NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Reserve Bank acts while Govt shrugs

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Nicola Willis continues to sit on her hands amid a global economic crisis, leaving the Reserve Bank to act for New Zealanders who are worried about their jobs, mortgages, and KiwiSaver.

    “While the Reserve Bank is doing its job to cushion the blow of a global economic downturn, Nicola Willis continues to pretend like everything is fine,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “New Zealanders are rightfully nervous about their jobs, mortgages, and KiwiSaver right now, yet all they’re getting from their Government is ‘we’ve got this.’ That’s not a plan, that’s complacency.

    “Nicola Willis spent so much of her time in Opposition criticising the Reserve Bank, it’s ironic she’s now claiming their decisions as a win. If she wanted to show real leadership she would invest in jobs, health, and homes, and adapt when New Zealand’s economy needs it.

    “Her Government put New Zealand into the sharpest recession in 30 years, excluding COVID, helped along by decisions to stop public housing and infrastructure projects. That’s cost New Zealand 13,000 construction jobs. Now they’re sitting on their hands in the face of major economic headwinds.

    “Even worse, they’re not being honest with Kiwis about what a continued global slowdown could mean for the budget: more draconian cuts to public services. That means fewer jobs, worse healthcare, and more Kiwis without a home.

    “Now is the time we need to be investing in jobs, health, and homes to boost our economy and lift people up, especially as U.S. tariffs cause more turmoil. Rather than working to weather the storm, they’re pretending as if it is business as usual.

    “New Zealand needs a Government that steps up and adapts when the global system falters, not one that stands still,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Adam Bandt says the Greens can deliver ‘real change’ – but the party should choose its battles more wisely

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Crowley, Adjunct Associate Professor, Public and Environmental Policy, University of Tasmania

    Federal Greens leader Adam Bandt says the federal election offers “an opportunity for real change”, saying his party would use the balance of power in the next parliament to help deliver serious policy reforms.

    In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Bandt outlined the party’s election priorities and said the poll represents:

    A once-in-a-generation chance to create a country where everyone has a right to the basics – food, health, and a home. A safe climate and a healthy environment. An economy which puts people before the profits of the obscenely wealthy and the excessively profitable.

    The Greens broke new ground at the last federal election, snatching three new lower house seats and winning the balance of power in the Senate. The gains suggested the Greens were moving beyond their roots as a party of protest, and becoming a true policy force.

    But the Greens broadly failed to make the most of its greater political presence this term. In the next parliament, it should focus on building political capital and picking its battles more wisely.

    Meagre parliamentary success this term

    As a traditional party of protest, the Greens have historically tended to stick firmly to the party’s policy agenda rather than make major concessions to the government of the day.

    However, as the new Labor government focused on delivering its mostly modest reform agenda this term, the Greens party was forced to negotiate on its demands, much as the Teals have done.

    The Greens helped Labor pass its signature climate change policy, the safeguard mechanism, which seeks to limit emissions from Australia’s most polluting companies. In return, Labor agreed to the Greens’ call for a hard cap on emissions under the scheme. But it refused to bow to Greens demands for a ban on new gas and coal projects, and limiting the use of carbon credits.

    The Greens were then tested by Labor’s housing agenda – specifically, two schemes to make buying or renting a home more affordable.

    The Greens’ initially teamed up with the Coalition to block the laws, arguing they would drive up housing prices and give tax breaks to property developers. The party’s opposition was at odds with public opinion, including most Greens voters.

    The party eventually waved the housing bills through in November last year without winning any concessions from Labor, and after burning much political capital.

    The chastened Greens helped pass a flurry of other legislation late in 2024, including Reserve Bank governance reforms and a supermarket code of conduct. In return, Labor offered Greens fairly piecemeal concessions, including more money for social housing electrification and a ban on fossil fuel subsidies under the Future Made in Australia scheme.

    The Greens also offered to help salvage Labor’s troubled proposal to reform Australia’s environmental protection laws. It shelved its calls for a “climate trigger” – which would force regulators to consider the potential climate damage of a proposal before it was approved. Instead, the Greens insisted only on stronger protections for native forests.

    However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese intervened at the eleventh hour to scuttle the deal.

    All this suggests the Greens party is yet to strike the right balance between pursuing its own policy agenda and supporting Labor to the extent that a healthy working relationship is achieved. So far, it has gained only meagre concessions, and its policy grandstanding has not worked.

    Flare-ups outside parliament

    Scoring political points outside parliament can be easier for the Greens than influencing policy within it.

    Environmental conflict has always fuelled the Greens’ vote, and the party continues to campaign on issues such as protecting Tasmania’s native forests, opposing salmon farming and calling for a ban on new coal and gas projects.

    But outside parliament this term, the Greens have faced controversies that may hurt them at the ballot box.

    Greens senator Lidia Thorpe quit the party over its support for the Voice referendum, and Bandt copped criticism for allegedly failing to confront bullying claims against West Australian Greens senator Dorinda Cox.

    The Gaza conflict triggered significant ruptures between the Greens and the pro-Israel movement. There were also reports that a new Muslim political movement may siphon votes from the Greens and hurt them electorally.

    There is no ready formula, then, for the Greens to shore up – let alone expand – its vote outside parliament.

    What’s next for the Greens?

    The Guardian’s polls tracker suggests the Greens’ primary vote has increased since the 2022 election, from 12.3% to 14%.

    However, the party faces several tough political contests to retain or extend the gains it won in 2022. And its disappointing results at recent elections in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory suggest the party has its work cut out.

    As ABC election analyst Antony Green has noted, Labor holds three seats with margins below 5% where the Greens have a chance. However, the Greens also hold seats on slim margins that Labor or another candidate could win.

    The Greens’ lower-house gains at the last election came in the inner-Brisbane seats of Ryan, Brisbane and Griffith. The Greens will have to fight hard to retain all three next month.

    The most recent polls suggest Labor will be returned by a narrow margin at the May 3 election – probably helped along by the return of United States’ President Donald Trump.

    On Wednesday Bandt said the Greens “are within reach of winning seats right across the country and, in the minority government, we can make things happen”.

    However, seven new Independents won lower house seats at the last election. Should that trend continue, and if Labor does need to form a minority government, the Greens may find themselves fighting for the balance of power on a crowded crossbench.

    Picking fights or delivering policy?

    If the Greens party wants to be seen as a serious political force, it must decide if its traditional political approach – hard-nosed policy opposition and picking political fights – is still the best strategy.

    Bandt’s mentor, former Greens leader Christine Milne, got results from minority pacts with both sides of politics. She believed the Greens’ role was to build political capital and then, when an opportunity such as minority government arose, to spend that capital on achieving significant policy outcomes.

    On Wednesday, Bandt indicated a willingness to work towards meaningful policy outcomes in the next parliament. He claimed the Greens were willing to compromise in the event of minority government, saying:

    we understand the need to cooperate and to come up with an arrangement that forms stable, effective and progressive government […] We will go into any discussions with goodwill and with [an] open mind.

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

    – ref. Adam Bandt says the Greens can deliver ‘real change’ – but the party should choose its battles more wisely – https://theconversation.com/adam-bandt-says-the-greens-can-deliver-real-change-but-the-party-should-choose-its-battles-more-wisely-253851

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The grand marble staircase is being restored at the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo estate

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Restoration work continues at the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo estate. Specialists are paying attention to every detail of the unique historical monument of the 18th-19th centuries, trying to preserve its interior decoration and return the estate to its former appearance. In particular, the main staircase with tritons, which is located in the central volume of the main house of the estate, is currently being restored.

    “The main marble staircase was brought to Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo from the city estate on Bolshaya Nikitskaya in the 1910s. At that time, Princess Evgenia Shakhovskaya-Glebova-Streshneva was rebuilding the estate. A vestibule with a main staircase made of white and gray marble with a bypass gallery (balcony) at the level of the second floor appeared in the central volume. The balcony is supported from below by two decorative figures of tritons, and the bypass gallery is decorated with columns and pilasters of the Ionic order, the composition is completed by a round ceiling lamp,” said the deputy head of the Department of Capital Repairs

    Vladimir Alyabyev.

    Before the work began, the staircase was in poor condition. The steps were worn and cracked, the five lower ones were different in shape and color of the stone, and the last one was completely missing. The marble balusters and wide handrail were completely destroyed. Two figures of tritons on the sides of the staircase also needed restoration, one of them was missing the tip of its tail. In addition, the balcony railing was lost.

    “During the work, a comprehensive restoration of the main staircase was carried out. Specialists cleaned the marble steps, completed the assembly in places of losses, sealed cracks with a special compound in the tone of the stone, polished the surfaces. They replaced the steps that did not correspond to the historical ones and recreated the lower one that was lost. In a special workshop, balusters, railings and pedestals were recreated according to historical samples, and their installation is currently underway. They also restored the marble figures of newts supporting the balcony, and restored the lost tip of the tail, copying it from the surviving one,” Vladimir Alyabyev clarified.

    In addition, the columns and pilasters of the Ionic order located in the bypass gallery were put in order. Having cleaned the surviving elements from late layers of paint, specialists discovered places of damaged plaster and additional compositions from late materials, as well as areas of incorrect joints of architectural elements. Then the plaster elements were cleaned to a solid base and restored. To do this, they cast the missing fragments according to historical samples, removed late inserts from alabaster, cement and other materials, and repaired small chips and cracks. In addition, the ceiling lamp was restored.

    The restoration work of the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo estate ensemble corresponds to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Sobyanin: The lost spire has been returned to the greenhouse of the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo estateAtmosphere of manor life: stucco work is being restored in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152366073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Another 32 lifting platforms for people with limited mobility will be installed in nine districts of the North-Eastern Administrative District

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the North-Eastern Administrative District, 32 lifting platforms are planned to be installed this year. They will be mounted in the entrances of apartment buildings where wheelchair users live, in accordance with previously submitted applications.

    “Work has already begun on the installation and connection of seven platforms, including six inclined and one vertical. After the survey and design, the installation of lifts for people with disabilities will begin in another 25 entrances,” said the Deputy Head of the Department of Capital Repairs of the City of Moscow

    Evgeniy Adamov.

    In Bibirevo, 10 platforms will be installed, in Otradnoye – five, in Lianozovo and Losinoostrovsky district – four each, in Yaroslavsky district – three, in Sviblovo and Babushkinsky district – two each, in Altufevsky district and Yuzhnoye Medvedkovo – one each.

    With the installation of a lifting platform in the entrance hall, the life of a person with special needs, who is forced to spend entire days in an apartment, changes dramatically. It becomes possible to go outside without outside help, which means meeting with friends, working, attending various events. The lift also makes life much easier for families with children with disabilities. Trips to the doctor, to school, or just walks become accessible if the mother does not have to lift a heavy stroller up the stairs.

    You can submit an application for installation of the platform on the mos.ru portal or on the website Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow in the section “Internet Reception”. Permanent registration in Moscow and the presence of a recommendation in the IPRA (individual rehabilitation and habilitation program) on the need for a wheelchair are required. According to the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, neither a meeting nor a decision of the owners of the premises in an apartment building is required to install a lifting platform in the entrance.

    The technical feasibility of installing a platform in an entrance is determined by interdepartmental commissions that have been created in each district of the capital. After this, the design stage begins, during which the type of platform is selected taking into account current GOSTs, regulations, building codes and rules. Projects are subject to mandatory state examination, which confirms the correctness of the technical solutions adopted.

    “In entrances with spacious halls, vertical lifting platforms are most often installed, which are more convenient to use. They resemble mini-elevators and allow you to rise to a height of up to four meters. If there is not enough space or the free space is occupied, for example, by a concierge room or a stroller room, an inclined lift is installed. This design is mounted on the wall parallel to the stairs. It is compact and does not disturb the neighbors,” noted Evgeny Adamov.

    When installing lifting platforms, other work is also carried out to create a barrier-free environment for people with limited mobility: ramps and handrails are installed at the entrance to the building, as well as doors with closers that a person in a wheelchair can open remotely. If technically possible, an additional entrance to the building is made, to which a ramp is brought. In addition, visual and dispatch control systems are installed. This not only ensures the safety of descent and ascent, but also prevents the platform from being used for other purposes.

    From 2011 to 2024, the Department of Capital Repairs installed 2,128 lifting platforms for wheelchair users in all 12 districts of the capital.

    Installing ramps and laying tactile tiles: how the portal “Our City” helps make the capital more comfortable29 lifts for people with limited mobility will be installed in residential buildings in northwest Moscow

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Extended support on the way during the Low Fixed Charge Tariff phase-out

    Source: Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand (ERANZ)

     

    The Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand (ERANZ) and Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA) are pleased to announce that members from both organisations will extend the industry-funded Power Credit Scheme from 2027 to 2032. 

     

    The Power Credits Scheme is a $5 million fund that began in June 2022. It assists low-electricity-use households struggling to pay their power bills as the Low Fixed Charge Tariff (LFC) regulations are phased out.

     

    ERANZ Chief Executive Bridget Abernethy says the LFC phase-out is working as intended, rebalancing consumer bills’ fixed and variable components.

     

    “We understand that the phase-out isn’t easy for everyone, so ERANZ and ENA members are extending the scheme for five years, putting $1 million per year back into the hands of struggling consumers.”

     

    Abernethy says she is pleased to see the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Mid-Point Review of the Phase-out of the Low Fixed Charge, which was released today, confirm that the phase-out of the LFC regulations means more equitable electricity bills for standard users.

     

    “Before the phase-out, high-income households with low electricity consumption received lower electricity bills, which came at the expense of larger low-income households with relatively high electricity consumption.”

     

    Abernethy says anyone who is struggling should get in touch with their retailer to see what support is available to them. Consumers can also check with their retailer that they are on the right plan for their needs.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supporting Kiwis with the costs of power

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Energy Minister Simon Watts is welcoming an extension to the industry funded Power Credit Scheme which is supporting lower income Kiwis with the costs of power. 
    The Scheme supports those who are struggling to pay their energy bills and are affected by the phase-out of a low fixed electricity charge by offering them a $110 power credit from their providers. 
    “Extending the Scheme will help alleviate the financial burden on households by providing them financial relief in the face of rising costs,” Mr Watts says.
    “It has been a challenging time for many Kiwis, with cost-of-living pressures making it difficult for households to budget for everyday necessities including food, rent, and power. That’s why this Government is working hard to grow the economy to reduce the cost of living and help Kiwi households get ahead.
    “Things won’t change overnight but our plan to support Kiwis is working. We have gotten inflation under control, delivered tax relief which has put more money back into Kiwis pockets, and supported families with childcare payments through FamilyBoost. 
    “Recent increases in power prices are likely to put further pressure on household budgets. That’s why I have worked with larger electricity retailers and lines companies to secure a five-year industry funded extension to the Power Credit Scheme, through to 2032.
    “I acknowledge the large retailers and lines companies for providing the scheme as the Regulations are phased out and afterwards.
    “I encourage anyone coming off a low fixed charge plan to check with their power company to see if they are eligible for a power credit,” Mr Watts says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – OCR: 3.5% – Further reduction in OCR appropriate – Reserve Bank

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    9 April 2025 – The Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to reduce the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 3.5 percent.

    Annual consumer price inflation remains near the mid-point of the Monetary Policy Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band. Firms’ inflation expectations and core inflation are consistent with inflation remaining at target over the medium term.

    Economic activity in New Zealand has evolved largely as expected since the February Monetary Policy Statement. Higher-than-expected export prices and a lower exchange rate have supported primary sector incomes and overall economic growth. While monetary restraint has been removed at pace, household spending and residential investment have remained weak.

    The recently announced increases in global trade barriers weaken the outlook for global economic activity. On balance, these developments create downside risks to the outlook for economic activity and inflation in New Zealand.

    Having consumer price inflation close to the middle of its target band puts the Committee in the best position to respond to developments. As the extent and effect of tariff policies become clearer, the Committee has scope to lower the OCR further as appropriate. Future policy decisions will be determined by the outlook for inflationary pressure over the medium term.

    Read the full statement and Record of meeting: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=a3744a921f&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy Commentary – Tariff uncertainty keeps OCR ‘downward bias’ in place – CoreLogic’s Kelvin Davidson

    Source: CoreLogic – Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, Chief Property Economist at CoreLogic, soon to rebrand to Cotality

    As widely expected, the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the official cash rate today by 0.25%, taking it to 3.5%. The decision reflected the fact that inflation remains well within the target band and that the economy is still subdued.
    Today’s release was an ‘interim’ Monetary Policy Review rather than a full Statement, which means we don’t get the updated economic forecasts and detailed analysis. But the MPC’s commentary today still took the time to discuss tariffs and possible effects.
    In a nutshell, uncertainty remains high, but the central view right now is that inflation effects are not clear-cut; a weaker NZ$ could raise imported inflation, but a diversion of goods away from the US and towards NZ by large global exporters could work in the opposite direction.
    Then in regard to NZ’s economic growth itself, the general tone of the commentary is that it’s likely to be slower than in a world without tariffs. As such, the MPC noted they have scope to lower the OCR further as appropriate and as the effects of tariffs become clearer.
    In other words, NZ’s interest rate environment still has a ‘downward bias’ and it’ll be interesting to see what happens to mortgage rates in the coming weeks. The next OCR decision is 28 May, and prior to that we’ll have had a bit more information in the form of Q1’s CPI data (17 April) and labour market figures (7 May).
    For the property market and mortgage borrowers, ‘uncertainty’ is also a buzzword. February’s Reserve Bank lending data shows that borrowers continue to hedge their bets, with floating debt still popular (41% of loans) but fixed terms of longer than 12 months also coming back into focus. At 20% of activity in February, fixes of greater than 12 months were the most popular they have been since July last year.
    For now, tariff-uncertainty aside, our expectation is a subdued upturn for the property market in 2025, with sales volumes and house prices rising slowly. For individual borrowers, it will mean finding a balance between securing the best/lowest mortgage rate but also weighing up the certainty that a longer-term fixed loan can offer.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia-Pacific ministers to tackle urban challenges and shape path for future cities at upcoming UN meet

    Source: United Nations – ESCAP

    Home to over 2.2 billion city dwellers and many of the planet’s largest megacities, Asia and the Pacific is the world’s urban powerhouse. But the region also faces a number of challenges, with population growth slowing and key vulnerabilities, such as economic volatility, climate-related risks and social disparities, requiring integrated sustainable development strategies.
     
    Ministers and other key stakeholders will gather this April at the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to underscore the critical role of regional cooperation in overcoming the challenges faced in cities and advocate shared approaches to realize the ambitions of the global development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.
     
    Discussions at the session will also be guided by the theme study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific which explores the future of urbanization, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, from megacities to smaller towns, and emphasizes the need for innovative governance models and sustainable development strategies to meet the region’s unique urban needs.
     
    Various side events and an Urban Innovations Fair will also be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok throughout the week.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Phenomenon of Smoktunovsky. A Photo Exhibition to Mark the Artist’s 100th Birthday to Open on Strastnoy Boulevard

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    People’s Artist of the USSR, Soviet and Russian theater and film actor – the unforgettable Yuri Detochkin from the film “Beware of the Car”, Prince Myshkin on the stage of the Bolshoi Drama Theater named after G.A. Tovstonogov and Hamlet in the film of the same name by Grigory Kozintsev. Known to the general public, Innokenty Smoktunovsky created images that shook the imagination of his contemporaries and resonate in the hearts of viewers today. On the eve of the opening of the exhibition on April 10 on Strastnoy Boulevard, Marfa Bubnova, Deputy Director for Exhibition and Exposition Activities of the Moscow Art Theater Museum, and Maria Smoktunovskaya, a specialist in the archival department of the Moscow Art Theater Museum, spoke about the preparation for the event and the phenomenon of Innokenty Smoktunovsky.

    — The 100th anniversary of the birth of a significant person for our culture, a beloved actor by many, is a truly great date. Marfa Nikolaevna, please tell us how you prepared for the opening of the exhibition and selected the photographs?

    — The Moscow Art Theatre Museum approached the 100th anniversary of Innokenty Smoktunovsky’s birth very responsibly, since this amazing artist is very dear to the history of the Moscow Art Theatre. The works on display at the exhibition are mainly from the museum’s collections, photographs from the plays “The Idiot” and “Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich” were kindly provided to us by the G.A. Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theatre and the Academic Maly Theatre, and photographs from films were provided by the Mosfilm studio and Gosfilmofond.

    — Innokenty Mikhailovich said that his main theme is man. And indeed — in the images he created, one can feel a special humanity, a subtle understanding of emotional nuances, complex feelings, both in dramatic roles and in comedies. Do you think that the early awakening of love for the theater contributed to the development of such human-orientation?

    – Innokenty Mikhailovich experienced many different events – he sympathized and empathized with people, then his feelings grew into images created by him on the stage and in cinema.

    All this was also facilitated by the great work in learning the acting profession, which Innokenty Mikhailovich served all his life.

    — It was often said about Innokenty Smoktunovsky that he is an actor of a new type. Please tell us what this means? What was so innovative in Innokenty Mikhailovich’s creative manner that he was quickly recognized as a genius?

    – Innokenty Mikhailovich created a unique type of acting, which consisted of simplicity, naturalness and openness of the inner world. And the images he created allowed the audience to call him a genius. Innokenty Mikhailovich himself did not consider himself as such, but said that he was a capable person and nothing more – he just works very hard.

    The First Curtain, the Legendary Seagull. What Can You See in the Showcases of the Moscow Art Theatre Museum

    — Maria Innokentyevna, how did participation in the Great Patriotic War influence your father’s personality and his acting work?

    — I think that participation in the Great Patriotic War tempered Innokenty Mikhailovich’s character. Dad himself wrote about it this way: “I don’t know how my life would have turned out if there had been no war, my military biography, I don’t want everyone to go through the same path, because it was a very difficult path. It was so hard that I was on the verge of leaving this life when I was captured, and we were treated very cruelly in the prisoner of war camps. I don’t know what was the reason that I had such a rich creative life, but, obviously, the difficult events of the war made their own adjustments to it.” I think this experience helped him create deeper, psychologically complex characters.

    — Innokenty Mikhailovich was ahead of his time in many ways, his acting art still seems very relevant, alive, and exciting. What is the secret of such timeless performance? What makes his characters close, understandable, and dear to today’s viewers too?

    — I think my dad’s secret is in his desire and amazing talent to get into the skin of his characters. He always deeply studied the historical situation around the events in the play, read correspondence, thought through associative moves. Preparatory work, careful search for makeup, and choice of costume were very important to him.

    — The creative legacy of Innokenty Smoktunovsky is certainly great and deserves special attention. How do you manage to preserve his memory and maintain the interest of modern viewers?

    — To mark the 100th anniversary of Innokenty Mikhailovich’s birth, the I.M. Smoktunovsky Festival was held in Achinsk from March 17 to 23. The program included exhibitions, quizzes, concerts, creative laboratories and workshops, quizzes and master classes. The premiere of the play “To Be Smoktunovsky” was successfully held at the Norilsk Polar Drama Theater named after Vl. Mayakovsky — a VR walk with a genius directed by Anna Babanova. Marfa Bubnova gave a lecture, and actress Svetlana Toma held a creative evening in which she talked about working with Innokenty Mikhailovich. In the green foyer of the Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov, the Moscow Art Theater Museum opened the exhibition “Many-Faced, But the Only One”. The House of Scientists showed Vera Tokareva’s documentary “Memories in the Garden”, in which Innokenty Mikhailovich spoke about his life and amazing work. In addition, Olga Egoshina’s book “Actor’s Notebooks of Innokenty Smoktunovsky” will be reissued. And on April 20, at the A.P. Chekhov Moscow Art Theater, director Pavel Vashchilin will present the production “I Love. I Kiss. Kesha. / All the Letters Are Only About Love”. I would like to see more films with dad’s participation shown on television.

    — How do you think such projects on the city’s boulevards, like the photo exhibition opening tomorrow, influence the development of culture?

    — In my opinion, such exhibitions only contribute to the cultural enrichment of both residents and guests of the capital. These are very necessary projects.

    The photo exhibition on Strastnoy Boulevard will be located opposite house 12, and the photos will be on display until May 4. The project was prepared by the Moscow Department of Culture and the Moscow Directorate of Mass Events together with the Moscow Art Theatre Museum.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152360073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 8th, 2025 Heinrich, Sheehy Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) announced that their Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, legislation to strengthen the aerial wildfire suppression fleet and better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire, passed the Senate.
    Heinrich and Sheehy led the introduction of their legislation in January. The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act now awaits House passage.
    “I’m pleased that my Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is one step closer to becoming law,” said Heinrich. “The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is urgently needed to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico and across the West. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources that our communities need to effectively respond to wildfires.”
    “It’s only April, and this year has already seen the most dangerous and expensive wildfire season in history. It’s clear our government must do more to give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect communities and save lives. The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act supports that mission by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to provide our aerial wildfire suppression fleet the resources necessary to fight wildfires quickly and aggressively. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support of this bipartisan legislation, and I will continue to use the full power of my office to support the brave first responders on the front lines fighting wildfires across the country,” said Sheehy.
    “In Arizona and across the West, wildfires are more frequent, more intense, and no longer confined to a single season. Our response capabilities need to reflect that new reality,” said Kelly. “Strengthening our aerial firefighting fleet by making more aircraft and parts available is a smart, proven way to help firefighters respond faster and keep communities safe. I’m proud to support this effort to ensure the tools are in place to meet the growing threat, and I’ll keep working to get it done.”
    “As catastrophic wildfires devastate communities across the country, we need to be smarter and more resourceful in our approach to wildfire suppression,” said Padilla. “Californians saw firsthand the power of our aerial wildfire suppression fleet in putting out the Los Angeles fires as quickly as possible. Shoring up aerial firefighting fleets by allowing the Department of Defense to sell excess aircraft parts is a lifesaving, commonsense priority — and I’m glad to see the Senate come together to unanimously pass this bipartisan legislation.”
    The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the sale of excess aircraft and parts by the Department of Defense for wildfire suppression. The bill will help the U.S. better suppress wildfires year-round by facilitating the acquisition of military excess aircraft, sold at fair market value, for the aerial wildfire suppression fleet. Additionally, the sale of parts will help the U.S. maintain its existing aerial firefighting aircraft fleet.
    The bill reauthorizes the Secretary of Defense’s authority to sell excess Department of Defense aircraft and aircraft parts, which are acceptable for commercial sale, to persons or entities that contract with the government for the delivery of fire retardant or water by air to suppress wildfires, as long as the aircraft and parts are used only for wildfire suppression. The initial authority expired in 2005 and was reauthorized from 2012 to 2017 before lapsing again.
    Read more on the bill here.
    Heinrich’s Support for Aerial Firefighting:
    Heinrich has long worked to expand and improve aerial firefighting operations in New Mexico to more effectively fight wildfires. In 2022, Heinrich secured more than $15 million to upgrade the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. Those upgrades were completed in 2024 – a major milestone that makes it possible to support and refuel Very Large Air Tanker planes that can drop large volumes of fire retardant on blazes.
    In an op-ed published in the Albuquerque Journal, Col. Mike Power, Kirtland Air Force Base Installation Commander, highlighted the importance of these newly completed upgrades at the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base that will help the U.S. Forest Service fight wildfires in New Mexico more efficiently and effectively.  one of only two bases in the United States with that capability.
    “This base upgrade, where now up to 30 Forest Service professionals work to lead the fight against wildfires, includes the larger ramp space for a stronger, more efficient capability to fight wildfires in New Mexico year-round. It now also houses a retardant tank farm,” said Col. Power in the op-ed. “What does that mean to the average New Mexican? It means 75,000 gallons of retardant available at one time, and cuts response time to a fire in half. Ours is one of only two bases in the United States with that capability.”
    Heinrich’s Continued Leadership on Wildfire Response & Recovery:
    Heinrich remains focused on delivering the resources New Mexico needs to effectively respond to wildfires and prevent future devastating blazes by restoring the health and resilience of our forests and watersheds.
    Last week, Heinrich attempted to amend Republicans’ budget resolution that funds Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s tax handouts for billionaires by filing an amendment to increase forest health and wildfire mitigation forest treatments to support wildland firefighting.  
    In March, Heinrich demanded USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to reverse the Trump-Musk terminations of forest service workers responsible for protecting our communities from wildfires. In his letter, Heinrich highlighted impacts of the USDA’s actions across New Mexico. Specifically, in the Gila National Forest, Heinrich pointed to the USDA’s termination of an entire trail crew that previously spent their days clearing debris from trails to make them safe for the community and help prevent catastrophic wildfire.
    Additionally, Heinrich pressed the USDA on Trump’s plans to fire forest service workers responsible for wildfire prevention and watershed restoration.
    In January, Heinrich introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to ensure the federal government can recruit and retain a sufficient wildland firefighting workforce to keep communities safe. The legislation would also permanently increase federal wildland firefighter pay.
    Heinrich is keeping up the effort to do right by the New Mexico families whose lives were upended by the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. As communities continue to rebuild, Heinrich will keep working to deliver for every personimpacted by that fire and the floods that followed.
    Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) successfully secured an additional $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire within the Continuing Resolution that Congress passed in December 2024.
    The 2024 Continuing Resolution also extended the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office to March 14, 2025. The Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández are continuing to call for the passage of their Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation they introduced to extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office through the end of 2027.
    The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has now secured a total of $5.45 billion in federal resources to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
    In November 2024, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández announced that President Biden’s disaster supplemental request included transfer authority for $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. That same month, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández also sent a letter urging the FEMA Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and the FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office to address concerns from New Mexicans about the process for receiving compensationfrom the Claims Office and help families get the relief and compensation needed to recover.
    Additional information on Heinrich’s leadership on Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Response and Recovery can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Highlights Importance Of NIH Funding To Red States & Urges Republicans Senators To Stand Up For Medical Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 08, 2025
    Durbin: I am pleading with my Republican colleagues: may your choices reflect your hope for new cures and treatments for patients, not your fears about what will happen if you cross Donald Trump
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor slamming the Trump Administration for its attempts to dismantle the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the harmful impacts it will have on medical research across the country, including in red states. Durbin began his remarks by highlighting the importance of NIH funding to patients nationwide.
    Durbin said, “There is certainty in funding medical research. Certainty in knowing that while not all trials, experiments, and grants will result in a breakthrough—some of them will. Because of medical research, kids with ear infections or pneumonia can find relief in antibiotics; because of medical research, we have vaccines that have saved tens of millions of lives worldwide; because of medical research, we have anesthesia that allows patients to safely undergo major surgeries; because of medical research, people are surviving heart attacks, beating cancer, living with HIV/AIDS, receiving organ donations, surviving drug overdoses, and living longer. But there is so much more to be done—so many people still hoping and praying for more.”
    “And you know who offers them that hope? The National Institutes of Health—our nation’s premier biomedical research agency. It is considered the gold standard around the world. For decades, NIH has been a bipartisan success story—with Congress prioritizing the funding of promising, life-saving medical research in all 50 states—creating and supporting good-paying jobs in red, blue, and purple states, and offering real hope to families desperate for it,” Durbin continued.
    Durbin then slammed President Trump, Elon Musk, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for their actions to dismantle NIH and medical research. In addition to cutting medical research around the country, they have terminated clinical trials in process, placed gag orders on researchers, and fired more than a thousand NIH employees.
    “Instead of bolstering medical research, they are breaking it. Instead of offering hope to patients in need, unfortunately they are crushing it. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK Jr. are either completely oblivious to what they are doing—or they just don’t care,” Durbin continued. “But you know who isn’t oblivious? My Republican colleagues, many of whom have fought by my side to increase NIH’s budget by 60 percent over the past decade… Which is why their silence—their refusal to say anything or act in the face of President Trump’s dismantling of NIH is so devastating… If Republican Senators won’t stand up for NIH funding in their states [or] for constituents in their states, I’m going to do it.”
    Durbin then highlighted how NIH cuts are affecting South Dakota—the home state of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). In 2024, South Dakota research institutions received nearly $29 million in NIH funding—which supported 453 jobs in that state. Sanford Research/University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University were among some of the top NIH-funded institutions in South Dakota. Sanford Research/USD researchers used NIH funding to support their Center for Pediatric Research, with a specific focus on training new scientists to study pediatric diseases. South Dakota State University used NIH funding to increase cervical cancer screening among Indigenous women—who face higher rates of cervical cancer prevalence and death. They also used funding to develop new, targeted therapies forcolorectal cancer that are safer and more effective than current chemotherapies.
    “These researchers know that cuts to medical research mean diseases will not be cured and treatments will not be found. They know the mass, indiscriminate firings at NIH don’t just mean we are losing talent—it also means we are losing time and progress,” said Durbin.
    Durbin concluded, “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.’ I am pleading with my Republican colleagues: may your choices reflect your hope for new cures and treatments for patients fighting cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease—not your fears about what will happen if you cross this President. Let us do what is right. Let’s come together again on a bipartisan basis for medical research… Medical research helps all people—everybody gets a helping hand. Let us do what’s right. Let’s come together and save medical research forevery single person in America who is desperate for hope.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    This year, Durbin has twice asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as 21 other Senators, that would pledge support for NIH.  The resolution simply said that the work of NIH should not be subject to interruption, delay, or funding disruptions in violation of the law, and it reaffirmed that the NIH workforce is essential to sustaining medical progress.  The first UC request was blocked by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and the second was blocked by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
    Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research.  His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program.  Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past decade.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Demand Answers, Return Of Maryland Father Wrongfully Deported To El Salvador

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 08, 2025

    “When the Administration makes a mistake as severe as sending an individual with protected status to a foreign prison, it cannot simply shrug off responsibility and allege that there is nothing it can do to reunite him with his wife and child, who are American citizens,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to DHS Secretary Noem and ICE Acting Director Lyons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and 22 Senators in writing to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tedd Lyons.  The Senators’ letter urged Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father who was living legally, under a protected status, in Maryland with his family until he was wrongfully deported without due process by the Trump Administration last month to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.  The Administration has admitted that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was the result of an “administrative error.”

    In their letter, the Senators call on the Trump Administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return and ask for responses to questions regarding ICE’s enforcement policies that may have led to this grave error – and what measures they will take to ensure such an incident does not occur again.

    The Senators began, “We write to express our concerns regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, an action which the Administration admitted in a recent court filing was an ‘administrative error.’ It is unacceptable that anyone would be deported without proper due process, especially where an immigration judge has granted the individual protected status that explicitly prohibits his return to El Salvador. We demand that the Administration bring Mr. Abrego Garcia home immediately.”

    “Per court filings, Mr. Abrego Garcia came to the United States in 2011 as a teenager fleeing gang threats in his home country of El Salvador. In 2019, ICE arrested Mr. Abrego Garcia over an unfounded and anonymous allegation that he was involved with MS-13, which placed him in deportation proceedings. The U.S. immigration judge in the case ultimately found that it was in fact Mr. Abrego Garcia who was at risk of being the victim of gang violence,” the Senators wrote.

    “This ruling was made under the Trump Administration in 2019 and was in fact required by law under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act once the immigration judge made the factual determination that Mr. Abrego Garcia faced a likelihood of torture in El Salvador. At the time, the Trump Administration made no effort to appeal the judge’s ruling or pursue Mr. Abrego Garcia’s deportation further. Court filings attest that Mr. Abrego Garcia has complied with regular ICE check-ins, has no criminal charges, and has had no contact with any other law-enforcement agency since his release in 2019,” the Senators continued their letter.

    “Mr. Abrego Garcia is currently being held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador notorious for human rights abuses, after being deported in violation of the law to the very country where his return was impermissible,” they wrote. “And when the Administration makes a mistake as severe as sending an individual with protected status to a foreign prison, it cannot simply shrug off responsibility and allege that there is nothing it can do to reunite him with his wife and child, who are American citizens.”

    “On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in the District of Maryland ordered the government to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to the United States, and on Monday the Fourth Circuit denied the government’s motion to stay the order,” the Senators urged.

    While the Supreme Court has since lifted the order to immediately return him to the United States, it also made clear that Mr. Abrego Garcia has the right to challenge this illegal deportation in the lower courts.  The Administration should correct its egregious “error” and reunite Mr. Abrego Garcia with his wife and child, who are both U.S. citizens while that litigation is pending.     

    The Senators closed the letter with a series of questions to Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons, requesting a response by April 22.

    Joining Durbin, Duckworth, and Van Hollen in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    A copy of the letter is available here and below:

    April 8, 2025

    Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons,?? 

    We write to express our concerns regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, an action which the Administration admitted in a recent court filing was an “administrative error.” It is unacceptable that anyone would be deported without proper due process, especially where an immigration judge has granted the individual protected status that explicitly prohibits his return to El Salvador. We demand that the Administration bring Mr. Abrego Garcia home immediately.  

    According to court filings, on March 12, 2025, shortly after Mr. Abrego Garcia had picked up his son from the boy’s grandmother’s house, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stopped Mr. Abrego Garcia, inaccurately telling him that his protected status had changed. After giving his wife a few minutes to arrive to take custody of his son, ICE arrested and detained him without any further explanation as to the reason for his arrest. ICE then transferred Mr. Abrego Garcia and other detainees to Texas, where on March 15, 2025, they were loaded onto planes and deported to El Salvador. Mr. Abrego Garcia was reportedly on the only plane that was not sent under the authority of the Alien Enemies Act but instead was transporting migrants with formal removal orders signed by a judge. This occurred despite the fact that ICE knew, as the Administration conceded in court, that his protected legal status specifically prohibited his removal to El Salvador.  

    Per court filings, Mr. Abrego Garcia came to the United States in 2011 as a teenager fleeing gang threats in his home country of El Salvador. In 2019, ICE arrested Mr. Abrego Garcia over an unfounded and anonymous allegation that he was involved with MS-13, which placed him in deportation proceedings. The U.S. immigration judge in the case ultimately found that it was in fact Mr. Abrego Garcia who was at risk of being the victim of gang violence. The judge found that Mr. Abrego Garcia and his relatives credibly testified that gang members had been trying to extort his family and recruit him and his brother to join the gang, forcing his family to move multiple times, ultimately compelling both him and his brother to flee to the United States out of fear.  

    The immigration judge agreed that Mr. Abrego Garcia would likely face persecution if deported back to El Salvador and thus granted him a form of legally mandated protection known as “withholding of removal.” Withholding of removal, which may only be granted by an immigration judge, provided Mr. Abrego Garcia the ability to stay and work in the United States despite being the subject of a deportation order. This ruling was made under the Trump Administration in 2019 and was in fact required by law under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act once the immigration judge made the factual determination that Mr. Abrego Garcia faced a likelihood of torture in El Salvador. At the time, the Trump Administration made no effort to appeal the judge’s ruling or pursue Mr. Abrego Garcia’s deportation further. Court filings attest that Mr. Abrego Garcia has complied with regular ICE check-ins, has no criminal charges, and has had no contact with any other law-enforcement agency since his releasein 2019.  

    Mr. Abrego Garcia is currently being held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador notorious for human rights abuses, after being deported in violation of the law to the very country where his return was impermissible. Though the Administration has admitted in court that his deportation was a mistake, it alleges that there is nothing it can do to address this injustice, given that Mr. Abrego Garcia is now in the jurisdiction of the government of El Salvador as part of an agreement to imprison U.S. deportees in exchange for financial compensation.  

    Your unwillingness to immediately rectify this “administrative error” is unacceptable. Under multiple Democratic and Republican administrations, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE followed the rule of law and worked to quickly return people who were wrongfully deported, in the rare instances where such “administrative errors” occurred. The Administration’s mass deportation agenda does not transcend immigration law or the need for due process. And when the Administration makes a mistake as severe as sending an individual with protected status to a foreign prison, it cannot simply shrug off responsibility and allege that there is nothing it can do to reunite him with his wife and child, who are American citizens. On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in the District of Maryland ordered the government to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to the United States, and on Monday the Fourth Circuit denied the government’s motion to stay the order. The Administration should promptly comply with the district court’s order.

    To address our concerns about this matter and to provide clarity on the Department of Homeland Security and ICE’s policy regarding the immigration enforcement actions against immigrants with protected status, we ask that your Administration answer the following questions by April 22, 2025: 

    1. The standard and legal course for the government to take to deport someone with protected status would be to reopen the case, introduce evidence that grounds for terminating the protected status exist, and then allow an immigration judge to make a determination as to their status. Why was that course of action not taken in this case?  
    2. In the past, DHS and ICE worked to quickly return people to the U.S. who were erroneously deported. Why is DHS and ICE no longer following these well-established procedures and practices?   
    3. Vice President J.D. Vance and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have both claimed that Mr. Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, but the government was unable or unwilling to provide any evidence to substantiate that claim to the court. Please provide any evidence of Mr. Abrego Garcia’s membership in MS-13.
    4. Given that the Administration is reportedly paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain deported immigrants at CECOT, why does it believe that there is nothing it can do to return Mr. Abrego Garcia to his family in the United States? Please provide a copy of the agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador on the detention of people deported from the U.S. in CECOT.
    5. Are there any other cases that the Administration is aware of in which an immigrant with protected status was illegally deported without due process? If so, identify those cases and explain what, if anything the government is doing to rectify those errors. 
    6. Will the Administration commit to reviewing all of the cases of its deportees to ensure that it has appropriately identified all of the errors? 
    7. What actions will the Administration take in the future to ensure that immigrants with protected status are afforded their appropriate due process? 

    We appreciate your prompt attention to this vital matter and look forward to reviewing your fulsome, timely response. 

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 80 Fundamentals of Metrology – SIM Participants Only

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Credit: OWM/K. Dill

    Course Description

    The 5-day Fundamentals of Metrology seminar is an intensive course that introduces participants to the concepts of measurement systems, units, good laboratory practices, data integrity, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability, basic statistics and how they fit into a laboratory Quality Management System. Additional topics covered will include overall Laboratory Management and specific discussions of the requirements for proficiency testing, calibration certificate generation and software verification and validation. Topics will be covered using a variety of measurement disciplines and laboratory measurements and case studies so that the participants will be able to apply the concepts to any measurement discipline upon completion. Topics are covered in a mixture of training styles including lecture, hands-on exercises, case studies and discussion.

    This class covers the following procedures from NISTIR 6969:

    • GLP 1, Quality Assurance of the Measurement Process;
    • GLP 9, Rounding Expanded Uncertainties and Calibration Values;
    • GMP 11, Assignment and Adjustment of Calibration Intervals for Laboratory Standards;
    • GMP 13, Ensuring Traceability;
    • SOP 1, Preparation of Calibration Certificates;
    • SOP 29, Assignment of Uncertainty; and
    • SOP 30, Process Measurement Assurance Program.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

    • IDENTIFY and USE reference materials to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable measurement results;
    • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic (noted on the Table of Contents and the detailed learning objectives) to each other and to your managers and show how these topics fit into a management system using ISO/IEC 17025 as the basis;
    • Have and know how to IMPLEMENT several simple tools, job aids, and references to use and improve your laboratory operations.

    Materials & Supplies

    Several notebooks and course materials will be provided.

    Prerequisites

    The instructor will send registered participants the prerequisite documentation ‘AFTER’ the registration deadline.  Required prerequisites include having a demonstrated knowledge of basic mathematics (pre-test) and completion of a number of reading assignments (listed in Pre-work section). Additional helpful pre-work will be provided to students who have been accepted by the instructor prior to the seminar to minimize course homework time. Participants must be proficient in spreadsheet functions and operations, and formatting in word processing software.

    Pre-Work

    In addition to completing and submitting the Math Exercises, please read:

    Pre-Work Deadline

    Submit the math exercises (pre-work) according to instructions by COB on Monday, February 17, 2025.

    Post-Work

    Fundamentals of Metrology, Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) Problems – required for State Weights and Measures Laboratories (not applicable for other participants.)

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful completion requires that participants fully participate in all classroom and laboratory exercises, turn in or present accurate work assignments, and be present for the entire course. There will also be a Final Exam on the last day of the class. The Final Exam and Final Calibration Certificate each contribute equal value to the final grade; the final grade also includes class participation and laboratory exercises. A passing grade on all portions is required to obtain a training certificate that indicates “successful completion” (e.g., getting a 100 percent on the final is not an excuse to participate minimally in classroom and laboratory.) Successful completion qualifies the participant to participate in the Mass, Volume and Length seminars, though those may have additional prerequisites.

    *Homework note: students generally report taking one to two hours for homework each night.

    Audience

    National Metrology Institute personnel within the Interamerican Metrology System (SIM) who have responsibilities for developing, implementing, and/or improving national measurement system and quality management systems in their laboratories.  Please contact Andrew Conn at andrew.conn [at] nist.gov (andrew[dot]conn[at]nist[dot]gov) for further information.

    Registration Fee

    This class is for SIM participants only and payment arrangements are made through the International and Academic Affairs Office.  Please contact Andrew Conn at andrew.conn [at] nist.gov (andrew[dot]conn[at]nist[dot]gov) for further information.

    Instructors

    Micheal Hicks and Jose Torres
    Email: micheal.hicks [at] nist.gov (micheal[dot]hicks[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    Registered participants will need to bring a 10-digit scientific calculator to use during this seminar. Participants MUST be familiar with the use of the hand-held scientific calculator. Additionally, use of a laptop or tablet PC is required to succeed in the seminar. Participants must have access to Microsoft Word and Excel (version 2010 or newer are acceptable) and be able to open and use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media. Participants must be able to save/store files to USB media devices facilitate printing and turning in homework assignments; if not able to use USB media, participants must be able to connect their laptop to a printing device by cable or BlueTooth and be able to upload files to a secure Google Drive.

    You will need a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) when you check into the Visitors Center at the entrance of NIST and if bringing a vehicle onto the NIST campus, a vehicle registration card.

    PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 21, 2014, under the REAL ID Act of 2005 (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-frequently-asked-questions), agencies, including NIST, can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension. NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver’s license, such as a valid passport, passport card, DOD’s Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependents ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID. See Visitor Information for the latest information.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gold rush Melbourne and post-war boom: how Australia overcame housing shortages in the past

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Stevens, Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University

    As part of their federal election campaign, the Coalition announced plans to limit the number of international students able to commence study each year to 240,000, “focused on driving […] housing availability and affordability”.

    This announcement was criticised as a “fact free zone” by the Property Council.

    The Coalition proposal falsely equates high immigration with housing shortages. Studies indicate limiting international students will have minimal impact on housing supply. Most international students stay in student housing or share house accommodation, not suitable or desirable for many Australians to live in.

    History shows us Australia has previously gone through periods of high migration and economic uncertainty. But history also shows us, if we are willing to adapt and innovate, high immigration and housing affordability can co-exist.

    Lessons from Australia’s gold rush

    The discovery of gold in Victoria caused Melbourne’s population to explode.

    In 1851, Melbourne’s population was 77,000. Within a decade, that figure had more than quadrupled to 540,000.

    As a young colony, the Victorian government actively recruited British and Irish migrants, subsidising fully or partially the cost of the sea voyage to Australia.

    It wasn’t all smooth sailing: competition across migrant groups developed, and new Chinese immigrants in particular were singled out. Europeans staged violent anti-Chinese riots, which included the murder of three Chinese migrants.

    To accommodate new migrants, the Victorian colonial government expanded housing supply in two ways.

    ‘Canvas Town’ was built on the banks of the Yarra in South Melbourne, captured in this illustration from the 1850s.
    State Library Victoria

    First, in 1852 Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe permitted the establishment of Canvas Town, essentially a tent city on the southern bank of the Yarra River.

    There were problems in Canvas Town: disease was common, sanitation nonexistent, and crime rife. But Canvas Town provided newcomers protection from the elements. Canvas Town was officially disbanded in 1854, although people continued to live in tents across Melbourne as they awaited the construction of more permanent housing.

    Second, prefabricated iron houses were imported to Melbourne from Britain to overcome supply shortages. These British-built “kit homes” were dismantled, every component labelled and then shipped to Australia for assembly.

    Rapidly-built homes appeared in Port Melbourne, North Melbourne, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond. Three such examples still exist today in South Melbourne.

    A portable town for Australia erected at Hemming’s Patent Portable House Manufactory, Bristol.
    National Library of Australia

    Gold Rush Victoria reminds us of the importance of nimble government intervention in the housing market to offset housing pressures and mitigate anti-foreigner sentiments.

    Responding to migrants after World War II

    One hundred years later, Australia was again facing an immigration and population boom. Australia faced housing shortages in the post-World War II years, as the population grew from 7.6 million to 10.5 million people between 1947 and 1961.

    In the era of post-war shortages and rationing, Australians worried about the impacts of the new arrivals on employment and social issues such as crime.

    The arrival of displaced persons and assisted migrants from Europe strained existing housing stock. Some new and existing Australians resorted to squatting and other forms of temporary housing.

    Commonwealth and state governments took leading roles in housing construction.

    Houses were pre-fabricated in the United Kingdom, like in this photograph from 1947, before being shipped to Australia.
    State Library Victoria

    Between 1947 and 1961, Australia’s housing stock increased by 50% compared with a 41% increase in population. Australian governments directly contributed to 24% of this increase in stock, or 221,700 homes.

    As the minister for immigration, Harold Holt said in 1950, “migrant labour was helping to solve Australia’s housing problems, not aggravating it” by working in essential industries that produce housing materials.

    Once again, prefabricated homes were part of the solution.

    British migrant bricklayers work on building new State Housing Trust houses in Elizabeth, South Australia, in 1958.
    National Archives of Australia

    But on-site construction also had a role to play and could capitalise on the skills of new migrants, particularly in the new migrant town of Elizabeth, South Australia.

    Migrants also pooled their resources and constructed homes for their community.

    In Wexcombe, Western Australia, 12 British families formed a building group. Within three years, they had built new homes for each family.

    Eras of innovation

    In the 1850s and 1950s, increased immigration triggered bigotry and xenophobia. However, governments at this time were focused on nation building.

    Bill Wilson from Belfast making a footpath around his new home in Wexcombe, Western Australia, in 1960.
    National Archives of Australia

    Even if this was largely focused on supporting new white migrants, many politicians resisted the temptation to fan social divisions for political gain.

    Instead, during the Gold Rush and post-World War II eras, Australian governments assisted individuals to adapt and innovate to new circumstances and create novel forms of housing.

    Australian history gives us episodes where we see our society under strain and yet capable of addressing social issues with innovation and adaptability, while welcoming migrants.

    Rachel Stevens works for the Australian Catholic University, which will be impacted by the proposed reforms on international students discussed in this article.

    – ref. Gold rush Melbourne and post-war boom: how Australia overcame housing shortages in the past – https://theconversation.com/gold-rush-melbourne-and-post-war-boom-how-australia-overcame-housing-shortages-in-the-past-253952

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Up, up and away with new Canberra Balloon Spectacular dates

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The annual crowd favourite will be held from 15 to 23 March 2025.

    In 2025, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular will run from 15 to 23 March.

    This separates the popular event from the Enlighten Festival, which takes place between 28 February and 10 March 2025.

    It also improves the chances of near-perfect balloon-flying conditions.

    The date change is supported by the flight crew and pilots who attend this much-loved annual event.

    A new place for lift-off

    The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will move back to its original home, the John Dunmore Lang Lawns, East, West and North Lawns.

    This larger site makes for a better viewing experience for the many Canberrans who rise early to enjoy the spectacular.

    It also supports the event’s ongoing growth.

    A crowd favourite

    This year 42,006 people attended the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. This is an increase of 8.1 per cent from 38,862 in 2023.

    The event remains a strong visitor drawcard with 25 per cent of attendees coming from interstate or overseas. This is up from 22 per cent in 2023.

    The 2024 Canberra Balloon Spectacular generated a direct economic benefit of $2.1 million for the ACT.

    This is thanks to around 40 hot air balloons launching at dawn each day and hot breakfast and coffee available from the food trucks and coffee carts.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged over Auckland burglaries

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have caught up with a burglar who broke into three homes, including one in which he was disturbed by the victim.

    Members of the Tactical Crime Unit arrested the Papatoetoe man following a search warrant this morning.

    Counties Manukau West Area Commander, Inspector Dave Christoffersen says a Papatoetoe home was broken into late on 28 March.

    “The elderly victim was sleeping and was woken by the offender, and in the process, she disturbed his offending.

    “While challenging this man to leave the property she was pushed aside, and the offender fled.”

    Jewellery belonging to the victim was taken.

    Police responded to a 111 call on the night, and scene of crime forensic staff also attended the address.

    “From there our enquiries have progressed, identifying a person of interest leading us to his doorstep this morning,” Inspector Christoffersen says.

    “This would be frightening for anyone in the community to experience, and the victim took great courage that evening.

    “We have spoken to her today and she is relieved at this outcome.”

    Police have charged the 26-year-old with burglary and aggravated assault over the incident.

    He has also been charged with two burglaries in Papatoetoe and Remuera earlier in March.

    Inspector Christoffersen says the man has been remanded in custody to reappear in August.

    “Police continue to actively target burglary offenders every single day, and we continue to ask members of the public to report any instances of suspicious behaviour in a timely manner.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Keg Royalties Income Fund announces April 2025 cash distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Keg Royalties Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX: KEG.UN) today announced that its March 2025 distribution of $0.0946 per unit has been declared and is payable to unitholders of record as at April 21, 2025. The April 2025 distribution will be paid on April 30, 2025.

    The Fund is a limited purpose, open-ended trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario that, through The Keg Rights Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Fund, owns certain trademarks and other related intellectual property used by Keg Restaurants Ltd. (“KRL”). In exchange for use of those trademarks, KRL pays the Fund a royalty of 4% of gross sales of Keg restaurants included in the royalty pool.

    With approximately 10,000 employees, over 100 restaurants and annual system sales exceeding $700 million, Vancouver-based KRL is the leading operator and franchisor of steakhouse restaurants in Canada and has a substantial presence in select regional markets in the United States. KRL continues to operate The Keg restaurant system and expand that system through the addition of both corporate and franchised Keg steakhouses. KRL has been named the number one restaurant company to work for in Canada in the latest edition of Forbes “Canada’s Best Employers 2025” survey.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ex-US treasury secretary warns of likely recession, 2M layoffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Tuesday that the United States is likely heading into a recession, with the possibility of 2 million Americans losing their jobs, as a result of the ongoing tariff increases.

    “It’s more likely than not that we’re going to have a recession – and in the context of a recession, we’ll see an extra 2 million people be unemployed,” Summers said on Bloomberg Television’s Wall Street Week.

    “We’ll see losses in household income” of 5,000 dollars per family or more, said Summers, who is Harvard University professor and paid contributor to Bloomberg TV.

    Summers argued that the tariff plans by the Trump administration exceed even those of 1930 that “made the depression great,” noting that it would be wise to be “backing off the policies that have been announced.”

    Despite warnings from Summers and other economists, the White House indicated on Tuesday that the policies will go into effect as previously planned.

    “The president was asked and answered this yesterday. He said he’s not considering an extension or delay. I spoke to him before this briefing. That was not his mindset. He expects that these tariffs are going to go into effect,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing.

    On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding the so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” announcing that the United States will impose a 10 percent “baseline tariff” on trade partners and higher tariffs on certain partners, with some facing tariffs exceeding 30 percent, and even 40 percent.

    The 10 percent “baseline tariff” went into effect on April 5, and the higher tariffs on certain trading partners are set to go into effect on Wednesday, April 9.

    Although Trump has repeatedly claimed that the tariff increases will help generate revenue for the U.S. government, reduce the trade deficit, and revitalize American manufacturing, economists and business leaders warn that these tariff measures will drive up prices, harm American consumers and businesses, disrupt global trade, and be detrimental to global economic growth.

    Several U.S. trade partners have already announced countermeasures. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ‘You’re asking people to leave their homes’

    Source:

    Goroke Group Officer Justin Batson

    Leadership during a bushfire is a complicated and multifaceted undertaking, something that CFA Goroke Group Officer Justin Batson came to understand firsthand this fire season.

    Not only are you preoccupied with ensuring resources are where they need to be, trucks in position, crews supported and plans in place, you’re also carrying the weight of decisions that can affect an entire community. 

    In the early hours of 2 February, after a sudden wind change pushed the fast-moving Little Desert National Park bushfire toward the small community of Goroke in Victoria’s west, CFA Goroke Group Officer Justin Batson was forced to make an uncomfortable decision: Should we issue an emergency warning to leave immediately?

    With conditions worsening and the fire’s behaviour becoming more erratic, Justin made the call.

    “It was the first time I’d ever been asked to make that kind of call, and it was something I didn’t take lightly,” Justin said. But with the fire behaviour we were seeing, there was no question in my mind. We had to get people out.”

    The fire had jumped containment lines and was moving quickly. Crews had trucks and fallback plans in place, but the risk to life was too high to not take action.

    “We had plan A, B and C ready to go,” Justin said. “But we also knew if the fire broke through at the wrong time, we’d be dealing with houses under threat, maybe worse.

    “If people left early, it meant we didn’t have to wonder who was still in the town, or where they were.

    That knowledge changes everything for our firefighters and community reassurance.”

    The decision was made, and the emergency warning was sent. To Justin’s relief, the community responded exactly as hoped.

    “There was no pushback. People understood the risk and they trusted us. That’s not always the case during emergencies, and it made a huge difference.”

    Knowing residents were safe allowed firefighters to focus entirely on asset protection and fire suppression.

    “We were dealing with winds that changed without warning,” he added.

    “The fire did things that didn’t make sense, it didn’t follow the usual patterns. There’s no rulebook for something like that.

    “We’re all so thankful to CFA strike teams from across the state who assisted us, working in tough conditions, and to the local farmers and private units who did their bit too,” Justin said.

    “It was a team effort, and everyone was doing what they could to protect their neighbours and stop the fire from escaping the desert. The work on the ground was huge.”

    In the end, no lives were lost. No lived-in homes were destroyed. And while the nearby Little Desert Nature Lodge was sadly destroyed, the town was spared the worst.

    “People thank us for the outcome, but I think the community deserves just as much credit,” Justin said.

    “Their trust gave us the breathing room to do our job.”

    “You don’t forget the weight of that call. You think about the elderly, the families, your own mates.

    You’re asking people to leave their homes, maybe not knowing if they’ll have one to come back to. But when it’s life or death, you can’t afford to hesitate.”

    In the days that followed, messages of thanks poured in, from handwritten notes by local schoolkids to homemade meals delivered to staging areas.

    “If I had my time again, I’m sure we’d make the same call.

    I didn’t want to issue the emergency warning. But I’m glad we did,” Justin said.

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Exploring Good Lock ①] The Ultimate Personalization Tool: Discover the All-New Home Up

    Source: Samsung

    For Galaxy users eager to express their style, Good Lock by Samsung Electronics is the ultimate tool for device personalization. With the One UI 7 update, this must-have app now delivers an even more versatile suite of user interface (UI) customization features tailored to individual preferences.
     
    Among the many enhancements, the upgraded Home Up module stands out — introducing greater design flexibility and significantly expanding home screen customization capabilities. Samsung Newsroom explores the latest in UI personalization with an in-depth look at what the new Home Up has to offer.
     
     
    DIY Home Screen: A Fresh Take on App Layout and Organization
    ▲ (From left) A comparison of the default Galaxy S25 Ultra home screen and a customized home screen using Good Lock
     
    Breaking away from traditional grids and uniform app icons, the DIY Home Screen feature in Home Up empowers users to design a layout that reflects their unique style. Apps, widgets and folders can all be freely resized and repositioned — much like customizing the pages of a planner.
     

    ▲ The DIY Home Screen feature
     
    For a playful touch, users can cleverly conceal app icons underneath decorative elements with sticker and layer tools. Simply add a sticker to the home screen, place it over an app icon and adjust the layer settings. This setup transforms the sticker into a fun shortcut that launches the hidden app when tapped.
     

    ▲ Hiding an app underneath a sticker using the DIY Home Screen feature
     
     
    Show Favorites: Display or Hide the Favorite Apps Row
    The fixed row of favorites at the bottom of the home screen is a familiar element on most smartphones. With Good Lock, however, this default layout is easy to customize. Users who prefer a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic can disable the Show Favorites option in the Home Up menu for a simplified and refreshed home screen experience.
     

    ▲ Simplifying the home screen by disabling the Show Favorites option
     
     
    Home Gesture Animation: Fine-Tuned Control for Smoother Navigation
    The Home Gesture Animation feature — found under Good Lock > Home Up > Gesture Settings — is perfect for users who want to add a touch of personality to every interaction. The feature offers a unique way to customize the transition animations activated when returning from an app to the home screen, making even the simplest gestures more expressive and enjoyable.
     
    Alongside the four preset animation styles, Advanced Tuning provide granular control over aspects like speed and vibration for a more refined user experience.
     
    
    ▲ (From left) The Home Gesture Animation feature shown in Classic mode and Sweet mode
     
    The Home Up module within Good Lock offers a set of useful tools for customizing device home screens to match personal preferences. In the next article in this series, Samsung Newsroom will spotlight the top three most popular Good Lock features — fan favorites among Galaxy users around the world.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Property Law Amendment Bill pulled from ballot

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    A Bill to protect first home buyers and others from bad faith property vendors has been drawn from the Member’s Ballot.

    “This simple Bill aims to protect people buying a new home from the small number of property vendors who would choose to rip up a contract in bad faith, for a bit of extra cash,” Ingrid Leary said.

    “Most property vendors act with integrity and respect towards their purchasers.

    “However, there have been cases in recent years where a family has committed hard earned savings to a vendor, or made decisions based on a contract they’ve signed for a new home, only for delays to push their agreement over a ‘sunset date’.

    “At the moment, this allows a bad faith vendor to tear up the contract and list the property at a higher price.

    “My Bill would require both the vendor and purchaser to agree to invoke the sunset clause, which in most cases would mean the purchaser has to provide written consent to the vendor.  

    “A vendor would also be able to apply to the relevant authority to cancel the contract if they judge it to be just and equitable in specific circumstances,” Ingrid Leary said.

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government restraint offers hope to firms, farms, and families

    Source: ACT Party

    Responding to the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate by 0.25 points, ACT Leader David Seymour says:

    “Spending restraint is paying off. The Reserve Bank has just delivered its fifth interest rate cut running, and households will start to see mortgage rates beginning with a four.

    “Firms, farms, and families will have more money left to pursue their own ambitions, and their spending will flow through the economy.

    “Households deserve credit for improving economic conditions. They reined in their budgets during a cost-of-living crisis.

    “Likewise, the Government has reined in its spending. Government spending growth is tracking at around 1% per annum – in real terms, that’s a spending cut once inflation at 2.2% and population growth at 1% are taken into account.

    “By resisting the temptation to spend our way through our challenges like Labour did, we leave space in the economy for further mortgage relief, and more growth in the private sector. We need to stay the course.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Expresses Disappointment in Legislature’s Failure to Advance Winner-Take-All

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Expresses Disappointment in Legislature’s Failure to Advance Winner-Take-All

    LINCOLN, NE — Governor Jim Pillen today offered the following statement regarding the Legislature’s failure to end a filibuster to reach a fair up-or-down vote on LB3, which would restore Winner-Take-All to Nebraska’s electoral college vote allocation and unify our voice in presidential elections:

    “I am deeply disappointed that a minority of the Legislature defeated the will of the majority of their colleagues and, more importantly, the majority of Nebraskans by filibustering Winner-Take-All. WTA is supported by a substantial majority of the people’s representatives and should have received a fair up-or-down vote. Nebraskans expect and deserve principled, straightforward consistency from their elected leaders, and I’m disappointed that the Legislature fell short of those expectations with its failure today.

    I continue to believe that it is critical to pass WTA to strengthen Nebraska’s voice in presidential elections. There have been many efforts to fix it in the last 30 years, and I will continue to work with allies in the Legislature to get this done in time for the 2028 election.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 9, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 9, 2025.

    Chinese-Australian voters were key to Labor’s win in 2022. Are some now swinging back to the Liberals?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wanning Sun, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Technology Sydney Chinese-Australian voters were pivotal to Labor’s win in the 2022 election, with the swing against the Liberals in several key marginal seats almost twice that of other seats. Many traditionally pro-business Liberal supporters switched sides

    The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Anderson, Associate Professor in LGBTIQA+ Psychology, La Trobe University Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock From The Bachelor to Married at First Sight, reality TV sells us the idea that one perfect partner will complete us. The formula is familiar: find “the one,” lock it down and live happily ever after.

    ‘Germany is back’: 3 ways NZ can benefit from Europe’s renewed centre of power
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mathew Doidge, Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Research on Europe, University of Canterbury Getty Images It’s unlikely many New Zealanders paid close attention to Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ statement late last year that “New Zealand and Germany are committed to enhancing their partnership”. Peters had been

    Bringing manufacturing back from overseas isn’t an easy solution to Trump’s trade war
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South Australia Shutterstock The past week has seen the United States single-handedly rewrite the underlying paradigm for global trade. And while it is fair to say that the methods are extreme, the underlying goal of the policy

    How to build a cinematic universe: the secret to Marvel’s enormous success among a history of failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Tran, Academic Tutor at Swinburne University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology Since Iron Man hit the big screen in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has made more than US$30 billion, from films to series, to merchandise and comics. As scholars and the press have

    ChatGPT just passed the Turing test. But that doesn’t mean AI is now as smart as humans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Assaad, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Hanna Barakat & Cambridge Diversity Fund/Better Images of AI, CC BY-SA There have been several headlines over the past week about an AI chatbot officially passing the Turing test. These news reports are based on a recent

    A grab bag of campaign housing policies. But will they fix the affordability crisis beyond the election?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Cull, Associate professor, Western Sydney University Secure and affordable housing is a fundamental human right for all Australians. Therefore, it is unsurprising the election campaign is being played out against a backdrop of heightened voter anxiety about rental stress and housing affordability. A growing number of

    These complementary therapies may soon be eligible for private health insurance rebates
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Wardle, Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University Rui Dias/Pexels Private health insurers may soon be able to offer rebates for seven complementary therapies previously prohibited. This includes some movement therapies – Pilates, yoga, tai chi and Alexander technique, which teaches body awareness and posture –

    Winston Peters at 80: the populist’s populist clocks up 50 years of political comebacks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Duncan, Teaching Fellow in Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Winston Peters turns a venerable 80 on April 11, but he showed no sign of retiring as New Zealand’s archetypal populist during his recent state of the nation speech. He

    Cities that want to attract business might want to focus less on financial incentives and more on making people feel safe
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kaitlyn DeGhetto, Associate Professor of Management, University of Dayton To attract business investment, American cities and states offer companies billions of dollars in incentives, such as tax credits. As the theory goes, when governments create a business-friendly environment, it encourages investment, leading to job creation and economic

    Election Diary: The election’s first debate was disaster-free but passion-free too
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The election’s first debate, on Sky News on Tuesday night, was disappointingly dull. Viewers who’d been following the campaign would have learned little. There was minimal spontaneity. Among the 100 undecided voters in the room, 44 said Anthony Albanese won,

    Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Coral reefs are much more than

    No major gaffes and no knockout punch: the first leaders’ debate was a pedestrian affair
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Marks, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Partnerships, Western Sydney University Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have faced off in the first leaders’ debate of the 2025 federal election. The debate, hosted by Sky News and The Daily Telegraph, was held at the Wenty

    Politics aside, new research shows there are good financial reasons to back working from home
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dorina Pojani, Associate Professor in Urban Planning, The University of Queensland Fizkes/Shutterstock In the pre-industrial era, people often lived and worked in the same building. This removed the need to travel to work. The separation of home and work occurred much later, during the Industrial Revolution. Factories

    Labor’s $1 billion for mental health is good news for young people in particular – but leaves some gaps
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney mooremedia/Shutterstock The Labor government has announced it would invest A$1 billion in mental health if re-elected to provide more Australians – particularly young people – with “free, public mental

    We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fergus Edwards, Lecturer in English, University of Tasmania Amazon MGM Studios Last One Laughing is a battle royale for stand-ups. Ten comedians, one room, surrounded by cameras. Laugh once and they’re warned. Laugh again, and they’re out. Last comic left wins. It is an international TV phenomenon,

    Here’s a simple, science-backed way to sharpen your thinking and improve your memory
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Singh, Research Fellow, Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia Centre for Ageing Better/Unsplash Many of us turn to Sudoku, Wordle or brain-training apps to sharpen our minds. But research is increasingly showing one of the best ways to boost memory, focus and brain

    If Australia switched to EVs, we’d be more reliant on China’s car factories – but wean ourselves off foreign oil
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology Prapat Aowsakorn/Shutterstock Australia has huge reserves of coal and gas – but very little oil. Before the 20th century, this didn’t matter – trains ran on local coal. But as cars and trucks have come to

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 8, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 8, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Finance and Banking – ASB lowers variable rates for personal, business and rural customers

    Source: ASB

    ASB is dropping variable interest rates across home lending, business and rural lending by 0.25%, following today’s decision by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to reduce the Official Cash Rate (OCR).

    ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, “We expect our reduced variable rates will appeal to customers choosing to float their lending in part or full, as we see Kiwi considering their options carefully.”

    In response to the OCR decrease, ASB is lowering some of its savings products, including Savings On Call and Headstart, by 25 basis points.

    “We encourage customers relying on interest as a means of saving to look at all the options available to make their money work for them.”

     

     

    Home Loan* 

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Housing Variable 

    6.89% 

    6.64%

    – 0.25% 

    Orbit Variable

    6.99% 

    6.74%

    – 0.25% 

    Back My Build 

    4.44% 

    4.19%

    – 0.25% 
    Note – Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers.

    *These changes are effective from Friday 11th April 2025 for new lending customers, and Wednesday 16th April 2025 for existing lending customers.

     

    Business Loan*

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Business and Rural Floating Base Rate

     

    5.19%

     

    4.94%

     

    – 0.25%

    Business Base Rate

    12.02% 

    11.77%

    – 0.25% 

    Rural Base Rate

    9.26% 

    9.01%

    – 0.25% 

    Corporate Indicator Rate

    6.43% 

    6.18%

    – 0.25% 

    Special Purpose Base Rate

    5.00%

    4.75%

    – 0.25%

    *These changes are effective from Thursday 17th April 2025 for both new and existing customers.

     

    Savings 

    Band 

    Current Rates 

    New Rates 

    Rate Change 

    Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund*

    All Balances 

    1.15% 

    0.90% 

    – 0.25% 

    Savings Plus**

    No Bonus 

    0.70% 

    0.45% 

    – 0.25% 

    Partial Bonus

    0.80%

    0.55%

    – 0.25%

     

    Full Bonus

    3.15%

    2.90%

    – 0.25%

    Headstart*

    All Balances

    3.15%

    2.90%

    – 0.25% 

    *These changes are effective from Wednesday 16thApril 2025 for new and existing customers

    **Savings Plus changes were effective from Tuesday 1st April 2025 in line with the quarterly structure of the product

    ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website (ref. https://www.asb.co.nz/home-loans-mortgages/preparing-for-rising-interest-rates.html ) as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub (ref. https://www.asb.co.nz/banking-with-asb/financial-wellbeing.html ).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Community invited to contribute to Natural Reserve Management Plans

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo is developing Environmental Management Plans for Kennington Reservoir, Riley Street, Ryalls Lane and Crusoe Reservoir and No. 7 Park Natural Reserves and is inviting the community to have input into the plans.

    City of Greater Bendigo Climate Change and Environment Michelle Wyatt said the purpose of developing the plans is to establish a set of goals for the protection and enhancement of local biodiversity.

    “The plans will identify the values and threats of each site and establish goals and actions aimed at enhancing environmental and passive recreation opportunities for the community,” Ms Wyatt said.

    “The community has a wealth of knowledge of the flora, fauna and ecological communities and use many of the natural reserves we manage.  Their feedback is important to help us understand how they use the sites, what is important to them and how the City can enhance the values and use of each site.”

    Community engagement is currently underway to gather information on how the community uses the following reserves and their priorities for future management:

    • Crusoe Reservoir and No.7 Park (Big Hill) 
      Home to Box-Ironbark forest, reservoirs, walking and cycling trails and abundant native flora and fauna, including 190 species of bird
    • Kennington Reservoir (Kennington) 
      This site supports recovering Box-Ironbark forest and a reservoir which is home to three species of turtle, abundant birdlife and several fish, frog and mammal species
    • Ryalls Lane and Sheepwash Creek (Owl’s Roost Reserve) (Strathfieldsaye)
      This site encompasses parts of Sheepwash Creek and a number of smaller tributaries that support creekline grassy woodland and plains woodland vegetation communities. The Ryalls Lane site was a recent acquisition and is a popular roosting spot for the endangered Powerful Owl
    • Riley Street Natural Reserve (East Bendigo)
      This former quarry has been transformed into an important urban natural reserve, supporting threatened fish species and providing a haven for frogs, reptiles, mammals and birds. Formed tracks allow walking and nature watching

    Residents can have their say on the City’s Let’s Talk website until 5pm on Friday May 9, 2025.

    To provide input, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Minivan crash kills 5, injures 8 in southwest China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Five people were killed and eight others injured after an overloaded minivan crashed into a residential building in southwest China’s Sichuan province, local police said Wednesday.
    The accident occurred at around 6:55 a.m. on Tuesday, when a small van carrying 13 people, nearly double its approved capacity of seven, veered off the road and slammed into a roadside house in Luzhou City, according to police officers in the city’s Jiangyang district.
    The impact damaged the building and caused part of it to collapse, though no one was inside at the time, police said.
    The injured are in stable condition. The cause of the accident is being investigated.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Pets allowed on high-speed railway trains

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A dog is taken care of at the pet waiting lounge of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, May 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China’s railway operator on Tuesday launched a pilot program allowing pets to travel on select high-speed trains along the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, marking a first for the country’s rail system.
    The trial service, introduced by China Railway Express Co, enables passengers to book a spot for their cat or dog in a specially designed pet transport container aboard the same train. However, animals are housed separately in a designated logistics compartment, away from passenger seating areas.
    The pilot service is being tested on 10 train services running between five major stations: Beijing South, Jinan West, Nanjing South, Shanghai Hongqiao and Hangzhou East. Travelers can make reservations through the 12306 system, the railway ticket and service booking network, at least two days in advance.
    Each pet must be a domesticated cat or dog in good health, weighing no more than 15 kilograms and no taller than 40 centimeters at the shoulder. Required documents include a valid ID and a certificate of animal quarantine.
    Pets are placed in high-speed rail-exclusive containers equipped with air circulation, oxygen and humidity sensors, noise reduction and odor control. The containers are monitored in real time by railway staff, who conduct inspections at intervals of no more than two hours. Water may be provided as needed, though feeding and mid-journey visits by owners are not permitted.
    Passengers are advised to arrive at the station two to six hours before departure to complete the necessary check-in procedures. Pets can be collected within one hour after arrival, with pickup notifications sent via text message or phone call.
    The service follows a “same departure, same arrival” policy, ensuring that pets and their owners travel on the same train.
    Limited time offers
    Pricing is based on travel distance and is currently offered at a 30 percent discount during the trial phase. For example, transporting a pet on a journey under 1,000 kilometers will cost 558 yuan ($76) once the service is fully implemented, but for the trial period, it is discounted to 360 yuan.
    For distances between 1,000 and 1,500 km — like the 1,300-km route between Beijing and Shanghai — the standard rate will be 658 yuan, but currently costs 460 yuan.
    A second-class seat on the same high-speed route typically costs between 550 and 670 yuan, making the pet transport service comparably priced to a passenger fare. Each booking includes insurance coverage of up to 2,000 yuan.
    According to China Railway Express, the service is part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s transportation infrastructure and meet the growing demand for pet-friendly travel options.
    Before this initiative, pets were not permitted on China’s high-speed trains. However, pet transport is allowed on certain routes in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom under specific conditions. In China, updated regulations issued in July 2022 prohibit the carriage of live animals such as chickens or ducks on passenger trains, with some exceptions for slower services in rural areas.
    The idea for the new service emerged last year when the China Railway Customer Service Center launched a public survey to gauge interest in pet transportation. The campaign drew widespread attention on Chinese social media, generating millions of views and comments.
    “In recent years, we have received numerous inquiries from passengers regarding the possibility of pet transportation on high-speed trains,” the center said in a statement. “Based on feedback from the survey, we will further explore the feasibility of high-speed pet transportation. We welcome suggestions and opinions from the public.”
    Shen Peilan, a Shanghai native living in Beijing with two cats, welcomed the move but expressed concerns about animal welfare.
    “It’s a great start, but I’m still a bit concerned about the safety of the pets, especially cats, who can get very stressed when confined with other animals,” Shen said. “I really hope that in the future, there could be a dedicated carriage where pets can stay with their owners.”
    Shen said she typically leaves her cats in Beijing during holidays and relies on friends, pet care services or boarding at pet stores while she visits family in Shanghai.
    Other pet owners applauded the new service. Wei, a Beijing resident who has raised her cat Niuniu for over a decade, said the program would make her travels more enjoyable.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump administration revokes visas for foreign students

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Trump administration has revoked visas for more than 300 international students across the United States, a move confirmed by universities and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a nationwide effort targeting foreign students.

    “Maybe more than 300 at this point. We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said during a press conference in Guyana on March 27.

    Over the weekend, the visa revocations were reported by dozens of universities nationwide, including prestigious ones like Columbia, Cornell, Harvard and Stanford.

    Many affected students had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests. But university officials said that others with no connection to protests had also suffered visa revocations without explanation.

    At Tufts University, Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested by masked immigration agents on March 25 while walking near her home. Video of the arrest showed plainclothes officers taking the 30-year-old into custody as she was heading to break her Ramadan fast with friends, according to her attorney.

    The Department of Homeland Security claimed Ozturk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas,” though they provided no evidence for this allegation. Ozturk co-authored an opinion piece in the student newspaper criticizing Tufts’ response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

    The Turkish embassy said it was working with U.S. authorities regarding Ozturk’s detention. “Every effort is being made to provide the necessary consular services and legal support to protect the rights of our citizen,” the embassy stated.

    At Columbia University, graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who has legal permanent residency, was detained by immigration authorities last month.

    Khalil said in his Columbia Daily Spectator opinion piece that the school “laid the groundwork for my abduction” and urged the students not to “abdicate their responsibility to resist repression.”

    “Since my abduction on March 8, the intimidation and kidnapping of international students who stand for Palestine has only accelerated,” Khalil wrote in Friday’s piece.

    The actions extend beyond East Coast schools. The University of Colorado and Colorado State University reported a combined total of 10 students with revoked visas this weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota State University identified five students whose visas were canceled for unclear reasons.

    In California, the situation is equally concerning so far.

    University of California, Los Angeles reported nine affected international students, while UC Berkeley confirmed six visa revocations — four for current students and two for recent graduates.

    UC Davis officials stated seven students and five recent graduates had their visas terminated, and Stanford University confirmed six visa revocations.

    “The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” UC Davis said in a statement as reported by NBC News.

    Universities are scrambling to support affected students.

    “We are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students is seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students,” reported NBC News, citing University of Colorado.

    The Council of University of California Faculty Associations issued a statement Sunday, urgently calling upon the University of California to address the revocation of visas and deportation of international students.

    “It has been reported that in the past week alone, at least 44 students across the UC system have had their I-20 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record terminated by the Department of Homeland Security, with at least one deportation occurring,” the statement noted.

    Civil rights organizations have condemned the administration’s actions. The American Civil Liberties Union issued an open letter to universities warning: “The federal government cannot mandate student expulsions or threaten funding cuts to suppress constitutionally protected speech.”

    College officials worry this crackdown will deter international students from studying in the United States in the future.

    The situation is “a far different, unprecedented intrusion by the executive branch” involving “revoking student visas for different reasons than we have seen previously and at higher rates than we have ever seen,” said Violeta Chapin, a University of Colorado Boulder law professor and immigration expert. 

    MIL OSI China News –