NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI China: US Senate passes Trump’s landmark mega-bill

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

    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The GOP-led Senate on Tuesday passed U.S. President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, a major stride toward Trump’s goal of getting the legislation to his desk and signed by this week’s end.

    The sweeping bill passed narrowly by 51 to 50, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding ballot. Three Republicans were the only GOP lawmakers to vote no: senators Susan Collins, Thom Tillis and Rand Paul.

    The legislation is considered the GOP’s biggest legislative win in the lead-up to next year’s midterms, in which the party could lose its slim majority in the House.

    The bill extends Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, slashes taxes on tips and provides new spending for the military and border security.

    “Today was a historic day … and we’re very excited to be a part of something that is going to make America stronger, safer and more prosperous,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said after the bill passed the Senate.

    But there remains one more major hurdle ahead, as the bill needs to be passed in the House of Representatives, which is expected to vote as early as Wednesday.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone, and I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House. Actually, I think it will be easier in the House than it was in the Senate,” Trump said.

    However, Democrats have been vehemently opposed to the mega-bill, which funds an agenda to which Democrats stand in stark contrast.

    Democrats have blasted the tax cuts in the bill as reductions that benefit the wealthy. Republicans maintain that the cuts will help the middle class.

    The bill has angered Democrats for what the party says are cuts to essential programs such as Medicaid — health care coverage for low-income people — as well as to food stamps.

    Democrats also fret the bill will add trillions of U.S. dollars to the surging national debt.

    An analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the changes Trump made in the Senate version of the bill would add trillions of dollars to the already significant national debt, and that the bill would create considerable losses in health care coverage.

    The CBO has predicted that the bill would add 2.4 trillion dollars to the national debt in the next 10 years, while also pushing up the deficit by around 3.3 trillion dollars between 2025 and 2034.

    The CBO’s analysis also forecast that the bill would cause 11.8 million more Americans to lose their insurance by 2034, which, as experts have said, will surely create hurdles for the bill’s passage in the House before Trump’s July 4 deadline.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: South China island province offers 40M yuan in summer tourism subsidies

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

    People visit the Domestic Brands Zone of the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s southern island province of Hainan launched a summer tourism promotion campaign on Tuesday, and will offer 40 million yuan (about 5.59 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies to stimulate seasonal tourism spending, local authorities said.

    The program runs from July to September and will provide targeted subsidies to help cover travel to and from the province, accommodation, tickets to tourist attractions and dining expenses, according to the Hainan provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

    Tourists can upload valid receipts through designated online platforms. Subsidies ranging from 150 yuan to 3,060 yuan will then be directly refunded to visitors’ personal bank accounts.

    Hainan is expected to host more than 100 cultural, tourism and sports events this summer, including festivals, live performances and athletic competitions, to showcase the island’s diverse charm.

    Known for its year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, Hainan is seeking to revitalize its tourism industry. China aims to transform the province into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.

    In 2024, Hainan recorded a total of over 97.2 million tourist visits, including both domestic and international visits, marking an 8-percent year-on-year increase. Total tourism expenditure grew by 12.5 percent last year — reaching 204 billion yuan, official data revealed.

    This year, the province is hoping to welcome more than 100 million tourist visits, both domestic and international.

    As part of its broader economic strategy, China is transforming Hainan into a Free Trade Port (FTP). As the Hainan FTP is set to begin independent customs operations by the end of the year, the province is poised to become not only a tourist haven but also a pivotal gateway for China’s opening-up drive. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Eurozone inflation rate reaches 2% in June

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

    Photo taken on July 7, 2022 shows the headquarter of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone is expected to reach 2 percent for June, up from 1.9 percent in May, according to a flash estimate published Tuesday by Eurostat.

    The inflation is driven by the price of services, which recorded a yearly inflation rate of 3.3 percent in June, up from 3.2 percent the previous month.

    The prices of food, alcohol, and tobacco registered a 3.1 percent year-on-year inflation rate in June, down from 3.2 percent in May.

    Inflation for non-energy industrial goods declined from 0.6 percent in May to 0.5 percent in June. A negative inflation rate of -2.7 percent was recorded for energy prices, an increase from -3.6 percent in May.

    Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, tobacco and alcohol prices, was unchanged at 2.3 percent in June.

    Among the main economies of the Eurozone, Germany recorded an inflation rate of 2 percent, down from 2.1 percent in May. France recorded an inflation rate of 0.8 percent, up from 0.6 percent in May, and Spain’s inflation rate stands at 2.2 percent, up from 2 percent in May.

    The highest inflation rate was recorded in Estonia at 5.2 percent, up from 4.6 percent the previous month, while Cyprus registered the lowest inflation rate for June at 0.5 percent, up from 0.4 percent in May.

    “Inflationary pressures have clearly weakened as wage growth is coming down and economic performance remains sluggish, keeping the door open to another rate cut in autumn,” said Bert Colijn, Chief Economist for the Netherlands at ING.

    According to Colijn, risks such as oil price spikes and the outcome of tariff negotiations between the EU and the U.S. remain.

    The European Central Bank (ECB) last month announced an eighth rate cut, bringing the policy interest rate to the lowest level since December 2022. According to the ECB statement, most measures of underlying inflation suggest that inflation will settle at around the 2 percent medium-term target on a sustained basis. However, the ECB has not yet dropped its guard, insisting that it is determined to ensure inflation stabilizes sustainably at its medium-term target.

    Market expectations for interest rate cuts were unchanged after the June inflation figures were published. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US manufacturing struggles through fourth straight month of decline

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

    U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month in June, with new factory orders plummeting amid escalating trade tensions and soaring input costs that continued to weigh on the world’s largest economy, while the automotive sector showed similar signs of strain after a tariff-driven sales surge had collapsed.

    “The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 49 percent in June, a 0.5-percentage point increase compared to the 48.5 percent recorded in May,” said Susan Spence, chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, in a press release. It was still below the critical 50 percent threshold that separates growth from contraction, according to data released Tuesday.

    The persistent weakness in U.S. industrial backbone reflected broader economic headwinds as trade disputes continued to disrupt global supply chains while manufacturers grappled with sustained price pressures.

    Raw material costs have surged for eight consecutive months, with the ISM Prices Index hitting 69.4 percent in May, according to the previous month’s data.

    The manufacturing downturn coincided with a dramatic collapse in automotive sales momentum. “The springtime surge in U.S. auto sales landed with a thud last month, setting up a slowdown in the months ahead as carmakers digest President Donald Trump’s tariffs on auto imports and consumers find fewer deals,” Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

    “The party is over,” Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for researcher Cox Automotive Inc., said in a Bloomberg interview. “It’s clearly slowing. It’s because of affordability getting worse and forcing what we think will be production declines to keep supply in balance.”

    The automotive sector’s sudden reversal illustrated the broader economic impact of trade policies. The annual automotive selling rate likely fell to 15 million in June — the slowest pace in the last 12 months — from 17.6 million in April as consumers pulled back from major purchases.

    Shoppers rushed to showrooms as beating tariff-induced price increases became a motivation to buy, pushing up second-quarter sales an estimated 2.5 percent from the prior-year period, according to industry researcher J.D. Power. However, that momentum has now evaporated.

    New orders in manufacturing, a key indicator of future production, fell for the fifth straight month to 46.4 percent in June, down 1.2 percentage points from May’s already weak 47.6 percent reading. The employment situation in manufacturing has also remained challenging as companies adjust to reduced demand and elevated operating costs.

    The automotive industry exemplified these broader manufacturing challenges. Ford Motor Company’s second-quarter sales jumped 14.2 percent, helped by employee pricing programs, though growth moderated in June. Hyundai Motor Company reported 10 percent second-quarter growth but only a 3 percent gain in June, down sharply from April’s 19 percent surge, according to Bloomberg data.

    “These tariffs are already hitting the U.S. auto industry,” said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, describing the policies as “inflationary, if not stagflationary.”

    According to J.D. Power, average monthly car payments reached a record 747 U.S. dollars in June, up 22 dollars from a year ago. That has more people stretching car loans to 84 months, which accounted for 12 percent of all auto financing last month, up three percentage points from last year.

    “Given the impact of tariffs, prices are likely to start rising at a much faster rate,” Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist for Cox said in a press release on June 25. “Higher vehicle prices are coming to the new vehicle market.”

    Consulting firm AlixPartners predicted automakers will pass along 80 percent of Trump’s tariff costs to consumers, driving up prices by nearly 2,000 dollars per car, though the firm expected the full impact won’t be felt until year-end.

    Manufacturing companies are feeling similar pressures from multiple directions. The Prices Index recorded its highest readings since June 2022, with companies reporting significant increases in aluminum, copper, steel, electrical components, and plastic resin costs, according to earlier ISM reports.

    Supply chain executives surveyed by the ISM reported mixed conditions across different sectors. Only three of the six largest manufacturing industries (Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported increased new orders in June.

    The ISM’s analysis suggested the June manufacturing reading “corresponds to a change of plus-1.9 percent in real gross domestic product on an annualized basis,” according to Spence’s statement. This indicated that while manufacturing faces headwinds, the sector’s performance would still support modest economic growth.

    The June slowdown was “a hangover from some of the sales that were pulled ahead,” said Mark Wakefield, global auto market lead for consultant AlixPartners. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Call on Trump to Release Billions of Dollars in Funding for Public Education

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff Call on Trump to Release Billions of Dollars in Funding for Public Education

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) issued the following statement demanding the immediate release of funding for K-12 public schools after the Trump Administration announced its intent to illegally withhold over $6 billion in Congressionally appropriated education funds, including approximately $928 million from California:

    “Just weeks away from the start of the school year, the Trump Administration has managed to find trillions of dollars in tax breaks for billionaires but went out of their way to freeze education funding that Trump, himself, signed into law. That’s not just wrong for our students — it’s wrong for our economy, too.

    “If the Trump Administration goes through with their latest political attack on California and our nation’s public education, it will punish the teachers and principals who are already underpaid and under-resourced. It will force schools to roll back after-school programs, hurt the children of farm workers traveling to pick our food, and hold back students who rely on English-language classes.

    “This reckless decision threatens the future of America’s workforce and our global competitiveness. And if the Administration is asking for a fight, make no mistake — California will give it to them.” 

    The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs from being available to school districts across America:

    • Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    • 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    • Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    • English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    • Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farm workers.
    • Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Beijing issues blue alert over heavy rains

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — The Beijing Meteorological Department has issued a blue alert for heavy rainfall expected to hit a wide area of the city from the afternoon of July 2 to the morning of July 3.

    According to weather forecasters, in some areas the rain will be accompanied by thunderstorms. In some places the amount of precipitation will exceed 30 mm per hour.

    Rain has become more frequent in the Chinese capital this week. This weather will prevail in the city in the coming days. No sharp temperature jumps are expected, but increased humidity will aggravate the heat, forecasters warn.

    The agency recommended that residents monitor weather forecasts, not take shelter from the rain near multi-story buildings or billboards, and that drivers exercise caution on roads that are slippery after rain and avoid flooded areas. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel Agrees to Necessary Conditions for 60-Day Ceasefire in Gaza – D. Trump

    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

    HOUSTON, July 1 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Israel has agreed to the necessary terms for a 60-day truce to end the conflict in Gaza, and called on Hamas to accept the deal.

    “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions for a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days, during which time we will work with all parties to end the war,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social social network.

    “The Qataris and the Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring peace, will present this final proposal,” Trump said.

    He also called on Hamas to agree to the deal. “I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas agrees to this deal, because it’s not going to get better — it’s going to get worse,” Trump added. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: For more than a century of history, the CPC is known for its outstanding achievements – analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    MINSK, July 2 (Xinhua) — The Communist Party of China (CPC) has been known for its outstanding achievements in its more than century-long history, Sergei Vergeichik, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS), told Xinhua in Minsk.

    “The Communist Party of China is one of the largest and most authoritative political parties in the world. On July 1, 100 million members of the CPC, devoted to the ideals of serving their people and the state, celebrate another anniversary of its creation. Over more than a century of history, the CPC is known for its outstanding achievements. In difficult conditions, it managed to satisfy the basic social needs of society: poverty and illiteracy have been eliminated, the population has been provided with housing, jobs have been created, and general food security has been ensured. In general, China has completed the construction of a middle-income society,” the Belarusian analyst notes.

    According to S. Vergeichik, today’s achievements of the PRC are based on maintaining the continuity of historical experience and will determine the sustainability of the development of the Chinese state for years to come. “The CPC does not stop there, continues to lead the implementation and improvement of the policy of reforms and openness, remains true to the original goal and confidently goes at the forefront of the implementation of the historical mission – the great revival of the Chinese nation,” the expert emphasized.

    S. Vergeichik drew attention to the fact that China’s development experience is, without exaggeration, unique in the history of all mankind. “The Chinese path of development is attracting the attention of an increasing number of countries in the world. Belarus is interested in China’s experience. Strong relations of a comprehensive and all-weather strategic partnership, an iron brotherhood are a good example of how mutual trust, assistance and support in the current difficult international conditions allow our countries to maintain stress resistance in the face of global and regional challenges, to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” the BISI analyst noted. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Barge capsizes in Gulf of Suez

    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, July 2 (Xinhua) — The Adam Marine 12 barge, owned by Offshore Shukheir Oil Company, capsized in the Gulf of Suez on Tuesday, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said.

    The agency stressed that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating its actions with the relevant authorities and companies in the area of the incident.

    A team led by Oil and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi and Labor Minister Mohamed Ghobran has been dispatched to the site of the shipwreck to oversee rescue operations, the statement said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ombudsman’s three strategic focuses deliver results and tangible benefits to community (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

         The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (July 2) presented the 2024-25 Annual Report of The Ombudsman to the public. The Office exceeded all its service targets in handling enquiries, complaints, reassessment and review of complaints in the reporting year. 

         Mr Chan said, “Since assuming office on April 1 last year, I have championed three strategic focuses: (1) enhancing mediation to effectively and swiftly resolve public complaints; (2) fostering interdepartmental collaboration to provide highly efficient and quality public services; and (3) cultivating a positive and proactive complaint culture within the community. These three initiatives are designed to improve the quality of public administration, deliver tangible benefits to our citizens, and encourage the Government and citizens to  foster a more stable, harmonious and progressive society for all.” 

         In the reporting year, the Office concluded an all-time high of 555 cases by mediation, nearly tripling the number of the previous year and accounting for 33.5 per cent of the cases pursued. Given that the average time taken to resolve a complaint by way of mediation was only 10.87 days, it significantly expedited the process of redressing grievances for the public.

         On the front of fostering interdepartmental collaboration, the Office completed three direct investigation operations and processed 141 complaint cases during the year in this connection.
     
         The Office has stepped up efforts to cultivate a positive complaint culture. In addition to the annual Ombudsman’s Awards Scheme, the Office issued 41 appreciation letters to 16 departments and organisations, and presented 19 appreciation certificates to complainants during the year, recognising their contribution to the enhancement of public administration. For the first time, the Office hosted seminars for universities and tertiary institutes, with a total of 13 seminars held at tertiary and secondary institutes throughout the year to promote a positive complaint culture. The Office is in active preparation for establishing the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy to provide appropriate training for government departments and public organisations, enhance the professional capabilities of staff of the Office, and promote exchanges and co-operation between the Office and overseas ombudsman institutions.
     
         The Office completed eight direct investigation operations and 40 full investigations during the year, delivering a total of 254 recommendations, 37 per cent more compared to that of the previous year, for improvement of public administration. All the recommendations were accepted by the government departments or organisations concerned, including some having been pursued and implemented. From November 2024 onwards, the Office started making observations in cases concluded after inquiries to highlight the improvements that had been or could be put in place more speedily. As at March 31, 2025, 106 observations had been made and were well received by the government departments or public organisations concerned.

         In the reporting year, the Office received 4 402 complaints on various topics and completed 4 664 cases (including some carried over from the preceding year), of which 3 009 were assessed and closed and 1 655 pursued and concluded.

         The full text of the Annual Report can be viewed or downloaded from the Office’s website at www.ombudsman.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Management of Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ18: Management of Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin 
    Question:
     
    There are views that the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, being an important historical and cultural temple, has a profound history and extensive social influence. Regarding the management of the temple, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that according to the information provided by the Chinese Temples Committee, the annual surplus of the Che Kung Temple for the year ended March 31 last year exceeded $16 million, whether the Government knows the intended specific uses of the surplus, including whether it will be transferred to the General Chinese Charities Fund under the Chinese Temples Ordinance (Cap. 153) or used for community projects in Sha Tin District;
     
    (2) whether it knows, in respect of major decisions relating to the Che Kung Temple (e.g. the expansion project and the adjustment of fees for services provided in the temple), how the Committee seeks the views of worshippers or heritage conservation groups, and whether the Committee has held open meetings or kept records of such consultations on a regular basis; if the Committee has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) whether it knows if the Committee has formulated development strategies for the Che Kung Temple for the next 10 years, including coping with the growth in visitor flow, providing digitalised services (e.g. using a platform for electronic blessings) or implementing environmental protection measures (e.g. reducing the pollution caused by joss sticks); if the Committee has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,
    According to the Ordinance, all revenues from the administered temples under the Committee (including the Che Kung Temple) must first be transferred to the Chinese Temples Fund (CTF). The temple keepers of individual administered temples do not have the authority to determine the use of these revenues. The CTF is primarily used for the purposes of organising customary ceremonies and the maintenance of the temple buildings and temple properties and so on. For instance, the Committee has granted fundings under relevant funding schemes to the Ta Chiu Festival Committee of Kau Yeuk of the Sha Tin Rural Committee for organising the decennial Ta Chiu Festival in the Year of Yisi, and to the Sha Tin Rural Committee for organising the Che Kung worshipping event. Any surpluses from the CTF may be transferred to the General Chinese Charities Fund (GCCF), also managed by the Committee, for the purposes of any Chinese charity in Hong Kong. It includes grants to the Home Affairs Department for provision of emergency financial relief to needy persons of Chinese race who are affected by natural disasters or accidents, as well as the GCCF funding scheme supporting charitable activities and projects for the Chinese community in Hong Kong. The use of surpluses from the CTF is also governed by the Ordinance and is not subject to the discretion of the temple keepers of individual administered temples.Issued at HKT 11:10

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Gnangara Road closures

    Source: South Australia Police

    Published Monday, 30th June 2025

    The Water Corporation will soon begin works on Gnangara Road to construct over 14 kilometres of new wastewater pipeline from Ellenbrook to Wangara.

    These essential works will enhance wastewater services for the City of Wanneroo and are a key step in securing Western Australia’s water future.

    To carry out these works safely, traffic will be disrupted on Gnangara Road and several road closures are proposed on nearby streets. These closures will help maintain a safe working environment for construction crews while ensuring continued access for local residents.

    Road closures and traffic disruptions will include:

    • One lane will be closed on Gnangara Road, between Alexander Drive and Priest Road, from Monday 30 June. Access will be maintained via a new temporary lane.
    • Priest Road (southbound only) will be closed from Monday 30 June to Monday 22 September 2025, with detour via Coverwood Promenade and Huntingdon Parkway.
    • Huntington Parkway will be closed from Monday 30 June to Monday 22 September 2025, with a detour via Coverwood Promenade.
    • Coverwood Promenade is proposed to be closed from Monday 29 September to Friday 28 November 2025, with a detour via Huntington Parkway.

    For more information about the road closures and the wastewater pipeline project, visit the Water Corporation website.
     

    More articles in the news archive.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Taskforce Respect helps achieve reduction in Glenorchy crime

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Taskforce Respect helps achieve reduction in Glenorchy crime

    Wednesday, 2 July 2025 – 1:07 pm.

    Six weeks on from the launch of Taskforce Respect to target anti-social behaviour and retail crime in Glenorchy, police are expanding operations to identify and recover stolen property.
    It comes as new data from Tasmania Police shows a 16 per cent fall in total offences in the Glenorchy division for the past 12 months, including a reduction in youth offending.
    Members from Taskforce Respect recently executed two search warrants in the Glenorchy area, with thousands of dollars in stolen property recovered.
    Police also seized a quantity of methylamphetamine, two gel blaster firearms, a laser pointer and an extendable baton, among other items.
    Glenorchy Police Inspector Jason Klug said Taskforce Respect – with its focus on high visibility policing and community engagement through foot patrols – had made a positive impact in the city’s CBD and retail areas.
    This is supported by Tasmania Police data to the end of the financial year which shows total offences in the Glenorchy division are down.
    There were 4578 total offences in the 2023-24 financial year, compared with 3848 total offences in the 2024-25 financial year.*
    Youth offences in 2023-24 were 928 and fell to 731 in 2024-25, a reduction of 21 per cent.
    There were 135 public place assaults in 2023-24 compared with 124 public place assaults in 2024-25, a reduction of 8 per cent.
    (*Media please note: The number of offenders is not a count of unique people. Offenders involved in multiple offences will be counted multiple times.)
    Community and business members have reported a reduction in anti-social behaviour and retail crime, Inspector Klug said.
    Multiple charges of stealing, unlawful possession of property, minor drug offences and people carrying a dangerous article in a public place have been brought against alleged offenders.
    While conducting foot patrols in the Glenorchy CBD in the past week, members of Taskforce Respect issued nine formal directions to people committing offences or displaying anti-social behaviour.
    “The initial phase of our taskforce was high visibility interactions with all members of the community, including those that offend,” Inspector Klug said.
    “The intent was to increase a feeling of safety in our public spaces while holding offenders, and recidivist offenders in particular, to account. The taskforce is now evolving to include searches to locate stolen property items and charge those people who may receive these items after they have been stolen.”
    In its first month of operation, Taskforce Respect issued 35 formal directions for people to leave popular public areas because they were either committing offences or displaying anti-social behaviours.
    The taskforce would like to thank the local community for their positive comments and assistance in reporting matters to police.
    “We receive many favourable comments and correspondence noting the community’s appreciation. We encourage the community to approach our members and say hello,” Inspector Klug said.
    If you have information on a crime, call police on 131 444 or call 000 (triple zero) if it is an emergency.
    You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Crapo Statement on Senate Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today hailed Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

    “With this bill’s passage, the United States Senate is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to secure the border, fortify our national defense and unleash American energy.  This legislation also prevents the biggest tax hike in U.S. history from ever happening, delivers additional tax relief to hardworking families and takes significant steps to get our fiscal house in order. 

    “Making the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent ensures Americans keep more of their hard-earned money, and gives businesses the certainty they need to make the long-term investments that power economic growth.  New tax relief from policies like no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, tax relief for seniors and additional child care assistance will overwhelmingly benefit the working class.  

    “The legislation also achieves historic savings by targeting waste, fraud and abuse in our federal spending programs, strengthening them for the most vulnerable citizens they are intended to help.

    “Extending good tax policy, delivering targeted relief and reining in wasteful spending is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans.  I look forward to getting it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

    Crapo, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over tax policy, is one of the chief architects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

    For more information on the provisions within the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, click HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement Honoring Heroic Coeur D’Alene Firefighters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Coeur D’Alene, Idaho–Two of Idaho’s finest firefighters–Coeur D’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Harwood–sacrificed their lives rushing to extinguish a reported fire on Sunday.  As Idahoans and as a nation, we are forever in debt to these men who paid the ultimate price while protecting their fellow firefighters, community homes and surrounding neighborhoods.  I join many Idahoans to honor and revere their heroic lives, actions and legacies.

    I continue to pray for Coeur D’Alene Fire Department Engineer Dave Tysdal, who was in critical condition, and the other innocent first responders who came under fire and eliminated the threat.

    Their bravery, character and deep dedication in the face of unspeakable tragedy deserves the highest commendation one can bestow.  Their families will be honored, supported and lifted up by Idaho communities, their band of firefighters, caring friends and other loved ones.

    Frank Harwood and John Morrison are forever etched in our hearts, having secured their place among the greatest of heroes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consultation on catch limits for Chatham Rise orange roughy now open

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    Fisheries New Zealand is seeking public input into proposed changes to catch limits and management measures for the Chatham Rise orange roughy fishery, says Fisheries New Zealand director fisheries management, Emma Taylor. 

    The consultation, which began today, is part of the regular fisheries sustainability review, which began with consultation on changes for other fish stocks last week.   

    “The Chatham Rise orange roughy fishery (ORH 3B) is New Zealand’s largest orange roughy fishery, by area and catch, and is of value to commercial fishers,” says Emma Taylor. 

    “Catch limits for ORH 3B were reduced by 40 percent in 2023 due to sustainability concerns. Recent stock assessments indicate that further changes are needed to put the fishery back on track to meet sustainability targets, so we are seeking feedback on a variety of different options to reduce catch limits in the fishery.”

    Also included in the consultation beginning today are proposals for catch limit changes for blue mackerel on the east coast of Northland and the Bay of Plenty (EMA 1). 

    “The latest information indicates the EMA 1 stock is at or around the target level and we are seeking views on whether there is an opportunity to make some slight increases to catch limits. We want to hear peoples’ views about the risks and benefits of the options we have proposed,” says Emma Taylor. 

    “Following this consultation, we will prepare advice for Fisheries Minister Shane Jones to make decisions on any changes, which would come into effect for the fishing year starting 1 October 2025.”

    The consultation for changes on these two stocks is open now and will run until 28 July 2025.

    The full proposals, as well as more information about the consultation and how to make a submission can be found on Fisheries New Zealand’s website: 

    Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) – 2025 October round

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

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s next for NSW’s intense storm? Heavy rains, fallen trees – and a chance of a storm ‘slingshot’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia

    Millions of people in New South Wales hunkered down last night as an intense “bomb cyclone” swept in. Falling trees took out power lines, leaving about 40,000 people without power, while some areas copped 200mm of rain in 24 hours.

    Evacuation orders are in place at Wamberal, an erosion hotspot on the NSW Central Coast. Flood warnings are in place for the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers in Sydney.

    But it could have been significantly worse. That’s because a second, slightly weaker low has formed out to sea, sucking energy away from the main storm. Without it, wave heights would likely have been much higher, and winds and rain would have been more intense. The main storm’s sustained winds offshore were downgraded from storm force (88–116km per hour) to gale force (63–87km per hour).

    It’s one reason why the storm didn’t end up being classified as an East Coast Low – an intense and often damaging low-pressure system – but rather as a complex, but vigorous coastal low.

    But we can’t relax yet. These two lows may begin to slingshot around each other. One of the storms may well spin off and approach coastlines further south.

    Workers operate heavy machinery to stabilise Wamberal Beach as a low-pressure
    Saeed Khan/Getty

    A tricky storm to classify

    Ahead of its arrival, this storm was shaping up as an East Coast Low – a specific type of very strong storm that emerges when a cold trough high up in the atmosphere triggers a strong low down at sea level.

    But while the storm underwent “explosive cyclogenesis” – intensifying rapidly enough to make it a “bomb cyclone” – it didn’t meet the criteria for an East Coast Low.

    The emergence of the second low out at sea drew some of the main storm’s energy away and reduced wind speeds and wave heights. This is why it’s considered a complex low. The storm also fell short of the duration of heavy rainfall and severe winds speeds needed to consider it an East Coast Low.

    Meteorologists are rightly cautious about classifying a storm as an East Coast Low. That’s because these systems pack a real punch and deserve to be taken seriously on land and at sea.

    The infamous 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race was hit by a sudden and severe East Coast Low. These storms normally form in cooler months, but this summer storm formed suddenly and made a direct hit on the yacht fleet. Six people died and many more had to be rescued. Intense winds destroyed masts and wild seas made rescue very difficult. That storm was also a bomb cyclone, as it intensified extremely quickly.

    In 2007, five East Coast Lows hit. The biggest of these drove the huge Pasha Bulker coal carrier onto Nobbys Beach in Newcastle. In 2016, another East Coast Low led to the memorable image of a swimming pool collapsing onto a beach after huge waves caused erosion.

    Spinning storms

    One unusual thing about this storm is its core. If you didn’t know better, you might think it was a tropical cyclone.

    Storms like this one can also be classified as extratropical cyclones if they’re strong enough. That’s because they have the characteristic whirling cyclonic shape on radar. But there are important differences.

    Tropical cyclones have warm cores and their strongest winds near the core, whereas these storms affecting more southerly regions mostly have cold cores and the strongest winds further out. At certain times of year, they may be “hybrid” systems, showing both tropical and extratropical features.

    The emergence of the second low is likely to trigger the “dumb-belling effect”, a two-way interaction very similar to the Fujiwhara effect in which two tropical cyclones begin to spin around each other.

    A Bureau of Meteorology video explaining the Fujiwhara effect.

    How does this happen? When two tropical or extratropical cyclones form close to each other, their low-pressure centres begin to orbit around a common point influenced by the intensity and relative size of each cyclone. This interaction can lead to the cyclones merging, intensifying or even altering their paths.

    In the southern hemisphere, the two orbiting storms spin clockwise. That means it’s most likely the stronger low sitting off NSW will be spun northwest back out to sea, and the second low will spin southeast, possibly bringing more heavy rain and strong winds to southern NSW and eastern Victoria.

    Steve Turton has received funding from the Australian government.

    – ref. What’s next for NSW’s intense storm? Heavy rains, fallen trees – and a chance of a storm ‘slingshot’ – https://theconversation.com/whats-next-for-nsws-intense-storm-heavy-rains-fallen-trees-and-a-chance-of-a-storm-slingshot-260283

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) – 2025 October round

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    Have your say

    Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for orange roughy in ORH 3B and blue mackerel in EMA 1 as part of the 2025 October sustainability round.

    The ORH 3B stock covers orange roughy across Southland, the East Coast of the South Island, the Sub-Antarctic and the Chatham Islands. The EMA 1 stock covers blue mackerel across the East Coast of Northland, and Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

    We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on the proposals for these stocks. Summaries of the proposals are on this page and full details are in the consultation documents. 

    The closing time and date for submissions on the ORH 3B and EMA 1 proposals is 9am on 28 July 2025.

    Summary of the proposals and consultation documents

    Supporting document

    Information on the interpretation and application of the statutory considerations relevant to TAC decisions is provided in the Legal Appendix. 

    Legal Appendix: Overview of legislative requirements and other considerations in relation to sustainability measures [PDF, 389 KB]

    About the proposed changes

    Fisheries New Zealand reviews catch limits for selected stocks twice a year. This is consistent with the purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow for sustainable utilisation.

    These proposals have been assessed:

    • in the context of the relevant statutory requirements
    • using the best available information, including the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.

    Related consultation

    There is related consultation underway for other fish stocks as part of the 2025 October sustainability round. Submissions on that consultation close earlier (5pm on 23 July 2025).

    Review of sustainability measures for 1 October 2025

    Making your submission

    Email your feedback on the proposals set out in the ORH 3B and EMA 1 consultation documents by 9am on 28 July 2025 to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz 

    A template is available to help you complete your submission.

    Submission template [DOCX]

    While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

    2025 Sustainability Review
    Fisheries Management
    Fisheries New Zealand
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140
    New Zealand.

    What to include

    Make sure you tell us in your submission:

    • the title of the consultation document
    • your name and title
    • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
    • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 1000 lives saved and counting

    Source:

    Over the past month, CFA members have helped save more than 1000 lives, not on the fireground but from the donor chair.

    Since 1 June volunteers from across the state have been busy rolling up their sleeves as part of Lifeblood’s Emergency Services Blood Drive, with each donation capable of saving up to three lives.  

    The drive, which runs from June to August, sees CFA compete alongside other emergency services nationwide in a friendly challenge to donate blood and plasma for patients in need.  

    So far, Ringwood has emerged as the most frequented donor location and O-positive the most donated blood type, making up 37 per cent of all CFA donations. 

    The milestone comes at a crucial time, with O-negative and O-positive supplies currently at their lowest levels since 2023. 

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated members for their ongoing contribution to the cause.  

    “CFA volunteers don’t just serve their communities during emergencies, they also show up in important ways like this,” Jason said.  

    “Every blood or plasma donation can help save multiple lives, so we encourage our members continue to make a meaningful difference by donating to Lifeblood.” 

    Among CFA’s most committed donors is Creswick Fire Brigade member Phil Greenbank, who recently made his 650th donation. 

    “I started donating with my dad in 1984 after he took part in a blood drive with his local football umpiring group,” Phil said. 

    “It became something we did together for years, and I’ve just kept going ever since.” 

    Phil has donated whole blood, plasma and platelets, and has also been a bone marrow donor once helping save the life of a young man who went on to celebrate his 21st birthday after a successful transplant. 

    “If I’m in a position to help someone, I see it as a privilege to do so,” he said. 

    “It’s an easy way to make a difference and I’d absolutely encourage others to give it a go.” 

    Phil also reminded CFA members to ensure they’re registered as part of the CFA team when donating, so their contributions count toward the organisation’s tally. 

    “We’ve been beaten by Victoria Police the last few years, we’re behind again now but there’s still two months to go,” Phil said. 

    “Let’s see if we can reclaim top spot for CFA”. 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reconciliation Australia endorses City’s new Reconciliation Action Plan

    Source: South Australia Police

    Reconciliation Australia has endorsed the City’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2025-2027.

    The Innovate RAP details the City’s commitment to continuously working towards improving relationships, opportunities and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the RAP outlined the practical actions the City would take to advance reconciliation.

    “I’m incredibly proud of how far the City has come since our reconciliation journey began 15 years ago with the development of our inaugural RAP 2012-2014,” she said.

    “Over the next two years the City aims to maintain our current actions, while placing a greater emphasis on strengthening relationships, fostering cultural strength and healing, promoting Noongar language in the community and further increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business opportunities.

    “I would like to sincerely thank the City’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Reference Group, Ni Kadadjiny Koort, and the internal RAP Working Group for their ongoing support, commitment and collaboration, which has helped bring this Plan to fruition.”

    Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine, commended the City on its fourth Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

    “The RAP program’s emphasis on relationships, respect and opportunities gives organisations a framework from which to foster connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples rooted in mutual collaboration and trust,” she said.

    “This Innovate RAP is an opportunity for the City of Wanneroo to strengthen these relationships, gain crucial experience and nurture connections that will become the lifeblood of its future RAP commitments.”

    The Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027 has been designed featuring artwork from local Aboriginal artists and is available to read at wanneroo.wa.gov.au/reconciliation.
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 2, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 2, 2025.

    Parents of kids in daycare are terrified following Melbourne abuse allegations. What can they do?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Arlanda Harris, Associate Professor in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Parents have been left reeling by news a male Melbourne childcare worker has been charged with 70 counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of young children in his care. The charges include sexual penetration

    We all have kangaroos hopping around our coin purse – and they’ve been on money since 1795
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Monash University The one tonne gold kangaroo coin at the Perth Mint. Shutterstock On the Australian one dollar coin, you will often find the famous representation of a mob of five kangaroos. But when did the kangaroo first appear on

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    New laws to make it harder for large Australian and foreign companies to avoid paying tax
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology The Conversation, CC BY The beginning of the financial year means for the first time in Australia the public will see previously unreleased tax reports produced by multinational taxpayers. These documents,

    ‘Shit in, shit out’: AI is coming for agriculture, but farmers aren’t convinced
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Lee, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, University of Technology Sydney David Gray / AFP / Getty Images Australian farms are at the forefront of a wave of technological change coming to agriculture. Over the past decade, more than US$200 billion (A$305 billion) has been invested globally

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission turns 2 – has it restored integrity to federal government?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By A J Brown, Professor of Public Policy & Law, Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Griffith University The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) opened its doors two years ago this week amid much fanfare and high expectations. Since then the body has attracted considerable criticism, overshadowing a solid,

    Gum disease, decay, missing teeth: why people with mental illness have poorer oral health
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bonnie Clough, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University mihailomilovanovic/Getty Images People with poor mental health face many challenges. One that’s perhaps lesser known is that they’re more likely than the overall population to have poor oral health. Research has shown people with serious mental illness

    Farming within Earth’s limits is still possible – but it will take a Herculean effort
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michalis Hadjikakou, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University Patrick Pleul/Getty The way we currently produce and consume food takes a big toll on the environment. Worldwide, farming is responsible for more than 20%

    News laws to make it harder for large Australian and foreign companies to avoid paying tax
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology The Conversation, CC BY The beginning of the financial year means for the first time in Australia the public will see previously unreleased tax reports produced by multinational taxpayers. These documents,

    What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas J. Derrick, Gale Research Fellow in Ancient Glass and Material Culture, Macquarie University minoandriani/Getty Images The roar of the arena crowd, the bustle of the Roman forum, the grand temples, the Roman army in red with glistening shields and armour – when people imagine ancient Rome,

    Memo to Shane Jones: what if NZ needs more regional government, not less?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeffrey McNeill, Honorary Research Associate, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University If the headlines are anything to go by, New Zealand’s regional councils are on life support. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones recently wondered whether “there’s going to be a

    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Doddridge, Senior Research Associate in Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania An icebreaker approaches Denman Glacier in March, when there was 70% less Antarctic sea ice than usual. Pete Harmsen AAD On her first dedicated scientific voyage to Antarctica in March, the Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina found

    Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week aims to be ‘one step ahead’
    By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal/RNZ Pacific correspondent in Majuro The Micronesian Islands Forum cranks up with officials meetings this week in Majuro, with the official opening for top leadership from the islands tomorrow morning. Marshall Islands leaders are being joined at this summit by their counterparts from Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia,

    Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Reza Shabahang, Research Fellow in Human Cybersecurity, Monash University and Academic Researcher in Media Psychology, Flinders University KieferPix/Shutterstock If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with

    What are police allowed to do at protests and who keeps them in check?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Hine, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of the Sunshine Coast Earlier this week, former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was hospitalised with serious injuries after being arrested at a protest in Sydney. This incident sparked public outcry, raising questions about the limits of police power and what

    Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock Hopes are rising that Israel and Hamas could be inching closer to a ceasefire in the 20-month war in Gaza. US President Donald Trump is urging progress, taking to social media to demand: MAKE THE DEAL IN

    A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Lambert, Associate Professor Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Wollongong Fly View Productions/ Getting Images On Tuesday, some Australian university students got access to a new payment. The Commonwealth Prac Payment is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. It will provide A$331.65 a

    ‘I’m going to send letters’: the deadline for Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ trade tariffs is looming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images US President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on implementing so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on some 180 trading partners ends on

    2 polls have Tasmania headed for another hung parliament, but disagree on which party is ahead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Two Tasmanian state polls imply another hung parliament at the July 19 election under Tasmania’s proportional system. In one of these polls, Labor leads the Liberals, while

    Preventive versus pre-emptive strikes.
    Headline: Preventive versus pre-emptive strikes. – 36th Parallel Assessments Photo credit: Reuters. Conceptual clarity is important in any context but especially when it comes to international relations, foreign policy and the initiation of conflict. Recent events in the Middle East have shown once again how clarity in the use of words is often deliberately obfuscated

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: More than meds: why easier access to ADHD treatment has to be part of a whole-system approach

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Belinda Wheaton, Professor, School of Psychological and Social Sciences, University of Waikato

    Thom Leach/Getty Images

    New Zealanders with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will now have easier access to diagnosis and medication after the government changed prescribing rules.

    But there is still so much we don’t know about ADHD in Aotearoa. And while these changes will help many, easier access to medication alone won’t fill the gaps in other supports people with ADHD need to live well.

    From February 2026 trained GPS and nurse practitioners will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD. Under the current system, only paediatricians or psychiatrists can make the diagnosis. GPs and nurse practitioners then provide followup care.

    The current process – which is both time-consuming and expensive – has been widely criticised. The government’s changes are expected to at least partially address these issues.

    ADHD in New Zealand

    One major barrier to progress is the general lack of knowledge about adult ADHD.

    he condition is broadly understood as causing persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In adults, ADHD can have a profound impact in family and work situations, substance abuse and a wide range of psychiatric disorders. But it has largely been ignored in older age groups, with some believing people “grow out” of the condition.

    People with ADHD also often possess strengths, including creativity, spontaneity, high energy, risk tolerance and an ability to think divergently. Many also demonstrate strong problem-solving skills under pressure, passion-driven focus and persistence when engaged in meaningful tasks.

    Worldwide estimates suggest ADHD in adults ranges from 2.5% to 3.4% of most populations. But England’s 2023 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey found 13.9% of adults met criteria warranting clinical assessment. Only 0.5% had been professionally diagnosed.

    In New Zealand, estimates rely on indirect measures such as medication dispensing rates.

    Recent research found 0.6% of the adult population in New Zealand was receiving drug treatment for ADHD. Based on a conservative estimate of 2.6% of adults with ADHD, this shows a large “treatment gap” exists.

    Drug dispensing data in New Zealand also show gaps in who gets diagnosed with ADHD.

    Māori and Pacific peoples are less likely to receive ADHD medications. These inequities begin early. Tamariki Māori screened for ADHD at age four are less likely to receive medication than their non-Māori peers.

    There are also substantial differences in the age of diagnosis across sociodemographic groups. These inequities raise serious concerns about access and systemic bias.

    International research shows untreated ADHD is linked to worse mental and physical health, higher mortality, and reduced life expectancy.

    ADHD prevalence is also five times higher among youth prisoners and ten times higher among adult prisoners compared to the general population. In Australia, ADHD’s social and economic costs are estimated at A$20.42 billion per year, or $25,071 per person.

    Waiting too long for help

    Our ongoing research, including a survey, looks at the lived experiences of adults with diagnosed or suspected ADHD in New Zealand. Many have described the healthcare system as “broken”.

    Survey respondents reported long wait times, high costs for diagnosis and treatment and a lack of expertise amongst health professionals. They also described ongoing stigma and misunderstanding about the lived reality of ADHD.

    The survey mirrors international research showing how longstanding myths and stigmas about what ADHD is and who it affects have impeded societal understanding.

    Adult women were overrepresented in the sample, constituting 83% of the 689 participants, with over 80% reporting being diagnosed after age 24, reflecting global trends of underdiagnosis in early age among women.

    Research suggests ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosed, partly due to outdated knowledge and lack of understanding about its presentation in women, compounded by high rates of coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use and autism.

    Treatment matters

    Growing evidence shows many of the negative outcomes of ADHD are mitigated by treatment with medication. One study from Sweden found a significant association between initiating ADHD medication treatment and lower mortality.

    However, medication is only part of the solution. Strategies focused on the strengths of people with ADHD can have huge benefits for the individual, their whānau and communities. Particularly when they receive timely diagnosis, treatment and necessary accommodations.

    Researchers argue that while ADHD medications provide effective treatment, they should never be the only form of treatment offered.

    More than meds

    Expanding prescribing authority is a vital step, but this alone will do little to increase access to psychological and allied health supports to ensure the right care can be provided to people with ADHD.

    There continues to be an urgent need to address gaps in data and understanding, to provide an evidence-based assessment of the areas where research, funding and policy initiatives need to be targeted.

    Trends show that some groups, including Māori and women, are disproportionately affected by a lack of knowledge and services. As the government revises how ADHD is diagnosed and treated, it must address these discrepancies.

    There is also a complex but poorly understood relationship between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, that needs further investigation. As ADHD New Zealand chairperson Darrin Bull has argued, a “whole-of-system” approach is required to support those with ADHD in New Zealand.

    Belinda Wheaton is collaborating with ADHD NZ on research to improve understanding of ADHD in NZ,

    Byron Rangiwai has received funding from Health Research Council. Byron is currently receiving funding from Apple Computers until October 2025.

    Nicholas Bowden has received funding for ADHD-related research through MBIE’s A Better Start National Science Challenge.

    Stephanie D’Souza has received funding for ADHD-related research through MBIE’s A Better Start National Science Challenge.

    – ref. More than meds: why easier access to ADHD treatment has to be part of a whole-system approach – https://theconversation.com/more-than-meds-why-easier-access-to-adhd-treatment-has-to-be-part-of-a-whole-system-approach-259981

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy effort to bolster growth bears fruit

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

    A worker works at an assembly line of Voyah, a Chinese NEV brand, in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Stepping up policy support for the manufacturing sector will be necessary for China in the second half of the year in order to stabilize employment and ensure a steady growth trajectory amid lingering uncertainties, economists and analysts said.

    Their remarks came as the latest data showed that earlier policy efforts to bolster economic growth have continued to bear fruit, with key indicators of China’s manufacturing sector improving in June as production and market orders picked up.

    However, they warned that the sector still faces mounting headwinds — including falling sales prices, rising receivables and intensified market competition amid faltering external demand — and these are weighing on employment and reinforcing the need for stronger policy buffers.

    “Supply and demand in the manufacturing sector both improved in June,” said Bai Wenxi, vice-chairman of the China Enterprise Capital Union.

    “Companies, however, remained cautious in arranging production plans amid lingering uncertainties of domestic and external demand,” Bai said, adding that intensified market competition is continuing to squeeze profit margins for manufacturers as the drop in sales prices has been steeper than that for raw material prices.

    The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, a privately surveyed barometer of the sector’s health, rose to 50.4 in June from 48.3 in May, showing that the manufacturing sector resumed expansion after a contraction in May, as earlier policy measures aiming to stabilize the economy continued to take effect.

    Despite the improvement, media group Caixin said in a report on Tuesday that in June, manufacturers faced declining output prices at the fastest pace in five months as they had to cut prices to boost sales, while staying generally cautious with hiring due to cost control considerations and reduced optimism regarding output in the next 12 months.

    The official manufacturing PMI survey, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday, provided a similar picture. Although increased production and market orders sent the PMI reading higher at 49.7 in June from 49.5 in May, sales prices and employment in the sector continued to drop, with the activity of small manufacturers contracting more sharply.

    Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, emphasized the need for additional fiscal and monetary support to sustain the sector’s recovery, including advancing tax cuts for smaller manufacturers and reducing interest rates and the reserve requirement ratio — the amount of cash that banks must keep as reserves — to ease financing costs for businesses.

    Zheng said that such efforts are of great significance, as the impact of international trade policy uncertainties on Chinese exporters may further manifest in the second half of the year, while some manufacturers could face funding difficulties as they pursue industrial upgrading and transformation.

    Bai said that targeted support for industrial upgrading should be considered, including scaling up the issuance of local government special bonds and central bank lending aimed at supporting technological and equipment upgrades and attracting more investors to the newly launched tech-focused board in the bond market.

    The People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, vowed on Friday to amplify the intensity of monetary policy adjustments and step up support for technological innovation and equipment upgrades, after launching a series of measures earlier in the week to boost consumption.

    Anna An, president of Henkel China, said the German industrial and consumer goods group recognizes China’s strong commitment to developing high-end manufacturing and related services and has greatly benefited from its rapid growth in key sectors, such as automotive, consumer goods and electronics.

    The National Bureau of Statistics said the PMIs for equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing came in, respectively, at 51.4 and 50.9 in June, staying in expansionary territory for two consecutive months.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Consumption push promises summer tourism boom

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

    A high-speed train arrives at the Qianjiang Railway Station on the Chongqing section of the Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed railway, in Southwest China’s Chongqing, June 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fueled by rising consumption and attractive packages offered by tourism authorities, this summer promises to be a bumper season for tourism, industry insiders said on Tuesday.

    According to the Ministry of Transport, the number of railway passenger trips between July 1 and Aug 31, the duration of the summer vacation for students, is expected to reach 953 million, which will mark a year-on-year increase of 5.8 percent.

    Qi Chunguang, vice-president of travel portal Tuniu, said the summer travel peak is expected much earlier this year. “In fact, our figures suggest it already started on June 28, instead of the usual second week of July,” he said.

    Group tour bookings on Tuniu have increased by more than 35 percent, Qi said. “The majority of them are long-duration domestic trips. Bookings for overseas destinations have surged 60 percent year-on-year,” he added.

    The growth has been spurred by the government’s consumption policy, coupons issued by local tourism bureaus and discount tickets for high school graduates, Qi noted.

    On Monday, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched a summer consumption program, which will promote around 39,000 activities, including drama appreciations, exhibitions and night tours, in July and August.

    To further invigorate the tourism market, the government will also give consumption subsidies of over 570 million yuan ($80 million) to the public in the form of coupons and discounted combined packages.

    Qi, from Tuniu, said that high school graduates, college students and families with children are major drivers of summer tourism consumption. A recent report by Tuniu mentioned that families with children account for over 40 percent of the current bookings made on the platform.

    According to travel portal Qunar, most Chinese travelers are looking for destinations with a temperate climate, so places with daytime temperatures lower than 25 C are recording a surge in bookings.

    The Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Zhaotong and Chuxiong in Yunnan province and Ordos in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region are among the most popular domestic destinations to beat the heat, the travel portal said.

    Beijing, Shanghai, the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang, Qingdao in Shandong province and Chengdu in Sichuan province are also attracting bookings because of their strong cultural vibes, modern cityscapes and mouthwatering food, the portal added.

    Yue Meng, 48, a Beijing resident, said her daughter took the college entrance exam in June and the family planned a trip to Xinjiang to congratulate her.

    “We will spend a week in Xinjiang starting on July 15, and visit attractions such as Sayram Lake and Nalati scenic area,” Yue said, adding that her daughter is scheduled to join an educational tour group to Singapore in August.

    In addition to domestic tourism, outbound travel has also logged robust growth.

    According to travel agency Trip.com Group, visa applications on the platform have recorded double-digit growth.

    Overseas destinations with shorter flight durations, such as Japan and South Korea, remain top choices for Chinese travelers this summer, while some faraway countries in Europe have also seen remarkable growth in bookings, the agency said.

    Visa applications processed by Trip.com for Italy, Norway and Germany have increased by over 80 percent, it added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Zverev, Gauff among record Wimbledon seeds exodus

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

    Five top-10 seeds, including China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, crashed out of the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday in a day of upsets and soaring temperatures.

    Zheng, the No. 5 seed in the women’s singles draw, suffered her third consecutive first-round exit at the grass-court Grand Slam, falling to Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. The match was played as London endured its hottest day of the year, with temperatures surpassing 33 degrees Celsius.

    “I should have done better in my service games,” said Zheng, who was broken twice after leading 5-3 in the opening set. “I don’t think the surface is a challenge for me. I just felt that I should raise my level in my service games today.”

    Siniakova, 29, a 10-time women’s doubles Grand Slam champion, will face four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the second round.

    Carlos Alcaraz hits a return during the men’s singles first round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Fabio Fognini of Italy at Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London, Britain, June 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

    Second-seeded Coco Gauff and third-seeded Jessica Pegula were also knocked out of the women’s singles on a day filled with surprises.

    Gauff, the reigning US Open champion who won last month’s French Open, was beaten 7-6 (3), 6-1 by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.

    “I’m obviously disappointed how the result went today,” said Gauff, 21. “Dayana started off playing strong. I think I couldn’t find my footing out there today.”

    Gauff, a three-time fourth-round finisher at Wimbledon, added: “I really do want to do well here. I’m not someone who wants to write myself off grass this early in my career, but I definitely need to make changes if I want to be successful here.”

    Pegula, meanwhile, was stunned by Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-3 in just 58 minutes.

    In the men’s draw, No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany fell 7-6 (3), 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4 to France’s Arthur Rinderknech.

    Rinderknech, 29, called it the biggest win of his career. “When it’s on Center Court of Wimbledon against a guy like Sascha, who is No. 3 in the world and has been there for the last probably ten years, such a consistent player, and in five sets, I can’t really ask for more,” he said.

    Seventh-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy also suffered a shock defeat, losing to Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. However, Musetti’s compatriot and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced with ease, defeating fellow Italian Luca Nardi 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.

    In the final match on Center Court, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic overcame a mid-match illness to defeat France’s Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-2.

    The 38-year-old Serbian revealed he had been struggling with a stomach upset during the match. “The energy kicked back in after some doctor’s miracle pills and I managed to finish the match on a good note,” Djokovic said.

    Monday’s opening day also saw early exits for No. 8 seed Holger Rune of Denmark and No. 9 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia, both of whom were eliminated in the first round.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s lunar 3D printing breakthrough paves way for moon “houses” built from soil sourced on-site

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

    China’s lunar 3D printing breakthrough paves way for moon ‘houses’ built from soil sourced on-site

    This undated file photo shows a researcher demonstrating the lunar 3D printing process at the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

    A groundbreaking 3D printing system developed by Chinese scientists has explored using only on-site-sourced lunar soil to build habitats, paving the way for the large-scale, on-site construction of lunar research stations.

    The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui Province, has successfully prototyped a lunar regolith 3D printer that eliminates the need for Earth-sourced construction materials, according to Yang Honglun, a senior engineer at the lab.

    He revealed that the system uses a high-precision reflective concentrator and flexible fiber-optic energy transmission to achieve temperatures hot enough to fuse lunar regolith.

    “This printing breakthrough has validated the feasibility of using lunar soil as the sole raw building material, enabling true in-situ resource utilization and eliminating the need to transport any additional materials from Earth,” he said.

    Also among the printing system’s key innovations is flexible manufacturing, which enables brick production and the customized molding of complex structures.

    A preliminary test of the prototype’s lunar regolith forming process has been completed on the ground surface. Tests of its ability to melt and form lines, surfaces, bodies and complex structures have also been completed, and tests of the technical feasibility of the prototype’s solar concentrating technology, optical fiber bundle energy transmission and lunar regolith melting system have been systematically completed.

    In the early stages of the research team’s work, the core challenge was achieving reliable solar energy concentration and regolith shaping under the extreme conditions of the lunar environment.

    After extensive testing, the multidisciplinary team — spanning the fields of planetary science, materials science, mechanical engineering, energy dynamics, thermal physics and optics — solved critical problems in energy capture, transmission and molding.

    As for future applications, Yang said the prototype could manufacture lunar regolith structures, supporting the construction of lunar roads, equipment platforms and buildings, and enabling large-scale, sustainable lunar exploration and resource utilization.

    It also validates key technologies for lunar energy capture and material extraction, laying the technical foundations for the construction of lunar energy systems.

    The lab — also known as Tiandu, named after one of the three main peaks of the province’s Yellow Mountain — is a national-level scientific research platform built by the China National Space Administration, the Anhui provincial government, and the University of Science and Technology of China.

    It is a new model for China’s deep-space research and operates with corporate-like autonomy in research direction, fund usage, talent and salary management, according to Li Hang, head of the lab’s board office.

    Since its official launch in June 2022, Tiandu has provided robust support for the successful implementation of major projects such as the Queqiao-2 relay satellite and the Chang’e-6 lunar mission, which returned humanity’s first-ever sample from the far side of the moon.

    Looking ahead, the lab is developing the world’s first Mars sample research facility and is inviting collaboration. “We welcome scientists from home and abroad to conduct research in Hefei,” Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Young CPC members become torchbearers for country’s future

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

    Members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) review the Party admission oath beside the replica of a boat, now referred to as the Red Boat, on which CPC founders concluded their meeting in 1921, on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, east China’s Zhejiang Province, June 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

    Despite a packed schedule of exams and final papers at the end of the semester, Ling Jiajun still makes time every day to read online articles carried by Qiushi, a flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China (CPC), learning about the latest policies on rural development.

    Studying urban-rural planning at Nanjing Tech University in east China’s Jiangsu Province, the 22-year-old applied to join the CPC two years ago, and hopes to work on rural revitalization after graduation.

    During his field research in Chinese villages earlier this year, Ling, who was born in the metropolis of Guangzhou, was moved by what he saw in the countryside.

    Like many young Chinese people, Ling felt inspired by and proud of the Party’s rural work — from 2013 to 2020, China lifted nearly 99 million rural residents out of poverty, contributing to over 70 percent of global poverty reduction during that period.

    To consolidate its achievements in poverty alleviation, the Party is now implementing a revitalization strategy in the countryside.

    “The CPC has been the driving force behind this transformation. I remember reading in high school about how young CPC members, many of whom were college graduates, went to the countryside to support local communities in those years,” Ling said.

    “There’s still so much work to do in the villages, and I want to be part of what comes next,” he added.

    Like Ling, a growing number of young Chinese people are applying for Party membership, inspired by the Party’s ideals and the country’s development prospects.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Provision to Bring Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston Passed in Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today celebrated the passage of his provision to reconsider moving the Space Shuttle Discovery from Virginia to its rightful home near the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston in the Senate’s reconciliation legislation:

    “Houston has long been the cornerstone of our nation’s human space exploration program, and it’s long overdue for Space City to receive the recognition it deserves by bringing the Space Shuttle Discovery home,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad to see this pass as part of the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill and look forward to welcoming Discovery to Houston and righting this egregious wrong.”“Houston has long stood at the heart of America’s human spaceflight program, and this legislation rightly honors that legacy,” said Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz. “It ensures that any future transfer of a flown, crewed space vehicle will prioritize locations that have played a direct and vital role in our nation’s manned space program, making Houston, Texas, a leading candidate. Bringing such a historic space vehicle to the region would underscore the city’s indispensable contributions to our space missions, highlight the strength of America’s commercial space partnerships, and inspire future generations of engineers, scientists, and pioneers who will carry our legacy of American leadership in space.”

    Background:

     The Senator’s provision included in the Senate’s legislation would result in consideration of the Space Shuttle Discovery moving from Virginia to its rightful home near NASA’s JSC in Houston.

    Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center led all of the space shuttle flights throughout the program’s history, and the astronauts who flew aboard the shuttles lived and trained in the area Houston. Four space shuttles were retired from NASA in 2010, and one of them was expected to go on display in the Space City. Congress stated in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 that the four space shuttles were to be given to states with a “historical relationship with either the launch, flight operations, or processing of the Space Shuttle orbiters or the retrieval of NASA-manned space vehicles, or significant contributions to human space flight.” Unfortunately, this directive was unlawfully ignored by the Obama administration, who played politics to keep Houston from getting one of the shuttles. Notably, the administration gave one of the four shuttles to New York City, which has not made any major contributions to the nation’s history of space exploration and is not home to a NASA center—unlike Houston. The Space Shuttle Discovery should be transferred to Houston. This legislation would authorize the movement of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to an entity near the JSC in Houston.

    Additional space-related provisions led by Sen. Cornyn, including the Mission to Modernize Astronautic Resources (MARS) for Space Act, nearly $10 billion in NASA funding for programs at JSC, funding for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis program, and resources to support the International Space Station (ISS), were included in the Senate’s legislation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes Governance Diagnostic Mission to Kenya

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    July 1, 2025

    Washington, DC: At the request of the Kenyan authorities, an IMF Technical Assistance mission led by Rebecca A. Sparkman visited Kenya from June 16-30, 2025, to conduct a Governance Diagnostic. This mission followed the scoping mission held on March 3-5, 2025.

    The Governance Diagnostic aims to identify macro-economically critical governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities, and design an action plan with specific, sequenced recommendations and reform priorities.

    Reflecting the breadth of the Governance Diagnostic exercise, the visiting team comprised staff from a number of IMF departments, including the Fiscal Affairs; Legal; Finance; Monetary and Capital Markets; and Strategy, Policy and Review Departments, as well as World Bank staff. They engaged with the government and non-governmental stakeholders to examine governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities across core state functions as provided by the IMF’s 2018 framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance.

    To this end, the mission team met with Kenyan authorities, including those responsible for public financial management (including procurement), expenditure policy, tax policy, revenue administration, the mining sector, market regulation, rule of law, Central Bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, and Anti-Money Laundering/Combatting the Financing of Terrorism. Throughout the mission, the team engaged with Kenya’s anti-corruption and oversight institutions to discuss the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks in reducing macro-economically critical corruption vulnerabilities. The mission also met members of Kenya’s National Assembly.

    Additionally, the mission met with representatives from civil society, the private sector, business associations, and international development partners to gather perspectives on governance challenges and anti-corruption efforts.

    The IMF team would like to thank the Kenyan authorities and other stakeholders for their hospitality, excellent cooperation, and candid and constructive discussions.

    Collaboration on the Governance Diagnostic will continue over the next several months. A draft report, which will set out the findings and propose a sequenced, prioritized reform plan, is expected to be shared with the authorities for review and additional input before end of 2025.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/02/pr25233-kenya-imf-staff-completes-governance-diagnostic-mission-to-kenya

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Investment in workforce, keeping children safe

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation.  

    Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.

    “Professionalisation of the residential workforce is a critical component and necessity for keeping children and young people safe in residential care settings,” says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  

    “This government is committed to helping these important helpers, improving the supports we provide to children and young people, and addressing long standing gaps in practice. 

    “They deserve safe, stable, and therapeutic environments, where the staff are not only dedicated and able, but have all the skills they need.

    “I have the pleasure of regularly meeting with many of our frontline workers around the country and residential workforce have told me that they would hugely value better access to further training and professional qualifications.

    “That is why we are investing $41 million in their professionalisation.

    “This funding will strengthen professional leadership, uplift the capability of the core workforce, and raise the proportion of the workforce that has comprehensive skills, knowledge, and experience.

    “A 2023 review of Oranga Tamariki secure residences and several group homes similarly noted that a constant theme in many reviews over the years was a misalignment between the complex and high needs of the tamariki and rangatahi in care and the relatively unskilled nature of parts of the workforce.”

    The Minister for Children believes these workers deserve greater backing. 

    “They are doing their best in often challenging situations but were not supported well by the previous government, who received a Ministerial Advisory Board report in 2021 requesting greater training for this workforce and failed to act on it,” says Mrs Chhour.

    “That report highlighted that, while the staff were highly committed and passionate, they were not being offered the tools required in order to provide the high level of care the children and young people need and deserve.

    “This funding boost will go a long way towards addressing these issues and uplifting the number of staff with a professional qualification.

    “It will also establish new professional, clinical roles within each residence, help the recruitment of qualified staff to vacant positions, and supporting bespoke inhouse and external qualification pathways for current staff.”    

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –