and enhance their popularity and reputation through brand building and cultural tourism activities,” Hao said.

    This year, the company will cooperate with enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to help farmers sell Shawo radishes to buyers in Hong Kong and Macao, Hao added.

    The Shawo radish industry has had a significant impact on Xinkou Town, boosting rural revitalization there.

    At present, the town has planted Shawo radishes across an area of about 7,000 mu — which is expected to yield an estimated output of around 32.5 million kilograms and an estimated sales value of 250 million yuan.

    According to Zhao Jun, the town’s Party secretary, the town plans to expand the cultivation scale of Shawo radishes and strengthen the development of both deep processing of agricultural products and tourism, adding that they would also try to make the Shawo radish industry a good model of rural revitalization by continuously extending the industry chain and strengthening the Shawo radish brand.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla, BMW join Chinese EV makers in challenging EU tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Tesla and BMW have joined Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in challenging the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, filing cases with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), according to the court’s website.

    The automakers’ lawsuits follow similar filings last week by Chinese EV manufacturers BYD, Geely, and SAIC, contesting the EU’s additional import tariffs of up to over 35 percent.

    European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the EU is prepared to respond to the case in court.

    Despite strong opposition from industry stakeholders in EU member states, the Commission moved forward with its proposal to impose countervailing tariffs on Chinese EVs in October.

    Under the EU tariff scheme, U.S. automaker Tesla, which manufactures vehicles in China, faces a duty of 7.8 percent after requesting an individual review. BMW, which also produces certain models in China, is subject to a 20.7-percent duty. Tariffs for Chinese manufacturers vary: 17 percent for BYD, 18.8 percent for Geely, and 35.3 percent for SAIC.

    China appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November last year against the EU’s final ruling on countervailing measures targeting Chinese EVs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nasdaq celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year with closing bell

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Nasdaq, a major stock exchange in the world, celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year on Monday afternoon by holding a closing bell ceremony in partnership with the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

    Marking the 16th year of celebrating the Spring Festival at Nasdaq, Chen Li, the Chinese consul general in New York, rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York City, one of the most populous cities in the United States.

    “The Spring Festival embodies values of reunion, renewal and resilience, which are essential as we work together to deepen economic ties between China and the United States,” Chen said.

    It is also meaningful to celebrate these values here at the heart of the global commerce center, Chen added.

    “We welcome more investors and friends from the United States and beyond to explore opportunities in China… It is inspiring to see more Chinese enterprises listed on Nasdaq with the blessings of the Year of the Snake. I hope China-U.S. economic ties can be stronger and bring greater benefits to the world,” Chen said.

    “The Lunar New Year has always been a time to express gratitude for our partnerships and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025,” said Robert H. McCooey, Jr., vice chairman of Nasdaq, at the ceremony.

    “Nasdaq’s commitment to China remains very strong and we are extremely proud to be the home of over 250 innovative Chinese companies who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that will help our two great nations continue to grow together,” said McCooey.

    According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Spring Festival falls Wednesday this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi sends Chinese New Year card in return to friends in US state of Iowa

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a Chinese New Year card in return to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, saying that China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends.

    Xi said in the reply card that the warm reception he received when he visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in his memory.

    China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large, Xi said.

    The Chinese president expressed his hope that the two peoples will pay more visits to each other and have more exchanges, jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples, and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.

    Earlier, 58 people from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife, former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from Iowa who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study for a five-year period, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi.

    In the card, they recalled Xi’s first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake.

    The representatives of teachers, students and parents thanked Xi for putting forward the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative, shared their feelings about visiting China, and expressed their expectations to visit China again.

    MIL OSI China News –