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  • MIL-Evening Report: A defence treaty with PNG might seem like a ‘win’ for Australia. But there are 4 crucial questions to answer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Wallis, Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide

    Today, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles began negotiations with his Papua New Guinean counterpart, Billy Joseph, on a defence treaty. This builds on the bilateral security agreement signed between the countries in 2023.

    Analysts have been quick to link the new defence treaty with Australia’s anxiety about China’s increasingly visible presence in the Pacific region.

    This reflects Australia’s longstanding anxiety about powers with potentially hostile interests establishing a foothold here.

    Because it’s only three kilometres from Australian territory, PNG has always been a particular concern. TB Millar, one of the architects of modern Australian strategic policy, went so far as to observe in 1965 that:

    if the whole island [of Papua New Guinea] were to sink under the sea, the net result for Australia in terms of military strategy would be a gain. It is an exposed and vulnerable front door.

    So, the possibility of a defence treaty seems like a “win” for an Australian government keen to bolster its security credentials in the frantic months before the federal election.

    But the government needs to have good answers to four questions before it signs on the dotted line.

    1. How will Australia enforce the treaty?

    Although treaties are theoretically legally binding, there are very few practical enforcement mechanisms.

    The constant agonising in Australia about whether the United States will meet its obligations under the Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) exemplifies this.

    The Trump administration’s actions also illustrate how quickly a change of government can switch foreign and strategic policy directions, including obligations under longstanding treaties. Like ANZUS, the risk of unenforceability of the PNG treaty is higher for Australia. Australia’s anxieties about China mean that it needs the treaty more than PNG does.

    Sanctions are the most likely way Australia could try to enforce the treaty if, say, PNG breached it by striking a security deal with China. But sanctions can be ineffective.

    Alternatively, Australia could threaten to withdraw its support if PNG breached the treaty. But this is also unlikely because Australia knows China is likely to step into any gap.

    This has been demonstrated in Solomon Islands. Even though Australia has a security treaty with Solomon Islands and invested A$3 billion in the 2003–17 Regional Assistance Mission, Solomon Islands still signed a security agreement with China in 2022.

    2. Has Australia mitigated any risks?

    No previous Australian government has offered PNG a binding security guarantee.

    In 1977, Australia and PNG adopted a formal defence relationship. Australia, however, was cautious about instability in PNG and the risk of being drawn into a conflict along its land border with Indonesia. As such, it didn’t provide a commitment to defend PNG.

    In the mid-1980s, PNG requested a defence commitment from Australia. Again, Australia was reluctant. As then-Defence Minister Kim Beazley recalled, PNG was “right in the frame of our relationship with Indonesia”, due to the shared border with Indonesia and the challenge of West Papuan independence activists crossing it.

    As a compromise, the two countries made a Joint Declaration of Principles in 1987 that only provided the two governments “will consult … about matters affecting their common security interests”.

    As the self-determination struggle in West Papua continues, PNG currently has defence units posted on its border with Indonesia.

    Under what circumstances, if any, would Australia provide military support to PNG if violence on the border worsened? And what impact would this have on our relationship with Indonesia?

    Not responding to a call for support from PNG could damage Australia’s reputation in the region. But if Australia did become involved in a conflict, it may be criticised for supporting activities that breach human rights.

    The risk of Australia being unable to respond to a PNG request for military assistance is high because Australia does not have the defence (or policing) capacity to defend or stabilise a sprawling country like PNG.

    Australia’s reliance on US assistance to stabilise Timor-Leste after its 1999 independence referendum illustrates the logistical challenges it faces when making large deployments, even in the region.

    While Australia’s defence capabilities have improved since then, it would still likely only have the capacity to secure key cities in PNG and evacuate Australian citizens if there was serious unrest.

    3. Can Australia justify the cost at home?

    Australian taxpayers – already experiencing cost-of-living pressures – need to be told what funding commitments the government is willing to make to facilitate the treaty negotiations.

    Australia’s promise of A$600 million to fund a PNG team in the National Rugby League is already attracting opposition at home.

    4. What are the long-term defence plans?

    PNG’s strategic location means Australia and the US have long had designs on establishing a permanent military base there.

    Manus Island, for example, has been identified as an ideal submarine base. With Australia developing nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, are there plans to eventually base – or at least resupply – Australian submarines there?

    This could have an impact on Australia’s relationships in the broader Pacific Islands region. There are already concerns in the region about whether the nuclear-powered submarines will comply with Australia’s obligations under the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

    Australia has legitimate strategic interests in PNG. As such, it’s understandable why a defence treaty is tempting.

    But for 50 years, Australian governments have resisted this temptation because they decided that the risks outweighed the rewards. The current government will need to provide a good justification for its change of course.

    Joanne Wallis receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Department of Defence. She is a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organisation.

    – ref. A defence treaty with PNG might seem like a ‘win’ for Australia. But there are 4 crucial questions to answer – https://theconversation.com/a-defence-treaty-with-png-might-seem-like-a-win-for-australia-but-there-are-4-crucial-questions-to-answer-250396

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Biosecurity New Zealand investigating and boosting trapping after new Auckland fruit fly find

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    A biosecurity operation is under way and extra field teams are today in the suburb of Birkdale, on Auckland’s North Shore, after the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis. 

    “This is the same species of fruit fly that we responded to in Papatoetoe recently, but it is too early to say whether the two finds are linked. Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days.”

    With this latest detection, Biosecurity New Zealand is moving quickly to look for any others and eradicate them. 

    “We will be ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m,” Mr Inglis says.

    “The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak. However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.

    “As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found.

    “Instructions about these controls and the exact area affected will be issued tomorrow (Friday) once we have completed an initial investigation.  In the meantime, we ask that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of your property.”

    Mr Inglis says biosecurity staff will be out tomorrow providing people with information.

    “You may notice increased activity in the neighbourhood as we go about inspections and trapping. Our field officers may ask to look at fruit trees on your property. They will always show you a form of official

    identification and will only enter your property with your permission.”

    In addition to the field work, Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with international trading partners and Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry to minimise the risk to New Zealand growers and exporters.

    “There have been 13 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated thanks to the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, our horticulture partners, and local communities who have stepped up to help.

    “Back in 2019, we responded to the detection of fruit flies in three separate suburbs over a period of several months, so this is not unusual. We traced and tracked in all three suburbs and continued until we were confident we had eliminated the pest.”

    Mr Inglis says the latest find demonstrates the benefit and effectiveness of MPI’s lure-based fruit fly surveillance trapping network and the biosecurity system. 

    “Our trapping network involves nearly 8000 traps set nationwide, and these are checked regularly.  

    “By setting traps for these pest insects, we are able to find them early, know exactly where the problem is, and respond quickly and effectively.”

    The fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here. 

    Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand has among the strictest controls in the world for the importation of fruit and checks at the border. The most likely way that fruit flies can arrive in New Zealand is on fresh fruit and vegetables.

    Biosecurity New Zealand will provide a further update to media tomorrow afternoon.

    To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

    Background

    The Oriental fruit fly is native to Asia but has now spread to many warmer countries, especially as the climate warms. Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.

    The Oriental fruit fly maggots can feed on 300 different fruit and vegetables. The fly’s favourite hosts are apple, guava, mango, peach, and pear.

    How to identify the fly

    Adult flies:

    • are a little larger than a housefly (6mm to 8mm long)
    • have a dark “T” shaped marking on the abdomen (the part behind the waist)
    • usually have a bright yellow and orange abdomen (but can vary)
    • have clear wings.

    The female fly has a pointed “sting” to lay eggs inside fruit (but she can’t sting or bite people). The male fruit fly is a similar size but is reddish-brown.

    If you think you’ve found the fruit fly

    For media queries, call 029 894 0328 or email media@mpi.govt.nz

    For further information on the oriental fruit fly detection

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further arrest following Wainuiomata assault

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd, Hutt Valley CIB:

    Police have today arrested and charged a 19-year-old man following an assault in Wainuiomata on Wednesday 5 February.

    The man faces a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court on Friday 21 February.

    Today’s arrest follows the arrest of a 23-year-old man on 6 February.

    The victim was discharged from hospital after five nights and is recovering at home.

    We would like to thank the community for the information they have provided us to date.

    The investigation continues to progress, including ongoing efforts to locate the weapon allegedly used in the assault.

    Residents in the vicinity of Woolworths Wainuiomata are asked to check their properties for any items similar to a knife that could assist our investigation.

    We would still like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident.

    You can provide information to Police by calling 105 and quoting file number 250205/0193.

    Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Households are burning plastic waste as fuel for cooking and heating in slums the world over

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bishal Bharadwaj, Adjunct Research Fellow, Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, Curtin University

    Poor people in vast city slums across the Global South are burning plastic to cook their food, warm their homes and boil water for hot showers.

    Waste plastic is plentiful and highly flammable. So it’s not surprising people in developing countries, mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, are putting it to use – especially as wood is increasingly scarce.

    But burning plastic is hazardous, as it releases toxins into the surrounding air – and possibly into the food on the stove.

    We wanted to draw attention to this growing problem, which has received little attention to date despite the many potential harms.

    In our new “perspective” paper, published in Nature Cities, we explain why so many communities are using plastic as an energy source.

    We then explore further research needed and recommend ways for policymakers to tackle the issue.

    Mountains of plastic waste

    The world has produced more plastic in the past 20 years than the total previously produced since commercial production began in 1950. Roughly half a billion tonnes of plastic is now produced every year.

    Plastic production is still accelerating. Global plastic use is predicted to almost triple by 2060 due to soaring demand from a growing population with rising incomes.

    Unfortunately, most plastic is not recycled. Instead, it is discarded and ultimately ends up polluting marginal land such as flooded areas and open dumping grounds before making its way into the ocean.

    Burning plastic waste for cooking and heating is becoming increasingly common in city slums. a–f, Photographs showing the use of plastic to start a fire in Koshi Province in Nepal (a), a household heating milk by burning plastic in Madhesh province of Nepal (b) and the burning of plastic in Guwahati, India (c), in Enugu, Nigeria (d,e) and in the slums of Lahore, Pakistan (f). Credits for photographs: a, Srijana Baniya; b, Pramesh Dhungana; c, Monjit Borthakur; d,e, Chizoba Obianuju Oranu; f, Sobia Rose.
    Bharadwaj, B., Gates, T., Borthakur, M. et al. The use of plastic as a household fuel among the urban poor in the Global South. Nat Cities (2025).

    A product of energy poverty in city slums

    Increasing urbanisation is reducing access to traditional fuels such as wood and crop residue from farmland.

    But plastic is readily available. Low-income households with little or no access to gas or electricity often find themselves living alongside mountains of rubbish.

    This plastic, made from fossil fuels, represents a cheap and convenient fuel. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and a nuisance material that people want to be rid of. Plastic is also relatively easy to dry and store, but can burn even when wet. It’s also flexible and pliable, so it can be used easily in traditional cooking arrangements such as basic stoves.

    Burning plastic releases toxins such as dioxins, furans and heavy metals into the air. These chemicals are known to cause cancer, heart disease and lung diseases.

    The more vulnerable people in the household – including women and children and those who spend more time indoors – tend to be most exposed to the fumes. But the problem also affects people in the neighbourhood and the wider community.

    Burning plastic is likely to also contaminate food. For example, eggs from farms near plastic waste incinerators in Indonesia contained hazardous chemicals from burned plastic. However, more evidence is needed around food contamination.

    Furthermore, when households burn plastic bottles and other containers, some of the original contents also burn. Given chemicals are poorly regulated, the consequences of burning plastic could be greater still.

    Overcoming the problem

    A first step to overcoming the problem is understanding the reality of those living in slums. Policy-makers need to recognise these people’s needs and the challenges they face.

    Extensive research is needed to design the most effective and inclusive policy interventions. This needs to be addressed if we are to reduce the associated health and environmental impacts on such large populations across the world.

    We have gathered a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of researchers from around 35 countries – mostly in the Global South – to better understand the problem. We recently completed a survey of people exposed to the issue such as local government employees, teachers and community workers in more than 100 cities in 26 countries.

    We are also examining the emissions from waste plastic during food preparation to determine the extent of contamination in variety of stoves.

    Nobody wants to burn plastic waste to cook food, so policies like ban on burning plastic with out contextual intervention will not work. There is a need to design inclusive policy interventions that provide equitable benefits to the wider community. For example, encouraging people to:

    • wash any plastic before it is burned, to remove chemical residues
    • use improved cookstoves that vent the fumes outside
    • expand basic urban amenities like waste management to low income settlements
    • provide support to help lift households out of poverty.

    Each approach will depend on the specific requirements of the slum settlement. But by implementing multiple approaches in parallel, we can tackle the problem more effectively.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Households are burning plastic waste as fuel for cooking and heating in slums the world over – https://theconversation.com/households-are-burning-plastic-waste-as-fuel-for-cooking-and-heating-in-slums-the-world-over-250265

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economic growth the focus of PM’s visit to Viet Nam

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Viet Nam next week, visiting both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, accompanied by a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders.  
    “Viet Nam is a rising star of Southeast Asia with one of the fastest growing economies in the region. This year our two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. My visit will further energise our relationships, strengthen existing trade, and open the door to more opportunities for New Zealand businesses, to grow incomes and create jobs here at home,” Mr Luxon says. 
    While in Viet Nam Mr Luxon will meet with His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. He will also call on Viet Nam’s other principal leaders to strengthen the Strategic Partnership and discuss ways of collaboration with Viet Nam. Mr Luxon will also deliver a keynote speech at the ASEAN Future Forum in Ha Noi. 
    “Our trade with Viet Nam has grown by 40 per cent in the past five years, but we know there is room for more and I am committed to reaching our ambitious two-way trade goal of US$3 billion in 2026. With over two decades of 5 per cent-plus annual economic growth and a population of more than 100 million people, Viet Nam is a market with huge opportunity for New Zealand, particularly in the areas of international education and high-quality food and beverage offerings.”
    Mr Luxon’s speech in Ha Noi comes as New Zealand also marks 50 years of dialogue relations with ASEAN. 
    “New Zealand’s future security and prosperity is linked to the success of ASEAN and its members. We are working hard to lift our cooperation and deepen the relationship with ASEAN, as we strengthen our international partnerships and leverage the opportunities they generate for Kiwi businesses.”
    Along with the business delegation, the Prime Minister will be joined by Minister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Changes to enable investment in build-to-rent housing passed into law

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The coalition Government has passed legislation to support overseas investment in the Build-to-Rent housing sector, Associate Minister of Finance Chris Bishop says.  

    “The Overseas Investment (Facilitating Build-to-Rent Developments) Amendment Bill has completed its third reading in Parliament, fulfilling another step in the Government’s plan to support an increase in New Zealand’s housing supply and get Kiwis into warm and dry homes. 

    “The changes provide a streamlined consent pathway for foreign investors looking to invest in existing Build to Rent developments.

    “This Bill addresses a key concern of BTR developers – that they need certainty they will be able to on-sell their developments. Given the size and complexity of these assets, this can be challenging when limited to the domestic market.  

    “The Build to Rent sector has real potential for growth in New Zealand. 

    “Build to Rent developments are medium-to-large scale rental properties, typically well located and often within walking distance to key transport links. The developments tend to be professionally managed, with good amenities. Often offering longer leases to tenants, they can be a popular choice for renters. 

    “They are a relatively new form of rental housing in New Zealand but are well established overseas. 

    “BTR developments are often financed and operated by institutional investors and developers (such as pension funds), as they offer long-term, stable returns. 

    “However, to date Overseas Investment Act settings have been holding back growth in the sector and made investment challenging. 

    “Under the Act, it is difficult for overseas investors to invest in existing Build to Rent assets. There are a limited number of domestic investors with the capital and expertise to run these developments, and as a result developers in New Zealand have been uncertain as to whether they would be able to sell their assets when they choose to exit their investment.

    “Under the new pathway, overseas investors will be able to apply to purchase existing Build to Rent developments with at least 20 dwellings, provided they intend to continue to lease these.   

    “These changes mean BTR developers will have confidence in their ability to eventually exit their investment, meaning they’re more likely to build in the first place.   

    “Build to Rent developments offer an opportunity to increase the supply of secure, affordable and quality rental developments, placing downward pressure on rents.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    On the morning of February 19, 1945, the first wave of United States Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima — commencing 36 long, perilous days of gruesome warfare, and one of the most consequential campaigns of the Second World War.  With ruthless fervor, the Japanese struck our forces with mortars, heavy artillery, and a steady barrage of small arms fire, but they could not shake the spirit of the Marines, and American forces did not retreat.

    Five days into the conflict, six Marines ascended the island’s highest peak and hoisted Old Glory into the summit of Mount Suribachi — a triumphant moment that has stood the test of time as a lasting symbol of the grit, resolve, and unflinching courage of Marines and all of those who serve our Nation in uniform.

    After five weeks of unrelenting warfare, the island was declared secure, and our victory advanced America’s cause in the Pacific Theater — but at a staggering cost.  Of the 70,000 men assembled for the campaign, nearly 7,000 Marines and Sailors died, and 20,000 more were wounded.

    The battle was defined by massive casualties, but also acts of gallantry — 27 Marines and Sailors received the Medal of Honor for their valor during Iwo Jima.  No other single battle in our Nation’s history bears this distinction.  Eighty years later, we proudly continue to honor their heroism.

    American liberty was secured, in part, by young men who stormed the black sand shores of Iwo Jima and defeated the Japanese Imperial Army eight decades ago.  In spite of a brutal war, the United States–Japan Alliance represents the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

    Nonetheless, our victory at Iwo Jima stands as a legendary display of American might and an eternal testament to the unending love, nobility, and fortitude of America’s Greatest Generation.  To every Patriot who selflessly rose to the occasion, left behind his family and his home, and gallantly shed his blood for freedom on the battlefields at Iwo Jima, we vow to never forget your intrepid devotion — and we pledge to build a country, a culture, and a future worthy of your sacrifice.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 19, 2025, as the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.  I encourage all Americans to remember the selfless patriots of the Greatest Generation.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reins in Government Overreach and Begins Deconstruction of Unconstitutional Administrative State

    Source: The White House

    ENSURING LAWFUL ENFORCEMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order ensuring lawful governance and implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) deregulatory initiative. The Executive Order will end Federal overreach in regulation and enforcement and restore the constitutional separation of powers:

    • Agency heads shall, in coordination with their DOGE team leads and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), review all regulations subject to their jurisdiction for consistency with law and Trump Administration policy, prioritizing rules that impose heavy costs.
      • A Unified Agenda will be developed to rescind and/or modify regulations that are inconsistent with law or the Trump Administration’s policy.
    • Agencies shall utilize enforcement discretion to de-prioritize enforcement actions that stretch statutory authority or exceed the constitutional powers of the Federal Government.
    • The Order exempts, among other things, any action respecting a military, national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, or immigration-related function of the United States.

    ELIMINATING UNLAWFUL REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT: The accumulation of federal regulations and their burdensome enforcement, including legally suspect regulations, has stifled economic growth and constrained Americans’ freedom.    

    • The Biden Administration imposed a historic $1.7 trillion in costs on the American people. 
    • This Executive Order stops and reverses the regulatory overreach and abusive enforcement, ensuring that the operation of the government is responsible, lawful, and efficient.

    BUILDING ON PAST SUCCESS: President Trump’s first term was the most successful deregulatory undertaking in American history. This Executive Order builds on these foundations and furthers the deregulatory project to improve the daily lives of the American people and unleash a new Golden Age of America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Regulatory Initiative

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
     

         Section 1.  Purpose.  It is the policy of my Administration to focus the executive branch’s limited enforcement resources on regulations squarely authorized by constitutional Federal statutes, and to commence the deconstruction of the overbearing and burdensome administrative state.  Ending Federal overreach and restoring the constitutional separation of powers is a priority of my Administration.  

         Sec. 2.  Rescinding Unlawful Regulations and Regulations That Undermine the National Interest.  (a)  Agency heads shall, in coordination with their DOGE Team Leads and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, initiate a process to review all regulations subject to their sole or joint jurisdiction for consistency with law and Administration policy.  Within 60 days of the date of this order, agency heads shall, in consultation with the Attorney General as appropriate, identify the following classes of regulations:
    (i)    unconstitutional regulations and regulations that raise serious constitutional difficulties, such as exceeding the scope of the power vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution;
    (ii)   regulations that are based on unlawful delegations of legislative power;
    (iii)  regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of the underlying statutory authority or prohibition;
    (iv)   regulations that implicate matters of social, political, or economic significance that are not authorized by clear statutory authority;
    (v)    regulations that impose significant costs upon private parties that are not outweighed by public benefits;
    (vi)   regulations that harm the national interest by significantly and unjustifiably impeding technological innovation, infrastructure development, disaster response, inflation reduction, research and development, economic development, energy production, land use, and foreign policy objectives; and
    (vii)  regulations that impose undue burdens on small business and impede private enterprise and entrepreneurship.
    (b)  In conducting the review required by subsection (a) of this section, agencies shall prioritize review of those rules that satisfy the definition of “significant regulatory action” in Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993 (Regulatory Planning and Review), as amended.
    (c)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, agency heads shall provide to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget a list of all regulations identified by class as listed in subsection (a) of this section.
    (d)  The Administrator of OIRA shall consult with agency heads to develop a Unified Regulatory Agenda that seeks to rescind or modify these regulations, as appropriate.

         Sec. 3.  Enforcement Discretion to Ensure Lawful Governance.  (a)  Subject to their paramount obligation to discharge their legal obligations, protect public safety, and advance the national interest, agencies shall preserve their limited enforcement resources by generally de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that are based on anything other than the best reading of a statute and de-prioritizing actions to enforce regulations that go beyond the powers vested in the Federal Government by the Constitution.
    (b)  Agency heads shall determine whether ongoing enforcement of any regulations identified in their regulatory review is compliant with law and Administration policy.  To preserve resources and ensure lawful enforcement, agency heads, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall, on a case-by-case basis and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, then direct the termination of all such enforcement proceedings that do not comply with the Constitution, laws, or Administration policy.

         Sec. 4.  Promulgation of New Regulations.  Agencies shall continue to follow the processes set out in Executive Order 12866 for submitting regulations for review by OIRA.  Additionally, agency heads shall consult with their DOGE Team Leads and the Administrator of OIRA on potential new regulations as soon as practicable.  In evaluating potential new regulations, agency heads, DOGE Team Leads, and the Administrator of OIRA shall consider, in addition to the factors set out in Executive Order 12866, the factors set out in section 2(a) of this order.   

         Sec. 5.  Implementation.  The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue implementation guidance, as appropriate.

         Sec. 6.  Definitions.  (a)  “Agency” has the meaning given to it in 44 U.S.C. 3502, except it does not include the Executive Office of the President or its components.
    (b)  “Agency head” shall mean the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director.
    (c)  “DOGE Team Lead” shall mean the leader of the DOGE Team at each agency as described in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”).
    (d)  “Enforcement action” means all attempts, civil or criminal, by any agency to deprive a private party of life, liberty, or property, or in any way affect a private party’s rights or obligations, regardless of the label the agency has historically placed on the action.
    (e)  “Regulation” shall have the meaning given to “regulatory action” in section 3(e) of Executive Order 12866, and also includes any “guidance document” as defined in Executive Order 13422 of January 18, 2007 (Further Amendment to Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review).
    (f)  “Senior appointee” means an individual appointed by the President, or performing the functions and duties of an office that requires appointment by the President, or a non-career member of the Senior Executive Service (or equivalent agency system).

         Sec. 7.  Exemptions.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this order, nothing in this order shall apply to:
    (a)  any action related to a military, national security, homeland security, foreign affairs, or immigration-related function of the United States;
    (b)  any matter pertaining to the executive branch’s management of its employees; or
    (c)  anything else exempted by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

         Sec. 8.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 

         Sec. 9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:  
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or  
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.  
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.  
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. 
     
     
     
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        February 19, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

         Section 1.  Purpose.  It is the policy of my Administration to dramatically reduce the size of the Federal Government, while increasing its accountability to the American people.  This order commences a reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary.  Reducing the size of the Federal Government will minimize Government waste and abuse, reduce inflation, and promote American freedom and innovation.

         Sec. 2.  Reducing the Scope of the Federal Bureaucracy.   (a)  The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law:
    (i)    the Presidio Trust;
    (ii)   the Inter-American Foundation;
    (iii)  the United States African Development Foundation; and
    (iv)   the United States Institute of Peace.
    (b)  Within 14 days of the date of this order, the head of each unnecessary governmental entity listed in subsection (a) of this section shall submit a report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director) confirming compliance with this order and stating whether the governmental entity, or any components or functions thereof, are statutorily required and to what extent.
    (c)  In reviewing budget requests submitted by the governmental entities listed in subsection (a) of this section, the OMB Director or the head of any executive department or agency charged with reviewing grant requests by such entities shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law and except insofar as necessary to effectuate an expected termination, reject funding requests for such governmental entities to the extent they are inconsistent with this order.
    (d)  The Presidential Memorandum of November 13, 1961 (Need for Greater Coordination of Regional and Field Activities of the Government), is hereby revoked.  The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM Director) is directed to initiate the process to withdraw the regulations at title 5, part 960, Code of Federal Regulations, thereby eliminating the Federal Executive Boards.  
    (e)  The OPM Director is directed to initiate the process to withdraw the regulations at title 5, part 362, subpart D, Code of Federal Regulations, and to take any other steps necessary to promptly terminate the Presidential Management Fellows Program.  On the effective date of the final regulations promulgated by the OPM Director, Executive Order 13318 of November 21, 2003, is revoked and Executive Order 13562 of December 27, 2010, is amended by:
    (i)    striking from section 2 the words “along with the Presidential Management Fellows Program, as modified herein,”;
    (ii)   striking section 5;
    (iii)  striking from section 6(b) the words “or PMF Programs” and inserting in their place “program”;
    (iv)   striking from section 7(b)(iii) the words “the competitive service of Interns, Recent Graduates, or PMFs (or a Government-wide combined conversion cap applicable to all three categories together)” and inserting in their place “the competitive service of Interns or Recent Graduates (or a Government-wide combined conversion cap applicable to both categories together)”; and
    (v)    redesignating sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 as sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively.  
    (f)  Within 14 days of the date of this order, the following heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall take the following actions with respect to the following Federal Advisory Committees within their respective agencies:
    (i) the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall terminate the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid; 
    (ii)   the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall terminate the Academic Research Council and the Credit Union Advisory Council;
    (iii)  the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall terminate the Community Bank Advisory Council;
    (iv)   the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall terminate the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID; and
    (v)    the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shall terminate the Health Equity Advisory Committee.
    (g)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall identify and submit to the President additional unnecessary governmental entities and Federal Advisory Committees that should be terminated on grounds that they are unnecessary.  

         Sec. 3.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
     
     
     
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        February 19, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Exclude Catastrophe Mitigation Payments from Income Taxes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined nine of their Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 to prevent disaster mitigation funds from being taxed as part of gross income. These funds help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
    “Coloradans know the damage caused by wildfires and other natural disasters too well. This is a critical step we can take to keep our families and homes safe and give communities the resources they need to rebuild,” said Hickenlooper.
    “This commonsense legislation takes a critical step toward empowering individuals and communities to better protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene,” said Tillis. “By excluding qualified catastrophe mitigation payments from income tax, we are incentivizing property owners to make the necessary improvements that reduce damage and save lives. This proactive approach to disaster preparedness not only helps families rebuild faster but strengthens our resilience in the face of future disasters.”
    “The devastating fires in Southern California underscored the urgent need to empower homeowners to take proactive steps to keep their families and homes safe,” said Padilla. “As these disasters become more frequent and more extreme due to the climate crisis, we should incentivize — not penalize — taxpayers for protecting their homes. That’s why the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on payments from state-based programs for homeowner investments in critical disaster-related improvements.”
    “Louisianans understand the impact of devastating storms, but with the help of state and local programs, we have tools to rebuild and return to wholeness,” said Cassidy. “If communities need tax relief, let’s give it to them!”
    “We have seen how natural disasters have devastated communities around the country, and we must ensure we have the resources and programs in place to respond,” said Schiff. “Homeowners should not face additional taxes for wanting to protect their homes and our bipartisan legislation will provide the needed tax relief to help affected Americans recover from these disasters.”
    The bill defines a “qualified catastrophe mitigation payment” as any amount received for making improvements to an individual’s property for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such property by a windstorm, earthquake, flood, or wildfire.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Building climate resilience into food systems in the Eastern Gangetic Plains

    Source: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

    The world’s highest concentration of rural poverty occurs in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of Bangladesh, India and Nepal – a region that is home to 450 million people.

    Livelihoods in this part of the world rely greatly on agriculture. Opportunities to work with smallholder farmers can lay the foundations for a more productive, sustainable and diversified agricultural economy. 

    Among the research-for-development professionals on the ground is a team working on the Rupantar project, an ACIAR-supported initiative led by Dr Tamara Jackson of the University of Adelaide.

    The Rupantar project operates at a whole-of-system level. It spans both social and farming practices and extends all the way through to policy settings, market opportunities and other agrifood system barriers holding smallholders back. It also builds on prior investments by ACIAR and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

    Included in this integrated approach are considerations for climate impacts.

    This concern saw 15 team members from the Rupantar project visit the University of Adelaide and regional South Australia and Victoria in October 2024. Funded as part of a DFAT Australia Awards Fellowship program, the study tour focused on climate resilience and adaptation.

    The Rupantar project

    ‘Rupantar’ has a common meaning in Bangla, Hindi and Nepali. It means change on a level so profound that it is transformative. Launched in 2021, the Rupantar project is identifying opportunities for inclusive and diversified food production innovation. 

    Given the partnership model typical of ACIAR projects, these opportunities need to be priorities for local communities. They also need to be sustainable and to fit with longer-term climate, nutrition and available water resource projections. 

    Achieving this level of integration requires working on multiple levels at the same time. There is ground-up innovation – from personal to organisational. Then there are high-level policies that work down and can make important change on the ground.

    Our hypothesis is that an integrated approach to livelihood change – coupled with inclusive and collaborative approaches – will result in more effective and sustainable development pathways.

    Dr Tamara Jackson, 
    University of Adelaide

    ‘So, our goal is to understand the processes and practices needed to diversify food production in ways that improve farm livelihoods and reduce inequity, production risk and unsustainable resource use.’

    The on-the-ground work with smallholders is implemented at sites in West Bengal (India), Rangpur (Bangladesh) and Koshi Province (Nepal). Implementation involves actioning ‘diversification pathways’ that were co-developed collaboratively with local partners. 

    Diversification pathways

    The aim of these pathways is twofold. The first is to test diversification options and select the most appropriate crop and livestock options that are priorities for local communities. These are then implemented within existing networks and are aligned with institutional settings.

    The second aim is to monitor the changes associated with the pathways, including long-term sustainability. 

    The project is also mindful that diversification can look very different to different members within households and can include off-farm income from seasonal male migration and greater reliance on women household members.

    In all, three types of diversified systems are being explored:

      •  plant-based production, including crops and horticulture
      •  livestock-based, including chickens, goats and dairy that are especially important to women’s income
      •  irrigation-constrained systems.

    ‘The project is working on strengthening what already works about a farming system in the Eastern Gangetic Plain and building on innovations from prior projects, such as ACIAR’s introduction of conservation agriculture cropping practices,’ said Dr Jackson.

    Long-running ACIAR initiatives in the Eastern Gangetic Plains worked with smallholder farmers across Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to introduce sustainable practices and innovations to intensify production.

    The project team has spent the first 2 years on the ground running baseline surveys and mapping villages to better understand the system. 

    Implementation started in 2023 once it became clear what would work best in different settings. The visit to Australia in 2024 provided project partners with opportunities to observe what diversified and climate-resilient Australian farms look like.

    Participants included Rupantar project partners from provincial government, cooperatives, farmer producer companies, NGOs, local university partners and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. 

    Climate-smart innovation

    Dr Jay Cummins from International Agriculture for Development hosted the study tour group and developed the course that focused on addressing the climate realities in collaboration with the Rupantar project.

    The 20-day study tour was entitled ‘Supporting climate-smart, resilient food production networks in the Indo-Gangetic Plains’. 

    Key experts shared their experiences responding to climate change and on-farm visits examined how Australian agriculture builds climate resilience into its practices in different environmental and socioeconomic settings. 

    ‘Included were visits to more rainfed, dryland cropping systems in the Mallee and, in addition, to irrigated production systems in the Murray–Darling Basin,’ said Dr Cummins. 

    The Australia Awards program provided a valuable mechanism to connect the participants with a whole range of Australian organisations and professionals, which in turn will help build international networks and collaboration.

    Dr Jay Cummins 
    International Agriculture for Development 

    In the Eastern Gangetic Plain, food production can be heavily focused on wet season rice crops. In Australia, the visitors were able to explore dry season opportunities for diversified production of crops and livestock, including in mixed farming systems. They saw how Australian farmers manage risks around water scarcity and drought. At South Australian Riverland sites, discussions included irrigation and water management that present different diversification options.

    Participant perspectives

    Loxton farmer Brycen Rudiger (left)discusses the challenges of growing wheat in the Mallee region with Nepali participant Gautam Bhupal (right).

    Among the participants were Dr Deepa Roy from India, Ms Bimala Pokhrel from Nepal and Dr Mamunur Rashid from Bangladesh. 

    Dr Roy is an agricultural extension expert based at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India. She told ACIAR that smallholder farmers in the Eastern Gangetic Plains face numerous challenges that can lock them into poverty.

    These range from small and fragmented landholdings that make mechanisation difficult, to a lack of agronomic knowledge, limited agricultural support services, limited market access, financial constraints and climatic hazards.

    ‘Through the course several key insights and learnings emerged that may help our farmers in understanding and adopting climate resilient technologies,’ said Dr Roy.

    Key insights for participants included:

      •  assessing the carbon footprint of farming and taking action to reduce it
      •  introducing efficient soil moisture management strategies such as mulching
      •  adopting agronomic practices such as crop rotations and climate-resilient crops 
      •  building soil fertility
      •  advocating for improved climate forecasting
      •  adopting grower-led research and extension
      •  developing digital tools to monitor the adoption of innovation
      •  providing financial management training to smallholder farmers
      •  using podcasts and radio to provide farm advisory services. 

    Overall, Dr Roy said that the course equipped attendees with a holistic understanding of climate-smart practices. ‘It helped us not only to strengthen technical knowledge but also to develop critical soft skill and a deeper understanding of sustainable climate resilient farming.’

    It’s a point of view shared by Ms Pokhrel, who works with the Ministry of Industry Agriculture and Cooperatives in Koshi Province, Nepal. She said the course enriched efforts to both help farmers and policymakers with future planning. And it worked by enhancing both her professional and personal capacity.

    ‘What stood out was the extent that Australian farmers have already adopted technology to mitigate against climate change,’ said Ms Pokhrel. ‘This was particularly stark when it came to soil health and sustainable soil management practices. One of the key learnings is that we can tailor these practices for our context in the Koshi Province and, in that way, improve crop productivity by improving soil health.’

    Mr Rashid agreed. He is a research fellow at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. He noted that while ACIAR is helping to introduce conservation agriculture to Bangladesh, South Australian farmers have already adopted these soil and soil-moisture conserving practices. 

    They are also growing more legume crops for soil health and fertiliser benefits, adopting risk-aversion strategies amid climate variability, and introducing carbon farming to adapt to climate change.

    Improved water management

    Both Ms Pokhrel and Mr Rashid were especially impressed by Australian water management systems in drought-prone landscapes. They think these kinds of Australian practices have a role to play at the project sites.

    While the cost and expertise required to adopt and maintain technologies such as drip irrigation systems used in Australia may be beyond the capacity of many smallholder farmers, the study tour has already inspired a new water conservation pilot project.

    The Bangladesh team will launch ‘Conserving soil moisture through mulching technique in chili farming’ in the Rupantar project areas, focusing on farmers in northern Bangladesh, who experience frequent floods and droughts.

    The Rupantar project delegation on tour in the northern Mallee of South Australia.

    ‘This initiative aims to use soil moisture and reduce irrigation in chilli farming, aided by Chameleon soil water sensors that can support decision-making for the farmers of the Rupantar project,’ said Mr Rashid.

    Ms Pokhrel was greatly impressed by the grower-centric research, development and extension infrastructure built around farmers’ needs in Australia. For her, this was typified by organisations such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Almond Board.

    She thinks there are opportunities to ‘sensitise’ the different boards in Nepal to this approach. 

    Surprises for the project partners included the large size of farms given the small number of people working in agriculture. 

    What also surprised us is the rate of technology adoption by farmers, along with their dedication and the satisfaction they receive from the agricultural profession.

    Ms Bimala Pokhrel
    Nepal 

    ‘Mallee Sustainable Farming System was impressive and working with farmers groups and developing the communication material in local languages are the things that we can develop for our smallholder farmers too.’

    Finally, they praised the networking opportunities provided by the course, including with farmers, and opportunities to understand the people, country and culture. 

    ACIAR Project WAC/2020/148: ‘Transforming smallholder food systems in the Eastern Gangetic Plain’

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Retail pricing, merger reform implementation and competition issues among ACCC’s 2025-26 priorities

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has stressed the positive impacts of a competitive economy for consumers as she outlined the agency’s priorities for the 2025-26 financial year.

    Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event in Sydney today, Ms Cass-Gottlieb outlined the agency’s annual compliance and enforcement priorities which include working decisively on consumer protection, promoting competitive markets, and clear and accurate pricing information for products and essential services.

    “The ACCC‘s complementary mandates support the community to participate with trust and confidence in commercial life and promote the proper functioning of Australian markets. We will continue to pursue our priorities through strong enforcement action, education to foster compliance, and advocacy for reform,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Consumers are still doing it tough, and the cost of groceries and essential services have contributed to significant cost of living stress.”

    “We will continue to work hard to protect consumers by using the full range of our tools and powers to enhance competition and fair trading, through tough and rigorous enforcement as well as targeted compliance and education initiatives.”

    Cost of living and competition issues in groceries, retail and essential services

    Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the ACCC would conduct dedicated investigations and enforcement activities to address competition and consumer concerns in the supermarket and retail sector in the year ahead.

    One priority will be to address consumer and fair trading concerns, with a focus on misleading pricing practices including around surcharging.

    Another priority to address competition concerns in the supermarket and retail sector will focus on firms with market power and conduct that impacts small business or contributes to higher prices for consumers.

    “Our work will also address the potential imbalance of power more broadly between larger businesses that impose standard form contracts on one hand, and small businesses and consumers on the other as reflected in our priority on unfair contract terms in consumer and small business contracts,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    Market concentration is a growing challenge across the Australian economy, not just in supermarkets and retail, but also in aviation, digital platforms, and many of our essential services.

    Australian consumers and small businesses are likely to feel the impact of any anti-competitive conduct in essential services on price, choice and quality of services. Therefore, in 2025 to 2026, the ACCC will continue to prioritise promoting competition in essential services with a focus on telecommunications, electricity, and gas.

    In addition to these cost of living measures, the ACCC will add a new priority, to address misleading surcharging practices and other add-on costs.

    “We have previously taken enforcement action against merchant surcharging that exceeds the cost of card acceptance. In the year ahead, our work will focus on increasing business compliance with the excessive card payment surcharging prohibition, and improving pricing practices to ensure all add on costs are appropriately disclosed,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    Competition and merger reform contribute to a dynamic economy and lower prices

    “Greater competition in markets fuels economic dynamism and growth. This is the key principle on which Australia’s competition policy, and the ACCC’s role in enforcing it, rests.”

    “That’s why we use our tools in competition policy and consumer fair trading to achieve the best outcomes,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “When markets are not workably competitive, Australian customers, whether consumers or businesses, pay the price. When businesses compete with each other to meet consumer needs, they are incentivised to innovate and improve, to offer greater choice, lower prices and better quality products and services that deliver value for the money consumers choose to spend.”

    “Competition promotes higher growth rates, higher household incomes and a strong Australian economy. And competition contributes to a better standard of living and a better way of life.”

    Therefore, one of the enduring ACCC priorities is to address anti-competitive agreements and practices, misuse of market power and cartel conduct so that competition may be fostered at all levels of the supply chain.

    After the passing of new merger legislation, voluntary notification of mergers will begin from 1 July 2025, ahead of the new regime coming into effect from 1 January 2026.

    “We acknowledge the challenges navigating this period and are committed to working with the community during the transition,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Successfully and efficiently implementing the reform to the merger regime, promoting compliance with the new regime, and taking enforcement action, where necessary, will be a significant focus for us in the coming year.”

    In addition to these key priorities, the ACCC will continue its work on product safety, consumer and fair trading issues in the digital economy, with a focus on misleading or deceptive advertising within influencer marketing, online reviews, in-app purchases and unsafe consumer products.

    Promoting choice, compliant sales practices and removing unfair contract terms such as subscription traps in online sales, is a key focus for the ACCC.

    The focus on consumer, fair trading and competition concerns in relation to environmental claims and sustainability will also continue, with a new emphasis on greenwashing, as will a range of other priorities.

    “In the year ahead, as we progress the priorities I have outlined today, we will continue to use our full range of tools and powers available under Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act and the Australian Consumer Law, and to exercise our enforcement powers independently, in the public interest, and with integrity and professionalism,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We will also continue, as always, to remain clear eyed in our purpose to enhance competition across our economy, to promote the welfare of consumers and small businesses and to make markets work for all Australians.”

    More information including the full list of the ACCC’s 2025-26 enforcement priorities is available at Compliance and enforcement policy and priorities.

    A summary is also available at 2025-26 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities.

    A transcript of the speech is available online.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript-Press conference, Frankston

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    JODIE BELYEA: Good morning. Jodie Belyea, the Federal MP for Dunkley here, with the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Honourable Catherine King. And we’re here today to announce a $923,000 funding initiative into the Tower Hill Road precinct in Frankston South. Each day, this one kilometre stretch of road sees over 2000 students from Overport Primary and Frankston High School come to this area to and from school. It’s very congested, sometimes unsafe, so this funding is going to ensure that people can walk, ride and drive through this area in a safe and orderly manner so that everyone gets to school easily.

    And now I’m going to hand over to the Minister to talk a bit more about the whole initiative.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, thanks very much, Jodie. It’s great to be here and particularly also with Councillor Brad Hill as well – it’s part of his ward. And really this project that we’re funding here, and I’ll talk a little bit about the program all up, but just over $923,000 really is the Active Transport Fund. It’s been out for competitive expressions of interest, basically expressions of application. And basically what we’ve seen with a project like this is exactly what we’ve been looking for, trying to make sure we’re making our transport to schools safer, trying to make sure that we’ve got people who are in cars can actually slow down around schools, and also really utilise the amenities in your neighbourhoods much better. So this is a great example. It’s part of $21 million we’re announcing today across the state of Victoria, out of the Active Transport Fund.

    Further south there’s a project in Phillip Island, some $980,000 there for Bass Coast Shire, particularly for Cowes. And that will really help with the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program there– we’ve done down the Esplanade, again, making it more walkable, less people, less reliant on cars. Ararat Rural Council, there’s some funding going to them there for the Ararat on the move strategy, something that that council has been working on for a while.

    This program was very highly sought after, so I do want to particularly commend the Frankston City Council and the officers, but also Brad, because he almost did a little dance before when we saw him about this project. This has been on your list for a while, Brad. Really commend the council officers. These are really important ways in which we’re actually making the neighbourhood safer, but we’re also giving people back your amenity so that you can move around. You can use your bike, you can push your pusher. If you’ve got a walker, you can walk safely in your neighbourhoods, and you don’t have to rely on your car so much. And that’s really what the Active Transport Fund is all about.

    BRAD HILL: Fantastic. Thank you. Brad Hill, local ward councillor, and I am really, happy this project now gets some traction. And, you know, it ticks all the boxes. It links the sporting precinct. It links our community centre, it links the primary school, it links Frankston High School. It links the surrounding streets right up to the end of where Moorooduc Road is, where the existing path network is. So it provides safe connectivity for all those kids walking, riding. But it’s not just about bikes. It’s not just about kids and community centres and sporting clubs. It’s also about mothers with prams. It’s also about people who can’t walk properly, uh, people who have to ride a disability scooter. So it just ticks so many boxes. And it’s clear to me this project was selected on its merits for all those reasons. So I’m really, really happy. And I thank the Minister today for the announcement.

    CATHERINE KING: You are welcome.

    JOURNALIST: Councillor, how long has this project been in the works?

    BRAD HILL: A few years now. The council has a strategy for linking together our disparate network of shared user paths. We’ve been very clear what the strategy is, and yeah, it’s a few years now, and there’s a few more to go.

    JOURNALIST: Jodie, how do you think your community is going to respond to this?

    JODIE BELYEA: They’ll be thrilled. I have lived and worked in this area for some time, and I’m a local resident in this ward, so I know how congested this gets, having seen and lived in this area. So they’ll be thrilled. Safety first. And active transport.

    BRAD HILL: Exactly. It’ll encourage people to leave their homes more than perhaps they were before. That’s what I think. Yeah.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Shaheen Blasts Trump Administration’s Reckless Firing of FAA Personnel Critical to Aviation Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – On the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) raised concerns for public safety after the Trump Administration recklessly decided to fire hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel critical to aviation safety. This week’s decision will further strain the system at a time when incidents and near-misses are at a high. Last week, Shaheen and U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) sent a bipartisan letter calling on Acting Administrator of the FAA, Chris Rochelau to urgently work with Congress to address air safety workforce staffing shortages. You can watch her remarks in full here. 

    Key Quotes:

    • “Many towers and facilities are operating buildings and on equipment that’s five, ten, even fifteen years old and when something goes wrong, they need to know there’s someone on call to fix things because lives literally depend on it. Americans need to know that the skies are secure and that their safety is a top priority.” 
    • “I think we should do everything we can to make government run efficiently and effectively. But indiscriminately freezing hiring across the board [and] pushing out thousands of civil servants makes that problem worse, not better.” 
    • “I don’t think people elected Donald Trump to dismantle this country’s air traffic control system. I think they elected him because they wanted to see inflation go down, they wanted to see their grocery prices reduced, they wanted to see help with rental costs, mortgage rates, with energy costs, and what have we seen in the weeks since Donald Trump got inaugurated? No effort to address any of those things.” 

    Full Remarks as Delivered:

    I come to the floor today to call attention to the Trump Administration’s unconscionable disregard for air safety. 

    Last month, here in Washington, we saw the deadliest commercial aviation event on U.S. soil in over 23 years.

    And while this loss of life was horrifying, it was unfortunately not unimaginable. 

    In recent years, near misses at airports across the country have increased, and the incident at DCA illustrated just how quickly these dangerous situations can take a turn for the worst. 

    Several times last year, runway incidents were narrowly avoided, due in no small part to the heroic actions of certified professional air traffic controllers who staff our towers. 

    These controllers are hardworking Americans.

    They often log six-day weeks and ten-hour days—and that’s on a good week.

    So even before this week’s misguided and, frankly, stupid—I mean, I have to say, I think it’s a stupid decision to lay off hundreds of FAA workers and air traffic controllers who have been overworked and understaffed.

    And this is not a new problem.

    We’ve known about it for years. 

    For years in Congress, we’ve been sounding the alarm about the need to invest in our air traffic control workforce.  

    In last year’s FAA reauthorization bill, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to address this issue—to support our air traffic control workforce so they can do their vital, often lifesaving jobs effectively.

    By partnering with the National Air Traffic Control Union and the FAA, we successfully adopted a new staffing method, model, staffing model, in the reauthorization bill, and they’ve been making good progress, but of course we have more work to do.

    It’s important to acknowledge that any response to the tragedy at Reagan National Airport must include a commitment to reinforce all parts of our aviation safety workforce. 

    Controllers would be the first ones to tell you that they don’t work in a vacuum. 

    The equipment they use is maintained by hundreds of dedicated support personnel who go through years of highly specialized training.

    Many towers and facilities operate in buildings and on equipment that’s five, ten, even fifteen years old, and when something goes wrong, they need to know that there’s someone on call to fix things because lives literally depend on it.

    Americans need to know that the skies are secure and that their safety is a top priority. 

    Sadly, I can’t say that the actions we’re seeing from this administration does any of that. 

    Secretary Duffy said he wants to surge air traffic controller hiring.  
     

    I agree with him on that. 

    We can and we should hire more air traffic controllers, but not at the expense of the rest of FAA’s workforce. 

    We can hire any number of air traffic controllers tomorrow, but without the dedicated support staff that make their work possible, it wouldn’t matter. 

    So how is the Administration responding to the American people’s distress over increasingly frequent close calls and, indeed crashes, sadly, like the one we saw in Toronto this week?

    Well, over the weekend this administration fired nearly 400 FAA employees, some of them in my state of New Hampshire. 

    We heard an outpouring of concern over the weekend from controllers, pilots, airlines and passengers who want to know that they’re going to be safe when they fly.

    I’m sure the Administration must be hearing this too.

    But when asked about the impact of the irresponsible and reckless effort, this is what Secretary Duffy had to say, he said and I quote, “zero critical safety personnel were let go.”

    Well, so I’m not sure I understand this. 

    We’re telling the American people that if a communications system goes down while the plane is approaching the runway, the person who knows how to get it back up and running isn’t critical?

    That if the power goes out at an en-route facility while 747s are flying overhead, the eighteen fired maintenance personnel who know how to turn the lights back on won’t be necessary?

    That the staffers who develop innovative safety and flight procedures every time there is an incident, to make sure your plane takes off on time and arrives safely, are fair game to be fired?

    Because we just lost 13 of them. 

    And to anyone who’s worried about our national security, good news: According to this administration, the FAA employees working on a classified radar system to detect cruise missiles, aren’t all that important either, and they also were fired.

    So I’m going to say that again because this administration thinks that the civil servants at the FAA’s National Airspace System Defense Program are apparently not critical to our safety. 

    None of this makes me or my constituents sleep better at night, but I bet you it makes our enemies happy. 

    The Administration has tried to defend this by saying that everyone who [they] fired was probationary.

    They’d like you to believe that these are all brand-new employees. 

    Sort of the philosophy that the last one in, is the first one out. 

    But that’s not how the system works, and it sure as heck isn’t how you keep Americans safe. 

    In fact, employees who were promoted based on stellar performance within the last year, many of them who have been with the FAA for ten or fifteen years, are also labeled as probationary employees when they start their new positions.

    So in fact, the Administration just fired some of the people with the most experience, not the least.

    And this speaks to what is a bigger problem. 

    Time and again, we’re seeing this happen with so-called “government efficiency,” in quotes, experts. 

    Listen, like most of us in this chamber, I think we should do everything we can to make government run efficiently and effectively, but indiscriminately freezing hiring across the board, pushing out thousands of civil servants, makes that problem worse, not better. 

    Last week, hundreds of employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration were fired without warning. 

    This week, the Administration is scrambling to try and hire most of them back because they didn’t realize they oversee our nuclear stockpile.

    And the Department of Energy fired more than a thousand employees, including three-quarters of the State and Community Energy Program’s office.

    Now, I don’t know if the people who are making these decisions in the Administration even know what that office does.

    But I can tell you that in New Hampshire we depend on them because they help keep weatherization programs up and running, they support emergency operations in the wake of disasters.

    And with folks in New Hampshire dealing with some of the highest home heating costs, who are worried about how they’re going to keep themselves warm this winter, and states around the country still recovering from floods and fires and winter storms, I can’t imagine why anybody would think that it’s a good idea to get rid of the people who are helping make sure those programs operate. 

    And then on Monday, we found out that dozens of USDA employees, so the Department of Agriculture, who have been working to prevent bird flu, were fired. 

    And then the White House realized what they had done, they panicked and they tried to bring them back. 

    Now that’s on top of all of the people around the globe who have been monitoring the bird flu potential epidemic—who have already been fired with the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

    And just this afternoon, we heard that nearly 500 employees at the National Institute of Standards and Technology would be fired, including almost 60 percent of the CHIPS office.

    So the effort that we stood up, that this Congress stood up, to try and make sure we could compete with China, with Taiwan in the production of semiconductors, which are included in almost everything we use from our cell phones to our refrigerators to our cars, 60 percent of those people are now gone.

    So who’s going to provide that effort that we need in order to compete with China? 

    These are the staff that make sure our high-tech semiconductor manufacturing industry stays competitive. 

    Example after example shows that the firings that Elon Musk has taken credit for have not been thought through. 

    Either he’s doing it deliberately in an effort to undermine the United States or he’s doing it because he’s so ignorant he has no idea what any of these people do or what their operations do.

    Either way, it’s inexcusable. 

    I heard from a constituent this week who works, who worked, past tense, for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for 24 years, and she just took a job as a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year. 

    Her job focused on implementing the Pittman-Robinson Wildlife Restoration Act. 

    As my colleagues on both sides of the aisle know, this involves conserving bird and wildlife habitat, hunter education and shooting ranges. 

    Its funds come not from taxpayer dollars, but from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.

    And yet, her job was terminated under the guise of government efficiency. 

    She has a mortgage; she has kids in college who need health care coverage, but her main ask to me was to help put a stop to these firings and to simply help her get her job back because like most of our public servants, she cares about the mission of her work.

    Over and over, we’re seeing this administration take out irresponsible, reckless initiatives with devastating consequences for critical positions without taking a second to think through or learn about what those positions do. 

    And when things inevitably break as a result, they don’t own up to their mistakes. 

    Instead, they try to convince you that keeping the lights on at control towers or inspecting airplane engines, making plans to manage some of the busiest airspace in the country really isn’t critical to your safety. 

    Well, I don’t believe that and I don’t think you should either. 

    For the sake of the American people, we can and we must do better.

    I don’t think people elected Donald Trump to dismantle this country’s air traffic control system. 

    I think they elected him because they wanted to see inflation go down, they wanted to see their grocery prices reduced, they wanted to see help with rental costs, with mortgage rates, with energy costs and what have we seen in the weeks since Donald Trump got inaugurated?

    No effort to address any of those things. 

    All we’ve seen is an effort at retribution against his perceived enemies, at firing and undermining of services and programs within the government to serve the American people. 

    For the sake of our citizens, we must do better. 

    I’m calling on this administration to right this wrong as quickly as possible, before it’s too late. 

    I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cross-border telecom fraud gang stands trial

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A total of 23 defendants, including key members of several major telecom fraud groups based in northern Myanmar stood trial in China on multiple charges including crimes that had killed 14 Chinese nationals and injured six others.

    Members of a telecom fraud criminal gang stand trial at Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Zhejiang province. The six-day trial closed on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A local court in Wenzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, heard the case from Feb. 14 to 19.
    The defendants included Mg Myin Shaunt Phyin and Ma Thiri Maung, ringleaders of a criminal gang led by their family, as well as major members of the gang and members of other related gangs who served as the “sponsors” of the family’s criminal activities.
    They were facing 11 counts of criminal charges including fraud, intentional homicide, intentional injury, illegal detention, operating casinos, drug trafficking, and organizing prostitution.
    According to the prosecutors, the defendants took advantage of the family’s influence in relevant areas in northern Myanmar and set up several compounds to house criminal gangs, providing armed protection for the operations of the “sponsors” and colluding with them in relevant crimes, such as telecom fraud schemes targeting people in China.
    The gambling and fraud crimes involved funds of more than 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) and caused the deaths of 14 Chinese nationals and injuries to six other Chinese, the indictment said.
    In a high-profile incident, on Oct. 20, 2023, the gang, in collaboration with the “sponsors,” organized armed escorts to relocate people working for their gangs in an attempt to evade an upcoming crackdown.
    During the relocation, some individuals attempted to escape but were shot by the armed escorts, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
    At the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and each defendant and their lawyers examined it. Both sides gave their respective accounts, and the defendants made their respective final statements.
    More than 100 people, including Chinese legislators, political advisors, journalists, family members of those involved, and members of the public, observed the court proceedings.
    The verdict will be announced in due course.
    In addition to the latest trial, several thousand other suspects linked to the criminal groups have been put under investigation after they were linked to more than 10,000 reported telecom fraud cases.
    A prior official statement emphasized that the handling of the case reflects China’s dedication to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the nation and its citizens.
    The crimes partially took place within Chinese borders, specifically targeted Chinese citizens, and jeopardized the shared interests of the international community, thus granting China jurisdiction under its Criminal Law and international treaties, according to procuratorial sources. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Energy Dominance Council Paves Way for Unleashing American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Last week, President Donald J. Trump established the National Energy Dominance Council — a cornerstone in the Trump Administration’s pursuit of unleashing American energy. Led by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, the Council will play a key role in the Trump Administration’s work to lower energy prices, meet the rising demand for affordable energy, strengthen economic security, and ensure the American energy industry is best positioned as a global leader over the next century.
    The move was hailed by lawmakers, workers, and industry:
    House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY): “Energy security is national security. By utilizing our domestic energy resources to create baseload power, we can lower prices, secure our grid, and provide the energy needed to grow manufacturing, heat our homes, and fill our gas tanks. The creation of this council under the leadership of Secretary Wright and Secretary Burgum is a strong step toward securing our energy future, and ensuring we have the resources necessary to meet the demands that AI will place on our grid. President Trump is continuing to fulfill his promise to the American people to return our nation to energy dominance, and I look forward to working together to achieve that goal.”
    American Exploration and Production Council: “Our nation is stronger, more secure, and more prosperous when America is the world leader in energy production, and AXPC applauds the Trump administration’s recognition that a whole of government approach is necessary to address the challenges related to American energy dominance. Sound energy policy across agencies will support our ability to meet rising national and global demand for affordable, reliable energy. We will continue to work with Congress and the Trump administration and the new National Energy Dominance Council on sensible, durable policies that allow American energy companies to continue to innovate and produce the energy America needs.”
    North America’s Building Trades Unions: “North America’s Building Trades Unions look forward to engaging with the National Energy Dominance Council recently established by the White House. This effort, chaired by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and vice-chaired by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, comes at a critical moment for our nation. As our country’s energy demands continue to rise and we work to meet the needs of artificial intelligence, confront rising adversarial powers, and provide our citizenry with stable and affordable energy, we at NABTU are ready to meet the moment. The men and women of the Building Trades have built the existing energy infrastructure of this nation and are eager to partner with this Council to provide the highly skilled workforce necessary to advance America’s all-of-the-above energy strategy and bring about the next generation of expanded, domestic and affordable power supply.”
    National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson: “We are thrilled that President Trump has established the National Energy Dominance Council to tackle some of the biggest energy policy challenges facing our nation. Electricity demand is skyrocketing, yet due to bad policy decisions, always-available baseload power is being forced to retire before it can be reliably replaced. As a result, much of the country faces an increased risk of energy shortfalls over the next decade. Under the leadership of Chairman Doug Burgum and Vice Chairman Chris Wright, the Council is perfectly positioned to address the growing threats to reliable and affordable power. We believe the Executive Order’s focus on improving key processes, including those for permitting, producing and distributing American energy, is exactly the right place to start.”
    United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters General President Mark McManus: “The men and women of the United Association are the best trained and most highly skilled craftspeople in the energy industry, and for generations we have built the critical infrastructure that delivers affordable domestic energy to our homes and businesses across the nation. We are now poised to deliver the next generation of energy production at this critical point in our nation’s history, but all too often government red tape and environmental activist groups stand in the way of these good paying and family-sustaining jobs. We look forward to working with President Trump and the new National Energy Dominance Council to cut government red tape and modernize our permitting processes to boost domestic production of critical energy like oil, gas, hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear, and to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.”
    Power The Future Executive Director Daniel Turner: “The National Energy Dominance Council is a long-overdue course correction that prioritizes American energy workers, revitalizes domestic production, and ensures affordability for families. The NEDC has the opportunity to right the many wrongs of the Biden administration’s failures by working alongside the private sector to create policies that increase production, drive down costs, and protect the environment. By cutting through burdensome regulations and anti-energy mandates, the NEDC will unleash America’s full energy potential and pave the way for an era of prosperity, affordability, and innovation.”
    National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons: “President Trump is moving quickly to unleash America’s full energy potential by establishing the National Energy Dominance Council, setting America up to lead on energy and secure our energy independence. This action demonstrates President Trump and his administration’s commitment to ensuring manufacturers have the energy they need to drive economic growth. […] The National Energy Dominance Council, under the leadership of Interior Secretary Burgum and Energy Secretary Wright, will help power the future of manufacturing in America because when manufacturing wins, America wins.”
    Competitive Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis: “This is welcome news. Unlike the previous administration, which increased US reliance on oil imports from OPEC and critical minerals from China by rigging domestic markets against reliable energy from fossil fuels, President Trump seeks to emancipate all sources of reliable American energy to compete in domestic and overseas markets. The president also seeks to accelerate the permitting of new energy infrastructure, including the power plants needed to support hundreds of new data centers and US leadership in artificial intelligence. President Trump is correct that clearing away impediments to America’s global leadership in energy production and exports will lower energy prices, enhance US economic security, create millions of new well-paying jobs, and strengthen US competitiveness in advanced technologies such as AI.”
    Growth Energy: “#ICYMI last week @POTUS established the National Energy Dominance Council, noting that #biofuels ‘reduce our dependency on foreign imports, and grow our economy’ – #ethanol producers are ready to deliver for American consumers and the president’s priorities!”
    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council: “The National Energy Dominance Council is greatly needed to promptly reduce onerous barriers and rules that work against an abundant energy supply. Rather than federal government agencies finding ways to expand their regulatory turf and stymie the energy sector, the Council is tasked with reducing outdated red tape and moving with speed on recommendations and action, which will facilitate the significant investment needed for big projects. A modern regulatory system and commitment to U.S. energy supremacy will generate quality jobs, economic vibrancy and growth, and innovations that will yield efficiencies and cleaner energy. As both energy consumers and as significant players in the U.S. energy sector, small businesses will greatly benefit. SBE Council thanks President Trump for prioritizing this critical sector and for his commitment to more affordable, reliable and abundant energy for America.”
    Americans for Prosperity: “Coupled with earlier Executive Orders signed by President Trump, with this Order, the current administration is well on its way in laying the groundwork for a future where energy abundance can become a reality.  Americans for Prosperity applauds President Trump’s actions in this Executive Order and anticipates a bright future for energy production in this country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Child poverty reduction must remain a priority

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The latest child poverty statistics show child poverty reduction must remain a priority for the Government. 

    “Children should not be living in poverty, and the latest statistics are hugely concerning,” Labour child poverty reduction spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said.

    “There are huge challenges that families are facing right now, with high cost of living, high unemployment and housing – and significant work is needed to lift more children out of poverty.

    “Labour is staunchly committed to child poverty reduction, and I am proud that it remained a priority for us throughout our time in government, even with the immense challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is still so much more work to do.

    “The Government must put our tamariki first. Now is not the time to be bending over backwards for landlords and tobacco companies, instead we must focus on alleviating the struggle for families and their children who need our support most.

    “Denying funding to food banks, stopping families from accessing emergency housing, and building no new public homes will only exacerbate these statistics. Stagnating benefits by tying increases to inflation instead of wage growth will mean less money for many families over time. Going against official advice on minimum wage increases means many of our poorest workers are going backwards.

    “These statistics come after a recent report showing half of Pacific children sometimes go without food, and homelessness is increasing.

    “I urge the Government to take these statistics seriously. Diminishing the child poverty targets to make it easier to achieve is a worrying sign they’re not.

    “We made changes that lifted tens of thousands of children out of poverty while in government. Child poverty reduction must remain a priority for this Government too,” said Carmel Sepuloni.

    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 China: Major members of northern Myanmar telecom fraud syndicates stand trial

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A total of 23 defendants, including key members of several major telecom fraud groups based in northern Myanmar stood trial in China on multiple charges including crimes that had killed 14 Chinese nationals and injured six others.
    A local court in Wenzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, heard the case from Feb. 14 to 19.
    The defendants included Mg Myin Shaunt Phyin and Ma Thiri Maung, ringleaders of a criminal gang led by their family, as well as major members of the gang and members of other related gangs who served as the “sponsors” of the family’s criminal activities.
    They were facing 11 counts of criminal charges including fraud, intentional homicide, intentional injury, illegal detention, operating casinos, drug trafficking, and organizing prostitution.
    According to the prosecutors, the defendants took advantage of the family’s influence in relevant areas in northern Myanmar and set up several compounds to house criminal gangs, providing armed protection for the operations of the “sponsors” and colluding with them in relevant crimes, such as telecom fraud schemes targeting people in China.
    The gambling and fraud crimes involved funds of more than 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) and caused the deaths of 14 Chinese nationals and injuries to six other Chinese, the indictment said.
    In a high-profile incident, on Oct. 20, 2023, the gang, in collaboration with the “sponsors,” organized armed escorts to relocate people working for their gangs in an attempt to evade an upcoming crackdown.
    During the relocation, some individuals attempted to escape but were shot by the armed escorts, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
    At the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and each defendant and their lawyers examined it. Both sides gave their respective accounts, and the defendants made their respective final statements.
    More than 100 people, including Chinese legislators, political advisors, journalists, family members of those involved, and members of the public, observed the court proceedings.
    The verdict will be announced in due course.
    In addition to the latest trial, several thousand other suspects linked to the criminal groups have been put under investigation after they were linked to more than 10,000 reported telecom fraud cases.
    A prior official statement emphasized that the handling of the case reflects China’s dedication to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the nation and its citizens.
    The crimes partially took place within Chinese borders, specifically targeted Chinese citizens, and jeopardized the shared interests of the international community, thus granting China jurisdiction under its Criminal Law and international treaties, according to procuratorial sources. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Abu Dhabi to enhance trade, investment with China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) is currently leading a high-level delegation of 140 government and business leaders on an official visit to China. The visit, which commenced on Feb. 17, aims to further strengthen partnership with a leading economy and cement Abu Dhabi’s stature as a global magnet for talent, businesses and investment.

    The delegation is meeting with senior government officials, key businesses and investors in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong to explore business opportunities and foster strategic relations with their Chinese counterparts.

    During the visit, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Abu Dhabi Global Market hosted the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Beijing on Feb. 18 under the theme “Invest with Abu Dhabi.” Meanwhile, an additional session of the forum will be held in Shanghai on Feb. 20.

    The ADIF features a comprehensive agenda, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and bilateral meetings with delegates representing various sectors of Abu Dhabi’s economy. Industry experts, including executives from institutions such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Mubadala, HSBC and Gulf Capital, provided in-depth insights into the emirate’s investment landscape, showcasing opportunities in technology, financial services, health care and trade.

    Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, held the Business Connect-Abu Dhabi-Shanghai in Shanghai on Feb. 19. The event focused on strengthening economic relations and partnerships between the business communities in Abu Dhabi and China.

    Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED, said: “Our longstanding relations with China are going from strength to strength, as reflected by the growth of bilateral trade and mutual investments over the past few years, and we are doubling down our efforts to take it to the next level by deepening cooperation and exploring new opportunities in various sectors to create more partnerships.”

    He added: “We are eager to enable investors and businesses to benefit from ample opportunities provided by our soaring ‘Falcon Economy,’ which is harmonizing between advanced technologies, sustainability, human development and economic diversification as we accelerate the transition towards the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s development.”

    According to the data from ADDED, bilateral trade between China and the United Arab Emirates is projected to reach $200 billion by 2030. Abu Dhabi is already home to many of the over 6,000 Chinese companies operating in UAE’s key sectors including technology, financial services and energy. As such, the emirate continues to reinforce its position as the main gateway for Chinese investment in the Middle East and beyond.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US’ new tariffs worsen global prospects

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, Feb. 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    After US President Donald Trump’s first punitive tariffs targeted the United States’ major trade partners — Mexico, Canada and China — tariff threats are shifting to the European Union, even the rest of the world. The tariff threats are also shifting from steel and aluminum to computer chips and pharmaceuticals.

    In the latest move, Trump said on Tuesday he intends to impose auto tariffs “in the neighborhood of 25 percent” and similar duties on semiconductors and pharmaceutical imports.

    The US has a major trade deficit with many other trading economies, including Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, which are likely to be in the firing line later, if not soon.

    A tariff is a tax levied on imported goods and services. In its haste to target the three countries, the Trump administration has ignored concerns about these tariffs fostering inflation or snarling global supply chains. This is a serious mistake on the part of the administration. In the US, wholesale prices are already rising on higher food and energy costs, adding to the growing pile of bad inflation news ahead of more US tariffs. Globally, these risks are real, costly and damaging.

    As the new US administration has been launching another tariff war, China’s economy has been showing progressive signs of stabilization — especially since the fourth quarter of 2024, as the impact of the November stimulus measures has kicked in. During this period, growth accelerated from 4.6 percent to 5.4 percent to reach 5.0 percent year-on-year in 2024, which prompted the International Monetary Fund to recently upgrade China’s GDP growth.

    But what’s fueling these gains?

    China’s industrial production has proved resilient on the back of both domestic and international demand, particularly in electric vehicles and solar panels. The most prominent part of the growth story is the strong expansion of China’s advanced technology, electronics and automobile sectors. The pace of development in industrial robotics is almost as strong, while consumption is being fueled by equipment and durable goods upgrade.

    Yet two main challenges remain. At home, the nearly 11 percent decline in real estate investment suggests the property market is still ailing. But in about 300 Chinese cities, the decline of residential inventory is slowing.

    The external challenges China faces include the impending trade and tech wars, which the first Trump administration launched in 2017, the Biden administration expanded and the new Trump administration is broadening worldwide.

    On Feb 1, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs and 10 percent duties on energy products imported from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods. The three countries are the US’ biggest trade partners and the US has a trade deficit with each one of them. These tariffs alone would cost an average US household more than $1,200 a year.

    After separate talks between Trump and the Canadian and Mexican presidents, the US agreed to delay levying the extra tariffs for 30 days. But the threatened tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, if they are imposed, could reduce long-run GDP by 0.3 percent.

    Moreover, a trade war between the US and its two largest trading partners would hit incomes in the US, impact employment and accelerate inflation. As Trump’s tariffs went into effect against China, Beijing announced a broad package of economic measures against Washington on Feb 10. And more countermeasures are likely to follow.

    Half a decade ago, the US’ punitive tariffs on Chinese goods covered goods worth $396 billion, or more than 90 percent of the total trade. But the first round of Trump’s tariffs against Canadian, Mexican and Chinese goods alone will cover far more traded goods in dollar terms.

    Trump’s four tranches of tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018-19 covered imports worth $360 billion. Today, Canada and Mexico and China account for more than two-fifths of all US imports. New tariffs on the goods imported from the two countries plus additional tariffs on Chinese goods would likely cover imports valued at more than $1.3 trillion. That’s more than 3.5 times the value than half a decade ago.

    This might be just the opening salvo in a series of tariffs the Trump administration is likely to announce in the coming weeks. Factor in the potential/likely retaliatory tariffs and duties by the affected countries and the Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariff” plan, and the final toll could be much higher.

    Ironically, US tariffs are legitimized by a flawed victimization narrative in which Washington is portrayed as a target of wrongful economic and geopolitical measures. In reality, the US’ imposed tariff levels are about geopolitical coercion, not economic factors.

    The threatened wave of tariffs could further heighten trade tensions, reduce investments, hit market pricing, distort trade flows, disrupt supply chains and undermine consumer confidence. In fact, much worse could happen.

    Due to the new US tariffs, we are in for a far costlier, global déjà vu all over again.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media crisis continues amid Government inaction – E tū

    Source: Etu Union

    E tū, the union for journalists and media workers, is sounding the alarm over the confirmation of an additional 30 job losses at NZME’s newsroom, as the wave of media cuts continues.

    E tū Director Michael Wood says the latest redundancies are yet another blow to journalism in Aotearoa.

    “Confirmation that a further 30 jobs will be lost from the NZME newsroom is part of a massacre of journalist capacity across the country,” Michael says.

    “It follows on from NZME closing 14 regional titles, major job reductions at Stuff, and successive rounds of cuts at TVNZ. Cumulatively, these reductions mean that the New Zealand media system has less ability to perform its core functions – holding decision-makers to account, providing information in response to natural disasters, covering breaking news, and undertaking long-term investigations that help to inform the public on important issues.”

    E tū members at NZME have engaged constructively, securing some changes to the original proposals that have preserved journalistic capacity. Michael says this underscores the value of union membership and collective action.

    “The work of E tū members at NZME resulted in some changes to the original proposals, which have preserved some capacity, showing the value of union membership and engagement.

    “However, we remain deeply concerned by the scale of these cuts and the clear signal from NZME that resources will be increasingly steered toward content that generates clicks. NZME must find a balance between generating short-term revenue and continuing to invest in high-quality journalism that drives long-term value.”

    Responsibility also lies squarely with the Government, which has failed to act on the systemic issues affecting the sector.

    “Primarily, though, this further round of cuts can be sheeted home to a Government that is missing in action,” Michael says.

    “The sector continues to suffer because the content it produces gets used by social media platforms that do not contribute to its costs while earning advertising revenue from it. Last year, the Government committed to advancing the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill to address this issue, but now appears to have wilted in the face of lobbying from big overseas corporates.”

    E tū is calling on the Government to take urgent action to support our local media.

    “In the wake of yet another round of cuts, it is more evident than ever that the Government needs to wake up and take action so that we preserve a media system that supports New Zealand’s democracy.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions Witnesses on WOTUS at EPW Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    Click here to download video. Click here for audio.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing today to discuss how to improve the federal permitting process, which has long been a frustration for those trying to build infrastructure, housing, energy, and transportation projects. Recent efforts to streamline and reform the process have not gained consensus, but the EPW Committee is exploring bipartisan solutions to provide clarity and consistency in the permitting process.
    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, questioned witnesses on the 2023 Supreme Court decision, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Sackett ruling explicitly defined Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and significantly narrowed the scope of federal regulation over jurisdictional waters. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett, paired with West Virginia v. EPA and the overturning of the Chevron Doctrine in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondowhich peeled back bureaucratic overreach, Cramer stated the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) still has not adequately responded to the ruling.
    [embedded content]
    Cramer asked Leah Pilconis, the General Counsel for the Associated General Contractors of America, and Carl Harris, Chairman of National Association of Homebuilders, “why do we even have to seek jurisdictional determination or permission when any home builder can read the law and see this isn’t a jurisdictional water? In other words, we don’t put a highway patrolman on every car on the interstate, just in case one of them speeds. We presume most of them are not going to violate the law. How can we simplify?”
    “The problem is that it’s not clear, and you can ask one person if something is jurisdictional and the next person if something is jurisdictional, and you might get two different answers,” responded Pilconis. “For the construction community we need clarity. It’s very difficult to move forward when you don’t know what is a Water of the United States. Not getting a permit when you are in federally controlled water has very significant civil and criminal penalties. The consequences and what’s at risk are huge for the developer, for the contractor. [Sackett v. EPA] did provide some guardrails. It provided some clarity, but what came out of that Supreme Court decision is not being implemented by the agencies. As Mr. Harris said, there are very unclear terms that have not been defined in the regulations, and that’s what’s causing a lot of confusion.”
    “Along with clarity, we need consistency,” replied Harris. “We need consistency between the [Army Corps] districts. If we could get true definitions of the terms that we were talking about, then our builders, our developers would know when they could take reasonable risk before they make a tremendous investment in the property and start moving dirt. We do need that consistency and clarity.”
    Cramer referenced permitting for electricity transmission projects. He warned against building out transmission and generation absent a planning process by local utilities and state regulators, and the potential for costs to be shifted to customers. “We have to find a federal backstop, but I think on linear siting for a transmission line should be the same as it is for a water pipeline or any other any other linear infrastructure. We can do that, but we do have to recognize those state regulators, having been one at one point myself.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Luján Calls Out Republican Budget That Will Increase Everyday Costs for American Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Senate Republicans are pushing a partisan budget resolution that will make it harder for families to afford their health care, put food on the table, and get a quality education

    Video of the speech is available HERE.
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, delivered a floor speech calling out Republican plans to dramatically cut funding for programs that all Americans rely on like health, nutrition, and public services. He highlighted the staggeringconsequences for working families, including diminished access to health care and higher costs, at a time when federal employees are being illegally fired.
    Senator Luján’s full speech is available below: 
    Mr. President, over the past week, Elon Musk and Donald Trump have fired thousands of federal workers, many of them in New Mexico, without warning. The calls that I get to my office from constituents all across New Mexico express concern, surprise, and alarm. They don’t know what’s going to happen next. They’re worried about a project.
    A professional that I spoke to, who works for the Bureau of Indian Education and has a responsibility to help diagnose and support students with disabilities, asked, “Do I stay and help these kids? What’s going to happen with this stuff?”
    Now, whether it’s our neighbors who work to support the national labs to keep us safe, or friends who work at the United States Department of Agriculture helping our farmers and ranchers feed our nation, these illegal mass firings are impacting communities across every corner of New Mexico. Let me sum this up: what I keep hearing from New Mexicans every day is: Please help me. Speak up. Say something. Do something. Bring attention to what’s happening—to the harm that’s being caused in our communities, for all of our constituents.
    This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about right or wrong. It’s about real people. Now, instead of protecting these jobs and helping our fellow Americans, Senate Republicans are pursuing a partisan budget resolution that will make it even harder for families to afford their health care, put food on the table, or get an education for their kids.
    Now, this is, quite frankly, chaos, and it’s chaos that the American people cannot afford. New Mexicans and Americans from all walks of life rely on the programs that Republicans are now attacking. These are programs that feed seniors, veterans, children, and the disabled. These are programs that house our veterans and keep folks warm during these winter months.
    And why are Republicans ripping these services away from people who need them? To fund this Trump tax scam—now it’s 2.0. The American people and constituents across New Mexico told me back in 2017, “This feels like a scam.” What Republicans are saying is that middle-class families are going to get everything in this tax cut. But what we saw play out was that if you were making millions of dollars, you did okay—you got the brunt of everything in this tax scam. Lying to the face of the American people. That’s what happened in 2017, and it certainly feels the same now.
    Now, let’s talk about one possible outcome of this budget resolution. In New Mexico, Medicaid covers 75% of births and supports around 92,000 children in my home state. Across the country, nearly 40% of babies are born with the help of Medicaid. For these babies and pregnant women, this program is vital—offering a chance to grow up healthier and have the best opportunity to succeed. We should all want that for our constituents. That’s not partisan.
    Now, unfortunately, Republicans have made it clear that they are determined to slash Medicaid. They tried it in 2017. When my Republican colleagues are interviewed and asked the question, “Are you going to cut Medicaid?” they certainly attempt, in every form and fashion, to say, “No, no, no, we’re not going to touch it—we’re just going to leave it up to the states.” Let me translate what that means.
    What Republicans in Congress are going to do is work to eliminate every federal dollar for Medicaid. There’s this acronym—FMAP—it’s a federal matching program to make Medicaid work across America. That’s what they’re going after. And if you visit with anyone across America who knows anything about how this program works, they will all tell you—without these federal dollars, this program goes away.
    This Republican budget resolution sets the stage for dismantling Medicaid, which could result in pregnant moms and babies losing health care. That’s just one possible outcome.
    As I said earlier, the American people deserve honesty and transparency. Look, I understand if my Republican colleagues want to do this. Just own up to it. Tell the American people what you want to do. Let them know. Just be honest with them. That’s the least the American people deserve.
    Last week in the Budget Committee, I offered a number of commonsense amendments to help lower costs for families, strengthen border security, safeguard health care, promote American manufacturing and businesses, and invest in public safety.
    Top of mind for many Americans, I offered an amendment to ensure that Elon Musk and his companies are not profiting off the same government that he’s dismantling. Elon Musk, who was not elected by the American people, is pursuing an extreme agenda to serve his own interests and greed—all while the American people are paying the price for it.
    If Republicans are serious about tackling the issues and lowering costs, let’s work together. You have partners here ready to do this for the American people. But my Republican colleagues know better than I that what’s happening under this president and Elon Musk is that the cost of goods continues to go up.
    I don’t know how many of you were at the grocery store this weekend in this chamber, but if you haven’t been—go by. Go by and try to buy some eggs. You will see a sign that limits you to maybe a dozen, maybe two, and you’re going to see the costs going up and up and up. Milk, butter—you look at it, you see it, you name it—it’s all increasing in price.
    What happened to President Trump saying on day one he was going to lower the cost of these goods for the American people? It’s not happening.
    Look, to sum this up—Americans will not be able to make ends meet if Senate Republicans dismantle the programs that make our country strong and secure to advance yet another tax scam.
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China taps box office success to boost tourism

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China’s film authorities launched a movie-themed tourism campaign at the China National Film Museum in Beijing on Feb. 17, riding the momentum of the country’s recent box office success to attract foreign tourists.

    The “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign is launched at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    The “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign aims to leverage growing international interest in Chinese cinema following a record-breaking Spring Festival movie season. Supported by the country’s expanded transit visa-free policy, the initiative promotes filming locations and cultural sites featured in popular Chinese movies, officials said at the launch event.

    The campaign, sponsored by the China Film Administration and China Media Group and organized by CGTN and the China Movie Channel Program Center, will promote a “film plus tourism” concept, encouraging international audiences to discover China through cinema while boosting tourism spending.

    The initiative will also nurture collaboration between the film and tourism industries by creating themed travel routes connecting filming locations with cultural heritage sites.

    During the 2025 Spring Festival season, six blockbusters generated 9.51 billion yuan ($1.32 billion) in ticket sales and drew 187 million viewers in seven days, according to box office tracker Maoyan Pro. The booming film market has sparked a growing interest in movie-related tourism centered on filming locations and cultural elements among domestic and international visitors.

    Ne Zha and Ao Bing performers dance during the “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign launch at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    Among the blockbusters, the animated sensation “Ne Zha 2” has led the race and has continued its record-breaking run beyond the holiday season. So far, the film has grossed over 12.4 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing Chinese film and animated feature of all time, surpassing both domestic and global box office records.

    Thus, “Ne Zha” has become the campaign’s promotional ambassador. A performer dressed as the animated character received a certificate onstage before joining another character, Ao Bing, for a dance performance inviting global audiences to explore China. The film’s influence has spread beyond theaters, sparking nationwide interest. Regions are competing to claim Ne Zha’s “hometown” status to boost local tourism, while related merchandise has sold out quickly.

    “‘Ne Zha 2’ is a visually spectacular comedy that tells a Chinese story, innovates traditional Chinese culture and continues the legacy of Eastern aesthetics,” said Wang Jing, the film’s executive producer. “With strong support from Chinese audiences, it aims to deliver a powerful voice of Chinese culture in the new era to global viewers.”

    Another Chinese New Year release making international inroads is “Detective Chinatown 1900,” which has grossed more than 3.2 billion yuan ($446 million) in China and opened in nearly 20 overseas territories, including North America, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

    “Chinatowns have long served as windows for Chinese cultural exchange,” said producer Fan Xia, noting how the film showcases historic landmarks across these communities. “The ‘Detective Chinatown’ series, which tells their stories, has also demonstrated remarkable vitality in the field of cultural exchanges.”

    Representatives of Spring Festival films present their films’ achievements and tourist destinations during the “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign launch at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    During the event, actor Anastasia Shestakova also invited international visitors to tour the film’s shooting locations in China, including a Native American village constructed in Xingtai, Hebei province, and a full-scale replica of various locations in 1900s San Francisco in Laoling, Shandong province. The 200,000-square-meter San Francisco set, built in just seven months at Laoling Film Studio, opened to the public during the Spring Festival, allowing moviegoers to explore the landmarks they saw on screen.

    Actor Nashi, who plays the female general Deng Chanyu in “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force,” a film set in ancient China’s Shang dynasty, passionately shared insights about period artifacts preserved in museums across Henan and Shaanxi provinces.

    Besides the cities and attractions featured in the films, film studios and shooting locations have become popular cultural tourism spots. Representatives from China Movie Metropolis, Wuxi Studios, Western Film Group and Hengdian World Studios presented their production facilities advantages, industry policies and tourism offerings.

    Representatives of film studios present their production resources, facilities and tourism offerings during the “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign launch at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    Several foreign cultural ambassadors and travel bloggers shared their China travel plans inspired by Spring Festival films at the event. Tourism and financial sector representatives offered promotional deals, while China Media Group announced its international bureaus would partner with Chinese filmmakers to expand the “China Travel with Chinese Films” campaign, attracting more overseas audiences.

    This Chinese New Year, the first since the Spring Festival was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, has triggered increased overseas interest in traveling to China.

    Ma Yiliang, chief statistician at the China Tourism Academy, said the successful holiday films drove both domestic and international tourists to cities like Xiangyang and Yibin. Local products, including Hubei’s lotus root starch, saw sharp sales increases.

    “This wave of cultural tourism has not only enhanced brand recognition for local destinations but also generated significant economic benefits,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Harrogate man arrested after weapons found

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police have arrested a man after an investigation led them to locating homemade explosive items, firearms and weapons at his address.

    On Wednesday 19 February, police from Mount Barker arrested and charged a 41-year-old man from Harrogate with possess a prohibited weapon, possess a firearm without a licence, possess a dangerous article, manufacture an explosive and two counts of unlawful possession.

    The arrest followed a search of the male’s home where police located knuckledusters, two gel blasters, two large PVC pipe-based cannons, two small homemade explosive devices, illicit drugs and prescribed drug equipment.

    Police also located a stolen boat and trailer and two motorbikes, suspected of being stolen.

    Police are making further enquiries to identify the owner of the bikes.

    The man was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, Thursday 20 February.

    CO2500007271

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Announces Appointments to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>Alex Meyer will join the White House as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Meyer previously served as the Deputy Political Director for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign directly managing President Trump’s victorious operations in the battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Meyer in the 2024 Presidential Primary served as the Senior Advisor for President Trump’s Iowa Caucus Campaign. Meyer brings over a decade of successful campaign experience up and down the ballot. Jared Borg will join the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for State Governments. Jared is a campaign veteran of both President Trump’s 2020 and 2024 campaigns. He has also been a part of several high-profile national races throughout his career. Borg is a graduate of The Ohio State University and is a United States Navy Veteran. Christine Serrano Glassner will join the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for Local and Tribal Governments. Prior to joining the White House, she served as Mayor of the Borough of Mendham, New Jersey for the last six years and on Council for two years. Connor Reardon will join the White House as Associate Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to this role, Reardon served as Pennsylvania State Director for the Republican National Committee and, most recently, as Pennsylvania Director of Operations for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. Chase Wilson will join the White House as Associate Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the White House, Wilson served as State Director of Oklahoma during the 2024 Presidential Primary and then Deputy State Director in North Carolina for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. Michael Silvio will join the White House as Associate Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Most recently, Michael served as the Nevada State Director for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. Prior to that, Michael served as Political Director for Trump-endorsed Daniel Cameron for Governor (KY). Sam Martinez will join the White House as Associate Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the White House, Martinez served as Pennsylvania Deputy State Director for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. Hope Moreland will join the White House as Deputy Associate Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the White House, Moreland served as Iowa Political Coordinator and Fulton County Field Director for the Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign. Finley Varughese will join the White House as Coordinator in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the White House, he served as Programming & Political Manager and Regional Political Coordinator at the Republican National Committee. Elizabeth McAlindon will join the White House as Staff Assistant in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining the White House, McAlindon served as Assistant to the Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN). 
    About the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs:The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) reports to Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair. The Office is managed by Deputy Assistant to the President and IGA Director Alex Meyer. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs serves as the Administration’s principal liaison to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, fostering an open channel for advancing key administration priorities and interagency coordination.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Visits Next Gallery Highlighting Artists and Casa Bonita, and Celebrates Black History Month

    Source: US State of Colorado

    LAKEWOOD – Today, Governor Polis visited Next Gallery’s 8th Annual Casa Bonita Art Show, which brought together over 60 artists to imagine and create a piece of what Casa Bonita could look like in 2074 on its 100th birthday.

    “I love viewing the work of Colorado’s artists and seeing one of our state’s landmark attractions reimagined through the creativity of artists. I hope this art show inspires Coloradans and tourists alike to visit Casa Bonita, and explore all that our state has to offer,” said Governor Polis.

    Next Gallery is owned and operated by 28 working artists with a mission to support local artists and promote art appreciation and education through community outreach.

    The Governor will also visit African Grill and Bar to celebrate Black History Month, and highlight small businesses in Colorado. African Grill and Bar gives back to its community by supporting school cultural programs, charity organizations, and helping feed community members in need.

    “Colorado is home to many vibrant cultures, cuisines, and businesses. I am excited to be visiting African Grill and Bar to enjoy authentic African food, celebrate Black History Month, and highlight one of the many black-owned businesses that contribute to our growing economy, and make Colorado the best state to live, work, and start a business,” said Governor Polis.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Introduces Bill to Raise Minimum Age to Buy Assault Weapons

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 19, 2025
    More than 85 percent of deaths in public mass shootings involving four or more fatalities were caused by assault rifles
    Washington, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today said that he is joining legislation to raise the minimum age to buy assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21. 
    “If you’re not old enough to purchase alcohol, you shouldn’t be allowed to buy an assault weapon either,” Wyden said. “We need to be doing everything we can to stop America’s gun violence epidemic, including raising the legal age of purchase to 21. I am proud to support this bill that will help keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of teenagers.”
    Gun violence is a national crisis, claiming more than 46,000 lives in 2023 — the third-largest number of gun-related deaths in U.S. history. Assault weapons, originally engineered for military combat to maximize damage, are frequently used in mass shootings because of their ability to inflict catastrophic harm in mere seconds. Individuals under 21 have used assault weapons in some of the most devastating school shootings in U.S. history, including the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
    The same age requirement already applies to purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers. This bill would expand the ban to assault weapons, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and related ammunition. Additionally, the legislation would bar most individuals under 21 from possessing these items, with limited exceptions for specific circumstances such as service in law enforcement or the armed forces. 
    In addition to Wyden, the Age 21 Act was introduced by Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Chris Coons,  D-Del., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
    The Age 21 Act is endorsed by organizations, including Brady: United Against Gun Violence, March for Our Lives, Giffords, Newtown Action Alliance, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
    A one-pager on the bill is here.
    The bill text is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Urge Trump to Reject Republican Budget That Raises Costs for Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Jacky Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined 30 of their Senate colleagues in urging President Donald Trump to reject Congressional Republicans’ legislative plans to increase the cost of living for Americans.

    Last week, Congressional Republicans in both chambers approved for floor consideration their 2025 budget proposals, their blueprints for a large package that would raise costs for hardworking families and target critical services like Medicaid.

    “But the Republican budget plans do not focus on lowering costs, and in fact will raise costs for American families by forcing them to pay more for groceries, health care, education, and caregiving,” wrote the 32 U.S. Senators.

    Congressional Republicans’ budget plans will:

    Raise food costs: The Republican budget plans tee up extensive cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Meals on Wheels. 

    Raise health care costs: The Republican budget plans also pave the way for 15 Republican proposals to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act coverage. These Republican cuts would raise health care costs for over 160 million Americans.

    Raise education costs: The Republican budget plans set up cuts to programs that help families afford college, including Pell Grants and income-driven repayment plans, and tax scholarships for hard-working students.

    Raise caregiving costs: The Republican budget plans pave the way to cut programs that help families care for kids, people with disabilities, and aging loved ones. Cuts to these essential programs will make it impossible for many working families to live and work with dignity.

    “If Congressional Republicans are successful at passing their proposals, it will mean that families will pay more for food, healthcare, education, and caregiving – while Republicans plot more tax cuts for billionaires,” the Senators wrote. “We urge you to stand by the promises you made to the American people about lowering costs, including by committing not to sign any legislation that raises their costs.”

    In addition to Reed and Whitehouse, the letter is also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

    Full text of the letter follows:

    February 17, 2025

    President Donald Trump

    The White House

    1600 Pennsylvania Ave

    Washington, DC 20500

    Dear President Trump:

    We write to you today to urge you to honor the promises you made on the campaign trail to lower costs for American families. You promised the American people that you would immediately lower costs, “starting on Day One.”

    However, weeks into your Presidency, Congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislative plans to increase the cost of living for hardworking Americans. Congressional Republicans have released their 2025 budget proposals – their blueprints for a large legislative package that they hope to pass in the coming months.  Congressional Republicans have also circulated a “menu” of policies they want to include in that budget legislation.3But the Republican budget plans do not focus on lowering costs, and in fact will raise costs for American families by forcing them to pay more for groceries, health care, education, and caregiving.

    1. Raising food costs. The Republican budget plans tee up extensive cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Meals on Wheels. Republican cuts to SNAP will make it harder for senior citizens, disabled individuals, and working families to afford groceries. Republicans also want to defund meals for poor schoolkids, forcing already-struggling families to shoulder additional costs while grocery prices are skyrocketing, and slash funding for meals for elderly people.

    2. Raising health care costs. The Republican budget plans also pave the way for 15 Republican proposals to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act coverage. These Republican cuts would raise health care costs for over 160 million Americans who rely on these programs to make ends meet and stay healthy, and force the closures of community health centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor’s offices across the country. The proposals especially target low-income seniors, children, and people with disabilities.

    3. Raising education costs. The Republican budget plans set them up to pass cuts to programs that help families afford college, including Pell Grants and income-driven repayment plans. These Republican cuts would hike loan payments for millions of Americans, drive families deeper into debt, and in some cases make it impossible for students to pay for school and achieve the American Dream.

    4. Raising caregiving costs. The Republican budget plans pave the way to cutting programs that help families care for kids, people with disabilities, and aging loved ones. Large cuts to Medicaid, Head Start, and other essential programs will make it impossible for many working families to live and work with dignity.

    The Republican budget plans are deeply troubling. If Congressional Republicans are successful at passing their proposals, it will mean that families will pay more for food, healthcare, education, and caregiving – while Republicans plot more tax cuts for billionaires. We urge you to stand by the promises you made to the American people about lowering costs, including by committing not to sign any legislation that raises their costs.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –