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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 25-26: 30,000 new homes to provide more housing for Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 23/06/2025 – Joint media release

    The Government is supporting the delivery of more homes for Canberrans where and how they want to live.

    The Territory Budget will invest more than $145 million to kickstart a significant pipeline of homes for our growing city.  This supply pipeline will be supported through a range of policy initiatives and industry incentives.

    In partnership with the Australian Government, and our commitments under the national housing accord, the ACT Government has a clear plan to enable 30,000 new homes by 2030.

    The Housing Supply and Land Release Program released today demonstrates how the Government will achieve this target, with government land release to support nearly 26,000 homes over the next five years, direct investment to build social and affordable housing, and thousands more homes expected to be delivered on leased land enabled by new planning reforms.

    The investments through the Budget will make it easier for Canberrans to find the home they need, whether they’re buying their first home, raising a family, ageing in place, or in need of supported housing.

    This includes direct investment in new social and affordable homes, modernising the planning system to support medium-density supply, and targeted reforms to improve fairness and choice in the housing market.

    At the same time, the Government will be increasing apprenticeship subsidies for training in six key construction trades to 90 per cent, building on our existing investment in electrotechnology apprenticeships.

    This significant investment in training for the construction industry will shape the workforce Canberra needs to build more homes for a generation.

    The Budget supports a wide range of practical initiatives to boost supply, increase affordability and deliver homes that suit different stages of life:

    • Increasing eligibility for stamp duty concessions for all eligible purchasers’ price threshold above $1 million.
    • 85 new public housing dwellings delivered through Community Housing Providers under the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF).
    • $20 million additional funding for the Affordable Housing Project Fund, increasing the total to $100 million.
    • 300 affordable Build-to-Rent homes.
    • 17 new social housing townhouses acquired in Coombs under the Social Housing Accelerator.
    • Ongoing investment in the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program to maintain and expand Canberra’s public housing portfolio.

    In addition to new home construction, the ACT Government is continuing the planning work needed to ensure Canberra grows in a smart, inclusive and sustainable way.

    This includes:

    • Planning for new housing and community facilities in well-located areas, particularly around town centres, local shops and public transport corridors.
    • Funding to support the Construction Productivity Agenda for the ACT of the new Planning Act, aimed at streamlining approvals and increasing clarity for developers and the community.

    To support our plans to enable 30,000 homes by 2030, the Budget supports the development of a future construction workforce, including:

    • An increase in training subsidies to 90% for carpenters, plumbers, tilers, bricklaying and other critical construction trades.
    • The Try-a-Trade program in ACT public high schools to support more young women to enter the construction industry.
    • $250 cost-of-living payments to apprentices and trainees, including an extra $250 for first year apprentices, building on the $10,000 payments available under the Commonwealth’s residential construction training incentive.

    Chief Minister Andrew Barr said housing remains a central investment priority as Canberra grows.

    “Canberrans need homes where they want to live that are affordable, sustainable and well-designed,” the Chief Minister said.

    “This Budget brings together land release, planning reform, housing delivery and tax reform to meet the needs of a changing city and enable 30,000 new homes by 2030.”

    Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said the Budget delivers both practical results and a pathway to lasting change.

    “We’re investing in affordable homes now and laying the foundations for a more equitable, more liveable city,” Minister Berry said.

    “A stable home is essential for a good life, which is why we’re partnering with the Commonwealth Government to get more homes built than ever before.”

    Treasurer Chris Steel said that the Budget demonstrates how the ACT Government is taking action on housing supply from all sides to support 30,000 new homes and making Canberra a more affordable place to live.

    “Housing is a key priority for our Government in the Budget. These targets will be achieved through budget investment to build more social and affordable homes, undertaking the next stages of planning reform, further land release and investment in supporting infrastructure,” Minister Steel said.

    “We will continue to progress missing middle housing reforms, as well as supporting more well-located homes close to transport, services and jobs.

    “The investment in construction skills, trades and productivity will make a real difference to getting more quality homes built more quickly, boosting our economy and helping to reduce inequality.”

    Finance Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said reforms to stamp duty are part of the Government’s broader approach to making housing more accessible.

    “By expanding stamp duty concessions to more homebuyers, we’re making it easier for Canberrans to enter the market and find a home that suits their needs.”

    Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations Michael Pettersson said that the ACT Government was delivering on election commitments to strengthen Canberra’s construction workforce.

    “We promised to make training in the construction trades more accessible for Canberrans who want to develop the skills they need to get a good, secure job – and now we’re delivering.”

    – Statement ends –

    Andrew Barr, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA | Chris Steel, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leaders in US-affiliated Pacific react to surprise strikes on Iran

    By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent

    Leaders in the US-affliliated Pacific Islands have reacted to the US strikes on Iran.

    US president Donald Trump said Iran must now make peace or “we will go after” other targets in Iran, after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the US had begun a “dangerous war against Iran”, according to a statement shared by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

    Governor Arnold Palacios of the Northern Marianas said he WAs “monitoring the situation in our region with our US military partners”.

    “The Northern Marianas remains alert and we remain positively hopeful and confident that peace and diplomacy reign for the benefit of our fellow brethren here at home and around the world.”

    Governor Arnold Palacios of the Northern Marianas . . . “monitoring the situation.” Image: Mark Rabago/RNZ Pacific

    Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said the Marianas had long understood “the delicate balance between strategic presence and peace”.

    “As tensions rise in the Middle East, I’m hopeful that diplomacy remains the guiding force,” she said.

    “My prayers are with the service members and their families throughout the region, most especially those from our islands who quietly serve in defense of global stability.”

    No credible threats
    Guam’s Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said that there were no credible threats to their island, and “we will do everything in our power to keep Guam safe”.

    “Our people have always been resilient in the face of uncertainty, and today, as we watch our nation take action overseas, that strength matters more than ever,” she said.

    “Guam is proud to support the men and women who serve our country — and we feel the weight of that commitment every day as home to vital military installations.”

    She said she and her team have been in close touch with local military leaders.

    “I encourage everyone to stay calm and informed by official sources, to look out for one another, and to hold in our thoughts the troops, their loved ones, and all innocent people caught in this conflict.”

    Lieutenant-Governor Josh Tenorio said: “What is unfolding in the Middle East is serious, and it reminds us that our prayers and our preparedness must go hand in hand.

    “While we stand by our troops and support our national security, we also remain committed to the values of peace and resilience. Our teams are working closely with our Homeland Security advisor, Joint Region Marianas, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, and the Guam National Guard to stay ahead of any changes.”

    Long-time warnings
    Meanwhile, Mark Anufat Terlaje-Pangelinan, one of the protesters during the recent 32nd Pacific Islands Environmental Training Symposium on Saipan, said he was not surprised by the US attack on Iran.

    “This is exactly what we concerned citizens have been warning against for the longest time,” he said.

    Terlaje-Pangelinan said the potential of CNMI troops and the Marianas itself being dragged into a wider and more protracted conflict was disheartening.

    “Perpetuating the concept of the CNMI being a tip of the spear more than being a bridge for peace between the Pacific landscapes does more harm than good.

    “The CNMI will never be fully prepped for war. With our only safe havens being the limited number of caves we have on island, we are at more risk to be under attack than any other part of America.”

    Iran requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, it said in a letter issued Sunday, urging the council to condemn the US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the US military action in Iran as a direct threat to world peace and security.

    Officials in Iran are downplaying the impact of US strikes on its nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordow site buried deep in the mountains, in sharp contrast with Trump’s claims that the attack “obliterated” them.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local Government – Local authority elections coming – strong candidates needed – BusinessNZ

    Source: BusinessNZ

    With two weeks until nominations open for this year’s local authority elections, the Local Government Business Forum is encouraging strong candidates to stand for election.
    “Given the importance of local government to New Zealand, it is essential that councils are well-governed,” Forum Chair Matt Cowley said.
    “Council decisions on spending, rating and regulation are incredibly influential in determining the quality of the business environment. It is essential that mayors and councillors have a good understanding of the issues facing businesses and how councils can help rather than hinder them.”
    The Local Government Business Forum is calling for council candidates who have a good mix of the following attributes:
    1. Commercial and financial acumen with focus on efficient council operation
    2. Focus on efficient and effective provision of core infrastructure and services
    3. Pro-growth and pro-development mindset, understanding of local economic drivers
    4. Evidence-based decision making, with respect for property rights and regulatory certainty
    5. Collaborative and constructive leadership and engagement
    6. Supportive of transparent, accountable governance
    7. Solutions-based attitude to reforms to get the best results for their residents and ratepayers
    “We need strong candidates to put their names forward. We also need the business community and residents to be informed and vote for candidates that can provide the leadership needed. Attention should be paid to the voting record and actions of current mayors and councillors.
    “Local government touches every business and every member of society every day. We need good people governing them,” Mr Cowley said.
    Candidate nomination forms for the 2025 local authority elections will be available from councils. Nominations open on 4 July and close on 1 August. Voting papers will be delivered to electors from 9 September and voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October.
    About the Local Government Business Forum
    The Local Government Business Forum comprises organisations that have a vital interest in the activities of local government. Its members include Business New Zealand, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, New Zealand Forest Owners Association, Infrastructure New Zealand, New Zealand Initiative, New Zealand Business Chamber, and the Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand. It was established in 1994 to promote greater efficiency in local government and to contribute to debate on policy issues affecting it.
    The Forum’s members are each significant representatives of ratepayers in their own right but the Forum’s perspective is to advance community welfare through the advocacy of sound public policy. We believe that local government can best serve the interests of the community and ratepayers by focusing on the efficient provision of public goods at a local level.
    The Local Government Forum advocates policies that create a positive economic environment. Recognising the significant role of local government in private investment decisions, the Forum regularly produces publications addressing crucial issues relating to the performance of local government and legislative developments in that sector.
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025-26: Delivering for Molonglo, Weston Creek and Woden

    Source: Australian National Party

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 21/06/2025 – Joint media release

    The 2025-26 ACT Budget continues the Government’s significant investment in infrastructure and services to meet the needs of rapidly growing communities in Molonglo, Weston Creek and Woden.

    This Budget delivers new investment in suburban upgrades, sport and recreation facilities, and active travel infrastructure, while also progressing planning and early works for major community precincts like the Molonglo Town Centre and Stromlo Forest Park.

    Treasurer Chris Steel said the Budget would ensure that community infrastructure keeps pace with growth in the region.

    “This Budget delivers a strong pipeline of infrastructure and local upgrades across Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo, supporting growing communities and improving the services people rely on,” Minister Steel said.

    2025-26 Budget initiatives for Molonglo, Weston Creek and Woden include:

    Better Footpaths and Safer Streets:

    • Improvements to footpaths across Woden and Weston Creek.
    • Lighting upgrades to improve safety and visibility.

    Revitalised Local Shops:

    • Upgrades to the public spaces around Mawson Group Centre

    Investing in Sport and Recreation:

    • Mawson, Phillip and Hughes will benefit from female-friendly changeroom upgrades, part of Territory-wide investment in inclusive sports facilities.
    • Changeroom and toilet upgrades at North Curtin Oval.
    • Improved lighting at Waramanga Oval.
    • Stage 1 of the Stromlo Forest Park Tracks and Trails Master Plan, including new trails and signage.

    “We are delivering on Labor’s commitment to upgrade Mawson shops, with improved pedestrian access, landscaping and other improvements to make it an even better place to visit our thriving local businesses,” Minister Steel said.

    “The investment in tracks and trails at UC Stromlo will ensure that park continues to offer range of new experiences for mountain bikers and other users, based directly on their feedback in the master plan.”

    Minister for Women, Dr Marisa Paterson said these upgrades would make a meaningful difference for local families and sports clubs.

    “These investments in community sport and recreation facilities will create spaces where everyone feels welcome, supported and inspired to participate, especially women and girls,” Minister Paterson said.

    Canberrans of all ages will benefit from the ACT Government’s expanded path renewal program, over the next four years in active travel infrastructure will be upgraded across the city.

    Dr Paterson said delivering safe and accessible footpaths and bike paths was one of her key priorities for the region.

    “I’ve been advocating for better path networks and improved lighting across our suburbs, so I’m thrilled to see this funding in the Budget to help keep our community connected, safe and active.”

    – Statement ends –

    Chris Steel, MLA | Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australia Post’s stamp price increase not opposed

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has not objected to Australia Post’s proposed 13.3 per cent price increase, to take effect in July 2025, for its reserved ordinary letter service delivered to the regular timetable.

    Unless the Minister For Communications disapproves the proposed increase, the price for ordinary small letters – known as the basic postage rate – will increase from $1.50 to $1.70. Prices for ordinary large letters up to 125g will increase from $3.00 to $3.40, and ordinary large letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise from $4.50 to $5.10.

    The price of concession stamps ($3 for five) and stamps for seasonal greeting cards (65 cents) will not change.

    “We understand that these price increases will mean extra costs for consumers. However, our decision to not object to Australia Post’s proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    Australia Post’s letter services – including its reserved services – have incurred significant losses in recent years, which Australia Post attributes primarily to the ongoing reduction in letter volumes combined with an increase in delivery points.

    Australia Post has submitted that its letters business is in decline, which is consistent with a trend occurring across postal services globally. Currently, Australia Post only delivers around two letters to each household per week and expects reserved letter volumes to continue to decrease by around 10.6 per cent annually until 2027–28.

    As outlined in the ACCC’s April 2025 preliminary view on Australia Post’s draft proposal, the ACCC found that that Australia Post is unlikely to recover revenue in excess of its costs for reserved postal services, even with the proposed price increase. 

    The ACCC’s final decision was formed in line with its role for postal services, and follows a public consultation process on the preliminary view.

    “Our final decision recommends Australia Post examine ways to alleviate affordability issues for businesses, including those subject to requirements to send physical mail.  Further we made recommendations to address a number of other concerns expressed by stakeholders during consultation,” Ms Brakey said.

    “We are especially mindful of the impact price changes can have on vulnerable Australians, and so our decision paper recommends that Australia Post increases the number of concession stamps per customer, which is currently capped at 50 per year.”

    The bulk of the recommendations made by the ACCC are designed to improve the quality of information provided by Australia Post in support of its price notification submissions – particularly in relation to forecast data and Australia Post’s cost allocation model.

    “While Australia Post has been working constructively with the ACCC on these recommendations, in most instances, we expect full implementation to be reached, so that we can conduct rigorous cost-based assessments going forward,” Ms Brakey said.

    “As there are many businesses in Australia that still rely on sending letters, it is crucial that Australia Post has a transparent dialogue with these customers so they are aware of potential pricing changes well ahead of time.”

    Australia Post’s proposed price of $1.70 for a single postage stamp is below the current median price of $1.93 among OECD postal service operators.

    The ACCC does not approve or reject notified letter price changes – only the Minister for Communications has the power to reject a stamp price increase.

    The final decision paper and an accompanying fact sheet are available on the ACCC website.

    Background

    Australia Post’s proposed price change was outlined in a draft price notification provided to the ACCC in November 2024, and confirmed in a formal price notification submitted in June 2025. 

    Under the Competition and Consumer Act, the ACCC is responsible for assessing proposed price increases by Australia Post for its reserved ordinary letter services delivered to the regular timetable. These are services for which Australia Post holds a statutory monopoly and are declared as ‘notified services’ for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Act.

    The ACCC must consider Australia Post’s proposed price increases for notified services, and may decide to:

    • not object to the price increase
    • not object to a price that is less than that proposed, or
    • object to the price increase.

    The price notification framework does not allow the ACCC to set stamp prices. The ACCC’s role does not include binding decision-making powers, nor broader controls to regulate Australia Post’s service standards.

    Only the Minister for Communications has the power to reject a price increase proposed by Australia Post. Unless the current price notification is disapproved by the Minister within 30 days of receipt, Australia Post is expected to increase notified letter prices from 17 July 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Forums on China-Central Asia cooperation development, Silk Road int’l communication held in Astana

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

    Arman Kyrykbayev, assistant to the Kazakh president, reads a congratulatory message from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the opening ceremony of the China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum and the Third Silk Road International Communication Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum and the Third Silk Road International Communication Forum were held on Sunday in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

    Around 240 representatives from media, think tanks, cultural institutions and business sectors across China and Central Asia engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including deepening Silk Road cooperation.

    At the opening ceremony, Arman Kyrykbayev, assistant to the Kazakh president, read a congratulatory message from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In the letter, Tokayev noted that not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries attended the second China-Central Asia Summit, which concluded with great success.

    He said the China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum and the Third Silk Road International Communication Forum serve as important platforms for people-to-people dialogue and cultural exchange between Central Asian countries and China. Tokayev expressed confidence that the event will further deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields.

    In his keynote speech, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said President Xi attaches great importance to China-Central Asia cooperation and development. A stable, prosperous, harmonious and interconnected Central Asia is of great significance to the entire world, Fu said.

    Fu said that Xinhua is willing to work together with media outlets and think tanks from Central Asian countries to strengthen media exchanges and deepen cooperation in areas such as news reporting, technological development and personnel exchanges, carry out joint research on topics of common interest based on the realities and development needs of China and Central Asia, enhance field studies, analytical assessments and sharing of information and achievements, and produce more high-quality and actionable think tank reports to offer insights and recommendations for the development of China-Central Asia cooperation.

    Qiu Xiaoqi, vice president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, said the launch of the China-Central Asia forum marks a new chapter of exchange and cooperation among the media, think tanks and cultural institutions of the six countries. All parties should make earnest efforts to better tell the stories of China-Central Asia cooperation and the modernization of the Global South, he said.

    Tursunali Kuziev, first deputy director of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage Agency, said the Uzbek side fully agrees with the proverb “a close neighbor is better than a distant relative,” and remains committed to building a good-neighborly and mutually beneficial relationship between Central Asia and China. He expressed hope that the event would serve as an efficient platform for exchanging ideas, inspiring creativity and charting future cooperation.

    Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin said the “China-Central Asia Spirit” reflects the six countries’ strong commitment to good-neighborly relations, solidarity and mutual support. He called on the media, as a bridge for people-to-people connections, to promote a favorable public opinion environment for the high-quality development of China-Central Asia relations.

    Sun Weidong, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, said in his speech that think tanks and media from the six countries bear an important responsibility in strengthening the social foundation of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. The Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Mechanism stands ready to work closely with all parties, actively support cooperation mechanisms and platforms in various fields, and contribute to building a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    Zu Bin, director of China Huadian Corporation Ltd., said in his speech that as a leading global energy enterprise, China Huadian will fully implement the Belt and Road Initiative and the consensus reached at the China-Central Asia Summit. Upholding the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, the company aims to help Central Asian countries transform resource advantages into development strengths and promote vigorous growth of green Belt and Road cooperation, he said.

    At the opening ceremony, a center on China-Central Asia regional cooperation and development was officially inaugurated.

    The forum was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, Kazakhstan President’s TV and Radio Complex, the Communist Party of China Shaanxi Provincial Committee and the provincial government, and China Huadian Corporation.

    During the event, a think tank report titled “Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation” was released globally in Chinese, Russian and English. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: US strikes against nuclear facilities in Iran mark “dangerous escalation” -Security Council briefing

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Remarks to the Security Council by Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on threats to international peace and security.
    —
    Madam President,

    On the evening of 21 June, the President of the United States announced that the US military conducted strikes against the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities in Iran.

    Shortly thereafter, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that the attacks around the nuclear sites had taken place. Iranian state media indicated the three sites had been evacuated and the highly enriched uranium stockpile transferred in advance. Iran has said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes.

    The Crisis Management Bureau of Qom, where Fordow is located, stated that the perimeter of the Fordow nuclear site had been targeted. Iranian state media said only two tunnels—for entry and exit—were destroyed at Fordow. Preliminary open-source satellite imagery shows damage at various points at the facility.

    I urge Iran to allow IAEA inspectors access to the sites to conduct damage assessments as soon as safety conditions allow. I also note that this Council will shortly hear from IAEA Director-General Grossi.

    I reiterate the Secretary-General’s grave alarm over the use of force by the United States against Iran.

    This latest development must be viewed with the utmost seriousness. It marks a dangerous escalation in a conflict that has already devastated many lives in both countries, in a region on the edge. It is a direct threat to international peace and security.

    Madam President,

    Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo opted before this Council only two days ago that we were teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict. I fear we are now in that dangerous moment.

    Meanwhile, the hostilities between Israel and Iran continue and are now in their 10th day.

    Hours after the US strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched some 40 missiles at Israel.

    Israeli authorities reported that more than 85 people were injured in the barrage, and numerous structures in Tel Aviv and its southern suburbs sustained heavy damage, including many residential buildings and an elder care home.

    Israel also said it had launched a series of strikes against military targets in Iran, including in Tehran, Tabriz and Yazd. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 30 fighter jets had struck dozens of military targets across Iran. Iranian media reported several civilian fatalities, including children, and damage to homes and other civilian infrastructure. Earlier on 21 June, Israel attacked, for a second time since 13 June, the Isfahan nuclear complex, hitting six buildings.

    According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, as of 21 June, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 others injured due to Israeli strikes across Iran. Most have been civilians.

    According to Israeli authorities, 25 Israelis have been killed and 1,300 more have been injured since the beginning of exchanges with Iran.

    Madam President,

    The conflict risks engulfing the region in further instability and volatility. Some nonstate armed groups aligned with Iran warned against US involvement. The Houthis in Yemen and some armed groups in Iraq vowed to attack if the US intervened in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

    Iran’s parliament unanimously expressed support for measures to close the Strait of Hormuz – a vital maritime route for global energy transit. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council would need to take the final decision.

    I recall the rights and obligations of all States under international law in relation to maritime navigation.

    Madam President,

    The Middle East cannot afford yet another violent conflict where civilians pay the price of military confrontations. And the world will also not be spared from the ramifications of this dangerous conflict.

    I echo the Secretary-General’s call on Member States, and on the members of the Security Council, to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter, notably the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means and other rules of international law. All states must live up to their nuclear commitments.

    All parties to the conflict must also comply with the relevant rules of international humanitarian law in the conduct of their military operations.

    There is no military solution to this conflict. We need diplomacy, de-escalation and confidence-building is now.

    Thank you, Madam President.
    —

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg162TAYuzs

    MIL OSI Video –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Ukraine: Rising Civilian Toll & Diplomatic Push Amid Escalating Attacks | Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Briefing by Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9dUnBbnLs

    MIL OSI Video –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Ukraine: Rising Civilian Toll & Diplomatic Push Amid Escalating Attacks | Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Briefing by Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9dUnBbnLs

    MIL OSI Video –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Iran, Israel, Ukraine & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (20 June 2025)

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:

    Iran/Israel
    Security Council/Afternoon
    Ukraine
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Peacekeeping
    Switzerland
    Children and Armed Conflict
    World Refugee Day
    Sudan
    Sri Lanka
    International Days
    Guests on Monday

    IRAN/ISRAEL
    Speaking to the Security Council this morning, the Secretary-General urged Israel and Iran to give peace a chance and warned Council members that we are not drifting toward crisis – we are racing toward it.
    He said that the Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international security and Iran must respect it. The only way to bridge the trust gap with Iran, he added, is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution – including full access to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
    Mr. Guterres warned that the only thing that is predictable is that the consequences of continuing this conflict are unpredictable.
    Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Council that the scope and scale of attacks in Iran and Israel continue to widen, with grave consequences for civilians in both countries. The intensifying cycle of attacks and counterattacks has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, including fatalities, in both Iran and Israel.
    She added that we are teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict and a humanitarian crisis. International humanitarian law must be respected, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
    Ms. DiCarlo said that we welcome the talks between the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the UK, and Iran in Geneva today. We strongly encourage such efforts. We must pursue every possible opportunity to de-escalate, to cease the hostilities, to settle disputes by peaceful means, she said.
    Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, told the Council that attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security there. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, he said.
    Mr. Grossi said that he is ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including by deploying Agency nuclear safety and security experts wherever necessary.

    SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
    At 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine. Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, and Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, are expected to brief Council members.

    UKRAINE
    On Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that today, attacks in the cities of Kharkiv and Odesa killed and injured civilians, including children and first responders. This is according to local authorities. Homes, education facilities and utility pipelines were also damaged. Additional casualties were reported in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipro. In Odesa and Kharkiv, humanitarian organizations, supporting local responders, provided hot meals, emergency shelter and psychosocial support.
    Meanwhile, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy today delivered vital aid to the community of Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, in the south of the country. The supplies included hygiene items, bed linen, kitchen sets, first aid kits and a charging station. The area remains under constant shelling, and thousands of residents need humanitarian aid. This was the second humanitarian convoy to reach front-line areas of the Kherson region this week. Our humanitarian colleagues note that some 9.4 million Ukrainians are still displaced inside the country or abroad—more than four years since the full-scale invasion and over a decade into the war that began in 2014. This includes 5.6 million refugees globally, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration says that another 3.8 million people remain internally displaced.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=20%20June%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHyjvej_gQM

    MIL OSI Video –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Iran, Israel, Ukraine & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (20 June 2025)

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:

    Iran/Israel
    Security Council/Afternoon
    Ukraine
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Peacekeeping
    Switzerland
    Children and Armed Conflict
    World Refugee Day
    Sudan
    Sri Lanka
    International Days
    Guests on Monday

    IRAN/ISRAEL
    Speaking to the Security Council this morning, the Secretary-General urged Israel and Iran to give peace a chance and warned Council members that we are not drifting toward crisis – we are racing toward it.
    He said that the Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international security and Iran must respect it. The only way to bridge the trust gap with Iran, he added, is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution – including full access to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
    Mr. Guterres warned that the only thing that is predictable is that the consequences of continuing this conflict are unpredictable.
    Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Council that the scope and scale of attacks in Iran and Israel continue to widen, with grave consequences for civilians in both countries. The intensifying cycle of attacks and counterattacks has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, including fatalities, in both Iran and Israel.
    She added that we are teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict and a humanitarian crisis. International humanitarian law must be respected, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
    Ms. DiCarlo said that we welcome the talks between the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the UK, and Iran in Geneva today. We strongly encourage such efforts. We must pursue every possible opportunity to de-escalate, to cease the hostilities, to settle disputes by peaceful means, she said.
    Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, told the Council that attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security there. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, he said.
    Mr. Grossi said that he is ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including by deploying Agency nuclear safety and security experts wherever necessary.

    SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
    At 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine. Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, and Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, are expected to brief Council members.

    UKRAINE
    On Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that today, attacks in the cities of Kharkiv and Odesa killed and injured civilians, including children and first responders. This is according to local authorities. Homes, education facilities and utility pipelines were also damaged. Additional casualties were reported in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipro. In Odesa and Kharkiv, humanitarian organizations, supporting local responders, provided hot meals, emergency shelter and psychosocial support.
    Meanwhile, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy today delivered vital aid to the community of Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, in the south of the country. The supplies included hygiene items, bed linen, kitchen sets, first aid kits and a charging station. The area remains under constant shelling, and thousands of residents need humanitarian aid. This was the second humanitarian convoy to reach front-line areas of the Kherson region this week. Our humanitarian colleagues note that some 9.4 million Ukrainians are still displaced inside the country or abroad—more than four years since the full-scale invasion and over a decade into the war that began in 2014. This includes 5.6 million refugees globally, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration says that another 3.8 million people remain internally displaced.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=20%20June%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHyjvej_gQM

    MIL OSI Video –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Forum held to promote cooperation between China, Central Asia news agencies

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

    ASTANA, June 22 — The China-Central Asia News Agency Forum was held Sunday in Astana, Kazakhstan, featuring discussions on media cooperation and the adoption of a consensus.

    As one of the outcomes of the recently concluded second China-Central Asia Summit, the forum was initiated and hosted by Xinhua News Agency. It was attended by heads of media outlets from five Central Asian countries, namely, Kazakhstan President’s TV and Radio Complex, Kabar News Agency of Kyrgyzstan, Khovar News Agency of Tajikistan, Media Turkmen News Agency and Uzbekistan National News Agency.

    Presiding over the forum, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, noted that under the joint guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of Central Asian countries, China-Central Asia exchanges and cooperation are embracing a new and significant historical opportunity, showing a promising future.

    Fu said the news agencies of the six countries have the responsibility and obligation to promote the China-Central Asia Spirit, advocate for high-quality development of regional cooperation, and tell the story of China-Central Asia cooperation well.

    He called on enhancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, advancing media technology innovation and collaboration, and deepening communication among news agencies to contribute to building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    Leaders of the Central Asian news agencies highly praised the forum for its important role in enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation. They expressed their willingness to continue deepening exchanges and collaboration with Chinese media, including Xinhua, jointly promote the China-Central Asia Spirit, and contribute to promoting mutual learning among civilizations and achieving shared development.

    Raushan Kazhibayeva, director of the Kazakhstan President’s TV and Radio Complex, noted the successful convening of the second China-Central Asia Summit has pointed the way for the development of relations between Central Asian countries and China. She said the forum vividly reflects the good-neighborly friendship and deep ties between Central Asia and China, and called on the media to support and promote the implementation of summit outcomes in the information field.

    Mederbek Shermetaliev, director of the Kabar News Agency of Kyrgyzstan, said that the Belt and Road Initiative has opened new prospects for win-win cooperation between China and Central Asia. Strengthened information exchange and cooperation among all parties will help present an objective, truthful, and multidimensional image of the Central Asian countries and China, he added.

    Underlining fruitful outcome of China-Central Asia media cooperation, Subhiddin Shamsiddinzoda, director of Tajikistan’s Khovar News Agency, said continued in-depth exchanges are expected on topics such as cultivating media talent, enhancing partnerships of universities and developing the creative industry.

    Bekdurdy Amansaryev, general director of Media Turkmen News Agency, said that all parties should set an example in establishing an information partnership based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Noting that new technologies have expanded the space for media cooperation, he expected to strengthen collaboration in new media and promote digital transformation.

    Abdusaid Kuchimov, director general of the Uzbekistan National News Agency, highlighted media’s important role in strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Central Asian countries and China. The gathering of Central Asian and Chinese media partners for close cooperation is significant for jointly addressing challenges, he added.

    The participants said that in today’s world, which is marked by intertwined turmoil and rampant disinformation, Chinese and Central Asian media should stand closely united and intensify cooperation in areas such as news exchange, content dissemination, and technological innovation to foster a positive public opinion environment for regional peace and development.

    The forum concluded with the adoption of the Astana Consensus of the China-Central Asia News Agency Forum.

    MIL OSI China News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Regulatory reform in digital platform markets is needed to improve competition and consumer outcomes

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Without sufficient laws in place, Australian consumers and businesses continue to encounter a significant number of harmful practices across a range of digital platform services, the ACCC’s tenth and final report of the ACCC’s Digital Platform Services Inquiry has found.

    “Digital platform services are critically important to Australian consumers and businesses and are major drivers of productivity growth in our economy,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address. This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation, and protect consumers in digital markets.”

    The report, which concludes the ACCC’s five year inquiry, has reiterated support for measures including an economy wide unfair trading practices prohibition, an external dispute resolution body for digital platform services, and a new digital competition regime.

    Continued risk of widespread harms to Australian consumers and small businesses

    The ACCC’s final report found that there continues to be significant risk of consumer and competition harms on digital platforms.

    Consumers continue to face unfair trading practices in digital markets including manipulative design practices, such as user interfaces that direct consumers to more expensive subscriptions or purchase options.

    “72 per cent of Australian consumers surveyed by the ACCC reported that they had encountered potentially unfair practices when shopping online, such as accidental subscriptions or hidden fees. An unfair trading practices prohibition is required to protect consumers from these kinds of tactics, both online and offline,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Our consumer survey also found 82 per cent of respondents agree that there should be a specialised independent external dispute resolution body for users of digital platform services to escalate complaints which cannot be resolved with platforms directly.”

    “An external dispute resolution body would also help Australian small businesses who rely on digital platforms to reach their customers – for example, when a fake review is made about their business on a search engine or marketplace, or when they have an account deactivated and lose their means of accessing their customers on social media,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    A new digital competition regime will bring benefits to Australians

    Throughout the course of this five-year Inquiry, the ACCC has also observed conduct by the most powerful digital platforms that is distorting the competitive process. This conduct includes denying interoperability, self-preferencing and tying, exclusivity agreements, impeding switching, and withholding access to important hardware, software, and data inputs.

    “A lack of competition in digital markets can lead to higher prices, less choice, lower quality or even greater harvesting of personal data, ultimately impacting everyday users,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “There is broad international recognition that there is anti-competitive conduct in digital markets that needs to be addressed. Several jurisdictions have already introduced regulation to improve competition in digital markets, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.”

    “It is timely to progress a new digital competition regime in Australia which will increase contestability, benefit both local and foreign companies that rely on access to these platforms to conduct business in Australia, and support a growing economy,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    Emerging services and technology need continued scrutiny

    The final report has also outlined how rapidly evolving digital markets and emerging technologies, like cloud computing and generative AI, may exacerbate existing risks to competition and consumers in Australia or give rise to new ones.

    For example, cloud computing is continuing to grow both globally and in Australia, providing significant benefits for businesses and consumers. However, the ACCC’s report identified a range of potential competition risks in this sector.

    “We found that the major providers of cloud computing in Australia – Amazon, Microsoft and Google – are vast, incumbent digital platforms that are vertically integrated across the cloud technology stack. Vertically-integrated cloud providers may be incentivised to engage in conduct that could harm their competitors – for example, anti-competitively bundling their own services across different layers of the cloud stack,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    The report also found that generative AI developers and deployers generally require access to significant cloud computing power to train and deploy their products. However, cloud providers may be incentivised to anti-competitively bundle, tie or self-preference their own generative AI products above those of competitors.

    “Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “To protect against these kinds of risks, it is critical that the proposed digital competition regime enable the ACCC to continue monitoring changes to services it has previously examined, as well as new technologies that emerge over time.”

    Background

    The ACCC’s Digital Platforms Branch conducted a five-year inquiry into markets for the supply of digital platform services in Australia and their impacts on competition and consumers, following a direction from the Treasurer in 2020.

    The inquiry reported to the Government every six months and examined different forms of digital platform services, including: online private messaging services, app marketplaces, search defaults and choice screens, general online retail marketplaces, regulatory reform, social media services, expanding ecosystems of digital platforms, data products and

    services supplied by data firms, and revisiting general search services. This ACCC’s tenth report concludes the inquiry.

    Previous reports are published at Digital platform services inquiry 2020-25.

    In the fifth DPSI interim report on regulatory reform, the ACCC made a range of recommendations to bolster competition in the digital economy, level the playing field between big tech companies and Australian businesses, and reduce prices for consumers. The recommendations include new service-specific mandatory codes of conduct for particular ‘designated digital platforms,’ based on principles set out in legislation.

    In December 2023, the Government accepted the ACCC’s findings that existing competition provisions by themselves are not sufficient to address current or potential future competition harms and supported-in-principle the development of a new digital competition regime. In December 2024, the Government began consultation on the implementation of a new digital competition regime in Australia.

    Further information, including key findings are available on the ACCC website.

    Notes to editors

    ‘Cloud computing’ refers to the provision of global, on-demand network access to computing resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications and services. Cloud computing can be contrasted with traditional on-premises computing, where an organisation installs and maintains its own IT infrastructure for private use.

    ‘Generative AI’ refers to a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that can create content such as text, images, audio, video or data, in response to prompts entered by a user. Generative AI adopts a machine learning approach for turning inputs and outputs into new outputs by analysing extremely large datasets.

    MIL OSI News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: New Independent Information and Debate Platform PodTalk.Live calls for Foundation Members

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people in New Zealand to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.

    The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.

    Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”

    Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).

    MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.

    And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.

    About PodTalk.Live:

    PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.

    PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.

    “We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.

    “So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.

    “PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.

    “And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.

    PodTalk.live provides:

    • user profiles with full interactivities with other users and friends
    • user created groups, posts, video, images, polls, and file sharing
    • private and secure one-on-one (and group) messages
    • availability of all the above for entry users with a free membership
    • premium membership for podcasters and event publishers requiring easy to use podcast publication and syndication services
    • next-level community engagement tools that users all on the one platform.

    In addition, PodTalk.live will host:

    • Live audio and video webcasts with special guests and member talkback events
    • premium video and audio podcasts (on-demand and live)
    • premium posts on big issues from prominent writers
    • featured documentaries on interesting and important topics.

    Security Safety Moderation:

    Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.

    “With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn Manning said.

    “Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”

    “PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.

    And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.

    To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.

    “We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.

    The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.

    PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.

    Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Peter Burke to lead Trade Mission to Japan

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    23rd June 2025

    Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke is leading a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan, accompanied by Enterprise Ireland CEO Designate Jenny Melia and IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan, reflecting the strong commitment by the Irish government to expanding both Investment and Trade with Japan.

    Two-way trade between Japan and Ireland now exceeds €21 billion and Japan is the number one source of foreign direct investment into Ireland from the Asia Pacific region. These investments come in the areas of technology services, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and financial services.

    Minister Burke said: 

    “Trade promotion and market diversification are key government priorities, and I see significant opportunities in Japan for both Irish companies and FDI. This week, we are engaging with dozens of major corporations to highlight Ireland’s global position as a stable location for investment, as well as helping Irish companies to build, scale and expand in this region. 

    “Looking ahead, the relationship between our two countries is based on shared values and mutual respect and as Minister, I believe our work in this regard will facilitate this relationship growing deeper and stronger in the years ahead. With the CEOs of both the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, we are working hard this week to explore new avenues for growth in sectors with significant potential.”

    Japan is a growing export market with over 300 Enterprise Ireland clients doing business in Japan and over 50 Irish companies having representations or presence in Japan.

    The Minister along with senior executives will also meet IDA’s potential and existing clients to set out the unique advantages of locating in Ireland to service a European marketplace of 450 million people. He will meet with a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies seeking new opportunities for their world-class products and services and will hold a number of political engagements with his counterparts in the Japanese Government. 

    Minister Burke will visit the new Ireland House Tokyo, which is home to offices for the Embassy, Team Ireland, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA. The Team Ireland brand contributes to raising Ireland’s profile in Japan, by showcasing our cultural heritage, creativity and innovation through excellence in design and providing a platform for our state agencies to engage in and support Irish business interests in Japan.

    During the second half of the week, the Minister will attend the Osaka Expo 2025. Participation at Expo provides an excellent platform for direct public diplomacy and an opportunity to increase visibility of Ireland in the region. The development of the Irish Pavilion at Expo is a strong example of the Team Ireland approach, with active participation and engagement from across Government Departments and State Agencies, all working in tandem to promote Ireland on the world stage. 

    ENDS

    Back to Department News

    Back to Top

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Former director of fishing company jailed for 16 months over illegal fishing

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    The former director of a fishing company who knew fish was being caught and landed illegally for profit, has been jailed for 16 months.

    Glen Owen Wright (37), former director of All Weather Fishing Company Limited, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week (Thursday 19 June 2025) following a successful prosecution by Fisheries New Zealand. He faced a representative charge under the Fisheries Act for failing to prevent the offending by his company along with obstructing a fishery officer.

    The sentencing marks the end of a long Fisheries New Zealand compliance investigation which included successful prosecutions of another company and individuals for related offending.

    “Mr Wright was the director of a company that illegally caught and landed nearly 15 tonnes of snapper, and more than 140kg of kahawai and 40kg of grey mullet,” says Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries compliance Steve Ham.

    “The company did not have the required quota to legally catch the fish and did not report or record the catch.

    “The rules are there to ensure sustainability for everyone. The court found Mr Wright was aware that fish was being caught and landed illegally by his company but did nothing to prevent it.

    “The vast majority of commercial fishers do the right thing. This fish was stolen, and the motivation was greed and profit.”

    Fisheries New Zealand’s investigation earlier tracked the illegally caught fish and prosecuted those responsible for its trade. In August last year, Auckland licenced fish receiver, Sea World Limited, which traded as Seamart, was fined $360,000 for illegally supplying fish valued at over $348,000 to other seafood companies.

    Media release: Fish trading company fined $360,000, employee jailed for 3 years 7 months

    An employee, Marco Taukatelata (50), was jailed for 3 years and 7 months and a former company director, Haihong Liu (44), was placed on 12 months home detention for their roles in the offending.

    “The court’s sentence today should send a strong message that there are serious consequences for anyone involved in this type of black market trade.”

    Mr Wright is currently imprisoned for unrelated offences. 

    MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

    For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stress hormone in the womb alters early heart development, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease

    Source:

    23 June 2025

    Exposure to high levels of the body’s primary stress hormone – cortisol – in preterm fetuses can disrupt normal heart development, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in later life.

    That’s the finding from a new study led by the University of South Australia (UniSA), showing that elevated cortisol levels in preterm lambs significantly alters molecules that control proper heart development.

    The findings, published in Experimental Physiology, offer vital insights into how early life stress may influence heart health in later life and could help inform how corticosteroids are used in pregnancy.

    Lead author Professor Janna Morrison, Head of the Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group at UniSA, says preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

    “Our research sought to understand how cortisol – whether naturally elevated or via synthetic versions of cortisol to promote lung development – affects the developing cardiovascular system in preterm fetuses,” Prof Morrison says.

    “We know that cortisol rises naturally in late pregnancy and plays a critical role in maturing fetal organs in preparation for birth, but we did not know how crucial molecules involved in heart development were impacted by cortisol in the preterm period.

    “When cortisol levels rise too early – either due to maternal stress or medical intervention – it may accelerate heart development in ways that aren’t entirely beneficial, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease many years later.”

    Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, obesity and placental insufficiency can lead to a premature increase in cortisol concentrations earlier in gestation that impacts the developing fetus.

    To mimic the cortisol levels that are normal in late gestation, researchers administered cortisol to preterm sheep fetuses over seven days and then studied the impact on signalling molecules in the heart.

    The results showed significant changes in the heart’s molecular structure.

    “We found that elevated levels of cortisol during early heart development disrupt key cardiac pathways by suppressing glucocorticoid receptors and altering molecular signals involved in growth, energy metabolism, and cardio-protection,” says co-author UniSA researcher Dr Reza Amanollahi.

    “These disruptions may leave the premature heart more susceptible to cardiovascular instability. Given the close similarities between sheep and human heart development, our findings raise important concerns that prenatal stress could also compromise heart health in preterm human infants.”

    Co-lead on the project, Dr Mitchell Lock, says that while antenatal corticosteroids remain critical for improving survival, our research highlights the importance of closely monitoring their use in pregnancy.

    “We hope these findings will also help refine the clinical care of preterm babies to support better long-term outcomes.”

    “Elevated cortisol concentration in preterm sheep fetuses impacts heart development” was authored by researchers from the University of South Australia, the University of Queensland and Oregon Health & Science University. DOI: 10.1113/EP092506

    A video discussing the findings is available here.

    Notes for editors

    Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide and several risk factors such as age, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle contribute to its disease burden. This study explores the causes from a different angle: the influence of stress hormones when the heart is developing in the fetus.

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview: Dr Reza Amanollahi E: reza.amanollahi@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee visited Germany

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BERLIN, June 22 (Xinhua) — Yuan Jiajun, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, led a party delegation to visit Germany from June 19 to 22 at the invitation of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

    Yuan Jiajun met with German Chancellor of the Federal Chancellery Torsten Frey, SPD co-chair Saskia Esken and North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst.

    Yuan Jiajun also attended a number of events, including a bilateral dialogue on economic and trade cooperation and the launch ceremony of the first ASEAN Express train, an extension of the China-Europe freight rail service.

    As a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee said, the important agreements reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined the course for the further development of China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership.

    China, Yuan Jiajun pointed out, hopes to strengthen strategic communication with Germany, unleash the potential of bilateral cooperation, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-Germany and China-EU relations.

    The CPC intends to deepen exchanges and contacts with various political parties in Germany to ensure a clear understanding of the goals and tasks of China’s reform and development, and promote the development of bilateral relations through concrete achievements of inter-party exchanges, he said.

    Yuan Jiajun assured that Chongqing will implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, expand cooperation with the German side in the fields of technological innovation, trade and economic logistics, green and low-carbon development and industry, so as to contribute to the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany.

    Representatives of the German side, in turn, pointed out that both Germany and China are important major countries, and strengthening cooperation between them will help bring more certainty to the world. According to representatives of the FRG, Germany expects to expand exchanges and cooperation with China at the inter-party and regional levels, strengthen contacts and coordination in international affairs, and promote progress in German-Chinese and European-Chinese relations.

    During the visit, Yuan Jiajun also held separate meetings with the heads of Siemens, Mercedes-Benz Group and other representatives of German business and industry circles. He spoke about Xi Jinping Thought on Governance and the significant opportunities for China’s cooperation with other countries provided by the decisions of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on further comprehensively deepening reform, expanding high-level opening up to external development and achieving high-quality development.

    In addition, Yuan Jiajun was present at the signing of agreements on several cooperation projects. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: Azerbaijan prepares to export hazelnuts and almonds to China – Head of Department of Azerbaijan Food Security Agency A. Aliyev

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Baku, June 22 /Xinhua/ — Azerbaijan is taking active measures to organize the export of hazelnuts, almonds and chicken products to China, Akber Aliyev, head of the department of the Food Security Agency of Azerbaijan, said in an interview with Xinhua recently.

    According to him, close cooperation is underway with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. “We are currently working on coordinating protocols regulating exports, and we expect to sign them by the end of this year,” A. Aliyev noted.

    In recent years, Azerbaijan has seen steady growth in its agricultural sector, especially crop production. The country is one of the world’s leading producers of hazelnuts, which are an important export item for Azerbaijan.

    “We have already sent the necessary documentation and technical requirements to the Chinese side. We are also working with local manufacturers so that they can bring their processes into line with international standards,” the Xinhua source said.

    A. Aliyev emphasized that in 2024, Azerbaijan received the official status of a country free of bird flu. This opens the way for the supply of not only nuts, but also chicken products to the Chinese market.

    “After signing all the protocols, we plan to begin exporting products to China that meet the requirements of the Chinese side. We are working in stages and in close cooperation with entrepreneurs and specialized structures,” he added.

    Azerbaijan is located in the southeast of Transcaucasia, at the junction of Europe and Asia. Nuts, including hazelnuts, are a specific product of Azerbaijan, which occupies one of the leading places in the world in hazelnut production. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand horticulture sector set to reach record high

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand’s horticulturalists are breaking new ground with exports tipped to surpass $8 billion for the first time, Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says.

    “New Zealand’s horticulture sector is poised for impressive growth, with export revenue forecast to hit a record $8.5 billion by 30 June 2025,” Ms Grigg says.

    “That’s phenomenal growth of 19 per cent – the fastest of any agricultural sector – reflecting the dedication and resilience of our growers and exporters. 

    “Looking ahead, the sector’s continued hard work is expected to drive that even higher, with export revenue forecast to climb to $9.8 billion by 2029. 

    “These numbers reflect the vital role horticulture plays in New Zealand’s economy and global trade.

    “Kiwifruit and apple exports are the key drivers behind these figures. Bumper kiwifruit crops are driving a forecast 36 per cent increase in export revenue to $3.9 billion – a remarkable achievement,” Ms Grigg says.

    “Increased export volumes and average export prices are behind a forecast 18 per cent jump in apple and pear exports to $1.1 billion this year, surpassing $1 billion for the first time, and avocados are expected to rebound by an impressive 192 per cent to reach $108 million.

    “These strong results are thanks to the dedication and hard work of our fruit and vege growers – and the Government is fully committed to backing their ongoing success.

    “The Government is working hard to ensure the right settings are in place to support to grow their businesses.

    “For example, we’ve recently opened public consultation on the biggest package of changes to national direction under the Resource Management Act in New Zealand’s history.

    “This includes removing unnecessary consents for practices like crop rotation, enabling commercial domestic vegetable growing, and supporting long-term water security by enabling water storage.

    “Our common-sense proposals streamline or remove many of the burdensome regulations holding our growers back.

    “The Government will keep working hard to support Kiwi growers to boost on-farm productivity and profitability, drive higher farmgate returns, and strengthen our rural communities.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Investigations continuing in Takanini assault

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are following positive lines of enquiry into an assault at a Sikh Temple in Takanini on Sunday evening.

    Two people were treated for minor injuries following the incident which occurred at around 5pm at the Takanini School Road site.

    “An offender entered the temple and approached a man known to him, who was at the rear of the temple,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor of Counties Manukau CIB says.

    “He has begun to assault the man, before bystanders have intervened to stop the offending.”

    During this intervention, a second victim has suffered minor injuries.

    Security removed the man and he was seen getting into a vehicle before Police arrived on scene.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says Police have since spoken with the driver of the vehicle, after it was stopped in the Manurewa area later in the evening.

    Police are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to the offender.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says the incident is not being treated as a hate-motivated crime.

    “We acknowledge that this incident was confronting for those who were present at the temple at the time,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

    “However, we have established that this incident occurred as a result of a dispute between two parties known to each other.

    “Both victims have since received treatment at a local medical centre and fortunately no one was seriously injured as a result.”

    Police are carrying out reassurance patrols around the temple as a result of the incident.

    Anyone with information that can assist enquiries can update Police online now or call 105, using the reference number 250622/3501.

    ENDS.

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Ten years on: Young energy leaders raise the profile

    Source: BusinessNZ

    New Zealand’s brightest young energy professionals are focused on raising their collective voice and bringing the energy sector closer together.
    After a decade of fostering connection and careers within the energy sector, the Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN) welcomes two new co-Chairs, Beca’s Industrial Energy Lead Andrew Wallace and Aurecon’s Lead Energy Consultant Danielle Manners.
    Manners says she wants the professionals she represents to feel heard within the sector.
    “Having ‘young’ in the title shouldn’t detract from the real value we bring to industry. Our members have proven themselves to be a switched-on bunch, who are eager to grow and collaborate together. 
    “There is so much enthusiasm, potential and fresh thinking that we can harness to really transform the energy sector.”
    Her fellow Chairperson Wallace says he’s keen to further elevate the YEPN as a collaborative leader within the energy sector.
    “The challenges and opportunities in front of us, including the hard conversations around energy, are best tackled together. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve as we engage with those currently in the network and those who will join us along the way.”
    In a joint statement, outgoing co-Chairs Esther Evening and Elliott Powell say the network has grown significantly over their three years at the helm.
    “It has been especially rewarding to see YEPN play a role in shaping career pathways, supporting high school and university engagement, and encouraging young people to consider a future in energy.
    “The strength of the network today reflects the passion and commitment of the volunteers who have helped make it what it is, and we are proud to have been part of that journey.”
    The YEPN was established by the BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) in 2015. Executive Director Tina Schirr says leading the YEPN is a strong commitment to the energy sector, and it’s incredible to see new Chairs eager to step up.
    “Both Andrew and Danielle are welcome additions to the legacy of the YEPN, bringing fresh insights, new direction, and the kind of leadership needed to tackle energy issues of today.
    “BEC thanks Esther and Elliott for their contributions and wishes a warm welcome to Danielle and Andrew. Ten years on, we are thrilled with the YEPN initiative and excited to see what’s next for this innovative group.”
    Notes:
    – The YEPN is a network designed to upskill its members through knowledge sharing and collaboration within the energy sector
    – BEC is New Zealand’s only member organisation of the World Energy Council

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Banking Appointments – ASB appoints Frank Jasper as Chief Investment Officer

    Source: ASB

     

    ASB has appointed Frank Jasper to the new role of Chief Investment Officer (CIO), strengthening ASB’s in-house investment management expertise.

     

    Frank has a proven track record of success as an investment manager, including time as a Senior Portfolio Manager and then Chief Investment Officer at Fisher Funds, with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

     

    Frank will work closely with ASB investment partner, BlackRock, which will see clients continue to benefit from BlackRock’s global reach, expertise, and proven performance.

     

    “I look forward to building on ASB’s strong investment track record, working alongside BlackRock to continue to deliver strong returns for our clients in a rapidly changing environment.

     

    Delivering strong investment returns is only part of the puzzle to unlock greater wealth for Kiwi. I am very passionate about helping our clients, and all New Zealanders, to feel empowered to make better investment decisions, which will have a great long-term impact on their finances.” says Frank.

     

    ASB General Manager Wealth Emma-Jayne Liddy says Frank is a fantastic addition to the ASB team, bringing valuable experience and perspective both from his role on our Investment Committee and beyond, and is joining at a critical time for this part of the business.

     

    “It’s an exciting time for our Wealth business. We are proud of our strong investment track record, with the Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey placing our 12-month returns in the top quartile across all our diversified funds as at 31 March 2025. Additionally, the MJW 2025 Investment Survey has placed us in first place for one-year returns, across our Growth, Balanced and Moderate KiwiSaver funds, and we were also a finalist for Fund Manager of the year for 2025 in the Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence. We want to continue building on this success for our clients.

     

    With a volatile market, the recent changes to KiwiSaver announced by the Government, and an uncertain geopolitical environment, it’s important for our clients and all New Zealanders to have confidence in their investments.

     

    We have a big role to play here and we’re looking forward to Frank’s leadership and expertise to help set the business up to deliver on its ambition.” says Emma-Jayne.

     

    Frank Jasper started in his new role in June 2025. Alongside his new role as ASB CIO, Frank will continue as a member of the ASB Investment Committee, which he has been a part of since 2022.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Banking and Finance – ASB makes further drops to interest rates

    Source: ASB

    ASB has today reduced five of its fixed home lending rates by up to 16 basis points, including two of its most popular terms.

    ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “We know there are many New Zealanders looking to refix their mortgage or take on the significant title of homeowner this year, and we’re pleased to support them with lower rates. Those considering our 12-month fixed home loan will be paying 2.50% less interest than they would have been 18 months ago. On a loan of $500,000, this reduction in interest translates to an extra $12,500 a year which will make a real difference to many households across the country.”

    ASB also reduced some term deposit rates by between 5 and 20 basis points.

    All rate decreases are effective immediately.

     

      Fixed home lending term

    Previous rate

    New rate

    Rate decrease

    6-month

    5.45%

    5.29%

    – 16 bps

    1-year

    4.95%

    4.89%

    – 6 bps

    3-year

    5.15%

    5.09%

    – 6 bps

    4-year

    5.59%

    5.49%

    – 10 bps

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Yousef M. Aljamal visit to Aotearoa New Zealand – PSNA

    Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

    PSNA is delighted to announce the visit to Aotearoa New Zealand by Palestinian journalist and author Yousef Aljamal. Yousef will address public meetings across the country as well as talking with faith communities, trade union representatives and media organisations.

     

    Yousef will be here from 16 to 30 June and will have public events in Whangarei, Waitangi, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth, Whanganui, Tauranga-Moana, Thames, Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

     

    “This is an opportunity for New Zealanders to hear directly from a key Palestinian journalist and author at a time when Palestinian voices are almost totally absent from our mainstream media” says PSNA Co-national Chair Maher Nazzal.

     

    “For 18 months our media has been flooded with Israeli narratives, Israeli explanations, Israeli justifications and Israeli spokespeople. Israeli propaganda points are relentlessly covered while Palestinians – as the victims of 77 years of brutal oppression, ethnic cleansing and apartheid polices – have been rendered all but invisible”. If they are shown, it is a incoherent victims of overwhelming suffering. They rarely have the opportunity for their humanity to shine.

     

    “New Zealanders need to hear from Yousef Aljamal and our mainstream media has a responsibility to report his visit and what he has to say”

     

    “Palestinians face the most horrendous conditions imaginable with the genocidal attacks on Gaza; the blockade on food, water, fuel and medical supplies to 2 million people; the pogroms against Palestinian towns and villages in the Occupied West Bank; complicit silence from Western governments, New Zealand included, and western media indifference”

     

    Yousef’s biographical details:

    Yousef is a Palestinian journalist and author. He holds an MA degree from the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the University of Malaya in Malaysia. 

     

    He was awarded his PhD from the Middle East Institute at Sakarya University in Turkey. 

     

    In addition to his research interests in diaspora, security, and indigenous studies, Yousef Aljamal has been involved on a number of book projects including translations of books on Palestinian prisoners, among them Dreaming of Freedom: Palestinian ChildPrisoners Speak (2016), and a collection of stories about the shared struggle of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers. 

     

    Most recently he edited If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose by the recently assassinated Refaat Alareer. 

     

    Yousef Aljamal has published a number of journal articles on topics that include Palestinians in the diaspora, travel restrictions imposed on Palestinians, and struggles for liberation.

     

    He is also the Gaza Coordinator of the American Fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Research – NZ’s Elite Athlete Breaking Point Research to be Shared with Five Eyes Nations

    Source: Impact PR for Vantaset

    A world-first performance transformation framework developed in New Zealand from research into the psychological breaking point of elite athletes has caught the attention of police forces in North America and the United Kingdom, with a number of trials in discussion.

    The move follows the inking of long-term contracts with global law enforcement advisory organisation World Policing in the UK, which provides governance and technical advice to thousands of police forces around the world, and a specialist consulting firm that supports Government security and law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and North America, including the FBI.

    Vantaset, founded by performance expert Craig Steel, whose team includes a former All Blacks manager and two Olympians, has unveiled a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model designed to optimise workplace performance using a scientifically engineered system to help athletes deliver personal bests on demand.

    The global interest from global law enforcement and defence agencies in the company’s platform, which took seven years and $7 million to develop, follows the success of an earlier iteration of the framework with the New Zealand Police under former commissioner Mike Bush.

    The process, which was credited by Bush as helping him achieve what was described as one of the most successful Government sector transformations in history, not only lifted staff engagement and public trust in the organisation, it helped him reduce crime by over 20%.1

    Steel says discussions are underway with a number of North American police chiefs and defence experts who have identified their process as a potential solution to address plummeting engagement and retention issues they are facing.

    “They told us this was the most promising process they’ve seen to address what they describe as a leadership and engagement crisis affecting critical agencies globally, so piloting the process is the logical next step in demonstrating its effectiveness in this environment.”

    Bernard Rix, chairman of World Policing says, “Given the demonstrable impact Vantaset’s technology had on New Zealand Police, we’re confident it can be implemented in other law enforcement agencies around the world to help them improve the performance of their respective forces, which is why we’ve partnered with them.”

    Steel’s work began three decades ago as a study into ‘athlete capitulation’, the moment top athletes psychologically collapse under pressure. By reverse engineering the process he identified that caused it, Steel developed a repeatable framework that helped New Zealand athletes amass over 20 World Cup and World Championship equivalent titles.

    Described as ‘one of the single greatest breakthroughs in human performance,’ the framework delivered unparalleled results, enabling athletes to achieve personal bests 87% of the time they competed in Tier 1 events compared to the international average of 8-10%.

    “What began as a system for world-class athletes is now changing the way organisations develop and engage their workforce,” says Steel.

    “We’re focused on helping organisations, including the Police, improve the impact and effectiveness of their staff as their personal performance is vital to the nations they represent.

    Kiwi Olympians Moss Burmester and advisor Anthony Moss are part of the team looking to take the same high-performance principles that helped them succeed on the world stage into boardrooms, government agencies and frontline services.

    Steel says too many organisations default to a risk-averse mindset, building internal frameworks focused on controlling resources which stifles ingenuity.

    “Our work began with high-performance sport. But when we were invited to trial it in business, the results were just as transformative.

    Steel’s system codifies elite performance enabling leaders to support every level of their organisation. “It’s about unlocking the potential that already exists in their business as opposed to just trying to mitigate its risks, which crushes innovation,” he says.

    “In elite sport, the goal is never to avoid failure, it’s to produce something exceptional. But in the business world, most performance management systems are built to manage issues when they occur rather than amplifying the organisation’s capacity to perform. Steel says Vantaset’s platform ‘flips the script’ by embedding performance principles drawn from decades of helping top-tier athletes win on the world stage.

    “What we’ve done is build a high-performance operating system that organisations can scale across their entire workforce so they can embed a proven way of working that brings out the best in everyone. The focus isn’t on minimising mistakes, it’s on helping people be the most effective versions of themselves, as that’s what drives growth and improvement.”

    Over 100 organisations and around 30,000 employees have benefited from Steel’s process to date, although their new digital platform will enable Vantaset to scale globally. The firm has assisted both public and private sector clients across New Zealand and Australia for over a decade but plans to expand into other Five Eyes nations in the years ahead.

    “We’ve chosen to focus on the Five Eyes nations because we recognise that when it comes to working with defence forces and critical government agencies, trust and national security considerations are paramount.

    “If we were to work with non-aligned or competing jurisdictions, it could close doors to the agencies in the nations we’re best positioned to support. This strategic alignment should ensure our eligibility to work with the most sensitive public sector environments, where human performance is most vital.”

    Vantaset is also engaging with international consulting firms to act as distribution partners to accelerate its global expansion, given its applicability to Government agencies and the private sector.

    1 International consulting group McKinsey and Co’s Centre for Government focuses on helping the public sector tackle complex challenges, modernise organisations and improve services. This group identified NZ Police’s change process as “one of the most successful Government sector transformations in history”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Will Invercargill Join Councils Taking Ethical Stand on Illegal Israeli Settlements? – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    Invercargill City Council is set to vote on Tuesday on a change to its procurement policy to exclude companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

    The proposal was brought by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. If adopted, Invercargill would become the latest in a growing wave of local councils – including Christchurch, Nelson, and Environment Canterbury – aligning spending in this way.

    “This is about responsible stewardship” said the group, “making sure ratepayer money isn’t used in ways that contradict New Zealand’s foreign policy or international law.”

    A staff report released ahead of the vote supports adopting the change into the Council’s Supplier Code of Conduct. It confirms the move aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2334 – co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2016 under a National government — which called the settlements a “flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle” to peace.

    “Western governments have failed for decades to hold Israel to account,” said the group. “Last year the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s 57 year long occupation breaches international law on apartheid and racial segregation. No council wants to fund companies complicit in that — this is the moment to act.”

    The staff report noted that the proposal, which targets a narrow list of companies named by the UN as involved in illegal settlements, would add weight to government rules which allow companies to be excluded on human rights grounds. Councils, while not legally required, are encouraged by the Auditor-General to follow these to avoid stakeholder challenge.

    “International law protects all of us – especially New Zealand as a small country,” the group added. “When we let powerful countries violate the rules with impunity, we all become more vulnerable.”

    The initiative has drawn support from a wide range of national and local organisations, including trade unions, faith leaders, and businesses.

    The group will present the same proposal to Environment Southland the following day.

    S Palliser
    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up

    Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business

    • Electricity costs for thousands of businesses to be slashed by up to 25%.
    • New Industrial Strategy to unlock billions in investment and support 1.1 million new well-paid jobs over the next decade.
    • Strategy developed in partnership with business, marking a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries.
    • Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business, delivering on the Plan for Change.

    More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveils its bold new Industrial Strategy today [Monday 23 June].

    The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business by tackling two of the biggest barriers facing UK industry – high electricity prices and long waits for grid connections.

    British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world while businesses looking to expand or modernise have faced delays when it comes to connecting to the grid.

    For too long these challenges have held back growth and made it harder for British firms to compete. Today’s announcement marks a decisive shift — with government stepping in to support industry and unlock the UK’s economic potential.

    From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace and chemicals.

    These firms, which support over 300,000 skilled jobs, will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market — helping level the playing field and make them more internationally competitive. Eligibility and further details on the exemptions will be determined following consultation, which will be launched shortly.

    The government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms — like steel, chemicals, and glass — by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. These businesses currently get a 60% discount on those charges, but from 2026, that will increase to 90%. This means their electricity bills will go down, helping them stay competitive, protect jobs, and invest in the future.

    This will help around 500 eligible businesses in sectors such as steel, ceramics and glass reduce their costs and protect jobs in industries that are the backbone of our economy and will be delivered at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

    These reforms complement the government’s long-term mission for clean power, which is the only way to bring down bills for good by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets.

    To ensure businesses can grow and hire without delay, the government will also deliver a new Connections Accelerator Service to streamline grid access for major investment projects — including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and deliver significant economic benefits.

    We will work closely with the energy sector, local authorities, Welsh and Scottish Governments, trade unions, and industry to design this service, which we expect to begin operating at the end of 2025. New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.

    The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create 1.1 million good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.

    In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.

    This is how we power Britain’s future – by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear – Britain is back and open for business.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

     The UK has some of the most innovative businesses in the world and our Plan for Change has provided them with the stability they need to grow and for more to be created.

    Today’s Industrial Strategy builds on that progress with a ten-year plan to slash barriers to investment. It’ll see billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation. It will ensure the industries that make Britain great can thrive. It will boost our economy and create jobs that put more money in people’s pockets.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We’ve said from day one Britain is back in business under this government, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military.

    Not only does this Strategy prioritise investment to attract billions for new business sites, cutting-edge research, and better transport links, it will also make our industrial electricity prices more competitive.

    Tackling energy costs and fixing skills has been the single biggest ask of us from businesses and the greatest challenge they’ve faced – this government has listened, and now we’re taking the bold action needed. Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better of is what this Government promised and what we will deliver.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.

    As part of our modern industrial strategy we’re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electricity prices in key sectors.

    We’re also doubling down on our clean power strengths with increased investment in growth industries from offshore wind to nuclear. This will deliver on our clean power mission and Plan for Change to bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

    The Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded through reforms to the energy system. The government is reducing costs within the system to free up funding without raising household bills or taxes and intends to also use additional funds from the strengthening of UK carbon pricing, including as a result of linking with the EU carbon market.

    We have set out an intention to link emissions trading systems, as part of our new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses. Without an agreement to do this, British industry would have to pay the EU’s carbon tax.

    We intend to link our carbon pricing system with the EU’s, we will ensure that money stays in the UK—which allows us to support British companies and British jobs through these schemes.

    Building on the Spending Review and the recently announced 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the Industrial Strategy is the latest step forward in our plans to deliver national renewal. It will include targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.

    The Strategy’s bold plan of action includes:

    • Slash electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for electricity-intensive manufacturers in our growth sectors and foundational industries in their supply chain, bringing costs more closely in line with other major economies in Europe.
    • Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs by increasing British Business Bank financial capacity to £25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital. The includes an additional £4bn for Industrial Strategy Sectors, crowding in billions more in private capital. By investing largely through venture funds, the BBB will back the UK’s most high-growth potential companies.
    • Upskilling the nation with an extra £1.2 billion each year for skills by 2028-29, and delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors including new short courses in relevant skills funded by the Growth and Skills Levy and skills packages targeted at defence digital and engineering.
    • Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators. 
    • Supporting 5,500 more SMEs to adopt new technology through the Made Smarter programme while centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service.
    • Boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8, with more than £2bn for AI over the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors. Regulatory changes will further clear the path for fast-growing industries and innovative products such as biotechnology, AI, and autonomous vehicles.
    • Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migration reforms and the new Global Talent Taskforce.
    • Deepening economic and industrial collaboration with our partners, building on our Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan and recent deals with the US, India, and the EU.
    • Reducing planning timelines and cutting costs for developers, by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations, removing burdens on businesses as well as accelerating house building. 
    • Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.
    • Supporting the UK’s city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, and more.

    The plan focuses on 8 sectors where the UK is already strong and there’s potential for faster growth: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Each growth sector has a bespoke 10-year plan that will attract investment, enable growth and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.

    Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and President of Enterprise & Industry EMEA at Microsoft said:

    I welcome today’s Industrial Strategy, which sets out a clear plan to back the UK’s growth driving sectors. It is particularly positive to see the strong focus on skills in areas such as engineering, technology and defence. Commitments such as £187 million for the TechFirst programme will ensure the UK has the skills it needs to support our growth industries and seize transformative opportunities like AI.

    Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive, CBI said:

    Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement is a significant leap forward in the partnership between government and business that sets us on the path to our shared goal of raising living standards across the country.  

    It sends an unambiguous, positive signal about the nation’s global calling card as well as the direction of travel for the wider economy for the next decade and beyond.

    The CBI has long been advocating for a comprehensive industrial strategy, based on the UK’s USP – the sectors and markets where we can compete to win on the global stage.

    More competitive energy prices, fast-tracked planning decisions and backing innovation will provide a bedrock for growth. But the global race to attract investment will require a laser-like and unwavering focus on the UK’s overall competitiveness. 

    Today marks the beginning of delivering this strategy in close partnership, at pace, and with a shared purpose.

    Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO at Make UK said:

    British industry has been in desperate need for a government who understands our sector and had the strategic vision for a plan for growth. Today’s Industrial Strategy is a giant and much needed step forward taken by the Secretary of State who has seen the potential and provided the keys to help unlock it.

    Make UK has led the campaign for a new industrial strategy for many years, highlighting the three major challenges that were diminishing our competitiveness, hampering growth and frustrating productivity gains: a skills crisis, crippling energy costs and, an inability to access capital for new British innovators.

    The strategy announced today sets out plans to address all three of these structural failings. Clearly there is much to do as we move towards implementation but, this will send a message across the Country and around the world that Britain is back in business.

    Tufan Erginbilgic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:

    The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy commitment to support our world-leading aerospace and nuclear industries shows long-term strategic foresight. Rolls-Royce’s highly differentiated technologies in gas turbines and nuclear capabilities- including SMRs and AMRs- are uniquely placed to deliver economic growth, skilled jobs and attract investment into the UK.

    Mike Hawes OBE, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    The publication of an Industrial Strategy – one with automotive at its heart – is the policy framework the sector has long-sought and Government has now addressed. Such a strategy – long-term, aligned to a trade strategy and supported by all of Government – is the basis on which the UK automotive sector can regain its global competitiveness. Making the UK the best place to invest now depends on implementation, and implementation at pace, because investment decisions are being made now against a backdrop of fierce competition and geopolitical uncertainty. The number one priority must be addressing the UK’s high cost of energy, enabling the sector to invest in the technologies, the products and the people that will give the UK its competitive edge.

    Five sector plans have been published today:

    • Advanced Manufacturing – Backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years, with the aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK – from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.
    • Clean Energy Industries – Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035, with Great British Energy helping to build the clean power revolution in Britain with a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains, taking the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to £1 billion.
    • Creative Industries – Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.
    • Digital and Technologies – Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses, with more than £2 billion to drive the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme, £187 million for training one million young people in tech skills and targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies such as cyber security in Northern Ireland, semiconductors in Wales and quantum technologies in Scotland. 
    • Professional and Business Services – Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the world’s most trusted adviser to global industry, revolutionising the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI and working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas.  

    Notes to editors

    • The Industrial Strategy will be published on Gov.UK tomorrow.
    • The Defence, Financial Services and Life Sciences sector plans will be published shortly.
    • The 7000 businesses are an indicative estimate of how many businesses could be in scope of the scheme. The full scope and eligibility of the scheme will be determined following consultation.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Safer Boating Forum “Maintaining unity”

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    More than 50 members – the largest turnout to date – gathered to reflect on the progress made in implementing the Recreational Craft Strategy 2023–25 and to plan for the months ahead.

    Maritime NZ’s Harm Prevention Lead – Recreational Craft, Victoria Slade, says one of the standouts of the day for her was a deep dive into one particular risk area: dinghies.

    “Following powerboats, dinghies are the second most common type of recreational craft involved in fatal accidents. Dinghies represent 12% of all recreational craft, yet are responsible for 26% of fatalities (more than 45 fatalities in the past 11 years),” she says. “So it’s really concerning that there are currently no safety interventions focussed on using dinghies safely.”

    As part of the discussion, forum members worked together to develop possible strategies to encourage safe behaviour for dinghy users.

    Other topics explored include:

    • how best to promote the wearing of lifejackets, including through the potential introduction of legislation
    • given the overrepresentation of Māori and Pacific men in fatality statistics, how we can build meaningful relationships with Māori communities to ensure that initiatives are developed on a foundation of mutual trust and respect
    • close-to-shore forecasting – the weather services available and their coverage, strengths and limitations, and how weather predictions differ in close-to-shore areas
    • the Kia Mataara winter campaign – Better your odds – which focuses on encouraging 40–60-year-old males to increase their odds of coming home safely.

    The forum was organised and chaired by Maritime NZ and included presentations from partners ACC, Drowning Prevention Auckland, and MetService.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More tāmariki Māori to learn in safe, warm & dry classrooms

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is enabling more tāmariki access to full immersion learning in safe, warm and dry classrooms.

    A $28 million investment will deliver 20 new classrooms across four Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education kura and the commencement of a permanent site for a kura north of Auckland – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki. The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. 

    “This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

    The new classrooms will be built at the following kura:

    • 8 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt
    • 6 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill
    • 4 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in Kaikohe
    • 2 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton

    The investment includes the first stage of a long-awaited new school for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka. Once complete, it will have 19 classrooms and be designed to support future Wharekura expansion.

    Construction on these projects is expected to begin within the next 12 months, using modular building methods to accelerate delivery and ensure cost-efficiency.

    “Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.”

    This Government committed $50 million through Budget 2025 to deliver up to 50 classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education for approximately 1,100 ākonga. This is part of a wider programme of investment in Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.

    This includes:

    • $10 million to launch a new Virtual Learning Network (VLN) for STEM education (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics).
    • $4.5 million to develop comprehensive new te reo matatini and STEM curriculum resources and teacher supports.
    • $2.1 million to develop a new Māori Studies subject for Years 11–13.
    • $14 million into training and support for up to 51,000 teachers/kaiako.
    • $4.8 million to appoint seven new curriculum advisors for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.
    • $4.1 million to support the sustainability and data capability of the Kōhanga Reo Network.
    • $3.5 million to support WAI 3310 Waitangi Tribunal Education Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry.

    “We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,” Ms Stanford says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 23, 2025
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