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  • MIL-OSI: Bridge Specialty Group enters into agreement to acquire NBS Insurance Agency, Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stephen M. Boyd, president of Bridge Specialty Group (“BSG”), and Mark Berven, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Property & Casualty, today announced that the parties have entered into an agreement for BSG to acquire NBS Insurance Agency, Inc. (operating as “Nationwide Brokerage Solutions” or “NBS”). The agreement only includes NBS Insurance Agency, Inc. and no other Nationwide affiliated companies. The transaction is expected to close in March 2025, subject to certain closing conditions.

    Steve Boyd shared, “NBS has served as a wholesaler and market access provider for retail agents for more than 50 years, providing superior service to their customers and retail broker partners. We look forward to welcoming the talented, customer-focused NBS team to Bridge Specialty Group. We are excited about the opportunity to invest in their continued development while immersing them in our dynamic, people-first culture. The addition of the NBS business to our operation will bring added specialization and complement our existing capabilities.”

    Mark Berven stated, “Nationwide and Bridge Specialty Group have had a strong working relationship for many years. Through our discussions, we determined there was a shared opportunity to enhance both of our organizations through a strategic transaction. With its tools, resources and strong global market presence, BSG is well positioned to drive the growth of NBS going forward.”

    NBS will continue to operate as a national platform and will be led by Ted Stuckey, president of NBS. Ted will report to Anurag Batta, chief operating officer of Bridge Specialty Group, and collaborate closely with other leaders on the BSG team.

    About Bridge Specialty Group, LLC

    Bridge Specialty Group is a leading global insurance wholesaler with access to over 200 admitted, excess and surplus lines and Lloyd’s markets that support our nearly $6 billion premium book. With more than 50 locations and 2,000 teammates throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia, Bridge Specialty Group holds market recognition that enables us to connect retail partners with tailored insurance solutions through our specific practice groups including property, casualty, executive risk, personal lines, public entity, transportation and workers’ compensation.

    Bridge Specialty Group is a wholly owned operating division of Brown & Brown, Inc. This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements, including those associated with this acquisition. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Brown & Brown’s current belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Brown & Brown’s control. It is possible that Brown & Brown’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Further information concerning Brown & Brown and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect Brown & Brown’s financial results and condition, as well as its other achievements, is contained in Brown & Brown’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors include those factors relevant to Brown & Brown’s consummation and integration of the announced acquisition, including any matters analyzed in the due diligence process and material adverse changes in the business and financial condition of the seller, the buyer, or both, and their respective customers. All forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this release, and Brown & Brown does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which Brown & Brown hereafter becomes aware.

    For more information:

    Steve Boyd
    President, Bridge Specialty Group
    (760) 710-6865

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Unintended Consequences of Business Digitalization Among MSMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Philippines

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The findings show that internet or e-commerce use did not lead to better MSME outcomes during the strict lockdown in March 2020. However, by August 2020, the negative effects had lessened, and by March 2021 a positive impact had emerged. This delayed positive impact suggests that MSMEs need a certain level of maturity to effectively harness digital tools. The authors propose how policymakers could help enhance the resilience of MSMEs in the Philippines through digitalization, such as by establishing a regulatory framework to ensure fair competition for MSMEs on digital platforms. The paper complements a previous study on data from Indonesia.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man arrested after machete located in Waitangi

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Eagle-eyed patrols got more than they bargained for after spotting a wanted man, allegedly carrying a machete down the inside of his pants.

    Police staff patrolling as part of Operation Waitangi noticed the man, who had a warrant for his arrest, walking along Selwyn Street, Paihia on Sunday afternoon.

    Northland District Prevention Manager, Inspector Dean Robinson, says officers quickly arrested the man and during a search located a machete on the inside of his pants.

    “This is a great result and another example that we are committed to keeping offensive weapons such as these out of the community.

    “Police opposed this man’s bail and he has been remanded in custody until his next appearance.”

    Police remind our communities to report any suspicious behaviour to Police on 111 immediately, or 105 after the fact.

    A 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will reappear in Whangārei District Court on 19 February charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Housing investment will deliver 400 affordable homes for whānau Māori

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Whānau across the country will benefit from greater access to affordable homes thanks to accelerating $200 million Government investment in Māori housing, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka.

    The Minister today announced $200 million in funding will be accelerated into Māori housing projects across the country that will enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.

    “We are firmly focussed on enabling economic growth that will improve people’s lives. Our partnerships with Māori entities for affordable housing is key for enabling people to live in warm, stable and secure affordable homes,” Mr Potaka said.

    “Increasing the supply of safe stable housing can mean a world of difference for whānau and tamariki in terms of their health and wellbeing, as well as for improving school attendance and maintaining employment.

    “The projects will specifically support vulnerable and lower income people who are experiencing poor or inadequate housing, including those transitioning from emergency housing. 

    “This is an important pouwhenua for Māori housing because the funding has now been actively committed to specific brick-and-mortar projects and construction can begin.

    “These projects are focussed on priority regions for new affordable housing, including Te Tai Tokerau, Te Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and Waikato.

    “Today’s announcement comes soon after the commitments we made in October announcing $35 million to enable 100 affordable rentals in partnership with Waikato-Tainui and November to provide funding of $82 million for 12 projects with Māori housing providers to enable about 200 affordable rental homes. This brings the total to 700 affordable homes. 

    “Supporting Māori organisations to deliver affordable housing will tautoko whānau who have been living in severe housing deprivation including emergency housing. 

    “Today’s announcement is another step forward as we work to end New Zealand’s housing crisis. We are also unlocking land for housing inside and around our cities, building infrastructure, and driving down building costs and making it easier to build. We are ensuring we have a steady supply of social housing becoming available, with the addition of thousands of homes to be delivered by Kāinga Ora and Community Housing Providers over the next couple of years.”

    Mā te haumitanga whare e tū ai kia 400 ngā whare utu-pai mō ngā whānau Māori 

    Ko ngā whānau huri i te motu ka whai hua i te whakarahi ake o ngā whare utu ngāwari, mā te haumi a te Kāwanatanga e $200 miriona te rahi, tā Minita Tama Potaka.

    Nō te rangi nei i whakapaohotia e te Minita te pūtea e $200 miriona mō ngā kaupapa whai whare Māori huri noa i te motu, kia whakarite i ngā whare rēti e 400 ki ngā wāhi e tino mate nui ana, i mua o te mutunga o Hune, 2027.

    “Mārō ana kia tautokona te whakatipu o te ohaoha e piki ai te ora o te tangata.  Mātua rā ko tā mātou mahitahi ki ngā hinonga Māori mō ēnei whare utu-pai, e noho ai te hunga ki te mahana, te haumaru hoki o te whakaruruhau utu ngāwari,” tā Potaka.

    “Mō te ora o ngā tamariki me ngā whānau, he hāpai nui te whakapiki i ngā whare e haumaru ana, ka mutu, ka hāpai hoki i te hokihoki ki te kura me te ū ki te wāhi mahi.

    “Ka aro pū ngā kaupapa ki te tautoko i te hunga mōrerarea, iti noa rānei te pūtea whiwhi, e raru ana hoki i te korenga o ngā whare pai, tae atu ki ērā e hūnuku ana i ngā nōhanga ohotata.

    “Kātahi rā te pouwhenua ko tēnei mō te whai whare Māori nā te mea kua whakatauriate pūtea motuhake mō te rawa whakatū whare, ā, kua wātea kia tīmata ai te hanganga mai.

    “Ko ngā kaupapa e aronui ana ki ngā takiwā whakaarotau e whai whare utu-pai hou pēnei i Te Tai Tokerau, i Te Tairāwhiti, i Te Waiariki, i a Taranaki, i Te Matau a Māui me Waikato.”

    “Ko te whakapaoho o te rā nei ka whai i ērā nō te Oketopa tonu mō te $35 miriona e āhei ana kia100 o ngā whare rēti utu-pai mā te mahitahi ki a Waikato-Tainui me te whakapāoho nō te Nōema, kia tautokona ngā ratonga whare Māori me ngā kaupapa 12 ki te $82 miriona,  mā konā e rite ai kia 200 ngā whare rēti utu-pai. Arā, ka 700 katoa ngā whare utu-pai.

    “Mā te tautoko i ngā hinonga Māori ki te whakarite i ngā whare utu-pai, ka tautokona ngā whānau kua noho ki te āhua whakatikitanga whai whare, ki ngā whare ohotata hoki.  E ū ana tēnei Kāwanatanga ki te whakapiki i ngā hua pai mō te Māori, kia piki ake hoki ngā tamariki Māori e mate ana ki te noho ki ngā whare e tika ana”

    “Ko tēnei whakapaoho he tohu i ō mātou mahi kia mutu te pōraruraru whare ki Aotearoa nei. Ka whakawātea whenua mātou mō te whakatū whare ki roto, ki ngā tahataha anō hoki o ngā tāone nui, te whakarite hanganga me te whakaheke i ngā utu hanga kia ngāwari ai te mahi hanga. Ko tō mātou aronga kia pai ai te rere o ngā mahi hanga whare pāpori, kia tāpiri anō hoki ki ngā kāinga manomano ka whakatūria e Kāinga Ora me ngā Ratonga Whare hei ngā tau e heke mai nei.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Turnaround plan to get Kāinga Ora back on track

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Kāinga Ora’s turnaround plan will refocus the agency on its core mission of building and managing government-owned social housing in a financially sustainable way, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
    “Kāinga Ora is an important Crown entity, with assets of $47 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It currently owns around 75,000 homes and is the country’s biggest landlord.
    “The previous government poured billions of dollars into Kāinga Ora, with debt on its balance sheet rising from $2.3 billion in 2017/18 to $16.5 billion in 2023/24. 

    Operating deficits grew from a surplus of $76 million in 2017/18 to a deficit of $568 million in 2023/24. Kāinga Ora’s 2023 Board-approved budget showed debt forecast to grow to $24.8 billion by 2026/27, outside of the previous government’s debt limit for the organisation. Staff numbers grew from around 2000 in 2020 to around 3477 by the end of 2023 – all this at a time when the social housing waitlist grew to over 20,000 applicants.
    “In December 2023 the Government commissioned an independent review, led by Sir Bill English, into Kāinga Ora. The report from this independent review was released in May 2024, with two broad findings: that Kāinga Ora was underperforming and not financially viable without significant savings as well as funding and financing changes, and secondly, that the wider social housing system was not delivering the results New Zealand needs.
    “The review made it clear that Kāinga Ora was in considerable financial strife. The Government appointed a refreshed board and asked them to deliver a turnaround plan by the end of 2024 to return the agency to financial sustainability.
    “Cabinet has now considered and endorsed the plan, which is being released today. The plan will refocus Kāinga Ora on its core purpose of being a good social landlord and improve operating performance and reduce losses, with debt capped at an acceptable level.
    There are five major components to the turnaround plan:
     

    Kāinga Ora to be refocused on its core mission: building, maintaining and managing quality social housing, and being a supportive, but firm landlord.
    Improved tenant and community management.
    Improved housing portfolio and build management – better managing the existing Kāinga Ora assets and building or renewing homes as efficiently as the market, including simplifying social housing building specifications and using all available building delivery channels.
    Improved organisational performance: a focus on cost effectiveness – reducing high overheads and leveraging buying power more effectively.
    A more persistent and sustainable approach to funding and associated settings.

    Renewal of Kāinga Ora stock
    “The previous government’s funding for new social houses finished in June 2025, a “fiscal cliff” which the coalition government has had to confront. Kāinga Ora is currently funded to deliver around 2650 additional houses around New Zealand through to 2026 and the Government has also funded 1500 further social houses to be delivered by Community Housing Providers from June 2025 onwards.
    “The Kāinga Ora turnaround plan means that from 2026/7 onwards, Kāinga Ora will be involved in around 1900-2000 construction events per year, made up of approximately 1500 new build homes and 400 retrofits of existing homes. This will be offset by demolitions associated with redevelopment activities, and sales of around 900 homes per year. This means the number of KO social houses will not reduce over time, and existing older or unsuitable housing stock is refreshed.
    “Kāinga Ora sales will focus on older properties in high value areas, with the proceeds going to provide multiple other units in different areas. The sales programme will also focus on houses which are not fit for purpose, where the typology is ill-suited to the particular area, or which are simply uneconomic to maintain or redevelop.
    “Despite rhetoric from Labour in the past, divestment of properties in order to manage stock is a routine approach to Kāinga Ora’s operations. In the past five years they have sold, demolished or ended the lease on more than five thousand properties as part of their normal stock renewal process. The plan allows them to do more of this so the old, unfit housing stock can be renewed more quickly. 
    Construction costs
    “Advice from the Board is that Kāinga Ora has been building houses for approximately 12% more than market comparisons. The plan commits Kāinga Ora to delivering new builds at fully allocated costs that are in line with, or better than, market rates.
    “Ministers are clear that Kāinga Ora should be building or acquiring simple, functional warm and dry houses, as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
    Narrowed Scope
    “The previous government gave Kāinga Ora an enormous number of tasks – everything from managing infrastructure funds, to large-scale urban development and KiwiBuild underwrites. In line with the back to basics approach, Cabinet has agreed that residual KiwiBuild underwrite activity will be transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, administration of the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund will transfer to the new National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Agency and the Kāinga Ora Land Programme will be wound down. Legislation will also be progressed this year to amend the Kainga Ora Homes and Communities Act.”
    Financial Performance
    “The impact of the Kāinga Ora plan is a net reduction in deficits of around $190 million in this financial year, with a reduction in the deficit in 2027/28 of $354 million compared to the 2023 Pre-Election Update. Debt is forecast to be $1.8 billion lower in 2027/8 compared to the forecast included in the 2023 Pre-Election Update.
    “Today’s plan is a big step in the right direction for Kāinga Ora and I would like to thank Chair Simon Moutter and the rest of the Board for their hard work. The Government will be closely monitoring progress as the plan is implemented.
    Media contact: 
    Note to Editors:
    The high-level comparison of updated financial modelling.

    $millions
    2024/25
    2025/26
    2026/27
    2027/28

    Forecast Deficit pre tax

    2023 Pre Election Update
    (779)
    (925)
    (1,003)
    (864)

    Turnaround Plan*
    (588)
    (432)
    (479)
    (510)

    Reduction in Deficit
    191
    407
    524
    354

    $ millions
    2024/25
    2025/26
    2026/27
    2027/28

    Debt

    Pre Election Update
    18,669
    22,463
    22,573
    22,288

    Turnaround Plan
    18,407
    19,567
    20,415
    20,504

    Reduction in Debt forecast
    (262)
    (2,896)
    (2,158)
    (1,784)

     
    *The numbers in this row differ from the Kāinga Ora plan document. This is because the figures in the turnaround plan include tax, while the numbers in this table and the cabinet paper exclude tax in line with Treasury documents.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Will Meet

    Source: US State of Oregon

    he State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council will meet at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. The meeting will take place remotely via the internet on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public. The agenda and handouts will be posted on the council’s website.

    • What: Meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council
    • When: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, 11 a.m. to noon.
    • Where: Join a Microsoft Teams Meeting by ID | Microsoft Teams
      • Meeting ID: 248 640 172 639 Passcode: XM2p9p8D
    • Phone: +1 503-446-4951 Phone conference ID: 346 290 669#
    • Who: State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council

    The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council is established by Governor Kotek’s Executive Order 23-26, Establishing a State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.

    The purpose of the council is to recommend an action plan to guide awareness education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the state’s policies, goals, and values and supports public servants to deliver customer service more efficiently and effectively. The recommended action plan shall include concrete executive actions, policies and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence while honoring transparency, privacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    Meetings of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council are open to the public.

    Public comment may be made during the meeting. Sign-up for public comment is required as spots are limited. Sign-up closes Monday, Feb. 10 at noon. Written comment will also be accepted. Written comment can be submitted by mail to the Council Support Office at 550 Airport Rd SE Suite C, Salem, OR 97301 or online via the office form.

    Accommodations can be arranged for persons with disabilities, and alternate formats of printed material are available upon request. Please contact Enterprise Information Services at 503-378-3175 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to request accommodations. Closed captioning is included on the Microsoft Teams meeting.

    Links:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Firearm incident – Coconut Grove

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested three offenders after a serious assault with a firearm occurred in Coconut Grove overnight.

    Around 7:05pm, police received reports that a 23-year-old man had been seriously injured by offenders who had arrived in a black Mazda 3 at a residence on Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove.

    On Police and St John Ambulance arrival it was confirmed that the man had been shot in the legs. The victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition while detectives identified the alleged offenders were known to the victim.  

    Shortly after the incident, police confirmed that the vehicle involved was not stolen and was allegedly being borrowed by someone who was not the registered owner.

    Multiple units, including detectives from the Crime Command, the Territory Response Group, Katherine general duties and the Northern Investigations Section deployed and began tracking the vehicle.

    Shortly before 4am, a tyre deflation device was successfully deployed outside Katherine and two men, aged 19 and 22, and a 22-year-old woman were arrested without incident.

    Multiple edged weapons were found within the vehicle but the firearm allegedly used has yet to be located.

    Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said, “Major Crime and Northern Investigations teams are continuing to investigate this targeted attack and we are urging anyone with information to come forward.

    “I would like to commend every officer involved in the safe apprehension of these alleged offenders.

    “Anyone with information, particularly on the whereabouts of the firearm, can make contact with police on 131 444 and quote reference P25034096.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Passage of Chinese fleet through Basilan Strait consistent with int’l law, practice: Spokesperson

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The normal passage of the Chinese naval fleet through the Basilan Strait is fully in accordance with international law and practice, said Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command.
    The command deployed naval and air forces for training exercises to the high seas through the Basilan Strait on Monday, said Tian, adding that the operations were conducted in a safe, standardized, and professional manner.
    The Philippine side has falsely hyped and smeared the normal passage of the Chinese naval fleet, seriously undermining the legitimate navigation rights of China and other countries, Tian said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Festivity held at Beijing Ancient Observatory to mark Beginning of Spring

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

    Festivity held at Beijing Ancient Observatory to mark Beginning of Spring

    Updated: February 4, 2025 09:05 Xinhua
    A Chinese calligraphy enthusiast writes blessing words for visitors during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. Featuring folk performances and display of time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritages, the festivity was held here to mark Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Lichun falls on Feb. 3 this year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors pose for photos during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors have fun at a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A spring-greeting ritual is held during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Children distribute lucky bags during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A lion dance is staged during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Performers dance during a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors have fun at a cultural festival marking Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, at the Beijing Ancient Observatory in Dongcheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global celebrations of Chinese New Year

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

    Global celebrations of Chinese New Year

    Updated: February 4, 2025 09:28 Xinhua
    A woman presents Hanfu attire in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Feb. 2, 2025. A Hanfu-themed gathering in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, was held here on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Guests take part in a closing bell ceremony held by Nasdaq and the Chinese Consulate General in New York in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Students from the art troupe of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China perform during the Chinese New Year Showcase in Chicago, the United States, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tunisian Chinese learners practice Chinese calligraphy during a cultural event held at a bookstore in celebration of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, in Tunis, Tunisia, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A person in Monkey King costume plays Mahjong during a Chinese New Year celebration at Camden Market in London, Britain, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Performers pose for photos during a Chinese New Year celebration at Camden Market in London, Britain, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch a performance during a celebration of the Chinese New Year in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A decoration of a snake is seen on the show window of a bookstore in Turin, Italy, Jan. 31, 2025. Exhibition boards and posters about the Chinese New Year are displayed on the streets of Turin as part of the festival celebration. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Dragon dancers perform in a celebration of the Chinese New Year at Denpasar in Bali Province, Indonesia, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A woman interacts with a lion dancer during an event celebrating the Chinese New Year in Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Local residents learn to make decorative Chinese knots during an event celebrating the Chinese New Year at the Auckland Art Gallery in Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist poses for a photo with a mascot during a celebration of the Chinese New Year in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A lion dance is staged during a celebration of the Chinese New Year in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Members of a Yingge team perform the traditional Chaoyang Yingge dance during the Spring Festival temple fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2025. The Yingge team from Shantou, south China’s Guangdong province, offered a rich cultural feast in Frankfurt to friends from all over the world through their Chaoyang Yingge dance, a unique art form combining drama, dance, and martial arts. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Various activities held in London to celebrate Chinese Year of Snake

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

    Various activities held in London to celebrate Chinese Year of Snake

    Updated: February 4, 2025 09:43 Xinhua
    Children gather to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. Various activities were held in London to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Lion dancers perform at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A boy holds a toy themed on the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Lion dancers perform at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A girl participates in activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Lion dancers perform at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A girl participates in activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People gather to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Lion dancers perform at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia won’t escape the fallout of the Trump trade chaos

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott French, Senior Lecturer in Economics, UNSW Sydney

    In a hectic 24 hours of trade diplomacy, US President Donald Trump has paused his threatened 25% tariffs on US imports from Canada and Mexico, while keeping 10% tariffs on imports from China.

    Australian companies with operations in Canada or Mexico such as Rio Tinto, whose Canadian operations export billions of dollars of aluminium to the US, have won a temporary reprieve. But the risk of weaker economic growth in China will weigh heavily on companies that export to our largest trading partner.

    And Trump has hinted all US imports of aluminium and copper, including from Australia, may be his next target.

    The Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Tuesday that although Australia is not immune when there are escalating trade tensions, “we are pretty well-placed to navigate them.”

    However, even if Australia manages to stay out of Trump’s sights, Australians cannot expect to come out of a trade war unscathed. Due to the complexity of global supply chains, it is difficult to predict exactly how Australia would be affected, but here are a few key factors that would likely come into play.

    Our largest trading partner

    About 40% of Australia’s exports go to China, making it the biggest destination by far, according to data for 2023 from UN Comtrade. Most of this is Australian iron ore and other minerals that are used in China’s construction and manufacturing sectors.

    If Trump’s tariffs further slow the
    already sluggish Chinese economy, this will reduce demand for the goods it buys from Australia.

    If China’s demand for iron ore falls significantly, this will not only hurt the Australian mining sector, but it could trigger a fall in the Australian dollar, making the things Australians buy from abroad more expensive.

    But the size of the impact of the latest tariffs on China remains to be seen. China has already absorbed the tariffs from the first Trump administration, and the latest increase is much smaller than the 60% tariff he previously proposed.

    Trade diversion

    The one positive effect for Australia of US tariffs on other countries is that, because they raise the price of other countries’ exports to the US, they may make some Australian exports more competitive. This is something economists call trade diversion. For example, the tariffs on Canadian aluminium would have shifted US demand toward aluminium produced in Australia.

    The tariffs on China will divert relatively little trade to Australia because there is not much overlap between the products China and Australia export to the US.

    But China’s retaliatory tariffs could make a significant impact. China responded to the US tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term with tariffs on American wheat and other agricultural products. A similar move this time could create an opening for Australian farmers to fill the gap.

    But it is not all good news. The US exports diverted away from the Chinese market will also compete with Australian products in other countries. So, while Australian wheat may become more competitive in China, US wheat may displace Australia’s in the Philippines.

    A weaker Aussie dollar?

    Tariffs also tend to cause the currency of the country imposing them to rise because they reduce demand for goods denominated in foreign currencies.

    The flip side is a weaker Australian dollar, which dropped to a five-year low after the tariffs were flagged. The currency has now fallen nearly 10% since November.

    Again, this raises the cost of imports to Australia, which could lift inflation.

    Network disruption

    If the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are confirmed in 30 days’ time, the greatest impact will be in the supply chain disruption they will cause.

    Analyses of the tariffs Trump imposed on China in 2018 found most of the cost was borne by US businesses that use imported inputs. But because North American production networks are so highly integrated, and have been for decades, the effect of tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be much more disruptive to all North American producers.

    As economic networks expert Ben Golub explains, the concern is not just that auto prices will rise, but that if key parts of the production network fail, such as if small but important intermediate suppliers go out of business, the effects of the tariffs could cascade into major disruptions.

    Eventually, businesses will develop alternative supply chains, but the short-run pain could be considerable.

    For Australians, this could mean higher prices and supply disruptions, not just for the products we buy from the US, but for anything that depends on a North American supplier at any stage in the production process.

    We are still feeling the effects of the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID, including the jump in inflation in 2021 and 2022 and the subsequent high interest rates and global backlash against incumbent political parties. That includes Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office.

    Similar disruptions may be in store if this skirmish becomes a major global trade war. Even if Trump’s promised tariffs never actually materialise, we may still see the same effects on a smaller scale because the trade policy uncertainty from just the threat of a trade war has similar effects on business activity as actual tariffs.

    Whatever transpires, even if Australia can escape direct involvement in a trade war, it cannot escape the shockwaves that reverberate through the global economy. The question is whether it will be a ripple or a tsunami.

    Scott French 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. Australia won’t escape the fallout of the Trump trade chaos – https://theconversation.com/australia-wont-escape-the-fallout-of-the-trump-trade-chaos-248883

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Baldwin Talks Tackling Opioid Epidemic, Threat of Potential Funding Cut at UW-Madison Opioid Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    MADISON, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) visited UW-Madison to discuss $2 million she secured for the Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center to help combat the fentanyl crisis across Wisconsin. However, this funding could be in jeopardy as the Trump administration continues to push cuts to federal funding Wisconsinites rely on – including to combat the opioid epidemic.

    “I’ve heard from countless Wisconsinites who have lost friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones to this epidemic. Whether it’s stopping drugs from coming into the country or supporting Wisconsin universities’ groundbreaking research, I’m committed to fighting the opioid crisis on all fronts,” said Senator Baldwin. “The work being done here will save lives – and that’s why I’m sending a loud and clear message that the President cannot cut off funding for vital programs like these.”

    With the Baldwin-backed support, UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center is set to launch this year to provide community pharmacies around Wisconsin resources including educational information on treating overdoses, life-saving naloxone, and fentanyl testing strips. The regional center, to be based at the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, will combat the opioid crisis with a special focus on fentanyl, which accounts for over 75% of annual opioid overdose deaths. During her visit, Senator Baldwin also toured labs where Wisconsin researchers are working on developing lifesaving treatments for opioid use disorders.

    Senator Baldwin is committed to delivering the resources Wisconsin needs to turn the tide on this epidemic and save lives. Among other actions, her FEND Off Fentanyl Act, signed in to law last year, will stem the flow of the drug from coming into the U.S. by cracking down on Chinese chemical suppliers and Mexican cartels. Senator Baldwin also wrote an annual funding bill that delivers $4.6 billion nationwide to support substance use prevention and treatment efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour’s Budget is a reflection of their failure to stand up for Wales

    Source: Party of Wales

    “Wales should not have to settle for less” – Heledd Fychan MS    

    Ahead of today’s (Tuesday 4th February 2025) vote on Draft Budget 2025-26, Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan MS has criticised Labour for failing to deliver on their promise of meaningful change for Wales.

    The Labour Welsh Government originally set out its Draft Budget in December 2024.

    Despite promising a ‘partnership in power’ between both Labour Governments in Westminster and Cardiff, Labour have failed to stand up for Wales to demand a needs based funding model, powers over the Crown Estate and the billions owed to Wales from HS2.

    Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Finance and Culture, Heledd Fychan MS said:

    “Labour’s Budget is not one that will address the crisis facing the education or culture sectors, it won’t fix the NHS, and neither will it mean that councils across Wales will be able to properly deliver key public services that our communities rely on.

    “While Labour said everything would be rosy once a UK Labour Government was elected, without securing the fair funding that Wales needs, this Draft Budget is yet another sticking plaster that doesn’t offer the meaningful change promised.

    “Wales should not have to settle for less. We deserve a fair funding formula to invest in public services. We have the right to full control over our natural resources. And we should absolutely be given the £4bn owed from HS2. Labour’s failure to stand up for Wales and demand all of these from their colleagues in Westminster is reflected in this budget. It’s clear that only Plaid Cymru stands up for our communities.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Winter driving conditions expected on south Vancouver Island

    Drivers on Vancouver Island should expect icy roads overnight with quickly changing conditions that include snow and rain continuing through the remainder of this week.

    Bare and wet roads may quickly freeze with temperature drops creating the risk of icy conditions. Roads can freeze overnight as temperatures drop below zero. Vehicles stopped at intersections or in queues can melt ice, which then re-freezes as the engine cools down.

    The Province’s highway maintenance crews are working hard to manage these conditions by applying sand and brine to improve traction.

    During freeze/thaw conditions, drivers are urged to use caution, avoid travel in bad weather, if possible and expect delays.

    If you must travel, plan extra time for your journey, expect delays and ensure your vehicle is equipped with supplies, including food, water, blankets and whatever you need for pets. Winter tires are required on higher-elevation areas like the Malahat and Highway 4 to Tofino.

    For real-time road conditions, check the forecast and visit: https://www.drivebc

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Public lecture: Global famine after nuclear war – Vic

    Source: Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka

    US climate scientist Professor Alan Robock will deliver a public lecture on 10 February 2025 about the environmental and human impacts of a nuclear winter.

    Professor Robock is a distinguished professor of climate science in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and an expert in climate change, geoengineering, and the climatic effects of nuclear war. (ref. https://people.envsci.rutgers.edu/robock/ )

    The lecture will explore the devastating effects of nuclear conflict, and propose policy changes that could reduce the risk of nuclear war and lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons.

    Lecture details

    5.30–7 pm, Monday 10 February

    Lecture Theatre 2

    Rutherford House

    33 Bunny Street

    Pipitea, Wellington.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash: Inglewood

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Inglewood this morning.

    The crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle was reported just after 8am.

    Sadly, the pedestrian died at the scene.

    The road has since reopened.

    Inquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Mile Plains — UPDATE: Missing person found safe

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The 22-year-old woman who was reported missing this past Saturday from Three Mile Plains has been found safe.

    The RCMP thanks Nova Scotians for assisting with missing persons files through social media shares and offering tips.

    File #: 2025-135395

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: White Supremacist Leader Found Guilty of Conspiring to Destroy Regional Power Grid

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – After a six-day trial, a federal jury found Brandon Russell, 29, a resident of Orlando, Florida, guilty of conspiracy to damage an energy facility.

    Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office announced the jury’s verdict.

    “Hate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society. Brandon Russell went well beyond his First Amendment rights, orchestrating a terrorist plot that would have harmed thousands of innocent people,” Barron said.  “It won’t always be popular, but this office will do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.”  

    “Brandon Russell, a self-proclaimed National Socialist, conspired to ‘lay waste to the city of Baltimore’ through violence and destruction of critical infrastructure. Today’s verdict reinforces there is no tolerance for those who seek to harm our communities and use violence to further hate-filled beliefs,” DelBagno said. “I am proud of the tremendous work by FBI Baltimore’s Joint Terrorism Task Force which led this investigation. The FBI remains diligent in protecting Marylanders from national security and public safety threats every single day in conjunction with our dedicated law enforcement and private sector partners.”

    According to evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2022 to February 3, 2023, Russell conspired to carry out attacks against critical infrastructure, specifically transformers located within electrical substations, in furtherance of Russell’s racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist beliefs. Russell posted links to open-source maps of infrastructure, which included the locations of electrical substations, and he described how a small number of attacks on substations could cause a “cascading failure.” Russell also discussed maximizing the impact of the planned attack by hitting multiple substations at one time.

    Russell recruited a Maryland-based woman, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, to carry out the attacks in Baltimore and elsewhere. They planned to damage energy facilities involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity and to cause a significant interruption and impairment of the Baltimore regional power grid. The intended monetary loss associated with the planned attacks would have exceeded $75 million. Clendaniel identified five substations to target, and Russell attempted to secure a weapon for Clendaniel. Clendaniel stated that if they hit a number of substations all in the same day, they “would completely destroy this whole city,” and that a “good four or five shots through the center of them . . . should make that happen.” She further added, “[i]t would probably permanently completely lay this city to waste if we could do that successfully.”

    Russell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to damage an energy facility. Senior United States District Judge James K. Bredar will determine the sentence after accounting for the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. On September 25, 2024, U.S. District Judge Bredar sentenced Clendaniel, to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for conspiring with Russell to damage or destroy an energy facility in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1366(a), and a concurrent sentence of 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and 3 years of supervised release, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the Baltimore FBI Field Office for its outstanding work in the investigation and praised the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Maryland State Police, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Tampa, Washington, and New York Field Offices of the FBI for their valuable assistance. Mr. Barron also thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked the prosecution team for their hard work and diligence in the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. To report a Maryland-based hate crime, contact the FBI Baltimore field office at (410) 265-8080 or www.tips.fbi.gov.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview – ABC Tropical North

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    ROB KIDD [HOST]: One of the big challenges that parents in regional and rural areas can face is what to do when kids start to look at tertiary studies. Traditionally, kids have had to leave home and head to the city, and that’s not always something that they really want to do or even have to do. But a new study hub will allow students to complete higher ed studies and stay in their hometowns. Funding has been announced for Regional University Study Hubs in Clermont and Moranbah, with hopes that they could actually be open by mid-year. Federal Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm, here with the ABC’s Jenae Madden.

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: What these hubs do is create an environment for people to thrive and learn. The staff who are appointed to run these centres come with good experience, so they’ve often got a degree themselves. They might be from a teaching background, or they might be from a community background, and they provide great mentorship to those students who are coming in. You’ve got to remember that a lot of the people studying at these centres are often first in family, so they don’t have an experience of studying at a higher education institution. So, that can be quite daunting. So, to have that support and give people the confidence, but also someone to turn to when you need help, these centres provide a remarkable service to those communities and those people who are studying for the first time. 
    They often have some meeting rooms where you can go and be by yourself and do your online tutorials, do that in private. Then they have some bigger areas where you can study by yourself, but in an environment where there’s other people who are dedicated and studying at the same time. And then you’ll often have people who are there as part of the workforce, who are there to answer questions or provide support and give people that encouragement they need or answer a question when they need it as well. So, they often operate outside of normal day hours. So, if you are working during the day or you’ve got caregiving responsibilities during the day and you need a quiet space at night, quite often they’re open later into the evening as well. They’re in the centre of town, so they’re easily accessible and they’re providing that service for people to go and study and have that opportunity to do that locally.

    JENAE MADDEN [JOURNALIST]: The stats say that half of young people across the country have tertiary education. Meanwhile, those in Clermont and Moranbah, that’s only at 16 per cent. Can you talk to us a little bit about this gap?

    CHISHOLM: There is no doubt there’s a gap between those living in rural and remote locations versus those in the cities when it comes to tertiary study. And it can be the remoteness, it can be the cost, it can be the thought of having to move away from home to study. All those things, I imagine, are factors. By having these centres, it means that you don’t have to move away. One of the other tasks that they do is they get out amongst the local high schools and communities and let people know that this service now exists, so that people who might be in Year 11 or 12 or maybe didn’t pursue study straight after school, they can go, alright, this is here in my local community, I can stay, live at home, enjoy that support, but study. And as I mentioned, the exciting thing from what I’ve seen is that a lot of the people who are studying at these centres are studying in the health field, are studying in the education field, and they’re exactly the type of workers that we need in these communities. These centres are making a significant contribution already across the country, and I’m confident that these two in Clermont and Moranbah will also do that.

    MADDEN: I guess there’s a focus on these study hubs, but are there opportunities for jobs in the region later on?

    CHISHOLM: Absolutely and the best examples of the centres that I’ve seen have a good link with local industry, and I’d expect that to be the case here, given the nature of Moranbah and Clermont and what the work is happening there, whether it be in mining or whether it be in renewable energy. There’s a wealth of opportunities, and I’d be very confident that these centres, once established, will have a really good industry linkage. We’ll also have that when it comes to local high schools, so that we can see those younger people identifying that, yes, I can stay and study locally, and there’s a range of jobs that I can go into as a result. That’s the perfect example of why these things will be significant contribution.

    MADDEN: The Clermont and Moranbah study hubs, they were announced in May. I’m wondering if there’s something new, like, has there been additional money given to this? I think it was 2 million initially.

    CHISHOLM: So, that was a State Government commitment to building the infrastructure and the State Government announcing they would help build new facilities out of their mining fund that they had. Our announcement today is that we’ll support them to establish themselves and give them some operational funds to employ those coordinators.

    MADDEN: Okay and what are the figures there?

    CHISHOLM: It’ll be negotiated between the Federal Government and the proponents. But for instance, it’s normally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it can also include some money if they do need additional money for infrastructure. But that’s worked through with the proponents and the Federal Government.

    MADDEN: So, is there a baseline that’s being committed to or something like that?

    CHISHOLM: Well, it’s basically support to establish them, and then those negotiations will happen between the Education Department and the proponents.

    KIDD: Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm there speaking with Jenae Madden.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Donates More than $1 Million in Furniture to Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to Aid Wildfire Victims

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced it is donating more than $1 million in home furnishings to Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to support the ReBUILD LA™ Wildfire Recovery campaign. The donation will directly benefit families who have lost their homes, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and comfort.

    “Los Angeles is our home, and when people in our community lose their homes in disasters like wildfires, it impacts all of us,” said Larry Wu, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to doing everything in our power to help families rebuild their lives with dignity and comfort. Through our donation of over $1 million worth of furniture to Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles, we aim to provide essential home furnishings and restore a sense of normalcy for those who have lost so much. GigaCloud stands with our community—as neighbors and as a company that cares.”

    GigaCloud’s donation includes nearly 90 SKUs totaling over 5,000 items, featuring a diverse range of indoor living furniture such as beds, mattresses, sofas, and chairs. The contribution also includes a significant number of ottomans and dressers, ensuring a wide variety of pieces to enhance functionality.

    Recognizing that mattresses were among the most urgently needed items and that they were not in stock at the time, the Company took action by reaching out to Restonic—a leading mattress supplier and recently onboarded GigaCloud B2B Marketplace seller—to purchase $150,000 worth of mattresses specifically for donation.

    “When GigaCloud reached out to us about the urgent need for mattresses among those impacted by the wildfire, their dedication to truly helping the community was evident,” said Laurie Tokarz, President of Restonic. “Instead of simply donating what was available, they made it a priority to source exactly what families needed most. At Restonic, providing comfort and support is at the heart of what we do, and we are honored to partner with GigaCloud and Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to help families rebuild their homes and lives.”

    GigaCloud’s deep ties to the Los Angeles community extend beyond this initiative. Under the leadership of Wu, who was recognized as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award winner by Ernst & Young LLP in 2024, the Company has consistently supported local causes, including ongoing donations to City of Hope and other community initiatives.

    The ReBUILD LA™ Wildfire Recovery campaign was created to support uninsured, underinsured, and low-income families impacted by wildfires. The campaign focuses on providing assistance with rebuilding and relocation to ensure families have safe and stable housing. Additionally, it offers essential home furnishings and supplies to help create new living spaces, as well as temporary rental and mortgage assistance for families whose homes are uninhabitable.

    “We are incredibly grateful to GigaCloud Technology for their generosity and shared commitment to rebuilding lives and restoring hope,” said Erin Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles. “Their donation will provide families with essential home furnishings as they begin anew after the devastation of wildfires.”

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

    Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) transforms neighborhoods throughout greater Los Angeles by bringing the community together to build affordable homes, provide critical home repairs and help families rebuild after natural disasters. Habitat LA strengthens families through helping them access affordable loans, housing counseling and down-payment assistance. For more information about Habitat LA visit https://www.habitatla.org/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect our current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Votes to Confirm Chris Wright for Energy Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Chris Wright to serve as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE):

    “Chris Wright understands the need to unleash American energy and bring down costs. He also recognizes the critical role that West Virginia will have in restoring our nation’s energy dominance – something we discussed during our recent meeting. I was proud to vote to confirm Mr. Wright to lead the Department of Energy, and I look forward to working with him and the Trump administration to cut red tape and advance solutions that will strengthen our energy sector and provide vital jobs,” Senator Capito said.

    Senator Capito previously met with Wright in January to discuss his nomination and learn more about his vision to lead the department.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: At USAID, Waste and Abuse Runs Deep

    Source: The White House

    For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been unaccountable to taxpayers as it funnels massive sums of money to the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats, with next-to-no oversight.

    Here are only a few examples of the WASTE and ABUSE:

    The list literally goes on and on — and it has all been happening for decades.

    Under President Trump, the waste, fraud, and abuse ENDS NOW.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: A Plan for Establishing a United States Sovereign Wealth Fund

    Source: The White House

         By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote the long-term financial health and international leadership of the United States, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Policy and Purpose.  It is the policy of the United States to maximize the stewardship of our national wealth for the sole benefit of American citizens.  To this end, it is in the interest of the American people that the Federal Government establish a sovereign wealth fund to promote fiscal sustainability, lessen the burden of taxes on American families and small businesses, establish economic security for future generations, and promote United States economic and strategic leadership internationally. 

    Sec. 2.  Sovereign Wealth Fund.  The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce, in close coordination with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall develop a plan for the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund consistent with section 1 of this order.  The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly submit this plan to the President within 90 days of the date of this order.  Such plan shall include recommendations for funding mechanisms, investment strategies, fund structure, and a governance model.  The plan shall also include an evaluation of the legal considerations for establishing and managing such a fund, including any need for legislation. 

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

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        February 3, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump is Delivering on His Commitment to Protect our Kids

    Source: The White House

    Last week, President Donald J. Trump took executive action to protect American children from irreversible chemical and surgical mutilation.

    It’s already having its intended effect — preventing children from being maimed and sterilized by adults perpetuating a radical, false claim that they can somehow change a child’s sex. Hospitals around the country are taking action to downsize or eliminate their so-called “gender-affirming care” programs:

    • NEW YORK: NYU Langone Health has started canceling appointments for so-called “gender-affirming care” involving minors. They canceled appointments for “two 12-year-olds who had been scheduled to receive implants that dispense puberty-blocking medication.”
    • COLORADO: Denver Health announced it would stop performing sex change surgeries on minor children, while UCHealth said it is ending so-called “gender-affirming care” for all minors.
    • VIRGINIA: VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond have “suspended” providing transgender-related medication and surgeries for minors, while UVA Health has “suspended” all transgender-related services for minors.
    • WASHINGTON, D.C.: Children’s National Hospital has “paused” prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, while Northwest Washington Hospital has done the same.
    • ILLINOIS: Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is “reviewing” their transgender-related services for minors.
    • PENNSYLVANIA: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is “closely reviewing” the transgender-related services they provide for minors.

    President Trump will always protect American children.

    Promises made, promises kept – again.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border

    Source: The White House

         By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:

         Section 1.  Background. On February 1, 2025, I determined that the failure of Canada to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept drug trafficking organizations, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  To address that threat, I invoked my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA to impose ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of Canada.

         Sec. 2.  Immediate Steps.  Pursuant to section 3 of my Executive Order of February 1, 2025, titled “Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Northern Border” (“the Executive Order of February 1, 2025”), I have determined that the Government of Canada has taken immediate steps designed to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crisis through cooperative actions.  Further time is needed, however, to assess whether these steps constitute sufficient action to alleviate the crisis and resolve the unusual and extraordinary threat beyond our northern border.

         Sec. 3.  Pause.  (a)  In recognition of the steps taken by the Government of Canada, and in order to assess whether the threat described in section 1 of this order has abated, the additional 25 percent ad valorem rates of duty, and 10 percent ad valorem rates of duty as to energy products, shall be paused and will not take effect until March 4, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. eastern time.  Accordingly, section 2(a), section 2(b), section 2(e), and section 2(f) of the Executive Order of February 1, 2025, are amended by striking the term “February 4, 2025,” where it appears in those sections and inserting in lieu thereof the term “March 4, 2025.”  The exceptions set forth in section 2(a) and section 2(b) of the Executive Order of February 1, 2025, related to covered goods loaded onto a vessel at a port of entry or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States are, hereby, withdrawn.
    (b)  During this pause, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security shall continue to assess the situation at our northern border, as provided in section 3 of the Executive Order of February 1, 2025.
    (c)  If the illegal migration and illicit drug crises worsen, and if the Government of Canada fails to take sufficient steps to alleviate these crises, the President shall take necessary steps to address the situation, including by immediate implementation of the tariffs described in the Executive Order of February 1, 2025.

         Sec. 4.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

         Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        February 3, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Career and Technical Education Month, 2025

    Source: The White House

    Hardworking Americans are the backbone of our great Nation.  Our workforce is the best in the world, and my Administration is dedicated to giving our students and workers the tools they need to succeed in a time where emerging technologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace.  During Career and Technical Education Month, we reaffirm our belief in excellence by putting America first and investing in the best training and retraining opportunities that will result in a stronger workforce and a booming economy.

         Under my leadership, America will once again champion a culture where hard work is rewarded and equip our people with real skills for real careers that our communities are in desperate need to fill.  During my first term, I proudly signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which provided millions of students with excellent vocational opportunities.  And we saw unparalleled growth and economic development, empowering students and workers to undertake new high-wage careers, especially in science, technology, and engineering.  We will make technology work for Americans, not Americans for technology.

         America is well-positioned at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship, and our history of ingenuity and grit is unrivaled.  Over the next 4 years, we will rebuild our economy, raise wages, and strengthen families.  My Administration will invest in the next generation and expand access to high-quality career and technical education for all Americans.  We will unleash the enormous potential of the American people and provide students and workers with the necessary skills training to ensure that our Nation dominates the 21st century.

         This February, we celebrate our incredible workers who are making America bigger, better, and more beautiful than ever before.  By offering more alternatives to higher education, we will train college-aged kids in relevant skills for the 21st century economy.  We will put America first, invest in our people, and lead the world into a new golden age.

         NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
    third day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ice isn’t nice: Use caution during freezing weather

    Drivers are advised that temperature fluctuations over the remainder of the week across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley can lead to icy road conditions.

    Wet roads can be fine during warmer daytime temperatures, but as temperatures drop below freezing, they can become icy. As well, the warm engines of vehicles stopped at intersections or in queues can melt ice or snow, which subsequently re-freezes.

    The Province’s highway maintenance contractors are out in challenging conditions and are applying brine, salt and sand to break up sections of compact snow and ice to restore traction. Tow trucks are also strategically deployed along major routes to help keep traffic moving.

    During these freeze/thaw conditions, drivers are reminded to use caution, equip your vehicle with snow tires, avoid travel in poor weather conditions when possible, and prepare for possible delays.

    While highway maintenance crews work to improve road conditions and reduce hazards for drivers, drivers are asked to leave space for these vehicles and move over safely when they see a vehicle with an amber light approaching. Drivers are also reminded that it’s unsafe to pass a snowplow on the right.

    For up-to-date information about road conditions, travellers should continue to monitor the forecast and visit: https://www.drivebc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from Premier Pillai on the U.S. tariff delay

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

    “Today’s announcement that the United States is delaying the implementation of tariffs on Canadian goods by at least one month is a step in the right direction.

    “I was also pleased to hear the long-overdue news that our two countries will be working together to combat the flow of illegal drugs across the border in both directions. All of us know someone who has been impacted by the substance use health emergency; many of our families have been impacted directly. Hopefully this joint action will mean fewer lives are lost due to toxic drug use here in the Yukon.

    “While today’s news was positive, it does not resolve the uncertainty facing Yukon workers, businesses and communities. Here in the Yukon, our economy depends on fair and predictable trade with American partners. These tariffs – if and when they come into effect – threaten jobs, increase costs for families and disrupt supply chains that have benefited both sides of the border, for decades.

    “The Government of Yukon will pause our retaliatory measures and we will continue to work during this period to ensure we’re ready to respond if needed in the future.

    “Yukon businesses and communities cannot plan for the future under the constant uncertainty of potential trade barriers. The U.S. must recognize that Canada is not just their neighbour – we are their closest ally and their most trusted economic partner.

    “I will continue to work with the Prime Minister and fellow Premiers to protect Canadians and to advocate for policies that defend our economy and our way of life.

    “At the same time, we must take this as a wake-up call to strengthen our own economy by prioritizing purchases that are made locally or in Canada. Our government is committed to working with business leaders, First Nations partners and northern communities to ensure more of the goods and services we rely on are sourced right here in Canada.

    “I encourage all Yukoners to keep supporting local businesses and prioritize buying Canadian-made products whenever possible.

    “Now more than ever, we need long-term stability in our trading relationship with the U.S. and a strong, self-reliant Canadian economy that puts our workers and industries first.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: National Children’s Commissioner welcomes national review of healthcare for trans and gender diverse children

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the Federal Health Minister’s announcement of a national review of healthcare for trans and gender diverse children. 

    Announced by Health Minister Mark Butler on Friday, the review will be led by the National Health and Medical Research Council and will examine aspects of children’s gender-affirming care, including the use of puberty blockers.

    Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: ‘In order to safeguard the best interests of children, it’s important that the healthcare we provide for children is based on the highest possible standards, and that these standards are regularly and rigorously evaluated.

    ‘This national review will provide national guidelines to ensure consistency in evidence-based healthcare and hopefully will lead to longitudinal research.

    “It’s also important that young people across our country have equitable access to healthcare. Currently it’s a postcode lottery and there are too many communities where children and their families cannot access comprehensive medical services, including mental health care and specialist clinical services for trans and gender diverse children.

    “I welcome this review and the opportunity it provides to ensure a consistent approach across all states and territories for the delivery of healthcare services for young people who are trans and gender diverse.  

    “Importantly, this national review will also help to put the focus on the needs of children, not the politics, and make the wellbeing of Australia’s children a national priority.

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897 

    MIL OSI News –