NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can a wooden spoon really stop a pot from boiling over? Here’s the science

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jay Deagon, Senior Lecturer of Home Economics, CQUniversity Australia

    Alexanderstock23/Shutterstock

    One moment, your spaghetti is happily bubbling away in the pot. A minute later, after busying yourself with something else, you turn around to find a hot mess all over your stove.

    Boiling liquid can rocket up very quickly, and we often only have a split second to act. But are there ways to prevent the pot boiling over in the first place? One kitchen hack you may have seen on social media is to place a wooden spoon across the top of the pot.

    Does it work? As with many kitchen science questions, there is an answer – and there’s lots of nuance, too.

    In short, it will work, but not for long periods of time. Let’s dig into the why.

    What causes the bubbles?

    Interestingly, a pot of rapidly boiling pure water will not rise up the sides of the pot.

    Ingredients added to the water are the culprits for overflow and spillage. Pots of pasta, rice, porridge or milk are the most prone to boiling over and making a mess. A heavy stew is less likely to bubble over – unless you overfill the pot.

    In cookery, the key food molecules are water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (the collective term for fats and oils) and, to a lesser extent, vitamins and minerals.

    The main culprits for rapid boiling and overflow are carbohydrates and proteins. When carbohydrates or proteins (or a combination of both) come into contact with heated water molecules, their properties change and structures rearrange.

    Changes can happen quickly if the heat is high. Excited by lots of heat, the water molecules begin to boil rapidly. As this occurs, bubbles form.

    Why do the bubbles rise so quickly?

    The carbohydrates involved in bubbling up and messing up your kitchen are primarily plant starches. Pasta or porridge products are derived from plant starches such as wheat, rice, potato or corn. If you’re boiling anything with milk, a protein called casein can contribute to the bubbles, too.

    Casein and starches are known as colloids. “Colloidal dispersion” means that not all such particles will dissolve into a water solution, because some of these particles are too large. As bubbles form, the larger starch and/or protein particles start to coat the bubbles.

    For pasta water or porridge, the heat and starch solution starts to form a gel. This gel becomes sticky and, depending on the type of starch and other additives, the temperature of the boiling solution can rise above 100°C.

    So, they’re not just bubbles – they’re hot, sticky bubbles. Filled with air and coated with a sticky starch gel, as the solution continues to boil, the bubbles build on top of each other and rise up the sides of the pot.

    It’s a little different with milk. Have you ever noticed a film across the top of boiled milk? Milk skin is formed by heated casein. When heated, the casein can become quite strong – like plastic – and coat each bubble. Milk bubbles are smaller and become more of a foam, but they can still rise quickly.

    Boiling milk forms smaller bubbles – more like a foam – because of the cassein in the milk.
    Ahanov Michael/Shutterstock

    So, how does a wooden spoon stop the bubbles?

    Placing a wooden spoon over a boiling pot acts as an interruption to the bubbles – it lowers the surface temperature and provides a porous surface to burst the bubbles. This stops them from climbing over the edge of the pot.

    To understand why, picture another porous surface: the structure of a sponge. Because the sponge has a lot of holes in it, you can blow air through a dry sponge. However, air does not pass through a wet sponge because the holes are filled with water.

    Wood is a porous material, and a dry wooden spoon is more porous than when it’s wet. On contact with the wood, the air in the bubbles is released.

    But you can’t just leave a wooden spoon over the pot indefinitely and expect it to not boil over. As the spoon is exposed to heat, moisture, sticky starch or casein bubbles, it will soon become the same temperature as the liquid. That means it won’t reduce the surface temperature any more, nor be porous enough to burst bubbles.

    This is why some people claim the spoon hack doesn’t work – because it has a limited window of effectiveness.

    What should I do instead?

    Stirring the pot or using the wooden spoon as a fan would work equally as well.

    Better yet, try not to get distracted in the kitchen and select the correct kitchen tools for the job: use a bigger pot, and turn down the heat so it’s not just going full blast.

    We like to treat working in the kitchen like a meditation. Remain present and in the moment. If you do get distracted, turn the stove to its lowest setting, switch it off or remove the pot from the heat. The phrase “a watched pot never boils” doesn’t count in this situation. Indeed, a watchful eye on the pot is essential.

    Jay Deagon is affiliated with the International Federation for Home Economics and the Home Economics Institute of Australia.

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

    – ref. Can a wooden spoon really stop a pot from boiling over? Here’s the science – https://theconversation.com/can-a-wooden-spoon-really-stop-a-pot-from-boiling-over-heres-the-science-252519

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Locked up then locked out: how NZ’s bank rules make life for ex-prisoners even harder

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Victoria Stace, Senior Lecturer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    FotoDax/Shutterstock

    People coming out of prison in New Zealand face multiple hurdles reintegrating into society – starting with one of the most fundamental elements of modern life: getting a bank account.

    Not having a bank account can make it difficult to receive wages or a benefit, and to get a job or rent accommodation.

    In our new research we spoke with financial mentors and others working with prisoners on release, along with the Department of Corrections and banks, to better understand the hurdles for ex-prisoners.

    We found not having a bank account on release was common and that it hindered reintegration efforts. It also appears to directly increase the chance of an ex-prisoner returning to crime. As a representative from Māori social services organisation Te Pā explained,

    It is really important to get them a bank account if we want them to stay on the right side of the law. It is a key part of being part of society. [They] need to be part of mainstream financial services. If not, then [they are] much more likely to go back into crime.

    The relationship between not having access to banking and getting back into crime was also noted in a 2016 report from the Salvation Army. And a financial mentor told us the current situation was “making it hard for people to not re-offend”.

    A fundamental need

    Our research is spread over two reports commissioned by financial services organisation FinCap and includes 40 interviews with people in the banking industry, financial mentoring organisations, community groups and the Department of Corrections.

    The first report outlining our data was released in 2023, and the second in April 2025. The latter outlined the steps Corrections and the banking sector need to take to remove the hurdles faced by ex-prisoners trying to access a bank account.

    Approximately 10,000 individuals were held in a New Zealand prison in 2024 at any one time, and around half of these were sentenced prisoners with the rest on remand. New Zealand’s reimprisonment rate is high, with about 30% of first-time prisoners likely to return to prison.

    The Reserve Bank has argued that broad financial inclusion is important for society as it helps promote prosperity and contributes to a productive economy. Part of this involves ensuring everyone has access to a bank account.

    Without access to a bank account, ex-prisoners struggle to get a job, secure housing or receive a benefit.
    Siriporn Pimpo/Shutterstock

    Hurdles to access

    There seem to be several things hindering ex-prisoners’ access to banking, with New Zealand’s anti-money laundering rules a major problem.

    The law requires banks to complete certain checks before a person is allowed to open an account. Currently, banks require two forms of ID and a verifiable address.

    People just out of prison often don’t have these. We found other hurdles include limited access to the internet, banks being unwilling to take on this group of customers, and ex-prisoners’ lack of confidence to engage with banks.

    But there are ways we can make access to bank accounts easier for ex-prisoners.

    Putting the onus on Corrections to proactively assist people due for release to get whatever documents the banks require, and to apply for the account to be set up before release, would be a good start. But it will likely require additional resourcing for the department.

    A recent discussion paper from the Council of Financial Regulators has suggested the introduction of transactional accounts – a new type of bank account requiring less in the way of formal ID.

    Basic transactional accounts could help ex-prisoners by making it easier to meet bank requirements. These would be a basic account that could receive wages and benefits and enable payments, but not provide credit.

    It could also have limits on the amounts held in the account, which would minimise money laundering risks.

    The major banks also have a key role to play in making change happen. Only one major bank – Westpac – has been willing to offer bank accounts to ex-prisoners so far, with a special programme that allows people in prison (both those still not due for release and those on their way out) to open an account. This has been very helpful for those who have had access to it.

    During our research, Corrections emphasised the importance of major banks acting as default providers of banking services to prisoners and ex-prisoners (similar to default providers of KiwiSaver).

    This approach would aim to ensure prisoners had the freedom to choose their banking provider. Encouraging participation in such a programme was seen as an opportunity for banks to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

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

    – ref. Locked up then locked out: how NZ’s bank rules make life for ex-prisoners even harder – https://theconversation.com/locked-up-then-locked-out-how-nzs-bank-rules-make-life-for-ex-prisoners-even-harder-255110

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. McCollum Announces Winners of 2025 Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum has announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition in Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District.

    The first-place winner is Rachel Lee of Roseville Area High School, for her oil on canvas piece entitled “No Appetite.” In second place is East Ridge High School’s Alyssa Wang, for her acrylic piece entitled “Sharing Melodic Dreams.” Nitza Aily Rodriguez Benavides of Roseville Area High School took third place for her colored pencil, white pen, and wood support piece entitled “Asphyxia”.

    “Minnesota is national leader in the arts, and each year I am amazed by the talent and creativity of young artists here in the Fourth District,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “Congratulations and thank you to the students in the Fourth District who took this opportunity to showcase their talents to our community!”

    Lee’s first place work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from across the United States. Wang’s work will be displayed in Congresswoman McCollum’s Washington, D.C. office, and Nitza Aily Rodriguez Benavides’ piece will hang in the Congresswoman’s Saint Paul office. The competition was open to Fourth District high school students and attracted dozens of entries which will be displayed during the 2025 Saint Paul Spring Art Crawl, April 25-27 in the Atrium Gallery of the Schmidt Artist Lofts in Saint Paul. The winners were announced during a recognition event on Wednesday at the Schmidt Artist Lofts.

    Click here to view the gallery of all 2025 entries.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local environment prioritised, thanks to targeted rate

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    A targeted rate that protects and restores Auckland’s environment is delivering beyond its investment, thanks to the support of partners and volunteers.

    Auckland Council’s environmental services team delivers natural environment and climate outcomes Auckland-wide, through a programme that delivers great value at community level.

    At April’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, the division’s financial performance review highlighted its multi-pronged approach.

    “Protecting our unique natural environment requires ongoing management of pressures, such as pest plants and animals. Through the targeted rate, it receives dedicated investment so, ultimately, we have an Auckland we are proud to call home,” says Cr Simpson.

    “The environmental programme is delivering great results region-wide and in our local communities too, thanks to key partnerships, co-funding, new tools to lift productivity and volunteers.

    “The natural environment programme is 97 per cent rates funded, which is around $43 per year per ratepayer through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and some general rates.

    “That investment delivers good value for money,” says Simpson. “In some cases, it delivers a quantifiable $6 return for every $1 invested.”

    How we’re investing for the natural environment

    NETR and general rates funding delivers and supports a range of environmental activity, including community-led initiatives across all Auckland Council wards.

    Auckland Council environmental services general manager Samantha Hill says environmental protection and restoration is a long-term game and the focus is on delivering on commitments that will have enduring future impact.

    “We are here to protect, improve and minimise risks to the natural environment and we can’t do this alone. It is important to recognise and acknowledge the tireless commitment and support from our partners and communities,” says Ms Hill.

    “The NETR-funded work has enabled a wide range of community-led action and youth involvement. At the same time, key partnerships and regularly assessing opportunities to improve, such as new technologies and tools, means we continue to deliver value for money.”

    Rates funding helps contract specialist environmental services; enables partnerships with investors to deliver even greater value; and helps activate community-led conservation, including around $2 million per year in contestable grants.

    Community grants, technical advice and training is funded by both the NETR and general rates, helping deliver proactive action at local level but also added value.

    For example, the Community Coordination and Facilitation Grant saw $1 million in funding shared across 36 local community groups in 2024 – ultimately resulting in over 276,000 volunteer hours and third-party funding on projects benefiting the natural environment.

    It also delivered a $6.10 return for each $1 of grant funding invested.

    Environmental services work closely with local boards to design and deliver locally driven initiatives, supporting over 110 local board projects worth $4 million in 2023-2024.

    Additional strategic partnerships with business, mana whenua, central government, community and private investors, and other groups, are also adding value to the programme.

    For example, over $2 million has been sourced so far from central government and private investors for the first phase of the Kawau Island multi-species pest eradication project. Private sector business and philanthropic funding has also been secured for other projects.

    Detailed information on NETR-funded activity delivered in each local board can be found on this PDF [7.77MB].

    To find out more about Auckland Council’s environmental programme, visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment

    What the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) delivers

    The current priorities:

    • upgrade and re-open tracks in the Waitākere Ranges in accordance with the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park 2019-2024 Track Reopening Programme

    • control possums across the region, in high priority sites

    • adequate control of pest plants for 66 per cent of significant ecological sites within council parks by 2028

    • work in partnership to achieve pest mammal eradications on Kawau, Aotea and Waiheke islands

    • protect regionally threatened species and high priority ecosystems

    • support community-led action through the provision of advice, grants and tools

    • deliver in partnership with mana whenua

    • implement a comprehensive Pest Free Warrant programme to reduce pest spread to islands by the full range of high-risk businesses.

    What’s been achieved to date:

    • thirty-three tracks upgraded in the Waitākere Ranges

    • Hūnua Ranges Regional Park remains free of kauri dieback disease

    • Hūnua and Waitakere Ranges regional parks are kept free of feral deer and goats

    • 30 per cent of rural mainland Auckland has possum populations maintained at/below target densities for biodiversity protection (at June 2024)

    • Kōkako populations in the Hūnua Ranges have increased from 106 pairs in 2018 to 259 in 2024, as a result of possum and predator control

    • regional conservation status assessments have been completed for freshwater fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, bats and vascular plants

    • 51 per cent of priority native habitats in regional parks have pest plants being effectively controlled towards, or managed below, target densities for biodiversity protection (at June 2024)

    • partnerships are underway with Ngāti Manuhiri, Department of Conservation, Predator Free 2050 Ltd, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Kawau community to eradicate possums and wallabies on Kawau Island

    • the council is also partnering with Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea to eradicate rats, cats and pest plants on Aotea. Alongside Te Korowai o Waiheke, the council is supporting the eradication of stoats and the trialling of rat eradication on Waiheke Island

    • around 800 scheduled and unscheduled vehicle and passenger ferry sailings are inspected for pests each year. As a result, all Hauraki Gulf Islands where non-native predators such as rats and stoats have been eradicated remain free of these pests.   

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local environment prioritised thanks to targeted rate

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    A targeted rate that protects and restores Auckland’s environment is delivering beyond its investment, thanks to the support of partners and volunteers.

    Auckland Council’s environmental services team delivers natural environment and climate outcomes Auckland-wide, through a programme that delivers great value at community level.

    At April’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, the division’s financial performance review highlighted its multi-pronged approach.

    “Protecting our unique natural environment requires ongoing management of pressures, such as pest plants and animals. Through the targeted rate, it receives dedicated investment so, ultimately, we have an Auckland we are proud to call home,” says Cr Simpson.

    “The environmental programme is delivering great results region-wide and in our local communities too, thanks to key partnerships, co-funding, new tools to lift productivity and volunteers.

    “The natural environment programme is 97 per cent rates funded, which is around $43 per year per ratepayer through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and some general rates.

    “That investment delivers good value for money,” says Cr Simpson. “In some cases, it delivers a quantifiable $6 return for every $1 invested.”

    How we’re investing for the natural environment
    NETR and general rates funding delivers and supports a range of environmental activity, including community-led initiatives across all Auckland Council wards.

    Auckland Council environmental services general manager Samantha Hill says environmental protection and restoration is a long-term game and the focus is on delivering on commitments that will have enduring future impact.

    “We are here to protect, improve and minimise risks to the natural environment and we can’t do this alone. It is important to recognise and acknowledge the tireless commitment and support from our partners and communities,” says Ms Hill.

    “The NETR-funded work has enabled a wide range of community-led action and youth involvement. At the same time, key partnerships and regularly assessing opportunities to improve, such as new technologies and tools, means we continue to deliver value for money.”

    Rates funding helps contract specialist environmental services; enables partnerships with investors to deliver even greater value; and helps activate community-led conservation, including around $2 million per year in contestable grants.

    Community grants, technical advice and training is funded by both the NETR and general rates, helping deliver proactive action at local level but also added value.

    For example, the Community Coordination and Facilitation Grant saw $1 million in funding shared across 36 local community groups in 2024 – ultimately resulting in over 276,000 volunteer hours and third-party funding on projects benefiting the natural environment.

    It also delivered a $6.10 return for each $1 of grant funding invested.

    Environmental services work closely with local boards to design and deliver locally driven initiatives, supporting over 110 local board projects worth $4 million in 2023-2024.

    Additional strategic partnerships with business, mana whenua, central government, community and private investors, and other groups, are also adding value to the programme.

    Over $2 million has been sourced so far from central government and private investors for the first phase of the Kawau Island multi-species pest eradication project. Private sector business and philanthropic funding has also been secured for other projects.

    Detailed information on NETR-funded activity delivered in each local board can be found here.

    To find out more about Auckland Council’s environmental programme, visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment

    What the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) delivers

    The current priorities:

    • upgrade and re-open tracks in the Waitākere Ranges in accordance with the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park 2019-2024 Track Reopening Programme
    • control possums across the region, in high priority sites
    • adequate control of pest plants for 66 per cent of significant ecological sites within council parks by 2028
    • work in partnership to achieve pest mammal eradications on Kawau, Aotea and Waiheke islands
    • protect regionally threatened species and high priority ecosystems
    • support community-led action through the provision of advice, grants and tools
    • deliver in partnership with mana whenua
    • implement a comprehensive Pest Free Warrant programme to reduce pest spread to islands by the full range of high-risk businesses.

    What’s been achieved to date:

    • thirty-three tracks upgraded in the Waitākere Ranges
    • Hūnua Ranges Regional Park remains free of kauri dieback disease
    • Hūnua and Waitakere Ranges regional parks are kept free of feral deer and goats
    • 30 per cent of rural mainland Auckland has possum populations maintained at/below target densities for biodiversity protection (at June 2024)
    • Kōkako populations in the Hūnua Ranges have increased from 106 pairs in 2018 to 259 in 2024, as a result of possum and predator control
    • regional conservation status assessments have been completed for freshwater fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, bats and vascular plants
    • 51 per cent of priority native habitats in regional parks have pest plants being effectively controlled towards, or managed below, target densities for biodiversity protection (at June 2024)
    • partnerships are underway with Ngāti Manuhiri, Department of Conservation, Predator Free 2050 Ltd, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Kawau community to eradicate possums and wallabies on Kawau Island
    • the council is also partnering with Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea to eradicate rats, cats and pest plants on Aotea. Alongside Te Korowai o Waiheke, the council is supporting the eradication of stoats and the trialling of rat eradication on Waiheke Island.
    • around 800 scheduled and unscheduled vehicle and passenger ferry sailings are inspected for pests each year. As a result, all Hauraki Gulf Islands where non-native predators such as rats and stoats have been eradicated remain free of these pests.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Hill Fights to Turn Vacant Federal Building into Community Space in Perry County

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) has introduced legislation to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a vacant U.S. Forest Service building and its surrounding land in Perryville, Arkansas, to Perry County.

    Rep. Hill said, “For years, this building has sat empty when the people of Perry County could have put it to good use. My bill will change that. By transferring it to the county, it will give the community the space it needs for youth programs, agricultural education, and conservation efforts that strengthen families and support our local economy. This is a smart use of public resources and a clear win for the community. I’m proud to lead this effort and look forward to seeing this legislation become law so Perry County can finally put this building to work for its people.”

    The 0.81-acre parcel, located at 1069 Fourche Avenue, includes a federal building operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The building is vacant, and the U.S. Forest Service has no plans to use it going forward. While the building will require repairs and updates, Perry County has the funds to make the necessary improvements. Once conveyed and repaired, the property will support permanent operations of the University of Arkansas Extension Program and the Perry County Conservation District, and serve as the meeting space for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

    Several local leaders and Perry County residents have voiced their support for the building to be conveyed to Perry County.

    Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon said, “The prospect of being able to use this building means a lot to the citizens of Perry County. It will let us turn a vacant space into something useful for our kids, local farmers, and conservation work without putting extra strain on the county’s budget. Having control of the building will help us serve our community for years to come, and I’m truly grateful to Congressman Hill and his team for their help in making it possible.”

    Donnie Crain, president of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, said, “We pride ourselves in Perry County as being ‘Rural Arkansas at its best’ — and our Extension Service and the resources that they provide are a big component of our community. The transfer of this facility will not only bolster the efforts of the University of Arkansas Extension Service but also foster a stronger, more resilient Perry County.”

    Amy Branch, chair of the board of the Perry County Conservation District, said, “This transfer would provide significant benefits to our community and support several county agencies. Consolidating resources in one location will improve coordination, communication, and efficiency, ultimately enhancing the services we provide to the residents of Perry County. Having a suitable facility to house these efforts is essential to continue environmental stewardship and support for landowners, farmers, and residents.”

    Kallem Hill, president of the Perry County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, said, “This facility holds significant potential to serve as a vital resource for our community. By securing a dedicated space for their operations, we believe the Extension Service will be able to enhance its outreach and impact, thereby benefiting the entire Perry County population. Its transfer to Perry County will ensure that the building is maintained and utilized effectively, contributing to the continued growth and development of our agricultural community.”

    Jacob Farnam, board president of the Perryville School District, said, “This facility has the potential to become a vital hub for the Perry County Extension Service and 4-H Youth Development Programs, delivering significant benefits to our community — particularly its young people. This transfer would empower the Extension Service and 4-H to strengthen Perry County for years to come.”

    Rose Gunther, a local resident, said, “As a 4-H member, I witnessed firsthand the dedication of our extension staff, who often faced challenges in securing enough space to conduct vital programming. Whether it was for cooking classes, public speaking exercises, or hands-on projects like the Kids Chef Challenge, our staff frequently had to scramble to find suitable venues, stretching resources thin. Securing the U.S. Forest Service facility would offer a much-needed solution to these challenges.”

    Ettamarie Belden, a local resident, said, “I have been a 4-H leader and volunteer for over 50 years, and our county has always been short of space for 4-H activities as well as adult activities and training. It would be a blessing to be able to put this area to use.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government turns back clock on pay equity for teachers

    Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)

    “This claim has followed a robust and agreed process between all parties,” said PPTA Te Wehengarua President Chris Abercrombie.

    “We’ve conducted more than 300 interviews with teachers and comparator roles across the sector, using a consistent, agreed-upon tool to gather data. That evidence has been through consultation with both teachers and principals. To have the Government now walk away from that work is nothing short of disgraceful.”

    The Government’s announcement comes with no attempt to engage in a fair public process. “The Minister’s decision to bypass the select committee stage shows a lack of confidence in the public’s response. This Government knows New Zealanders value fairness—and it’s clearly afraid to face the backlash.”
    Chris Abercrombie said the move sends a disturbing signal in the lead-up to teacher collective negotiations. “This Government has made a choice—a deliberate choice not to value work that is predominantly done by women. It’s a message to teachers, many of whom engaged in the claim process in good faith, that their contribution doesn’t count. It feels like we’ve been sent back to the 1950s.
    “The integrity of the pay equity process is now being undermined by political interference. Every step in this process has met legal and procedural standards, and was conducted in good faith under an agreement with previous governments.
    “This isn’t just about teachers. This is about whether Aotearoa New Zealand is committed to addressing the historical undervaluation of women’s work. This decision breaks faith with that commitment.”
    Chris Abercrombie said the implications would be felt beyond the pay equity process. “At a time of ongoing teacher shortages, this sends the worst possible message about how we treat and retain our workforce. It’s also a blow to the trust teachers have in a process that was supposed to deliver justice and fairness. Our members are rightly angry.
    “When delivering last year’s budget and its completely unaffordable tax cuts, the Finance Minister said that her coalition government represented ‘the parties of the worker.’ 

    “No Government that was for the worker would treat this pay equity process – a process which goes to the heart of treating workers fairly – with such contempt. It’s mean-spirited, unfair and just plain wrong.”

    Last modified on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 12:43

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Post-Cabinet Press Conference: Monday 5 May 2025

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    POST-CABINET PRESS CONFERENCE: Monday, 5 May 2025

    EPIQ TRANSCRIPT

    PM:           Well, look, good afternoon, everyone. It’s great to be joined this afternoon by our awesome Trade Minister, Todd McClay, who’s doing some incredible work. As you know, it’s a big sitting block with the Budget at the end of it, and that Budget will then be there to underline this Government’s clear focus on economic growth and, as you know, growth is the primary focus of us and our Government and will continue to be at the core of everything we do. We know that these are challenging times and not easy. New Zealand is still recovering from the economic damage inflicted by Labour and further global instability has made things tough for Kiwis. But despite these challenges, we are overseeing a steady economic recovery with export-led growth and business confidence increasing, and we have started to turn the corner. 

    So this will be a growth Budget because economic growth means Kiwis have money in their pockets and we can fund better public services, and this will also be a responsible Budget, a predictable, steady approach to economic and fiscal management so that we can support economic growth. It is ultimately businesses that grow the economy through their decisions to expand, invest and create jobs, and the Government’s role is to create the conditions for them to do that, and this includes getting the basics right, such as low and stable inflation, manageable interest rates and credible fiscal management. 

    Promoting global growth and trade and investment is one of the five pillars to our Going for Growth plan, and it’s absolutely essential for New Zealand to maximise its potential and New Zealanders to enjoy higher incomes and better public services. As we so often say, we can’t get rich selling to ourselves, so the Government has a clear target to double the value of New Zealand’s exports in 10 years by 2034. And in 2023, to give you a feel for it, one in four of our jobs in New Zealand—around 680,000 New Zealanders—derive their livelihoods from producing goods and services for export. And in addition to bringing in additional revenue, businesses that export also boost New Zealand’s productivity by having more exposure to more diverse competition, connecting to new markets and consumers, and also investing in research and development and innovation. 

    I cannot overstate how important trade and investment is to this country, and that is why both Todd as Trade Minister and myself as Prime Minister are throwing our all into doing business with the world. My recent trip to the UK is actually a prime example. It was incredibly productive and the UK relationship, I think, has new vigour. We’ve always had very strong historical ties with a similar set of values and outlook on the world, but as Prime Minister Starmer and I noted, we now have new things to propel the relationship going forward in the years ahead, in the areas of defence and security, of course, but excitingly in our bilateral trade and investment too. Our free trade agreement with the UK provides New Zealand businesses with certainty of access to this high-value market and we have enjoyed export growth of more than 20 percent in the last 12 months. 

    But it’s not just the UK. The EU FTA, which we implemented earlier, has just reached its first anniversary and is already showing dividends since it was put into place, having generated an additional $1.2 billion and having grown exports up 28 percent. We’re opening up new markets as well, as you know, with our signed agreements in the UAE and the GCC recently, thanks to Todd’s relentless focus on closing those deals for the betterment of our exporters, and the launch of negotiations on an Indian FTA are an important step forward too. 

    So trade and growth will be critical to improving our economic prospects in the coming years and so our businesses can create those jobs and lift incomes for Kiwis. I’ll now pass over to Todd to talk a little bit more about our trade agenda and prospects ahead. 

    Hon Todd McClay:    Well, thank you, Prime Minister and good afternoon, everybody. It’s been a busy and important period of time for New Zealand trade and today I want to give an update on three key areas where we’re seeing growth and development: our trade growth with the EU one year after early entry into force of the free trade agreement, the first in-person free trade agreement negotiations with India, and our growing trade ties with the Gulf region. 

    Last week marked one year since the early entry into force of the New Zealand‒European Union free trade agreement, and the results speak for themselves. As the Prime Minister said, just in 12 months, total goods exports to the European Union from New Zealand surged by 28 percent, from $3.77 billion to $4.81 billion, and this is delivering real benefit for New Zealand exporters, particularly sheep meat exports, which grew 29 percent, worth an additional $216 million. Kiwifruit exports increased by 69 percent, worth an additional $316 million, and machinery exports were by 104 percent, which are worth an additional $173 million. 

    Importantly, the agreement delivers better market access, lower costs, and reduced barriers for New Zealand businesses. It’s also a strong example of our broader trade strategy, working to open up high-quality and high-value markets to double the value of exports in 10 years. We worked across the House last year to see the agreement entry into force many months earlier than had been forecast, and as an example, that meant that kiwifruit growers could take advantage of a full harvest season, adding an additional $18,000 on average for every kiwifruit grower in New Zealand. 

    I’m pleased to also confirm that the first in-person FTA negotiations between New Zealand and India will begin this week in India. This follows the Deputy Prime Minister’s successful visit to India last year, and the formal launch of negotiations by my counterpart, Minister Piyush Goyal, and myself during the Prime Minister’s very large and successful trade mission in April. India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with a current GDP of US$4.3 trillion, expected or forecast to grow to US$5.2 trillion by 2030. With a population of 1.4 billion people and current two-way trade of NZ$3.14 billion, there’s huge untapped potential for New Zealand exporters. These negotiations in person mark an important milestone and signal the intent of both governments to pursue a high-quality, comprehensive agreement that benefits both countries. The comprehensive FTA with India is also part of our strategy to diversify trade, expand export markets and deliver for all New Zealanders, and we’re focused on backing our exporters and attracting investment and growing the economy. 

    Finally, in the Middle East, following the conclusion of the GCC trade deal at the end of last year, momentum around trade and investment opportunities in that part of the world is growing. Last week I hosted Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Minister Al-Fadley, for the 9th New Zealand‒Saudi Arabian Joint Ministerial Commission in Auckland. This is an opportunity to showcase what New Zealand has to offer from food security, agritech, clean technology and education. The Saudi Arabian delegation included 37 officials and business leaders, and a strong signal of the interest in what New Zealand brings to the table. We’re preparing to sign the New Zealand‒GCC free trade agreement, which will deliver duty-free access for 99 percent of our exports to that market over time. And Saudi Arabia is already our largest trading partner in the Gulf and this agreement will help us grow exports in agriculture, food innovation, fintech, and much more. 

    So, to recap, the EU deal is delivering 12 months into the agreement, India in-person negotiations are beginning, and the Middle East holds great potential for New Zealand exporters. We’re working across the Government hard for Kiwis, securing deals and backing New Zealand exporters to succeed on the world stage.

    PM:           Well, thank you, Todd, and can I just say also thank you for the work that you’re doing because I know you’re on the plane a lot and, as I say, you are Trade McClay and we really appreciate what you’re doing. With that, happy to take any questions you may have. 

    Media:      Sticking on trade for a minute, have you seen Donald Trump’s latest social media post relating to the film industry and are you concerned about the impact it could have on New Zealand’s film industry? 

    PM:           I have seen it. Obviously, we need to see what the detail is, but what I’d just say to you is, having been at Weta Unleashed recently with Sir Richard Taylor, we’ve got an absolutely world-class industry. This is the best place to make movies in, period, in the world. That’s why I spent a lot of time with Bollywood actors and directors, actually, when I was in India, making the case for making more movies here, and we’ll continue to do so. So we’ll have to see the detail of what actually ultimately emerges, but obviously I’m a great advocate, great champion of that sector and that industry, and I think, you know, we want to keep making, you know, strong moves on it. 

    Media:      Does the threat of a 100 percent tariff on imported movies make you reconsider the film subsidies that the Government offers at all? 

    PM:           Look, again, you know, we’ve seen a post on social media. We need to understand what any details are. 

    Media:      [Inaudible] quite a lot of them.

    PM:           Yeah, yeah, sure. We’ll have to see what the details are. I’m just saying to you it’s a fantastic industry. It’s got amazing people. It’s got incredible technology associated with it, great jobs, and we’re going to continue to advocate very strongly for the sector. 

    Media:      What about the language that he’s using, that it’s a national security threat, it’s propaganda, all the movies coming—

    PM:           Well, I don’t comment on every utterance of the US President. I’m focused on New Zealand and maximising the opportunities for New Zealand. And all I’m saying is that’s what I’ve been doing is, you know, in that sector, which I just think is truly world-class. You know, I’ve been advocating for it in India for that exact same reason. What would it take to get more Bollywood productions here in New Zealand, and other places as well? 

    Media:      How damaging would that be to your goal of economic growth? I think US productions account for about $1.5 billion to the New Zealand screen industry every single year. How would that affect our economy if he went through with those tariffs? 

    PM:           Well, look, I mean, as we’ve been quite upfront about, you know, it’s a pretty—you know, there’s a lot of volatility in the global economic space and the global economy at the moment. You know, we’ve advocated strongly, you know, that we don’t believe tariffs is the way to go forward. We’ll continue to do that. But importantly, there are also swings and roundabouts and opportunities that come in that environment as well. And so, you know, it’s not possible for me to say what the exact effect of that would be; I just think it’s way too early. Let’s see the detail and see what’s being proposed and what actually does get implemented. 

    Media:      Can you rule out any changes to the rebate? 

    PM:           Look, again, I’ve just seen the post on the way through, on the way down here. It’s not something that we’ve given a lot of thought to yet. All I’m focused on is making sure we grow that sector and grow that great industry. 

    Media:      Have you given any consideration to increasing the rebate to try and incentivise productions to still come to New Zealand? 

    PM:           Again, way too soon. We haven’t given any thought to it. We’ve just seen a post from the US President. As I said, I don’t get into the habit of commenting on everything the President says. I’m focused on New Zealand growing all sectors with as many countries as I can, expanding trade and investment, as you’ve seen us do over the last 18 months, and we’ll continue to do so. 

    Media:      Just on that pivot to Bollywood that you were talking about, what sort of reaction did you get over in India when you were talking about potentially New Zealand being a bit more of a hub for those sort of movies? 

    PM:           Really positive. I mean, they have made movies here in New Zealand in the last 20 years or so, and my question to them was: what else would it take for you to do more productions here in New Zealand? And they’re very, very open to it. I mean, there’s a—

    Media:      What did they say to that? What would it take for them to do more? 

    PM:           Well, there are—there are things that we can—you know, obviously connectivity between India and New Zealand so that you can actually move kit and people in and out of the country in a much more seamless way, which is why air connectivity and air services become so important into the future as well. But no, they’re very open to it and it’s about us actually, often, in many cases, just making the case to the influencers and to the people. And that’s why I do these meetings is because, you know, they’ve got every other country in the world telling them why they’re a great place to come and do it. 

    You know, they know they get well supported here. They have really talented people to be able to work with in the productions here. Many New Zealanders in that sector are very much generalists—they are able to do many things, not just have the specialists—and therefore you often end up with smaller but much more efficient crews working on those productions. So, you know, I think there’s just a lot of opportunity for New Zealand. It is an amazing sector, as you all know, and a very important sector here for this city as well. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, is it appropriate for a Minister to frequently use their private e-mail accounts for ministerial business, including discussing policy ideas with members of the public? 

    PM:           Well, look, there’ll be times under the Cabinet Manual where, you know, people—Ministers will use personal e-mail or personal phone numbers, and that may be for a number of reasons. They may have received unsolicited emails. In many cases, I’m aware Ministers in the past have had technical issues around IT and printing materials. But what’s super important is that any materials are fully retained so that under an official information request, they’re actually available. 

    Media:      Are you comfortable with how often Erica Stanford is using her personal e-mail to conduct ministerial business? 

    PM:           Well, again, my office has spoken with her. I understand it’s been very few occasions. What I’d say is that she has had tech issues with printing. That’s a good example. I’m aware Ministers in the previous Government had the same—used personal emails in the same way. I’m very relaxed with the fact—

    Media:      One News has two folders with hundreds of pages that includes documents and emails that she has been sending and receiving from her private e-mail. Does that sound like very limited instances? 

    PM:           Well, again, as I said, I’m very relaxed about it. The reality is, you know, she has—you know, she’s received unsolicited emails, she’s had printing issues, she’s had tech issues. She’s made changes subsequently, she’s got the IT support that she needs in place and I’m very comfortable with it. I think she’s doing a great job. 

    Media:      She also sent sensitive Budget documents, ahead of them being announced publicly, to her Gmail account. Is that appropriate? 

    PM:           Well, again, I just say to you there will be moments under the Cabinet Manual where it’s quite acceptable for Ministers to use their personal—

    Media:      Is that [Inaudible] Budget documents before they’re released publicly?

    PM:            Well, there may well be if it’s printing purposes, if it’s—if there’s—because there’s technical reasons. As I understand it, in her case it’s actually been about printing challenges. She’s actually made the changes in the settings that she needed to, which has been good and really advisable, and I think that’s a really good thing. But I’m very relaxed about it. 

    Media:      Do you trust Gmail as a secure platform when people, Ministers, are sending Budget details? 

    PM:           Well, I’ll just say to you I think, you know, there are moments when you may well use your personal accounts for—in order for printing and for receiving unsolicited emails, right? 

    Media:      But it’s not as secure, [Inaudible].

    Media:      Is there no tech support in the building to sort out a printer problem?

    PM:           She’s made—she’s made subsequent changes to her processes of how to do that. She’s got the right IT support in place now. I’m really comfortable about it. 

    Media:      She’s a Minister of the Crown. How was there not tech support available for that? This is the Beehive. 

    PM:           Sorry? 

    Media:      How was there not tech support available for printing? It’s the Beehive. 

    PM:           I think if you go back and look at the last administration, Chris Hipkins was an example of a Minister who used his personal accounts for printing materials that he might need as well. So that’s what I’m saying, there’s been a—there’s a history of where, occasionally—

    Media:      So you think it’s OK?

    PM:           No, on—occasionally, under the Cabinet Manual, it’s quite OK and quite acceptable that there will be moments in time where people might need to use their personal phones and emails in order for things like printing materials or IT tech support. In her case, she’s subsequently gone on and made changes which I think are advisable and are really appropriate that she’s done that, and made sure that she’s put in place some processes and changes around that.

    Media:      Every instance was for printing? If it’s hundreds of pages—

    PM:           Well, I’m saying that as an example of how you may end up using your personal accounts for those purposes. 

    Media:      The main directive of the Cabinet Manual is that Ministers don’t use their personal emails or mobile phone numbers, and Erica Stanford is frequently using her personal e-mail. Have you looked into it? Are you keen to look into that further? Is that appropriate? 

    PM:           Look, I’m super relaxed about it. I have to be honest about it. I’ve looked at the issue. Erica’s office has spoken to my office about it. She’s made the changes that she needed to make about the processes of which she engaged with unsolicited emails or—she did have printing issues, you know. That is a common thing that I’ve seen with other Ministers in previous administrations as well. Having said that, it’s advisable what she has done to put in place checks to make sure that she’s managing it better going forward. And at the end of the day, you know, this is a Minister doing a brilliant job and a great job and, you know, I’m proud of the work she did just on this weekend doing the parental portal. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, just a couple of questions around Corrections. Do you support Mark Mitchell and his comments around wanting longer sentences as a way of trying to reduce re-offending? 

    PM:           Well, I think there’s two things going on there. One is I would say we definitely support longer sentences. That’s why we’ve, you know, had the sentencing discount legislation come through. That’s why we’ve got three strikes coming through and the work of Paul Goldsmith in that area. But once someone is in the Corrections facility it’s important that we do everything we can to get rehabilitation services to them, and all Mark’s doing is actually trying to understand where does the rehabilitation services work, and does term of service actually, you know, play into that or not, and how would we make sure we take the opportunity to actually make sure that we get the right rehabilitation services to the prisoners involved. 

    Media:      Have you seen or has Mark Mitchell put forward any evidence that supports that those two things—

    PM:           That’s the work that he’s kicked off, to have a look at what are the impacts of rehabilitation and does term of—length of time in the facility actually lead to better rehabilitation outcomes with longer run services or not. So that’s all he’s doing. All he’s doing is just looking at making sure our rehabilitation services—we want them to be deployed as much as possible to remand Corrections facilities, as you’ve seen, prisoners, and also those that have been sentenced. We want to get rehabilitation services out to as much as we can. 

    Media:      The end result in there, if you play it out, is potentially a lot more prisoners in prison for a longer amount of time, so how much money are you prepared to throw at more prison beds and more prison expenses? 

    PM:           Well, we’re interested in lowering crime. So the point, as you know, is that we’re quite comfortable with longer prison sentences. We have made changes with our legislation recently to do exactly that, on the sentencing discounts that we’ve stopped. But this is about—this is a separate piece of work. 

    Media:      It’s a blank cheque around prison beds and prison expansion, for the greater good and all that?

    PM:           Well, you don’t—you drive it through a principle and a value, which is that if people have offended, they need to make sure they’ve got a penalty that fits their offence. And the old model of just saying the only target we’ve got on crime is reducing prisoners—we actually want to reduce crime and we’re making some good progress on that. So how many prisoners we have and how long they’re in there will be a consequence of what happens with respect to crime in New Zealand. Sorry, last question for Jo here. 

    Media:      RNZ has been talking to staff at Palmerston North Hospital who don’t feel safe at work. There are reports of health workers getting abused and assaulted, including a nurse being held at gunpoint and another health worker knocked unconscious. They’d like hospital security guards to be given the same powers as those in Parliament and court, in order to be able to physically restrain people. Do you support that? 

    PM:           Well, look, we have supported an increase of security in emergency departments, as you know. It’s one of the first actions we took when we came to Government, and Dr Shane Reti implemented that. I’m very open to considering what more we can do to make sure our workers are safe. I’m not aware of that particular issue, but feel free to raise that with Simeon Brown. 

    Media:      Minister McClay, just on the—

    PM:           Jack, welcome back. I saw you on TV covering some electorates over the weekend. Well done. 

    Media:      Thank you. We’ll get to that later. But Minister McClay, just on the Trump tariffs, New Zealand had one of the best deals under the previous tariffs. That might not be the case anymore with this 100 percent on film production. What do you say to that, that New Zealand’s sort of getting a raw deal now as the tariff situation progresses? 

    Hon Todd McClay:    Well, New Zealand’s not being treated worse than other countries, as we see it at the moment. It seems that the new bottom tariff rate out of the US will be 10 percent. There’s no evidence yet—although we’ll see whether or not they, through negotiation, will fall below that. There’s some early anecdotal evidence from our exporters that they are seeing increased interest from the US in products from New Zealand. Some of that could be because, you know, tariff rates elsewhere in the world have been fluctuated so US importers haven’t got the certainty that they need. But I think, as the Prime Minister has said, in everything we do, we’ve got to get as much information as we can. So, for instance, the announcement over films that you have just asked about, we’re not yet sure exactly how it will be put in place—whether it’s complete films, parts of films, just technology to add to films and so on. So once we get more information following the social media posts, we’ll be in a better position to provide that. 

    Media:      When the US first announced tariffs, they got the figure wrong on the reciprocal number. Have you had strengthened communication with the United States? I know you’ve been doing deals around the world, but have you been focusing on the US? 

    Hon Todd McClay:    So we’ve had a lot of engagement. I expect to meet my counterpart, Jamieson Greer, in about two weeks’ time at the APEC Trade Ministers’ meeting in Korea. it will be my first opportunity to meet in person, although we have had a long Zoom call with each other. In effect, the way it has been clarified is it wasn’t the tariff rate they were speaking of, they’d just taken the imbalance in trade and applied that to the equivalent of a tariff. Irrespective of that, the lowest tariff rate put on any country was 10 percent, which is where we are. I actually think Australia had a better trade deal than we did because we haven’t got a trade deal, and they faced 10 percent as well. 

    Media:      Just on [Inaudible], Prime Minister, sorry, Anthony Albanese was asked at a press conference today about the world leaders that had congratulated him. He unfortunately left New Zealand off the list initially. In that conversation, were you not speaking slowly enough and simply enough for the Prime Minister to understand?

    PM:           Can I just tell you, in that conversation I reckon he was still in his pyjamas, as I said to him, and I reckon he had a very hoarse voice so it was very early in the morning of the night after, the day after. But, look, he’s a good friend. I mean, obviously you know he and I knew each other before I came to politics as well and we’ve got a good personal relationship and chemistry, and we talked about, you know, a little bit about the election and then into how we can continue to do the good work of Australia and New Zealand out there on the world stage together. 

    Media:      On Lake Alice, there’s court action at the moment saying that the redress system is breaching international law and also that $150,000 isn’t enough. Have you got a response to those survivors? 

    PM:           Look, what I’ll just say to you, I acknowledge Mr Richards’ decision to seek a judicial review. I’m in a position where it’s inappropriate for me to comment on those individual circumstances or cases. 

    Media:      [Inaudible] haven’t signed on to the redress system so far? 

    PM:           We are working through improving the redress system, as you know, and we’ll have—Erica Stanford will have something to say about that very soon. 

    Media:      Just for a colleague, on the international investigation last week revealing how Chinese authorities targeted families of Chinese dissidents and Uyghur advocates in New Zealand after they spoke out, were you briefed on that situation and do you have any concerns following that? 

    PM:           It’s not something that I’ve been specifically briefed on at this point, but I’ll follow up after this. 

    Media:      Sorry, just going back to those Budget documents that were sent to a Gmail, are you comfortable that it was only that one case? Are there any other ones that you are concerned about? 

    PM:           Look, all I’m just saying to you is that the Cabinet Manual says there—you know, we want Ministers to be able to use their work devices and obviously e-mail and phones, but there will be on occasion reasons for why they need to use their personal ones. As I said, in the past it’s been because of printing issues. In Erica’s position that’s largely been, as I understand, what it’s been about. There’s also unsolicited emails that we get through personal e-mail accounts, and that’s—she’s put in place now processes to make sure that actually that’s all handled properly and everything’s directed through her account. 

    Media:      [Inaudible] sensitive Budget documents. Are you comfortable with that being sent to Gmail?

    PM:           Yeah, look, I’m really comfortable with where—what—the changes that Erica’s made. Completely advisable. But I’m just saying to you, you know, I’m very relaxed about it, yeah.

    Media:      On the CPTPP and EU kind of idea, what’s the latest on that? Have you had any further talks with leaders and how much of this is firming up into a real plan, versus sort of at a blue sky thinking stage? 

    PM:           Well, look, I mean, I’ve spoken to many different leaders. I spoke to Mark Carney again yesterday as well, and I spoke to Lawrence Wong, obviously around their elections, but on this issue in general. All we’re—all I was saying there was that, you know, in a world where what we’ve got—you know, you think about the US trade bloc. It’s about 13 percent of global trade, from memory. You know, you’ve got the CPTPP and you’ve got EU, probably 30 percent plus of global trade. You know, what we want to make sure is that we have people reaffirm the trading rules so that when there are disputes between countries, we want to make sure that they are following and compliant with those rules, you know. We don’t need tit-for-tat tariffs between different trading blocs, for example, emerging. 

    So that’s the nature of the conversation that we’ve been having with leaders. And, you know, I think—you know, and whether it’s been ASEAN leaders or whether it’s been CPTPP leaders or EU leaders, it’s just been making sure that we all understand that we want to maintain the trading system and we want to make sure that we continue to operate within it, and that where there are disputes and mechanisms, that they’re used properly. 

    Media:      So in terms of the outcomes that you’re looking for here, is it just—on those leader-to-leader conversations—making sure everyone’s still on the same page, or is there something more that you had expected or are expecting to come out of this in terms of some sort of formal understanding?  

    PM:           My immediate focus is to make sure that everyone’s staying cool, calm and collected through it, everybody’s making sure that we reaffirm the trading-based system so that we actually don’t get blocs going to war with each other as a consequence of the instability in the tariff situation globally, and just reassuring and making sure that everyone’s reassured around that. I spoke, as I said, to the Irish Prime Minister. I spoke to Keir Starmer about it. I spoke to Ursula von der Leyen and other leaders as well about it, and I think there’s very good alignment across the system to make sure that that doesn’t break down. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, do you believe that one of the factors in the Canadian and the Australian election wins was a backlash against Trump’s policies?

    PM:           No, what I believe it was about was—as I think about the Singaporean election, where the popular vote went up, when I think about the Australian election and the Canadian election, there were some different dynamics in each of those elections, obviously, but for me what it really is about is people wanting to endorse incumbent governments that actually have strong economic management in very uncertain times, and actually that’s what I think our Government’s done very well. We’ve been very focused from day one. You’ve heard me say it. Rebuild the economy to lower the cost of living. That’s what our task has been about, and actually we’ve got commercially literate, economically literate leadership in place in New Zealand in a very difficult and challenging time. So I think that’s really about strong economic management. Now, when you see the parties that have lost, it’s because they’ve been focused on things that actually haven’t mattered to the population. You’ve got to be able to be focused, you know, ruthlessly on lowering the cost of living. That’s what people care about. 

    Media:      Can you break that down in the Australian example? Are you saying that the left-leaning Labour Party are the strong economic managers, and the right-leaning, broad-church Liberal Party are not? 

    PM:           Well, I’m not commenting on the individual elections. I’m just saying to you when I look at, you could argue, a centre-right Government in Singapore that increased its vote because it’s got strong economic management in very uncertain times, which you heard Prime Minister Wong talk to—likewise, you see what’s happened in the UK, where a Conservative Government didn’t focus on the economics and manage the economy well. I think of Liz Truss and the damage that was done to the Conservative Party there. So I’m just saying it’s too simplistic to go, “It’s a centre-left or centre-right argument”. It’s actually about incumbent governments that have strong economic management. When the public’s feeling anxiety about global uncertainty, they want to know that there’s great leadership in place that can navigate them through that. 

    Media:      [Inaudible] the losers in those election results had been distracted by other things, so is it fair to say that the Libs in Australia were distracted by other things—

    PM:           Well, I’m not—

    Media:      —and would you categorise some of that as being about some of the Trump-like policies they were driving? 

    PM:           Well, no, all I’m saying to you is, as a leader of a political party in a coalition Government here in New Zealand, it’s very important that we are focused on the things that New Zealanders care about, and we are. And the number one thing that they care about, and you hear all the time, is about the economy and cost of living. That is the number one concern. That’s why it’s been—you know, you get sick of me talking about it, I know you guys do, but that’s why I’ve been banging on about the economy from day one, because that’s the thing that makes the single biggest difference to the people out there. That’s what they care about. And so all you’re seeing with those election results and those three over the last week is essentially, you know, the public, quite rightly, want their politicians focused on delivering for them and making their life better. And we do that by focusing on the economy, getting more money into their back pocket. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, Toitū Te Tiriti rōpū have been granted an urgent hearing in front of the Waitangi Tribunal on the Regulations Standards Bill. How concerned are you that the claimants—there’s 12,000 claimants to be heard in that claim. 

    PM:           Well, we’ll have more to say about the Regulatory Standards Bill. As you know, it’s on our quarterly action plan and we’ll talk about that in due course, but it would be premature for me to talk about that. 

    Media:      How concerned are you, though, that this could be as big as the hīkoi on the Treaty Principles Bill? 

    PM:           Well, again, we’ll go through a process about—you know, the objective of that Bill is to make sure we make better regulation in New Zealand. That’s what that’s about. And so, you know, let’s let that play out and go through the normal process, where I’m sure there’ll be submissions and feedback on the Bill as it goes through a select committee process. But it’s a bit too premature to jump to that conclusion. 

    Media:      Going through the process then, will you be voting it down at second reading? 

    PM:           Well, no, we’re going through a process. A Bill will get produced and go to a first reading. 

    Media:      I thought it was the same process as the Treaty Principles Bill. No? 

    PM:           Sorry, I don’t understand your question. 

    Media:      The Government’s support, the National Party’s support of the Regulatory Standards Bill. 

    PM:           No, we’re committed to delivering a Regulatory Standards Bill into law here in New Zealand, but we’ve got a process to work through. The Bill is about making sure this is—you know, that Governments make good regulation and that we make better rules and better laws and better—and do that policy development in a much better way. And so, you know, we need to let that Bill go through the process as it normally would, exactly as Fast Track did, as other Bills that we’ve gone through as a Government. We’ve worked our way through it. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, just back to Mark’s questions around chatting to world leaders around trade and stability there, have you had a chance to talk to Winston Peters further about this and your Government’s strategy, how you’re going to— 

    PM:           I think what you’re all misunderstanding is that there are four Ministers that have been working really closely together from day one, and we come together as a small group—in fact, we’re meeting again this week—and that is myself, obviously, as Prime Minister, Winston, obviously, as Foreign Minister, Judith as Defence Minister and Todd as Trade Minister. And in all of these conversations, which obviously have overlapping areas, we work really, really closely together. So we have conversations all the time on all of these issues and we’ll continue to do so. So we’re very aligned on what we’re trying to achieve. We’re trying to lift the intensity, the urgency and the relevancy of New Zealand with our partners, with the benefit of expanding defence and security, making sure that we can drive trade and investment, and making sure we have good standing with—and good reputation with all partners. 

    Media:      Sorry, just to follow up, I understand that you obviously meet regularly and that you’re on the same page there at a high level, but it was the Foreign Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister who raised specifically how you were doing that and whether the steps were being discussed.

    PM:           Look, I think I spoke about that ad nauseum several weeks ago when you first raised it. 

    Media:      Sure. 

    PM:           I’m just saying to you we know exactly what we’re doing and we’re very much in sync and lined up on all of this stuff. 

    Media:      On Lake Alice, the Attorney-General is named as a defendant on that case. I understand you can’t speak about the substance of the case, but has Judith Collins either recused herself or have you asked her to put in place any kind of management around response to the state abuse— 

    PM:           Look, I’m not going to get into the case and I—

    Media:      I’m sorry, I’m not asking you to get into the case.  

    PM:           Yeah, no, I get that. I understand. 

    Media:      Yeah. In terms of managing her conflict there, as she is now named as a—

    PM:           Any conflicts are well managed within our Government, yeah.

    Media:      And how is that being managed in this case?

    PM:           Again, I’m not going to go into detail with that now. Suffice to say that there’s an issue before the courts. We’ll let that complainant go through that process and we will manage any conflicts that are a result of that. 

    Media:      Prime Minister, with the respect to the CCCFA reform, the Government’s making the choice to retrospectively legislate, which is unusual. Aren’t you running the risk of looking as if the Government is favouring the Australian banks over New Zealand borrowers by doing so? What’s the rationale? 

    PM:           Look, again, I would encourage you to talk to Scott Simpson about the CCCFA because it’s quite a technical question and I think in fairness, as the Minister—

    Media:      You’re not aware of the Cabinet position? 

    PM:           No, I’m well aware of the Cabinet position, but what I’m saying to you is I also hold my Ministers accountable and I expect them to answer technical questions. If you want—

    Media:      [Inaudible] so unusual, I would have thought that you would have a view. 

    PM:           Well, no, we’re quite comfortable with it in this process. As I said, we passed this through the Cabinet. We discussed it. The CCCFA was a total dog’s breakfast from the previous administration, designed to clamp down on predatory lending and ended up actually squeezing a whole bunch of liquidity for people trying to access funding for mortgages. Getting asked how much you’re spending on Netflix, how much coffee you’re having, what sort of pet food you use; all of that stuff is not what it’s about. 

    Media:      [Inaudible] is retrospective legislation which would effectively kill off a piece of class action which has been underway for six years or so, and which starts with legislation which was effectively put in place by [Inaudible]—

    PM:           Yeah, again, I’ll just direct you to Scott Simpson if you want to talk about that. 

    Media:      The only benefactors of what Peter is talking about are the two Australian banks. Why, in the climate and given all of the rhetoric that has been going on around clamping down on banks, would the Government want to put themselves in a position where the banks get off scot-free? 

    PM:           Well, again, you know, we’re fixing the CCCFA, given the mess that it created, and we’ve made that decision as a Cabinet. If you want to direct technical questions, can I just suggest you talk to Scott Simpson about it? 

    Media:      It’s a very simple question. From a Government that has taken a very strong position on things like supermarkets, banks—you’ve made these inquiries and investigations—you have a situation in front of you where two Australian-owned banks who make significant, billion-dollar profits are the only people that are going to benefit from this retrospective legislation. Why would your Government want to take that position?

    PM:           No, we’re fixing legislation because of liquidity challenges, where regular people couldn’t get mortgages for their housing because something that was designed to deal with predatory lending has ended up creating, you know, an unintended or intended consequence or unintended consequence. So there’s a lot more going on in the legislation reset than just what you’re talking about. 

    Media:      The people who brought this class action might be facing their own liquidity challenges, and your retrospective legislation is effectively allowing hundreds of millions of dollars of money that they’re owed to go to Australian—

    PM:           Sorry guys, I’m not going to get into it. I’ll let you talk to Scott Simpson and he can go through the details with you. 

    Media:      But as a principle of natural justice and the rule of law, shouldn’t Cabinet have a position on the rightness of retrospectively legislating hundreds of millions of dollars away that people are owed in New Zealand? 

    PM:           Look, we’ve had our Cabinet conversation, this decision we’ve made and we’re comfortable with it. If you want to ask technical questions, go to Scott Simpson. OK, team—

    Media:      Did you have all the information when you made that decision—

    PM:           Yes. 

    Media:      —and are you going to go back and look at it at all? 

    PM:           We had all the decisions, and again, direct the questions to Scott. Right, last question. 

    Media:      Just back to Erica Stanford again, you’ve dismissed most of it as a printing issue, but if she was discussing policy ideas with members of the public from a personal e-mail account, do you not see that as problematic? 

    PM:           What is problematic is when materials from personal e-mail accounts are not retained for official information purposes. That is the problem. And so, in this case, as I—you know, all those materials—I’m not aware of any materials not having been retained and any official information requests that actually ask for those emails, they’ve been provided, as I understand it. 

    Media:      Is it a fact that she has been discussing policy issues with members of the public, and does that extend to budget-sensitive information? 

    PM:           Well, there is unsolicited e-mail correspondence that happens from, you know, relationships that she will have through—that come through a private e-mail account. Again, she’s now put in place mechanisms to make sure that actually that is managed more appropriately going forward. I think that is appropriate. She’s got technical fixes that actually help support that. That’s a good thing. OK. 

    Media:      On Sir Brian Roche—

    PM:           On Sir Brian Roche, yeah. 

    Media:      On Sir Brian Roche taking over the teachers’ negotiations, do you think he’ll do a better job than the Ministry would, and do you want to see him do collective negotiations more throughout the public service? 

    PM:           I’m a big supporter of more centralised bargaining, yeah, done through the PSC.

    Media:      Has she discussed budget-sensitive information with members of the public before it’s public? 

    PM:           Again—

    Media:      Stuart Nash got sacked for that. 

    PM:           Yeah, I’m just saying to you—no, I’m just saying to you it’s quite appropriate through the Cabinet Manual that actually people may use their personal e-mail accounts and phone numbers for conversations, but those materials have to be retained. They have been retained. They are available for official information requests. That’s the important thing here. OK. All right, guys. Thanks so much. 

    conclusion of press conference

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Webb Lifts Veil on Common but Mysterious Type of Exoplanet

    Source: NASA

    Though they don’t orbit around our Sun, sub-Neptunes are the most common type of exoplanet, or planet outside our solar system, that have been observed in our galaxy. These small, gassy planets are shrouded in mystery…and often, a lot of haze. Now, by observing exoplanet TOI-421 b, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is helping scientists understand sub-Neptunes in a way that was not possible prior to the telescope’s launch.
    “I had been waiting my entire career for Webb so that we could meaningfully characterize the atmospheres of these smaller planets,” said principal investigator Eliza Kempton of the University of Maryland, College Park. “By studying their atmospheres, we’re getting a better understanding of how sub-Neptunes formed and evolved, and part of that is understanding why they don’t exist in our solar system.”

    The existence of sub-Neptunes was unexpected before they were discovered by NASA’s retired Kepler space telescope in the last decade. Now, astronomers are trying to understand where these planets came from and why are they so common.
    Before Webb, scientists had very little information on them. While sub-Neptunes are a few times larger than Earth, they are still much smaller than gas-giant planets and typically cooler than hot Jupiters, making them much more challenging to observe than their gas-giant counterparts.
    A key finding prior to Webb was that most sub-Neptune atmospheres had flat or featureless transmission spectra. This means that when scientists observed the spectrum of the planet as it passed in front of its host star, instead of seeing spectral features – the chemical fingerprints that would reveal the composition of the atmosphere – they saw only a flat-line spectrum. Astronomers concluded from all of those flat-line spectra that at least certain sub-Neptunes were probably very highly obscured by either clouds or hazes.

    “Why did we observe this planet, TOI-421 b? It’s because we thought that maybe it wouldn’t have hazes,” said Kempton. “And the reason is that there were some previous data that implied that maybe planets over a certain temperature range were less enshrouded by haze or clouds than others.”
    That temperature threshold is about 1,070 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, scientists hypothesized that a complex set of photochemical reactions would occur between sunlight and methane gas, and that would trigger the haze. But hotter planets shouldn’t have methane and therefore perhaps shouldn’t have haze.
    The temperature of TOI-421 b is about 1,340 degrees Fahrenheit, well above the presumed threshold. Without haze or clouds, researchers expected to see a clear atmosphere – and they did!

    “We saw spectral features that we attribute to various gases, and that allowed us to determine the composition of the atmosphere,” said the University of Maryland’s Brian Davenport, a third-year Ph.D. student who conducted the primary data analysis. “Whereas with many of the other sub-Neptunes that had been previously observed, we know their atmospheres are made of something, but they’re being blocked by haze.”
    The team found water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere, as well as tentative signatures of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Then there are molecules they didn’t detect, such as methane and carbon dioxide. From the data, they can also infer that a large amount of hydrogen is in TOI-421 b’s atmosphere.
    The lightweight hydrogen atmosphere was the big surprise to the researchers. “We had recently wrapped our mind around the idea that those first few sub-Neptunes observed by Webb had heavy-molecule atmospheres, so that had become our expectation, and then we found the opposite,” said Kempton. This suggests TOI-421 b may have formed and evolved differently from the cooler sub-Neptunes observed previously.

    The hydrogen-dominated atmosphere is also interesting because it mimics the composition of TOI-421 b’s host star. “If you just took the same gas that made the host star, plopped it on top of a planet’s atmosphere, and put it at the much cooler temperature of this planet, you would get the same combination of gases. That process is more in line with the giant planets in our solar system, and it is different from other sub-Neptunes that have been observed with Webb so far,” said Kempton.
    Aside from being hotter than other sub-Neptunes previously observed with Webb, TOI-421 b orbits a Sun-like star. Most of the other sub-Neptunes that have been observed so far orbit smaller, cooler stars called red dwarfs.
    Is TOI-421b emblematic of hot sub-Neptunes orbiting Sun-like stars, or is it just that exoplanets are very diverse? To find out, the researchers would like to observe more hot sub-Neptunes to determine if this is a unique case or a broader trend. They hope to gain insights into the formation and evolution of these common exoplanets.
    “We’ve unlocked a new way to look at these sub-Neptunes,” said Davenport. “These high-temperature planets are amenable to characterization. So by looking at sub-Neptunes of this temperature, we’re perhaps more likely to accelerate our ability to learn about these planets.”
    The team’s findings appear on May 5 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
    The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
    To learn more about Webb, visit:
    https://science.nasa.gov/webb
    Downloads
    Click any image to open a larger version.
    View/Download all image products at all resolutions for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Ann Jenkins – jenkins@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.
    Hannah Braun – hbraun@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    Webb Blog: Reconnaissance of Potentially Habitable Worlds with NASA’s Webb
    Video: How to Study Exoplanets
    Article: Webb’s Impact on Exoplanet Research
    Video: How do we learn about a planet’s Atmosphere?
    Learn more about exoplanets
    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page

    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GSFC Office of the Chief Knowledge Officer – Case Studies

    Source: NASA

    The Goddard OCKO has a large collection of case studies covering a wide range of missions and technical topics, including launch decision making, project management, procurement, instrument development, risk management, systems engineering and more. These case studies can be used to facilitate learning of critical knowledge and lessons that enable mission success.
    Click Here to Access the Case Studies (Internal NASA Only).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 100 Days of Secretary Noem: Making America Safe Again

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: 100 Days of Secretary Noem: Making America Safe Again

    lass=”text-align-center”>“I will continue fighting every day alongside President Donald Trump to secure our border and keep American communities safe

    This is just the beginning of the Golden Age of America

    ” – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem 
    WASHINGTON – In her first 100 days on the job, Secretary Kristi Noem returned the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to its core mission of securing the homeland

     
    Under Secretary Noem’s strong leadership, DHS is hard at work securing our borders, arresting and removing criminal aliens, safeguarding the U

    S

    cyber infrastructure, protecting America’s leaders, deterring terrorism, and keeping America safe

      
    Below are just some of Secretary Noem’s accomplishments from her 100 Days:
    Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, we have the most secure border in American history

    Daily border encounters have plunged 95% since President Trump and Secretary Noem took office

    Migrants are turning BACK before they even reach our border— migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99

    99%

    Secretary Noem launched a multimillion-dollar nationwide and international ad campaign, urging illegal aliens to leave the U

    S

    voluntarily or face deportation with no chance of return and warning criminals to stay out

    The data shows the world is hearing our message

    Secretary Noem and Secretary Kennedy have reunited nearly 5,000 unaccompanied children with a safe relative or guardian

    Secretary Noem is finishing the border wall

    DHS already has 85 miles of new construction either planned or under construction

    United States (U

    S

    ) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U

    S

    Coast Guard (USCG) have seized nearly 232,000 pounds of fentanyl and other illicit drugs—stopping them from ever reaching American communities

    Secretary Noem is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations—starting with the worst of the worst

    Secretary Noem unleashed the U

    S

    Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to target the worst of the worst, 75% of their arrests are criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges

    Secretary Noem rode with ICE agents on an operation in New York City that resulted in the arrest of a Tren de Aragua ringleader

    The Secretary went on a successful operation in Northern Virginia that got MS-13 gang members, 18th Street gang members, and perpetrators of sexual crimes off our streets

    Additionally, Secretary Noem went on an ICE operation in Phoenix that resulted in the arrest of human traffickers, drug smugglers, and 18th Street gang members

    DHS has secured 598 signed agreements with state and local partnerships under 287(g)

    Last week, the first 287(g) enforcement operation coordinated with state and federal law enforcement—Operation Tidal Wave—resulted in 1,120 arrests across Florida

    Secretary Noem deputized the Texas National Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Prisons, U

    S

    Marshals, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, members of the State Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help with immigration operations

       
    Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS has arrested over 168,000 illegal aliens in 2025 alone, including more than 600 members of Tren de Aragua

    To fulfill President Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations, DHS and Department of  Defense (DOD) are detaining some of the most dangerous illegal aliens, including violent criminals and members of terrorist gangs, at Guantanamo Bay

     Secretary Noem was the first Cabinet Secretary to visit Guantanamo Bay and see the facilities where the worst of the worst are being held

    At President Trump’s direction, DHS deported nearly 300 Tren de Aragua and MS-13 terrorists to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) Prison in El Salvador, where they no longer pose a threat to the American people

    While in El Salvador, Secretary Noem signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to update the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) between the U

    S

    and El Salvador

    This agreement ensures fugitives’ criminal records are shared between America and El Salvador, so that criminals are not inadvertently released into American communities

    While in Colombia, Secretary Noem signed a Statement of Intent for Biometric Cooperation

    This agreement facilitates the sharing of biometric data between our nations to better identify and prevent criminals and terrorists from our crossing borders

    Biometric data sharing has already led to over 1,700 deportations and 1,000 arrests

    President Trump ended the CBP One app that allowed more than one million aliens to illegally enter the U

    S

    Secretary Noem replaced this disastrous program with the CBP Home app, which has a new self-deportation reporting feature for aliens illegally in the country

    So far, thousands of illegal aliens have used the app to self-deport

    The Trump Administration is enforcing the Alien Registration Act which requires aliens to register with the federal government

    If illegal aliens fail to comply, they face fines and imprisonment

     
    Deportations have already exceeded 152,000—this is just the beginning

    Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS partnered with the Government of Uzbekistan to successfully deport over 100 illegal aliens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan

    This operation, in which Uzbekistan fully funded the deportation of their own nationals, underscores the deep security cooperation between our nations and sets a standard for U

    S

    alliances

    President Trump and Secretary Noem are putting the safety of Americans first and delivering justice for victims of illegal aliens and drug cartels

    Under the Secretary’s leadership, DHS is enforcing President Trump’s first major piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act

    This law mandates the federal detention of illegal aliens who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, or any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury

    President Trump designated international drug cartels and other criminal gangs, such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

    This enables a whole-of-government approach to dismantle their drug and human trafficking operations

    The days of unchecked cartel and gang violence are over

       
    Following the Secretary’s meeting with the Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Trump Administration extradited Eswin Mejia, an illegal alien arrested for killing 21-year-old Sarah Root in a drunk driving crash, from Honduras

    President Trump and Secretary Noem reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which was shuttered by the Biden Administration

    President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for the victims of illegal alien crime and ensuring they have access to much needed resources and support they deserve

    Secretary Noem has met with Angel families—including Alexis Nungaray, Sabine Durden-Coulter, Tammy Nobles, Maureen Maloney, and Agnes Gibboney—to hear their tragic stories and offer support from the Trump Administration

    President Trump and Secretary Noem are restoring integrity and common sense to our legal immigration system

    DHS has returned the Temporary Protected Status immigration program to its original status: temporary

    No longer will this program be abused and exploited by illegal aliens

     Secretary Noem rescinded the previous administration’s extension of Venezuelan, Haitian, and Afghan TPS

         
    President Trump is returning common sense to our legal immigration system and national security by revoking visas of terrorist sympathizers

    Those who glorify and support terrorists who kill Americans are not welcome in the U

    S

    Some examples include:

    ICE arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student who led activities aligned with Hamas and passed out pro-Hamas propaganda flyers

    Dr

    Rasha Alawieh was deported after she admitted to attending the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, a brutal terrorist who led Hezbollah and was responsible for killing hundreds of Americans

    ICE arrested Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown foreign exchange student whose father-in-law is a senior advisor to Hamas

    To keep America safe, DHS is now conducting enhanced vetting of visa applicants, including monitoring foreign aliens’ social media accounts to identify any support for terrorist organizations

    Under President Trump, Secretary Noem refocused DHS to its core mission of protecting the American homeland and eliminating government waste

    Secretary Noem has empowered our brave men and women in ICE, Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard to use common sense to do their jobs effectively

    DHS ensured a safe and secure Super Bowl for the more than 100,000 fans celebrating in New Orleans

    Secretary Noem is embracing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts to make sweeping cuts that eliminate government waste, return DHS to its core mission of protecting the homeland, and fulfill the Founders vision of returning power to the states

    The USCG eliminated an ineffective information technology (IT) program, saving nearly $33 million, and is now focusing resources where they’re most needed to protect our homeland

    The Trump Administration stopped aliens on the Terror Watchlist from receiving Medicaid benefits

    Secretary Noem stopped the construction of a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency headquarters building that was going to cost American taxpayers more than half a billion dollars

    Secretary Noem ended the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) FEMA grant program that was wasteful and ineffective

    This resulted in nearly a billion dollars being directed to the Disaster Relief Fund

       
    To stop policies that were magnets for illegal immigration, DHS froze all funding to non-governmental organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and announced a partnership with the U

    S

    Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure taxpayer dollars do not go to housing illegal aliens

    Secretary Noem ended collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which constrained TSA’s chief mission to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe

    Bottom Line: Secretary Noem will continue fighting alongside President Trump every day to secure our border and keep American communities safe

    This is just the beginning of a new Golden Age of America

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Ordinary Delegation meeting – 7 May 2025, Strasbourg – Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee will hold an ordinary meeting on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, from 15.00 to 16.00, in Strasbourg, room CHURCHILL 200.
    During the meeting, Members will hold an exchange of views on recent developments in Serbia with

    • Bojana Zorić, Research Analyst, European Union Institute for Security Studies – Paris
    • Ivan Đurić, Policy Analyst, Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) – Belgrade

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom honors fallen California peace officer heroes

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 5, 2025

    What you need to know: The Governor honored the contributions of fallen California law enforcement officers at the annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony. 

    Sacramento, California – Honoring the contributions of fallen California peace officers, Governor Gavin Newsom today joined hundreds of law enforcement officers, state and local leaders, and community members at the annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony. 

    We honor the lives and legacy these officers leave behind. They bravely served our communities, putting the needs of others before all. We thank them today and every day for their everlasting courage.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The memorial ceremony included a “Walk of Honor” for surviving family members from the west steps of the Capitol to the memorial monument for the Enrollment Ceremony, where the names of newly enrolled officers were formally added to the Memorial Monument. 

    The following fallen officers were recognized: 

    Distant Past

    • Officer Terry D. Long, El Monte Police Department, EOW: August 22, 2004

    Recent Past and Current Year

    • Deputy Alfredo M. Flores, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, EOW: April 20, 2024
    • Officer Matthew Bowen, Vacaville Police Department, EOW: July 11, 2024
    • Officer Austin Christopher Machitar, San Diego Police Department, EOW: August 26, 2024
    • Officer Chad E. Swanson, Manhattan Beach Police Department, EOW: October 4, 2023

    This solemn ceremony incorporates many law enforcement traditions, including a riderless horse presentation, the folding of the flag of the United States, releasing of doves, and concludes with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

    In memorial, Governor Newsom ordered flags to be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space.

    Recent news

    May 5, 2025

    News What you need to know: California applied to the federal government today to update the state’s benchmark plan, which would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) like hearing aids and wheelchairs in the individual and small group…

    May 5, 2025

    News What you need to know: California remains the #1 state for tourism, with record-high tourism spending reaching $157.3 billion in 2024. However, the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric are driving away tourists, killing tourism and hospitality jobs, and…

    May 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today after the University of California Board of Regents named James Milliken the new president of the University of California: “California’s future depends on the strength of our institutions,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California applies to expand essential health benefits to include IVF, hearing exams

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 5, 2025

    What you need to know: California applied to the federal government today to update the state’s benchmark plan, which would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) like hearing aids and wheelchairs in the individual and small group markets starting in 2027.

    Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom, through the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), submitted an application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to update California’s benchmark plan. The new benchmark plan would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) in the individual and small group markets starting in 2027, following CMS approval. That expanded coverage would include services to such fertility treatments, annual hearing exams and hearing aids, and mobility devices such as walkers, manual and power wheelchairs, and scooters.

    “Quality health care should be available for all Californians, and one way we are working to achieve this goal is by updating the state’s benchmark plan for required health benefits. My administration has been working over the last year, in collaboration with the state Legislature, to expand coverage for important and needed health care services, including fertility services, hearing aids and wheelchairs. These new coverage requirements will have life-changing impacts for millions of Californians.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Support from California’s leaders 

    Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley), MSW, Chair of the Senate Health Committee: “Moving towards expanding California’s Essential Health Benefits marks a huge step forward for people with hearing loss, disabilities, and those struggling with infertility. The new proposed benchmark plan means children who are hard of hearing or deaf will have coverage for the hearing aids that make a significant difference in their development and well-being. Folks who are currently cut off from family-building because of financial barriers will be able to make this important reproductive decision for themselves. And those whose mobility relies on access to durable medical equipment will have increased coverage for their means of independence. This additional coverage would be life-altering and I am thankful to the Administration, experts, and community stakeholders who came together to craft a benchmark plan that serves Californians.”

    Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee: “Expanding coverage to in vitro fertilization, annual hearing exams, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment in our state’s benchmark plan shows our statewide commitment to prioritizing meaningful access to care. I was proud to invest the time needed in a thorough, collaborative, and thoughtful process that is yielding real results for our constituents, who see the future of their coverage as more uncertain than ever. For the young couple who will finally be able to start their family, a child who will be able to hear their teacher, and someone with mobility limitations looking to remain independent, these changes will have impacts they feel every day. I’m thankful to everyone who made this possible.”

    California Health & Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Johnson: “The updates to California’s benchmark plan and essential health benefits will close coverage gaps for millions while enhancing access to fertility services, hearing aids, and wheelchairs, easing the burden on families seeking these vital health care services.”

    DMHC Director Mary Watanabe: “Selecting a new benchmark plan sets a new standard for commercial health coverage in California. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to the state Legislature, health plans, providers, advocates and members of the public who participated in the process and provided thoughtful feedback and comments. This input has been essential, and was carefully considered, as we examined new opportunities to improve and expand health care coverage requirements under a new benchmark plan.”

    How we got here

    The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health plans in the individual and small group markets to offer a comprehensive package of services, known as EHBs. EHBs must cover 10 broad categories of services including primary care, hospital services, prescription drugs, and emergency and urgent care services. Within these broad categories, a state can decide what specific services plans must cover by selecting its benchmark plan, which sets forth the EHB coverage requirements.

    The DMHC has been working over the last year with the Newsom administration and Legislature to update California’s benchmark plan, including holding public meetings to share information on expanding the EHBs and the process to update the state’s benchmark plan. These public meetings provided opportunities for the public to comment about the benefits that should be considered for inclusion in the new benchmark plan. In addition to the public meetings, the DMHC issued public notices on California’s work to update the benchmark plan and accepted public comments on the state’s draft benchmark plan summary. If approved by CMS, the new benchmark plan requirements would take effect January 1, 2027.

    Health care, Press Releases

    Recent news

    May 5, 2025

    News What you need to know: California remains the #1 state for tourism, with record-high tourism spending reaching $157.3 billion in 2024. However, the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric are driving away tourists, killing tourism and hospitality jobs, and…

    May 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today after the University of California Board of Regents named James Milliken the new president of the University of California: “California’s future depends on the strength of our institutions,…

    May 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: As part of the California Jobs First initiative, the state is awarding $30.5 million in tax credits to seven companies committed to creating new jobs and investing over $2.1 billion across key industries like clean energy, advanced…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of projected “Trump Slump,” Governor Newsom announces record-high tourism — again

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 5, 2025

    What you need to know: California remains the #1 state for tourism, with record-high tourism spending reaching $157.3 billion in 2024. However, the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric are driving away tourists, killing tourism and hospitality jobs, and already leading to decreased tourism projections.

    SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom and Visit California today announced that California’s tourism spending continued to grow in 2024, reaching a record-high of $157.3 billion in tourism spending throughout the state — an increase of 3% from 2023, another record-spending year.  This comes after recent news that California’s economy is now the fourth-largest economy in the world and experienced a population increase for the second year in a row.

    “California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation, and around the globe. With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The announcement comes with the release of Visit California’s 2024 Economic Impact Report and revised 2025 forecast released today. According to Visit California’s report, in 2024:

    • Visitors spent $157.3 billion at businesses across the state.
    • Tourism spending supported 1.2 million jobs and created 24,000 new jobs.
    • $12.6 billion in state and local tax revenues was generated from tourism.

    Economic progress at risk of Trump Slump

    However, the forecast also anticipates a 1% dip in overall visitation and a 9.2% decline in international visitation in 2025, in direct response to federal economic policy and an impending “Trump Slump.” Looking ahead, 2025 is projected to be more challenging, particularly due to global economic pressures and a slowdown in international tourism, the direct result of declining global sentiment about travel to the United States. California is already seeing the impact, with a sharp year-over-year decline in March of this year.

    In anticipation of the slump caused by the Trump administration, Governor Newsom and Visit California are encouraging Californians to continue to travel within the state to help support the booming tourism industry. The Governor has also launched a new campaign encouraging Canadian consumers to continue to travel to the Golden State.

    More people moving to California 

    In addition to record-breaking tourism, California is welcoming more new residents. Governor Newsom recently announced California’s population increased for the second year in a row. The announcement also noted that previous reports that California’s population had declined by hundreds of thousands of people in 2021 and 2023 were found inaccurate, and since 2021, California’s population has increased by nearly 275,000 people. 

    California’s economic leadership

    With a nation-leading GDP and more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, California’s economy remains a global powerhouse driven by diversity, creativity, and opportunity.

    • 4th largest economy in the world: California’s $4.1 trillion GDP recently surpassed Japan.
    • #1 in the nation: Leads the U.S. in Fortune 500 companies, new business starts, venture capital access, manufacturing output, high-tech industries and agriculture.
    • Major trade powerhouse: Over $675 billion in two-way trade, making California the largest importer among U.S. states and a key driver of job creation.
    • Manufacturing hub: Home to 36,000+ manufacturing firms, employing over 1.1 million workers, with strengths in aerospace, electronics, and zero-emission vehicles.
    • AI & innovation leader: California hosts 32 of the world’s top 50 AI companies and produces 25% of global AI patents and conference papers.

    Recent news

    May 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today after the University of California Board of Regents named James Milliken the new president of the University of California: “California’s future depends on the strength of our institutions,…

    May 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: As part of the California Jobs First initiative, the state is awarding $30.5 million in tax credits to seven companies committed to creating new jobs and investing over $2.1 billion across key industries like clean energy, advanced…

    May 1, 2025

    News LOS ANGELES — California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom today joined students, mental health professionals, and athletes at two schools in Pasadena and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula’s East Palo Alto Clubhouse to celebrate Move Your Body, Calm…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PPTA calls on Minister Stanford to come clean on Kāhui Ako

    Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)

    Kāhui Ako, or Communities of Learning, bring together schools with the aim of helping students to achieve their full potential. They give highly skilled and experienced teachers the opportunity to lead projects in and across schools, providing support and advice to teachers on agreed priorities such as attendance, transitions and implementation of new government initiatives.

    “Kāhui Ako provide an alternative and greatly valued career path for about 4000 teachers around the motu and they need clarity about their future,” says Chris Abercrombie PPTA Te Wehengarua president.

    “At the moment the Minister seems to be making unilateral decisions about the programme without any consultation.

    “There has also not been any consultation on where the funding could be reallocated for learning support especially in the secondary sector where students’ learning needs are quite different from primary school students’.” 

    Last modified on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 11:23

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: WTO report highlights improved impact of technical assistance activities in 2024

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO report highlights improved impact of technical assistance activities in 2024

    The report reveals that the WTO delivered more than 300 technical assistance activities in 2024, the highest number in the past decade. Over 19,000 government officials were trained in various trade-related areas, including more than 5,000 from least-developed countries (LDCs).
    This represents a 19 per cent rise in the number of technical assistance activities compared to 2023. The increase was largely driven by a significant shift towards e-Learning, which saw the number of participants soar by 45 per cent, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all participants.
    The report notes the sustained effectiveness of the activities in assisting beneficiaries in expanding their knowledge and skills. This is reflected by the three percentage point increase in fully or partially met performance targets compared to 2023.
    The year was also marked by the successful completion of the WTO accession processes of Comoros and Timor-Leste, both of which benefited from extensive technical assistance throughout their negotiations.
    “This support was instrumental in strengthening their capacity to navigate the complexities of WTO accession, which took 17 years for Comoros and nearly eight years for Timor-Leste,” WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang notes in the foreword to the report. “Their successful accession highlights the critical role of technical assistance in building the expertise and institutional frameworks necessary for developing economies to fully participate in global trade.”
    WTO technical assistance continued to combine virtual, in-person and e-Learning formats in 2024 in order to provide targeted support aligned with beneficiaries’ evolving priorities. Standards, agriculture, market access for goods (including trade facilitation), trade in services, trade remedies and fisheries subsidies were among the top ten topics covered by technical assistance activities. Meanwhile, existing offerings exploring other WTO topics or responding to emerging challenges and opportunities, such as digital trade and trade and environment, continued to be developed.
    However, the report struck a note of caution with regard to increasing financial constraints, as 2024 saw voluntary contributions to WTO technical assistance reach their lowest level in 25 years, with unearmarked funds falling to below CHF 3 million. While the cost-saving measures implemented by the WTO Secretariat have so far ensured that technical assistance delivery levels and quality are preserved, cash reserves are nearing exhaustion. Should the current low level of voluntary contributions persist, activities will inevitably suffer in volume and quality, leading to reduced impact over time.
    The full report is available here.
    Background
    A core function of the WTO, technical assistance and capacity-building activities aim to enhance professional and institutional trade capacities in developing and least-developed WTO members and observers. These activities equip beneficiaries with the know-how to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the rules-based multilateral trading system, and to address related challenges. Within the WTO Secretariat, the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) oversees these activities.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Support for the 100 climate-neutral cities under the Green Deal – E-000580/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In Greece there is a momentum for the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission[1]; of the six Greek cities selected for the Cities Mission, five have already received the Mission Label.

    These cities established the ‘Climanet’ network, and the Greek Government announced EUR 20 million to be allocated to these cities for the preparation of studies and the financing of projects[2].

    At European level, 53 Cities have so far been awarded with a Mission Label. A further 33 Climate City Contracts are now under review. 80 more cities have joined the Twinning Learning Programme[3] to replicate good practices: nine are Greek cities[4].

    The Climate City Capital Hub[5], launched in June 2024, helps labelled cities[6] to get projects ready for investment. It offers advice on financing solutions, in cooperation with existing advisory services, such as those offered by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and puts cities in touch with investors.

    Through the ‘Enabling City Transformation Programme’ under Horizon Europe, EUR 21 million were secured in 2024 to deploy advisory services of the EIB[7]. In addition, the EIB ringfenced a lending envelope of EUR 2 billion for the labelled cities to support the implementation of their decarbonisation strategies.

    Greek Mission cities will also receive support from EU Cohesion Policy and, in line with the European Regional Development Fund/Cohesion Fund Regulation[8], they are implementing their sustainable urban development strategies, to support energy efficiency, climate adaptation, smart cities and green transport projects.

    Finally, EU actions, such as the Covenant of Mayors[9], the Green City Accord[10], the European Urban Initiative[11], the URBACT IV programme[12] and others, support cities in capacity-building and knowledge exchange.

    • [1] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/climate-neutral-and-smart-cities_en
    • [2] https://2030.ioannina.gr/?page_id=1121
    • [3] https://netzerocities.eu/twinning-learning-programme/
    • [4] These are Penteli, Palaio Faliro, Mytilene and Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni (selected for Cohort 1); Chalkida and Chios (in Cohort 2); Fyli, Heraklion and Larisa (in Cohort 3).
    • [5] https://netzerocities.eu/capital-hub/
    • [6] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/942e747e-3ccf-4121-a973-9cc8032fc421_en
    • [7] Including European Local ENergy Assistance (https://www.eib.org/en/products/advisory-services/elena/index)
      and the InvestEU Advisory Hub (https://investeu.europa.eu/investeu-programme/investeu-advisory-hub_en).
    • [8]  OJ L231, 30/06/2021, Article 11.
    • [9] https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/home
    • [10] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/urban-environment/green-city-accord_en
    • [11] https://www.urban-initiative.eu/
    • [12] https://urbact.eu/

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Funding, payments and learner fees – Youth Guarantee

    Source:

    For the full requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
    Funding mechanism
    The Minister responsible for tertiary education issues the YG funding mechanism. The funding mechanism outlines the general form and essential components of the fund. It provides the mandate for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to allocate the funding and what the funding can be used for, and details how we administer the fund.
    Funding is agreed through a tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) Investment Plan. For more information see Plan guidance and toolkit.
    A TEO that receives YG funding is required to:

    The overall amount of YG funding available is set through the Government’s annual budget process. We determine the appropriate amount of YG funding for a TEO through the annual investment process and in-year additional funding requests (if available). 
    Funding allocation and payments
    Funding allocations, including any amendments, are available through the My Allocations and Payments app on Ngā Kete.
    YG funding is paid in equal monthly instalments.
    After each Single Data Return (SDR) submission we pay (and recover) Youth Guarantee Exceptional Circumstances Travel Assistance funding.
    For the calculation of indicative allocations see the methodology from the relevant year. The most recent information is at the top.
    For more details regarding your specific allocation, please contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz or your Relationship Manager.
    Funding rates
    There are two funding rates for all YG provision – the trades and non-trades rates per EFTS.
    The trades funding rate applies to trades provision at Levels 2 and 3 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
    The non-trades rate applies to all other provision at Levels 1 to 3 on the NZQCF.
    This page provides information on the YG funding rates.
    Funding wash-ups
    For the calculation of funding wash-ups see the methodology and technical specifications from the relevant year.
    Premium allocation
    We will allocate the 50% funding premium for the Level 1 and 2 programmes in your Level 1 and 2 commitment
    We will allocate the YG premium based on your Level 1 and 2 commitments in your YG Mix of Provision (MoP).
    We will calculate your final delivery against your total YG allocation, including the Level 1 and 2 premium and recovery if you were overpaid.
    We will adjust your premium allocation, if required, due to other significant Plan changes
    Significant Plan changes during the year may affect the amount of Level 1 and 2 premium required, for example if we have agreed a change in the total allocated, or there is a change in the distribution of your commitments within the allocation. If necessary, we will recalculate and adjust your premium allocation.
    We will carefully review your submitted MoP to ensure we allocate the correct amount
    We will monitor closely to ensure you allocate accurately as agreed with TEC in your MoP. This includes any changes agreed within the year. We will only accept and approve the MoP if the commitment is within the MoP tolerance (tolerance value identified in MoP instructions tab), and the distribution of the funding is in line with what was agreed and approved by the TEC. MoPs must be submitted in a timely matter.
    We will take into account previous delivery patterns, and any specific agreements you have with us regarding changes to your MoP.
    Wellbeing and pathways support subsidy
    The wellbeing and pathways support subsidy is intended to fund a range of services tailored to the needs of individual learners. This may include:

    career planning and advice
    specific cultural and learning support that is easy for the learner to access
    an orientation programme that informs learners about access to financial assistance
    extra-curricular activities
    regular activities with other YG learners
    building workplace connections, and/or

    From 2023, TEOs are expected to work with learners and their whānau to develop a pathway plan to map “where to from here”. The plan should support each learner’s needs to move to further study and/or employment. For more information on what should be included in the pathway plan refer to the YG funding conditions
    We will allocate the wellbeing and pathways support allocation based on your total EFTS commitment in your MoP
    We will calculate and pay the subsidy separately to your other YG funding.
    We will not recover any of the subsidy where under-delivery occurs.
    We will pay the subsidy on all eligible Flexible Funding over-delivery (up to 102% of your allocation) based on your December SDR reporting.
    We will adjust your wellbeing and pathways support allocation, if required, due to other significant Plan changes
    Significant Plan changes during the year may affect the amount of wellbeing and pathways support allocation you are entitled to, for example if we have agreed a change in the total allocated. If necessary, we will recalculate and adjust your wellbeing and pathways support allocation.
    Travel assistance funding
    For the full travel assistance funding requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
    Travel assistance funding must only be used to pay for the actual cost of transport. We expect TEOs to take an “actual and reasonable” approach to the reimbursement of learner travel costs. This means if a learner uses:

    public transport, the reimbursement of the student must be based on the appropriate concession rate, or
    private transport, where suitable public transport is not available, a reasonable reimbursement rate should be established by the TEO on a case-by-case basis.

    If the TEO supplies the transport, the cost of the travel must not exceed 80 cents per kilometre travelled.
    Travel assistance funding that is paid directly to a learner must only be used to cover or reimburse costs associated with travel to and from the YG course.
    Records
    The TEO must keep records of all learner travel expenses and TEO reimbursements to learners.
    If the TEO supplies transport to learners, it must keep records of travel expenses. All travel records are to be made available to us on request. Records must include:

    a daily travel logbook that sets out the kilometres travelled in relation to each learner, and
    the source of funding for each learner’s enrolment at the TEO (for example, whether the learner is enrolled in a YG funded programme or otherwise).

    Inland Revenue
    If the TEO supplies transport, the TEO must keep records of travel expenses in line with Inland Revenue requirements.
    There may be tax implications in the way that travel reimbursements are administered. Contact Inland Revenue directly for further information.
    When reimbursing learners for travel, in general, TEOs are not able to claim GST input tax on this cost because the payments are made to individuals who are not registered for GST. GST input tax can only be claimed if the TEO has incurred the cost itself and can produce a GST invoice in support of the claim.
    Travel subsidy
    The travel assistance subsidy is expected to adequately meet the costs associated with normal learner travel needs.
    As the travel subsidy is allocated per EFTS, the TEO may cross-subsidise by using more than the per EFTS rate for some learners (ie, where they have particularly high travel expenses), and less than the per EFTS rate for others (where they do not require the full amount).
    The TEO must reimburse each learner within a reasonable time after they have incurred the cost.
    Exceptional Circumstances Transport Assistance funding
    Exceptional Circumstances Transport Assistance (ECTA) funding is to provide additional transport assistance to learners who live in relatively isolated areas who may have higher transport needs.
    For the full exceptional circumstances transport assistance funding requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
    ECTA funding is based on EFTS delivered, and the rural isolation of the site where the delivery took place. The rural isolation of TEOs’ delivery sites uses a classification system developed by Statistics New Zealand. 
    Based on the urban/rural classification we provide a “top-up” payment per YG EFTS at each delivery site as reported in each SDR submission.
    Funding calculation
    Disaggregated courses must add up to the total credit value of the qualification, but unlike Delivery Qualification (DQ) funding, Youth Guarantee is not funded at the course level.
    For a trades programme at Levels 2 and 3 the funding calculation is: trades rate per EFTS x programme EFTS value. Trades programmes include NCEA where at least 50% of the courses are classified under Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) and above on the NZQCF delivery classification codes – alphabetic and numeric – as C1, L1, or P1. 
    For a non-trades programmes the funding calculation is: non-trades rate per EFTS x programme EFTS value. Non-trade programmes include NCEA where less than 50% of the courses are classified as trades courses.
    Specifically, we calculate a TEO’s consumed funding using:

    the number of valid domestic student enrolments, measured by equivalent full-time students (EFTS), and
    the programmes, and their component courses, in which a valid domestic student is enrolled.

    To calculate a TEO’s consumed Youth Guarantee funding, we use the following elements:

    the metric (EFTS value)
    delivery classification
    funding category (trades/non-trades, which may also depend on level on the NZQCF), and
    funding rate. 

    Example only (rates may differ depending on year):

    Step

    Funding calculation 

    Example

    1

    Assign the programme an EFTS value

    A TEO’s NZ2104 New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage (Level 3) obtained through half a year of academic year study has a value of 0.5 EFTS.
    Note: We use 120 credits per EFTS for all programmes in STEO.

    2

    Assign the programme a funding rate

    This is determined in conjunction with us. The rate will be trade or non-trade, depending on whether the majority of course EFTS are trades or non-trades.

    3

    Disaggregate the programme into courses
    Calculate the EFTS factor of each course (Note: We use 120 credits per EFTS for all courses in STEO)
    Classify the courses

    The programme is disaggregated into three courses.
    Each course has an EFTS factor of 0.1667 EFTS.
    The subject matter of these courses is classified as #22 (Trades) in the Delivery Classification Guide.

    4

    Apply the funding category

    Refer to Funding category (CATEGORY) under information about courses:
    The funding category alphabetic code is used to determine the category of the course as P (Trades #22).
    The funding category numeric code is used to determine the category of the course as 1 (non-degree course with no research requirement, including certificates and diplomas). 

    5

    Apply funding rates

    The funding rate for provision towards a trade programme, including transport subsidy, is $14,981 per EFTS, plus $2,000 per EFTS wellbeing and pathways support subsidy.

    6

    Multiply the funding rate by the number of valid enrolments

    For 10 students on each of the 3 courses, each course attracts Youth Guarantee funding of $28,307.33 (excl. GST) calculated as (0.1667 x $14,981 x 10 = $24,973.33) + (0.1667 x $2,000 x 10 = $3,334.00).
    This means the programme attracts $84,921.99 funding if 10 students enrol in each of the 3 programme courses.
    Note: From 2023, for Level 1 and 2 programmes, we pay a 50% premium in addition to each EFTS reported in your Single Data Return (SDR). This is to acknowledge our YG definition of an EFTS being 80 credits for Level 1 and 2 programme delivery.

    Calculating funding for Level 1 and 2 provision
    From 2023 onwards, we recognise that 80 credits is a full-time, full-year workload for a learner enrolled in a Level 1 or 2 Youth Guarantee programme (or programmes) (one EFTS).
    As a result TEOs will receive 50% more funding for delivery of EFTS towards Level 1 and 2 programmes.
    The amount paid will be determined by the volume of Levels 1–3 course enrolment EFTS that lead towards Level 1 and 2 Youth Guarantee qualifications, as reported in the SDR.
    We will fund up to 120 credits worth of delivery per learner in a calendar year.
    You must not enrol a learner in more than:

    1.5 EFTS (120 credits) for programmes leading to Level 1 and/or 2 Youth Guarantee qualifications; and
    1.0 EFTS (120 credits) for programmes leading to Level 3 Youth Guarantee qualifications.

    We will continue to fund up to 120 credits worth of delivery per learner in a calendar year.

    Student’s 2023 enrolments

    Credits

    2023 EFTS

    Credits ‘funded’

    Definition

    Delivered

    Reported in the SDR

    Funded (includes premium payment)

    New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)

    60

    80 credits

    0.7500

    0.5000

    0.7500*

    60

    New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3)

    65

    120 credits

    0.5417

    0.5417

    0.5417

    65

    Total

    125

    N/A

    1.2917

    1.0417

    1.2917

    125

    *  0.500 Level 2 EFTS reported in the SDR plus the 50% premium = 0.750 Level 2 EFTS funded.
    Re-enrolling a Youth Guarantee student
    Where a YG learner requires further study to complete their programme, their study can only be to complete courses that they have not yet passed. This can include content not yet studied or content studied and assessed, but requiring a re-sit. 
    Note: A learner who turns 25 years old while enrolled is not eligible to re-enrol.
    For example:
    A TEO enrols a learner in all courses linked to a 60-credit (0.5 EFTS) Level 3 programme. The sum of the course EFTS factors is 0.5 EFTS.
    The learner passes/achieves 30 credits from the 60-credit course enrolments. The TEO is funded 0.5 EFTS, for the 60 credits of courses the learner was enrolled in.
    The TEO re-enrols the learner in a second period of study for the remaining 30 credits not yet achieved. The TEO is funded 0.25 EFTS for the 30 credits of courses the learner was re-enrolled in.
    The learner successfully completes the courses and is awarded the qualification.
    The learner will have received 0.75 EFTS worth of provision (90 credits), and the TEO will be funded for 0.75 EFTS delivery (0.5 + 0.25 EFTS) (assuming funding conditions are met for each course enrolment). 
    Note: The TEO will report 0.25 EFTS (30 credits) unsuccessful course completions, and 0.5 EFTS (60 credits) successful course completions.
    Calculating EFTS remaining vs consumed
    To determine the exact value of the EFTS remaining for a returning learner, the following formula should be used:

    Qual EFTS value – (credits completed/total qual credits x qual EFTS value) = remaining EFTS

    For example:
    0.5 – (30/60 x 0.5)
    = 0.5 – 0.25
    = 0.25 remaining EFTS

    Notes: 
    You will need to ensure that when a learner needs more time to complete their programme, other learners are enrolled to ensure you deliver fully on your Mix of Provision (MoP) EFTS commitment and consume all funding for the year. 
    Consider a learner’s course re-enrolments before you enrol them in a further programme. Where a learner does not complete a course successfully and you re-enrol them and claim funding, the learner is consuming additional EFTS towards their entitlements.
    Flexible funding
    We fund eligible TEOs for eligible Youth Guarantee provision above the amount the TEO has been approved to deliver. This is to provide TEOs with flexibility to meet additional learner demand. 
    For further information about flexible funding, please see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
    Flexible funding:

    is payable for provision towards qualifications that we have agreed to fund in your Mix of Provision (MoP)
    does not mean we have changed your approved funding allocation, and
    is subject to the conditions that we have imposed on your funding.

    The external evaluation and review (EER) category referred to in the funding conditions will be the highest published EER category for the TEO during the funding year to which flexible funding is being applied.
    Flexible funding is calculated using the December Single Data Return (SDR). Payments are made in March of the following year.
    Suspending or revoking funding
    Under clause 16 of Schedule 18 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act), we may suspend or revoke some or all funding given under section 425 of the Act if we are satisfied on reasonable grounds that:

    when measured against performance indicators, the TEO has not achieved, or is not achieving, an outcome anticipated in its Investment Plan for a tertiary education programme or activity in relation to which funding has been given under section 425 of the Act, or
    the TEO has not complied, or is not complying, with a condition on which funding has been given under section 425 of the Act, or
    the TEO has not provided, or is not providing, adequate and timely information required by the TEC or Ministry of Education under section 425 of the Act.

    If a TEO has its funding approval revoked in accordance with clause 16 of Schedule 18 of the Act, the unspent portion of funding is repayable to us on demand (see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year). We may offset the amount against any funding payable to the TEO. 
    Subcontracting
    Subcontracting refers to a situation in which a TEO uses TEC funding to pay another organisation to deliver teaching or assessment on its behalf. This excludes:

    teaching and learning activities contracted to individuals or organisations that are not TEOs (for example, an employee on a fixed-term contract, an honorary staff member, or a contract for teaching and learning services with a subject-matter expert for part of the programme such as for First Aid provision)
    research activities or postgraduate research supervision, and
    learning that occurs within vocational placements such a workplace placement or practicum.

    A TEO must not subcontract delivery of any YG funded programme without the prior written approval of NZQA and without prior written consent from us.
    Note: To gain approval, you must demonstrate how the subcontracting arrangement would benefit the YG programme.
    If we approve a subcontract arrangement
    Subcontracting can be agreed in two ways
    If we approve a subcontract arrangement, the subcontracting can be agreed to within a TEO’s Investment Plan (Plan). The subcontracting specified in the Plan will be permitted for the period of the Plan. If the Plan expires then approval will need to be obtained from us again.
    Subcontracting can also be agreed outside of a Plan. Again, the subcontracting specified will be permitted for the period agreed with us.
    At any time, TEOs can contact us to discuss proposed subcontracting.
    Subcontracting TEO obligations
    As specified in section 425 of the Education and Training Act 2020, it is a condition of a TEO receiving funding under section 425 that the TEO will supply to us, from time to time as required by us, and in a form specified by us, any financial, statistical, or other information that we require the TEO to supply.
    Therefore, at any time, we can request information regarding subcontracted activities from the TEO (that has subcontracted another party to carry out the activities).
    In addition, a TEO that has subcontracted another party to carry out its activities:

    must comply with any conditions imposed by us within a consent to subcontract; and
    must ensure that the subcontracted party does not further subcontract any functions; and
    will be accountable to us for the use of the YG funding, including in respect to legislative and funding condition requirements.

    Student Allowance and Student Loan Scheme payments
    A programme must be approved for TEC funding before a learner can access the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes. YG learners are only eligible for some aspects of the Student Loan Scheme. For further information on eligibility visit StudyLink.
    Programmes delivered full-time
    We will only approve a YG funded programmes for learner access to Student Allowance Student Loan Schemes if the programme:

    is delivered full-time
    runs for a minimum of 12 weeks, and
    has an EFTS value of at least 0.3.

    A full-time YG programme must be made up of at least 0.5 EFTS, comprising one or more qualifications. Where there is recognition of prior learning (RPL) for some of the programme, the learner’s individual programme following RPL must be at least 0.5 EFTS.
    Programmes delivered part-time
    A programme of less than 0.3 EFTS is classified as part-time regardless of the number of weeks over which it is delivered. A part-time programme is not eligible for learner access to the Student Allowance Scheme.
    For a YG funded part-time programme leading to a qualification, we will only approve learner access to the Student Loan Scheme if the programme meets one of the following criteria:

    it runs for 32 weeks or more and has an EFTS value of at least 0.3 EFTS, or
    it runs for fewer than 32 weeks with an EFTS value of between 0.25 and 0.3 EFTS.

    Loan entry threshold
    The loan entry threshold (LET) is used to identify the minimum EFTS value required for a learner’s individual study programme to be deemed full-time. This affects learner eligibility for the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes. A programme that is not deemed to be full-time (ie, not approved for access to the Student Allowance and Student Loan Schemes) can nevertheless be funded through YG. 
    The LET is determined by matching a range of gross weeks to a range of EFTS values. A gross week is the total length of enrolment in a programme, including holiday weeks.
    The table below shows this relationship. Programmes of less than 0.3 EFTS may still be eligible for learner access to the Student Loan Scheme.

    Loan entry threshold table

    Length of enrolment(Gross weeks)

    Loan entry threshold(EFTS)

    12

    0.3

    13

    0.3

    14

    0.3

    15

    0.3

    16

    0.4

    17

    0.4

    18

    0.4

    19

    0.4

    20

    0.5

    21

    0.525

    22

    0.55

    23

    0.575

    24

    0.6

    25

    0.625

    26

    0.65

    27

    0.675

    28

    0.7

    29

    0.725

    30

    0.75

    31

    0.775

    32–52

    0.8

    53 or more

    1.0

    Student allowances – paid practical work
    Learners that undertake paid practical work as part of their course of study are not entitled to any student allowance payments for the week(s) they undertake that work. It is important that you discuss this with your learners.
    For more information on student allowance entitlements and paid practical work please see StudyLink.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland Transport seeks feedback on unclogging Dominion Road congestion

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Auckland Transport (AT) is asking for feedback to change the operating hours of Dominion Road’s southbound bus lane by one hour, to help improve congestion and keep your city moving.

    AT is also proposing to install a peak time right hand turn ban at certain bottleneck intersections to improve traffic flow.

    “Dominion Road is long, but quite narrow, and we simply can’t fit any more vehicles down it – it’s reached its peak,” Chris Martin, AT’s Road Network Optimisation Manager says.

    “More Aucklanders are on the move earlier in the afternoon, and this, combined with school traffic, means the peak travel time home on Dominion Road now starts at 3pm rather than 4pm. We need to keep pace with this, and make the appropriate amendments to keep it moving,” Mr Martin says.

    “The only things we can do to speed up travel is to make the most of the space already on the road, and this means using the existing bus lane more, and to restrict right hand turns at key intersections.

    “We believe this change will save the average bus passenger up to three minutes in travel time between 3pm-4pm along Dominion Road. That’s up to 15 minutes every week,” he says.

    People who travel along Dominion Road will know all too well that it is often congested in peak times.

    It’s been this way for more than a decade. While Auckland’s population has grown rapidly since, the number of vehicles that can fit down the road, around 25,000, has remained the same.

    “Making better use of the existing bus lane is one of our most effective ways of beating congestion, helping more Aucklanders travel to and along the road,” Mr Martin says.

    “By increasing the operating hours of the bus lane, we can increase the number of people who are able to travel down Dominion Road by bus.

    “One double-decker bus can hold up to 100 people. If more people experience a faster bus journey, that’s potentially up to 100 fewer vehicles squeezing their way down this road.”

    Feedback on intersection changes

    AT wants to make other changes to Dominion Road to improve congestion, including restricting right hand turns at two specific intersections in peak time traffic.

    “Balmoral is especially prone to congestion on Dominion Road in peak times, and part of the problem is the number of motorists turning right down Wiremu Street looking for a park,” Mr Martin says.

    “This turning traffic must wait a while for northbound traffic to clear and means other southbound vehicles on Dominion Road back up behind causing big delays down through to the intersection with Balmoral Road, and beyond.”

    AT is proposing to restrict right-hand turns from Dominion Road onto Wiremu Street and also Memorial Drive in peak hour traffic between 7am–10am and 3pm-7pm on weekdays.

    We are also proposing to implement a permanent no right turn ban onto George Street.

    “Restricting right turns at these bottlenecks during the peak period will help to unclog the busy through traffic approaching major intersections and reduce delays, as well as reducing turning crash risks,” Mr Martin says.

    AT invites you to provide feedback on the proposed changes for Dominion Road at haveyoursay.at.govt.nz. Feedback is open until 25 May 2025. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey released

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Headline: New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey released

    The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) shows that around a third of adults were victims of a crime in 2024.

    Published by the Ministry of Justice today, the latest survey is based on interviews with more than 7,000 New Zealanders between October 2023 and October 2024.

    It found that 30 percent of adults (1.3m) were the victim of a personal or household crime in 2024.

    “This finding is consistent with previous years since the survey began in 2018,” says Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights Rebecca Parish.

    “The NZCVS helps define the true rate of crime in New Zealand by asking participants about both reported and unreported experiences of crime. Each year only around a quarter of crime incidents are reported to Police.”

    In 2024, there was a significant increase in the number of victims of sexual assault reporting to Police.

    In the most recent survey, 32 percent of victims (28,000) reported at least one sexual assault offence to Police, compared to 7 percent (5,000) in 2018.

    “When the reporting rate increases, it does not necessarily mean that the prevalence rate has also increased.

    “In the case of sexual assault, rates of sexual assault remain broadly steady but more victims are reporting those assaults,” Ms Parish says.

    “We are working to understand what is driving these findings. This will be further explored in the NZCVS Key Stories report which will be published at the end of May. This will contain further analysis and context for some of the trends in this report.”

    In other key findings, 17 percent of adults were victims of personal offences (interpersonal violence, fraud and cybercrime, and threats and damages) in 2024, compared to 15 percent in 2018.

    “This is mostly driven by an increase in fraud and cybercrime over the last two years,” Ms Parish says.

    The NZCVS is shared with government agencies, NGOs and researchers who use it to understand the full picture of crime in New Zealand, both reported and unreported.

    “The findings are used to help target investment at the people and communities that need it most, and to measure the performance of the justice system.”

    The Government has set a target of less violent crime – with 20,000 fewer people the victims of assaults, robberies and sexual assaults by 2029.

    The NZCVS is being used to monitor progress towards this target.

    Other key findings

    • Since the survey began there has been a slight decrease in both the proportion of households who were victims of household offences, and the number of incidents of household offences – 26 incidents per 100 households in 2024 compared to 33 incidents per 100 households in 2018. A decrease in burglary is driving this trend.
    • The number of incidents of personal offences (interpersonal violence, fraud and cybercrime, and threats and damages) has remained around 30 incidents per 100 adults for every year of the survey. In 2024, it was 32 incidents per 100 adults.
    • Victimisation rates for violent offences (physical and sexual assault, and robbery) have mostly remained steady compared to previous years.
    • The survey consistently finds that adults aged 65+ are less likely than the New Zealand average to be the victim of at least one offence – 21 percent compared to 30 percent.

    Quarterly violent crime updates

    • The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet publishes a quarterly update on the Government’s Target 4 – Reduced violent crime using NZCVS data. The annual NZCVS year to October data provides the most robust measure of violence and is what we recommend for making comparisons over time, but the quarterly update provides a more regular snapshot.
    • Using NZCVS year ending October 2024 data, there were 24,000 fewer victims of violent offending, compared to the year ending June 2024.
    • The Government’s violent crime target aims to reduce the number of victims of violent crime (assault, sexual assault, and robbery) by 20,000 people from the October 2023 baseline of 185,000. Since the target was set, the number of victims has varied, including an increase to 215,000 for the year to June 2024. The year to October 2024 data indicates a decrease of 24,000 victims since the year to June 2024.

    About the NZCVS

    • The NZCVS is an annual national survey about New Zealanders’ experiences of crime that has been running for seven years.
    • The NZCVS is the most comprehensive source of data on adult victims of crime in New Zealand.
    • Only around a quarter of crime is reported to the Police, so the NZCVS provides a key source of data on the nature and volume of crime.
    • There are now seven years of data, representing almost 50,000 interviews since data was first collected in March 2018.
    • Over the next few months, the Ministry will be publishing two more NZCVS reports. The Public Perceptions report will be published at the end of April. This will summarise data from a new set of survey questions designed to measure New Zealanders’ levels of trust and confidence in the law and criminal justice system.
    • The Key Stories report will provide further analysis and context for some trends in both Key Results and the Public Perceptions report, and will be published at the end of May.

    High resolution infographics from the NZCVS are available on request.

    NZCVS Cycle 7 resources and results

    Public Perceptions report – NZCVS

    ← Back to the news

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More girls to study maths under plans to improve pathway into AI careers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    More girls to study maths under plans to improve pathway into AI careers

    Government invests £8.2m to boost girls’ advanced maths skills and AI careers.

    Thousands of the country’s brightest girls will get the opportunity to study advanced maths and progress into AI-related careers, as the government invests in the skills young people need for the jobs of tomorrow.   

    Currently only a third of A level maths pupils are girls, while currently only 22% of professionals working in AI related roles like software engineer or data science are women. 

    Now through the government’s Plan for Change around 7,500 girls will be eligible for support as part of £8.2m of funding announced today to improve participation and teaching of advanced maths. The funding, part of the refreshed Advanced Maths Support Programme, will target support to thousands of pupils from 400 disadvantaged secondary schools – breaking the link between background and success so all young people have the chance to progress in careers of the future. 

    Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 

    Today’s brightest maths minds are tomorrow’s AI pioneers, and this government is opening the door for groups who have so far been left behind in the AI revolution.

    Through our Plan for Change we are breaking down barriers to opportunity, backing our young people and going further and faster for AI growth, ensuring the next generation can progress in the exciting careers of the future.

    The updated Advanced Maths Support Programme includes pilot teacher training and student enrichment courses on the key maths concepts and skills needed for AI and this will benefit 450 students and 360 teachers from September.  

    It marks a crucial step in delivering a key commitment in the government’s AI Action Plan – creating a strong talent pipeline and driving greater diversity across the AI talent pool.  

    It comes as the Education Secretary convenes a group of experts to advise on what changes are needed to the 5-18 education system to improve digital education and give young people the AI-specific skills they need to thrive in a digital world. The Digital, AI and Technology Task and Finish Group chaired by Sir Kevan Collins, non-executive board member at the Department for Education, will provide recommendations to the department and insights for the Curriculum and Assessment Review so they can draw on this expertise.   

    Members include Rose Luckin, Professor of Learner-Centred Design at University College London and Dr Sue Sentance, Director of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre at the University of Cambridge and Chair of the BCS Schools and Colleges Committee. 

    Science Secretary, Peter Kyle said: 

    AI is the defining technology of our generation, improving our public services, sparking fresh economic growth, and unlocking the jobs of the future. We can only harness that potential if we have a pipeline of talent equipped with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. 

    This package of support will help us deliver our Plan for Change and do exactly that. This is the first step in our plan to give every young person in the country the opportunity to develop the tools which will put them front and centre in delivering our AI-powered future.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Visiting Detained University of Minnesota Student

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS—Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after visiting Doğukan Günaydın, an MBA candidate at the University of Minnesota, who has been held in an immigration detention at the Sherburne County Jail for nearly a month:

    “Yesterday, I drove to the Sherburne County Jail to meet with Doğukan Günaydın, an MBA candidate at the University of Minnesota, who has been in immigration detention for nearly a month.

    “When Mr. Günaydın was arrested by immigration agents in March, he had valid student status and had not violated this status. Seven hours after he was detained, his student status was terminated without notice or legal basis. Officials later said that his visa was revoked because of a years-old DWI charge – a charge for which Mr. Günaydın had already completed what was required of him under the law. His attorney and others have emphasized that this charge alone does not provide legal basis for the termination of his status. A federal judge granted Mr. Günaydın bond last week, saying that the government was “substantially unlikely” to win their case to deport him. Officials responded by claiming he is a danger to public safety and filing an appeal in order to keep him in detention.

    “I would never condone drinking and driving, and at the same time, I can recognize that people make mistakes, and that our criminal justice system exists for the purpose of addressing harms such as this. Notably, our immigration laws also contain provisions designed to hold immigrants accountable for certain serious crimes, of which a single low-level DWI conviction is not included.

    “Across the country, the Trump administration has revoked or terminated thousands of student visas due to minor infractions – some as minor as speeding tickets – and in some case cases, for no identifiable reason at all. It is clear to me that these initial cases are the Trump administration testing the waters to see how far we will allow them to go. Already, we are hearing that the Trump administration is planning to target any and all other visa holders who have anything on their record at all. It is easy for them to attack students first, because they are young and they are usually studying here temporarily. It is easy to muddy the waters by calling students criminals. But if we stay silent while this happens, they will undoubtedly come for law-abiding visa holders and permanent residents. In fact, they are already proceeding on those fronts.

    “The way these detentions are taking place is reminiscent not of a nation of laws, but of authoritarian regimes. The Trump administration does not apply the law fairly, using the label of ‘criminals’ as a pretext to achieve its anti-immigration agenda. To suggest Mr. Günaydın must be held in detention because he is a danger to public safety shows that to the Trump administration, the presence of any immigrant at all is a danger to public safety. This is not about law and order – it is about purging our country of people from specific countries or with specific points of view.

    “We must all stand in solidarity with Mr. Günaydın and international students across the country facing these undemocratic and unlawful tactics. If due process does not exist for one of us, it does not exist for any of us.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Rebirth of the Portuguese Language in Timor-Leste | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    The United Nations document the rebirth of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste.

    In Dili, the country’s capital, UN News spoke to Timorese who have learned the language over the past 20 years, lawmakers, authorities and linguists; the former rector of the National University says that Portuguese is now recognized as the language of Timorese youth.

    A legacy that contributed to the fight for independence. A strategic choice in the geopolitical scenario. A source of connection with the national soul. This is how several Timorese people described the role of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste, the nation in Southeast Asia.

    A former colony of Portugal, East Timor was annexed by Indonesia in the 1970s. In 2002, the country restored its independence and decided to make Portuguese its official language. The preservation and expansion of the language on this remote island reinforces the message of Mother Language Day 2025, which emphasizes linguistic diversity.

    The power of language through generations
    Within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), one of the most active areas of cooperation is education. During a visit to the National University of Timor-Leste in Dili, UN News spoke to the institution’s former rector, Benjamin Corte Real, who highlighted the rejuvenation of Portuguese through the education system.

    “The language has been rejuvenated a lot in Timor. There is an older generation that reaffirmed the language after our independence. A generation that had to reclaim the language because it stopped practicing and learning the language. A generation that started learning from the roots. And that is the generation that is now arriving at universities. Therefore, the language is constantly rejuvenating itself. Today, it is already the language of the youth.”

    The language that returned to the nation as an official language had to be learned from scratch by an entire generation that spoke Bahasa Indonesia, after the annexation of the neighboring nation, in addition to Tetum and other Timorese languages. But when it returned to the school curriculum, the learning of Portuguese gained momentum.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0YVKhKhbZ8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New trees usher in next stage of Victoria Street’s linear park

    Source: Auckland Council

    The ancient trees of Albert Park watched over the arrival of four newcomers in Victoria Street East last week – between Lorne Street and Albert Park.

    Completion of the greening of this section of Victoria Street is close.

    Four trees were crane-lifted from trucks, taking their positions in new street-side seating areas. The trees – pūriri, pōhutukawa, titoki and rewarewa – are another visual symbol of the transformation Aucklanders are seeing in midtown’s station neighbourhood.

    Auckland Council’s midtown regeneration programme is ensuring the area will be ready when the City Rail Link (CRL) and Te Waihorotiu Station open.

    Widened footpaths, a dedicated cycleway, fewer traffic lanes, new art, new trees and landscaped resting places along the redesigned sections of Victoria Street are seeing the street reflect its te reo Māori name.

    Te Hā Noa is a name gifted by mana whenua. Te Hā is about life’s essence – to breathe – and Noa is about being free in the journey to experience your surroundings.

    Mana whenua also guided the design of the new terraced tree pits, referencing the geology and forms of Tāmaki Makaurau.

    Tree pits are designed to support the city’s stormwater drainage system. Surface rainwater disperses into the pits, where it irrigates the trees and filters water before it flows to the sea. They are also designed to keep the trees safe from heavy equipment and vehicles and allow them to flourish for years to come.

    By the end of May people will see the area finished, with uplighting of trees and almost 600 new plants greening the gardens at street level.

    There are 16 benefits of trees cited in Auckland Council’s Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy.

    Here are four:  

    • The cooling effect of trees, as a result of evapo-transpiration, reduces the urban heat island effectand enhances resilience to an increasing number of hot days (>25°C), one of the projected impacts of climate change. In simple terms, it’s a process where a plant cools itself by sweating water vapour through the pores in its leaves, lowering the temperature of the air.

    • Trees reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere through sequestering carbon in new growth. One tonne of carbon stored in wood is equivalent to removing 3.67 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

    • Trees improve air quality by removing air pollutants. A 2006 study estimated that Auckland’s urban trees remove 1320 tonnes of particulates, 1230 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide and 1990 tonnes of ozone.

    • Studies have shown that trees intercept around 15% of the rain that falls on their canopy, depending on a tree’s species and architecture.

    In time, Te Hā Noa will form a green link across the city, linking two much-loved city parks – Rangipuke / Albert Park and Waikōkota / Victoria Park.

    Read more about the completion of the first section of Victoria Street – between Elliott Street and Queen Street at OurAuckland.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Eligibility – MPTT

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Consortium eligibility
    For the full eligibility requirements, see the MPTT funding conditions for the relevant year.
    To be eligible to receive MPTT consortium activities funding you must be the lead member of a consortium. An MPTT consortium consists, ideally, of at least one tertiary education organisation (TEO) funded for work-based learning, one TEO funded for provider-based learning (these may be the same TEO), employer representation, and at least one Māori and/or Pasifika entity.
    Consortium activities
    We allocate consortium activities funding based on intended learner numbers, and the capacity and performance of the consortium. Other factors, such as the stage of development of the consortium and the potential for economies of scale are also taken into account.
    Consortium activities that we may agree to fund include:

    governance and project management
    coordinating the contributions of consortium members and other services to the development of learner capabilities
    employability skills training (MPTT employability activities) and licensing (eg, driver licensing) that complement DQ-funded programmes or Micro-credentials
    learner support (activities, equipment or other support that contribute to learner success in addition to the support ordinarily offered by the tertiary provider).

    Fees top-ups & brokerage services eligibility
    For the full eligibility requirements, see the MPTT funding conditions for the relevant year.
    Fees top-ups and brokerage services funding contribute to achievement of the successful outcomes sought from MPTT.
    We may fund:

    a consortium partner organisation for fees top-ups and brokerage services on a consortium’s behalf
    multiple consortium partner organisations for fees top-ups and/or brokerage services, and/or
    a consortium partner organisation for fees top-ups and brokerage services, allowing the consortium to subcontract with its own members, or other TEOs, for delivery of services such as brokerage.

    Fees top-ups
    MPTT funding for fees top-ups ensures consortium partner tertiary education organisations (TEOs) can make their Delivery at Levels 3-7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training (DQ3-7) funded programmes of pre-trades training fees-free for MPTT learners.
    TEOs that receive funding for fees top-ups must have an effective assessment process for determining literacy and numeracy needs of learners.
    Additional guidance is available about:

    the importance of literacy and numeracy skills development in learners
    our literacy and numeracy expectations of TEOs
    literacy and numeracy best practice for TEOs
    resources and research findings, and
    the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool.

    Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool guidelines
    Brokerage services and activities
    Brokerage services funding supports connections between employers, consortia and partner/other TEOs in order to support MPTT learner progression.
    We expect these activities to supplement existing brokerage and facilitation activities carried out by a consortium. A brokerage services funded TEO may pass on its funding to another organisation to carry out the services. 
    The brokerage services specified in the TEO’s funding confirmation documentation must be the brokerage services provided. These services may include:

    providing recruitment support, identifying pre-employment needs of learners, and their employment, training and career pathways 
    tailoring pre-employment trades education provision to the needs and aspirations of MPTT learners, communities and potential employers
    matching MPTT learner talents and aspirations with employer skill requirements and career pathways
    facilitating relationships between MPTT learners, TEOs , potential employers and key industry stakeholders, and
    providing employment transition support for learners.

    Career guidance
    We expect consortium partner organisations to, collectively and individually, support each learner to recognise and develop the skills and competencies they need to manage their career in a trade.
    See Consortia, and Project Kamehameha and Project Lumana’i (research commissioned by Careers New Zealand about design and delivery of career resources for Māori and Pasifika respectively).
    Learner eligibility
    For the full learner eligibility requirements, see the MPTT funding conditions for the relevant year.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Questions over Erica Stanford’s personal email use

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Erica Stanford has been misusing her personal email address to manage sensitive information relating to Budget and visa changes prior to their public release.

    “Documents show the Education Minister has sent sensitive government information to an unprotected email address,” Labour’s education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

    “We’re talking about serious government decisions that affect peoples’ lives and have millions of taxpayer dollars attached to them. Ministers have a responsibility to keep this information safe.

    “Going off the grid with sensitive information is hanging a welcome sign to threats to our national security.

    “In 2023 the Cabinet Manual was updated, and now specifically states ‘As far as possible, Ministers should not use their personal email account or phone number to conduct ministerial business.’ This goes far beyond that.

    “We have rules for a reason and Erica Stanford isn’t above them. She needs to be upfront about what she is using her personal email for and how much sensitive information has been shared,” Willow-Jean Prime said.

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Changes to improve pay equity process

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is amending the Equal Pay Act [the Act] to make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more robust, workable and sustainable, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. 
    Pay equity is achieved when women and men are paid the same for work that is different but of equal value: for example, care and support workers and mental health assistants perform work that is different but is of equal value. 
    “It is clear the current Act is not working as intended, and amendments made by the previous government in 2020 have created issues. Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors.  
    “The Government is committed to addressing these issues. The new and improved pay equity system will provide greater confidence that genuine pay equity issues will be correctly identified and addressed. 
    “New Zealand’s pay equity regime is an outlier internationally. The Act allows employees and unions to bargain a pay equity settlement with multiple employers. In most countries we compare ourselves to, people raise pay equity claims against their own employer only, or there are legal requirements on employers to proactively take steps to achieve pay equity,” says Ms van Velden.
    Pay equity claims have been concentrated in the public sector, with a recent increase in the number of claims in the publicly funded sector. Costs to the Crown have become significant, with the costs of all settlements to date totalling $1.78 billion per year.
    “These changes will mean the pay equity claim process is workable and sustainable. There are often significant costs involved with pay equity settlements which can involve large workforces [e.g. around 94,000 people for the teachers claim] and we need to ensure the process to raise and resolve claims is robust.  
    “The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown,” says Ms van Velden.
    There will be a better framework and guidance for parties to use to assess whether there is sex-based undervaluation. These changes include: 

    Raising the threshold of “predominantly performed by female employees” from 60 percent to 70 percent and requiring that this has been the case for at least 10 consecutive years.
    Ensuring there are reasonable grounds to believe the work is historically and currently undervalued, including a requirement for evidence.
    Further clarity and guidance on the use of comparators – work performed by men that is different to the claimant’s work but has similar skills, responsibilities, levels of experience, or working conditions to the claimant’s work.
    Employers being able to meet their pay equity obligations in a way that is sustainable for their business – for example through phasing of settlements. 

    The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims, but new claims can be raised under the amended Act if they meet the new requirements. Review clauses in existing settlements will become unenforceable. Settled claims can be re-raised 10 years after settlement, if the claim meets the new requirements. 
    The changes are reflected in a Bill introduced today and going through Parliament under urgency, which will amend the Equal Pay Act and take effect the day after Royal assent. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri B.L. Verma presides over Special Programme focused on ‘NAMASTE Yojana’, to honour Sanitation Workers, in Budaun today

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 7:29PM by PIB Delhi

    A special programme focused on the ‘National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was organized on May 5, 2025, at the DIET Auditorium in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and honored sanitation workers.

    The aim of the NAMASTE programme is to socially and economically empower the workers engaged in sanitation work, enabling them to have safe, dignified, and sustainable livelihoods.

    Addressing the gathering on the occasion the Minister said that this is not just a government scheme, but a resolution to bring real change in the lives of the people in society who work the hardest. He appreciated the social organizations and citizens for participating in this public-sensitive programme and becoming a part of this social change.

    Key Highlights of the Programme were:

    • Distribution of PPE kits and Ayushman cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).

    • Distribution of Sewing Machines to beneficiaries.

    • Teachers and staff of DIET created attractive Rangoli in honor of the sanitation workers.

    So far, 73,768 sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) have been profiled across the country. Out of these, 45,871 have been provided with PPE kits, 354 with safety equipment, and 27,103 beneficiaries have received Ayushman cards. In Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts, the profiling of a total of 324 SSWs has been completed and provided with PPE kits and Ayushman cards during the program. Sewing machines for self-employment were also distributed to some beneficiaries from Shahjahanpur.

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    VM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New metal-free organic catalyst can produce hydrogen fuel by harvesting mechanical energy

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 4:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Researchers have developed a novel, cost-effective, metal-free porous organic catalyst for efficient H2 production by harvesting mechanical energy.

    In order to reduce the global warming and related impact of fossil fuels, transition towards sustainable alternatives based on renewable energy becomes increasingly critical. Green hydrogen (H₂) fuel has emerged as a game-changing renewable and clean-burning energy source, which generates no direct carbon emissions and only water as a by-product when used in fuel cells. Recognizing the critical role of green H2 in sustainable energy, the Government of India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission to drive large-scale production, promote research and innovation, and position the country as a global leader in H2 economy.

    Among the environmentally benign methods of H2production, overall water splitting stands out as an effective and scalable technique that relies on a catalytic strategy since the reaction is energetically uphill. Piezocatalysis has emerged as a promising catalytic technology which harvests mechanical perturbations with a piezoelectric material to generate charge carriers that are utilized to catalyze water splitting.

    In recent groundbreaking research work, Professor Tapas K. Maji  from Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bengaluru (an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India) and his research team have developed a metal-free donor-acceptor based covalent-organic framework (COF) for piezocatalytic water splitting. This study published in Advanced Functional Materials demonstrates a Covalent organic framework (COF) built from imide linkages between organic donor molecule tris(4-aminophenyl)amine (TAPA) and acceptor molecule pyromellitic dianhydride (PDA) acceptor exhibiting unique ferrielectric (FiE) ordering, which showed efficient piezocatalytic activity for water splitting to produce H2.

    This discovery breaks the traditional notion of solely employing heavy or transition metal-based ferroelectric (FE) materials as piezocatalysts for catalyzing water splitting reaction. Conventional FE materials have limited charges confined at the surface only which usually lead to quick saturation of their piezocatalytic activity. In contrast, FiE ordering in a COF provides a multifold enhanced number of charges at the pore surfaces owing to the large local electric fields. The sponge-like porous structure of a COF allows the diffusion of water molecules to efficiently access and utilize these charge carriers for catalysis, giving ultra-high H2production yields and outperforming all oxide-based inorganic piezocatalysts.

    Figure: Schematic showing piezocatalytic water splitting by a metal-free donor-acceptor based covalent organic framework.

    Using a simple donor molecule like TAPA and an acceptor molecule like PDA, Prof. Maji and his research team have built a COF system that has strong charge transfer properties, which creates dipoles (separation between positive and negative charges).

    The TAPA units have a unique propeller-like shape, where their benzene rings twist and tilt to break the flat symmetry of the structure, helping it reach a more stable, lower-energy state. Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare and his team from JNCASR, who are collaborators of the study, showed using theoretical analyses that this COF has an unusual electronic structure with energy bands that couple and resonate with each other by dipolar ordering. This causes instability in the lattice structure, leading to FiE ordering. These FiE dipoles interact with flexible twisting molecular motion in the material, making them responsive to mechanical pressure. As a result, the material can generate electron-hole pairs when mechanically stimulated, making it a highly efficient piezocatalyst for water splitting for H2 production. The team comprises four other researchers from JNCASR: Ms. Adrija Ghosh, Ms. Surabhi Menon, Dr. Sandip Biswas and Dr. Anupam Dey.

    Apart from JNCASR, Dr. Supriya Sahoo and Prof. Ramamoorthy Boomishankar from  Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune and Prof. Jan K. Zaręba from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland made important contributions to the present interdisciplinary study.

    The utilization of a cost-effective, metal-free system with a high production rate of H2 by harvesting mechanical energy opens up a new route to green H2 based on porous heterogeneous catalysts.

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    NKR/PSM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –