Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2024-2025/2271 |
Category: Asia
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MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on February 28, 2025
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MIL-OSI: Nokia to modernize data center infrastructure for Maxis #MWC25
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Press Release
Nokia to modernize data center infrastructure for Maxis #MWC25- Data center refresh to support digital transformation for Malaysian service provider in expanding Southeast Asia market.
- Nokia to deploy data center switches and automation platform for improved scale, reliability and simplicity.
28 February 2025
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced a significant upgrade to the data center infrastructure of Maxis, Malaysia’s leading integrated telecommunications provider, aimed at enhancing connectivity and scalability with Nokia’s data center switches and Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform. The deployment will support Maxis’s business growth by providing a scalable, secure, and efficient data center architecture.The modernization of Maxis’ data center connectivity technology will help the company simplify network operations, solve issues faster and automate workloads, all on a robust and secure infrastructure.
Nokia will deploy its cutting-edge 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR) data center switches and EDA technology across multiple Maxis data centers. This upgrade will enable Maxis to provision infrastructure resources without delay, reduce complexity and ensure secure applications running in the network can scale gracefully.
“This expansion of our longstanding collaboration with Nokia will drive next-generation connectivity in anticipation of customers’ growing needs. It reflects Malaysia’s emergence as a hub for data centers and hyperscalers, in line with greater adoption of AI-enabled cloud infrastructure. This initiative will enhance our network capabilities, ensuring we are able to continue providing best-in-class connectivity-adjacent solutions powered by fast, secure and reliable connectivity,” said Goh Seow Eng, Chief Executive Officer at Maxis.
“Data center networks are critical infrastructure and need to be extremely reliable while also being simple to deploy and operate. We are pleased to work with Maxis to modernize their data center infrastructure with our advanced data center switches and EDA technology to provide Maxis with a future-proof architecture that is scalable, resilient, and easy to deploy. This collaboration is a testament to the strength of our technology and our commitment to supporting our customer’s growth in the booming data center market in Southeast Asia,” added Ming Kin Ngiam, Head of Southeast Asia South for Network Infrastructure at Nokia.
Nokia is helping cloud builders worldwide to build modern data center networks that are highly reliable, secure and easy to operate – which is essential to meet the growing demands of AI workloads globally. Nokia’s EDA ensures faster response times, reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, consumes less compute resources and handles network-wide operations at scale with consistent performance. By proactively resolving issues, it boosts reliability and reduces operational costs.
The Nokia 7220 IXR, a key component of Nokia’s Data Center Fabric solution, provides fixed-configuration, high-capacity platforms that offers unmatched scale, flexibility and operational simplicity to data center and cloud environments. These scalable next-generation platforms are designed to meet the high connectivity and density demands of webscale companies, service providers and enterprises.
Multimedia, technical information and related news
Web Page: Nokia Data Center Networks
Product Page: Nokia EDA
Product Page: Nokia 7220 IXRAbout Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
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MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s retirement savings are too big to invest at home – here’s why super funds are looking to the US
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Thorp, Professor of Finance, University of Sydney
You might remember Pesto, the king penguin chick who became a star attraction at Melbourne Aquarium last year. Good food, good genes and a safe home let Pesto grow into a huge ball of brown fluff twice the size of his parents. Pesto became a local and international celebrity.
While not cute or funny like Pesto, Australia’s financial sector gave birth to its own baby three decades ago that has since rapidly grown into a big adult – superannuation. It, too, has become internationally famous.
This week, our superannuation sector attracted the attention of US asset managers and government officials, including the new US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, at a summit in Washington DC.
Super industry leaders joined Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Australian ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, to pitch a strengthening of ties. So, why are Australian super funds so keen to shore up support in the United States?
Read more:
Your super fund is invested in private markets. What are they and why has ASIC raised concerns?
A giant nest egg
Figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) show the total pool of superannuation assets had grown to about A$4.2 trillion by December 2024. That’s up 11.5% on the year before.
That’s about 160% of the value of all goods and services produced in Australia – the gross domestic product (GDP) – over the year to June 2024 at $2.6 trillion.
This scales to a very large pool of investable retirement money – the fifth largest in the world. Australia’s population ranks just 54th in the world.
Some of the biggest individual funds have significant assets under management. Australian Super and Australian Retirement Trust, for example, both manage more than $300 billion in retirement savings.
Looking overseas
This leads us to why the Australian super industry is securing openings in the US. Australian super funds have invested some funds overseas since their inception. But this practice is expanding quickly for two reasons.
First, the sheer size of the superannuation investment pool has largely outgrown its Australian asset base.
To illustrate, our $4.2 trillion super pool is significantly larger than the total market capitalisation of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), about $3.1 trillion.
Without new places to invest our super, it’s impossible to keep earning a return on it.
The second – and related – reason is the need for diversification. It makes sense to lower risk by spreading funds across industries, geographies and jurisdictions.
A scan of the aggregated asset allocation of large Australian super funds shows that around half of the funds invested in equities, property and infrastructure are currently in overseas assets.
The US accounts for about 45% of aggregate financial assets of all investors worldwide – more than US$90 trillion (A$144 trillion).
The strategy to diversify investments has paid off. The US stock market has seen some spectacular recent returns, with annual returns of more than 20% in some years. These have far outpaced those of the ASX.
Compulsory savings
Australia’s super sector has been fed by compulsory contributions (savings) and investment returns. Super has also been protected by legislation that makes participation compulsory for most workers and preserves savings until retirement.
Australia has had a system of compulsory employer superannuation contributions for workers since 1992.
DGLimages/ShutterstockSince 1992, employers have made compulsory (superannuation guarantee) contributions on behalf of workers into superannuation accounts. The compulsory contribution has risen significantly from an initial 3% of earnings to 12% of earnings from July this year.
High coverage (well over 90% of workers), combined with rising contribution rates, has meant the amount of money flowing into superannuation accounts has grown at a remarkable compound annual rate of 14% since 1992.
Even after the superannuation guarantee rate peaks at 12% this year, growth in labour earnings, fed by workforce and productivity growth, will continue to generate substantial inflows.
Can’t touch our nest egg early
Australia’s strict rules preventing withdrawals from super are among the tightest in the world. With some exceptions for extreme hardship, members of super funds can withdraw their savings from age 60 if they retire, and from age 65 even if they have not retired.
An ageing population will mean more retirees in future decades, speeding up outflows. But so far, Australian retirees are proving to be very cautious with their nest eggs.
Along with compulsory contributions and rules on withdrawing it, investment returns have grown the super baby, at rates of 7.3% annually over the past 30 years, or about 4.4% annually above inflation.
The super sector is still smaller than its older sibling, the banking system, where assets of A$6.3 trillion are about 240% of the value of annual GDP. But super is forecast to grow to 200% of annual GDP over the next two decades.
Riskier investments
To generate these rates of return, Australian super funds have invested in a wide range of financial assets, and with a substantial exposure to high return (but riskier) assets.
In Australia, super funds invest around two-thirds
of funds in equities, property, infrastructure and commodities, and around one-third in safer bonds and cash.That contrasts with some other pension systems, such as Japan and the UK, where a majority of funds are invested in safer assets like government bonds.
Susan Thorp is a member of UniSuper. She receives and has received research funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the TIAA Institute (USA), IFM, and UniSuper and Cbus Superannuation funds via ARC Linkage Grants. Thorp was previously Professor of Finance and Superannuation at UTS, a position that was partly funded by Sydney Financial Forum (Colonial First State Global Asset Management), the NSW Government, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the Industry Superannuation Network (ISN), and the Paul Woolley Centre for the Study of Capital Market Dysfunctionality, UTS. She was an Associate Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), and is a member of the OECD-International Network on Financial Education Research Committee, the Steering Committee of the Mercer CFA Global Pensions Index, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Consultative Committee, the Board of New College (UNSW) and the Research Committee of Super Consumers Australia, a not-for-profit advocacy organisation for Australian pension plan participants.
– ref. Australia’s retirement savings are too big to invest at home – here’s why super funds are looking to the US – https://theconversation.com/australias-retirement-savings-are-too-big-to-invest-at-home-heres-why-super-funds-are-looking-to-the-us-250920
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MIL-Evening Report: Yes, paper straws suck. Rather than bring back plastic ones, let’s avoid single-use items
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bhavna Middha, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University
When US President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to return to plastic straws, claiming the paper version is ineffective and “disgustingly dissolves in your mouth”, he was widely criticised for setting back efforts to reduce plastic pollution. But many alternatives designed to help phase out single-use plastics don’t really solve the problem at all.
It’s not unusual to see plastic bans challenged or overturned. However, a government ban on the substitute is altogether new.
It’s true paper straws can disintegrate and become soggy before we finish a drink. Problems with finding viable substitutes to single-use plastics is one of the many challenges involved in phasing them out.
Sometimes, swapping one single-use item for another really is more trouble than it’s worth. A better approach would be to change our society’s single-use and disposal mindset.
The problem with plastic
Plastic pollution is an urgent problem for the environment and human health. Microplastics are everywhere, from Antarctica to our brains.
Plastic is made from fossil fuels, and so contributes to global warming. What’s more, plastic production is forecast to triple by 2050.
But recycling is difficult. Less than 10% of the world’s plastic has been recycled.
So we need to reduce our use of plastic in the first place, rather than trying to clean it up afterwards.
Substituting plastic straws for paper still involves using virgin materials.
JeniFoto/ShutterstockPoor substitutes and other traps
Trump rejected paper straws, saying they “don’t work” as well as plastic straws. The poor consumer experience of drinking through a soggy straw is one thing, but there are other problems too.
Swapping one problematic or hazardous material for another is sometimes called “regrettable substitution”, because the replacement has its own issues. For example, one harmful chemical used to make plastics is often replaced with others that are as bad or worse.
Paper straws, like paper cups, are often coated with plastics such as polyethylene or acrylic resin. This makes them difficult to recycle but also raises the risk of pollution. Some paper straws have been shown to contain more “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) than plastic.
Along with paper, other plant-based materials such as corn starch and bamboo are increasingly replacing single-use plastics – especially in food packaging. These substitutes carry a cost that is passed down to consumers, and many are more expensive to produce than plastic.
Some are labelled “compostable” or “biodegradable”. The term compostable suggests they will break down in home compost heaps or green waste bins, but that has been called into question.
Unfortunately, the term “biodegradable” does not necessarily mean a material will break down in home compost, or even landfill. It may require heat or pressure – in an industrial setting – for it to disintegrate enough to be harmless or safely used on your garden.
When it comes to straws, paper, bamboo, metal and glass have all been adopted as substitutes. Metal and glass straws could be dangerous for kids and less able-bodied people. They can also be hard to clean. Again, “biodegradable plastic” products have been accused of greenwashing and have been banned from organic composting bins in New South Wales and potentially Victoria because they don’t disintegrate well or are contaminated.
Meanwhile, thicker plastic bags labelled “reusable” have been introduced following bans on lightweight “single-use” plastic bags. While these durable bags may be reused for months at a time, they will eventually wear out and then they are even harder to break down in landfill.
Plastic bans can be problematic
Governments all over the world have attempted to ban single-use plastic. Often these bans are introduced without considering how the products are used in daily life and how those services will be replaced. The changes may disadvantage certain groups and new supply chains need to be created.
Often, governments wanting to be seen as protecting the environment target the low-hanging fruit such as plastic straws and plastic bags, rather than packaging as a whole.
So it’s no surprise these bans have faced opposition. Many have already been repealed or diluted.
In India, for example, the plastic ban was criticised for shifting the burden of waste management away from larger, more polluting industries on to smaller businesses. Larger establishments were also accused of passing the costs of substitute packaging, such as more expensive paper and cloth, to consumers.
Better to avoid single-use items
It’s time to stop searching for the perfect substitute. Let’s instead focus on getting rid of single-use items altogether.
Remember, straws were originally used for very specific cases and places: very young children and others unable to drink straight from a cup. They might still need straws.
Single-use bottles are unnecessary. We should learn from Germany’s glass bottle reuse system and set up circular loops of production and distribution.
Get serious about reducing plastic packaging
While some packaging – even some plastics – is needed for food safety and freshness, an overhaul of unnecessary packaging would go a long way.
In the United Kingdom, anti-waste charity WRAP examined fresh produce in supermarkets and called for the government to ban packaging on 21 fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets by 2030. These included cucumbers, bananas and potatoes.
Removing unnecessary packaging and plastics involves reconfiguring social rules, knowledge, standards and expectations such as making items without packaging affordable and widely available. We must challenge our disposable society by creating spaces and practices that allow reuse.
Better policies and regulations
Policies that prevent plastics from reaching consumers in the first place would be better than bans on single-use items.
Governments should put the onus on the corporations that have profited from plastic and their role in plastic pollution.
Supermarkets and the food industry as a whole must also take responsibility for their part in the plastic waste problem.
Voluntary codes have not worked. Government regulation levels the playing field, but industry expertise and technical and social knowledge is needed to ensure systems work. While not without its challenges, Australia’s tyre recycling system has addressed many similar issues. The scheme’s approach to developing a national market for used tyres could be replicated for plastics, packaging and glass.
Meaningful change for our environment and health requires government regulations done well and fairly. It also requires coordinated waste infrastructure and industry practices that build on technical expertise and consumers’ lived experience.
Bhavna Middha receives funding from the Australian Research Council through the Discovery Early Career Research Award.
Ralph Horne receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and a range of industry and government partners from time to time, to support research activities relevant to this article. In particular, he is a Chief Investigator on the ARC Research Hub Transformation of Reclaimed Waste Resources to Engineered Materials and Solutions for a Circular Economy (TREMS).
Kajsa Lundberg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Yes, paper straws suck. Rather than bring back plastic ones, let’s avoid single-use items – https://theconversation.com/yes-paper-straws-suck-rather-than-bring-back-plastic-ones-lets-avoid-single-use-items-250266
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MIL-OSI China: China’s new scientific marvel: A world-class extreme conditions lab
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF), a Chinese “super lab,” has passed a national acceptance review, marking its readiness for advanced materials’ scientific research. The SECUF combines extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures, ultra-high pressure, strong magnetic fields and ultra-fast optical fields into one facility.
Open to the global scientific community, the SECUF has hosted experiments from 13 universities and research institutions across 10 countries, including Denmark, Germany, France and Japan, leading to new scientific adventures.
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MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic clarifies the mechanism of cedar pollen allergen inactivation by gaseous hypochlorous acid
Source: Panasonic
Headline: Panasonic clarifies the mechanism of cedar pollen allergen inactivation by gaseous hypochlorous acid
Osaka, Japan, February 28, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation today announced that its Heating & Ventilation A/C Company clarified the mechanism of cedar pollen allergen inactivation by gaseous hypochlorous acid, jointly with ITEA Inc., Institute of Tokyo Environmental Allergy.*2 This suggests that the same inactivation mechanism can also be applied to other protein-based allergens.
The prevalence of hay fever, a common allergic disease, has been increasing in Japan every year, with rates recorded at 19.6% in 1998, 29.8% in 2008, and 42.5% in 2019.*3 Cedar pollen allergens, to which approximately 90% of hay fever patients have an allergic reaction,*3 include Cry j 1 adhered to the surface of the pollen outer wall, and Cry j 2, which is present inside the pollen grain and is emitted when the outer wall is broken. It has been revealed that they are composed of proteins, similar to mold and mite allergens.
Since adopting the hypochlorous acid solution*4 for the hygiene maintenance system of cup-dispensing vending machines in 1987, Panasonic has been researching hypochlorous acid technology for approximately 40 years*5 and conducted various tests to verify bacterial and viral inhibition and deodorization. Although the company has verified that hypochlorous acid inactivates the Cry j 1 cedar pollen allergen, its mechanism had not yet been clarified.
During ongoing joint research, Panasonic exposed the Cry j 1 cedar pollen allergen to gaseous hypochlorous acid by using a dedicated device to verify whether changes in the amino acid sequences of proteins present in Cry j 1 would be observed. As a result, the random split of peptide bonds*6 formed between amino acids was confirmed. The company revealed that this phenomenon inactivated Cry j 1, and that the antigenicity causing allergy symptoms was no longer detected.
Regarding the current verification results, Director Masahiro Sakaguchi of the Institute of Tokyo Environmental Allergy, ITEA Inc., and Professor Emeritus at Azabu University, commented, “Based on the inactivation mechanism of the Cry j 1 cedar pollen allergen identified through current research, I infer that if other problematic indoor allergens are also composed of proteins, they will be inactivated by similar mechanisms. I believe that these verification efforts bear significant meaning for the future development of allergy-related research.”
Panasonic will engage in research on hypochlorous acid technology to create a space, where people can live with a sense of security and safety.Notes:
*1: Substance causing allergy symptoms
*2: These verifications were conducted for basic research purposes and did not involve any products.
*3: Hay Fever Environmental Health Manual 2022, Ministry of the Environment (https://www.env.go.jp/chemi/anzen/kafun/2022_full.pdf) *Japanese only
*4: Solution made by electrolysis of salt water
*5: Including the SANYO Electric era
*6: Covalent bond formed by alpha-amino acids through dehydration and condensation -
MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on February 27, 2025
Source: Reserve Bank of India
(Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
Volume
(One Leg)Weighted
Average RateRange A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,68,518.08 6.23 5.15-6.65 I. Call Money 18,397.29 6.31 5.15-6.40 II. Triparty Repo 3,97,349.95 6.21 5.90-6.32 III. Market Repo 1,51,241.64 6.27 5.75-6.45 IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,529.20 6.41 6.40-6.65 B. Term Segment I. Notice Money** 224.50 6.28 5.80-6.45 II. Term Money@@ 910.00 – 6.50-7.25 III. Triparty Repo 380.00 6.40 6.40-6.40 IV. Market Repo 633.79 6.61 6.35-6.62 V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – – Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
Cut off RateC. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) I. Today’s Operations 1. Fixed Rate 2. Variable Rate& (I) Main Operation (a) Repo (b) Reverse Repo (II) Fine Tuning Operations (a) Repo Thu, 27/02/2025 1 Fri, 28/02/2025 49,955.00 6.26 (b) Reverse Repo (III) Long Term Operations^ (a) Repo (b) Reverse Repo 3. MSF# Thu, 27/02/2025 1 Fri, 28/02/2025 1,334.00 6.50 4. SDFΔ# Thu, 27/02/2025 1 Fri, 28/02/2025 1,03,098.00 6.00 5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]* -51,809.00 II. Outstanding Operations 1. Fixed Rate 2. Variable Rate& (I) Main Operation (a) Repo Fri, 21/02/2025 14 Fri, 07/03/2025 41,046.00 6.26 (b) Reverse Repo (II) Fine Tuning Operations (a) Repo (b) Reverse Repo (III) Long Term Operations^ (a) Repo Fri, 21/02/2025 45 Mon, 07/04/2025 57,951.00 6.26 Fri, 14/02/2025 49 Fri, 04/04/2025 75,003.00 6.28 Fri, 07/02/2025 56 Fri, 04/04/2025 50,010.00 6.31 (b) Reverse Repo 3. MSF# 4. SDFΔ# D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$ 9,095.71 E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]* 2,33,105.71 F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]* 1,81,296.71 G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks (i) Cash balances with RBI as on February 27, 2025 9,42,396.93 (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending March 07, 2025 9,22,740.00 H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ February 27, 2025 49,955.00 I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on February 07, 2025 -1,973.00 @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL). – Not Applicable / No Transaction. ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor. @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor. $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI. & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020. Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022. * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF. ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015. # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023. ^ As per the Press Release No. 2024-2025/2013 dated January 27, 2025, Press Release No. 2024-2025/2138 dated February 12, 2025, and Press Release No. 2024-2025/2209 dated February 20, 2025. Ajit Prasad
Deputy General Manager
(Communications)Press Release: 2024-2025/2269 -
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai presides over third meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Details
2024-11-28
President Lai presides over second meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
On the afternoon of November 28, President Lai Ching-te presided over the second meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. In his opening statement, the president said that we are implementing mental health support programs this year to provide more support for young and middle-aged people, pointing out that the policy has served over 20,000 people since it was implemented just over three months ago. In terms of bolstering mental health resiliency, the president said we still have much to do, our government must lead by example, and the public and private sectors must work together, making every effort to ensure that no one is left behind. Noting that our goal is to reduce the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by the year 2030, President Lai stated that next year’s budget for cancer screening will be increased to NT$6.8 billion. He also stated that plans are in the works to establish a fund for new cancer drugs, adding that in the general budget we will allocate NT$5 billion, which will gradually rise to NT$10 billion. At the same time, he said, we are also actively promoting genetic testing and precision medicine. He expressed confidence that expanding preventive screening at the front end and providing advanced treatments at the back end will effectively fight cancer and improve the overall health of our citizens. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: Today is the second meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. First, I want to thank our two deputy conveners, our advisors and committee members, and our friends online for their enthusiastic participation. I also want to welcome Committee Member Chien Wen-jen (簡文仁), who was on leave for the previous meeting. I would also like to introduce three new committee members: Let’s welcome Committee Member Huang Chin-shun (黃金舜), president of the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations. During the pandemic, he led the nation’s pharmacists in promoting services including name-based distribution systems for masks and rapid-test kits and home delivery of medications. I am sure that he will be able to provide many valuable views regarding pharmaceutical safety and supply resilience. Let’s also welcome Committee Member Ko Fu-yang (柯富揚). During his time as secretary-general of the National Union of Chinese Medical Doctors’ Association, he led the Chinese medicine community in the transition from experience-based medicine to evidence-based medicine, and promoted the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. With his participation, the committee will be able to spur research and development in both modern and traditional medicine. Our third new committee member is Liao Mei-nan (廖美南), president of the Taiwan Nurses Association, who was unable to be here today. She has long been dedicated to raising the quality of nursing care and actively promoting a high-quality, friendly work environment for nurses. The committee will rely on her experience to strengthen the link between policy and practice in nursing care. I want to thank all the members of the committee once again for working together with the government. Since the last committee meeting, under the guidance of Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has implemented various policies. At the beginning of October, for example, three major AI centers were set up to resolve three key AI application issues: implementation, certification, and reimbursement, helping advance Taiwan’s smart healthcare ecosystem. At today’s meeting, the MOHW will first deliver a report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting, followed by a joint report by the MOHW and Ministry of Education on bolstering public mental health resilience and a report by the MOHW on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The World Health Organization has affirmed that “there is no health without mental health.” In a fast-changing, fast-paced society, the government should invest more resources in the field of mental health to safeguard the people’s overall health. We are therefore implementing mental health support programs this year and expanding the range of eligibility, from 15 to 30, to 15 to 45 years old, to provide more support for young and middle-aged people. That policy has served over 20,000 people since it was implemented just over three months ago. In terms of bolstering mental health resiliency, we still have much to do. From the workplace to the campus and every corner of society, our government must lead by example, and the public and private sectors must work together, making every effort to ensure that no one is left behind. Aside from mental health, in view of cancer being the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 42 consecutive years, our goal is to reduce the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by the year 2030. And so we must expand screening and advance treatment. Last year, the government subsidized screenings for five types of cancer, providing a total of 4.87 million screenings and detecting 11,000 cases of cancer and 52,000 cases of precancerous conditions. We have allocated an additional NT$4 billion beginning next year, bringing the total budget for cancer screening to NT$6.8 billion, to expand the scope of cancer screening eligibility and services. Plans are also in the works to establish a fund for new cancer drugs. In next year’s general budget we will allocate NT$5 billion, which will gradually rise to NT$10 billion, to provide reimbursement funding for a variety of new cancer drugs and reduce the economic burden on patients. These new measures will be reported on in detail moments from now by the MOHW. At the same time, we are also actively promoting genetic testing and precision medicine. Next generation sequencing, for example, has already been included in National Health Insurance coverage, which will help provide patients with precise, individualized treatment strategies. I am confident that expanding preventive screening at the front end and providing advanced treatments at the back end will effectively fight cancer and improve the overall health of our citizens. Today’s meeting will help the government understand viewpoints from many perspectives so we can promote policies that more closely meet the public’s needs. Let’s keep working hard together. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting from deputy executive secretary and National Health Insurance Administration Director General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良), a joint report on bolstering public mental health resilience from Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) and Deputy Minister of Education Lin Teng-chiao (林騰蛟), and a report on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment strategies from Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chou Jih-haw (周志浩). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.Details
2024-11-28
President Lai presides over first meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
On the afternoon of August 22, President Lai Ching-te presided over the first meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. As the committee’s convener, the president presented committee members with their letters of appointment, and explained that the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee is not just about promoting a Healthy Taiwan, but also achieving a Balanced Taiwan. The president stated that the committee spans various areas of expertise, and also considers the balance of Taiwan’s northern, central, southern, and eastern regions. The president expressed confidence that by soliciting a wide range of suggestions, engaging in diverse dialogue, and forging a consensus, the committee can help to realize health equality and further elevate the standard of medical care in Taiwan. President Lai indicated that next year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s total budget will be increased, along with expanded investment in medical treatment and care. In addition, he reported that the central government budget has also added a National Health Insurance (NHI) financial assistance program, which will help to enhance the work environments of healthcare professionals. The president stated that we will also launch the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan to help rear talent and develop smart medicine. These budgets and programs, President Lai stated, reflect the government’s determination to create a Healthy Taiwan, and prove that “Healthy Taiwan” is not just a slogan, and has already been turned into concrete action. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: At the end of my first month in office, I announced that the Presidential Office will establish three committees in response to three major global issues of nationwide concern: climate change, health promotion, and social resilience. These committees will consolidate forces from different sectors to strategize on national development. At the beginning of this month, we convened the first meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. Today, we convene the first meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. I would like to thank the three deputy conveners and all advisors and committee members for making a commitment to the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. I also want to thank our fellow citizens and friends joining us online to follow the committee’s proceedings. During my campaign, I was constantly thinking about what I could contribute to our people that is different from past presidents if I were fortunate enough to be elected. After a lot of thought, I felt that as a physician, I should utilize my professional background in health care and work together with people from all sectors of society to help create a Healthy Taiwan. Healthy Taiwan is our goal, and health is both a basic human right and a universal value. Health promotion not only involves the well-being of a nation’s people, but is also of great concern to humankind so that we may survive and thrive. Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community. Amid the challenges of the pandemic over the past few years, we have shared disease prevention supplies, technology, and experience with countries around the world, and have continued to contribute to the global public health system. Going forward, Taiwan must actively address critical health-related challenges, including cancer, transnational communicable diseases of unknown origin, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, a low birth rate, and an aging society. We are confident that, sharing countermeasures and experience with countries around the world, we can keep people healthy and make the nation stronger so that the world embraces Taiwan. I want to thank former Superintendent of National Cheng Kung University Hospital Chen Jyh-hong (陳志鴻), who is also a mentor of mine, for organizing five regional forums and a national forum for the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Alliance this past March and April. Over 1,200 healthcare professionals from all over the country attended the forums and shared their views. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), and I were also invited to attend the national forum and participate in full. I also want to thank the experts from various fields for their suggestions throughout this process, which became key reference points for promoting policies after we took office on May 20. The position paper on the table in front of you is a compilation of those valuable insights, which will be the foundation of our future actions. To implement the Healthy Taiwan initiative, we must also achieve a Balanced Taiwan. Therefore, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee established today not only spans various areas of expertise, but also considers the balance of Taiwan’s northern, central, southern, and eastern regions to achieve nationwide health equality. I want to thank the nine advisors here with us today: Superintendent Wu Ming-shiang (吳明賢), Superintendent Chen Wei-ming (陳威明), Chairman Cherng Wen-jin (程文俊), President Chiu Kuan-ming (邱冠明), and Chairman Chang Hong-jen (張鴻仁) from northern Taiwan; Superintendent Chen Mu-kuan (陳穆寬) from central Taiwan; Superintendent Lin Sheng-che (林聖哲) and President Yu Ming-lung (余明隆) from southern Taiwan; and Superintendent Lin Shinn-zong (林欣榮) from eastern Taiwan. Your participation will give us a better understanding of viewpoints from around the country. The objective of Healthy Taiwan is to raise the population’s average life expectancy while simultaneously reducing time spent living with illness or disability, while also caring for physical, mental, and spiritual health. The 20 members of the committee are therefore drawn from a variety of fields of professional expertise. We have Superintendent Chen Shih-ann (陳適安) in the field of smart medicine, Vice-Superintendent Susan Shur-fen Gau (高淑芬) in pediatric psychiatry, medical and long-term care service integration specialist Superintendent Chan Ding-cheng (詹鼎正), and emerging infectious disease specialist Director Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬). We have also invited Professor Tsai Sen-tien (蔡森田) to provide suggestions on optimizing healthcare services and health insurance sustainability, and invited President Chou Ching-ming (周慶明) and President Huang Cheng-kuo (黃振國) to continue promoting the Family Medicine Plan and report on primary care issues. We have also recruited President Li Yi-heng (李貽恒), who put forward the 888 Program for prevention and treatment of the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar) and kidney disease, pediatric health specialist President Ni Yen-hsuan (倪衍玄), women’s health care specialist Secretary-General Huang Jian-pei (黃建霈), and President Hung Te-jen (洪德仁), who is focused on community development. We also have Dean Shan Yan-shen (沈延盛) from the field of cancer prevention and treatment, psychiatric and mental health specialist Professor Su Kuan-pin (蘇冠賓), epidemiology expert and Emeritus Research Fellow Ho Mei-shang (何美鄉), and biomedicine and regenerative medicine specialist Professor Patrick Ching-ho Hsieh (謝清河). The committee also includes specialist in nutrition and health for all ages President Kuo Su-e (郭素娥), and expert in the promotion of physical activity and health Vice Chairman Chien Wen-jen (簡文仁). I also want to thank Chairman Lin De-wen (林德文) for participating as we work together to enhance the health and well-being of indigenous peoples. In addition, public sector participants include Minister of National Development Liu Chin-ching (劉鏡清) and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀), as well as Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), who is serving as executive secretary, and NHI Administration Director General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) serving as deputy executive secretary. Over 80 percent of the committee’s members are from the private sector, and I will take advantage of this opportunity to continue to combine the strengths of all stakeholders throughout society to promote a healthy lifestyle for one and all, and enhance medical care for all ages. At today’s first meeting of the committee, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will brief us on two topics: the first is the Healthy Taiwan vision plan, illustrating Taiwan’s current challenges and opportunities, as well as an action blueprint. The second issue is reform and optimization for NHI sustainability. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of our NHI system. NHI is the pride of Taiwan, because health insurance can free citizens from the vicious cycle of poverty caused by illness, or illness caused by poverty. Since 2020, the NHI system has achieved a public satisfaction rate of over 90 percent. Next year, Taiwan will also become a “super-aged society,” which means that one of every five people will be a senior citizen 65 or older. Due to new pharmaceuticals of all kinds, the development of new technologies, and citizen expectations for an optimized medical practice environment, many aspects of health insurance operations will face an increasing number of challenges. The NHI system’s core values are health equality and mutual assistance for all. Better care for everyone, however, depends on sustainable NHI operations. We closely monitor NHI system point values, but also want to embody the greater values of the system. The government will continue to refine the budget system and management, rationally distribute medical resources and stabilize point values, and continue to optimize NHI finances to enhance the efficiency and quality of services. We also look forward to working with everyone to achieve sustainable NHI development, enhance health equality, and further elevate the standard of medical care in Taiwan. I also want to report that next year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s total budget will reach NT$370.2 billion, an increase of NT$31.8 billion over this year. The total budget is expected to allocate NT$60.7 billion to expand investment in medical treatment and care to create a Healthy Taiwan. The central government budget has also added an NHI financial assistance program that includes incentives for maintaining specified nurse-patient ratios across all three shifts and rotating night-shift nursing staff, and promoting smart information upgrades at medical facilities to enhance the work environments of healthcare professionals. We will also launch the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan, investing funds to support medical institutions at all levels nationwide, rear talent, and develop smart medicine. Regarding the fund for new cancer drugs that many cancer patients care deeply about, in next year’s general budget we will allocate NT$5 billion for health insurance funding. In 2026, that figure is expected to reach NT$10 billion. We will also promote the fifth-stage national plan for cancer prevention and treatment, and beginning next year the budget for cancer screening will be increased by NT$4 billion, reaching NT$6.8 billion, to boost screening rates. I want everyone to know that these budgets and programs reflect the government’s determination to create a Healthy Taiwan. Since I took office, the government has created plans and programs to increase nursing staff levels and promote public mental health. We also launched an Acute Hospital Care at Home pilot project to provide integrated long-term and medical care services. Once again, I would like to thank everyone here today for participating, and thank our fellow citizens for their support. I also want our fellow citizens to know that Healthy Taiwan is not just a slogan, and has already been turned into concrete action. These are all concrete, substantive actions by a government team that has been in office for less than 100 days. I am confident that with the support and participation of our committee members and advisors, and through soliciting a wide range of suggestions, engaging in diverse dialogue, and forging a consensus, our actions to create a Healthy Taiwan will more closely align with society’s expectations, and we will move more quickly and steadily toward realizing our vision. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai presented letters of appointment to the committee members, heard a report from Minister Chiu illustrating the Healthy Taiwan vision plan, and heard a report from Director General Shih on reform and optimization for NHI sustainability. Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the two reports and the Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Office of the President Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee.Details
2024-11-28
President Lai attends opening of International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2024
On the morning of June 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM) 2024. In remarks, President Lai stated that one goal of his administration is to create an even healthier Taiwan and that we will continue to strengthen our capabilities in medicine and public health to enhance health for all and help make the world a better place. The president emphasized that the global disease prevention network is something every country should be a part of, and that if any country is missing from this network, the rest of the world will be at a disadvantage. The president then asked for the participants’ support for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Organization so that we may contribute even more to the global public health system. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to begin by welcoming all guests from overseas to Taiwan. ICEM is the world’s largest conference on emergency medicine. Over 2,500 experts and academics from home and abroad have gathered here for this year’s conference. This not only underlines the importance of emergency medicine, but is also a testament to global cooperation in medicine. This year also marks TSEM’s [Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine] 30th anniversary. I would like to thank Chairperson Ng Chip-jin (黃集仁), President Hsu Chien-chin (許建清), and everyone who helped bring ICEM to Taiwan. This conference will help expand people-to-people diplomacy, showing Taiwan’s development and contributions in emergency medicine to the world. I am confident that everyone here shares my belief that health is a basic human right. And to ensure this right, emergency medical professionals are indispensable. Before entering politics, I myself worked as a clinician. I know well that emergency rooms are at the frontline of hospitals, and often the last hope for those who need lifesaving care. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we all witnessed the rapid response and important support of emergency medical professionals, who gave their all for the health of others. I want to take this opportunity to express my utmost respect for your work. The theme of ICEM 2024 is Glocalization of Emergency Medicine: Global Wisdom and Local Solution. With that in mind, I hope that through clinical research, public health, smart tech, and other strategies, we can help reduce disparities in emergency medicine around the world. Here in Taiwan, we have made major progress in emergency medicine, from developing a cutting-edge trauma care system to implementing advanced strategies for disaster response. We are also committed to training highly skilled professionals in the field, as well as developing an advanced medical infrastructure. This conference will give Taiwan the opportunity to share our experience, and allow everyone to exchange best practices, engage in discussions, and promote the global development of emergency medicine. One goal of my administration is to create an even healthier Taiwan. We will continue to strengthen our capabilities in medicine and public health to enhance health for all and help make the world a better place. A healthier Taiwan also means a booming medical sector, and an even higher quality and diversity of medical services. Taiwan has had, and will continue to have, many medical accomplishments to share with the world. Today, all of you gather here to continue making global contributions through emergency medicine. The mission of IFEM [International Federation for Emergency Medicine] is to create a world where all people, in all countries, have access to high quality emergency medical care. On this point, the global disease prevention network is something every country should be a part of. If any country is missing from this network, the rest of the world will be at a disadvantage. I would like to ask for your support for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Organization, so that we may contribute even more to the global public health system. And as President Hsu Chien-chin has said, although the road is long, if we travel together, we can travel far. With this vision as our guide, alongside our friends from around the world, Taiwan will strive to achieve our common goals and realize quality healthcare for all. I wish ICEM 2024 great success, and all participants a rewarding experience. I also invite you to travel around Taiwan during your stay, and get to know our beautiful nation. Following his remarks, President Lai and the distinguished guests took part in the kick-off ceremony for the conference. IFEM President Ffion Davies was also in attendance at the event.Details
2024-11-28
President Lai meets WHA action team
On the morning of June 1, President Lai Ching-te met with members of Taiwan’s World Health Assembly (WHA) action team. In remarks, President Lai stated that standing on the front lines, the team fought for the human right to health for both Taiwan and the world. He also thanked the international community for their support for Taiwan. The president said that Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community when it comes to ensuring global health security. In addition, he said that one of the new government’s goals is to create a healthier Taiwan, as we want our people to live longer and healthier, and that we want to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in public health and medicine. He said we will continue to deepen our partnerships with other countries as we build an even more resilient global public health system, and that a healthy Taiwan will help make the world a better place. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to warmly welcome our partners from the WHA action team back from Geneva, and express my appreciation for your hard work and efforts. Standing on the front lines, you fought for the human right to health for both Taiwan and the world, and we thank you for giving it your all. Your flight only just arrived at 7 a.m., but I can see that everyone is still in high spirits. You have truly put in your heart for Taiwan, and once again, I thank you all. It is regrettable that at this year’s WHA, constrained by political factors, a proposal item for Taiwan to join as an observer was not included in the agenda yet again. However, the hard work of our WHA action team over the years has already borne fruit. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare signed MOUs with the public health agencies of the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and bilateral talks this year included discussion on substantive cooperation. The bilateral talks carried out by our action team in Geneva were not only more numerous this year, but also involved officials of even higher level. The team also held professional forums addressing important issues of the WHA in cooperation with various medical and health organizations. This is all proof of Taiwan’s contribution toward global public health and the human right to health. The steps we take for Taiwan to participate in world health affairs will not falter. Support for Taiwan from the international community grows stronger year by year. This year, 26 member states of the World Health Organization and the European Union, which is an observer, directly or indirectly voiced their support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA. Their support reaffirms that Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community when it comes to ensuring global health security. Health knows no borders. Health is a basic human right. One of the new government’s goals is to create a healthier Taiwan. We want our people to live longer and healthier. And we also want to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in public health and medicine, as we deepen our cooperation with other countries and work together to advance the health of humankind and global sustainable development. I want to thank the member states for their support for Taiwan. I also want to once again thank the members of the WHA action team and our many friends, both here and outside of Taiwan, for their hard work on this issue. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our partnerships with other countries as we build an even more resilient global public health system. So just as democratic Taiwan continues to shine its light upon the world, a healthy Taiwan will help make the world a better place. On that note, let us keep working together toward these goals. After President Lai concluded his remarks, Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) presented a photo collage to show President Lai some of the highlights of the action team’s activities in Geneva.Details
2024-11-28
President Tsai meets World Medical Association President Lujain Alqodmani
On the morning of December 11, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by World Medical Association (WMA) President Dr. Lujain Alqodmani. In remarks, President Tsai thanked the WMA for its many years of speaking up for Taiwan on the international stage. President Tsai emphasized that we will continue to show how Taiwan can help by actively contributing to global health security. The president expressed her belief that with Taiwan’s achievements and capabilities in medicine and public health, we can join forces with many more countries to optimize the medical environment and make a more positive impact on the health of humankind. A translation of President Tsai’s remarks follows: I extend a warm welcome to President Alqodmani, who is visiting Taiwan once again. I am also glad to see WMA Secretary General Dr. Otmar Kloiber. Both of you are well acquainted with Taiwan and are our close friends. You have demonstrated your support through concrete actions. I would like to express my deepest thanks. The WMA is the largest international NGO that represents physicians. You staunchly defend health security and the rights and interests of physicians around the world with professionality and impartiality. I want to take this opportunity to thank the WMA on behalf of the Taiwanese people for its longstanding support of our participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Health Assembly (WHA). This May, for example, our WHA action team collaborated with the WMA to hold a forum on emergency medicine in Geneva in the lead-up to the WHA. We will continue to show how Taiwan can help by actively contributing to global health security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan demonstrated the resilience of its public healthcare system and shared its experiences in combating the pandemic with the world. We have also shared our medical services and construction capabilities, two areas in which we excel, with our diplomatic allies to help enrich the lives of their people and enhance the quality and environment of healthcare. We hope that President Alqodmani and Secretary General Kloiber will continue to speak up for Taiwan on the international stage. I believe that with Taiwan’s achievements and capabilities in medicine and public health, we can join forces with many more countries to optimize the medical environment. Together, we can make a more positive impact on the health of humankind. I also want to thank the Taiwan Medical Association (TMA) for serving as a bridge of communication between the government and the medical community, which helps us in implementing many of our policies. We look forward to the TMA further expanding exchanges and cooperation between the medical and international communities. I am looking forward to exchanging ideas with you today. Your visit to Taiwan will no doubt lay the groundwork for further cooperation. I wish you all a successful trip.Details
2025-02-14
President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you. -
MIL-OSI China: LIULI artworks merge Chinese tradition with green innovation
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
A brand new collection of LIULI Crystal Art, “One Thought, One Universe,” has become a major attraction at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California.
Loretta H. Yang, a renowned LIULI artist and founder of LIULI Crystal Art, introduces her creation at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California, the United States, on Feb. 25, 2025. A brand new collection of LIULI Crystal Art, “One Thought, One Universe,” has become a major attraction at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
The collection, consisting of elegant crystal glass-topped tables, exemplifies the harmonious blend of artistic sophistication with environmental awareness.
The pieces are crafted using repurposed casting residual materials, employing green production methods that streamline manufacturing processes, minimize waste, and reduce carbon emissions.
“By incorporating green production methods, LIULI artworks achieve an impressive balance between traditional Chinese art, sustainability, and the reduction of our carbon footprint,” said Loretta H. Yang, a renowned LIULI artist and founder of LIULI Crystal Art, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
“LIULI” refers to a time-honored technique of ancient Chinese crystal glass craftsmanship. The glass’s unique crystalline nature interacts with light, creating a dazzling contrast of shadow and illumination. The term “LIULI” is derived from China’s Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) and symbolizes the rich heritage of Chinese glass art.
At Bloomingdale’s in South Coast Plaza, the LIULI collection is infused with vibrant colors, capturing the spirit of Chinese culture and offering a joyful and elegant experience to visitors.
In the interview, Yang explained how Chinese culture serves as the foundational source of inspiration for her works.
She emphasized that the cultural richness and symbolic meanings of traditional Chinese elements are integral to her creative process.
The art pieces are adorned with totems representing various aspects of Chinese philosophy on life and culture, incorporating auspicious symbols such as dragons, phoenixes, Qilin, and lotus flowers. They also reflect the poetic imagery of Tang and Song dynasties.
“The essence of Chinese culture is a crucial source of inspiration,” Yang noted. “It is a vast and abundant resource that continuously nourishes our creative endeavors.”
A visitor views a Liuli artwork at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California, the United States, on Feb. 25, 2025. A brand new collection of LIULI Crystal Art, “One Thought, One Universe,” has become a major attraction at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
SHARING CHINESE STORIES WITH WESTERN AUDIENCES
LIULI artwork collections have attracted lots of visitors at South Coast Plaza, especially Americans who are drawn to works featuring elements of nature such as flowers, animals, and the vibrant imagery of Chinese cultural symbols.
“Dragons, phoenixes, and the twelve Chinese zodiac animals are particularly popular among Western audiences,” Yang said.
The zodiac-themed pieces, in particular, draw significant attention around the Lunar New Year, a time of cultural celebration.
Yang emphasized the importance of sharing Chinese stories through art, aiming to build a bridge between cultures. “Each LIULI piece carries a core message of love. Every creation is unique, with its own story to tell. Each work comes with a dedicated poem, telling its story, imparting blessings, and establishing a connection between the artist and the viewer,” Yang explained.
“We hope to showcase the charm of Chinese art and help foreign audiences understand Chinese culture through the poems and narratives behind each artwork,” she added.
Founded in 1987 and expanding into the U.S. market in 1999, LIULI Crystal Art has grown from a modest workshop into one of Asia’s leading creators of crystal art.
Yang said the company has developed strong partnerships with prominent American museums and galleries. “Through collaborative exhibitions and cultural exchanges, LIULI Crystal Art is committed to sharing the values of Chinese culture and fostering meaningful dialogue between East and West.”
A visitor takes photos of a Liuli artwork at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California, the United States, on Feb. 25, 2025. A brand new collection of LIULI Crystal Art, “One Thought, One Universe,” has become a major attraction at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, Southern California. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
INSPIRING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
In response to the challenges posed by global warming, LIULI Crystal Art continues to integrate sustainability into its design process, prioritizing waste reduction and increasing the recycling of materials.
“We place a strong emphasis on environmental consciousness in our design process,” Yang told Xinhua. “Our team is committed to adopting green production techniques that reduce manufacturing processes and repurpose leftover materials, aiming to improve carbon emissions and contribute to sustainable development.”
One of the company’s iconic pieces, the Earth Table, reduces carbon emissions by 341 kilograms — equivalent to the carbon absorption of two camphor trees over 36 feet tall for a year, according to Yang.
Building on over 30 years of revitalizing the ancient art of pâte de verre, LIULI Crystal Art continues to evolve this Asian craft with modern technology, producing artworks that honor China’s cultural heritage while embracing sustainable practices, Yang said.
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MIL-OSI Economics: Sony and JLPGA Sign Official DX Partner Agreement
Source: Sony
Tokyo, Japan — Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) and the Japan Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association (“JLPGA”) announced today that they have signed a three-year partnership agreement under which Sony will be the JLPGA’s Official DX Partner from FY2025 to 2027.
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MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia Pacific – Korea Expert Jean Lee Named East-West Center’s Inaugural Presidential Chair
Source: East-West CenterHONOLULU (Feb. 27, 2025) – The East-West Center (EWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean H. Lee as the Center’s inaugural Presidential Chair. This prestigious position is funded through the Charles Morrison Endowed Fund, made possible by a private donor in recognition of former EWC President Charles E. Morrison’s exceptional service to the Center.The establishment of the Presidential Chair underscores EWC’s commitment to seeking out exceptional leaders who will drive transformative discoveries and inspire innovation across the Center’s endeavors. In this role, Lee will work closely with the EWC president to pursue interdisciplinary initiatives that advance the Center’s federally mandated mission of fostering cooperative study, research, and dialogue centered on US relations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Lee, who first joined EWC in 2023 as a visiting fellow, brings a distinguished career as an award-winning journalist, commentator, and expert on North Korea. Co-host of the Peabody Award-nominated podcast The Lazarus Heistfor the BBC World Service, Lee’s extensive experience includes her tenure as the Associated Press bureau chief for the Korean Peninsula, where she became the first American reporter to join Pyongyang’s foreign press corps. Her groundbreaking work includes opening AP’s Pyongyang bureau in 2012, producing exclusive, award-winning coverage of North Korea.
Lee’s career reflects her commitment to fostering global understanding, with reporting assignments spanning Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa and North America. As a policy expert, she has held leadership positions at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where she served as director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, and is an active member of the Council of Korean Americans and the National Committee on North Korea. A respected analyst and sought-after speaker, she has been invited to testify before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee and speak at the Aspen Security Forum, and regularly provides analysis to major media outlets and documentaries exploring Korea issues.“This appointment is a testament to the importance of private philanthropic support in advancing EWC’s mission during a pivotal time,” said EWC Interim President Dr. James K. Scott. “We are grateful to the private donor whose dedicated support has enabled Center to recruit an internationally known authority of Jean Lee’s caliber as our inaugural Presidential Chair. Her experience and expertise will be vital in helping the Center fulfill our collaborative mission while rising to meet the needs of a fast-changing region and world.”
For more information about the East-West Center and its programs, please visit www.EastWestCenter.org
For more information about the East-West Center Foundation, please visit Give.EastWestCenter.org
The EAST-WEST CENTER promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. -
MIL-OSI China: China’s e-commerce giant ramps up AI investment to innovate business landscape
Source: China State Council Information Office
This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2024 shows an outdoor installation featuring “Double 11” shopping festival at Alibaba Group’s Xixi Park in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Qwen foundation model, developed by China’s Alibaba Group, has spawned over 100,000 derived models, claiming the top spot globally. This advancement comes as the e-commerce giant continues to ramp up its investment in AI, aiming to bring about transformative changes to its business landscape.
Alibaba recently announced that it would invest more than 380 billion yuan (about 53 billion U.S. dollars) in building cloud and AI hardware infrastructure in the next three years.
“We will focus on the domestic and overseas e-commerce business, cloud computing technologies and internet platform products,” said Eddie Wu, Alibaba Group’s CEO, at an earnings call in February.
The development of AI is bringing about significant changes to the industry, Wu said. “Our planned investment in cloud and AI infrastructure over the next three years is set to exceed what we have spent over the past decade.”
The substantial investment increase in research and development of basic AI models is expected to uphold the group’s advanced technologies and its leading position in the industry, while also driving the development of AI native applications.
Alibaba Group is an important player in the AI landscape within the Asian market, boasting the largest cloud services scale in Asia and ranking fourth globally.
Through deep integration of cloud and AI technologies, Alibaba Cloud aims to become one of the largest cloud computing networks delivering AI intelligence.
“We anticipate 90 percent of future tokens, intelligent output generated by models, will be created and processed through cloud networks, as only cloud architecture can efficiently handle such massive computational demands,” Wu said.
He said the next three years could be the most intense and substantial period for cloud infrastructure development in Alibaba’s history.
Leveraging its globally distributed data centers, the company will deliver these resources to application developers worldwide with unparalleled speed and accessibility, Wu said.
“If AI is one of the most common commodities in the future, just like electricity today, then cloud computing networks would perform like a power grid,” he said.
Alibaba will also keep advancing AI integration with its e-commerce platform Taobao to redefine lifestyle consumption.
Taobao is developing multiple AI-driven initiatives to enhance consumer engagement and transaction efficiency. The upcoming AI-powered solutions will also be applied across various consumption scenarios, including purchase decisions, Wu said.
“We believe AI serves as an important driver in elevating Taobao’s user engagement and commercial value,” he said.
Alibaba is also considering evolving its Amap from a navigation tool into a lifestyle services gateway by embedding AI innovations. With its massive 170 million daily active user base, Amap will hopefully become China’s next-generation AI-driven platform for location-based consumer experiences, Wu said.
To meet the AI development needs of consumer business, Alibaba Group has recently announced hundreds of recruitment positions. AI technology and product related research and development positions account for 90 percent of these new positions. They will be engaged in the cutting-edge technologies and applications such as text, multi-modal large models and AI Agent.
“We take AI as a once-in-a-generation industry transformation opportunity. Our primary goal is to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), continuously pushing the boundaries of model intelligence,” Wu said.
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MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – SMART Researchers Pioneer First-of-its-Kind Nanosensor for Real-Time Iron Detection in Plants
Source: Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)- This is the first nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between two different forms of iron, Fe(II) and Fe(III), in living plants with high spatial and temporal resolution
- This innovation enables real-time, non-destructive iron tracking within plant tissues across different plant species, optimising plant nutrient management, reducing fertiliser waste, and improving crop health
- The new nanosensor also has potential applications beyond agriculture, in environmental monitoring, food safety, and health sciences, particularly in studying iron metabolism, iron deficiency, iron-related diseases in humans and animals.
Singapore, 28 February 2025 – Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have developed a groundbreaking near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between iron forms – Fe(II) and Fe(III) – in living plants.
Iron is crucial for plant health, supporting photosynthesis, respiration, and enzyme function. It primarily exists in two forms: Fe(II), which is readily available for plants to absorb and use, and Fe(III), which must first be converted into Fe(II) before plants can utilise it effectively. Traditional methods only measure total iron, missing the distinction between these forms – a key factor in plant nutrition. Distinguishing between Fe(II) and Fe(III) provides insights into iron uptake efficiency, helps diagnose deficiencies or toxicities, and enables precise fertilisation strategies in agriculture, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving crop productivity.
This first-of-its-kind nanosensor by SMART researchers enables real-time, non-destructive monitoring of iron uptake, transport, and changes between its different forms, such as Fe(II) and Fe(III) – providing precise and detailed observations of iron dynamics. Its high spatial resolution allows precise localisation of iron in plant tissues or subcellular compartments, enabling the measuring of even minute changes in iron levels within plants – these minute changes can inform how a plant handles stress and uses nutrients.
DiSTAP researchers develop sensors for rapid iron detection and monitoring in plants, enabling precision agriculture and sustainable crop management. Credit: SMART DiSTAP
Traditional detection methods are destructive or limited to a single form of iron. This new technology enables the diagnosis of deficiencies and optimisation of fertilisation strategies. By identifying insufficient or excessive iron intake, adjustments can be made to enhance plant health, reduce waste, and support more sustainable agriculture. While the nanosensor was tested on spinach and bok choy, it is species-agnostic, allowing it to be applied across a diverse range of plant species without genetic modification. This capability enhances our understanding of iron dynamics in various ecological settings, providing comprehensive insights into plant health and nutrient management. As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for both fundamental plant research and agricultural applications, supporting precision nutrient management, reducing fertiliser waste, and improving crop health.
“Iron is essential for plant growth and development, but monitoring its levels in plants has been a challenge. This breakthrough sensor is the first of its kind to detect both Fe(II) and Fe(III) in living plants with real-time, high-resolution imaging. With this technology, we can ensure plants receive the right amount of iron, improving crop health and agricultural sustainability,” said Dr Duc Thinh Khong, DiSTAP research scientist and co-lead author of the paper.“In enabling non-destructive real-time tracking of iron speciation in plants, this sensor opens new avenues for understanding plant iron metabolism and the implications of different iron variations for plants. Such knowledge will help guide the development of tailored management approaches to improve crop yield and more cost-effective soil fertilisation strategies,” said Dr Grace Tan, TLL Research Scientist and co-lead author of the paper.The research, recently published in Nano Letters and titled, “Nanosensor for Fe(II) and Fe(III) Allowing Spatiotemporal Sensing in Planta”, builds upon SMART DiSTAP’s established expertise in plant nanobionics, leveraging the Corona Phase Molecular Recognition (CoPhMoRe) platform pioneered by the Strano Lab at SMART DiSTAP and MIT. The new nanosensor features single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) wrapped in a negatively charged fluorescent polymer, forming a helical corona phase structure that interacts differently with Fe(II) and Fe(III).Upon introduction into plant tissues and interaction with iron, the sensor emits distinct NIR fluorescence signals based on the iron type, enabling real-time tracking of iron movement and chemical changes.The CoPhMoRe technique was used to develop highly selective fluorescent responses, allowing precise detection of iron oxidation states. The NIR fluorescence of SWNTs offers superior sensitivity, selectivity, and tissue transparency while minimising interference, making it more effective than conventional fluorescent sensors. This capability allows researchers to track iron movement and chemical changes in real-time using NIR imaging.“This sensor provides a powerful tool to study plant metabolism, nutrient transport, and stress responses. It supports optimised fertiliser use, reduces costs and environmental impact, and contributes to more nutritious crops, better food security, and sustainable farming practices,” said Professor Daisuke Urano, TLL Senior Principal Investigator, DiSTAP Principal Investigator, NUS Adjunct Assistant Professor, and co-corresponding author of the paper.“This set of sensors gives us access to an important type of signalling in plants, and a critical nutrient necessary for plants to make chlorophyll. This new tool will not just help farmers to detect nutrient deficiency but also give access to certain messages within the plant. It expands our ability to understand the plant response to its growth environment,” said Professor Michael Strano, DiSTAP Co-Lead Principal Investigator, Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, and co-corresponding author of the paper.Beyond agriculture, this nanosensor holds promise for environmental monitoring, food safety, and health sciences, particularly in studying iron metabolism, iron deficiency, and iron-related diseases in humans and animals. Future research will focus on leveraging this nanosensor to advance fundamental plant studies on iron homeostasis, nutrient signaling, and redox dynamics. Efforts are also underway to integrate the nanosensor into automated nutrient management systems for hydroponic and soil-based farming and expand its functionality to detect other essential micronutrients. These advancements aim to enhance sustainability, precision, and efficiency in agriculture.The research is carried out by SMART, and supported by the National Research Foundation under its Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme. -
MIL-OSI Economics: Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2024—Volume II: Trends and Challenges Facing Small Businesses in Timor-Leste—Key Survey Findings
Source: Asia Development Bank
The report explores how Timor-Leste’s largely homogenous MSMEs are trading and looks at issues around financing, digitalization, and supply chains. It shows how policies designed to incentivize exports, boost innovation by clustering businesses, and encourage digitalization could support a mid- to long-term strategy to develop a diverse range of growth-orientated ventures.
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MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins The Story With Martha MacCallum on Fox News to Discuss Trump’s Peace Negotiations
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined The Story With Martha MacCallum on Fox News to discuss President Donald Trump’s peace negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
*Click the photo above or here to watch* Partial Transcript
Hagerty on Trump’s peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine: “I think what President Trump has done in many ways is completely shift the dynamic, Martha. He’s finding a new place and frankly, giving [President] Vladimir Putin more room to negotiate, to get to a place where President Trump wants him to be […] One thing I’d point out, Martha, is that Trump’s relationship with Putin has been quite different. You recall during Trump’s first Administration; Putin did not take aggressive actions like this. It was under [Former President Barack] Obama that Putin came in and took Crimea. It was under [Former President Joe] Biden when he came in and had the most recent invasion and launched the war in Ukraine. Things will be very different with President Trump, and I think he’s setting up the circumstances so that they will be. So, I won’t be surprised at all to see President Trump and President Putin talk. I’ve been with the two of them before, and I can say this, Martha: there’s a great deal of respect from President Putin toward President Trump. And I think President Trump is going to leverage that respect to get to a deal that’s going to be better off for all concerned. He’s been clear at the outset; he wants this carnage to come to an end in Ukraine. Ukrainian people have died. Their country has been decimated. He wants it to end. He wants it to end under terms that are more favorable to the U.S. taxpayer. I think that’s going to come clear tomorrow, and by having more U.S. investment in Ukraine, Ukraine will be more secure and in a better place going forward.”
Hagerty on U.S. competitive advantage with a strong economic foundation: “It certainly is a way that I look at it, and I think President Trump has a similar view. A strong economic foundation is at the core of our diplomacy, a strong military presence to top that. And [when] we have [a] strong economic relationship, a strong military posture, then diplomacy is effective and it’s possible. That’s the approach that President Trump is taking. In terms of comparing it to the [Chinese Communist Party] and their Belt and Road initiative, I might take a different tack there. The CCP uses what they call Debt-trap diplomacy. They come in making very strategic investments, often ones that countries can’t handle. They often use corruption as a tool, as a weapon. I think when you look at the United States and particularly conversations President Trump and I have had directly, what we look at is providing, for example, clean U.S. LNG to other parts of the world. That is a geostrategic tool that we can use that makes everyone better off economically and also aligns our economic interests, our energy interests, and our national security interests at the same time.”
Hagerty on economic opportunities in a deal that could benefit the U.S.: “President Trump, if anything, is a world-class negotiator. And as I said, he tries to find a position to get on different footing. He’s been trying to get President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to the table on this critical minerals deal. We had him very close, then suddenly he wasn’t there. Now we’re back where we need him to be again. And on Friday, I look forward to [seeing] this deal come forward. It may be even more than just a critical minerals deal, but President Trump has been negotiating in his own style to get Zelensky back here in the United States, signing up to a deal that’s going to be better for all parties.”
Hagerty on the importance of U.S. production of aluminum: “Aluminum is a critical national security interest for the United States. We have aluminum interest in my home state of Tennessee. I want to see the industry stronger here. And from a national security standpoint, I’m very focused on maintaining U.S. production of aluminum.”
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MIL-OSI Submissions: Global: Failure to consult Indigenous Peoples on future pandemics will further harm children’s education – Amnesty International
Source: Amnesty InternationalThe failure of governments around the world to consult Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 school closures and other emergency pandemic responses violated their rights, as children continue to feel the effects five years after the first global lockdown, Amnesty International said in a new report today.
Indigenous leaders interviewed by Amnesty International for its report What If Indigenous Consent Is Not Respected?, testified to sharp and sustained increases in post-pandemic absenteeism and school dropout rates, of more than 80 per cent in some cases, among Indigenous children in more than 10 countries. Indigenous leaders and activists also voiced concerns that the often discriminatory, desultory or non-existent response by authorities to the educational needs of Indigenous children during the pandemic worsened long-standing inequities faced by Indigenous communities – with Indigenous girls and children with disabilities particularly disadvantaged. Going forward, the organization is calling for Indigenous Peoples to be consulted during future pandemics. (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol40/8959/2025/en/ )
“The Indigenous leaders and activists we spoke to felt completely ignored by governments during the pandemic, which had an enduring and damaging impact on their rights and prospects,” said Chris Chapman, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Indigenous Rights.
“They said that remote learning solutions were often unavailable to Indigenous children. Those in rural areas, where Indigenous communities often lacked devices, internet connections, electricity and the technological knowledge or capacity to participate in virtual classes or remote learning, were worst affected.”
When lower-tech solutions such as printed materials were distributed to other groups, Indigenous communities in several different countries said they were passed over, ignored, or asked to pay for them.
Indigenous campaigner Sylvia Kokunda said: “For the most part these materials were distributed by the local government, since it can be easier for the village chairperson to identify the people in this community. However, local officials would not give the materials to these Batwa people, they would give only to their people.”
Radio or television-based educational broadcasting during the pandemic was often unavailable in Indigenous languages. An Ogiek activist said that although Sogoot FM 97.1, an Ogiek language radio station, was used to reach the community to inform them about Covid-19 and its impacts, it was not used for school coursework.
The report is based on data and more than 80 interviews or collected responses that Amnesty International gathered to explore how Indigenous students around the world were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, including in Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan and Uganda. There are 476 million Indigenous people worldwide in more than 90 countries, belonging to 5,000 different Indigenous groups and speaking more than 4,000 languages.
Technology, discrimination and dropout rates
Where Indigenous families had limited access to technology for remote learning during the pandemic, boys were often prioritized.
According to Indigenous women activists from Nepal, “If some families have a mobile, then only one or two will use it. And if there are more children in the house, one has to sacrifice their education. When it comes to the sacrifice, the girls are sacrificed more.”
Even if Indigenous students had devices capable of being used for remote learning, their families were sometimes unable to afford sufficient data. In addition, remote teaching was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.
Children with learning difficulties or disabilities which required specialist teaching, for instance through use of sign language or braille, were often excluded, including among Indigenous communities.
Interviewees in many states said there was often little or no government monitoring, or consideration of the effectiveness of alternative learning initiatives for Indigenous communities. Information on how to access education when schools closed – and they stayed shut for more than 18 months in some countries – was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.
Students with little or no access to education during the pandemic often worked instead, and never returned to schools when they reopened. Those who did return when schools reopened, often found that they had fallen behind their classmates. If they were unwilling to retake a year, or could not be supported financially, they too dropped out.
In Kenya, the majority of dropouts of Ogiek students were girls, especially girls who got pregnant during Covid-19 or were subjected to early marriage. However, it affected boys too. An Indigenous activist from Kenya said: “Boys between the ages of 12 and 18 who had begun working in jobs such as motorcycle taxi drivers or farm workers to earn money for themselves and their families also dropped out.”
Some schools across many states never reopened, further reducing access to education for Indigenous children, Indigenous activists reported.
Asked to reply to Amnesty’s findings, the Mexican government stated that it responded to the “unprecedented challenge of Covid-19″ by working with Indigenous schools and teachers to roll out a set of measures including distributing materials in five Indigenous languages, sometimes in printed formats where access to internet or devices was restricted, developing new digital educational materials, and capacity-building for schools and parents to use digital platforms.
Recommendations
“Significantly more resources are now required to safeguard, restore and improve the educational opportunities and rights of Indigenous communities,” Chris Chapman said.
“States must work with Indigenous communities to immediately restore and enhance the right to education for all Indigenous children including a focus on re-enrolling Indigenous girls, and Indigenous students with disabilities.”
Alongside the report, Amnesty International has shared a guide for researchers who wish to investigate the extent to which the human right to participate effectively in decision-making has been violated, especially when it comes to Indigenous communities. (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol30/8958/2025/en/ )
“Governments must consult with Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 response measures and other pandemic and emergency response measures, otherwise they risk violating their right to consultation, and their right to give or withhold their consent to decisions affecting them. Our study highlights the risks of failing to take into account the realities, cultures and rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Chris Chapman.
“While our report sets out the devastating impact of this lack of inclusion, it’s hoped that Amnesty’s guide will ensure Indigenous people are included in discussions that affect them in the future. Every child has the right to free, high-quality primary education. States must therefore ensure that no child is left behind.”
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cannabis case wide open after arrests in both islands
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye, Tasman District Organised Crime Group.
Police have arrested three men in relation to the cultivation and sale of cannabis.
One local man was arrested in Picton yesterday and two other men were located and arrested in Auckland.
The man arrested in Picton was caught as he walked off the Interislander Ferry. Police located his suitcase which was full of vacuum-packed cannabis packages. A search of his Picton address located over $12,000 in cash. He also had a BB gun resembling a Glock pistol and a small amount of Class B drug MDMA.
He appeared in the Blenheim District Court today on a charge of possession of cannabis for supply.
The two men arrested in Auckland are Vietnamese nationals believed to be part of an organised crime syndicate, one of whom was in New Zealand illegally.
The men had just delivered a suitcase full of cannabis to Wellington, when they were arrested. They appeared in the Auckland District Court today and their bail was opposed.
All three men are all aged in their 20s.
Enquiries are ongoing and Police cannot rule-out the possibility of further arrests.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dye says the arrests come as a result of an investigation that has spanned Tāmaki Makaurau, Wellington and Tasman which targeted an opportunist profit-driven business.
We believe that these Vietnamese men are working with others cultivating and dealing cannabis in Auckland rental properties. This type of activity is linked to organised crime groups and cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.
Often the properties used by these groups will appear innocent and will not attract the attention of neighbours.
“These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis and often with risky electrical installations.”
“This type of activity is dangerous and creates a significant fire risk. Often electricity is being stolen to run these grow operations.”
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Police are reminding landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties:
• Ensure there are regular property inspections.
• Carry out thorough vetting: get two forms of photo ID and sight the original documents.
• It’s important for the community to remain vigilant as well. If you see suspicious activity, such as large deliveries of fertilizer bags being dropped off without any corresponding gardening occurring, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, please contact Police.
• Report any information you have by calling 105 or go online to make a report at www.police.govt.nz/use-105
• You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre -
MIL-OSI Australia: Address at the Royal Australian Mint 60th anniversary, Canberra
Source: Australian Treasurer
I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people on whose lands we meet today, and all First Nations people present. Thank you, and welcome to the voice of Trixie Heeler, Myf Warhurst. It’s wonderful to have you as part of this special occasion.
A big thank you to the Royal Australian Mint and Acting CEO Emily Martin for hosting this event, and to all of you – coin collectors, visitors, Mint staff, and Canberrans – for being here today.
Today, we celebrate 60 years of the Royal Australian Mint—a milestone that reflects not only the passage of time but also the evolution of our nation’s currency, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The story of Australian coinage is one of transformation and progress. When the Mint opened its doors in 1965, Australia was on the cusp of a historic shift – from the familiar imperial system of pounds, shillings, and pence to a modern decimal currency.
Proposals to adopt decimal currency emerged shortly after Federation, but it was not until Leslie Melville’s 1957 Decimal Currency Council report that momentum began. The new Currency Act was enacted in 1963, and the public were asked what to call the new currency. Suggested names included ‘Austral’, ‘Oz’, ‘Boomer’, ‘Emu’, ‘Deci‑mate’, ‘Kwid’, ‘Kanga’, ‘Digger’, ‘Dinkum’ and ‘Roo’. Some rue the fact that we eventually went with ‘dollar’.
The switch to decimal currency was a national effort, one that required education, precision, and trust – all embodied in the very coins produced within these walls.
Befitting the romantic approach of the Mint, Valentine’s Day 1966 was chosen for the changeover, and public education campaigns began. One jingle was sung by a character dubbed ‘Dollar Bill’ to the tune of the folk song ‘Click Go the Shears’:
In come the dollars and in come the cents
To replace the pounds and the shillings and the pence.
Be prepared folks when the coins begin to mix
On the 14th of February 1966.I wasn’t born until the following decade, but the Mint’s jingle was such an effective earworm that my parents often sang it to my brother and me as young children.
Handling 2 currencies wasn’t easy. Many shopkeepers had conversion charts behind the counter, and there were humorous moments as Australians adjusted. One story, possibly apocryphal, is of a man who walked into a bar a few weeks after the introduction of decimal currency and attempted to pay for his drink using a mixture of new and old coins. The bartender, flummoxed by the mix of pence and cents, apparently decided it was easier to give the bloke his drink on the house.
The designer who gave these coins their first distinct character was Stuart Devlin, a Melbourne‑born artist and silversmith. His designs, chosen through a national competition, brought our native wildlife to life on the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50‑cent pieces. The bounding kangaroo, the spiky echidna, and the playful platypus became symbols of Australian pride. Devlin’s artistry set a benchmark for numismatic design, and his influence continues to be felt in the coins produced by the Mint today.
The history of Australian currency stretches back well before decimalisation. Before the Mint’s founding, before Federation, before European settlement, different forms of exchange shaped our economy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaged in sophisticated barter systems, trading goods such as ochre, shell, and tools across vast distances. The earliest colonial transactions were conducted with rum, promissory notes, and an eclectic mix of foreign coins before the establishment of our first official currency. Today, the Mint serves as the custodian of the National Coin Collection, preserving these stories and artefacts so future generations can walk through history – not just since 1965, but from our nation’s earliest days.
The Mint has also played a key role in preserving Australia’s military history through commemorative coin releases. From ANZAC Day coins to the first coloured red poppy coin in 2012, released in partnership with the RSL to commemorate the wartime sacrifice of Australian service personnel, these pieces honour our nation’s service and sacrifice. During World War II, Australia faced severe coin shortages and had to mint coins in the USA and India. This experience reinforced the need for a sovereign minting facility, leading to the foundation of the Royal Australian Mint.
The Mint’s work has never been confined to our own shores. Over the decades, it has become a respected global producer, currently supplying coins to 7 nations in the Asia‑Pacific. This international role highlights the skill and reputation of the Mint and has supported the economies of many countries, reinforcing Australia’s standing in the numismatic world.
This global reputation for craftsmanship and innovation has positioned the Royal Australian Mint as more than just a manufacturer – it is a creator of currency that tells a story. Each coin it produces carries history in its design, whether celebrating our culture, achievements, or aspirations.
Coins don’t just mark history—they make history. We’ve seen that most recently with the transition of the effigy on our coinage. For more than 70 years, coins in Australia bore the right‑facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, evolving through 6 different designs as her reign progressed. Then, in October 2023, in this very building, I had the honour of unveiling the left‑facing effigy of King Charles III. It was the first change in monarch on our coins since decimalisation – a reminder that history is reflected in the coins we carry in our pockets.
Looking ahead, the future of coins is a subject of great interest. The rise of digital payments has led some to question their place in modern society. Yet, coins continue to hold cultural, historical, and collectible value. Some of Australia’s most collectible coins, such as the rare 1930 penny, fetch tens of thousands at auction. Error coins, such as the famous 2000 $1 ‘mule’ coin, which was mistakenly struck with a 10c die, remain highly sought after.
The Mint has adapted to technological advancements, from new minting techniques to sustainable materials, ensuring that Australian coins remain relevant in an evolving world. The introduction of coloured and uniquely shaped coins demonstrates the Mint’s continuous innovation.
Today, as we reflect on the past 6 decades, we acknowledge the skill, dedication, and vision of those who have contributed to the Royal Australian Mint’s success. From its first decimal coins to its latest commemorative releases, this institution has helped shape the way Australians interact with their currency, history and culture. It has been more than a manufacturer of money – it has been a storyteller, an innovator, and a guardian of tradition.
Coins of the future will evolve in design, composition, and possibly even purpose. But one thing remains certain – the Royal Australian Mint will continue to play a defining role in Australia’s numismatic legacy. Happy 60th anniversary.
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to LGNZ Metro, Rural and Provincial sectors meeting
Source: New Zealand Government
Good afternoon, everyone. Today I’d like to talk to you about progress the Government has made on our Going for Housing Growth agenda. I’m also excited to announce policy decisions that will improve infrastructure funding and financing to get more houses built.
Thank you to Local Government New Zealand for hosting this meeting. It is crucial that central and local government, work together in the areas of housing, planning reform, and transport to unlock New Zealand’s potential.
NEW ZEALAND’S HOUSING CHALLENGES
Let’s start with an overview of our housing challenge.
Over the last three decades real house prices in New Zealand increased more than any other OECD country. According to the OECD’s Better Life Index, we also rank 40th out of 41 countries for housing affordability – just in front of the Slovak Republic.
Put simply, our housing market has held us back economically and socially:
- New Zealanders spend a larger share of their income on housing – meaning less disposable income can go towards goods, services, and investments,
- In 2022, more than half of all household wealth was tied up in land and houses,
- Homeownership rates are near their lowest in 80 years,
- Young people are leaving New Zealand to find better opportunities, and
- There are 20,300 families on the social housing wait list.
But it hasn’t always been like this. Just 23 years ago in 2002, New Zealand had a house price to wage ratio of 3:1. Now, house prices outstrip wages by over 6:1.
The worst part about this is that we have known about our housing crisis – and how to fix it – for over a decade.
In fact, the first two recommendations in the Productivity Commission’s 2012 inquiry into housing affordability were:
- For central and local government to free up more land for housing in the inner city, suburbs, and city edge; and
- To ensure greater discipline around charging for growth infrastructure.
Since then, report after report and inquiry after inquiry has found that our planning system, particularly restrictions on the supply of developable urban land, are at the heart of our housing affordability challenge.
This Government has seen the evidence, listened, and is getting on with the job.
I am determined to fix our housing crisis by addressing the root cause of the problem, focusing on the fundamentals, and treating housing as a complete and dynamic system.
Getting the settings for housing and land markets right will do three things:
- Lift economic growth and productivity,
- Reduce the social consequences of unaffordable housing, and
- Help us get the Government’s books back in order.
HOUSING IS AN ENABLER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY
I want to spend a bit of time focusing on the relationship between housing and economic growth.
Housing is a basic human need, and it is also an enabler of productivity, and for decades, New Zealand has suffered from a productivity disease.
As Paul Krugman so famously observed, “Productivity isn’t everything, but in the long run, it’s almost everything.”
Productivity growth is a key driver of our standard of living and prosperity.
It will probably surprise – and I hope alarm you – to learn that our productivity is closer to places like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic than it is to Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
In other words, our productivity rates are on par with countries that endured 40 years of communism.
To turn this around, the Government is focused on going for growth, whether that’s in trade, foreign investment, innovation and technology, competition, infrastructure, or housing – the whole shebang.
It is not going to be easy to really get growth and productivity going in New Zealand. But, in my view, getting the underlying settings housing and land markets right will do a lot of the heavy lifting.
There is now a mountain of economic evidence that cities are engines of productivity, and the evidence shows bigger is better.
In New Zealand, it is estimated that doubling a city’s population could increase output by 3.5%. And, on average, workers in cities earn one third more than their non-urban counterparts.
Throughout history, cities have been the hub of innovation. Think 15th century Florence, 17th century Amsterdam, 18th century London, and San Francisco today.
Cities are powerful engines of growth because they foster agglomeration economies – which are the benefits that occur when firms and people cluster together. When people are close, we can more effectively:
- Share infrastructure, supply chains, and capital,
- Match skills to jobs, and
- Learn from each through the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
A floor filled with smart people working next to each other and chatting over coffee, in a building filled with floors, in a city full of buildings, unsurprisingly, enables greater opportunities.
Proximity encourages collaboration and innovation.
So, the question is, are we making the most out of New Zealand’s cities?
If we are honest with ourselves, the answer is no.
Quite often I experience ‘housing utopia whiplash’ – one article says, “don’t put intensification here, we need to protect the wooden villas”, another says “don’t do greenfield development, it contributes to more emissions”.
But if you can’t go up or out, you can’t go anywhere.
To make housing more affordable, our cities need to growth both up and out – we need bigger cities and, we need more houses.
Having more affordable housing would also free up more disposable income and capital for investment in businesses, capital, infrastructure, and people.
Modelling shows, that under an ‘ambitious scenario’ of removing all supply-side constraints, New Zealand could increase output per worker by up to 1.6%, increase workers moving from Australia to New Zealand’s high-productivity regions by up to 7.2%, and increase GDP by up to 8.4%.
Now, removing all supply-side constraints is not realistic – but what I do know is that we can do so much more than we are now.
ACTIONS ON GOING FOR HOUSING GROWTH SO FAR
In July last year, I outlined our Going for Housing Growth policy:
- Pillar 1: freeing up land for development and removing unnecessary planning barriers,
- Pillar 2: improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth, and
- Pillar 3: providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.
We have made good progress on Pillar 1 which includes Housing Growth Targets for Tier 1 and 2 councils to “live-zone” 30-years of housing demand, making it easier for cities to expand, strengthening the intensification provisions in the NPS-UD, putting in new rules requiring councils to enable mixed-used development, and abolishing minimum floor areas and balcony requirements.
Details about how Pillar 1 will be implemented will be announced in the coming months.
Today, I will announce policy decisions Cabinet has made on Pillar 2, which I will get to shortly.
Officials are also working away on Pillar 3 in the context of Pillars 1 and 2, which will ensure that councils and communities face strong incentives – carrots or sticks – for growth.
To help fix the housing crisis, the Government has also:
- Passed the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill to make sensible changes to tenancy rules to encourage landlords into the market;
- Passed legislation to make it easier for international investment into “Build to Rent” housing;
- Passed the Fast-track Approvals Act which makes it much easier to consent large-scale housing developments;
- Funded 1,500 new social housing places delivered by Community Housing Providers; and
- Established a Residential Development Underwrite scheme to support construction during the market downturn.
Before the next election, we will have also replaced the Resource Management Act with new legislation. More on that next month.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ON PILLAR 2
Now let’s talk about Pillar 2 – improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth.
I know central government has given local government a hard time about not zoning enough land for housing. I’ve done it once or twice before.
And it’s true, you haven’t.
But what I have heard from you and housing experts, is that freeing up urban land is not enough on its own. We also need to ensure the timely provision of infrastructure.
Put simply, you can’t have housing without land, water, transport, and other community infrastructure. It’s a package.
However, under the status quo, councils and developers face significant challenges to fund and finance enabling infrastructure for housing.
I hope you’ll agree with me that existing tools like Development Contributions (DCs), and the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act are not fit for purpose.
We want to move to a future state where funding and financing tools enable a responsive supply of infrastructure where it is commercially viable to build new houses.
This will shift market expectations of future scarcity, bring down the cost of land for new housing, and improve incentives to develop land sooner instead of land banking.
To achieve this future, our overarching approach is that ‘growth pays for growth’.
So, today, I am excited to announce five key changes to our infrastructure funding settings that will get more houses built:
- The first is replacing DCs with a Development Levy System,
- The second is establishing regulatory oversight of Development Levies to ensure charges are fair and appropriate,
- The third is increasing the flexibility of targeted rates,
- The fourth is improving the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act, and
- The fifth is broadening existing tools to support value capture.
Essentially, we are developing a flexible toolkit of mechanisms to ensure growth pays for growth”. There is no funding and financing mechanism that will suit all developments. But the flexible toolkit I’m about to outline will help ensure a responsive supply of infrastructure.
Development Levies system
Let’s start with replacing DCs with a Development Levy system.
Under the status quo, councils can only recover infrastructure costs for planned, costed, and in-sequence developments. In effect, this means councils can only recover costs if they have certainty about when, where, and what development occurs.
But this level of certainty isn’t realistic. We don’t live in Ebenezer Howard’s “Garden City” or “planners paradise”, and we’re not stuck in the Soviet Union. We want growth to be demand-led, not planner-led.
We know DCs aren’t working, because councils haven’t been able to effectively recover growth costs, leaving ratepayers to pick up the cheque.
For example, Auckland Council estimates that $330m in growth infrastructure costs for Drury will be met by ratepayers, not by the beneficiaries of the infrastructure. Similarly, Tauranga City Council has reported 16 percent under-recovery for projects that were included in DC policies, which saw over $70m of debt expected to be transferred to ratepayers.
Not only is this unfair, but it makes existing residents resistant to growth.
The political economy of housing is stacked against actually building it. It is not surprising that existing ratepayers mobilise against new housing when they’re required to pick up the tab for the infrastructure required for it.
DCs were designed in 2002 for a world with a strategy of “urban containment”, where councils put rings around and ceilings on top of our cities.
The old model was to plan cities carefully.
So, we sequenced, and planned, and costed the infrastructure, then urban land was dripped slowly into the market. This meant that councils had lots of control over the release of urban land.
But these constraints also created a scorching hot land and housing market driven by artificial scarcity.
Pillar 1 is about upending the system by live zoning 30 years’ worth of housing demand at any one-time for Tier 1 and 2 councils, flooding the market with development opportunities and fundamentally making housing more affordable.
We are deliberately upending the artificial planning and zoning constraints that have made it difficult to use land for housing.
Once Pillar 1 goes live and there is an abundance of urban land, councils won’t be able to plan or cost growth in detail anywhere, everywhere, all at once – it’s simply not feasible.
So, we need a flexible funding and financing system to match the flexible planning system.
That’s Development Levies.
Under this new system, councils and other infrastructure providers will be able to charge developers for their share of aggregate infrastructure growth costs across an urban area over the long-term.
Development Levies will provide far more flexibility for councils and other infrastructure providers to recover costs for any in-sequence development – whether it planned and costed, or not.
Quite simply, this tool will respond to growth and recover costs, no matter where the growth occurs within land zoned for housing.
For areas that are zoned for housing – remembering there will be a lot more of it under our new system – Development Levies will look like:
- Separate levies that are ring-fenced for each specific infrastructure service such as drinking water, wastewater, and transport;
- Specific “levy zones”, which are expected to cover pre-defined urban areas that are larger than most current DC catchments;
- Discretion for councils to impose additional charges on top of the base levy in specific locations that require a particularly high-cost service;
- A prescribed methodology that councils and infrastructure providers must follow to determine aggregate growth costs and standardised growth units; and
- Consideration of different models of infrastructure delivery including support for first-mover developers and recovering council costs for infrastructure owned by another entity.
For out-of-sequence development, there will be a process councils or water service providers must follow to determine an appropriate levy – or Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act levies could be used. As I say, this is a toolkit of approaches to ensure infrastructure is funded and built.
The new Development Levy system has many benefits.
It will reduce financial risks for councils and could moderate rate increases, better incentivising communities to support growth.
It will improve the predictability of infrastructure charges. Where these charges are credibly signalled in advance, we expect developers will account for added costs in shopping for developable land, lowering the amount they are willing to pay.
It will increase transparency and reduce administrative complexity for councils.
Regulatory oversight
The second change is to create regulatory oversight of the development levy regime.
Councils can have monopolistic pricing power as the sole provider of certain infrastructure.
The new levy system will restrict local authority discretion about various matters, such as setting the methodology used to allocate project costs.
But it is important that prices are fair and appropriate, so we will also establish regulatory oversight of Development Levies, which will be integrated with the regulatory oversight of water services and rates.
While the wider system is being designed, we will put in interim oversight arrangements, which may include requirements around transparency and information disclosure, and having an independent assessment of proposed levies.
Work is underway on this area right now and the government will be engaging with councils and developers in the coming months to get the details right.
Increasing the flexibility of targeted rates
Now moving onto targeted rates.
I understand that not everyone, particularly small councils, will be up for using the Development Levy system. So, we are also making changes to targeted rates to support urban growth.
We will allow councils to set targeted rates that apply when a rating unit is created at the subdivision stage. This will enable councils to set targeted rates that only apply to new developments. And, for small councils, this could be used as a good alternative to Development Levies.
Additionally, this change will enable targeted rates and Development Levies to be used together where projects benefit existing residents and provide for growth.
Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act changes
Fourth, we will be making changes to the IFF Act.
The IFF Act was passed in 2020 so that developers could freely arrange private funding and financing solutions for enabling infrastructure. It was supposed to allow developers to bypass the issue of relying on councils for the timely provision of infrastructure.
However, in the five years since it was passed, no levy proposals have been received for new residential developments, likely due to its complexity and administrative burden.
My Undersecretary Simon Court has been leading the work here and he will speak to the full suite of changes we are making shortly.
But at a high-level, the Government has agreed to make several remedial amendments to improve the effectiveness of the Act, particularly for developer-led projects. These changes will remove unnecessary barriers and make the overall process simpler.
Broadening existing tools to support cost recovery and value capture
But what I am really excited about is broadening existing tools like the IFF Act to support value capture and cost recovery.
As a general principle, those who benefit from publicly funded infrastructure should help contribute to the cost of it. New state highways, for example, create benefits for private landowners by unlocking capacity for new development or improving journeys for existing households.
New busways or rail lines clearly create benefits for those located near the stations.
So, we will enable IFF Act levies to be charged for major transport projects, e.g., projects delivered by NZTA.
This change has the potential to kickstart our embrace of Transit Oriented Development or TOD.
TOD promotes compact, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly cities, with development clustered around, and integrated with, mass transit. The idea is to have as many jobs, houses, services and amenities as possible around public transport stations.
This is not an untested theory: transit-oriented development has been adopted across world-class in cities like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tokyo, and Singapore – all of which use some form of value capture.
We looked at establishing a complicated new tool that tries to calculate land value uplift to essentially tax windfall gains, but we have concluded that it is fine in theory but much harder in reality.
Our preference is for a much simpler solution that builds on existing legislation – getting beneficiaries to pay for some proportion of the cost of the investment through infrastructure levies.
Henry George would certainly approve.
Conclusion
Today’s announcement outlines our plans to establish a flexible funding and financing system – Pillar 2 – to complement our new flexible planning system – Pillar 1.
These are some big changes, and it will take some time to get them right. Our aim is to have legislation in the House by September this year, to come into effect next year.
What I can promise is that my officials will engage with councils and developers to ensure we create a future state that works:
Where urban land is abundant, the supply of infrastructure is responsive, and where there are loads of development opportunities and housing choice for New Zealanders.
Today’s changes to funding and financing tools, together with freeing up urban land both inside and at the edge of our cities is a massive feat for:
- urban nerds,
- proponents of economic growth,
- champions of housing affordability, and
- all New Zealanders really.
Solving our housing crisis is my top priority. It will mean a more productive, wealthier, and more prosperous New Zealand and I won’t rest until that’s done.
Thank you.
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MIL-OSI Video: In the Boots of a Combat Medic
Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)
The focus of a combat medic is to provide medical care in a field environment to soldiers, as well as disaster relief to citizens and advise commanders of the associated risks to the patient and mission.
#DYK Currently known as 68W, the Army’s basic medical MOS was changed from the #VietnamWar era when the MOS code was 91A.
For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
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MIL-OSI China: Construction begins on Lao section of China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Construction begins on Lao section of China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project
VIENTIANE, Feb. 27 — The launch ceremony for the construction of the Lao section of the China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday.
Once operational, the project is set to significantly enhance electricity interconnection and mutual assistance between China and Laos.
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Lao government officials, and representatives from the Chinese government and enterprises attended the launch ceremony.
Speaking at the meeting, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone said that the project is a strategic energy project that will better support the economic development of Laos and further expand the interconnection of power grids and electricity mutual assistance between Laos and southern provinces of China.
Also speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong stated that the project is another major achievement in deepening practical cooperation between China and Laos, following the China-Laos Railway, as part of their joint efforts in building the Belt and Road.
“As the pioneer of economic and social development, electricity plays a crucial role in improving people’s well-being and fostering regional prosperity. We must continue to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both parties and countries, with the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor as the central focus, while further strengthening cooperation in energy and electricity through power grid interconnection,” she added.
The China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project is a key initiative outlined in the action plan to build a China-Laos community with a shared future, with completion and operation scheduled for 2026. Once operational, the project is expected to enable a two-way power mutual assistance capacity of 1.5 million kW and facilitate the transmission of about 3 billion kWh of clean electricity.
The Lao section of the project is being developed by Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited, while the Chinese section is managed by China Southern Power Grid Company.
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MIL-OSI: Rigetti Computing Announces Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Quanta Computer to Accelerate Development and Commercialization of Superconducting Quantum Computing
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Quanta Computer Inc., (“Quanta”, TWSE: 2382.TW) a Taiwan-based Global Fortune 500 company and the global leader of computer server manufacturing, to accelerate the development and commercialization of superconducting quantum computing.
The companies have committed to investing more than $100 million each over the next five years, with both sides focusing on their complementary strengths to develop superconducting quantum computing technologies. In addition, Quanta will invest $35 million and purchase shares of Rigetti, subject to regulatory clearance.
The quantum computing industry is poised to experience rapid growth in the next 5 years, with increasing commercial interest and the market expected to reach $1-2 billion/year by 20301. Of the quantum computing modalities, superconducting qubits are proven to have many advantages over ion trap and neutral atoms, including fast gate speeds and well-established manufacturing techniques from the semiconductor industry.
“Quanta’s investment in Rigetti will strengthen our leadership in this flourishing market. Our companies’ complementary strengths — Rigetti as a pioneer in superconducting quantum technology, with open, modular architecture enabling incorporation of innovative solutions across different parts of the stack easily, and Quanta as the world’s leading notebook/server manufacturer with $43 billion in annual sales — will help to put us at the forefront of the quantum computing industry,” says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO.
1“Quantum Computing On Track to Create Up to $850 Billion of Economic Value By 2040,” BCG, July 18, 2024
About Rigetti
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. In 2021, Rigetti began selling on-premises quantum computing systems with qubit counts between 24 and 84 qubits, supporting national laboratories and quantum computing centers. Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera QPU was introduced in 2023 supporting a broader R&D community with a high-performance, on-premises QPU designed to plug into a customer’s existing cryogenic and control systems. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at https://www.rigetti.com/.About Quanta Computer
Quanta Computer Inc. is a Fortune Global 500 Company and a leader in worldwide notebook manufacturing, as well as a leading solution provider in cloud computing. Quanta provides innovative products with superior technology in information and communications, consumer electronics, cloud computing, smart home solutions, smart automobile solutions, smart healthcare, and AIoT, etc. Founded in 1988 and listed in TWSE since 1999, Quanta Computer is headquartered in Taiwan with manufacturing and service locations across Asia, Americas, and Europe, etc. FY2024 consolidated revenues for Quanta Computer amounted to US$43 billion with a workforce of approximately 60,000 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit Quanta Computer’s website at www.quantatw.com.Rigetti Media Contact
press@rigetti.comCautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company’s future success and performance, including expectations with respect to timing of the development and commercialization of superconducting quantum computing; the expectation that Rigetti and Quanta will each invest more than $100 million over the next five years; expectations regarding Quanta’s anticipated $35 million investment in the Company through a purchase of the Company’s common stock; anticipated regulatory clearance; expectations regarding the advantages and impact of the strategic collaboration agreement with Quanta Computer on our operations, technology roadmap, milestones, and our position in the industry; anticipated market size of the quantum computing industry over the coming years; and the possibility that superconducting qubits will function better than ion trap and neutral atoms. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations, including the strategic collaboration with Quanta Computer; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives and expansion plans; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including rising inflation and interest rates, deteriorating international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. -
MIL-OSI Canada: Budget 2025: Investing in Alberta’s future
As Alberta continues work to address increasing domestic and international economic pressures, Budget 2025 works to strengthen Alberta’s economy. This budget helps build communities, secure Alberta’s southern border and boost investments in the province’s economic future.
“While we work closely with partners to find solutions to a possible trade conflict, we will continue our work to make sure Alberta’s economy is strong – in and outside of the energy sector – so that we can manage any turbulence that comes our way. Budget 2025 carves our path forward in the face of this uncertainty.”
Budget 2025: Supporting a strong workforce
Alberta’s workforce is the backbone of the provincial economy. Budget 2025 continues the commitment to training and developing a skilled and resilient labour force to further grow Alberta’s economy and help businesses succeed, including:
- $26.1 billion over three years from the Capital Plan, to support about 26,500 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs each year through 2027-28.
- $135 million for skilled trade programs such as apprenticeship and adult learning initiatives to help Albertans gain the skills and training needed for successful careers, and support access to job opportunities.
- $2 billion in 2025-26 to support and expand early learning and child-care system so parents and caregivers can participate in training, education or work opportunities.
Budget 2025: Securing our borders
- Alberta’s government is committed to being a good neighbour and trading partner, and part of this commitment involves taking measures to secure the Alberta-US border. Budget 2025 includes $29 million in 2025-26 for a new Interdiction Patrol Team within the Alberta Sheriffs to tackle illegal drug and gun smuggling, human trafficking, apprehension of persons attempting to cross the border illegally, and other illegal activities along Alberta’s international land border. Budget 2025 also includes a $15 million investment over two years for three new vehicle inspection stations located near borders to the USA.
Budget 2025: Investing in post-secondary education
Budget 2025 invests a total of $7.4 billion in post-secondary education, with an operating budget of $6.6 billion in 2025-26. This includes:
- $78 million per year over the next three years to create more seats in apprenticeship classes across the province to build skilled trades and apprenticeship education that will respond to the needs of industry, support the economy and connect Albertans with jobs.
- $113 million to support greater demand for scholarships and the Alberta Student Grant, with $60 million funded from the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund.
- $4 million to the First Nations Colleges Grant which is distributed equally across five colleges in rural and remote Indigenous communities.
“Our government is ensuring that Alberta students have the skills and training they need to meet the needs of today while preparing for the economy of the future. Budget 2025 makes foundational investments to meet the challenge of a rapidly growing population while supporting a sustainable post-secondary education system.”
Budget 2025: Building communities
Alberta’s vibrant communities make Alberta the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family. Budget 2025 invests in stronger communities across Alberta, including:
- $17.2 million to increase grants made to municipalities in lieu of property taxes on government-owned property to 75 per cent, up from the current 50 per cent. By next year, the province will cover 100 per cent of the amount that would be paid if the property was taxable.
- $820 million this year and $2.5 billion over three years in Local Government Fiscal Framework capital funding to help fund local infrastructure priorities.
Budget 2025: Supporting trade and diversification
Alberta continues to champion economic growth and policies that support productivity. Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government will continue to build on current successes through:
- Attracting more investment through low corporate income taxes. At eight per cent, Alberta’s corporate income tax rate is 30 per cent lower than the next lowest province.
- Providing greater incentive for small- and medium-sized firms that increase their spending on research and development, with Alberta’s Innovation Employment Grant.
- Promoting Alberta as a reliable partner in supporting North American and global energy security to investors. The province will optimize new and existing infrastructure to access new markets for Alberta’s energy and mineral resources.
- Supporting Alberta’s agriculture producers and value-added processors, addressing barriers to trade by cultivating export markets, and working to increase market access for Alberta products.
- Reinforcing Alberta as a critical contributor to North American energy security by continuing to advocate for our remarkable energy sector across Canada, the U.S., Germany, Japan and the rest of the world.
Budget 2025: Investing in business and industry
Budget 2025 continues to find ways to help Alberta’s economy grow through investments in business and industry and help our economy grow, including:
- Support to attract investment in Alberta’s energy and mineral resource sector to accelerate opportunities in emerging resources.
- $45 million over three years for the Investment and Growth Fund to attract investment into Alberta’s economy.
- $1.8 million in Western Crop Innovations for industry-leading crop research.
- $780,000 to support small- and medium-sized meat processors.
- $3.1 million for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to expand toward a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory. This will give livestock producers and vets access to quicker, more affordable livestock diagnostics closer to home.
“Budget 2025 builds a stronger Alberta by growing industries, creating high-quality jobs and expanding opportunities for workers and families. With strategic investments in innovation, infrastructure and workforce development, Alberta is rising to the challenge, strengthening our province for many years to come.”
“We are advancing cutting-edge research in agriculture and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, we are strengthening our agricultural infrastructure, ensuring quicker and more affordable services for livestock producers and veterinarians. We’re supporting innovation, attracting investment, and building a resilient economy for the future.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Related information
- Budget 2025
Related news
- Budget 2025: Meeting the challenge (Feb 27, 2025)
- Budget 2025: Meeting the challenge in health and education (Feb 27, 2025)
Multimedia
- Watch the Budget address
- Watch the news conference
- Listen to the news conference
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MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina
Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina
jwernerNorth Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai traveled to western North Carolina this week to meet with health care and social services partners to learn more about the status of Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and discuss the impacts of staffing shortages and other challenges they face. Together, we are committed to recovery efforts and supporting staff as we continue to create a healthier North Carolina for all.
Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center
Secretary Sangvai began the first day of his trip on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Buncombe County for a site visit and informational meeting with staff at the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center (BMNTC), one of three state-operated facilities in North Carolina that serves adults with chronic and complex medical conditions that co-exist with neurodevelopmental and/or neurocognitive disorders and/or a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness.
Secretary Sangvai was led on a tour of the facility, including one of the residential units, to learn more about the quality care received by patients both during and after Hurricane Helene. He also visited the third floor of the Gravely Wing at BMNTC to assess the status of renovations that were planned prior to Helene and are estimated to be completed by July 2025.
Secretary Sangvai met with the BMNTC Executive Committee to discuss the successes and areas of concern among staff members. The facility has largely recovered from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, returning to normal operations with all evacuated residents returning to BMNTC. Employees shared concerns regarding staffing shortages as well as recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in nursing positions. BMNTC has ramped up recruitment efforts this quarter as unemployment in the region has spiked due to business closures in the wake of Helene.
NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai and Chief Deputy Secretary for Operational Excellence Dr. ClarLynda Williams-Devane travel to western North Carolina to meet with health care and social services partners. Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center
Following the visit to BMNTC, Secretary Sangvai continued his travels through Black Mountain to the Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center (JFK). There, he met with staff to learn more about the facility and services offered as well as the status of recovery efforts. He also went on a tour to get a more comprehensive look at the various services JFK staff provide their patients.
Secretary Sangvai heard from JFK staff about their continued work to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, all while battling staffing shortages, closures to the facility and increased mental health challenge among the community they serve. JFK staff cared for and assisted in the evacuation of patients during Hurricane Helene, standing up a detox unit at Broughton Hospital to provide a place of respite for those unable to seek care at JFK. A huge win for JFK staff recently came in the form of the treatment center reopening their kitchen after a seven-month long closure .
“I am so grateful for the work being done at our facilities as recovery continues from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene,” said Secretary Sangvai. “These teams have worked tirelessly to provide life-changing care. This commitment matches what I have seen across the department, as we work to improve access to care and ensure people receive the care they need no matter where they live or how much money they make.”
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Secretary Sangvai traveled to Cherokee, NC, to meet with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA). EBCI has contracted with NCDHHS to participate in NC Medicaid, thereby providing access to Medicaid managed care services for federally recognized Tribal Members and other individuals eligible to receive Indian Health Services. Through this partnership with NCDHHS, EBCI is the first Tribal-led Medicaid managed care entity in the country, aligning Medicaid services with Tribal health priorities and providing care for enrolled EBCI members.
During his visit, Secretary Sangvai learned about the status of NCDHHS and CIHA’s multiple partnerships, including the development of a Child Crisis Stabilization Unit on the Qualla Boundary, the location of CIHA’s main hospital. The new unit will provide emergency mental health stabilization services for youth experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis. A revolutionary care model for western North Carolina, the unit will serve both tribal and non-tribal youth, ensuring that all children in the region have access to these critical resources.
Secretary Sangvai saw first-hand during his trip that CIHA has also been battling recruitment difficulties, struggling to address rural health care workforce shortages and retention issues. Despite these challenges, CIHA is a pillar of health care excellence for the EBCI, working diligently to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care that honors and integrates the rich heritage of Cherokee culture.
Broughton Hospital
Later in the day, Secretary Sangvai visited Broughton Hospital, one of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the NCDHHS Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities, to tour the facility and learn more about the hospital’s priorities as western North Carolina moves forward from Hurricane Helene. He spoke with staff as he toured the patient care center, gym, chapel and treatment mall.
Broughton staff emphasized their struggles to recruit and retain staff with a high number of vacancies in full-time positions at the facility. These staffing shortages directly impact the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, limiting the number of beds that can be filled and increasing wait times prospective patients may face before receiving care. Hospitals are growing increasingly reliant on temporary employees, especially for nursing and medical staff, due in part to salaries that struggle to compete with others on the job market.
“The staff at our state operated psychiatric hospitals work incredibly hard to provide critical support to their patients every day,” Secretary Sangvai said. “I will continue to advocate for the resilient staff that serve our state and support NCDHHS’ efforts to strengthen the health care workforce in order to improve capacity limitations, so more patients are able to quickly access needed care.”
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
On Thursday morning, Feb. 26, Secretary Sangvai traveled to Burke County, making his first stop at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (JIRDC), one of three State Developmental Centers which provides services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), complex behavioral challenges and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the supports currently available in the community. He toured JIRDC, making a visit to one of the homes at the facility to greet staff and residents.
Facility leadership voiced concerns regarding recruitment, including filling key positions at JIRDC. Despite recent measures taken to increase Direct Support Professionals and Registered Nurses salaries, JIRDC still struggles from a 23% vacancy rate, impacting staff’s ability to serve more patients.
In addition to staff’s efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene, JIRDC housed approximately one-third of BMNTC residents during local infrastructure repairs. As many employees face burnout amidst an unprecedented crisis, Secretary Sangvai pledged to continue to prioritize the well-being of the health care workforce in North Carolina and to ensure the sustainability and functionality of state operated healthcare facilities for patients and staff.
Burke County DSS
The Secretary then traveled to the Burke County Department of Social Services, where he toured facilities and met with local social services staff. Staff at Burke County DSS worked to quickly respond to issues as Hurricane Helene hit their community. Their team had to navigate a total loss of communications systems, staffing shortages, burnout and the increased stress of managing a large-scale recovery operation in the wake of the storm. Today, Burke County DSS has fortunately largely returned to “normal” operations. This is partially because as a county on the eastern edge of Helene’s path, Burke County saw fewer individuals permanently displaced than some other counties impacted by the storm.
Secretary Sangvai spoke with Burke County DSS Director Korey Fisher-Wellman to form a better understanding of the issues facing their office and other county DSS offices across the state. The Secretary reinforced NCDHHS’ ongoing commitment to support recovery efforts as western North Carolina continues to recover and rebuild.
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital
Secretary Sangvai concluded his trip on Thursday at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, which has served as a Critical Access Hospital for the people of western North Carolina since 1955. The Secretary was joined by CEO and Chief Nurse Tonia Hale, and the Vice President of Government Relations for HCA Healthcare Lori Kroll , for a tour of the hospital and a presentation on workforce development and Hurricane Helene recovery. The team highlighted the hospital’s efforts to bounce back from the hurricane, and Secretary Sangvai shared NCDHHS’ commitment to work with hospitals across the state to address the impacts of staffing shortages and support recruitment and retention efforts.
Please see more photos from Secretary Sangvai’s visit.
Feb 27, 2025 -
MIL-Evening Report: Cook Islands government to seek update on China’s naval exercises
By Talaia Mika of the Cook Islands News
As concerns continue to emerge over China’s “unusual” naval exercises in the Tasman Sea, raising eyebrows from New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands government was questioned for an update in Parliament.
This follows the newly established bilateral relations between the Cook Islands and China through a five-year agreement and Prime Minister Mark Brown’s accusations of the New Zealand media and experts looking down on the Cook Islands.
A Chinese Navy convoy held two live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand on Friday and Saturday, prompting passenger planes to change course mid-flight and pressuring officials in both countries.
Akaoa MP Robert Heather queried the Prime Minister whether the government had spoken to Chinese embassy officials in New Zealand for a response in this breach of Australian waters?
“One thing I do know is that just in the recent weeks, New Zealand navy was part of an exercise with the Australians and Americans conducting naval exercises in the South China Sea and perhaps that’s why China decided to exercise naval exercises in the international waters off the coast of Australia,” he said.
“And I also know that in the last two weeks, the government of Australia and China signed a security treaty between the two countries.
“However in due course, we may be informed more about these naval exercises that these countries conduct in international waters off each other’s coasts.”
According to Brown, he had not been briefed by any government whether it’s New Zealand, Australia, or China about these developments.
Asking for an update
He added that while the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elikana was currently in the Solomon Islands attending a forum on fisheries together with other ministers of the Pacific Region, he would ask him about whether he could make any inquiries to find out whether the government could be updated or briefed on this issue.Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing, that lack of sufficient warning from China about the live-fire exercises was a “failure” in the New Zealand-China relationship.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence, Wu Qian explained that China’s actions were entirely in accordance with international law and established practices and would not impact on aviation safety.
He added that the live-fire training was conducted with repeated safety notices that had been issued in advance.
Republished with permission from the Cook Islands News.
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MIL-OSI Security: Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for Operating an Illegal Money Transmitting Business Using Pandemic Funds
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
FAYETTEVILLE – A Northwest Arkansas man was sentenced on February 20, to 51 months in Federal Prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution of $725,558.00 on one count of operating an Illegal Money Transmitting Business. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Richard Harold Stone, age 77, waived indictment by a grand jury and pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business in the State of Arkansas. Stone was the President or Chief Officer of numerous businesses registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State, including: Partex Oman Corp., Renewable Energy Campus Arkansas, Inc., Stonetek Global Corp., and Tires 2 Energy, LLC. Stone also was associated with Environmental Energy & Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation. The advertised purpose of these businesses was developing technology and facilities to repurpose waste materials, such as tires, into useable fuel sources. None of these businesses were registered with the State of Arkansas as a money transmitting business, as required by Arkansas law (Arkansas Code, Section 23-55-806(b)&(c)).
Between November 2020 and March 2021, Stone received through various bank accounts associated with the above entities and other accounts under his control, deposits of funds from applications made on behalf of unwitting victims for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), totaling more than $600,000. After receiving these funds, Stone immediately transferred most of the funds by wire transfer to parties in locations including Berne, Switzerland; London, England; New York, NY; Chennai, India; and Mumbai, India.
At the conclusion of Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Stone was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Bridges is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
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MIL-OSI USA: Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29
Museum of the Albemarle to Host Final Moonshine and Motorsports Concert March 29
jejohnson6The finale in a special series of concerts celebrating North Carolina’s unique story of moonshine and motorsports will take place March 29 at the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, N.C.
The concert will feature Tar Heel legend of Americana, Jim Lauderdale, the iconic bluegrass combo, the Kruger Brothers with special guest Jonah Horton, along with the Nest of Singing Birds.
Inspired by the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail developed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), this North Carolina Museum of History-sponsored series has blended music with storytelling as it moved from Raleigh to Charlotte to Elizabeth City, highlighting the historic places on that very trail.
Tickets can be purchased through this link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moonshine-and-motorsports-music-museum-of-the-albemarle-tickets-964317308027?aff=oddtdtcreator).
For accessibility accommodations, please contact the Museum of the Albemarle at (252) 353-1453.
About Jim Lauderdale
At any given time, you’re likely to find Jim Lauderdale making music, whether he’s laying down a new track in the studio or working through a spontaneous melody at his home in Nashville. And if he’s not actively crafting new music, he’s certainly thinking about it. “It’s a constant challenge to try to keep making better and better records, write better and better songs. I still always feel like I’m a developing artist,” he says. This may be a surprising sentiment from a man who’s won two Grammys, released 37 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Lifetime Achievement Award among other awards. But his latest album, My Favorite Place, is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.About the Kruger Brothers
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Several years later the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Together, they established the incomparable sound that the Kruger Brothers are known for today. The trio moved to the United States in 2002 and is based in Wilkesboro, N.C.About the Nest of Singing Birds
Sheila Kay Adams is a 7th generation ballad singer, storyteller, and banjo player. She is a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts and the North Carolina Heritage Award. Her daughter, Melanie Rice, along with Donna Ray Norton are 8th generation ballad singers. They will be performing with old-time traditional fiddle player, William Ritter.About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.Feb 25, 2025 -
MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Rice Festival to Highlight Gullah-Geechee Culture and Heritage at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: North Carolina Rice Festival to Highlight Gullah-Geechee Culture and Heritage at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
North Carolina Rice Festival to Highlight Gullah-Geechee Culture and Heritage at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
jejohnson6On Saturday, March 8, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site will host the North Carolina Rice Festival. The festival celebrates how rice and Gullah-Geechee culture shaped the North Carolina Lowcountry.
The festival will feature over 70 vendors and three stage areas offering lectures, storytelling, children’s crafts, and live music. A full event schedule is available at www.northcarolinaricefestival.org. Festivities will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the Gullah-Geechee community riverwalk processional. The event ends at 5:30 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free. Parking is available at the state historic site at 8884 St. Philip’s Rd SE in Winnabow. Shuttles will be available to transport visitors from parking locations to the visitor center. No pets are allowed except for service animals.
About Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is a major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina’s Cape Fear River, Brunswick was abandoned and burned during the American Revolution and never fully recovered. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site, and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington before the fall of the Confederacy. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. The site is located at 8884 St. Philip’s Rd SE, Winnabow, NC 28479. For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/brunswick-town-and-fort-anderson/plan-your-visit or call (910) 371-6613.About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.Feb 26, 2025 -
MIL-OSI USA: Bentonville Battlefield Anniversary Event Set for March 15-16
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Bentonville Battlefield Anniversary Event Set for March 15-16
Bentonville Battlefield Anniversary Event Set for March 15-16
jejohnson6Experience history come alive at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site 160th anniversary program March 15-16. Thousands of living historians from across the country will descend on Bentonville Battlefield for one of the nation’s largest battle reenactments.
Advanced tickets to view the daily battle reenactments are now on sale. In addition to the daily ticketed battles, spend the day exploring a host of free activities: inspect the soldier’s camps, smell period cooking, listen to lectures, tour the Harper house, learn about 19th-century medicine, shop the dozens of “sutlers” — vendors selling Civil War related items — or just relax while listening to period music. Bring the family and enjoy a day with us at Bentonville Battlefield. Concessions will be provided by numerous food truck vendors.
In 2015, about 60,000 visitors attended the two-day event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets well in advance of the event. Advanced tickets are $15. A discounted weekend pass is also available for $25 during advanced sales only. Tickets purchased day-of on site are $20 per day. Children aged 10 and under receive free admission.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.bentonvillereenactment.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Bentonville Battlefield or by calling (910) 594-0789.
We encourage the public to arrive early to avoid traffic delays. Also, bring blankets or chairs to watch the battles. Spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The reenactment field will be divided into three general admission sections: front rows for sitting on the ground, middle rows for sitting in chairs, and back rows for standing. The battles begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the reenactment field opening two hours beforehand each day.
The 2025 event is sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield, Inc., the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. All proceeds from the event support Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops in one of the last major actions of the war. A patched together Confederate army under the command of Joseph Johnston failed to halt Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s advance through eastern North Carolina, eventually leading to the largest Confederate surrender of the war at Bennett Place near Durham weeks later.
Bentonville Battlefield is located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, N.C. 27524, three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm or call (910) 594-0789.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.Feb 27, 2025 -
MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Women’s History Month Programs Planned
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: 2025 Women’s History Month Programs Planned
2025 Women’s History Month Programs Planned
jejohnson6Throughout March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, agencies within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will showcase the remarkable contributions of North Carolina women through special programs and exhibits.
Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout March, 10-11 a.m., Women of Somerset Place Tour — Learn about some of the remarkable women who lived and worked at Somerset Place. The 60-minute special tour will focus on the contributions that enslaved and free women made to the development, maintenance, and infrastructure of Somerset Place. The tour will be offered to commemorate Women’s History Month. Guided tour fees of $2 for adults $1 for children are applicable. Group reservations are required for groups of 15 or more.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum: Dr. Brown and Women’s Suffrage Tours — Take a tour of Canary Cottage and learn about Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown and the fight towards equal and women’s right to vote. These tours are offered on Saturdays in March. Registration for this event can be found at the link here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-brown-and-the-womens-suffrage-movement-tickets-1249327294569?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp). Registration is not a purchase of tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day of the tour at the visitor center. Ticket prices are $2/adult (13-64 years), $1/adult (65+), and $1/child (12 and under).
March 7, 6-8:30 p.m., CSS Neuse Museum: Female Spy Dinner Theater — Experience the captivating story of Rose O’Neal Greenhow, brought to life by Emily Lapisardi. This remarkable tale of a Confederate female spy promises to enthrall and engage. Dinner and dessert will precede the presentation. This program is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Tickets are $35 per person. The deadline to register is Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. Limited to 100 guests. Ticket link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/53t36wd/lp/89be23c6-4d63-423b-9c47-266338e53a59. For more information, please email cssneusegba@gmail.com or call 252-526-9600, ext. 222. This event is hosted by the Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum.
March 8, 8 p.m., North Carolina Museum of Art Film & Lecture: “Song for Imogene” is a film from female-founded and run North Carolina production company, Honey Head Films. The showing will include an artist talk with the director/writer and lead actress. Tickets $10, $5 for Members.
March 13, noon-1 p.m., State Archives: History for Lunch, “Where Did All the Midwives Go?: Statistical Authority in the Regulation of Midwifery in North Carolina, 1900-1940.” — Register in advance for online participation at https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ag8T1464Q9igwmEL2k69vg#/registration For more information, contact Adrienne Berney, adrienne.berney@dncr.nc.gov; 919-814-6863.
March 19, Noon-1 p.m., Museum of the Albemarle History for Lunch: Harriet Jacobs, A Woman of Conscience — Amanda Irvin, program coordinator at Historic Edenton State Historic Site, will tell the tragic and inspiring tale of Harriet Jacobs, a woman forced to work in the household of an abusive enslaver. After years of threats to herself and her children, Jacobs self-emaciated and hid in the roof space of her grandmother’s house for nearly seven years before her chance to escape via the Maritime Underground Railroad. Discover the story of a woman determined to fight for herself, her children, and later, for others. For additional information, contact Lori Meads at lori.meads@dncr.nc.gov.
March 21, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort: N.C. Whales and Whaling Symposium — The history, biology, conservation, and pedagogy of whales and whaling specific to North Carolina will be covered during the North Carolina Maritime Museum’s annual Whales and Whaling Symposium. This year’s symposium, which features an all-female lineup of speakers, will be held at Fort Macon State Park. The program is free. However, pre-registration required due to limited seating; you must register for each program that you plan on attending individually. Register online at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com or by calling 252-504-7758.
March 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport: Deep Dive Into History: “Stitching the 18th Century” — Join museum educators as they focus on the role and creation of clothing in the 18th century: how it defined your status, gender, and even occupation. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with a mantua maker (a female-only occupation) as she drafts a gown in a day. There will be a variety of clothing on display for visitors to touch and try on during the drop-in program. It is part of the museum’s Deep Dive series, a program designed to give visitors a deeper understanding of our shared past through costumed interpretation. Each Deep Dive will delve into a specific theme in Lower Cape Fear and maritime history.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.Feb 27, 2025
