NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Russia will deploy its Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus in accordance with the agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries, a senior Russian diplomat confirmed on Tuesday.

    “In line with our allied commitments … Russia is ready to provide Minsk with the necessary support and take measures to protect our common defense space,” Alexey Polishchuk, head of the Second Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with TASS news agency.

    He emphasized that the medium-range ballistic Oreshnik missiles will be stationed in Belarus as part of these agreements.

    Polishchuk added that Belarus already hosts a joint Regional Forces Group, modern Russian defense systems, and non-strategic nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the country’s armed forces and security agencies are capable of handling both external and internal threats independently.

    In late January, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile system would arrive in Belarus “any day now,” adding that the system may be deployed closer to the Smolensk region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thai PM to visit China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra will pay an official visit to China from Feb. 5 to 8, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced here on Tuesday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Report of the Online Safety Act Review released

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, today tabled the Report of the Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021.
     
    The independent review examined the operation and effectiveness of the Act and considered whether additional protections are needed to combat online harms, including those posed by emerging technologies.
     
    The report makes 67 recommendations to strengthen Australia’s online safety laws, including changes to existing complaints schemes for those experiencing online harms, stronger penalties for non-compliance by online services, increased transparency requirements for online services, and changes to governance arrangements for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
     
    In line with a key recommendation of the review, the Government has already committed to legislate a Digital Duty of Care. This will put the legal onus on platforms to keep users safe and help prevent online harms.
     
    The Albanese Government announced the independent review in November 2023, bringing forward its commencement by a year.
     
    Completed by Ms Delia Rickard PSM, the review was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, including 72 meetings with industry, civil society, academia, law enforcement, and domestic and international government bodies. The review also considered over 2,200 responses submitted through public consultation.
     
    The Government is continuing to carefully consider all recommendations put forward in the report and will respond in due course.
     
    Read the final report: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Tabled_Documents/9184

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the online world is a safe experience for all.
     
    “Our Government has been proactive in ensuring our legislative framework remains fit-for-purpose. That’s why we’ve wasted no time in committing to legislate a Digital Duty of Care to place the onus on online services to keep their users safe.
     
    “We are committed to strengthening our online safety laws to protect Australians – particularly young Australians.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New learning small business platform can help your NFP

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    The ATO’s small business online learning platform provides flexible and free courses to build knowledge for all stages of operating a business or organisation. NFPs share many tax obligations with small businesses, and the online learning is a valuable resource to help you avoid common mistakes and understand the tax and super obligations of your NFP better.

    Essentials for your small businessExternal Link can enhance your knowledge of tax and super with a learning path tailored to support your NFP, at a time that is convenient for you. Key features of the learning platform include:

    • instructional videos and infographics
    • tailored options to access courses that are important to you
    • key information you can export to your personal device
    • bookmark options for courses or specific content that you can share.

    You can also save your progress and jump back into a course when you’re ready again.

    Some content that NFPs might find useful includes:

    With over 20 short courses on offer, Essentials to strengthen your small business is likely to have a course that suits your NFP’s needs.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Don’t wait, lodge your NFP self-review return now

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    If your not-for-profit (NFP) organisation needs to lodge the NFP self-review return, don’t worry, there is still time for you to lodge.

    Non-charitable NFPs with an active Australian business number (ABN) that self-assess as income tax exempt have until 31 March 2025 to lodge their 2023-24 return.

    The return must be lodged to notify us of your NFP’s eligibility to self-assess as income tax exempt.

    But before you lodge the return, it’s a good idea to check whether your organisation is ready to lodge. Our NFP self-review return – update, connect and lodge overview provides a step-by-step guide to setting up access to lodge your return online.

    The guide is a great way to identify any action you need to take to ensure you have everything you need to lodge by the due date. It covers:

    • checking your NFP’s ABN details
    • setting up myID and linking it to Relationship Authority Manager (RAM)
    • reviewing your income tax exemption eligibility
    • lodgment options.

    The NFP self-review return question guide is another great tool that lists all the questions in the return, so you can prepare your answers before lodging.

    If you need more help with getting ready to lodge, there are plenty of useful tools and information available to help you understand the NFP self-review return and to prepare, including the NFP self-review return factsheet.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins “The Megyn Kelly Show” to Advocate for Senate Leadership to Schedule Title IX Legislation for a Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined “The Megyn Kelly Show” to discuss the need for the Senate to quickly bring his Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, or S.9, to the floor for a vote. The U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation on a bipartisan basis in January. 

    Senator Tuberville’s interview comes ahead of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday, February 5.

    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s interview can be found below, and his full interview can be viewed here.

    KELLY: “Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has been on the frontlines working to pass the legislation and he has been working for years—I went back and looked at the number of times he’s tried to bring this up when nobody wanted to hear from him, when it appeared to have no chance of passing, he brought it up, he brought it up again, he brought it up again. He has been like a dog with a bone on this—a true ally to women and girls everywhere, and there’s a reason, I think. He’s got a historic background in the sports world as a former head coach for several college football teams, Senator Tuberville—Coach Tuberville—welcome to the show.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Megyn. Thanks for having me on. And what a great subject we’re going to talk about.”

    KELLY: “I’m your huge fan at like the number of times you have tried to push this boulder up the hill really makes me respect you, even though you knew there was no way a Democrats-controlled Senate was going to give you a vote. But then, GOP wins control of the Senate—and what we’ve seen since you guys got control of the House and the Senate is the House passed it, and it got massaged a bit, they passed it again and said ‘Yeah, okay here we go, back to you guys in the Senate’ and we’ve been waiting—I’ve been waiting to see a vote by the GOP-controlled Senate on this thing because it’s much better—notwithstanding Trump’s executive orders—if it can become law. Law that can’t just be undone by an executive order four years from now. So why aren’t we seeing a vote?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Well, exactly right, Megyn. A lot of people don’t realize that an executive order, which President Trump signed almost a couple of weeks ago defining gender, by the way, and he even come out and said, ‘Listen, we have to have a bill within thirty days,’ because if you don’t know this, executive orders only last as long as that president’s there. So, we got some work to do. This is the third time—third time’s the charm. […] 79% of the people in this country—Republican and Democrat—say it is wrong for men or boys to participate in women’s sports. We’ve got the majority on our side. As you said—we’ve got to get it to the floor. John Thune told me he’s going to get it to the floor. He hasn’t done it. Now, it’s time to put up or shut up. We’ve got to get it on the floor so people can see. If it’s not going to pass, we’ll do it again, but we’ve got to get people on the record because this is something that’s very dear to the heart of all parents across the country and it’s dead wrong.”

    KELLY: “Would John Thune not want it to come to the floor—he certainly wouldn’t want to protect Democrats—he must know of Republicans who are not ready to vote for this thing.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Well, leadership is actually co-sponsors of this, and I think at the end of the day, John Thune’s been overwhelmed. Obviously, you’ve got President Trump breathing down his neck, you’ve got the […] House pushing things over—we’re trying to do reconciliation. The Laken Riley Act needed to be passed because it was so important with the border being under attack and we’re losing so many young men and women to fentanyl and all those things. But now is the time to act on this. We can’t wait any longer. 50 years of Title IX—it has been decimated by Biden and the Democrats and all the far-left progressives. I grew up in this business of coaching. I saw what it did for young girls, older girls—it’s created leaders across this country.” […]

    KELLY: “Is there some belief that this can’t pass, and they only want wins right now? They only want to put legislation on the floor that can get through?” 

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, and put yourself in John Thune’s position and the leadership of the Senate. They’re looking at things ‘Hey, let’s win early. Let’s get on the scoreboard early.’ But the problem with this is we’ve already won because President Trump pushed this out there. Now’s the time to put pressure on the Democrats. Time and time again, 4 or 5 times if we have to, even before the next election—get them on [record on] the vote that they’re going to vote against girls and women [by] having them participate against men and boys. It’s devastating to sports. It’s devastating to the lives of young people—there has been rapes in dressing rooms and showers. […] It’s going to become a common thing if you don’t stop this now. You let this landslide keep going—we’re going to have huge problems getting it stopped. So, it’s important that we stop it now, President Trump’s hot on the trail on this with his Executive Order. […] 50 years ago was the first time we ever said, ‘Okay, let’s give women […] an opportunity.’ […] And it’s the best thing that ever passed out of this place we call ‘the Swamp’ here in Washington, D.C. But again, we’re going to keep fighting for it…I’m going to continue to push leadership—John Thune, John Barrasso—they’re on my side on this, but again, you might have hit the nail on the head a while ago when you said, ‘They might just want to win.’ Well, we’ve had two losses in the last two votes that weren’t Laken Riley. So hey, let’s not worry about winning or losing on this—let’s get it out there where people can see what’s going on.’”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Moran Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Care for Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in cosponsoring the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025, which would increase access to care for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers in the community.

    “Veterans have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to secure our freedom,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Over the last four years, many veterans have endured painfully long wait times and few options for care outside the VA. We should be providing quality and timely community care options—not making it harder for veterans to even get through the door. This legislation is a crucial step in righting the wrongs of the past administration. I trust that soon-to-be Secretary Doug Collins will prioritize getting veterans access to the care they earned.”

    U.S. Senators Tuberville and Moran are joined by U.S. Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

    The legislation is endorsed by the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, America’s Warrior Partnership, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Hunter Seven Foundation, Concerned Veterans for America, Americans for Prosperity and the National Defense Committee.

    Full text of the legislation can be found here. 

    BACKGROUND:

    The Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025 would establish existing community care access standards as the baseline standard of care for veterans seeking care in the community, increase access to life-saving treatment programs for veterans with mental health conditions or addiction and expand the list of criteria VA is required to take into account when determining whether it is in a veteran’s best medical interest to refer a veteran to the community to include veteran preference and continuity of care.

    Last year, Sen. Tuberville joined Sen. Moran in sending a letter to former Secretary McDonough urging him to reassess actions taken by the VA to cut referrals to community care. Sen. Tuberville also partnered with Sen. Rubio in introducing the Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, which would require the VA to consider continuity of healthcare when deciding whether seeing a provider in the community is in a veteran’s best medical interest.

    MORE:

    Tuberville, Blackburn Reintroduce Bill to Improve Veterans’ Access to Health Care

    Tuberville, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Access to Free-Market Health Care

    Tuberville Pushes Legislation to Improve Quality, Access to Care for Veterans

    Tuberville Questions Collins, Wants to Restore VA to its Original Mission

    The VA is broken, and Doug Collins can fix it

    The Dangerous Biden-Harris Plan to Leave our Veterans Behind

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New implementation date for Significant Plan Amendment and Replacement Plan criteria

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 4 February 2025
    Last updated 4 February 2025

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    The Tertiary Education Commission is extending the implementation date for Significant Plan Amendments (SPA) and Replacement Plans (RP) criteria – to 1 January 2026.
    The Tertiary Education Commission is extending the implementation date for Significant Plan Amendments (SPA) and Replacement Plans (RP) criteria – to 1 January 2026.

    We appreciate the feedback on the proposed criteria for SPAs and RPs that providers and peak bodies gave us at the end of last year. 
    We initially intended to publish the criteria (via a Gazette notice) by the first quarter of this year. We are making progress on revising the criteria, but we want to make sure we get the settings right. So, we have extended the implementation date. We will engage with peak bodies on the revised SPA and RP criteria in May. 
    At this stage, there are no set criteria. If you are a provider, you still need to follow the guidance for SPAs and RPs: Changing your Plan. 
    If you are considering changes, then, as a first step, you will need to contact your Relationship Manager (RMI) or our Customer Contact Group.
    If you have any questions, please contact 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz using the subject line: [Edumis #] Significant Plan Amendment / Replacement Plan.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests and impounds following poor driving in Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have made arrests and seized vehicles after reports of dangerous driving through parts of south Auckland today.

    Just before 11.30am, the public began reporting dirt bikes blocking a Manurewa intersection at Great South and Weymouth roads.

    Police have established the movements were part of a funeral procession moving from Manurewa to Pukekohe.

    “A group of vehicles were observed heading south on State Highway 1 driving in an unsafe manner,” District Shift Commander, Senior Sergeant Nick Ewen says.

    “The Police Eagle helicopter deployed and monitored the driving behaviour from overhead.”

    Police staff on the ground intercepted the vehicles in the Pukekohe area.

    Senior Sergeant Ewen says three people were arrested on the roadside, with four vehicles also being impounded.

    “Those arrested will be facing driving-related offences in court,” he says.

    “Counties Manukau staff have also impounded a further two dirt bikes at an address.

    “This is a great outcome, and it sends a message that Police and the wider community will not accept dangerous or unsociable behaviour on our roads.”

    Senior Sergeant Ewen says Police would like to hear from any members of the public as enquiries continue.

    “If you witnessed the driving behaviour or have dashcam footage, we need to hear from you,” he says.

    If you have footage or information to assist Police, please call 105 using the reference number P061507502.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Proud to Confirm Wright as Energy Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the confirmation of Chris Wright as U.S. Secretary of Energy:

    “From day one, President Biden worked relentlessly to kneecap American energy production, both onshore and offshore. Secretary Wright’s singular focus on restoring affordable domestic energy is a welcome change after four years of policies that put ideology and politics ahead of American workers. I look forward to working with Secretary Wright to move our country toward greater energy dominance and to support the agency’s job-creating policies, like their work at the Department of Energy site in Paducah, Kentucky.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 01.30.2025 Sen. Cruz Introduces Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act. The legislation expands education options and would provide a federal tax credit for individuals and businesses to donate to nonprofit scholarship funds for individual students’ education.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Every child deserves the chance to succeed. The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act ensures students have access to quality education regardless of their income or background. This legislation will empower families and foster private investment through a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, expanding opportunities for all American students.”
    This bill is also cosponsored by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    Sen. Cruz has led this effort to provide expand education options available to all students since 2019. Sen. Cruz has also previously introduced this legislation in 2021 and 2023.
    The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act:

    Encourages States to Opt In: Opting in to the freedom scholarship approach to education will reduce federal control over education and return the power to government more accountable to parents.

    Is State Directed: States maintain the authority to create a program that works for them. States can decide which students are eligible for the scholarship credit, what constitutes eligible educational expenses and eligible educational providers, and more.

    Encourages Workplace Training Education: There is more than one pathway to success, and our rapidly-changing 21st century economy means that workers need new skills to compete. In addition to elementary and secondary education scholarships, this bill allows for scholarships related to career and technical education, apprenticeships, certifications, and other forms of workforce training for postsecondary students.

    Prohibits Federal Control of Education: Clarifies that nothing in this act shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize any increased regulation or control over any aspect of a participating educational provider, scholarship granting organization, or workforce training organization. This allows all education providers to be able to participate, without fear of federal control.

    Helps Our Most Vulnerable Students: Many low and middle-income students cannot afford tuition and educational expenses themselves, or do not have the means to pay for the workforce training needed to secure a stable, high-paying job. This tax credit will provide scholarships for these students, so that they can have the opportunity to receive an effective and successful education that prepares them for the future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 02.03.2025 Sen. Cruz Announced as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the announcement of subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress on the Committee. Sen. Cruz will be the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.
    Sen. Cruz said, “As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, I intend to pursue a robust oversight agenda and hearings schedule, with a focus on countering the Chinese Communist Party’s predatory practices toward our African partners. I will also focus on addressing threats posed by terrorist groups, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, illicit finance across the continent, and diplomacy targeting us and our allies by malign actors. I look forward to also continuing work on other subcommittees strengthening strategic partnerships across the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere.”
    BACKGROUND
    The Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittees Sen. Cruz sits on holds jurisdiction over the following areas:
    Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy:
    The subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with countries in Africa (except those, like the countries of North Africa, specifically covered by other subcommittees), as well as regional intergovernmental organizations like the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.
    In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for health-related policy, including disease outbreak and response.
    Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism:
    This subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, as well as regional intergovernmental organizations. This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.
    In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for counterterrorism matters.
    Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues:
    This subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, and the other countries in the Caribbean, as well as the Organization of American States. This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports. In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for transnational crime, trafficking in persons (also known as modern slavery or human trafficking), global narcotics flows, civilian security, democracy, human rights, and global women’s issues.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Hipkins must rule out Te Pāti Māori attempt to break democracy

    Source: ACT Party

    Responding to Te Pāti Māori’s call for an unelected Te Tiriti Commissioner to veto legislation from Parliament, ACT Leader David Seymour says:

    “ACT would like to thank Te Pāti Māori for being so honest about the fact they don’t support rule by elected Parliament. Ironically, they’ve shown voters electing the next Parliament what’s at stake if they vote Labour, the Greens, or Te Pāti Māori.

    “If we take Te Pāti Māori seriously, it would be one vote, for one party, once. A person who ‘needs to be Māori’ would have a veto on all laws.

    “If breaking democracy is a bottom line for Te Pāti Māori, Labour and the Greens need to rule out ever being in Government with them, or they’ll never be in Government with anyone. New Zealand voters will see to it, and Labour and the Greens will be collateral damage.

    “Labour and the Greens need to decide if they’re still serious parties. Labour and the Greens faced a test when the Speaker asked for their votes to censure Te Pati Māori’s haka last year. They voted against the Speaker and with Te Pati Māori. If they can do that to Parliamentary debate, what else are they up for?

    “Te Pāti Māori’s latest crazy demand also shows why they oppose the Treaty Principles Bill. It is about all New Zealanders having an equal say through democratic processes. Te Pāti Māori want the opposite.

    “The Treaty Principles Bill would prevent our founding document from being twisted to justify these kinds of constitutional travesties. Te Tiriti promised the same rights for all New Zealanders. That should include the right to cast a vote and have your values put into action by Parliament, without an unelected Commissioner vetoing your democratic choices on behalf of one group of New Zealanders.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: McKee refocuses training for real estate agents

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has acknowledged today’s High Court decision which saw Janet Dickson’s claims in her case against the Real Estate Agents Authority dismissed.
    “As a matter of principle, Mrs Dickson chose not to complete the compulsory professional development topic Te Kākano (The Seed) – which introduced real estate professionals to Māori culture, language, customs, and the Treaty of Waitangi. Under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 the REA is required to cancel a real estate agent’s licence if they do not complete their CPD requirements. Mrs Dickson applied for an exemption from completing Te Kākano and that application was denied. She therefore faced the prospect of not being able to practise as a real estate agent for five years.
    “I sent a Letter of Expectation to the Real Estate Authority Board in February last year clearly outlining that CPD requirements should be relevant to the job of real estate agents.
    “I advised the Board that I did not consider the mandatory CPD topic in 2023 – Te Kākano (The Seed) – to meet my expectation of being relevant to the real estate profession.
    “It is critically important to me that the Real Estate Authority can demonstrate that its services materially improve outcomes for all New Zealanders and that they represent value for money.
    “This case has shed light on an overly harsh punishment for real estate agents who have not completed the CPD requirements,” Mrs McKee says.
    “No other profession imposes a five-year disqualification period on individuals for failing to complete their CPD requirement. It is a disproportionate response that stops people from working in their chosen profession.
    “The Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Amendment Bill which I introduced to Parliament in December last year addresses this by removing that clause from the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, creating consistency with other regulated professions.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overnight shift of SH1 southbound traffic

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises the two southbound lanes on State Highway 1 between the BP motorway service centre and Drury Interchange will be shifted eastward overnight on Monday 10 February.

    Full closures from 9pm to 5am of the Southern Motorway in both directions between Papakura and Drury interchanges are required from Sunday 9 February to Thursday 13 February to roll out this traffic switch. During these closures, traffic will be detoured between these interchanges along Great South Road.

    This temporary realignment will see the two southbound lanes shift to the east. The two northbound lanes between the Drury Interchange and the BP motorway service centre will then be shifted westward in the coming weeks. These lane realignments will provide additional workspace in the central median for motorway widening and stormwater improvements.

    There will be further lane shifts in both directions across the life of Stage 1B of this project, similar to traffic layouts during Stage 1A of this project.

    For more information on the project and to sign up to updates, please visit the Papakura to Bombay project page:

    Papakura ki Pukekura – Papakura to Bombay project page

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 13 Alleged Meth, Cocaine Traffickers Charged In 15-Count Indictment

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Thirteen alleged drug traffickers operation out of the Texas Panhandle were federally charged in DEA-led Operation Put It In Reverse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.

    Those charged in a 15-count indictment filed include:

    • Juan Gabriel Castro, aka “Big Boy,” charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Luis Gilberto Garcia, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine,  possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Terry Deon Noble, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine

    • David Dewayne Keelin, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Charlotte Ann Villanueva, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Kody Ryan Patterson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Melissa Lynn Nelson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Joshua James Tarver, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine,

    • Danny James Wise, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Christopher Steven Conley, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Reba Lynn McLaughlin, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Mario Socorro Martinez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Alfredo Olivares Jimenez, aka “Freddie,” charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    The defendants were arrested last week.

    Over th course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 70 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, $70,000 in assets, and eight firearms.

    “These arrests demonstrate the continued resolve of DEA Amarillo Resident Office to investigate this organization to the fullest extent possible,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez.  “Local street dealers, transporters, bulk suppliers, and anyone in between should know DEA is committed to holding everyone in this organization, and others like it, accountable for selling deadly drugs to our communities.”

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    If convicted, the defendants face as much as twenty years to life in federal prison.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Amarillo Resident Office conducted the investigation with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation and Highway Patrol Divisions, the Amarillo Police Department, the Randall County Sheriff’s Department, the Potter County Sheriff’s Department, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Agents of the Texas Attorney General’s Office (OIG),  Texas Game Warden Officers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the United States Marshal’s Service, and Texas State Probation – Amarillo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on February 03, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,78,019.82 6.43 1.00-6.80
         I. Call Money 11,834.94 6.56 5.10-6.65
         II. Triparty Repo 4,05,311.75 6.38 5.50-6.55
         III. Market Repo 1,58,696.83 6.54 1.00-6.80
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,176.30 6.76 6.75-6.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 178.70 6.44 5.90-6.65
         II. Term Money@@ 636.50 – 6.35-7.50
         III. Triparty Repo 230.00 6.60 6.60-6.60
         IV. Market Repo 4,117.48 6.62 6.60-6.83
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Mon, 03/02/2025 1 Tue, 04/02/2025 48,785.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Mon, 03/02/2025 1 Tue, 04/02/2025 1,170.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Mon, 03/02/2025 1 Tue, 04/02/2025 1,13,121.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -63,166.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 14 Fri, 07/02/2025 1,62,096.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.71  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     1,71,652.71  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     1,08,486.71  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on February 03, 2025 9,00,623.53  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending February 07, 2025 9,12,544.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ February 03, 2025 48,785.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on January 10, 2025 -40,102.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2071

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As Trump deportations intensify, Pacific Island nations worry they could be overwhelmed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henrietta McNeill, Research fellow, Australian National University

    In his first term, Donald Trump deported far fewer people from the United States than his three predecessors: Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

    Just weeks into his second term, however, Trump is making the deportation of immigrants one of his top priorities. Immigration raids on those who have overstayed their visas and non-citizens with criminal histories have already commenced, with arrests increasing dramatically in recent days.

    His administration has announced plans to build a migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba that could hold up to 30,000 people awaiting deportation. Trump has also threatened to use a little-known law from 1798 to speed up the process, bypassing immigration courts.

    While much of the attention has focused on the hundreds of thousands of migrants at risk of being deported to Latin America, many Pacific islanders are likely to be ordered to leave, as well.

    A list from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement of people with “final orders of removal” includes some 350 migrants from Fiji, 150 from Tonga and 57 people from Samoa, among others.

    Unsurprisingly, Trump’s threats have invoked fear across the Pacific. Prominent Fijian lawyer Dorsami Naidu told the ABC:

    We’ve had lots of people who have served prison sentences in America get sent back to Fiji where they introduce different kinds of criminal activities that they are well-groomed in.

    It should be noted, though, that not all of the people with orders to leave have been convicted of serious crimes. Many have simply overstayed their visas or may have only committed a minor infraction. Most want to turn their lives around.

    Lack of support

    Criminal deportations from the US, Australia and New Zealand have increased dramatically over the past decade, yet there is still a crucial lack of funding to support reintegration services.

    Concerns about the repercussions of criminal deportations are particularly high in Tonga, which received more than 1,000 returnees from 2009–20, nearly three-quarters of whom were from the US.

    One Tongan commentator suggested Trump’s decision would “unleash a wave of deportees that could drown Tonga and other Pacific nations in crisis”.

    Though some Tongan returnees are accepted back into families and societies, many struggle. A large number left the country when they were young and often have limited understanding of the local language and culture. As such, they experience difficulties reintegrating into society.

    My research shows that some deported Pacific islanders with criminal histories may turn “back to what they know” in the absence of support, which at times means involvement in the drug trade if there are no other means of gainful employment.

    In countries like Tonga where there is an escalating methamphetamine problem and a lack of employment opportunities, this is understandably concerning.

    Tonga, like other Pacific countries, struggles to fund organisations that crucially assist with deported peoples’ reintegration needs in order to prevent the risk of (re)offending. The countries deporting these individuals (such as the US, New Zealand or Australia) rarely provide any assistance, despite repeated requests from Pacific governments and non-governmental organisations.

    Can these countries negotiate instead?

    Countries can push back against Trump’s decisions to deport their citizens. Colombia was the first to do so, when President Gustavo Petro initially refused to allow military planes carrying deported migrants to land.

    Petro’s refusal was met with fury in Washington. Trump threatened a number of retaliatory trade measures, prompting Petro to eventually relent.

    Pacific states have previously tried to push back against deportations during the COVID pandemic. Samoa and Tonga, for instance, used diplomatic channels to request a “pause” on removals while they grappled with the unfolding health crisis.

    Australia and New Zealand complied with the request, but the US did not. Instead, it used punitive measures to force states into continue receiving deportations.

    For instance, the US blacklisted Samoan and Tongan nationals from the list of states eligible for seasonal work visas, affecting these countries’ economies. They were not returned to the list until they “complied” with US removals.

    International law mandates that countries accept their own citizens if they are deported. Those that refuse are deemed “deviant states”, which can cause problems for both the deporting state and returnees trapped in limbo.

    However, there are other ways of delaying deportation orders.

    For example, Samoa has requested additional information from the countries trying to deport Samoans and will not issue travel documents (for example, a passport) until this request is complied with. This information includes evidence of an individual’s connection to Samoa and family ties in the country.

    Samoan authorities maintain this helps organisations like the Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust find their families and arrange appropriate accommodation, aiding with their reintegration.

    Countries like Colombia and Samoa are acting in the interests of their citizens. While many have legitimate concerns about returnees potentially turning to crime once they are in their home countries, these states also want to challenge the perception that all migrants are criminals.

    As Petro, the Colombian president, was quick to point out:

    They are Colombians. They are free and dignified, and they are in their homeland where they are loved […] The migrant is not a criminal. He is a human being who wants to work and progress, to live life.

    Henrietta McNeill 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. As Trump deportations intensify, Pacific Island nations worry they could be overwhelmed – https://theconversation.com/as-trump-deportations-intensify-pacific-island-nations-worry-they-could-be-overwhelmed-248900

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Peatlands and mangroves: Southeast Asian countries must protect these major carbon pools to boost climate ambitions

    Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Sigit Sasmito, Senior Research Officer, James Cook University

    Peat swamp in Danau Sentarum National Park, West Kalimantan. (Bramanthya Fathi Makarim/Shutterstock)

    Protecting and restoring peatlands and mangroves can strengthen Southeast Asian countries’ efforts to combat climate change, according to new findings from an international team of researchers.

    Carbon-dense peatlands and mangroves comprise only 5% of Southeast Asia’s surface. Protecting and restoring them, however, can reduce approximately 770±97 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) annually. This is equal to more than half of the carbon emissions from land use in the region.

    Conserving offers larger mitigation potential through reduced emissions from ecosystem loss in the region compared to gains from restoration. If optimally implemented, restoration can still play an important role in nature-based carbon sequestration.

    Having peatlands and mangroves included in the new climate pledges (Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0) can help countries set higher emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2035.

    More benefits to offer

    The study reports extensive climate benefits from conserving and restoring peatlands and mangroves. Therefore, they make effective natural climate solutions for Southeast Asian countries.

    Both ecosystems protect organic matter from decay under natural conditions, acting as net carbon sinks. This means that carbon uptake exceeds carbon loss.

    Net carbon gains are mainly accumulated in their soils instead of their vegetation. More than 90% of carbon stocks in peatlands and 78% in mangroves are in their soils.

    At scale, protecting and restoring both types of wetlands also supports other valuable co-benefits. These include biodiversity preservation, water quality improvement, coastal protection, food security and rural development for millions of coastal people across Southeast Asian countries.

    Challenges remain

    Despite the benefits, many challenges and risks persist in conserving and restoring peatlands and mangroves.

    When peatlands and mangroves are disturbed – commonly due to land use change – they release large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. This release can later exacerbate climate change.

    The new estimates suggest that changes in their land use for the past two decades (2001-2022) had caused the release of approximately 691±97 MtCO2e of excess emissions.

    Indonesia accounts for the largest portion of the region’s emissions, accounting for 73%. Malaysia (14%), Myanmar (7%), and Vietnam (2%) follow. The other seven Southeast Asian countries generate the remaining 4% of emissions.

    In Southeast Asia, mangroves and peatlands are often treated as unproductive land. Still, they have long been subject to agricultural land expansion planning.

    Moreover, unclear or multi-land ownership and lack of long-term participatory monitoring programs are critical challenges for prioritising and implementing restoration on the ground.

    Despite these challenges, government and corporate interest in developing conservation and restoration-based carbon projects for peatlands and mangroves is rapidly increasing.

    That is why now is a good opportunity to recognise their vital roles — not only for climate change mitigation — but also for people and nature.

    Implications for national emissions reduction targets

    The new study addresses a critical gap in climate policy for Southeast Asian by providing annual climate change mitigation potentials from peatlands and mangroves.

    Climate mitigation potential for national land-use emissions varies widely between countries.

    The findings suggest that it could reduce national land-use emissions by up to 88% in Malaysia, 64% in Indonesia, and 60% in Brunei. Other countries include Myanmar at 39%, the Philippines at 26%, Cambodia at 18%, Vietnam at 13%, Thailand at 10%, Laos at 9%, Singapore at 2%, and Timor-Leste at 0.04%.

    Our study also shows that mitigation potential from peatlands and mangroves in Indonesia can fulfil country Forestry and Other Land-use (FOLU) Net Sink targets by 2030.

    In its 2022 NDCs, Indonesia plans to reduce its annual emissions from FOLU by 2030 between 500-729 MtCO2e, depending on the level of external support. According to the study, this figure is within the same order of mitigation potential as peatlands and mangroves can collectively generate.

    However, peatland and mangrove mitigation potentials are insufficient to avoid dangerous levels of climate change in the future.

    Decarbonisation remains the most effective means of curbing climate change and its impacts, with peatland and mangrove protection enhancing these efforts.

    Susan Elizabeth Page menerima dana dari University of Leicester, UK.

    Dan Friess, David Taylor, Massimo Lupascu, Pierre Taillardat, Sigit Sasmito, dan Wahyu Catur Adinugroho tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham, atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi selain yang telah disebut di atas.

    – ref. Peatlands and mangroves: Southeast Asian countries must protect these major carbon pools to boost climate ambitions – https://theconversation.com/peatlands-and-mangroves-southeast-asian-countries-must-protect-these-major-carbon-pools-to-boost-climate-ambitions-247570

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: European stocks, euro slide due to US tariff concern

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    European stock markets and the euro currency took a sharp hit on Monday, as the latest U.S. tariff measures fueled concerns.

    Monday’s trading sessions marked the first since U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Saturday to impose a 25-percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10-percent tariff hike on imports from China, which has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

    The euro weakened from 0.959 euros per dollar on Friday, before the tariff announcement, to 0.981 euros per dollar on Monday.

    European stock markets also reacted negatively to the developments. While major exchanges recovered slightly toward the end of the session, all closed with losses of at least 1 percent.

    In Milan, the blue-chip index on the Italian Stock Exchange ended 1.4 percent lower after dropping as much as 2.5 percent earlier in the day. France’s Paris Stock Exchange shed 1.3 percent, while blue chips on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany declined 1.1 percent.

    London’s blue-chip stocks also fell 1.1 percent on Monday.

    Bond markets were not spared from the turbulence, as yields climbed and investors moved capital into perceived “safe” markets.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s economy grows 2.5% in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hong Kong’s economy expanded 2.5 percent in 2024 as exports of goods and services maintained growth, according to advance estimates released by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday.

    In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 2.4 percent year-on-year in real terms, faster than the 1.9-percent uptick in Q3, data from the Census and Statistics Department showed.

    In 2024, total exports of goods resumed growth amid improved external demand, while exports of services posted an increase on the back of rising visitor arrivals and improvement in other cross-border economic activities, commented a spokesperson for the HKSAR government.

    Overall investment expenditure expanded along with the economy at large, but private consumption expenditure recorded a slight decline owing to changes in residents’ consumption patterns, the spokesperson noted.

    Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy is expected to register further growth in 2025 despite heightened uncertainties in the external environment, the spokesperson said.

    The central government’s various measures benefitting Hong Kong, coupled with the HKSAR government’s wide range of initiatives to promote economic growth, will support various economic activities, said the spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US stocks extend losses on tariff concerns

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, on Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday, as investors reacted to the Donald Trump administration’s planned tariff rollout.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 122.75 points, or 0.28 percent, to 44,421.91. The S&P 500 sank 45.96 points, or 0.76 percent, to 5,994.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 235.49 points, or 1.20 percent, to 19,391.96.

    Six of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and consumer discretionary leading the laggards by losing 1.80 percent and 1.35 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, consumer staples and utilities led the gainers by going up 0.68 percent and 0.46 percent, respectively.

    The tariffs, originally set to take effect Tuesday, include 25 percent duties on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on Chinese imports, with Canadian energy imports facing a reduced 10 percent rate.

    After a Monday morning call with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump agreed to postpone tariffs on Mexican imports for a month following Sheinbaum’s commitment to deploying troops at the border to curb fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

    Later on Monday, Trump said the tariffs on Canada announced on Saturday “will be paused for a 30 day period” to see whether or not a final economic deal with Canada can be structured.

    U.S. major indexes narrowed losses in the morning session thanks to the latest development.

    “This is a very fluid and evolving situation,” said Victoria Greene at G Squared Private Wealth. “For now, our baseline thesis is the bulk of these are transitory and likely more watered down with concessions. We are on top of developments and watching how this may affect earnings, the U.S. dollar and inflation.”

    While concerns persist over potential price hikes and economic strain, Wells Fargo Investment Institute noted Monday that the administration’s “targeted and gradual approach” aims to mitigate disruptions to U.S. growth.

    Paul Christopher, head of global investment strategy at the institute, emphasized that services remain the primary economic driver, while the industrial sector continues to struggle with weak pricing power amid a manufacturing downturn.

    “It’s probably going to take several quarters to have a noticeable impact,” Christopher said. “You could eventually see some higher prices, but not right away.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy bank lends 20.4B yuan to support dual-use public infrastructure

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China Development Bank issued loans of 20.4 billion yuan (about 2.85 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024 to support 136 “dual-use public infrastructure” projects in cities including Beijing, Shenzhen and Fuzhou, said the policy bank.

    Dual-use public infrastructure refers to public facilities such as stadiums, convention centers and parking facilities that can be easily converted for emergency use.

    In recent years, China has proposed strengthening the construction of affordable housing, renewing urban villages, and developing dual-use public infrastructure.

    Guan Hongyan, general manager of the bank’s transportation department, said the bank will increase medium- and long-term financing support for relevant projects.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Landmark trade corridor sees surge in transported goods

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A train runs on the railway that constitutes part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor on Aug. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China’s western regions to global markets, has transported a record 104,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) via intermodal rail-sea service in January, up 30.9 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Nanning Group.

    It was the fastest year to surpass the milestone volume of 100,000 TEUs since its opening in 2017 and 15 days earlier than 2024.

    “In January, phosphate rock powder, zinc concentrate, pyrophyllite, paper pulp and other goods were shipped in large quantities, and the demand for new year goods such as rapeseed oil and rice was also strong. About 24 trains were arriving and departing at the station every day,” said Wei Wenkang, head of the East Station of Qinzhou Port in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a hub station on the corridor.

    With an operational hub based in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, this trade corridor connects global ports via railways, sea routes and highways through southern Chinese provincial regions such as Guangxi and Yunnan. The cargo service now covers 157 points in 73 domestic cities and expands its reach to 555 ports in 127 countries and regions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas says ready to negotiate for 2nd phase of ceasefire

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A source from the political bureau of Hamas said on Monday that the movement is ready to engage in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement the second phase of the ceasefire and a potential prisoner-for-hostage exchange.

    The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Hamas has fulfilled all the terms of the agreement and is ready to start indirect negotiations with Israel to finalize the second phase, which aims to ease the suffering of our people.”

    Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas last month, negotiations on implementing the second phase were to begin before the 16th day of phase one, which falls on Monday.

    However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington on Sunday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Media reports indicated that Netanyahu decided to delay sending a negotiation team to Qatar for talks on the second phase until after his meeting with Trump.

    Since the truce took effect on Jan. 19, Hamas has released 18 hostages in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lukashenko officially declared winner in Belarusian presidential elections

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This file photo shows Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (C) casting his ballot at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Belarusian Central Election Commission on Monday officially declared Alexander Lukashenko’s victory in the latest presidential elections with 86.82 percent of the votes.

    For other candidates, Sergei Syrankov received 3.21 percent, followed by Oleg Gaidukevich (2.02 percent), Anna Kanopatskaya (1.86 percent) and Alexander Khizhnyak (1.74 percent). Around 3.60 percent of voters voted against all candidates.

    The presidential elections were held in Belarus on Jan. 26. The turnout was 85.69 percent.

    Under Belarusian law, a presidential candidate who secures more than 50 percent of the vote is declared the winner.

    Lukashenko was first elected president of Belarus in 1994. He was later re-elected in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2020.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Belgium’s new gov’t sworn in

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Bart De Wever (C) is sworn in as Belgium’s prime minister at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 3, 2025. [Belga News Agency via Xinhua]

    Belgium’s new government was sworn in on Monday, ending months of political deadlock. Bart De Wever, leader of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, which won the federal election last June, has taken office as prime minister — the first time a Flemish nationalist has led the federal government.

    In his general policy statement before the Chamber of Representatives, De Wever outlined key priorities for the remainder of the legislative term, including pension reforms, increased social benefits, and tax adjustments favoring supplementary income.

    Belgium’s fiscal deficit is projected to reach 28 billion euros (28.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, or 4.6 percent of GDP — well above the 3-percent threshold set by the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact. In response, the European Commission has launched an excessive deficit procedure, requiring the government to submit a corrective plan by April 30. The five-party “Arizona” coalition has agreed to focus on pension reform, reductions in social welfare spending, and the introduction of a capital gains tax.

    Economists warn that Belgium’s current social spending is unsustainable. Bruno Colmant, a member of the Belgian Royal Academy, cautioned that the country is entering “a phase of rapid population aging” and that urgent reforms are needed to address structural imbalances.

    At the same time, economic growth is expected to slow. The National Bank of Belgium forecasts growth of 1.2 percent in 2024, dropping to 1 percent in 2025. The country’s heavy reliance on energy imports — currently at 74 percent — leaves it vulnerable to global price fluctuations.

    Meanwhile, the industrial sector has been in recession for over 18 months. A 7.2 percent rise in business bankruptcies in 2024 has intensified concerns over job losses and economic stability.

    Security and immigration remain major challenges. De Wever has pledged stricter policies to combat organized crime and illegal immigration, making them key priorities for his administration.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump says US to pause tariffs on Canada for one month

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on an aircraft collision at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the tariffs on Canada announced on Saturday “will be paused for a 30 day period” to see whether or not a final economic deal with Canada can be structured.

    “Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl,” Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

    In a post on X earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he “just had a good call with President Trump,” noting that “proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together.”

    “Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan – reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border,” Trudeau said.

    “In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million,” Trudeau continued.

    Trump said in his post that he is “very pleased with this initial outcome,” and the tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for 30 days to allow further negotiations.

    Trump signed executive orders on Saturday to impose a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10-percent tariff hike on imports from China, which has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

    The tariff order on Canada is 25 percent on all imports and 10 percent on energy products. Canada immediately hit back with 25 percent tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars (107 billion U.S. dollars) worth of American goods.

    Earlier on Monday, Trump said that he had “very friendly conversation” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the two sides agreed to “immediately pause” the anticipated tariffs for one month and continue negotiations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6.1-magnitude quake jolts off Indonesia’s North Maluku, no tsunami alert issued

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A 6.1-magnitude earthquake rocked off Indonesia’s North Maluku province early Tuesday without prompting large waves, the country’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said.

    The agency had first issued the quake’s magnitude at 6.2 before revising it.

    The earthquake struck at 04:35 a.m. Jakarta time Tuesday (2135 GMT Monday), with its epicenter situated 86 km northeast of Doi Island in North Halmahera regency at a depth of 105 km under the seabed.

    No tsunami alert was issued as the tremors were not expected to trigger giant waves.

    Having situated on a vulnerable hit zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia, an archipelagic nation, has frequently been stricken by earthquakes. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Eurozone inflation rises to 2.5% in January: Eurostat

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Eurozone’s annual inflation rate climbed to 2.5 percent in January, up from 2.4 percent in December 2024, according to a flash estimate released by Eurostat on Monday.

    Services are expected to record the highest annual inflation rate of 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent in the previous month. Inflation for food, alcohol, and tobacco stood at 2.3 percent, lower than 2.6 percent in December.

    Energy prices registered a sharp rise in annual inflation, increasing from 0.1 percent in December to 1.8 percent in January, while non-energy industrial goods inflation remained stable at 0.5 percent.

    Among eurozone members, Croatia recorded the highest inflation rates at 5 percent, followed by Belgium at 4.4 percent and Slovakia at 4.1 percent.

    The main EU economies registered the following inflation rates in January: Germany at 2.8 percent, France at 1.8 percent, Italy at 1.7 percent, and Spain at 2.9 percent.

    “Inflation rose from 2.4 percent to 2.5 percent in January, marking the fourth consecutive increase for the Eurozone,” said Bert Colijn, ING’s chief economist of the Netherlands.

    While inflation is expected to moderate over the year, Colijn cautioned that risks remain, including rising energy costs and the potential for a tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union.

    Last week, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced a 25-basis-point interest rate cut in response to sluggish economic data in the eurozone. The decision was based on “an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation, and the strength of monetary policy transmission,” the ECB said in a press release.

    MIL OSI China News –