NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Biotechnology and all living things: two natural science museums of VDNKh celebrate their third anniversary

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On May 21, VDNKh will celebrate three years since the opening of the modern biotechnology center “Biotech Museum” and the K.A. Timiryazev State Biological Museum in pavilions No. 30 and 31. Both exhibitions are located within the walls of restored cultural heritage sites of federal significance.

    Pavilion No. 30 “Microbiological Industry” was built in 1939. Initially, it was dedicated to oil crops, as evidenced by the surviving wooden carved pediment with images of oil plant flowers, including sunflowers. In 1954, the pavilion housed the “Cotton” exposition. In the mid-1960s, the pavilion was repurposed again and received its current name. The exposition told about the study and widespread use of microorganisms in the national economy and healthcare.

    In 2019–2022, a comprehensive restoration of the historic building was carried out. The fountain next to the pavilion, which had not worked for over 40 years and was almost completely destroyed, was also restored. During the restoration, specialists laid new utility lines and replaced the fountain equipment.

    The restored pavilion No. 30 “Microbiological Industry” now houses the center of modern biotechnology “Museum “Biotech”. Its exhibition is a visual story about biotechnology and its practical application in everyday life.

    Here you can get acquainted with the history of the development of the domestic microbiological industry, modern biotechnologies that are used in the food industry, medicine, agriculture, waste recycling and other industries that are no less important for humanity. Visitors can learn about the creation of vaccines, genetics, city farms, bioreactors, as well as other innovative and familiar technologies. Seminars, master classes, lectures, conferences and other educational events are regularly held for them. Since its opening, the museum has been visited by more than 62 thousand people.

    Pavilion No. 31 “Geology”, built in 1954, was called “Flax, Hemp and Other Bast Crops” until 1956. In 1956-1957, its name was “Bast and Wool Industry”, in 1958 – “Linen and Wool Industry” and only since 1959 – “Geology”. The author of the pavilion is one of the most versatile Soviet architects Leonid Pavlov. He also designed several stations of the Moscow metro and the V.I. Lenin Museum in Gorki Leninskiye.

    In 2017, during restoration work in the pavilion, archival films from the 1950s-1980s were discovered, telling about the achievements of Soviet science, technology and agriculture. At one time, these films were used as a support by local guides: after the end of the tour, they showed thematic films to guests in small cinema halls that were opened in many VDNKh pavilions.

    Three years ago, the K.A. Timiryazev State Biological Museum was opened in the restored pavilion. In May 2022, a permanent exhibition “12 Signs of Living Things” opened here, the creation of which was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the museum’s founding. Its exposition tells about what life is from a scientific point of view. The exhibition presents 12 sections that correspond to the 12 main signs of a living being. These are the unity of chemical composition, diversity of life, metabolism and energy, movement, reproduction and others. Here you can see works of contemporary art made specifically for the exhibition. Since the opening of the museum, it has been visited by more than 133 thousand people.

    The opening of new entertainment and museum facilities corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. The development of the Museum City at VDNKh is a key part of the strategy for promoting the capital’s hospitality industry and the strategy for developing VDNKh until 2030.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154119073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have your say on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill

    Source:

    The bill seeks to redesign the vocational education and training system to restore regional decision-making. It also aims to increase industry involvement in vocational education and training. The bill would do so by amending the Education and Training Act 2020 to:

    • disestablish Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Te Pūkenga)
    • re-establish a network of regional polytechnics
    • establish industry skills boards to replace workforce development councils.

    The bill would propose a framework within which new polytechnics and a Polytechnic Federation Committee can be established, as well as framework to establish industry skills boards. The frameworks would set out the characteristics and functions of the new entities, the process for their establishment and disestablishment, and the technical elements necessary for them to function. The bill would also enable Te Pūkenga to remain as a transitional entity for unallocated programmes and activities for a 1-year period after commencement.

    Tell the Education and Workforce Committee what you think

    Make a submission on the bill by 11:59pm on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.

    For more details about the bill:

     

    ENDS

    For media enquiries contact:

    Education and Workforce Committee staff

    Education.Workforce@parliament.govt.nz

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Assault reignites Christchurch Hospital parking woes

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) is concerned that after-hours attacks on Christchurch Hospital staff returning to their cars have continued without a proper long-term solution to parking in sight.
    It follows the recent assault on a student midwife going back to her car from Kurawaka Waipapa.
    NZNO Christchurch delegate Al Dietschin says staff have raised concerns about parking at the hospital for more than a decade, possibly longer, and while there has been some action from Te Whatu Ora, it is not nearly enough to prevent the assaults from persisting.
    “How many incidents do we need to have before the employer acts in the interest of staff in accordance with the Health and Safety Employment Act?
    “They have to provide a safe work environment. They always say health and safety of staff is important, but these after-hours assaults continue to happen.”
    Al Dietschin says the Tū Waka Waipapa building that opened opposite the hospital in November 2023 provides parking, but costs about $25 a day, which is unaffordable for most workers.
    In wake of many assaults in the past, the hospital provides a minibus shuttle between 9pm and 1am, but staff are often made to wait too long for this arrive.
    “Staff are reportedly walking to their cars because they’re made to wait 30 minutes or more after working the late shift for the shuttle to arrive. Staff don’t feel safe walking to cars after their shift or early morning in the dark, but they’re sometimes forced to.”
    Another shocking decision recently limits emergency department parking for lead maternity carers (community midwives) to five hours, he says.
    “This used to be available for unlimited time. Now they’re forced to ask core staff to relieve them in the middle of a patient’s labour so they don’t get fined. That’s not good for the safety of their patients.”
    Al Dietschin says the solution is simple from the staff’s perspective.
    “Staff only want safe after hours parking close to hospital, and we don’t want to break the bank for this to happen.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: “A devastating record”: New Greenpeace analysis reveals almost half a million blue sharks caught as ‘bycatch’ in Central and Western Pacific in 2023

    Source: Greenpeace

    TASMAN SEA – A new analysis of the latest fisheries data by Greenpeace Australia Pacific has revealed widespread slaughter of sharks in the Pacific Ocean by industrial longline fishers. The analysis estimates that almost half a million blue sharks were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023, the highest number in recorded history since 1991.
    Greenpeace estimates that around 438,500 near-threatened blue sharks, almost 50 million kilograms, were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023 from Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WFCPFC) data. The figure is double the 2015 numbers.
    The analysis of shark bycatch data also revealed that the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea areas between New Zealand and Australia had some of the highest rates of birds caught on fishing lines – 13% of bycatch from longliners were seabirds like albatross.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Juan Parada says, “This rampant destruction of critical ocean life in the high seas between New Zealand and Australia highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to protect the oceans.”
    “The Tasman Sea faces multiple threats from industrial fishing. We’ve recently seen firsthand the destruction caused by bottom trawlers in a similar area of the high seas, where we witnessed graveyards of destroyed coral. Now we see that almost half a million blue sharks were unnecessarily killed in the West and Central Pacific in 2023. That’s so many sharks that if stacked nose to tail, they would reach the International Space Station and back.
    “The international waters between New Zealand and Australia are globally renowned precisely because of the range and variety of ocean life that lives there, from deep sea corals growing on seamounts to sharks, seabirds and migrating whales. 
    “It’s such a significant place that Greenpeace and allies are calling for it to be one of the world’s first global ocean sanctuaries and it must be protected from longlining and bottom trawling so ocean life can thrive,” says Parada.
    The incident happened on Lord Howe Rise, a region renowned for diverse marine life including corals, sponges, whales and seabirds.
    Parada says, “While some countries are working constructively towards protecting the high seas, New Zealand is actively blocking meaningful ocean protection. Shockingly New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling these waters.
    “To protect the Tasman Sea, New Zealand must stop bottom trawling and get on with helping to create global ocean sanctuaries so all the life that lives there can thrive.” Scientists agree that to help stave off the worst of the climate crisis at least 30% of the world’s oceans must be protected from industrial harm by 2030.
    Creating global ocean sanctuaries in international waters like the Tasman Sea, those areas outside of any one country’s jurisdiction, will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. In 2023 the world won the Global Ocean Treaty, which provides the legal framework for these sanctuaries, but first it must be passed into law.
    Parada says, “Now is the time for cooperation in ocean protection. Every day that passes without the Global Oceans Treaty in force, marine species are being pushed closer to the brink of extinction by the industrial fishing fleet in the high seas.”
    Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokesperson Georgia Whitaker says of the shark bycatch data, “The data is deeply disturbing – it’s a devastating record and a testament to the destructive nature of the industrial fishing industry. Sharks and other animals dying by the hundreds of thousands a year in this one patch of ocean, brutally killed by a legal and indiscriminate fishing practice like longlining. This is an appalling legacy our global leaders are leaving while the blue lungs of our planet are already facing chronic decline. Industrial fishing is sucking our ocean dry, fuelling the biodiversity crisis, and pushing prehistoric animals like sharks to the brink of extinction. Healthy shark populations are central to a healthy ocean – this is a loss we can’t afford.”
    Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France, in June, Greenpeace is calling on governments to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty. Both New Zealand and Australia have signed the treaty but have yet to bring it into force.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Education – Open Polytechnic study helps ‘to shape’ Christchurch ECE graduate

    Source: Open Polytechnic

    One hundred and five graduates from the South Island graduated at the Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch, Ōtautahi this week (Tuesday 20 May 2025), to receive their qualifications from Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online learning.
    Christchurch-based Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education graduate, Tessa Karati was the student speaker at the ceremony.
    Tessa, who identifies as Cook Island and New Zealand Māori, commenced her speech in te reo Māori before thanking God and those people who had contributed to her success.
    During her speech, Tessa acknowledged the impact that studying with Open Polytechnic has had on her life.
    “I thank Open Polytechnic, for sensitively, but boldly calling us up and out to be advocates, and for helping to shape not just who I am as a teacher, but who I am as a person,” she said.
    She likened her learner journey to a “relationship” with her degree as she went through the five stages of attraction, romance, disillusionment, commitment and acceptance.
    Through her studies, Tessa realised how disconnected from her culture she had become and discovered that she had absorbed stories about her culture that were rooted in deficit, and how and why that was.
    “It generated a deep sense of responsibility to do better for our future generations and enable them to thrive,” Tessa said
    “I still have a lot to learn, but even so, I know my role as a kaiako is more than teaching, it’s advocating for our tamariki (children), ensuring they grow up hearing positive messages about themselves, knowing that they are valued.”
    Tessa finished off her speech by thanking her tutors, friends and family, before congratulating her fellow graduates.
    “Be proud. You are smarter, wiser, more resilient, more persistent, courageous, and hardworking,” she said.
    During his speech, Executive Director Open Polytechnic Alan Cadwallader congratulated the graduates for their commitment to completing their studies.
    “Choosing to study at distance and online is a learning experience which takes discipline and determination,” he said.
    “It takes your self-motivation to set time aside to work through your online course materials, absorb the learnings, and then successfully complete assessments. I commend you all for completing your qualification while also navigating the responsibilities of whānau, work and other life commitments.”
    Alan told the audience that it was a privilege and honour to be able to lead a world-class learning institution that puts learner achievement at the forefront of everything it does.
    “I’m pleased to be able to say that in our most recent student satisfaction survey, 94% of our learners said they were satisfied with their overall experience with Open Polytechnic,” Alan said.
    “This level of satisfaction can only be achieved by an all of organisation effort to ensure our ākonga (learners) have the teaching and facilitation, feedback, services and tools they need to succeed in their studies. “
    Alan also acknowledged the importance of having a support network to help.
    “I know your study journey will not always have been easy, and I would like to thank those in the audience that have supported you, your friends, family, whānau and supporters,” Alan said.
    “It’s your practical means of support, your words of encouragement, and your guidance throughout your graduate’s study journey that has also contributed to their success.”
    The graduates at the Christchurch ceremony were awarded a variety of diplomas and degrees, including early childhood education, primary and secondary education, social work, social health and wellbeing, funeral directing, business, accounting, applied management, legal executive studies, library and information studies, psychology, web development and design, information technology, architectural technology, and construction.
    The Christchurch ceremony was the second of three for Open Polytechnic in 2025, with the final ceremony to come in Wellington on 27 May. Including those awarded in absentia, around 1150 graduates will receive their diploma or degree from Open Polytechnic this graduating year.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace slams Federated Farmers over ‘selfish’ behaviour on climate

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says that Federated Farmers’ intent to ‘go to battle’ over methane targets is yet another example of the agri-business lobby group’s selfish approach to life on our collective home.
    Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb and Dairy NZ have been pushing for methane targets aligned with ‘no additional warming’ – an approach that has been harshly criticised by climate scientists, the Climate Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says “The New Zealand dairy industry is the country’s worst climate polluter. The oversized dairy herd is cooking the climate with superheating methane emissions, yet agri-industry lobby groups refuse to play their part in tackling the climate crisis, instead leaving it to the rest of us to clean up their mess.
    “Yet again, Federated Farmers are attempting to convince us that they are the exception to the rule. But this new concept they’re promoting – no additional warming – is not based on science. They’ve simply come up with a way to count emissions differently so that they can justify doing less.”
    Methane emissions are responsible for a third of global heating to date, and the agricultural industry is the single biggest source. Those emissions are rising faster than at any other time in history.
    “The consequence of the livestock industry selfishly absconding their climate responsibility is that everyone else has to pick up the slack. Or, alternatively, that we all suffer the consequences of more floods, storms, fires and droughts. All of which affect frontline farming communities first,” says Larsson.
    Greenpeace says the key flaw in no additional warming is that it ignores the historic pollution caused by intensive livestock farming.
    “It’s a bit like expecting your mortgage to magically be written off. The catch is that your debt still exists, it’s just that someone else will have to pay for it. Ignoring the historic methane emissions from agriculture won’t make that pollution – or its warming impact – go away.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Urgent Debates Declined — Gaza Aid—Signing of Joint Statement – 001478

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    URGENT DEBATES DECLINED

    Gaza Aid—Signing of Joint Statement

    SPEAKER: Members, I’ve received a letter from the Hon Phil Twyford seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the Government’s signing of a joint statement calling for Israel to allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. However, that signing of a statement is not a matter that is of so urgent a proportion as to warrant the setting aside of the business of the House today. The application is declined.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Karakia/Prayers – 001479

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2025

    The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.

    KARAKIA/PRAYERS

    GREG O’CONNOR (Assistant Speaker): Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Wednesday, 21 May 2025 – Volume 784 – 001480

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    Question No. 10—Housing

    10. TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP (Te Pāti Māori—Tāmaki Makaurau) to the Associate Minister of Housing: What role, if any, have the Government’s policies and decisions played in contributing to the 53 percent increase in homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau between September 2024 and January 2025, particularly for rangatahi?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA (Associate Minister of Housing): Homelessness is a symptom of a broken housing system and a broken mental health system, and fixing these crises are both important for this Government. Government target No. 8 was to reduce the number of households in emergency housing by 75 percent, and we’ve achieved that in 15 months. One priority was to ensure that children were not growing up in that catastrophe that we know as emergency housing, and our decisions and mahi have led to around 3,000 children leaving emergency housing and coming out of emergency housing over the past 18 months. We’re very proud of that. The December 2024 homelessness insights report states it is not possible to determine the extent to which changes in homelessness numbers reflect broader economic, social, and health contexts or are attributable to policy changes.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What specific actions is the Government taking to prevent homelessness among rangatahi Māori, particularly to those exiting State care or youth justice systems, and how will these outcomes be measured?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As this House has been told in the past, rangatahi-supported accommodation and youth-transitional accommodation continue to be supported. In addition to that, there are a number and a range of services—whether or not those are housing support products, housing first, transitional housing, and other pathways—for those people, including youths, who have some significant housing deprivation challenges.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: How does the Minister justify the 2024 Budget decision to cut $40 million from Māori housing providers and $20 million from transitional housing for rangatahi?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As we will recall, a number of agencies had to ensure that there were appropriate savings that came through Budget 2024 to enable and support ongoing delivery of better public services, such as health, education, defence, and the Police. But it was absolutely enthusing and energising for us to be in Toitu Tairawhiti last week in Gisborne where we saw the mahi, the good mahi, that has been undertaken by the people in Toitu Tairawhiti to construct around 150 new homes, with a priority on single mamas and tamariki.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What steps is the Government taking to empower kaupapa Māori and Māori- and community-led housing and support services, such as Mā Te Huruhuru, in Tāmaki-makau-rau in line with its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: This House may recall that recently we announced around $200 million of Māori housing tautoko to build 400 homes right throughout the country. Whether or not that’s up in Kaitāia or in Tūranga and Toitu Tairawhiti with the good mahi they are doing, and Ka Uruora throughout the North Island and others throughout the country, we continue to be very proud of the mahi that we are doing to support Māori housing and also the mahi that Minister Penk has been undertaking around granny flats and some of the ongoing mahi and good work being undertaken to look at papa kāinga.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: Supplementary. [Interruption]

    SPEAKER: Just wait for the House to gather itself a bit. Thank you.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What is the Government doing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of rangatahi placed in emergency motel accommodation, and when will it invest in safe, culturally grounded, long-term, alternative, led-by-Maori communities?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: Let’s get back to some data points. In December 2023, there were around 3,438 children in emergency housing—that moral, fiscal, social, and cultural catastrophe. As of the end of March, there were around 516—many, many of whom were Māori that have left and exited as a result of the priority one decision that was taken by this Government to expedite those households and whānau who have been living in emergency housing for over 12 weeks. Now, we are very proud of the decisions that we have taken to expedite those whānau and tamariki out of those difficult and exposed lives in emergency hotels, particularly in places like Ulster Street in Hamilton West.

    Rt Hon Winston Peters: Would the Minister have any idea as to how many homeless Māori the $80 million – plus profits the Waipareira Trust could house if the money was applied to them properly?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: There is a lot of mahi to do, and we’re getting on and doing the mahi here in this Government.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: Will the Government commit to increasing funding for Māori housing and wraparound services for providers in Thursday’s Budget, in light of the 53 percent increase in homelessness in Tāmaki-makau-rau?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As the “mana pūtea” Minister Willis will say, one more version of “Hine E Hine” to come. Kia ora tātou.

    Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: A point of order, please, Mr Speaker. The question was quite specific, and I just wonder if the Speaker can advise, where the member asked “Will the Government commit to increasing funding”, based on a 53 percent increase in Tāmaki-makau-rau—we’re not clear on what that answer was or whether it was actually directed to the actual question.

    SPEAKER: I took it to mean that the—[Interruption] I’m speaking. I took it to mean that the Budget’s being delivered tomorrow and that he was not going to be releasing Budget information ahead of the delivery tomorrow.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Late night Police teamwork land two arrests:

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police moved swiftly to apprehend two people attempting to burgle a Hunua property last night.

    Eagle, a dog handler and patrols were despatched to Ponga Road at around 9.30pm after the property owner, who was observing from a distance, alerted Police that he could see people on his property.

    “The rural property had been targeted by burglars four times in the past few weeks,”  Counties Manukau South Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Clive Wood says.

    Police responded rapidly to reports of two people leaving the property – one in a vehicle and one on foot heading into nearby bush.

    “Police located the vehicle nearby and apprehended the female driver,” Senior Sergeant Wood says. “Eagle and Delta teams remained at the property searching for a man who Eagle observed moving around.”

    A man was apprehended by the dog handler at around 10.20pm and suffered a minor dog bite on his arm.

    Senior Sergeant Wood says: “Police are pleased a rapid response and good teamwork ended a potentially dangerous situation without incident.”

    A 48-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man have been charged with burglary and will appear in the Papakura District Court today.

    ENDS.

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: “A devastating record”: New Greenpeace analysis reveals almost half a million blue sharks caught as ‘bycatch’ in Central and Western Pacific in 2023

    Source: Greenpeace

    TASMAN SEA – A new analysis of the latest fisheries data by Greenpeace Australia Pacific has revealed widespread slaughter of sharks in the Pacific Ocean by industrial longline fishers. The analysis estimates that almost half a million blue sharks were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023, the highest number in recorded history since 1991.
    Greenpeace estimates that around 438,500 near-threatened blue sharks, almost 50 million kilograms, were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023 from Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WFCPFC) data. The figure is double the 2015 numbers.
    The analysis of shark bycatch data also revealed that the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea areas between New Zealand and Australia had some of the highest rates of birds caught on fishing lines – 13% of bycatch from longliners were seabirds like albatross.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Juan Parada says, “This rampant destruction of critical ocean life in the high seas between New Zealand and Australia highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to protect the oceans.”
    “The Tasman Sea faces multiple threats from industrial fishing. We’ve recently seen firsthand the destruction caused by bottom trawlers in a similar area of the high seas, where we witnessed graveyards of destroyed coral. Now we see that almost half a million blue sharks were unnecessarily killed in the West and Central Pacific in 2023. That’s so many sharks that if stacked nose to tail, they would reach the International Space Station and back.
    “The international waters between New Zealand and Australia are globally renowned precisely because of the range and variety of ocean life that lives there, from deep sea corals growing on seamounts to sharks, seabirds and migrating whales. 
    “It’s such a significant place that Greenpeace and allies are calling for it to be one of the world’s first global ocean sanctuaries and it must be protected from longlining and bottom trawling so ocean life can thrive,” says Parada.
    In October last year a New Zealand bottom trawler, t he Tasman Viking, pulled up several types of deep-sea coral while trawling in international waters of the Tasman Sea.
    The incident happened on Lord Howe Rise, a region renowned for diverse marine life including corals, sponges, whales and seabirds.
    Parada says, “While some countries are working constructively towards protecting the high seas, New Zealand is actively blocking meaningful ocean protection. Shockingly New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling these waters.
    “To protect the Tasman Sea, New Zealand must stop bottom trawling and get on with helping to create global ocean sanctuaries so all the life that lives there can thrive.” Scientists agree that to help stave off the worst of the climate crisis at least 30% of the world’s oceans must be protected from industrial harm by 2030.
    Creating global ocean sanctuaries in international waters like the Tasman Sea, those areas outside of any one country’s jurisdiction, will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. In 2023 the world won the Global Ocean Treaty, which provides the legal framework for these sanctuaries, but first it must be passed into law.
    Parada says, “Now is the time for cooperation in ocean protection. Every day that passes without the Global Oceans Treaty in force, marine species are being pushed closer to the brink of extinction by the industrial fishing fleet in the high seas.”
    Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokesperson Georgia Whitaker says of the shark bycatch data, “The data is deeply disturbing – it’s a devastating record and a testament to the destructive nature of the industrial fishing industry. Sharks and other animals dying by the hundreds of thousands a year in this one patch of ocean, brutally killed by a legal and indiscriminate fishing practice like longlining. This is an appalling legacy our global leaders are leaving while the blue lungs of our planet are already facing chronic decline. Industrial fishing is sucking our ocean dry, fuelling the biodiversity crisis, and pushing prehistoric animals like sharks to the brink of extinction. Healthy shark populations are central to a healthy ocean – this is a loss we can’t afford.”
    Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France, in June, Greenpeace is calling on governments to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty. Both New Zealand and Australia have signed the treaty but have yet to bring it into force.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on May 20, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,74,008.90 5.67 0.01-6.75
         I. Call Money 16,733.50 5.79 4.85-5.85
         II. Triparty Repo 3,77,859.80 5.66 5.62-5.80
         III. Market Repo 1,77,682.60 5.69 0.01-6.75
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,733.00 5.87 5.82-6.75
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 131.30 5.76 5.40-5.85
         II. Term Money@@ 725.00 – 6.10-6.10
         III. Triparty Repo 2,185.00 5.83 5.70-5.90
         IV. Market Repo 1,031.95 5.68 5.35-5.98
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Tue, 20/05/2025 1 Wed, 21/05/2025 4,617.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Tue, 20/05/2025 1 Wed, 21/05/2025 435.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 20/05/2025 1 Wed, 21/05/2025 2,24,630.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,19,578.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Thu, 17/04/2025 43 Fri, 30/05/2025 25,731.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,735.56  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     34,466.56  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,85,111.44  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on May 20, 2025 9,66,107.38  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending May 30, 2025 9,48,817.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ May 20, 2025 4,617.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 02, 2025 2,34,873.00  
    @ 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. 2025-2026/91 dated April 11, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/377

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Introduces Landmark Autonomous Vehicle Legislation to Accelerate Safe Deployment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
    Washington, D.C.— Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this week introduced the Autonomous Vehicle Advancement Act, groundbreaking legislation aimed at transforming autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in the United States. The Autonomous Vehicle Advancement Act seeks to move the nation beyond policy discussions and toward practical implementation of self-driving technology.
    “For nearly a decade, Washington has talked about autonomous vehicles without meaningful action,” Lummis said. “This legislation cuts through the red tape and establishes a clear path forward for getting safe autonomous vehicles on American roads where they can save lives, create jobs, and maintain our technological leadership. Wyoming is a highway state and ensuring that autonomous vehicles are integrated in the safest way possible remains my number one priority.”
    Background:
    The bill addresses two critical components for AV advancement:
    1. It requires federal agencies to implement recommendations from the landmark 2016 federal report on autonomous vehicles within one-year, jumpstarting progress on long-dormant policy objectives.
    2. Most significantly, the legislation establishes a comprehensive roadmap for achieving commercially viable Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles – advanced self-driving systems that require minimal to no human intervention. The Secretary of Transportation will be tasked with identifying essential needs and regulatory barriers that must be addressed to facilitate widespread deployment.
    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Attention all trustees: Top 5 EOFY checklist!

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    As the 30 June deadline for trust resolutions approaches, it’s crucial for trustees and their advisers to be clear about their obligations. Our end of financial year (EOFY) checklist will help you avoid basic trust errors that can arise if you don’t fully understand your obligations or take reasonable care to get things right.

    1. Understand how income is defined for the trust estate.

    Trustees must be familiar with their trust deeds and accurately determine the income of the trust estate for each financial year. Common errors include actions that are inconsistent with the deed, mistaking accounting profit for distributable income, and misinterpreting trustee powers. To avoid these errors, trustees should:

    • review the trust deed and distribute income according to each beneficiary’s entitlements
    • review the trust deed to understand how it defines income.
    1. Identify the trust’s beneficiaries.

    Trustees need to correctly identify the beneficiaries of their trust. Errors often occur when trustees fail to read the deed, distribute to non-beneficiaries, or distribute outside the family group when a family trust election (FTE) or interposed entity election (IEE) is in place. To prevent these mistakes, trustees should:

    • identify beneficiaries as per the trust deed
    • ensure all entitled beneficiaries quote their TFN and are notified of their entitlement.
    1. Understand resolutions and present entitlement.

    Trustees must make valid resolutions to appoint or distribute income to beneficiaries by

    30 June of the relevant tax year. If resolutions aren’t made by this date, the trustee may be liable for all income of the trust and taxed at their marginal rates. Errors such as invalid resolutions and back-dated resolutions can be avoided by:

    • reading the trust deed
    • making clear and timely resolutions.
    1. Identify any family trust elections (FTE) or interposed entity elections (IEE).

    A family trust is a trust where the trustee has made a valid FTE. Family trusts can access tax concessions but, distributions made outside the family group will trigger family trust distributions tax (FTDT). This is a specific 47% tax payable by the trustee on the distribution. The Commissioner has no discretion with FTDT once it is triggered. Therefore, trustees should be vigilant about existing FTEs or IEEs in place and maintain accurate records.

    We’re seeing an increase in trustees distributing outside the family group triggering FTDT. To limit FTDT risks, trustees should:

    • be aware of all FTE or IEEs made and their family group
    • keep copies of all elections.
    1. Maintain clear and accurate records.

    Poor record keeping is the most common cause of issues related to trusts. Trustees need to understand that they’re personally liable for the debts of the trusts they administer. Keeping complete and accurate records can prevent unforeseen tax liabilities falling upon the trustee.

    More resources

    You can also use our Trust tax-time toolkit for more useful information, checklists and tips to ensure you correctly meet your trust tax obligations.

    We also recommend you favourite or bookmark our comprehensive web Trustscontent so you can access it whenever you need it.

    Keep up to date

    We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.

    Read more articles in our online Business bulletins newsroom.

    Subscribe to our free:

    • fortnightly Business bulletins email newsletterExternal Link
    • email notifications about new and updated information on our website – you can choose to receive updates relevant to your situation. Choose the ‘Business and organisations’ category to ensure your subscription includes notifications for more Business bulletins newsroom articles like this one.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 05.20.2025 Sen. Cruz’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ Legislation Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement following the passing of his No Tax on Tips Act in the U.S. Senate with a vote of 100-0. This bipartisan legislation will exempt tips from being subject to taxation under the federal income tax.
    Sen. Cruz said, “President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would eliminate taxes on tips. In Congress, I formed a bipartisan, bicameral coalition to get that done, and in the Senate introduced the No Tax on Tips Act. Today, I went with Senator Rosen to the floor to secure Senate passage of the bill. This legislation will have a lasting impact on millions of Americans by protecting the hard-earned dollars of blue-collar workers, the very people who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this important bill and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
    BACKGROUND
    The bill exempts “cash tips”—cash, credit and debit card charges, and checks—from federal income tax by allowing taxpayers to claim a 100% deduction at filing for tipped wages. The updated text includes guardrails to ensure only traditionally tipped employees will benefit from No Tax on Tips.
    Read the bill text here.
    Sen. Cruz has consistently prioritized tax cuts and job access:
    Sen. Cruz helped enact historic tax reform in 2017, which gave a tax cut to virtually every taxpayer in America. It reduced taxes on small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and job producers, which has helped bring jobs to Texas.
    He has fought to make permanent the 2017 historic tax cuts for individuals.
    Sen. Cruz also helped pass the USMCA trade agreement, which was signed by President Trump, a decisive victory for Texas farmers, ranchers, businesses, and manufacturers.
    For his efforts to support Texas businesses large and small, Sen. Cruz received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “Spirit of Enterprise” award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Pushes for Senate Passage of Bill to Improve Voter Registration Services at Naturalization Ceremonies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Pushes for Senate Passage of Bill to Improve Voter Registration Services at Naturalization Ceremonies

    While Senate Republicans Block Efforts to Register Citizens, Padilla Blocks Their Efforts to Pass Anti-Voter SAVE Act
    WATCH: Padilla underscores the importance of making voting accessible to all eligible AmericansWASHINGTON, D.C. — On the anniversary of President Clinton signing the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) into law, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, spoke on the Senate floor to push for the unanimous passage of his legislation to improve voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies. The Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act would designate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act, requiring USCIS staff to help new U.S. citizens complete their voter registration forms and return them to the appropriate state agency following their naturalization.
    U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) objected to Padilla’s attempt to pass the bill by unanimous consent. Lee instead attempted to unanimously pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, to which Padilla strongly objected to prevent the potential disenfranchisement of millions of eligible American citizens. 
    Senator Padilla highlighted the success of NVRA, also known as the “Motor Voter Act,” in registering voters at Departments of Motor Vehicles, military recruitment offices and public agencies that manage programs like SNAP and Medicaid. He pushed for NVRA to extend to naturalization ceremonies, helping secure the fundamental right to vote in our democracy for the country’s newest eligible citizens.
    “We should all believe in that most basic of lessons that I believe we all learned in high school civics class: that our democracy works best when as many eligible people participate.”
    “One other place that the National Voter Registration Act can and should extend to is naturalization ceremonies — giving new eligible United States citizens the information they need to register to vote should they want to.”
    Padilla emphasized that naturalized citizens are among the most patriotic Americans, detailing his own background as the proud son of immigrants.
    “If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend one before, I can tell you personally: there are few experiences that give you more of that patriotic feeling than inside the four walls of a naturalization ceremony. If you’ve ever had doubts or questions about what it means to be an American, I encourage you to talk to and ask a newly naturalized citizen.”
    “As I think about the people who go through the process, I can’t help but also think about my parents, because they went through the naturalization process. And when I see the dozens or hundreds of immigrants becoming citizens, I envision what their preparation was like because it was very similar no doubt to what my parents did. Taking classes, studying, showing up at every important appointment, filling out all those forms. And on the day they finally take the oath of allegiance, they earn the full benefits of United States citizenship.”
    “So it was an honor and a privilege to be able to address those audiences as Secretary of State, and encourage them not just to get involved in community, but to register to vote and exercise their new right to vote.”
    USCIS does not consistently offer newly eligible citizens the opportunity to register to vote at naturalization ceremonies, and even more rarely offers them assistance in filling out and returning their voter registration forms. Padilla stressed that just 61 percent of all naturalized U.S. citizens were registered to vote during the November 2022 election (the most recent available data), compared to 70 percent of citizens born in the United States. He urged his colleagues to join him in passing the INVITE Act to help rectify this disparity.
    “My bill would use the powers of the National Voter Registration Act to designate USCIS field offices as voter registration agencies — effectively giving our field staff not just the opportunity, but the duty to help new eligible United States citizens register to vote. Rather than just hand out a form, it would empower USCIS personnel to actually assist new citizens in completing and returning their voter registration forms.”
    “Let me just say to everyone who regularly expresses concern about noncitizens voting. I would suggest, what better place to make sure citizens are registered than at a naturalization ceremony?”
    “The responsibilities that come with citizenship don’t end upon taking the oath of citizenship. That’s just the beginning. So I urge all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to join me in supporting this commonsense bill to invest in and strengthen our democracy.”
    The INVITE Act would maintain USCIS’ flexibility to work with state voter registration agencies and nonpartisan voter registration organizations, and it would allow the agency to develop and implement plans with each state to carry out this important work. 
    Specifically, designating USCIS field offices under the National Voter Registration Act would require them to:
    Work with states to develop and implement a plan to distribute voter registration information and forms to new citizens following naturalization,
    Offer assistance to new citizens in filling out the voter registration application, and
    Transmit the completed application to the appropriate state election official or agency.
    Senator Padilla believes that our democracy is strongest when every eligible American participates. He is a champion for stronger voting rights, bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections. Padilla has led the charge opposing President Trump and Republicans’ reckless attempts to restrict the right to vote. Last week, he convened a Rules Committee Democrats spotlight hearing focused on Congressional Republicans’ SAVE Act and Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order, both of which threaten to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens. As President Trump marked 100 disastrous days in office, Padilla also recently led his Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to speak out against the SAVE Act and attacks on election integrity. Last month, Padilla warned Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and Chief Election Officials across the country of the devastating potential impacts of the SAVE Act, concerns that have been echoed by top election officials across the country.
    Additionally, Padilla led 11 Senators in introducing the Defending America’s Future Elections Act to repeal Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order and prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive voter registration data and state records. Padilla previously led 14 Democratic Senators in calling on Trump to revoke his illegal anti-voter executive order and issued a statement slamming the order when it was announced.
    Video of Senator Padilla’s full remarks on the INVITE Act is available here.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Stops Senate Passage of SAVE Act That Would Disenfranchise Millions of Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Stops Senate Passage of SAVE Act That Would Disenfranchise Millions of Americans

    WATCH: Padilla objects to Lee’s attempts to pass the anti-voter SAVE Act by unanimous consentWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, blocked Senator Mike Lee’s (R-Utah) attempts to unanimously pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would lead to the disenfranchisement of millions of eligible American citizens if passed. Padilla blasted the overly burdensome documentation requirements in the SAVE Act, which would make registration harder for new voters, married women, rural voters, servicemembers, communities of color, and the tens of millions of Americans who register to vote online or by mail.
    Lee’s harmful proposal came in response to Senator Padilla’s attempt to pass the Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act by unanimous consent to improve voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies. In responding to Lee’s objection, Padilla emphasized that Congress should try to make voting easier for eligible American citizens, not harder. He also debunked misinformation about widespread voter fraud, highlighting that voter fraud is extremely rare.
    A review of the 2016 general election found that only 0.0001 percent of votes came from improper noncitizen voting among the jurisdictions reviewed.
    Key Excerpts:
    “It is a solution in search of a problem. Audit after audit, review after review, investigation after investigation, has demonstrated that the instances of ineligible immigrants voting in elections is exceedingly, exceedingly, exceedingly rare, which again, means our current laws are working.”
    “To suggest that birth certificates be required for a certain task when it’s already secure — I don’t make it a habit of walking around with my birth certificate in my pocket. A passport’s another acceptable form of documentation for citizenship. Half the American public doesn’t have a current valid passport because not everybody travels abroad on a regular basis. So they’re unnecessary. Our current laws are working, and therefore I object.”
    Padilla has led the charge opposing President Trump and Republicans’ reckless attempts to restrict the right to vote. Last week, he convened a Rules Committee Democrats spotlight hearing focused on Congressional Republicans’ SAVE Act and Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order, both of which threaten to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens. As President Trump marked 100 disastrous days in office, Padilla led his Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to speak out against the SAVE Act and the Trump Administration’s attacks on election integrity. Last month, Padilla warned Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and Chief Election Officials across the country of the devastating potential impacts of the SAVE Act, concerns that have been echoed by top election officials across the country. Padilla also recently led a letter sounding the alarm on the devastating impacts of the SAVE Act and Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order on Native American voting rights.
    Additionally, Padilla led 11 Senators in introducing the Defending America’s Future Elections Act to repeal Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order and prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive voter registration data and state records. Padilla previously led 14 Democratic Senators in calling on Trump to revoke his illegal anti-voter executive order and issued a statement slamming the order when it was announced.
    Video of Senator Padilla’s objection to the passage of the SAVE Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Signs Legislation Protecting Kids From Big Tech

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Signs Legislation Protecting Kids From Big Tech

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed LB140, LB383, and LB172 – a slate of legislation brought on his behalf, aimed at providing protections to kids from utilization of online services and social media.  Upon passage, LB383 was amended to include LB172.

    In January, Gov. Pillen stood with senators to introduce the proposed measures, broadly aimed at:

    • Restricting the use of cell phones in school, bell to bell (LB140)

    • Providing parents with a variety of parental controls over social media accounts (LB383)

    • Expanding prohibitions against child pornography to include materials created through AI (LB172)

    “I appreciate the partnership of senators Sanders, Storer and Hardin to get each of these bills across the finish line. They know that the most important thing we do in this state is protect our kids,” said Gov. Pillen. “The research is clear about the detriments from overexposure to social media and the way Big Tech works to keep kids online and coming back for more. This has been a considerable effort, and I appreciate the collective work to get the bills to my desk for signature.”

    A fourth bill, also introduced on behalf of the Governor – LB504 – has been advanced to the final round of debate. Sponsored by Senator Carolyn Bosn, the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act requires that online services protect user data, implement design features that will reduce harm resulting from compulsive use, and enables parents to have access to privacy and account settings.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Signs Bill to Protect Power Grid from Cryptocurrency Operation Use

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Signs Bill to Protect Power Grid from Cryptocurrency Operation Use

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed into law LB526, introduced on his behalf by Senator Mike Jacobson. The legislation helps to preserve electrical service to homes, businesses and other Nebraska customers, by establishing requirements for cryptocurrency mining operations. In addition to notifying power utilities in advance, the bill also provides for payment or a letter of credit covering costs associated with potential infrastructure upgrades.

    “With the opportunity in expanding this emerging industry, comes responsibility. This bill provides the guardrails needed to ensure that our electrical grid can handle the increased demand. By requiring mining operations to contribute to grid upgrades and be transparent about their energy use, we’re protecting our infrastructure,” said Gov. Pillen. 

    In addition to the provisions above, the bill allows utilities to impose terms and conditions on these operations, such as requiring them to shut down during times of peak electrical demand and requiring that mining operations report annually on their energy consumption.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Trump Unveils $175B Golden Dome Missile Defense System, Cites China and Russia Threats

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President of the United States Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had selected a design for the $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and named a Space Force general to head the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia.

    The program, first ordered by Trump in January, aims to create a network of satellites, perhaps numbering in the hundreds, to detect, track and potentially intercept incoming missiles.

    Trump told a White House press conference that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead program manager for an effort widely viewed as the keystone to Trump’s military planning.

    Golden Dome will “protect our homeland,” Trump said, adding that Canada had said it wanted to be part of it.

    In a statement, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he and his ministers were discussing a new security and economic relationship with their American counterparts.

    “These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome,” it added.

    Trump said the defense shield, which would cost some $175 billion, should be operational by the end of his term in January 2029, but industry experts were less certain of that timeframe and the cost.

    “Ronald Reagan wanted it many years ago, but they didn’t have the technology,” Trump said, referring to the space-based missile defense system, popularly called “Star Wars”, that Reagan proposed.

    The Golden Dome program faces both political scrutiny and funding uncertainty.

    “The new datapoint is the $175 billion, but the question remains, over what period of time. It’s probably 10 years,” said Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

    Silicon Valley and U.S. software expertise can be leveraged to bring advances, while also using existing missile defense systems, he added.

    This month, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Golden Dome could cost as much as $831 billion over two decades.

    Democratic lawmakers have voiced concern about the procurement process and involvement of Trump ally Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has emerged as a frontrunner alongside Palantir PLTR.O and Anduril to build key components of the system.

    “The new autonomous space-age defense ecosystem is more about Silicon Valley than it is about ‘big metal’,” Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said at the White House event.

    “So what’s exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete.”

    “Big metal” refers to legacy defense contractors.

    The Golden Dome idea was inspired by Israel’s land-based Iron Dome defense shield that protects it from missiles and rockets.

    Trump’s Golden Dome is much more extensive, including a massive array of surveillance satellites and a separate fleet of attacking satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off.

    Tuesday’s announcement kicks off the Pentagon’s effort to test and ultimately buy the missiles, systems, sensors and satellites that will constitute Golden Dome.

    Trump said Alaska would be a big part of the program, while Florida, Georgia and Indiana would also benefit.

    Many of the early systems are expected to come from existing production lines. Attendees at the press conference named L3Harris Technologies LHX.N, Lockheed Martin LMT.N and RTX Corp RTX.N as potential contractors for the massive project.

    L3 has invested $150 million in building out its new facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it makes the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites that are part of a Pentagon effort to better detect and track hypersonic weapons with space-based sensors and could be adapted for Golden Dome.

    Golden Dome’s funding remains uncertain. Republican lawmakers have proposed a $25-billion initial investment for Golden Dome as part of a broader $150-billion defense package, but this funding is tied to a contentious reconciliation bill that faces significant hurdles in Congress.

    “Unless reconciliation passes, the funds for Golden Dome may not materialize,” said an industry executive following the program, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “This puts the entire project timeline in jeopardy.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philippine, U.S., Australian forces conduct combined training on Palawan

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), Australian Army Soldiers with the 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR), Australian Defence Force (ADF), and Philippine Marines from the 3rd Marine Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), executed a high-tempo, trilateral simulated airfield insertion during a maritime key terrain security operation (MKTSO) for Exercise Balikatan 25, May 4, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering Schemes

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Zaven Yeghiazaryan, 44, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Gerald J. Pappert to 13 counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy, health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with his execution of a variety of schemes.

    The charges arose from the defendant’s commission of fraud offenses targeting, among others, government programs, including through the use of shell companies and false identities, between January 2020 and April 2024. The defendant’s fraud offenses targeted two government programs which offered relief during the Covid-19 pandemic: the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. In addition, the defendant admitted that he participated in a scheme to defraud the Medicaid program.

    Based upon his guilty pleas to the 13 counts, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 230 years in prison, a three-year period of supervised release, and a $3,250,000 fine, restitution of $334,905 and forfeiture. Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2025.

    The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Labor, the United States Department of Transportation – Office of the Inspector General and the State Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary E. Crawley and Special Assistant United States Attorney Megan Curran. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: CPC Central Committee Politburo Member Calls for Strengthening Cooperation with Egypt

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) — Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Egypt from May 17 to 20, calling for strengthening cooperation with Egypt in the fields of culture, tourism, media, publishing and think tanks, and efforts to make China-Egypt cooperation a model of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

    He noted that both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations, and the friendship between the two peoples has a long history. The China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has flourished under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the Politburo member added.

    China is willing to cooperate with Egypt in implementing the important agreements reached by the two heads of state, strengthening high-level political mutual trust, promoting high-quality cooperation and strengthening coordination in international and regional affairs, Li Shulei said.

    He also said China is willing to join hands with the Arab League to uphold the spirit of China-Arab friendship and continue to promote the rapid development of China-Arab relations.

    During the visit, Lee Shulei met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt Hanafi Ali al-Ghebali, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and the leader of the Future of the Nation party, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Saad al-Din Mohamed Abdel-Rehim. Lee Shulei also held talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu al-Gheit.

    During the meetings, Egyptian officials said China is the most sincere friend and partner of Egypt and other African countries, and thanked Beijing for its long-standing support. They said Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports the country in achieving national reunification.

    Egypt is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, new energy and high technology, strengthen dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen coordination and cooperation in multilateral platforms so as to benefit both countries and their peoples and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, they stressed.

    A.A. Al-Gheit said the Arab League is ready to play an active role in ensuring the success of the second China-Arab States summit and in promoting the creation of an Arab-Chinese community with a shared future. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Panama confirms neutrality of Panama Canal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    PANAMA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Panama remains committed to maintaining the neutrality of the Panama Canal for all vessels from around the world, both in times of peace and in times of conflict, Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos said Tuesday during a UN Security Council debate on maritime security.

    “Panama, as the sovereign administrator of the Panama Canal, solemnly declares that the Canal, as a waterway for international transit, shall be permanently neutral, so that in time of peace as in time of war it shall remain safe and open to the peaceful transit of all vessels from all over the world, under conditions of complete equality and without discrimination of any kind,” he said.

    C. Hoyos added that more than 8,800 ships, or 15 percent of the international fleet, fly the Panamanian flag, which allows them to reduce costs.

    Panama’s Maritime Authority has doubled down on efforts to vet the country’s merchant fleet through a zero-tolerance policy on flag abuse to protect the registry’s reputation, a deputy minister said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • EAM Jaishankar meets Danish PM in Copenhagen, discusses green partnership, anti-terror cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently on an official visit to Denmark, met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal greetings and reaffirming India’s commitment to deepen its Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark.

    Taking to X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Thank PM Mette Frederiksen for warmly receiving me in Copenhagen this evening. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM Narendra Modi. Thank Denmark for its solidarity and support in combatting terrorism. Value PM Frederiksen’s guidance to take forward our Green Strategic Partnership and widen the canvas of our cooperation.”

    The meeting held on Tuesday evening, comes ahead of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, which is scheduled to take place later this year in Norway, which PM Modi was initially expected to attend, but changes in schedule led to Jaishankar representing India.

    During the meeting, Jaishankar and Frederiksen also discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern, including counter-terrorism collaboration.

    Denmark has expressed consistent support for India’s position on global terrorism, a topic that has gained renewed urgency following recent security developments in South Asia.

    India and Denmark share a unique diplomatic framework, the Green Strategic Partnership, launched in 2020, which stands as India’s only such partnership globally. It has become a cornerstone of bilateral relations, with both countries focusing on sustainable development, renewable energy, water management, and climate action.

    Earlier in April, PM Modi had a phone conversation with PM Frederiksen, during which both leaders emphasised the growing scope of bilateral cooperation. “Glad to speak with PM Mette Frederiksen today. Reaffirmed our strong support for the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and enhancing cooperation across sectors for the benefit of our people,” PM Modi posted on X following the call. (IANS)

  • Airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza, international criticism of Israel grows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday, local medics said, continuing to bombard the enclave despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations and allow unimpeded deliveries of aid.

    Britain announced it was suspending trade talks with Israel and summoning its ambassador over “egregious policies” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asked for a review of the EU-Israel trade deal, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

    The war, now in its 20th month, has left Gaza in ruins and its population facing a worsening hunger crisis. It has strained Israel’s relations with much of the world and those with its closest ally, the United States, now appear to be wavering.

    The United Nations said no humanitarian aid had been distributed yet in Gaza, although Israel eased its 11-week-old blockade on Monday.

    “Israeli authorities are requiring us to offload supplies on the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing and reload them separately once they secure our team’s access from inside Gaza,” said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

    He said four trucks of baby food were dropped off on the Palestinian side of the border on Monday, and that a few dozen trucks of flour, medicine, nutrition supplies and other basic items entered Gaza on Tuesday.

    Israel’s military said 93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday via Kerem Shalom “after a thorough security inspection”.

    Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas militants in Qatar appeared to falter again, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had decided to bring back the senior negotiating team from Doha for consultations.

    Hamas accused Netanyahu of entering the talks in bad faith, pretending to participate in a bid to mislead global public opinion. “No real negotiations have taken place since last Saturday,” the Palestinian Islamist group said in a statement.

    Israel’s military chief said during a Gaza field tour that the army would expand its operations against Hamas, capture additional territory and “clear and destroy the terrorist infrastructure until (Hamas) is defeated”.

    18 DEAD IN AIRSTRIKE ON TWO HOMES, MEDICS SAY

    Israel conducted further airstrikes on Tuesday across the densely populated enclave and medics said the sites hit included two homes where children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displaced families.

    Israel’s military, which on Monday warned those in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast as it prepared for an “unprecedented attack”, had no comment. Israel says Hamas uses civilian buildings for cover; Hamas denies this.

    In Gaza City, Reuters footage showed men, women and children sifting through the rubble of the Daraj neighbourhood school where they had been sheltering, and where charred pieces of clothing and a red teddy bear lay among scattered belongings.

    At nearby Al-Ahli Hospital, men said prayers over bodies wrapped in white shrouds, before carrying them to their graves.

    “What is our fault? What is the fault of children? What is the fault of the women we found on the stairs with their hair and clothes torn and burned?” said Omar Ahel, who had been sheltering at the school. “By God, this is injustice.”

    Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past nine days as the military campaign has intensified, Gaza medics say.

    SANCTIONS

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament he, along with the leaders of France and Canada, was “horrified” by Israel’s military escalation, repeating calls for a ceasefire.

    The three nations had warned on Monday of “concrete actions” against Israel if it did not stop military operations in Gaza and lift restrictions on aid.

    In addition to suspending trade talks, Britain announced sanctions against a number of individuals and groups in the Israeli-occupied West Bank over alleged violence against Palestinian residents.

    EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers have been prepared but have so far been blocked by one member state, the EU’s Kallas said, without naming the country.

    “External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein posted on X.

    Israel’s ground and air offensive has displaced nearly all Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and killed more than 53,000, according to Gaza health authorities.

    The campaign began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities near Gaza’s border in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    The hunger crisis in Gaza deepened after Israel imposed a blockade on supplies from March 2. The U.N. says at least 500 trucks of aid and commercial goods need to enter Gaza every day to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

    Louise Wateridge of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday there was little food left.

    “Everything’s empty. The warehouses, the distribution centres, they’ve been empty for weeks,” she said, speaking from a warehouse in Jordan that she said had food for 200,000 people that could be driven to Gaza in just a few hours.

    Israel’s leadership has insisted that it can free remaining hostages and dismantle Hamas through stepped-up military action. Hamas has said it would free the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and the release of Palestinians in Israeli jails.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today, Channel 9

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Karl Stefanovic:

    Jim, good morning. Nice to see you. Looks like you just got out of the shower my man.

    Jim Chalmers:

    A couple of hours ago, Karl. Good morning. How are you?

    Stefanovic:

    The Coalition is taking a bath this morning. I mean, could you get more lucky?

    Chalmers:

    It’s obviously a mess on the former Coalition side of the parliament, but it’s really not our focus. As you said in your introduction, we saw interest rates cut yesterday for the second time in 3 months. We’re getting inflation down, we’re getting wages up, we’re keeping unemployment low. And that’s because our focus will continue to be on providing stable, responsible, considered, methodical economic leadership. And we saw some of the dividends of that yesterday when rates were cut again.

    Stefanovic:

    You’re restraining yourself from talking about it. I see that in your eyes, Jim. I’m sure it’s the scuttlebutt around town. Look, the makeup of the parliament we looked at it this morning, you guys weren’t that bloody good.

    Chalmers:

    We’re very grateful for the magnitude of the victory that we saw a few Saturdays ago. We’ve made it really clear we’re grateful for the support that was shown by the Australian community. I think they did go for that stability and that responsible economic management. We’ll hear more about that later today when our campaign director fronts the National Press Club.

    But we don’t want to waste the day. We’re grateful for the opportunity. We know that a second term is an opportunity to build more homes and roll out more renewables, make our economy more productive, get on top of this inflation challenge, help with the cost of living. And so that’s been our focus, really, throughout the first term, throughout the campaign, and it will be the major focus of our second term too.

    Stefanovic:

    Have you spoken to the PM about the Coalition dramas? I mean, as Phil Coorey points out this morning: the Prime Minister may as well do another couple of laps of the sun.

    Chalmers:

    I haven’t spoken to him about the Coalition. Obviously, we’ve had some interactions while he’s been overseas, but not about that. And on the second part of your question, I genuinely believe that things change quickly in politics. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. Our working assumption is that elections are typically close in this country. The last one, notwithstanding, was a better result than what most people were anticipating. But we don’t underestimate our political opponents, and we don’t focus on them.

    Yesterday was a big event, it was a shambles, it was a mess, but it wasn’t our focus. My focus yesterday was on this interest rates decision which will provide welcome relief for millions of Australian families. We’ll continue to focus on the things that really matter to people, even while our political opponents continue to focus on themselves.

    Stefanovic:

    You’re expecting more mortgage relief later in the year. There are – plenty of speculation this morning that’s going to drive prices through the roof. How much of a concern is that?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t make predictions about future decisions taken by the independent Reserve Bank. Certainly the market and the economists expect that there will be more interest rate cuts to come and that won’t be the only factor when it comes to house prices. House prices are usually a combination of a whole range of factors. And so our focus is on continuing to put this downward pressure on inflation, keep unemployment low, get wages growing again, roll out our cost‑of‑living help and also build more homes because we want people to be able to access more affordable options.

    Stefanovic:

    All right. Finally, we now know Australia’s biggest super funds asked you to reconsider the super tax. They’ve had no luck with that. You’re staying stubborn on that, you will not change it?

    Chalmers:

    First of all, they said that publicly a couple of years ago. They made a public submission to, when we did one of the 3 rounds of consultation we did on these changes. We haven’t changed our policy that we took to the election. The policy that we announced a couple of years ago. I listen respectfully when people have got a range of views about this policy or indeed any policy, but we’ve made it clear what our priority is here and that’s how we intend to progress.

    Stefanovic:

    Can you fix the train network in Sydney this morning for us just before we go?

    Chalmers:

    I just saw that story on your news a bit earlier on. I hope people can get safely to work and that those issues can be resolved as quickly as possible.

    Stefanovic:

    Good on you, Jim. Always good to talk to you.

    Chalmers:

    Thanks Karl, you too.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Budget delivers record boost for frontline service delivery

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    21/05/25

    The Victorian Budget 2025–26 delivers $11.1 billion to strengthen Victoria’s public health system – supporting frontline staff, expanding access to care, and improving health outcomes across the state. This includes a $9.3 billion boost for hospitals.

    The additional funding means Victoria is investing a record $31 billion in our healthcare system this year.

    The Budget focuses on delivering practical support for services that communities rely on, ensuring Victorians can access timely, high-quality care close to home. Supporting hospitals and expanding capacity

    Supporting hospitals and expanding capacity

    The budget supports expanding and operationalising hospitals, and supporting workforce across Victoria to keep delivering world-class care. This includes:

    • $634.3 million to open and operationalise nine new or upgraded hospitals, including the new Footscray Hospital, Frankston Hospital redevelopment, Maryborough and District Hospital, and community hospitals in Cranbourne, Craigieburn, and Phillip Island Community Hospitals.
    • Additional investments to modernise and future-proof our hospitals include:
    • $57+ million for essential building upgrades at the Royal Melbourne Hospital
    • $61.8 million for the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program
    • $52.3 million for the Medical Equipment Replacement Program.
    • An additional $95 million will support nurses, midwives, and healthcare workers through clinical placements and professional development at all stages of their careers.

    Better, faster care in an emergency

    To help more Victorians access emergency care faster:

    • $437 million to expand the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, increasing its capacity to 1,750 calls per day by 2028–29
    • $48.2 million will support Urgent Care Clinics and expand the Community Pharmacist Program, allowing pharmacists to treat a broader range of conditions for free.
    • $84.2 million will strengthen rural and regional ambulance services through 15 dual paramedic crews, four peak-period units, and four 24-hour services
    • $58.4 million will improve patient flow through emergency departments.

    Expanding mental health and wellbeing care

    Funding in this year’s Budget will give Victorian mental health services the resources they need to care for more Victorians and focus on prevention and early intervention, especially for young people and our regional and rural communities.

    Key investments include:

    • $34.5 million to expand Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, with seven new locations joining the existing 15 sites. These services provide free care without a referral or Medicare card for all Victorians aged 26 and over
    • $48.5 million for early intervention programs like the Perinatal Emotional Health Program, Rainbow Door, Responder Assist, Koori Mental Health Liaison Officers and more
    • Over $300 million to maintain access to mental health beds, across emergency, hospital, and in-home settings
    • Continued rollout of the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
    • Opening of three Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) services in regional areas from July 2026
    • $47 million for workforce development including junior psychiatry rotations and registrar training
    • $10.1 million to support lived experience and peer-led services, including young carers through the Satellite Foundation and consumer leadership through the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council
    • $7.5 million for suicide prevention initiatives like HOPE, Yarning Safe n Strong, Strong Brother Strong Sister, and LGBTIQA+ aftercare services
    • $10 million for the Mental Health Capital Renewal Fund to help services provide safe and therapeutic environments for recovery
    • The Budget invests $44 million in alcohol and other drug services to expand the pharmacotherapy program, support outreach programs and strengthen residential rehabilitation services.

    Strengthening specialist and community care

    The Budget also supports Victorians with complex, chronic or long-term health needs by delivering services that help people live safely and independently in their communities. This includes:

    • $22 million to support the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People and provide allied health assessments to support NDIS access
    • $2.7 million to enhance the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program
    • $34.6 million for public sector residential aged care services to continue delivering high-quality care and $7.5 million to improve facilities across the sector
    • $7.6 million to support safer medication management in aged care
    • $38.3 million to Local Public Health Units to maintain safe drinking water and operate the thunderstorm asthma early warning system
    • $8.1 million to support our world-class cancer services, including the Victorian Cancer Biobank and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium.

    Inclusive and culturally safe care

    To ensure our health system supports all Victorians, the Budget includes:

    • Funding of over $13 million will support Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative Limited fund an upgraded, modern facility to deliver clinical, social and wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Melbourne’s south east
    • $15.8 million for ten Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to provide culturally safe pregnancy and postnatal care
    • $15.3 million for targeted LGBTQIA+ health initiatives.

    Find out more

    For more information, visit the Victorian Budget websiteExternal Link or read the Premier’s media release.External Link

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Homegrown pioneer first project funded for Solar Sunshot

    Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

    Australian solar pioneer 5B has been selected as the first project to receive funding from the Australian Government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program to help expand Australia’s solar manufacturing industry.  

    Funding of up to $46 million will go to the Australian based company to increase manufacturing capacity of its highly innovative ‘Maverick’ – an automated solar deployment system using prefabricated, prewired panels. The technology has the potential to drastically speed up and scale up the roll out of solar farms, reducing the cost and labour intensity of current methods.  

    ARENA CEO Darren Miller said ARENA is excited to be announcing 5B as the first project under the Solar Sunshot Program to support solar manufacturing in Australia to accelerate the renewable energy transition.   

    “This project represents the best of homegrown Australian technology and innovation in solar and we are proud to support 5B’s goals of making solar deployment faster, cheaper, safer and more efficient.  

    “ARENA has a vision of reaching 1 terawatt of installed solar PV in Australia by 2050 to achieve our renewable energy ambitions. Projects like this are what we need to get there.” 

    “Today represents a step towards building Australia’s resilience in the solar value chain as the global demand for renewable energy technologies, products and knowledge intensifies.”  

    5B CEO David Griffin said this funding would drive down 5B’s Australian production costs by 25% and accelerate 5B’s ability to offer large customers lower cost energy alongside the safety, speed and land efficiencies unique to the 5B Maverick solution.  

    “It means we can further strengthen our team, creating opportunities from the factory floor, in our field deployment crews, and specialists working on gigawatts of solar farm designs.”  

    The funding will support the expansion of 5B’s Australian manufacturing capacity in solar to produce at least 200 MW of Maverick units at their Adelaide manufacturing facility over the next three years. The Maverick systems will support the demand for increased deployment of large-scale solar across Australia. 

    About Solar Sunshot  

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is delivering the $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program to support innovation in Australia’s solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing industry.   

    Solar Sunshot was announced by the Australian Government in March 2024 and aims to uncover and support innovation to drive scale and diversity in a critical industry.    

    Australia benefits from strong renewable energy potential, high-quality, abundant raw materials, and a long track record of excellence in research and development.   

    Solar Sunshot aims to harness these advantages so that Australia can strengthen and diversify its supply chains and create economic opportunities.    

    Round 1A offers $500 million of capital and production-linked funding for solar PV manufacturing innovation, with a focus on modules, inputs to modules and deployment systems (closed). 

    Round 1B offers $50 million of funding to support solar PV manufacturing studies, including feasibility and engineering studies (remains open).  

    Funding to 5B has been awarded under Round 1A of the Program. 

    Learn more at https://arena.gov.au/funding/solar-sunshot/   

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 151KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NFL players cleared to take part in 2028 Olympics

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

    NFL (National Football League) clubs voted on Tuesday at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minnesota to permit NFL players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

    The resolution authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the relevant Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of NFL players in flag football, which is making its Olympic debut in 2028.

    David Njoku (C) of AFC competes during the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Orlando, the United States, on Feb. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

    “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

    “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”

    Olympic rosters will be selected by each countries’ National Olympic Committees based on the proposal by the respective National Federations, according to the announcement.

    “I warmly welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympic Games,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet.

    “The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football, who come from more and more countries, and now have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport, showcasing everything that makes flag football a genuine worldwide phenomenon.

    “IFAF’s 75 national federations join me in thanking our NFL partners for this further demonstration of their commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement.”

    The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams composed of 10 players per team, with the game itself a five-on-five format. NFL player participation with their countries’ national teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

    Flag football is governed internationally by the IOC-recognized International Federation of American Football, which has 75 member federations spanning every continent. A record 31 nations and regions participated in the most recent IFAF Flag Football World Championships, mirroring the sport’s explosive grassroots growth, with 20 million players around the world.

    “There is no question that the 2028 Flag Football tournament at the LA28 Games will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history, and the inclusion of NFL players will bring it to new heights,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. 

    MIL OSI China News –