NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – There should be nothing controversial in the public service reflecting the public they serve – CPSU

    Source: Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)


    The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents members in the Australian Public Service (APS), says Peter Dutton’s comments show he is intent on mimicking the US President and fundamentally misunderstands the role of the public service.

     

    Today, Peter Dutton took aim at cultural diversity and inclusion in the APS, promising to axe roles with responsibility for ensuring the public sector workforce reflects the communities they serve.

     

    The move is the latest in a series of announcements Mr Dutton has made on the public sector that echo the US President, including appointing a new shadow minister for government efficiency mimicking Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk to a new US Department of Government Efficiency, and promising to cut 36,000 public sector jobs.

     

    Quotes attributable to CPSU National Secretary, Melissa Donnelly:  

     

    “Today’s comments from Peter Dutton are straight from the Trump playbook, demonstrating his lack of ideas, and his lack of understanding of modern workplaces.

     

    “What Mr Dutton fails to comprehend is that a workforce that reflects the public they serve is better able to deliver essential services effectively. 

     

    “Having staff with lived experience of disability, for example, means the NDIA has a deeper understanding of how to improve and more effectively target disability services to Australians.

     

    “Likewise, the National Indigenous Australians Agency workforce needs to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander workers whose first-hand experiences are critical to the agency’s work.

     

    “Inclusion and diversity may sound like an easy target to Mr Dutton and Mr Trump, but for people who access public services, the value of having someone who speaks their language and understands their experience is immeasurable.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Mining plan offers false promises with real damage

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders.

    “Shane Jones’ announcement is shortsighted, environmentally reckless, and a giveaway to private mining interests,” Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods said.

    “We are not against mining as long as it is done in an environmentally sustainable way. Under the Labour government, we were also doing work on critical minerals that would help us decarbonise and move away from fossil fuels like coal in a way that ensures jobs in the long term.

    “However, the government’s plans, combined with the Fast Track law, lead to greater environmental risks with no public scrutiny.

    “This Government wants New Zealanders to believe mining is essential for the energy transition, but what they won’t tell you is that gold mining has nothing to do with renewable energy and fossil fuels are the most expensive energy source that we have.

    “Shane Jones talks about economic benefits, but what he is really talking about is private profits being shipped offshore while Kiwis are left with the environmental damage.

    “Kiwis deserve an energy strategy that moves us forward, one that invests in wind, solar, and storage, creates sustainable jobs, and puts people before corporate profits. Instead, Shane Jones is pushing a plan that prioritises mining private profits over climate action, regional prosperity, and long-term energy security,” Megan Woods said.

    “His proposal to mine the iron sands off the Coast of Taranaki drove away offshore wind investment, proving once again that this Government is holding New Zealand back while other countries move forward with clean energy solutions,” Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said.

    “Climate and environmental protections are critical to our future, and this Government’s shortsighted and destructive approach will harm New Zealand’s economy long after Shane Jones is gone from Parliament.”

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 30, 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) 5,45,691.61 6.56 4.00-6.95
         I. Call Money 14,941.07 6.58 5.10-6.65
         II. Triparty Repo 3,85,768.80 6.55 6.49-6.75
         III. Market Repo 1,43,070.44 6.59 4.00-6.95
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,911.30 6.76 6.75-6.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 126.94 6.43 5.90-6.65
         II. Term Money@@ 1,141.50 – 6.70-7.50
         III. Triparty Repo 1,585.00 6.54 6.50-6.57
         IV. Market Repo 2,040.99 6.61 6.60-6.75
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Thu, 30/01/2025 1 Fri, 31/01/2025 1,17,354.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 30/01/2025 1 Fri, 31/01/2025 3,099.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 30/01/2025 1 Fri, 31/01/2025 69,667.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       50,786.00  
    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 (-)]*     2,22,438.71  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 30, 2025 9,18,934.39  
         (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 30, 2025 1,17,354.00  
    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: 2024-2025/2047

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chrystal Zhang, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering & Aviation, RMIT University

    On Wednesday night US time, a passenger jet and US Army helicopter collided at a low altitude near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the the Potomac River.

    A total of 60 passengers – including US and Russian champion figure skaters – and four crew were on board the American Airlines flight AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas. Three military personnel were in the chopper, which was conducting a routine training flight. Authorities say no one on board either aircraft survived.

    This crash comes just over a month after a passenger jet crashed in South Korea – possibly as a result of a bird strike – killing all but two of the 181 people on board. The two incidents have focused attention on aviation safety around the world.

    In the case of the most recent tragedy in the US, technology exists that is designed to help pilots avoid midair collisions with other aircraft. It is known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System – or TCAS.

    So how does it work? And why might it have failed to prevent disaster in this case?

    What is a TCAS?

    A TCAS is an aircraft safety system that monitors the airspace around a plane for other aircraft equipped with transponders. These are devices that listen for and respond to incoming electronic signals.

    The system – also sometimes referred to as an ACAS (Airborne Collision Avoidance System) – operates independently of an external air traffic control system. Its purpose is to alert pilots immediately to nearby aircraft and potential midair collisions.

    Since the technology was developed in 1974, it has undergone a number of advances.

    The first generation technology, known as TCAS I, monitors what’s around an aircraft. It provides information on the bearing and altitude of any nearby aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, it generates what’s known as a “Traffic Advisory” – or TA. When a TA is issued, the pilot is notified of the threat, but must themselves determine the best evasive action to take.

    The second generation technology, known as TCAS II, goes a step further: it provides a pilot with specific instructions on how to avoid a collision with a nearby aircraft or conflict with traffic, either by descending, climbing, turning or adjusting their speed.

    These newer systems are also able to communicate with each other. This ensures the advice given to each aircraft is coordinated.

    Any aircraft used for commercial purposes must be equipped with a TCAS in accordance with international regulations under what’s known as the Chicago Convention. There are specific provisions under the convention for noncommercial aircraft.

    Military helicopters are not subject to the provisions of the Chicago Convention (although they are subject to domestic laws and regulations). And there are reports the military helicopter did not have a TCAS system on board.

    Limitations of TCAS at low altitudes

    Regardless of whether the military helicopter involved in the crash was fitted with a TCAS, the technology still has limitations. In particular, it is inhibited at altitudes below roughly 300 metres.

    The last recorded altitude of American Airlines flight AA5342 was roughly 90 metres. The last recorded altitude of the US military helicopter that collided with the plane was roughly 60 metres.

    It is not an accident that a TCAS is inhibited at low altitudes. In fact, this is part of the design of the technology.

    This is primarily because the system relies on radio altimeter data, which measures altitude and becomes less accurate near the ground. This could potentially result in unreliable collision-avoidance instructions.

    Another issue is that an aircraft at such a low altitude cannot descend any further to avoid a collision.

    The site of several near misses

    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Commercial, military and private aircraft share very limited airspace and corridors.

    It has been the site of several near misses in recent years.

    For example, in April 2024, a commercial plane pilot coming into land had to take evasive action to avoid a helicopter that was roughly 100 metres beneath it. In an incident report, the pilot said:

    We never received a warning of the traffic from (air traffic control) so we were unaware it was there.

    Many people, including Democratic US senator Tim Kaine, pointed to this near miss as evidence of why a plan to allow more flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should not proceed. Despite this, the plan was approved the following month.

    All of this will undoubtedly be examined as part of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into this disaster.

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

    – ref. Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington? – https://theconversation.com/planes-have-high-tech-systems-to-stop-midair-crashes-so-what-went-wrong-in-washington-248744

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Privacy Amendment Bill is coming soon – here’s what you need to know

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    The Privacy Amendment Bill is making its way through Parliament, and we know organisations are starting to think about how this will impact them. Weve put together key information on the Bill, which well update as it progresses. Guidance
    One of the important changes in the Bill is adding Information Privacy Principle (IPP)3A. Well be developing guidance for organisations on the requirements of IPP3A, as well as reviewing OPCs Codes of Practice to determine whether any amendments are required. In the meantime digital. govt. nz has an overview of IPP3A planning for indirect notification requirements. When is this happening?
    The Minister of Justice has indicated that the commencement date will be six months after the Act passes. Were aiming to have the guidance developed and published on our website to allow organisations plenty of time to implement the requirements of the new Act.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Accelerating community electrification across Australia

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      31 January 2025

    • Classification

      Demand response

    In 2024, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy requested ARENA to consider expanding funding to support more community electrification demonstration projects across Australia.

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) continues to be committed to supporting innovative electrification projects that will help accelerate the transition to electrification and emissions reduction. Since 2018, ARENA has invested $144.5 million into 49 projects that achieve this purpose.

    Community electrification holds the promise of unlocking renewable energy demand across the residential sector, reducing bills and giving households a stake in the clean energy transition.

    ARENA’s announcement on 4 May 2024 of $6.2 million for SA Power Networks’ “Energy Masters Project” alongside the 15 October 2024 announcement of $5.4 million in support for the “Electrify 2515” Project in North Wollongong are early and leading examples of community electrification demonstration projects of this type.

    Under the Flexible Demand focus area, ARENA looks to support high merit, innovative projects that enable flexible demand for residents. Projects that overcome barriers and deliver the required infrastructure to orchestrate and integrate consumer energy resources to maximise the value of those resources.

    As part of any process associated with this focus area, ARENA is engaging with industry and other key stakeholders to understand the opportunities that are available, and which are consistent with our strategic priorities and funding model.

    We are also committed to ensuring that any projects that receive funding from ARENA deliver new insights and knowledge that can be shared across industry and meets our independent assessment and board approval process.

    ARENA applies a rigorous probity and merit-based approach, which gives government and all stakeholders confidence in the quality of projects we fund.

    ARENA has found over time that successful projects have strong project proponents who can manage technical, regulatory and delivery risk and can access finance to share the project’s costs.

    More information about the types of projects ARENA funds and how to apply for funding can be found on the ARENA website.

    Questions and funding enquiries related to community electrification can be directed to proposals@arena.gov.au.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 128KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads Senate Armed Services Committee in Secretary of the Army Nomination Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led his committee colleagues in a hearing examining the nomination of Mr. Daniel P. Driscoll, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Secretary of the Army.
    In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker recounted the many challenges facing the United States Army in its effort to modernize and develop new ways of deterring our adversaries.
    The Army, Chairman Wicker noted, is failing to realize the full potential of recruitment opportunities.  He also noted the Army’s need to refocus on transforming its material readiness to ensure it can properly support conflict in Europe or the Western Pacific. Specifically, Chairman Wicker called for Mr. Driscoll to improve army initiatives on small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
    “I believe Mr. Driscoll’s record, his Army service, his legal background, and financial experience have prepared him to handle the myriad responsibilities of Army Secretary. If he’s confirmed, Mr. Driscoll will face the challenges I’ve already outlined. He will be handed a budget that has not kept pace with inflation. He’ll also take the helm at a time of increasing danger around the world,” Chairman Wicker said. “…[The Army] must choose to remain relevant in today’s complex threat environment, the Army should accelerate its transformation efforts and focus on new portions of the defense industrial base. It should expand its work on small unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, and counter-UAS.”
    Chairman Wicker previously met with Driscoll, commenting that the nominee that “would bring relevant combat experience, a decorated military career, and a proven track record at the highest levels of law and business to keep the Army focused on its mission.”
    Read the remarks as delivered below or watch them here.
    The hearing will come to order. We thank the witnesses for being here, and those in attendance.
    Certainly, all of us are concerned and saddened by the tragedy which occurred near Reagan National Airport last night, and I ask that the committee observe a moment of silence before we begin the hearing.
    Thank you very much.
    The Committee on Armed Services has convened this hearing to consider the pending nomination of Mr. Dan Driscoll to be the 26th Secretary of the Army. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mr. Driscoll served our country in Iraq, spending four years with the Army. So, we thank him, and the entire Driscoll family: his wife Dr. Cassie Driscoll, and their two children, Daniel and Lila, who could not be with us today, for their willingness to serve this country again, by accepting this new assignment.
    After his military service, Mr. Driscoll received his law degree from Yale and has worked in private equity and venture capital, all the while he’s retained many ties to his former service.
    The Army faces a complex array of challenges. Recruitment and retention improved last year, but the Army still has more than 10,000 fewer recruits than it did in 2023. Since the beginning of the Biden administration, the service is down 36,000 soldiers. On top of that, the Army is not taking full advantage of opportunities to nurture interest in military service. Almost 300 high schools sit on a waiting list to get their own Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. These units mean more than potential individual recruits. They represent communities where the Department of Defense can put down roots, developing the Army of leaders for tomorrow, as well as excellent citizens for our entire society.
    As the service catches up on recruitment, it must also ensure that those who do enlist are equipped for the mission. The nature of large-scale combat operations is changing. The world sees this every week in Ukraine. To be ready for potential combat in the Western Pacific, the Army must expedite modernization efforts.
    On top of recruitment and modernization projects, the next Secretary of the Army must address the service member quality of life issues that afflict this, the largest service. In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Army increased funding for barracks maintenance problems, but the effects of decades of neglect cannot be fixed overnight. The Army has a facility backlog of more than $100 billion. I offered an amendment which passed the most recent NDAA requiring all of the service to adopt minimum annual facility sustainment levels. My colleagues and I need to see evidence that this change has been embraced within the service.
    I believe Mr. Driscoll’s record, his Army service, his legal background, and financial experience have prepared him to handle the myriad responsibilities of Army Secretary. If he’s confirmed, Mr. Driscoll will face the challenges I’ve already outlined.
    He will be handed a budget that has not kept pace with inflation. He’ll also take the helm at a time of increasing danger around the world.
    The Army is playing a largely quiet but crucial role in the Western Pacific. It is deepening partnerships with our allies and partners in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the service is helping us maintain deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party, and it ensures that our South Korean allies are postured to prevent North Korean aggression.
    Soldiers from across the United States remain stationed in Europe. Their presence helps deter Russia and helps assure our NATO allies.
    In the Middle East, the Army continues to play a lead role in combating Iranian aggression.
    Clearly, the Army’s work has been instrumental in these theaters. It must choose to remain relevant in today’s complex threat environment, the Army should accelerate its transformation efforts and focus on new portions of the defense industrial base. It should expand its work on small unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, and counter-UAS. And I say that even as I recognize and appreciate the chief of staff the Army’s focus in this area.
    In the Western Pacific theater, the Army’s contribution to sensing and shooting remains in its infancy. The service has the chance to realize its key logistics role for the joint force in contested areas, but it can do so with significant investment and focus.
    So, I look forward to this hearing on how Mr. Driscoll will work to change the culture around the issues I have listed, as well as other pressing matters. And I now recognize my friend, the ranking member of the committee, Senator Jack Reed for any opening remarks he may offer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Baldwin Pens Op-ed Outlining Her Opposition to RFK, Jr.’s Nomination to be Nation’s Top Health Official

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Newsweek published the following op-ed penned by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) ahead of her questioning of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP):
    Newsweek: RFK Jr. Is Bad for Our Health
    When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed with a serious illness similar to spinal meningitis. The experience not only landed me in the hospital for three months, it also shaped the rest of my life. I was a child with a pre-existing condition, uninsurable for more than a decade after I got better.
    I got into politics because of my experience with health care, and it informs how I think about keeping Americans safe and well today. I know what it’s like to be a child in a hospital bed and just how important it is to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
    I’m committed to giving President Donald Trump’s nominees a fair shake and continue to carefully evaluate if each nominee will help or hurt my constituents. This, of course, includes the position to lead our nation’s largest public health agency. While I have been proud to support various Republican nominees—I even introduced former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy in front of the Senate Commerce Committee to be secretary of transportation—there are some that clearly will hurt American families.
    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of them. RFK Jr. has been nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an agency that is responsible for keeping our nation healthy. HHS is charged with overseeing vaccines to stop the spread of diseases like polio and measles, spearheading lifesaving research into cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s, and so much more.
    Make no mistake, this agency has helped save the lives of millions from diseases through safe vaccines. It has given hope to millions who now have treatments and cures for cancer and other illnesses. The agency is far from perfect and needs reforms—and I have some good places to start—but the head of the HHS better believe in its core mission to keep people healthy and believe the experts, not conspiracy theories. That’s why I believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is simply unfit for this position.
    Kennedy is one of the top spreaders of misinformation about vaccines, peddling bogus conspiracy theories that these safe and effective protections for Americans are harmful. He said that “no vaccine is safe and effective.”
    Well, I’d bet the tens of millions of people who don’t have polio, measles, mumps, and many other diseases because of vaccines would beg to differ.
    He’s questioned the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine that was first developed under President Donald Trump and even tried to stop it from being used just six months after its rollout. This vaccine saved millions of lives and allowed Americans to return to work and school safely.
    RFK Jr. helped spread anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, fueling a measles outbreak in Samoa that led to the deaths of 83 people, primarily infants and children. He’s threatened to downsize the National Institutes of Health, which work every day to find lifesaving breakthroughs and treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, infectious diseases, chronic health conditions, diabetes, and so many other illnesses that have an impact millions of American families.
    As a child who spent months in a hospital bed, I know the consequences of not protecting our kids from serious illness. I know the toll it takes on a family, emotionally and financially, to have a loved one hospitalized for a serious disease. I also know what it’s like to have science-backed medicine and good health care. And that all starts at the top of the federal government’s largest health agency, the Department of Health and Human Services. All of us have the responsibility to protect our kids and families, and that includes soundly rejecting a nominee who has spent much of his career spreading misinformation that endangers American lives.
    Americans deserve a leading health official who believes in science, not conspiracies. And Americans agree. I urge my colleagues to ask themselves a simple question: will this nominee keep your constituents safe, or harm them? For Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I think the answer is clear.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Tiwai Peninsula vegetation fire update #3

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have made good progress in clearing hotspots out of the burnt scrub and wetland on Tiwai Peninsula today.
    Incident Controller Hamish Angus says that despite warmer conditions this afternoon, firefighters have been able to hold down any potential flare-ups.
    “As well as having four helicopters dousing the fireground from above, we’re using four excavators to widen firebreaks around the perimeter so the fire doesn’t spread if the wind gets up,” he says.
    “This work will also help firefighters if they need to deal with any more fires here in the future.”
    Fire crews will work until 6pm, and one crew will remain overnight to monitor the fireground.
    “Our crews will be back on-site tomorrow morning to continue mopping up and ensuring there are no hotspots left,” Hamish Angus says.
    “They’ve all worked incredibly hard over the last two days, and done a great job at getting such a large vegetation fire under control.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Pothole repairs are paying off

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    Transporting New Zealand says the intensified focus on road maintenance and pothole repair is paying off, preventing damage to vehicles, supporting road safety and keeping Kiwis moving.
    Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced this afternoon that 98 per cent of potholes on state highways were repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced by the Coalition Government.
    Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says this will be welcome news to its road freight members across the country.
    “Potholes and other road surfacing issues can be a nightmare for our members and other motorists. Transporting New Zealand has consistently called for a greater share of road user charges and fuel excise revenue to be directed to road maintenance and rehabilitation.” says Kalasih.
    “Over the past couple of years, we’ve been hearing more complaints from our members and other road users about potholes and road surfacing issues, and these concerns were borne out by the data. In 2023, more than 62,000 potholes required repair on state highways, the highest figure in a decade.”
    “Potholes can easily do thousands of dollars of damage to trucks and trailers vehicles.
    “We’ve had members report erratic driving from other motorists trying to avoid them, or slowing to a crawl, which can be very dangerous.”
    Kalasih says that with 92.8 per cent of New Zealand’s freight moving via road, potholes and other road surface issues are a major drag on economic growth and labour productivity.
    “The Coalition Government’s establishment of the $3.9 billion Pothole Prevention Fund and ambitious targets for the repair of potholes on main state highways and regional state highways is now paying dividends.
    “It’s a big endorsement of providing clear directions and targets to the New Zealand Transport Agency, and we encourage the new Minister Chris Bishop to continue the hands-on approach of his immediate predecessor, Simeon Brown.”
    However Kalasih also says while Transporting New Zealand is grateful for how these repairs are going, the reality is that in an ideal world, the work shouldn’t be needed.
    “Potholes are isolated failures in stretches of road. When roads are built to a high and consistent standard, these should be minimal. We’ll be engaging with NZTA to ensure road quality remains a priority and that our roads are built to last.”
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand 
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand https://www.transporting.nz/ is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. 
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong marks Chinese New Year with dazzling fireworks display

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    As the clock struck eight on Thursday evening, the sky above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors, marking the arrival of the Chinese New Year.

    Fireworks illuminate the sky over Victoria Harbour in celebration of the Spring Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

    This year’s 23-minute fireworks display, a dazzling spectacle of 23,888 pyrotechnic bursts featuring nine scenes, drew over 250,000 residents and tourists to the waterfront, united in celebration of the Year of the Snake.

    The annual event, co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, is a must-see for many Hong Kong residents and tourists.

    Addressing the crowd on Thursday night, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee underscored the significance of the fireworks display as a centerpiece of the Chinese New Year festivities in Hong Kong, noting that each year’s performance features new elements, bringing fresh brilliance to the skies above Victoria Harbour. Much like the agile snake symbolizes flexibility and adaptability, this reflects the spirit of innovation and resilience of the people of Hong Kong.

    As dusk settled, the promenade at Tsim Sha Tsui buzzed with anticipation. Families, couples, and international visitors staked out prime viewing spots hours in advance, eager to witness the grand spectacle. From Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, the atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and the chatter of excited spectators.

    The show began with the first scene, titled “A Brand New Beginning,” igniting cheers from the crowd. The scene “Blossoming Prosperity” painted golden ingots in the sky, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The eighth scene, “Double Luck and Goodness,” featured giant panda images against a backdrop of green lighting representing bamboo and decorative silver illumination. Six adorable “panda head” images representing “An An,” “Ke Ke,” “Ying Ying,” and “Le Le,” along with the newborn twins “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother,” illuminated the sky, signifying reunion and happiness.

    The fireworks display reached its climax in the final act, “Harvesting Year of the Snake.” The vibrant scene featured wandering star pattern fireworks dancing against the powerful gongs and drums of the background music “Golden Snake Dance,” wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for the people.

    For many, this was more than just a show; it was a moment of collective celebration and hope. Seventy-year-old local resident Mrs. Suen shared her thoughts: “This is one of the most crowded displays I’ve ever seen. The influx of tourists has added to the festive spirit, and it fills us all with optimism for the year ahead.”

    Among the visitors was Mr. Xu from Zhejiang, who expressed his awe, saying, “Incredible! Emotional!” He had long heard of Hong Kong’s spectacular celebrations and had planned this trip specifically to experience the fireworks. “This is a highlight of our family trip and is definitely worth it,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid celebrates tentative listing

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The Victorian Goldfields has been officially included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, a promising step on the road to the goldfields receiving World Heritage Listing.

    The City of Greater Bendigo, City of Ballarat and 13 other Local Government counterparts involved in the bid are today celebrating the exciting news.

    The Tentative List is controlled by the Australian Government. Inclusion on the Tentative List means the Victorian Goldfields is considered a strong candidate to be submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage Listing, which can only be applied for after 12 months on the Tentative List.

    Six sites across the region have been included in the Tentative List, with three additional places identified as being subject to further investigation and the possibility other sites may also be added.

    Over the next 12 months all possible sites will be assessed in preparation for the Victorian Goldfields bid to be submitted formally to UNESCO in February 2026, with a final outcome likely to be determined after mid-2027.

    Getting the Victorian Goldfields on the Tentative List now was critical, as Australia can only make one nomination to UNESCO per year and there are many other places from around Australia that are being considered.

    Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said securing a World Heritage Listing was a long process but today’s Tentative Listing announcement represented a significant milestone.

    “In 2020, international world heritage expert Barry Gamble confirmed the Victorian Goldfields was the best surviving landscape from the 19th century goldrush anywhere in the world. This validation propelled the efforts of the 15 councils involved to continue our push to celebrate and protect this outstanding example of global significance,” Cr Metcalf said.

    “If World Heritage Listing is achieved, it puts the Victorian Goldfields on the same map as the Pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal in India. This would be an incredible achievement for our region, with economic modelling forecasting a Victorian Goldfields World Heritage site could attract 2.5 million new visitors to the region over 10 years, injecting more than $500M into local economies.

    “The sites selected for the Tentative List demonstrate outstanding global heritage significance and celebrate the region’s multi-layered history – from the First Peoples living on Country to the goldrush, and subsequent waves of immigration and the contribution made by people who were chasing riches.”

    The Victorian Goldfields is currently represented in the Tentative List submission by:

    • Castlemaine Goldfields and Historic Townships – pre-eminent alluvial diggings of an early major gold rush in Victoria
    • Creswick and the Deep Lead Landscape – unparalleled example of this rare type of gold mining
    • Bendigo Historic Urban Landscape – one of the world’s most notable gold rush cities 
    • Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin) – an area that evidences Aboriginal connection to Country before, during and after the gold rushes 
    • Great Nuggets Historic Landscape – these diggings yielded the greatest concentration of the largest gold nuggets the world had ever known
    • Walhalla Alpine Mining Landscape –steep topography that guided settlement centred on Victoria’s richest gold mine

    Other places mentioned in the Tentative List submission for inclusion at the World Heritage nomination stage, which will be developed in 2025/2026, include:

    • Ballarat Historic Urban Landscape
    • Beechworth Historic Township and Sluicing Landscape
    • Whroo and the Balaclava Open Cut Mine

    Cr Metcalf said further investigations over the coming 12 months were likely to mean an updated list would make up the final nomination.

    “A working group, led by Heritage Victoria and including Traditional Owners and councils involved in the bid, will lead consultation with the communities where each of the sites are located, including with site owners and nearby residents,” she said.

    “Tentative Listing should be considered a placeholder only. Sites may change and are all subject to consultation, but the focus will be on confirming a list that ensures the best examples of the lasting legacy of the Victorian Goldfields are celebrated and this critical piece of Australia’s history is conserved and shared with future generations.”

    The World Heritage bid is the initiative of a regional partnership made up of 15 councils and the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive, led by the City of Greater Bendigo and the City of Ballarat. The Victorian Government announced $2M to progress the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage nomination in 2023.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Waikato & Bay of Plenty state highway works January/February 2025 

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    State Highway 29 continues to be a hive of activity with night works starting on the Kaimai Range from Sunday 9 February for 10 nights. 

    SH29 Kaimai Range night closure schedule: 

    • Sunday 9 February to Friday 14 February, 8pm to 4.30am 
    • Sunday 16 February to Friday 21 February, 8pm to 4.30am 

    “The SH29 scheduled full closures for maintenance are providing huge safety benefits for both our crews and road users,” says Sandra King, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manger, Bay of Plenty.  

    The Kaimai Range closures are enabling crews to carry out scheduled maintenance more efficiently. By locking in a schedule, regular road users including freight operators, can make plans to minimise disruption to themselves and their customers. 

    We’re taking advantage of the closure to do other work on SH29, increasing the effectiveness while traffic volumes are reduced across the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty state highway network.   

    “With so much work taking place it is inevitable road users will come across worksites and traffic management. When you see roadworkers out on the road, travel safely through their site, follow signage and any instructions you receive, and give them a wave to say thanks for their tremendous work,” says Ms King. 

    And, it’s likely there’s another long weekend in the mix for a lot of people, for those who decide to take Friday 7 February off after Waitangi day. If you do take the break with friends and whānau, don’t let your extra day lose its charm by getting stuck in the car, beat the traffic by using the NZTA Holiday Journey Planner, which shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys. 

     “Patience is key when driving public holidays. Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely and drive to the conditions. We want to see people enjoying the long weekend and arriving at their destinations safely,” says Ms King. 

    To plan ahead and see where disruptive works are, people can use the NZTA Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) This is kept up to date in real time so you can see all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the state highway network. 

    Waikato Bay of Plenty works as at 31 January 2025 [PDF, 334 KB]

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further rockfall protection and slip repair work at State Highway 6 Dellows Bluff

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Drivers can expect to see more work on State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff with work to fix a new slip site set to get underway in February.

    Resilience work has been ongoing at the area since a major rockfall in July 2022. This has seen rock scaling and rock blasting to remove overhanging rock and debris from the cliff face above the highway. Rock anchors, steel mesh, and protective shipping container barriers have also been installed at the site.

    SH6 Dellows Bluff rockfall, July 2022.

    Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says bad weather late last year caused a slip less than 200 metres away from the original rockfall site.

    “This site also has an ongoing rockfall risk that we need to fix. From 10 February we’ll have crews and heavy machinery on site for around six to eight weeks carrying out remedial work.”

    “Contractors will need to excavate and remove roughly 10,000 cubic metres of clay and rocks to establish a more stable face and create a bench above the road to capture any further rock falls,” Mr Service says.

    Slip clearing, SH6 Dellows Bluff slip site – October 2024

    He says the job is a big one and cannot be completed without affecting traffic on State Highway 6.

    “We will have to close the highway’s southbound lane during the project. The space is needed to allow heavy machinery to operate and also to provide a safety buffer zone for traffic.”

    “Reducing the road to one lane also means we will have to use stop/go traffic management and there will be times when we will have to stop traffic in both directions for 45-minute periods to ensure material, particularly dangerous overhanging boulders and trees, can be removed safely. Night closures are also likely to be used to help complete tree-felling too,” Mr Service says.

    He appreciates the work will create significant delays for traffic.

    “The nature of the work and the need to keep the public safe means this is unavoidable. Please bear with us while we get this job done. State Highway 6 is a critical transport link and resilience work like this is all about make the highway safer and more resilient in the future. There will be short-term pain, but it’s all about getting a long-term gain for road users and the local community.”

    Steps will be in place to ensure access is available when needed. Allowances are being made to ensure school buses and school traffic can get through the work site, and access will always be available for emergency services. Updates on the project will be shared with the community as it progresses, including updates on any changes to traffic management at the slip site.

    Works schedule

    • 10 February to 13 March. Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm
    • Southbound lane closure.
    • Stop/Stop controls will operate from 13 February to 15 February, 8 am – 6 pm.
      • These will be on the hour with the road to reopen at 45 minutes past the hour to allow queued traffic to clear.
      • Stop/Stop may occur outside of these times if there is a risk to road users, like a tree or boulder dislodged. 
      • Outside these times stop/go will be in place, when necessary, please plan accordingly.
    • Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes under stop/go.
    • There will be lot of truck movements from the works area up to 1.5 kms to the north of the site. Drivers must follow all speed signs and warnings in place.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Our Tamariki Deserve Better than Seymour’s Slop

    Source: Te Pati Maori

    Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government’s blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike.

    “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Education Tākuta Ferris.

    “Many tamariki rely on these meals as their only nourishment of the day, it is disgraceful that the government has put the wellbeing of their books over the wellbeing of our mokopuna.

    “David Seymour may as well have cut the program entirely instead of insulting our tamariki with this slop.

    “You do not sweep this kind of failure under the rug by blaming “teething problems.” This should have been thoroughly planned and tested before it was rolled out to ensure it worked for all tamariki. Instead, we have a system that has failed them, and now, it seems, no one wants to take responsibility.

    “For every serious issue in this country, the government’s only solution has been to hand off their responsibility to someone else.

    “We don’t have enough housing? Get overseas investors to sort it out. Our education system is failing? Charter schools will save us.

    “School lunches are ‘too expensive’? Let’s get the cheapest contractor we can find and hope our kids don’t get food poisoning.

    “It’s time for these Ministers to stop passing the buck. They must apologise- publicly and without delay- to all the tamariki, mātua, and kura affected by this. They must own their mistakes and fix the system, because right now, it is failing the very people it was supposed to help”, said Ferris. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic Well Venturing into the Future of Family Wellness

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic Well Venturing into the Future of Family Wellness

    Yoky Matsuoka, Executive Officer of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Panasonic Well Director, took the stage with Yuki Kusumi, Group CEO, during the opening keynote at CES 2025. She announced that Umi, a holistic digital family wellness platform and coach, will be launched in the US as an example of Panasonic Go.*1 We interviewed Yoky about Panasonic Well, the vision to commercializing Umi, and the outlook for the future.
    ＊1: A global corporate growth initiative promoting business transformation using AI.

    Integration of wellness and technologies: Panasonic Well taking up challenges

    Panasonic Well, led by Yoky, is a venture and business incubator committed to building new services and technologies that improve the well-being of all people, with a focus on the wellness of modern families. Yoky is an accomplished executive and technologist with over two decades of leadership experience. She is a renowned robotics and neuroscience expert, recognized for her groundbreaking work and honored with the MacArthur Genius Award.
    Yoky: Partly due to my past experiences, Panasonic Well tends to be seen as simply a developer of AI or technologies. However, we are able to create solutions at the intersection of responsible tech and human care because we understand what is needed to achieve wellness. This is Panasonic Well’s strength.

    Yoky Matsuoka and Panasonic Well staff (at the CES 2025 Panasonic booth)

    The first project that Yoky initiated at Panasonic was Yohana, a next-generation family concierge service.
    Yoky: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s work styles and how they spent time with their family saw drastic changes. At that time, we conducted surveys to get a deeper look at the challenges underlying their problems and did exhaustive research on how we could develop relevant solutions. We launched Yohana in 2021 in the US, then later in Japan, to respond to the time-consuming needs of families by proposing suggestions for meal menus, birthday presents, and so on. The Yohana team, composed of actual humans, has completed over 300,000 tasks on behalf of our customers. This work accumulated to a total of more than one million hours for our customers’ time, which we were able to give back to them. However, we have been unable to provide adequate solutions for using the time created by Yohana to strengthen family ties or improve self-care.
    At Panasonic Well, we have continued our research to ensure that AI will be able to resolve challenges facing families in the future. Furthermore, a survey*2 conducted in the US revealed that half of the “sandwich generation”*3 parents, including myself, feel overwhelmed by stress and that 65% feel lonely. This shows that strengthening family ties and self-care are indispensable for the elderly. Consequently, we developed Umi*4 to address these crises in family ｗell-being.
    ＊2: U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents (August 2024).＊3: A generation simultaneously supporting aging parents while raising children.＊4: The word “umi” means ocean in Japanese. This name was chosen because it evokes an image of health and well-being, since it not only has a calming effect but also gives people the feeling of vastness and the availability of unlimited resources.

    Umi: A new AI partner supporting family wellness

    Yoky: Umi will start by providing an app as a family well-being coach that facilitates behavioral changes toward achieving family wellness. By encouraging multi-generation families to cultivate wellness habits that fit their diverse needs and lifestyles, it can be a family partner that supports their health and well-being. Activities & fitness, nutrition, sleep, and stress management are essential for wellness, and among these, the first two have been increasingly attracting attention in recent years. Accordingly, Umi’s AI agent assists in behavioral changes for all family members from their childhood, especially in the areas of activities & fitness and nutrition.

    From the video shown during the keynote. Left: Umi suggests ideas for enjoying a weekend, and family members exchange opinions.

    Right: Umi explains key points of communication with elderly parents based on advice from experts.

    Specifically, using wide-ranging data learned through questions and communications with family members, Umi’s AI sets personalized goals for individuals and suggests necessary actions to meet these goals while considering their feasibility. For example, Umi may propose a monthly target number of steps for a user, but if it learns through conversations that it is not feasible due to the user’s busy schedule, Umi may set another more achievable target for eating more nutritious meals. Since the priorities of activities & fitness and nutrition vary among individuals, it is essential to tailor this process for each family member.
    One of Umi’s features enables all family members including children to share conversations, not only 1-to-1 communication. This coordinates family wellness through communication and eventually leads to behavioral change. We delve deeply into the app features like tone of voice and tweak between strong and soft tones to make suggestions best suited for encouraging behavioral changes. Umi also visualizes your progress and enables you to review the outcomes to establish actions as routines.

    Panasonic Well: Committed to building a wellness ecosystem

    Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP

    During the keynote, Yoky introduced the Panasonic Well Partner Collective, which consists of leading health and wellness businesses, organizations, and research institutions, as well as a partnership with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),*5 an NPO with approximately forty million members in the US. Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP, took the stage and emphasized that technology is critical to living a healthy life for an increasing number of older people and their families around the world. Yoky also introduced the Family Wellness Innovation Challenge, a global competition co-sponsored by AARP and Panasonic Well for start-ups who pursue relevant technologies and services, and the prize winners were announced at the end.
    ＊5: Aiming at improving the quality of life of older people, AARP provides information and support related to health, economic, and social challenges.

    Yoky: During the development of Umi, we placed much emphasis on building a business ecosystem.*6 Typical examples are partnerships with companies that provide services as needed or those that give expert advice based on the communications carried out between users and Umi.
    ＊6: A large economic network of various companies and organizations that collaborate to create greater value.

    Group CEO Kusumi joined the award ceremony of the Family Wellness Innovation Challenge and praised the grand prix winner.

    The sandwich generation is under a great deal of emotional, time, and economic pressure, and more than half of the families in the US face these burdens.*7 Partnerships are critical for resolving such issues. The Family Wellness Innovation Challenge is a significant step toward expanding such partnerships. We received over 550 applications from around the world, including Japan. I joined the latter half of the screening process myself and interviewed applicants in person. We announced the winners at CES partly to find partners who align with our initiatives, and many participants actually approached us demonstrating their interest. By taking this opportunity, we want to further expand the ecosystem and respond to a wider range of use cases.
    ＊7: World Economic Forum “More than half of Americans in their 40s are ‘sandwiched’ between an aging parent and their own children” (April 2022).

    Daniela Amodei, Co-founder and President of Anthropic

    Since collaboration with AI partners is indispensable in promoting Panasonic Go, Group CEO Kusumi announced in his keynote a strategic partnership with Anthropic in the US, a company that shares the Panasonic Group’s belief that AI must be safe, understandable, and designed to deeply align with human values. In response, Yoky stated that Umi will be equipped with Anthropic’s Claude AI assistant. Daniela Amodei, Co-founder and President of Anthropic, joined her and explained that Claude has added value in all aspects of business, from customer service to decision-making, over the years. She expressed her determination to help the Panasonic Group enhance its overall creativity while delivering better business results by leveraging Claude’s high reliability and safety.
    Yoky: Anthropic has grown while placing great emphasis on ethics, privacy, and responsibility, and its large language models (LLMs) have gained a high reputation in the US. Umi, committed to supporting the health and well-being for all with wellness as a gateway, cannot be viable without innovations based on Anthropic’s AI ethics. Anthropic AI is particularly excellent at family calendar management and chat promotion, so we will be able to provide a service where Umi discusses the scheduling of hospital visits with users, prepares and manages their schedule with AI, and then even reserves a taxi. We expect further collaboration with a diverse range of partners by expanding the breadth of services in this way.

    Umi and Panasonic Well’s future strategy

    Yoky: I feel that being able to demonstrate Umi’s capabilities at CES was very meaningful. Umi’s first key vision for the future is to provide a one-stop solution. We hope to develop Umi into a platform that knows all family members well, capable of making good suggestions in response to their wellness consultations without the need to access different sources.

    The Umi booth at CES 2025, where many visitors attentively listened to the explanations of booth staff while trying out screen demonstrations

    In front of the Partner Collective panel displays. Quite a few representatives of companies expressed their support and consulted with staff of Panasonic Well.

    The second vision is to strengthen the ecosystem by expanding our network of partnerships. We will select partners based on their attitudes toward AI ethics and customer needs. We hope that more companies and organizations will participate in the Umi ecosystem in the future, even if their various services overlap. We believe that optimal solutions for problems and concerns can be provided to more customers only when Umi is backed up by a diverse range of partners.
    Umi will launch services from the US while aiming to establish a global ecosystem to ensure deployment in other countries and regions. The Panasonic Group is unrivaled in its touchpoints with customers in households and it is important to leverage this advantage. We, as the provider of Umi, look forward to collaborating closely with the business divisions to identify mutually beneficial approaches to solve our customer pain points.

    While Panasonic Well is a company capable of making customers around the world healthy and happy through wellness solutions, we want to be the forerunner that will lead Panasonic Go, an initiative to promote corporate transformation of Panasonic. We will pioneer the creation of new products and businesses by leveraging AI and other advanced technologies. We will also establish AI platforms in collaboration with partners and our operating companies.
    Furthermore, we are conscious of our contributions to the AI-based transformation of the entire Panasonic Group. In addition to promoting teamwork with departments in charge of AI at Panasonic Holdings and other organizations, we will provide inspiration and lead initiatives to encourage every Panasonic Group employee to embrace AI, unleashing tremendous progress in their tasks and in the products and services they develop.

    Panasonic Go aims to expand AI-driven hardware, software, and solutions businesses to approximately 30% of the Panasonic Group’s revenue by 2035. However, the Panasonic Group won’t be able to meet the goal only through the efforts of Panasonic Well and Blue Yonder. All business divisions and departments across the Panasonic Group need to create AI-driven revenue streams. We at Panasonic Well hope to contribute to the attainment of our goal by implementing the approaches I’ve described. If we succeed in meeting our goal, the day may come when the entire Panasonic Group is regarded as a leader in AI technologies.

    Under Yoky’s leadership, Panasonic Well will continue to provide innovative solutions driven by AI and other advanced technologies, thus contributing to family wellness. It will also promote AI use throughout the Panasonic Group’s businesses and work at the forefront of Panasonic Go.

    The content in this website is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.Please note that German, French and Chinese versions are machine translations, so the quality and accuracy may vary.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Optimizing Health Financing: Digital Solutions Against Health Care Inefficiencies, Waste, Abuse, and Fraud

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Addressing fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) remains a significant challenge of maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of health care systems. This report explores the complexities of identifying and managing FWA within health systems, drawing on extensive quantitative and qualitative research conducted from April 2023 to March 2024. The findings highlight the necessity of robust government actions, advanced analytics, and innovative technology to detect and manage FWA effectively.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monitoring Business Cycle Fluctuations in Asia

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The paper explains how the index can monitor monthly business cycles in Asian economies using updated economic indicators across six categories: consumption, investment, trade, government, financial, and external sectors. It shows that machine learning algorithms accurately track output gap movements, offering a robust tool for monitoring economic fluctuations.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More than 5000 Australian victims receive text warning over romance scam

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    This is a joint media release between the AFP, National Anti-Scam Centre, Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and National Bureau of Investigation

    Editor’s note: Text message screenshot, images from investigation, and audio grabs from AFP Commander Graeme Marshall are available via Hightail

    Authorities have texted more than 5000 potential victims in Australia to warn they may have been targeted by romance scammers based in the Philippines.

    The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in partnership with the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre (JPC3), has today texted potential victims, who are mostly male, urging them not to send money to people they’ve met online and outlined next steps to take if they have already sent money to the scammers.

    The potential victims were identified following an investigation by Philippines authorities into a scam compound operating in central Manila, in November 2024.

    More than 300 computer towers, 1000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards were located by Philippines authorities and evidence gathered during the investigation has been shared with international law enforcement partners to help identify potential victims, including those who may not be aware they have been targeted.

    Under Operation Firestorm, the JPC3 identified more than 5000 Australian-based phone numbers linked to messages found on an end-to-end encryption platform on the devices.

    Operation Firestorm is a global operation launched by the JPC3 in August 2024, to address and disrupt offshore organised crime networks deceiving Australians through romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams. 

    The significant amount of technology located during the operation required extensive analysis, and JPC3 technical and cryptocurrency experts spent hundreds of hours extracting crucial evidence.

    It is alleged the scammers, using popular online dating apps, tricked victims into a fake online romantic relationship, before convincing them to purchase legitimate cryptocurrency. They would request a minimum first investment between AUD $300 – $800 dollars, before encouraging the victim to invest more money.

    The suspected scammer would then deceive the victim into transferring funds from the legitimate crypto exchange account into the scammer’s account.  

    Most of the Australian victims targeted were men over 35. The fraudsters posed as either a Filipino female working in Australia or a local female resident in the Philippines.

    The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of more than 250 suspects by Philippine law enforcement authorities.  

    AFP Commander Cybercrime Operations Graeme Marshall said the investigation highlighted the importance of international partnerships in disrupting serious organised cybercrime networks while supporting victims.

    “The AFP worked closely with our partners, the National Anti-Scam Centre and Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation, to ensure Australians targeted by this malicious scam were identified and given advice to help protect themselves online,” AFP Cmdr Marshall said.

    “We urge anyone who received a text message warning from the National Anti-Scam Centre to take it very seriously and refrain from sending money to people you’ve met online.

    “If you have already sent someone money or cryptocurrency, please report it to your bank immediately, then to police via ReportCyber. To help others avoid similar scams, you can also report it to ScamWatch.

    “When it comes to romance scams, our message to the public is simple: protect your heart and your wallet. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.

    “There are many warning signs someone you’ve met online could be trying to scam you. In this case, the scammer would ask to move the conversation from an online dating app to an end-to-end encryption messaging platform.

    “Cybercriminals commonly use this technique to protect themselves from being reported and removed from online dating or social media platforms.

    “We urge the public to familiarise themselves with the warning signs of romance scams to help protect themselves, loved ones, friends and family when interacting with people online.”

    Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said in 2024, Australians reported losing $23.6 million to dating and romance scams.

    “Romance scammers prey on people seeking connection.  Criminals build trust over time and often abuse this trust by encouraging people to make large investments leaving victims with significant financial losses and emotional distress,” Ms Lowe said.

    “We encourage people to always independently verify any investment opportunity via trusted sources such as an Australian registered financial advisor.”

    How to stop, check and protect yourself from romance scams

    • Never send money or cryptocurrency to anyone you’ve met online. Be sceptical of any requests for money, no matter how genuine the story may seem.
    • Verify the person’s identity. Take things slow and be wary if their story doesn’t add up or if they refuse to video chat or meet in person. Conduct reverse image searches on their profile pictures at https://images.google.com.
    • Beware of overly affectionate behaviour. If someone you’ve just met online starts professing love quickly, it’s a red flag.
    • Be careful of what you share. Never disclose personal information or send intimate photos to people you don’t know as this may be used to blackmail you or steal your identity.

    What to do if you’re a victim of a scam

    • Stop all communication with the scammer
    • Take screenshots of conversations and profiles before blocking the scammer on all platforms.
    • Contact your bank if you have transferred money or suspect unusual account activity.
    • Report it to police at www.cyber.gov.au.
    • Report suspected scams to www.scamwatch.gov.au to help others avoid similar scams.
    • If you were contacted via social media, report it to the social media platform.
    • Use strong, unique passphrases on your accounts and enable Multi-Factor Authentication wherever possible.
    • If you are concerned your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service, IDCARE, at www.idcare.org. 
    • If you, or someone you know needs help, we encourage you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, who provide 24/7 support services.

    The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement and key industry and international partners to fight cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to the Australian community.

    We are committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime.

    Watch our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself against being a victim.

    If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, call 000.

    Media enquiries:
    AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 27-2025: Scheduled Outage: Saturday 16 February to Sunday 16 February 2025 – BICON, EXDOC

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    31 January 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients required to use the Export Documentation (EXDOC) system during this planned maintenance period.

    Information

    Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be an outage to BICON and EXDOC from 23:59 Saturday 15 February to 05:00 Sunday 16 February 2025 (AEDT).

    Action

    …

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sipekne’katik  — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Jerome Patrick Paul

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Sipekne’katik RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 48-year-old Jerome Patrick Paul who was last seen in Sipekne’katik (Indian Brook).

    Paul is described as 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds. He has short dark brown hair, brown eyes and is known to wear glasses. Paul is believed to be wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants.

    At this time, investigators believe that Paul may be driving a dark blue Chevrolet cargo van with the rear passenger window smashed out.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jerome Patrick Paul is asked to contact the Indian Brook RCMP detachment at 902-758-3388. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    File #: 2025-136698

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ- Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

    A NZ-born Kiribati member of Parliament, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has tried to bring in some Pacific common sense into the diplomatic tiff between her country and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her original title on her social media posting was “A storm in a teacup: Kiribati, New Zealand and a misunderstanding over diplomacy”.

    COMMENTARY: By Ruth Cross Kwansing

    We were polarised by the United States last week, but in the same way that a windscreen wiper distracts you from the rain, our Pacific news cycle and local coconut wireless became dominated by a whirlwind of speculation after New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced a review of New Zealand’s aid to Kiribati.

    This followed what was perceived as a snub by our President Taneti Maamau.

    The New Zealand media, in its typical fashion, seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati, and the familiar whispers about Chinese influence began to circulate.

    Amidst this media manufactured drama, I found myself reflecting on “that” recent experience which offered stark contrast to the geopolitical noise.

    We had the privilege of attending the ordination of a Catholic Priest in Onotoa, where the true spirit of Kiribati was exemplified in the splendour of simplicity. Despite limited resources, the island community, representing various faiths, came together to celebrate this sacred event with unparalleled joy, hilariousness and hospitality from silent hands that blessed you with love.

    Hands that built thatched huts for us to sleep in, wove mats, cooked food, made pillows and hung bananas in maneabas to provide for guests from all over Kiribati and Nauru. Our President, himself a Protestant, had prioritised and actively participated, embodying by example, the unity and peace that Bishop Simon Mani so eloquently spoke of.

    We laughed, we cried, and we felt the spirit of our loving God.

    Spirit of harmony
    That spirit of harmony and hope we carried from recent experiences felt shaken overnight by news of New Zealand’s potential aid withdrawal. Social media in Kiribati erupted with questions and concerns, fuelled by an article claiming that New Zealand was halting aid due to President Maamau “snubbing” of Deputy Prime Minister Peters.

    Importantly: President Maamau would never in a millennium intentionally “snub” New Zealand or any foreign minister. The reality is far more nuanced.

    At the end of 2024, President Maamau announced to his Cabinet Ministers that he would delegate international bilateral engagements to Vice-President Dr Teuea Toatu or other Ministers and Ambassadors appropriately. Thereby enabling him to focus intently on domestic matters, including the workplan for our national necessities outlined in the KV20 vision and 149 deliverables of his party manifesto.

    NZ’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters . . . his spat with Kiribati described as a “storm in a teacup”. Image: RNZ/Reece Baker

    While the Vice-President was prepared to receive the New Zealand delegation, it seems Minister Peters was insistent on meeting with the President himself, leading to the cancellation of his trip.

    This insistence on bypassing established protocol is not only unusual but also, well let’s just say it with as much love as possible: It’s disrespectful to Kiribati’s sovereignty.

    It is also worth noting that the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia recently visited Kiribati and engaged with the Vice-President and Cabinet Ministers without any such reluctance.

    New Zealand’s subsequent announcement of an aid review, including a potential threat to the $2 million funded RSE scheme, has understandably caused serious anxiety in Kiribati.

    Devastating impact
    The potential loss of funding for critical sectors like health, education, fisheries, economic development and climate resilience would of course have a devastating impact on our people.

    After committing $102 million between 2021-2024 these are major threats to public health where $20 million was invested in initiatives like rebuilding the Betio Hospital, training doctors, building clinics, NCD strategic planning and more, $10 million in education, $4 million in developing the fisheries sector, it’s an expansive and highly impactful list of critical support for capacity strengthening to our country.

    While New Zealand has every right to review its aid programme to Kiribati or any developing country, it is crucial that these kinds of decisions are based on genuine development processes and not used as a tool for political pressure.

    Linking Pacific aid to access to political leaders sets a questionable precedent and undermines the principles of partnership, mutual respect and “mana” that underpins the inextricably linked relationships between Pacific nations.

    The reference to potential impacts on I-Kiribati workers in New Zealand under the RSE scheme is particularly concerning. These hardworking individuals contribute significantly to the New Zealand economy in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

    We deserve to be treated with fairness and respect, not weaponised to cut at the heart of what drives our political motivations — providing for our people, who are providing for our children.

    Despite this unfortunate situation, I believe that dialogue and understanding along with truth and love will prevail.

    Greater humility needed
    In the spirit of the “effectiveness, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability” that upholds New Zealand’s own development principles, we should all revisit this issue with greater humility and a commitment to resolving such misunderstandings.

    As a New Zealand-born, Australian/Tuvaluan, I-Kiribati politician representing the largest constituency in Kiribati, I have zero pride or ego and will never be too proud to beg for the needs of the people I serve, who placed their faith in a government that would put them first.

    We would love to host Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and a New Zealand government delegation in Kiribati, and we are indescribably grateful for the kinds of support provided since we gained independence in 1979. Our history stretches back even further than that, when New Zealand’s agricultural industry was nourished by phosphate from Banaba, and we continue to treasure the intertwined links between our nations.

    Let us prioritise cooperation and mutual respect over ego and political posturing. Let’s drink fresh coconuts and eat raw fish together and talk about how we can change the world by changing ourselves first.

    The “tea party” of Pacific partnership must continue to strengthen, and deepen, ESPECIALLY when challenged to overcome misunderstandings. It should always be one where Pacific voices are heard and respected lovingly, while we work towards a collective vision of health, peace and prosperity for all.

    But if development diplomacy ever fails, we’ll remember that I-Kiribati people are some of the most determined and resilient on this planet. Our ancestors navigated to these “isolated isles of the Pacific” surrounded by 3.5 million km of ocean and found “Tungaru” which means “a place of JOY”.

    We arrived in this world with nothing, and we’ll leave it with nothing, and we get to live our whole lives not feeling sorry for ourselves in this island paradise of ours, this place of joy, where we are wealthy in ways that money cannot buy.

    We will survive

    Ruth Maryanne Cross Kwansing was elected an independent member of Parliament in Kiribati in 2024. She later joined the Tobwaan Kiribati Party.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: While you sleep, these insects are working hard on the night shift to keep our environment healthy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney

    photosounds/Shutterstock

    As night falls over Australia’s forests, grasslands and backyards, the hidden world of nocturnal insects stirs to life. In many ecosystems, overall insect activity actually peaks at night, especially in warmer regions of the world.

    These nighttime creatures play essential roles in ecosystems, providing services such as pollination, waste decomposition, and pest control. Here are some of the remarkable insects that come out after dark – and why they matter.

    Moths: the stars of the night shift

    While their flashier daytime relatives, the butterflies, often steal the spotlight, moths are the hidden stars of the night shift.

    An estimated 22,000 species of moth call Australia home, and most are nocturnal, although some are diurnal (day active) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

    Many species feed on flower nectar using their long, straw-like mouthparts, transferring pollen between flowers as they go.

    In the Snowy Mountains, for instance, scientists found moths carry pollen from 19 different plant species.

    While some moths feed on a wide variety of plants, others have evolved highly specialised relationships with specific flowers.

    For instance, more than 500 species of leaf flower trees (Phyllanthus) across tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific are dependent on tiny leaf flower moths (Epicephala) for their pollination.

    The trees’ flowers attract moths by producing nectar at night, when the moths are most active.

    The larvae of moths, caterpillars, also play a vital role in ecosystems. For example, the larvae of Mallee moths (Oecophoridae) feed on dry leaves in the leaf litter, making them essential for the decomposition of tough, dry plant material.

    Without their tireless work breaking down organic matter, leaf litter can accumulate to problematic levels.

    Although most caterpillars feed on plant material, some have unusual diets. Trisyntopa neossophila caterpillars, for example, feeds on the faeces of parrots nesting in termite mounds.

    Some caterpillars are even predators. The larvae of the brown scale moth (Mataeomera coccophaga), for instance, eats scale insects.

    Moths and their larvae provide a fat and protein-rich food source for many animals, including humans.

    Once so abundant they famously blanketed the 2000 Sydney Olympics, large bogong swarms have become increasingly rare, putting at risk species that depend on them for essential nutrients.

    Busy night beetles

    Seeing the tiny, flashing lights of fireflies dancing through the darkness on a summer night is a magical experience.

    Fireflies are actually beetles in the family Lampyridae, and 25 species call Australia home.

    Each firefly species uses its own distinctive flash pattern to communicate with potential mates.

    When large numbers of the same species gather, they can synchronise their light pulses, creating a breathtaking light show.

    The fireflies’ distinctive light is produced through a biochemical reaction involving a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase. When these interact in the presence of oxygen, they emit light.

    Adult fireflies do not eat but firefly larvae mostly eat snails, which helps keep snail populations under control.

    Beetles in the scarab family are often active at night. Large numbers of Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp) flying around porch lights used to be a common sight, but numbers appear to be in decline.

    Some native dung beetles, such as the five-horned dung beetle (Onthophagus pentacanthus), are also nocturnal. Hardworking dung beetles play a vital role by breaking down animal dung, helping to recycle nutrients and improve soil health.

    Lacewings and mantisflies

    Lacewings belong to an ancient group of insects (Neuroptera) named for the delicate, lace-like net pattern of veins on their wings.

    Most adult lacewings are nocturnal predators, feeding on smaller insects using their hollow, scissor-shaped mouthparts to catch and suck the nutrients from their prey.

    Several lacewing species are effective pest controllers and are used in agriculture to manage pests such as aphids and mealybugs.

    Mantid lacewings, also known as mantisflies, resemble a strange hybrid between a mantis and a fly but are actually in the same group as lacewings.

    The larvae of mantisflies are poorly studied, but most species are believed to be predators of insects, although some are predators of spider eggs. By eating other insects, mantisflies may play a role in controlling pest populations.

    Protecting these night shift workers

    Artificial lights at night are causing serious disruption to insects on the night shift.

    Insects often become disoriented, flying in endless circles around bright lights, burning energy they cannot afford to lose. This confusion can lead to exhaustion or death.

    Artificial lighting at night can also disrupt nocturnal insect reproduction. And, predators such as owls and bats may learn to hunt around artificial lights where prey becomes more concentrated and vulnerable.

    The exact reasons why nocturnal insects are drawn to light remain unclear, but recent research suggests that some nocturnal insects use light to maintain stable, level flight by orienting their bodies so light hits their upper surface.

    This system works well when the only lights present at night are the Moon and stars, but fails when artificial lights disrupt the night.

    We can help protect nocturnal insects by:

    • turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night, especially during summer when many insects are breeding
    • using motion-activated lights to reduce light pollution
    • reducing or eliminating the use of insecticides in our gardens.

    Small changes can make a big difference to help protect the insects working hard overnight to keep our ecosystems healthy.

    Tanya Latty co-founded and volunteers for conservation organisation Invertebrates Australia, is former president of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the Education committee for the Australian Entomological Society. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council, NSW Saving our Species, and Agrifutures Australia.

    – ref. While you sleep, these insects are working hard on the night shift to keep our environment healthy – https://theconversation.com/while-you-sleep-these-insects-are-working-hard-on-the-night-shift-to-keep-our-environment-healthy-246483

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon McLennan, Senior Research and Teaching Fellow, School of Health, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    In the words of UNAIDS Asia Pacific Regional Director Eamonn Murphy, rising HIV infections in Fiji “put the entire Pacific region at risk”.

    Fiji’s minister of health declared an official HIV outbreak in January, citing 1,093 new cases from January to September 2024 – triple the number from the same period in 2023.

    The World Health Organization defines a disease outbreak based on the number of cases being in excess of normal expectations. Similar to an epidemic, an outbreak typically refers to a more limited geographic area.

    Declaring an outbreak enables prompt public health response measures and mobilises domestic and international resources to respond to the crisis.

    Why is there an HIV outbreak?

    The outbreak has been attributed to Fiji’s ongoing methamphetamine crisis. The island nation is a major hub for drug trafficking to Australia and New Zealand, contributing to an upsurge in drug use.

    Preliminary Ministry of Health data show half of the newly diagnosed individuals receiving anti-retroviral therapy contracted HIV through injecting drugs.

    However, the crisis extends beyond drug use. Increasing urbanisation, homelessness and unemployment, coupled with disconnection from traditional land and culture, contribute to risky health behaviours.

    Many Fijians express concern that eroding family values are driving this behaviour, with reports of children as young as eight using drugs, engaging in prostitution or begging.

    Low HIV awareness and social stigma compound these factors. Many Fijians are reluctant to get tested and, if positive, to receive care. Knowledge of HIV prevention is low: a 2021 survey found less than a third of those aged between 15 and 24 had comprehensive HIV knowledge.

    A decade of underfunding and reduced international support has also undermined Fiji’s HIV prevention strategies and service. This has exacerbated low levels of HIV/AIDs awareness, and the deterioration of health and treatment services.

    Why is the region at risk?

    Fiji is a regional hub for education and business, attracting students and economic migrants from across the region. There’s a real risk the virus will spread to other island nations via returning workers and students, potentially undetected for long periods.

    Fiji is also a major tourist destination. Unsuspecting visitors, whose fun in the sun extends to drug use or unsafe sexual activities, may be at risk.

    There is also a risk of reputational damage for the tourism industry, whose success relies on marketing Fiji as a safe and happy destination. With Fiji still recovering from COVID’s impact on tourism, the new crisis is a major threat.

    Fiji is also experiencing significant outward migration (5% net in 2023), mostly to Australia and New Zealand. This raises the risk of virus spread through established migration pathways, including labour mobility policies such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer schemes.

    The HIV surge will be costly for the country and the region. HIV/AIDS strains household finances through lost income and increased healthcare costs, diverts public spending from other areas, with flow-on impacts for national and regional economies.

    What is being done to combat the outbreak?

    The Ministry of Health’s 90-day HIV Outbreak Response Plan fast-tracks high-impact interventions. These include harm-reduction programs, condom distribution, and prophylactic pre-exposure treatment.

    This complements the HIV Surge Strategy 2024–2027, a long-term road map for strengthening Fiji’s health system based on the United Nations’ global “95-95-95” targets: 95% rates of testing, treatment and viral suppression in the population.

    However, as the health minister noted, the outbreak declaration “reflects the alarming reality that HIV is evolving faster than our current services can cater for”.

    Consequently, external assistance is ramping up. The UN Development Programme has delivered 3,000 anti-retroviral drugs to Fiji. The Australian government’s Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership with UNAIDS is also supporting Fiji to scale up prevention.

    Funding is starting to trickle down to the front lines. For example, with support from Australia and New Zealand, the Fiji Reproductive and Family Health Association is working with experts on awareness, prevention and care strategies to reverse the surge.

    Fiji is not immediately affected by US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization and a threatened defunding of HIV treatment programs around the world. But the uncertainty makes addressing the outbreak even more urgent.

    Duty of care: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, 2022.
    Getty Images

    What can Australia and New Zealand do at home?

    Both countries bear particular responsibility and face specific risks. Their domestic drug markets drive regional trafficking, fuelling Fiji’s meth crisis and the HIV outbreak.

    Continued support for regional anti-narcotics initiatives is crucial, as is addressing domestic drug demand.

    As beneficiaries of Fijian labour migration, Australia and New Zealand also have a duty of care for migrants. This includes education, screening and treatment for Pacific communities, and access to preventive treatments which are currently not funded for migrants in either country.

    Finally, tourists and travellers need to be educated about the risks, and take precautions.

    The outbreak declaration demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to addressing the crisis but success will require regional cooperation.

    Australia and New Zealand are key stakeholders whose domestic policies and support can significantly affect the outbreak’s trajectory, contribute to a unified Pacific response and protect regional public health.

    Sharon McLennan gratefully acknowledges the valuable input and guidance of Avendra Prakash (Chair, Reproductive & Family Health Association of Fiji), Dr Akisi Ravono (University of Fiji) and Dr Johanna Thomas-Maude (Victoria University of Wellington).

    Sharon McLennan receives funding from the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

    – ref. Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response – https://theconversation.com/fijis-hiv-crisis-is-a-regional-challenge-that-demands-a-regional-response-248536

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lion, dragon dances staged in Cambodia to celebrate Chinese New Year

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Folk artists perform a lion dance in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Folk artists performed lion and dragon dances in Cambodia on Tuesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which will fall on Wednesday.

    The dancers from eight different troupes jointly staged at the Royal Palace in the capital Phnom Penh and were greeted by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Royal Palace Minister Kuy Sophal.

    Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year, was inscribed on UNESCO’s representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity on Dec. 4, 2024.

    Diep Sophal, a history professor at the University of Cambodia, said the festival is broadly celebrated in the Southeast Asian country, particularly among Cambodians living in urban areas.

    “Days prior to the New Year, Cambodian people of Chinese descent always clean and decorate their houses with red color paper-cuts, flowers, red lanterns and Chinese couplets,” he told Xinhua.

    The professor said lion dance is usually invited by traditional Chinese families to perform as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Spring Festival and to ward off bad luck and evil spirits.

    “Cambodian people celebrate, make offerings, or hold other Chinese rituals during the Chinese New Year because they believe that these will increase their luck,” Sophal said.

    “I am happy to see that the peoples of the two nations have joined hands to build a culture of peace, a culture of good coexistence,” he added.

    Folk artists perform a dragon dance near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Jan. 28, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Creation of the Gods II’ brings Chinese mythology to global audiences

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The creators of the epic fantasy sequel “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” said the new film will showcase the beauty and wonders of Chinese culture and mythology to audiences worldwide.

    The cast and crew of “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” pose for a photo at the premiere in Beijing, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    Pop icon and actor Kris Phillips reprises his role as the main villain, King Zhou, in the second installment of Wuershan’s ambitious trilogy. However, he also took on another crucial role in this film: translation.

    “I have seen the film six or seven times already on various occasions because I was working on the English subtitles for its international release,” Phillips said. During the Spring Festival, “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” debuted in Chinese theaters and was simultaneously screened in nearly 20 countries and regions, including North America, Australia and the United Kingdom, starting Jan. 29, the first day of Chinese New Year.

    Phillips emphasized the importance of accurate translation: “I particularly cared about the English translation because it was essential for global audiences to understand ‘Creation of the Gods,’ a complex story filled with numerous characters. There were many Chinese terms, such as ‘Kunlun’ and the distinction between immortals and gods, that foreign viewers might not understand. Therefore, I had to find ways within the subtitle lines to include explanatory information.”

    A still from “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” shows King Zhou, portrayed by Kris Phillips. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    As a Chinese American who has immersed himself in both cultures for decades, Phillips was well-suited for the role. Once his English subtitles were completed, translations into other languages, such as French and German, followed based on his work.

    In the wake of the first film’s success, overseas audiences actively pushed for a simultaneous release of the sequel. “Now we have done it, fulfilling our promise,” director Wuershan said. “We will let audiences around the world experience the charm of Chinese culture.”

    After dedicating more than a decade to creating and crafting the trilogy, Wuershan saw “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms” earn 2.64 billion yuan ($363 million) at the box office in 2023. The film became a cultural phenomenon, launching and revitalizing the careers of both young and veteran actors like Yu Shi and Kris Phillips.

    The second film, “Demon Force,” also based on the Ming dynasty novel “The Investiture of the Gods,” follows Ji Fa, the future founding king of the Zhou dynasty, and strategist Jiang Ziya as they defend their homeland, Xiqi. With the support of Kunlun immortals Yang Jian and Ne Zha, the heroes face off against the formidable demonic army of King Zhou’s Shang dynasty, commanded by the cunning Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong and the fierce female general Deng Chanyu.

    A still from “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” depicts an epic battle scene infused with magic. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    Before the film’s premiere in Beijing on Jan. 29, the cast and crew toured eight cities to promote it, starting in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Wuershan noted that they had visited Zhengzhou many times to explore museums and draw inspiration from local culture during the creative process, as this area was the heart of the Shang dynasty and its capital. The crew also visited other historic sites and museums across China, including locations in Shaanxi province, where the Zhou dynasty originated, to gather ideas for props and costumes.

    “Integrating traditional culture into the ‘Creation of the Gods’ trilogy is something I am passionate about,” Wuershan said. “Traditional culture needs to come alive, blend with our lives, and become a source of strength. In areas such as costumes, character designs, weapons, and sets, we invited many inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to collaborate on the designs. We hope to demonstrate that Chinese traditional culture is still powerful and encourage more inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to join us in building this mythological epic.”

    Even the two new significant characters are deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Deng Chanyu is a Mulan-style warrior, inspired in part by Lady Fu Hao, the first Chinese female general and royal consort during the Shang dynasty. The crew visited Fu Hao’s tomb and memorial site for research, and actor Nashi dedicated 506 days to training and filming. “History gives me strength, inspiration, and motivation, driving me to bring the brilliance of the character Deng Chanyu to the big screen,” she said.

    Still photos from “Creation of the Gods II” showcase Deng Chanyu and Wen Zhong, two major new characters in the film. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    For the role of Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong, actor Wu Hsing-kuo — also a theater actor and Peking Opera performer — deliberately integrated movements and techniques from traditional opera into the character’s gestures and fighting styles. His approach aimed to ensure that Wen not only maintained a dignified posture but also embodied the essence of Chinese aesthetics.

    The furious charge of iron-shod hooves, dazzling displays of magic, and the presence of mythical beasts come together to create striking visual moments, reflecting the crew’s dedication to their craft. Since work began in June 2014, the “Creation of the Gods” trilogy has involved extensive preparation, filming and post-production, now in its eleventh year. The “Demon Force” production team included 14 creative departments and over 11,000 staff members from 21 countries and regions. This vast team managed all aspects of the film, including acting, stunts, filming, props and special effects. Every detail was meticulously crafted, contributing to a vivid and engaging Chinese mythological epic.

    The film benefited from the support of an Oscar-winning team. Barrie M. Osborne, known for his work on “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, served as a production consultant. James Schamus, who contributed to the Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” consulted on the script. Tim Yip, who won the Oscar for best art direction for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in 2001, took on the role of art and costume design consultant. Douglas Hans Smith, recognized for his work on “Independence Day,” which won the Oscar for best visual effects in 1997, served as the film’s senior visual effects supervisor. This collaboration of artistic vision and rich traditional Chinese culture results in a stunning array of visuals.

    A poster for “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.” [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    “After the first movie laid the foundation and introduced the characters, the second installment broadens the narrative to feature epic battles between gods and demons. It is truly a brilliant and amazing film!” Phillips told China.org.cn.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Delivering record investments in SA’s south east

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    The Albanese Government is delivering a record investment in South Australia’s south east, and is adding nearly $7 million to improve housing, childcare, economic, tourism and sports facilities.

    This additional funding for the electorate of Barker is delivered through the Albanese Government’s Growing Regions and regional Precincts and Partnership programs which fund projects that help our regions thrive.

    We are investing $3.5 million in the Kingston Childcare and Child services project to deliver a new childcare centre, consultation offices for child allied health service professionals, and a designated space for children’s playgroups and family members.

    The Penola community will get improvements to the facilities at the Penola Football Club and Community Sports Hub with Albanese Government funding of $1.4 million for the redevelopment.

    The Albanese Government is investing $508,000 in the Tailem Bend Precinct Plan which will progress planning for the 10th Street Housing Development and for streetscape upgrades of the main street, highway corridor and connecting areas.

    We are also investing in the Mid Murray region’s plans to build a vibrant tourism hub with a grant of $1.5 million.

    The project will develop a business case, identify tourism assets, and create a precinct plan connecting 11 towns in the council district.

    The Growing Regions Program continues to be highly valued by local communities with a number of worthwhile applications having been received. We look forward to continuing to work with proponents and local councils on these important projects.

    Our grants programs are merit-based and transparent, replacing the legacy of rorts and politicised grants programs by the Liberals and Nationals which were criticised by the Australian National Audit Office.

    The announcements today build on the significant investments already made by the Albanese Government across the Barker electorate.

    We have already invested $17.7 million in Barker from the first round of the Growing Regions Program, more than $900, 000 for Stream 1 of the Housing Support Program and $193,000 for Tintinara Aerodrome. 

    We have also invested $950 million dollars in major projects such as the National Freight Highway Upgrade Program, Princes Highway and Sturt Highway upgrades, the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund, a safety package for rural roads and Riverland Network Flood Resilience upgrades.

    Local councils in the electorate have received a 55% increase in funding for local roads with the Roads to Recovery investment rising $25.5 million to $68.7 million over five years.

    This is a direct result of the Albanese Government decision to double the funding for the Roads to Recovery program to $1 billion a year.

    For more information on the Albanese Government’s regional funding programs, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/regional . 

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

    “The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future, investing in the infrastructure locals want that will grow the economy, provide jobs and improve community facilities.

    “Developing housing, childcare, tourism and sports facilities helps strengthen economies and helps communities to thrive.

    “We understand how important infrastructure is in regions like the south east which is why we prioritise working with local communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Don Farrell:

    “From families in Kingston and budding athletes in Penola, to residents in Tailem Bend and small businesses across the Mid Murray, we are investing in local communities.

    “Developing the infrastructure locals need will support our regions to prosper – delivering for families and small businesses and creating new opportunities for tourism in our state’s spectacular southeast.

    “I am proud to be part of an Albanese Government that is committed to building Australia’s future and delivering for regional communities across South Australia.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Homicide investigation – Harley Shrimpton

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:

    In November 2023, Tauranga Police launched a homicide investigation after Harley Shrimpton was killed at a rural property in Poripori Road, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.

    He had been missing since he was kidnapped on 3 November 2023 and a missing person report was filed with Police by his whānau.

    In January 2024, 23-year-old Tauranga man Piripi Tukaokao was charged with murder, kidnapping and other related offences. He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Hamilton High Court in November 2025.

    We know that there were others who assisted the defendant and we are continuing to follow positive lines of enquiry.

    It is crucial that all those responsible in relation to Harley’s death are held to account.

    It’s now been over 14 months since Harley was found and since then a dedicated Police team has continued with enquiries and are closely analysing new information.

    We continue to speak with people close to the investigation and have not ruled out laying further charges against others who may have been involved.

    On behalf of Police and Harley’s whānau, I want to acknowledge the significant public support shown over the last year, to thank everyone who has come forward with information during the course of the investigation, and to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Police and tell us what you know.

    Information can be passed to Police via our 105 phone service, or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105  and using ‘Update Report’, referencing file number 231117/9085.

    Alternatively, information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Scaled-back new Dunedin hospital puts cost-cutting before health – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    The Coalition Government’s scaled-back new Dunedin hospital build is putting cost-cutting ahead of health and wellbeing, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
    NZNO President and emergency nurse Anne Daniels says today’s announcement fails to future-proof the health needs of the Southern community.
    “This is short-sighted. The Southern community has a growing and aging population. We also have a failing primary care health sector which means more people will unnecessarily need hospital level care.”
    NZNO is disappointed but not surprised with today’s announcement, she says.
    “We had hoped the Coalition Government would keep its promise to fund the new build as outlined in the 2017 business case which was worked on by 500 clinicians.
    “But this Government is still intent on putting dollars before the people. That is a choice.
    “They are making decisions about the health and wellbeing of the Southern community rather than doing what they were elected to do,” Anne Daniels says.
    The new hospital will open with 16 beds fewer than the existing hospital and even after it is scaled up over time, will have six beds less than originally promised, she said.
    “Fewer beds also means fewer jobs for nurses as Te Whatu Ora will resource this hospital based on bed numbers.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate – Seasonal Climate Outlook February to April 2025 by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

    Source: NIWA

    Seasonal Climate Outlook
    New Zealand is likely to experience a blend of typical La Niña climate patterns, along with occasional atypical patterns over the next three months, according to the latest Seasonal Climate Outlook released today (Friday 31 January 2025) by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
    A La Niña Advisory is in effect, though weak and expected to be short-lived, says NIWA National Climate Centre Principal Scientist Chris Brandolino, with international guidance indicating around a 50% chance for La Niña conditions persisting through the February to April period. “When combined with atypical characteristics including sea surface temperature anomalies, is likely to mean New Zealand will experience La Niña-like patterns with occasional deviation.”
    Overall, New Zealand can expect wind from the easterly quarter, ranging from NE to SE flows, along with occasional periods of westerly quarter flows, from SW to NW, for the three-month period, he says. “The north and west of the North Island can expect warmer than average temperatures, with equal chances for near average or above average seasonal air temperatures for most other regions.”
    Early February weather is likely to be drier than normal, but over the three months through to the end of April seasonal rainfall is forecast to be near or above normal for most regions. However, northern and eastern North Island may see occasional heavy rain events.
    Soil moisture and river flows are expected to be near or below normal in most areas. At the same time, sea surface temperatures are forecast to be above average, with a normal to elevated tropical cyclone risk with the potential for an ex-tropical cyclone to pass near New Zealand.
    Attached is the February-April 2025 Seasonal Climate Outlook in pdf and Word formats, along with three supporting infographics showing national rainfall and temperature forecasts.
    Please read the ‘Note to Reporters and Editors’ at the end of the outlook to assist your understanding of the content, its creation and the terminology used.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –