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  • MIL-Evening Report: Moral bankruptcy, Israel’s genocide and the betrayal of the Palestinians

    Why has any discussion about Israel, its violations of international law, and the international legal expectations for third party states to hold IDF soldiers accountable not been addressed in Aotearoa New Zealand?

    ANALYSIS: By Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa national chair John Minto’s campaign to identify Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers in New Zealand and then call a PSNA number hotline has come under intense criticism from the likes of Winston Peters, Stephen Rainbow, the Jewish Council and NZ media outlets. Accusations of antisemitism have been made.

    Despite making it clear that holding IDF soldiers accountable for potential war crimes is his goal, not banning all Israelis or targeting Jewish people, there are many just concerns regarding Minto’s campaign. He is clear that his focus remains on justice, not on creating divisions or fostering discrimination, but he has failed to provide strict criteria to distinguish between individuals directly involved in human rights violations and those who are innocent, or to ground the campaign in legal frameworks and due process.

    Any allegations of participation in war crimes should be submitted through proper legal channels, not through the PSNA. Broader advocacy could have been used to address concerns of accountability and to minimise any risk that the campaign could lead to profiling based on religion, ethnicity, or language.

    While there are many concerns that need to be addressed with PSNA’s campaign, why has the conversation stopped there? Why has the core issue of this campaign been ignored? Namely, that IDF soldiers who have committed war crimes in Gaza have been allowed into New Zealand?

    PSNA’s controversial Gaza “genocide hotline” . . . why has the conversation stopped there? Why has the core issue about war crimes been ignored? Image: PSNA screenshot APR

    Why has any discussion about Israel, its violations of international law, and the international legal expectations for third party states to hold IDF soldiers accountable not been addressed? Why is criticism of Israel being conflated with racism, even though many Jewish people oppose Israel’s war crimes, and what about Palestinians, what does this mean for a people experiencing genocide?

    Concerns should be discussed but they must not be used to protect possible war criminals and shield Israel’s crimes.

    It is true that PSNA’s campaign may possibly target individuals, including targeting individuals solely based on their nationality, religion, or language. This is not acceptable. But it has also uncovered the exceptionally biased, racist, and unjust views towards Palestinians.

    Racism against Palestinians ignored
    Palestinians have been dehumanised by Israel for decades, but real racism against Palestinians is being ignored. As a Christian Palestinian I know all too well what it is like to be targeted.

    In fact, it was only recently at a New Zealand First State of the Nation gathering last year that Winston Peter’s followers called me a terrorist for being Palestinian and told me that all Muslims were Hamas lovers and were criminals.

    The question that has been ignored in this very public debate is simple: are Israeli soldiers who have participated in war crimes in Aotearoa, if so, why, and what does this mean for the New Zealand Palestinian population and the upholding of international law?

    By refusing to address concerns of IDF soldiers the focus is deliberately shifted away from the actual genocide happening in Gaza. If IDF soldiers have engaged in rape, extrajudicial executions, torture, destruction of homes, or killing of civilians, they should be investigated and held accountable.

    Countries have a legal and moral duty to prevent war criminals from using their nations as safe havens.

    Since 1948, Palestinians have been subjected to systematic oppression, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, violence and now, genocide. From its creation and currently with Israel’s illegal occupation, Palestinian massacres have been frequent and unrelenting.

    This includes the execution of my great grandmother on the steps of our Katamon home in Jerusalem. Land has been stolen from Palestinians over the decades, including well over 42 percent of the West Bank. Palestinians have been denied the right to return to their country, the right to justice, accountability, and self-determination.

    Living under illegal military law
    We are still forced to live under illegal military law, face mass arrests and torture, and our history, identity, culture and heritage are targeted.

    The genocide in Gaza is one of the most horrific atrocities in modern history and follows a decades long campaign of mass murder at the hands of Israel which includes 2008-9 (Operation Cast Led), 2014 (Operation Protective Edge), 2021 (Operation Guardian of the Walls).

    Almost 10 children lose one or both of their legs every day in Gaza according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA). 2.2 million people are starving because Israel refuses them access to food. 95 percent of Gaza’s population have been forced onto the streets, with only 25 percent of Gaza’s shelters needs being met, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.

    One out of 20 people in Gaza have been injured and 18,000 children have been murdered. 6500 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip were taken hostage by Israel who also stole 2300 bodies from numerous cemeteries. 87,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on all regions in the Gaza Strip.

    Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British Palestinian reconstructive surgeon who worked in Al Shifa and Al Ahly Baptist hospital and who is part of Medicine Sans Frontiers, estimates as many as 300,000 Palestinian civilians, most of them children, have been murdered by Israel.

    This is because official numbers do not include those bodies that cannot be recognised or are blown to a pulp, those buried under the rubble and those expected to die and have died of disease, starvation and lack of medicine — denied by Israel to those with chronic illnesses.


    ‘A Genocidal Project’: real death toll closer to 300,000.    Video: Democracy Now!

    As a signatory to the Geneva Convention, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and UN resolutions, New Zealand is expected to investigate, prosecute and deport any individual accused of these serious crimes. This government has an obligation to deny entry to any individual suspected of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

    IDF has turned war crimes into entertainment
    Israel has violated all of these, its IDF soldiers filming themselves committing such atrocities and de-humanising Palestinians over the last 15 months on social media.

    IDF soldiers have posted TikTok videos mocking their Palestinian victims, celebrating destruction, and making jokes about killing civilians, displaying a disturbing level of dehumanisation and cruelty. They have filmed themselves looting Palestinian homes, vandalising property, humiliating detainees, and posing with dead bodies.

    They have turned war crimes into entertainment while Palestinian families suffer and mourn. Israel has deliberately targeted civilians, bombing schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and even designated safe zones, then lied about their operations, showing complete disregard for human life.

    Israel and the IDF’s global reputation among ordinary people are not positive. Out on the streets over 15 months, millions have been demonstrating against Israel. They do not like what its army has done, and rightly so. Many want to see justice and Israel and its army held accountable, something this government has ignored.

    Israel’s state forced conscription or imprisonment, enforced military service that contributes to the occupation, ethnic cleansing, systematic oppression of a people, war crimes and genocide is fascism on display. Israel is a totalitarian, apartheid, military state, but this government sees no problems with that.

    The UN and human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians, the use of white phosphorus, and sexual violence by Israeli forces.

    While not all IDF soldiers may have committed direct atrocities, those serving in occupied Palestinian territories are complicit in enforcing illegal occupation, which itself is a violation of international law.

    Following orders not an excuse
    The precedent set by international tribunals, such as Nuremberg, establishes that following orders is not an excuse for war crimes — meaning IDF soldiers who have participated in military actions in occupied areas should be subject to scrutiny.

    This government has a duty to protect Palestinian communities from further harm, this includes preventing known perpetrators of ethnic cleansing from entering New Zealand. The presence of IDF soldiers in New Zealand is a direct threat to the safety, dignity, and well-being of our communities.

    Many Palestinian New Zealanders have lost family members, homes, and entire communities due to the IDF’s actions. Seeing known war criminals walking freely in New Zealand re-traumatises those who have suffered from Israel’s illegal military brutality.

    Survivors of ethnic cleansing should not have to live in fear of encountering the very people responsible for their suffering. This was not acceptable after the Second World War, throughout modern history, and is not acceptable now.

    IDF soldiers are also trained in brutal tactics, including arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and the assassination of Palestinian civilians. The presence of war criminals in any society creates a climate of fear and intimidation.

    Given their history, there is a concern within New Zealand that these soldiers will engage in racist abuse, Islamophobia, or Zionist hate crimes not only against Palestinians and Arabs, but other communities of colour.

    New Zealand society should be scrutinising not just this government’s response to the genocide against Palestinians, but also our political parties.

    Moral bankruptcy and xenophobia
    This moral bankruptcy and neutral stance in the face of genocide and racism has been clearly demonstrated this week in Parliament with both Shane Jones and Peter’s xenophobic remarks, and responses to the PSNA’s campaign.

    Winston Peter’s tepid response to Israel’s behaviour and its violations is a staggering display of double standards and hypocrisy. Racism it seems, is clearly selective.

    His comments about Mexicans in Parliament this week were xenophobic and violate the principles of responsible governance by promoting discrimination. Peters’ comments that immigrants should be grateful creates a hierarchy of worthiness.

    Similarly, Shane Jones calling for Mexicans to go home does not uphold diplomatic and professional standards, reinforces harmful racial stereotypes and discriminates based on one’s nationality. Mexicans, Māori, and Palestinians are not on equal standing as others when it comes to human rights.

    Why is there a defence of foreign soldiers who may have participated in genocide or war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories, but then migrants and refugees are attacked?

    “John Minto’s call to identify people from Israel . . . is an outrageous show of fascism, racism, and encouragement of violence and vigilantism. New Zealand should never accept this kind of extreme totalitarian behaviour in our country”. Why has Winston Peter’s never condemned the actual racism Palestinians are facing — including ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and apartheid?

    Why has he never used such strong language and outrage to condemn Israel’s actions despite evidence of violations of international law? Instead, he directs outrage at a human rights activist who is pointing out the shortcomings of the government’s response to Israels violations.

    IDF soldiers’ documented atrocities ignored
    Peters has completely ignored IDF soldiers’ documented atrocities and distorted the campaign’s purpose for legal accountability to that of violence.

    There has been no mention of Palestinian suffering associated with the IDF and Israel, nor has the government been transparent in admitting that there are no security measures in place when it comes to Israel.

    For Peters, killing Palestinians in their thousands is not racist but an activist wanting to prevent war criminals from entering New Zealand is?

    Recently, Simon Court of the ACT party in response to Minto wrote: “Undisguised antisemitic behaviour is not acceptable . . . military service is compulsory for Israeli citizens . . . any Israeli holidaying, visiting family or doing business in New Zealand could be targeted . . . it is intimidation towards Jewish visitors . . . and should be condemned by parties across Parliament.”

    This comment is misleading, and hypocritical.

    PSNA’s campaign is not targeting Jewish people, something the Jewish Council has also misrepresented. It is about identifying Israeli soldiers who have actively participated in human rights violations and war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

    It intentionally blurs the lines between Israeli soldiers and Jewish civilians, as the lines between Palestinian civilians and Hamas have been blurred.

    Erases distinction between civilians and a militant group
    Even MFAT cannot use the word “Palestinian” but identifies us all as “Hamas” on its website. This erases the distinction between civilians and a militant group, and conflates Israeli military personnel with Jewish civilians, which is both deceptive and dangerous.

    The MFAT website states the genocide in Gaza is an “Israel-Hamas” conflict, denying the intentional targeting of Palestinian civilians and erasing our humanity.

    Israel’s assault has purposely killed thousands of children, women and men, all innocent civilians. Israel has not provided any evidence of any of its claims that it is targeting “Hamas” and has even been caught out lying about the “mass rapes and burned babies”, the tunnels under the hospitals and militants hiding behind Palestinian toddlers and whole generations of families.

    Despite this, MFAT had not condemned Israeli war crimes. This is not a just war. It is a genocide against Palestinians which is also being perpetrated in the West Bank. There is no Hamas in the West Bank.

    The ACT Party has been silent or outright supportive of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes. If they were truly concerned about targeting individuals as they are with Minto’s campaign, then they would have called for an end to Israel’s assaults against Palestinians, sanctioned Israel for its war crimes, and called for investigations into Israeli soldiers for mass killings, sexual violence and starving the Palestinian people.

    What is clear from Court and Seymour (who has also openly supported Israel alongside members of the Zionist Federation), is that Palestinian lives are irrelevant, we should silently accept our genocide, and that we do not deserve justice. That Israeli IDF soldiers should be given impunity and should be able to spend time in New Zealand with no consequences for their crimes.

    This is simply xenophobic, dangerous and “not acceptable in a liberal democracy like New Zealand”.

    New Zealand cartoonist Malcolm Evans with two of his anti-Zionism placards at yesterday’s “march for the martyrs” in Auckland . . . politicians’ silence on Israel’s war crimes and violations of international law fails to comply with legal norms and expectations. Image: Asia Pacific Report

    Erased the voice of Jewish critics
    ACT, alongside Peters, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and the Jewish council have erased the voice of Jewish people who oppose Israel and its crimes and who do not associate being Jewish with being Israeli.

    There is a clear distinction, something Alternative Jewish Voices, Jewish Voices for Peace, Holocaust survivors and Dayenu have clearly reiterated. Equating Zionism with Judaism, and identifying Israeli military actions with Jewish identity, is dangerously antisemitic.

    By failing to distinguish Judaism from Zionism, politicians and the Jewish Council are in danger of fuelling the false narrative that all Jewish people support Israel’s actions, which ultimately harms Jewish communities by increasing resentment and misunderstanding.

    Antisemitism should never be weaponised or used to silence criticism of Israel or justify Israel’s impunity. This is harmful to both Palestinians and Jews.

    Seymour’s upcoming tenure as deputy prime minister should also be questioned due to his unwavering support and active defence of a regime committing mass atrocities. This directly contradicts New Zealand’s values of justice and accountability demonstrating a complete disregard for human rights and international law.

    His silence on Israel’s war crimes and violations of international law fails to comply with legal norms and expectations. He has positioned himself away from representing all New Zealanders.

    While we focus on Minto, let’s be fair and ensure Palestinians are also being protected from discrimination and targeting in New Zealand. Are the Zionist Federation, the New Zealand Jewish Council, and the Holocaust Centre supporting Israel economically or culturally, aiding and abetting its illegal occupation, and do they support the genocide?

    Canada investigated funds linked to illegal settlements
    Canada recently investigated the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Canada for potentially violating charitable tax laws by funding projects linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are illegal under international law.

    In August 2024, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revoked the Jewish National Fund of Canada’s (JNF Canada) charitable status after a comprehensive audit revealed significant non-compliance with Canadian tax laws.

    On the 31 January 2025, Haaretz reported that Israel had recruited the Jewish National Fund to illegally secretly buy Palestinian land in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
    What does that mean for the New Zealand branch of the Jewish National Fund?

    None of these organisations should be funnelling resources to illegal settlements or supporting Israel’s war machine. A full investigation into their financial and political activities is necessary to ensure any money coming from New Zealand is not supporting genocide, land theft or apartheid.

    The government has already investigated Palestinians sending money to relatives in Gaza, the same needs to be done to organisations supporting Israel. Are any of these groups  supporting war crimes under the guise of charity?

    While Jewish communities and Palestinians have rallied together and supported each other these last 15 months, we have received no support from the Jewish Council or the Holocaust Centre, who have remained silent or have supported Israel’s actions. Dayenu, and Alternative Jewish voices have vocally opposed Israel’s genocide in Gaza and reached out to us. As Jews dedicated to human rights, justice, and the prevention of genocide because of their own history, they unequivocally condemn Israel’s actions.

    Given the Holocaust, you would expect the Holocaust Centre and the Jewish Council to oppose any acts of violence, especially that on such an industrial scale. You would expect them to oppose apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and the dehumanisation of Palestinians as the other Jewish organisations are doing.

    Genocide, war crimes must not be normalised
    War crimes and genocide must never be normalised. Israel must not be shielded and the suffering and dehumanisation of Palestinians supported.

    We must ensure that all New Zealanders, whether Jewish, Israeli or Palestinian are not targeted, and are protected from discrimination, racism, violence and dehumanisation.
    All organisations are subject to scrutiny, but only some have been.

    Instead of just focusing on John Minto, the ACT Party, NZ First, National, and Labour should be answering why Israeli soldiers who may have committed atrocities, are allowed into New Zealand in the first place.

    Israel and its war criminals should not be treated any differently to any other country.

    We must shift the focus back to Israel’s genocide, apartheid, and impunity, while exposing the hypocrisy of those who defend Israel but attack Palestinian solidarity.

    Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab is a New Zealand Palestinian advocate and writer.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pleasant River — RCMP investigates fatal crash in Pleasant River

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Queens District RCMP is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Pleasant River.

    Yesterday, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Queens District RCMP, fire services, and EHS, responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Hwy. 208 near the 4200 block. RCMP officers learned that a Mercedes Sprinter van was travelling on the highway when it left the roadway and came to rest in the ditch.

    The driver and lone occupant, a 44-year-old man from the Halifax Regional Municipality, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    A collision reconstructionist attended the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

    Hwy. 208 was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

    Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones at this difficult time.

    File #: 2025-140163

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by the Prime Minister on Black History Month

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Black History Month:

    “Today marks the beginning of Black History Month – an opportunity to honour the culture, resilience, and achievements of Black Canadians.

    “In communities across Canada, Black leaders, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and activists have shaped our country’s history and continue to inspire its future. From the Underground Railroad, which brought freedom seekers to Canada, to trailblazers like Jean Augustine and Lincoln Alexander, Black Canadians have led the way in the fight for justice, innovation, and progress.

    “This year’s theme, ‘Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations’, reminds us that the stories of Black Canadians keep being written every day. The advocate pushing for racial equity, the entrepreneur building a thriving business, the artist using their voice to drive change – these contributions continue to shape Canada for the better.

    “Black Canadians have faced – and continue to face – too many barriers. That is why, last year, the Government of Canada extended its efforts under the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent until 2028 and welcomed the adoption of a second International Decade, which spans from January 2025 to December 2034. This extension allows us to further invest in Black-led programs, advance racial justice, and create opportunities for Black Canadians.

    “To date, we have committed over one billion dollars to Black-focused initiatives, including the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, which has supported over 2,700 projects to grow Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving charities and non-profit organizations. We developed Canada’s Black Justice Strategy to address systemic barriers and injustices by ending the overrepresentation of Black communities in the justice system. Through the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund, we are supporting Black Canadians to develop more culturally focused knowledge, capacity, and programs to improve mental health in their communities. And through the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund and the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we are helping improve the social and economic outcomes of Black communities and helping Black-owned businesses grow and succeed now and into the future.

    “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage everyone to learn more about Black Canadian history and reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of Black Canadians. Let us recommit to building a country where every Canadian can succeed and have their voices heard.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mission 300: African leaders pledge to advance clean cooking solutions for Africa at milestone Energy Summit

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, February 1, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African countries have taken bold commitments to implement clean cooking energy solutions to offset the devastating effects of open fire cooking which kills roughly 600,000 women and children annually across the continent.

    In energy compacts (apo-opa.co/40Fdx4z) signed during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania 27-28 January, 12 African countries signalled their intent to  accelerate the pace of access to electricity and clean cooking solutions on the world’s fastest-growing continent, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (apo-opa.co/40X7qK8).

    Commending these countries, Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan stated in closing remarks: “I understand that the 12 governments have only pioneered, and many others will join us in the future.” Earlier, at the opening speaking about the purpose of the summit she said, “This gathering is a platform to consolidate commitments, announce new partnerships and drive momentum towards the 2030 goal.”

    The two-day meeting (apo-opa.co/40GUtCH) was organized by the Government of Tanzania and Mission 300, an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group and global partners, to address Africa’s electricity access gap through the use of new technology and innovative financing.

    Moderating a special panel on clean cooking on Monday, Rashid Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission (AFREC) (apo-opa.co/40Es3JJ), noted that whilst 600 million Africans live without access to electricity, one billion -nearly double the number – were without access to clean cooking, relying on biomass fuels such as wood and charcoal, with severe economic, social and environmental impact. Conservative estimates put the cost of this across the continent to $790 billion a year, he noted.

    Abdallah was joined by Dr. Richard Muyungi, Special Envoy to the President of Tanzania, Peter Scott, CEO of Burn Manufacturing (apo-opa.co/40Vxy8b), and Martin Kimani, CEO of M-Gas (apo-opa.co/3CtCZBZ), who each highlighted the significant health, environmental, and economic impacts of relying on polluting fuels for cooking, as well as the innovative approaches being developed to address this crisis.

    Muyungi shared Tanzania’s experience in launching a comprehensive National Clean Cooking Strategy, emphasizing the importance of high-level political commitment, coordinated stakeholder engagement, and the integration of private sector participation. 

    He praised President Hassan’s role as a global champion bringing the issue to the highest level of African governments.

    “It is important to elevate it to the highest level… She is the champion of clean cooking,” he said.  He stressed: “It’s important that there is a champion who can elevate clean cooking in terms of partnerships and partner with others to address this issue. He added that Tanzania is on track to transition 80 percent of its population to clean cooking technologies by 2034, thanks to the efforts of President Hassan.

    Scott, whose company Burn Manufacturing is the largest clean cooking manufacturer in Africa, discussed the diverse range of solutions being deployed across the continent, from fuel-efficient biomass stoves to cutting-edge electric cooking appliances with pay-as-you-go financing models. He stressed the availability of funding for clean cooking projects, pending the approval of carbon credit regulations by governments.

    “This is the most exciting time in the history of clean cooking,” Scott declared. “Now, there’s a lot of money standing by to approve carbon credit regulations to allow carbon trading, carbon finance, to grow. “

    Kimani’s pioneering pay-as-you-cook LPG model has provided an innovative and affordable solution to enable households to transition to clean cooking. He shared the success of M-Gas in onboarding half a million households in Kenya and Tanzania within just three years, demonstrating the scalability of this approach. “One of the most important considerations is affordability, how do we close that gap?” he asked.

    M-Gas has found an answer by installing IOT enabled smart meters which are fixed into gas cylinders without upfront payment.

    “We mirror the (pay as you go) environment they can now cook using LPG. With 35 cents they can cook three meals in a day,” he added.

    Tanzania pioneers clean cooking and global awareness

    Tanzania published its clean cooking strategy in 2024-2034 last year in response to its own challenges – 3,000 people dying annually and the effects of a devastating 400 hectares of deforestation annually from the use of charcoal and firewood.

    Championed by President Hassan, the Clean Cooking agenda has embraced everyone and is part of the national agenda, Muyungi said. “This discussion has highlighted the innovative approaches, and the political will required to transform the lives of millions of Africans and secure a sustainable future for the continent.”

    In a recognition of national efforts, awards were handed out to winners of a national clean cooking innovation challenge on the first day of the summit. The winners included creators of a biogas production plant and a click gas LPG delivery system.

    The African Development Bank Group has pledged $2 billion over 10 years towards clean cooking solutions in Africa. The pledge represents an important contribution to the $4 billion per year needed to allow African families to have access to clean cooking by 2030.

    “Why should anybody have to die just for trying to cook a decent meal that is taken for granted in other parts of the world,” African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina asked during a discussion as part of the summit. “Africa must develop with dignity, with pride. Its women, its population must have access to clean energy solutions.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Search for missing person in waters at Inneston National Park National Park

    Source: South Australia Police

    Emergency services are searching for a man after reports he went missing in waters off Browns Beach, Inneston National Park this evening.

    The alarm was raised about 8pm on Saturday 1 February after the man who was fishing with friends was seen to fall into the water.

    The man was wearing a dark red t-shirt and dark shorts.

    Police together with PolAir, water operations and local park rangers are currently searching the area.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 5 Global Risks & Women’s Health Gap | WEF | Top Stories of the Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:15 5 global risks facing the world – The Global Risks Report 2025, produced by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, offers a sobering outlook for the future. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed experts anticipate a turbulent decade ahead, with no expectation of calmer times.

    2:58 Why women’s health is often ignored – Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, despite having a longer life expectancy. Nine key conditions account for one-third of this women’s health gap. Seven are conditions that affect women only. They include breast cancer, endometriosis and menopause.

    5:40 Protectionism harms global trade – Protectionism involves restricting imports, often by putting tariffs on them to defend industries from foreign competition. In the short term, protectionism can boost domestic economies, creating jobs and swelling government revenues. But it can also reduce consumer choice and lead to trade retaliation from other nations along with a more uncertain global economic environment.

    9:27 Most in-demand health career – With nearly 29 million nurses worldwide, nursing is the largest healthcare profession. However, a global shortage persists, with 6 million unfilled positions before the pandemic—89% in low and lower-middle-income countries. This gap impacts both healthcare outcomes and economic growth.
    _____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXm8dNzC-JE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-Evening Report: UN rapporteur welcomes ‘best news’ — Hague Group coalition pushing for Palestinian state

    Asia Pacific Report

    UN Special Rapporteur to the Occupied Palestinian Territory Francesca Albanese has hailed the formation of The Hague Group, describing it as the “best news” from a coalition of policymakers “in a long time”.

    Formed on Friday in the city of its namesake, The Hague Group’s members — Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa — have joined together to “end Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine”.

    The groups said in a joint statement that they could not “remain passive in the face of such international crimes” committed by Israel against the Palestinians.

    They said they would work to see the “realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine”.

    Albanese said on social media: “Let’s make it real. And let’s keep growing.”

    “The Hague Group’s formation sends a clear message — no nation is above the law, and no crime will go unanswered,” said the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.

    South Africa filed a case before the International Court of Justice alleging genocide in 2023 and an interim ruling in January 2024 said that there was “plausible genocide” and accepted the case for substantive judgment. Since then, 14 countries have joined the proceedings in support of South Africa and Palestine.

    Malaysia has been preparing a draft resolution for United Nations to expel Israel from the global body.

    Joyful scenes erupted today as buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released under last month’s Gaza ceasefire deal arrived in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. A total of 183 prisoners were due to be freed today.

    Three captives — Keith Siegel, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas– were earlier released in two separate locations in southern and northern Gaza.

    Samoan artist Michel Mulipola with his characteristic clutch of protest flags at the “march of the martyrs” in Auckland today . . . latest addition is the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo to acknowledge a brutal war being waged by M23 rebels. Image: David Robie/APR

    NZ ‘march of the martyrs’ protest
    In New Zealand’s largest city Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau today, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a vigil and march for the more than 47,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s war on Gaza — mostly women and children.

    Hamas released three more hostages from Gaza today – a total of 14 since the ceasefire. Image: Al Jazeera screenshot APR

    More than 44,500 names of the victims of the genocidal war were spread out on the pavement of Te Komititanga Square in the heart of Auckland and one of the organisers, Dr Abdallah Gouda, said: “It is important to honour the names, they are people, families — they are not just numbers, statistics.”

    A canvas with an outline of Palestine flag was also spread out and protesters invited to dip their fingers in black, red and green paint — the colours of the Palestinian flag — and daub the ensign with their collective fingerprints.

    This was part of a global campaign to “stamp my imprint” for the return to Palestine.

    “Each mark represents solidarity and remembrance for those who have lost their lives in the struggle for justice,” said the campaign.

    “As you add your fingerprint, please take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and the collective desire for peace and freedom.

    “This canvas will become a living tribute with each fingerprint contributing to a powerful symbol of unity and support.”

    Today’s Palestinian and decolonisation “march of the martyrs” in Auckland. Image: David Robie/APR

    The protesters followed with a “march for the martyrs” through central streets of Auckland past the consulate of the United States, main backer and arms supplier to Israel, and beside the city’s iconic harbourside.

    More than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire was signed and came into force on January 19.

    A young girl keeps vigil over more than 44,000 names from the 47,000 people killed in Israel’s war on Gaza at today’s pro-Palestinian demonstration in Auckland today. Image: David Robie/APR

    UNRWA chief “salutes’ aid staff defying Israeli ban
     Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that the head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has hailed staff for continuing to work despite an Israeli ban on their operations coming into force on Thursday.

    In a post on social media, Philippe Lazzarini said: “I salute the commitment of UNRWA staff”.

    “We remain committed to upholding the humanitarian principles and fulfil our mandate,” Lazzarini said.

    He noted that nearly 500,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, continued to access healthcare provided by UNRWA.

    Since the start of the ceasefire in Gaza, UNRWA has ensured that humanitarian food supplies entering the territory under bombardment have reached more than 600,000 people, he said.

    “UNRWA must be allowed to do its work until Palestinian institutions are empowered and capable within a Palestine State,” he added.

    Israel passed a law in October that came into effect this week, banning UNRWA from operating on Israeli territory — including in East Jerusalem where its headquarters is located — and prohibiting contact with Israeli authorities.

    However, Israel is occupying the Palestinian territories illegally in defiance of many UN resolutions ordering it to leave.

    UNRWA has said that it is mandated by the UN General Assembly and is committed to staying open and delivering services to Palestinians despite Israel’s prohibitions.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he was portrayed on a banner at the Palestinian “march of the martyrs” in Auckland today . . . he is “wanted” by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Image: APR

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: @iubilaeum2025 – Jubilee Audience

    Source: The Holy See

    At 9.00 this morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Jubilee Audience took place in which the Holy Father Francis met with groups of pilgrims and faithful.
    In his catechesis, the Pope focused on the theme To hope is to turn around: Mary Magdalene (Reading: Jn 20:14-16).
    The Holy Father then greeted the faithful present in the Paul VI Hall and those in connection from the Vatican Basilica.
    The Jubilee Audience concluded with the recitation of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.

    To hope is to turn around: Mary Magdalene
    Dear brothers and sisters!
    The Jubilee is for people and for the Earth a new beginning; it is a time when everything must be rethought within the dream of God. And we know that the word “conversion” indicates a change of direction. Everything can be seen, at last, from another perspective, and so our steps also go towards new goals. This is how hope, which never disappoints, arises. The Bible tells of this in many ways. And for us too, the experience of faith has been stimulated by encounters with people who have been able to change in life and have, so to speak, entered into God’s dreams. For even though there is much evil in the world, we can distinguish who is different: their greatness, which often coincides with littleness, wins us over.
    In the Gospels, the figure of Mary Magdalene stands out above all others for this. Jesus healed her with mercy (cf. Lk 8:2), and she changed: sisters and brothers, mercy changes, mercy changes the heart, and for Mary Magdalene, mercy brought her into God’s dreams and gave new purpose to her journey.
    The Gospel of John tells of her encounter with the Risen Jesus in a way that makes us think. It is repeated several times that Mary turned around. The Evangelist chooses his words well! In tears, Mary looks first inside the tomb, then she turns around: the Risen one is not on the side of death, but on the side of life. He can be mistaken for one of the people we encounter every day. Then, when she hears her name spoken, the Gospel says that again Mary turns around. And this is how her hope grows: now she sees the tomb, but not like before. She can dry her tears, because she has heard her own name: only the Master pronounces it in this way. The old world still seems to be there, but it is no more. When we feel that the Holy Spirit is acting in our heart, and we feel that the Lord is calling us by name, do we know how to distinguish the voice of the Master?
    Dear brothers and sisters, from Mary Magdalene, whom tradition calls “the apostle of the apostles”, we learn hope. One enters the new world by converting more than once. Our journey is a constant invitation to change perspective. The Risen One takes us into His world, step by step, on the condition that we do not claim to know everything already.
    Let us ask ourselves today: do I know how to turn around to see things differently, with a different outlook? Do I have the desire for conversion?
    An overconfident ego that is too proud prevents us from recognizing the Risen Jesus. Even when we weep and despair, we turn our back on Him. Instead of looking into the darkness of the past, into the emptiness of a tomb, from Mary Magdalene we learn to turn towards life. There our Master awaits us. There our name is spoken. For in real life there is a place for us, always and everywhere. There is a place for you, for me, for everyone. No one can take it, because it has always been meant for us. It is bad, as they say in the common parlance, it is bad to leave an empty seat: “This place is for me; if I don’t go…”. Everyone can say: I have a place, I am a mission! Think about this: what is my place? What is the mission that the Lord gives us? May this thought help us to take a courageous attitude in life. Thank you.
    ____________________
    Greeting
    I address a cordial welcome to the pilgrims present in this Hall and to those linked up from the Vatican Basilica. Today there are many of them and we have to do this in two places, but connected.
    I am pleased to welcome the faithful of the dioceses of Capua and Caserta. They have come to Rome, with their pastor Archbishop Pietro Lagnese, also to return the visit I had the joy of making to Caserta on 26 July 2014. I affectionately greet the pastor Giovanni Traettino, a good friend; I greet the priests, the consecrated persons, the pastoral workers, the families and all of you, with a respectful thought for the civil authorities. I wish to reiterate my thanks for the warm welcome you gave me on that occasion. May the memory of that event, full of ecclesial and spiritual significance, revive in everyone the will to deepen the life of faith and always to be witnesses of hope and workers for peace.
    My thoughts now turn to the pilgrimage of the diocese of Sulmona-Valva, with Bishop Michele Fusco, and the seminarians of Bergamo. Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you increasingly to understand and welcome God’s love, the source and motive of our true joy. I also greet the Seminarians of Bergamo and urge them to always place Jesus at the centre of their lives.
    My blessing to you all!

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd Statement on Release of NC Native Keith Siegel From Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) released the following statement after North Carolina native Keith Siegel was released from Gaza:
    “We are overjoyed for Keith Siegel and his loved ones that the long nightmare that began on October 7, 2023 is finally over. Keith is now reunited with his wife and family, fulfilling the prayers of millions across the United States and around the world. Thank you to President Trump for delivering the decisive pressure that brought us to this day. I would also like to thank the U.S. State Department and Intelligence community, as well as the governments of Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for their efforts.
    “I remain committed to securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, especially the six Americans. They must not–and will not–be forgotten. I will continue to work to bring the terrorists who committed these acts to justice for their heinous crimes.”
    Senator Budd has been working for the release of American hostages since October 2023:
    On October 25, 2023, Senator Budd first spoke about the hostage situation in Gaza on the Senate floor, where he announced his intention “to hold all humanitarian aid to Gaza until each and every American hostage is home and is safe.”
    On November 6, 2023, Senator Budd met with Qatari Ambassador Meshal Al Thani in Senator Budd’s Washington, D.C. office. In that meeting, he strongly urged the Qatari government to use their leverage on Hamas leaders currently residing in Doha to immediately release all hostages, and hold those same Hamas leaders accountable once the hostage situation is fully resolved.
    On November 26, 2023, Senator Budd reacted to the release of Keith Siegel’s wife, Aviva, saying, “While we are encouraged by the government of Qatar’s efforts to mediate the release of some of the hostages, we renew our call to their government to exert pressure on Hamas leadership to release each and every hostage immediately and unconditionally.”
    On November 28, 2023, Senator Budd spoke on the Senate floor and called out Qatar for its continued hosting of Hamas terrorist leaders, saying, “We need to tell our friends in Doha loudly and clearly: Qatar is accepting a significant liability with its pro-Hamas policy.”
    On December 13, 2023, Senator Budd sent a holiday message of support to the hostages and their families in a speech on the Senate floor, saying, “I want every one of these family members to know that our country is behind them, we support them, and we are praying for them.”
    On January 10, 2024, Senator Budd returned from a congressional delegation (CODEL) to the Middle East, which included stops in Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Bahrain. The focus of the delegation’s meetings across the region was on securing the release of hostages. 
    On the trip, Senator Budd and his colleagues toured one of the communities devastated by the October 7th massacre by Hamas terrorists. He personally spoke with former hostage Aviva Siegel, and met with top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea.
    Senator Budd then met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Prime Minister of Qatar, to whom Senator Budd sent a strong message that Qatar must do more to secure the immediate and safe release of all of the hostages.
    On January 15, 2024, Senators Budd and Joni Ernst (R-IA) published an op-ed marking the 100th day of captivity for the hostages, writing, “As long as Americans remain captive to these barbaric thugs, the latter is the victor. Allowing Americans to suffer under the yoke of terrorists is a win for evil around the world and a boon for Iran’s proxies.”
    On January 25, 2024, Senator Budd spoke on the Senate floor and delivered a sharp message to the government of Qatar: “Our patience has run out. Time is up. Either pressure Hamas leaders to release the hostages now, or expel them from your land. It’s that simple. The United States of America will be watching.”
    On March 7, 2024, Senators Budd and Tillis invited the family of Keith Siegel to be their guests at the president’s State of the Union Address. Keith’s sister Lucy and niece Hanna accepted the Senators’ invitation.
    On March 15, 2024, Senator Budd joined a joint statement from Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as five other Senators stating, “If Hamas refuses reasonable negotiations, there is no reason for Qatar to continue hosting Hamas’ political office or any of its members in Doha.”
    On March 26, 2024, Senator Budd and Senator Ernst issued a joint statement calling on the State of Qatar to immediately expel all members of Hamas’ political office currently residing in Doha.
    On April 9, 2024, Senator Budd introduced the ‘Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non- NATO Ally Status Act’, which would require the Secretary of State to formally certify that Qatar has expelled or agreed to extradite to the United States any individuals bearing responsibility for the terror attack on October 7, 2023. If the Secretary of State cannot make this certification in good faith, then the President is required to immediately terminate the designation of the State of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally.
    On April 10, 2024, Senator Budd attempted to invoke unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass the ‘Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non- NATO Ally Status Act’, but was blocked. He said, “The time for talking is over, and the time for action is now. If we don’t see action, then Qatar must face consequences. At the end of the day, this bill represents another step towards securing the freedom of our fellow Americans.”
    On May 7, 2024, Senators Budd and Ernst returned from a congressional delegation (CODEL) to the Middle East, which included stops in Israel, Iraq, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
    On the trip, Senators Budd and Ernst received first-hand updates on the state of the hostage negotiations from top U.S. and Israeli officials including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They also hosted the families of American hostages, including the family of North Carolina native, Keith Siegel. 
    On July 31, 2024, Senator Budd released a statement after Hamas’s political leader was killed, saying that it “sends a clear and resounding message to terrorists that those who kill and kidnap Americans will ultimately face justice.”
    On September 1, 2024, Senator Budd released a statement condemning the Hamas murder of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin along with five other Israeli hostages, saying, “This is yet another act of cold-blooded barbarism from Hamas terrorists. It must not be excused or downplayed. The U.S. government must leave no stone unturned until all those responsible for Hersh’s kidnapping and murder are brought to justice, and until we bring every American hostage home.”
    On October 7, 2024, Senator Budd disclosed that the Biden administration had ignored a bipartisan request from Senator Budd and 11 other Senators to authorize a reward of up to $25 million for information that brings Hamas leaders to justice.
    On October 17, 2024, Senator Budd released a statement after Israeli Defense Forces killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attacks, saying, “[Sinwar] was a terrorist leader who had American blood on his hands. To the remaining Hamas leaders: release the hostages, renounce terrorism, and recognize Israel’s right to exist. There is no future for Hamas or its ideology.”
    On November 8, 2024, Senator Budd joined a letter to the Department of Justice and Department of State requesting an immediate freeze on the assets of Hamas officials living in Qatar, the extradition of several senior Hamas officials currently residing in Qatar, and that Qatar end its hospitality of Hamas’ senior leadership.
    On November 8, 2024, Senator Budd released a statement after the State of Qatar decided to expel the remaining Hamas terrorist leadership from Doha, calling the move, “welcome, but long overdue.” 
    On November 22, 2024, Senator Budd, along with Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker and Senator Joni Ernst, released a statement calling on Turkey to extradite the Hamas terrorist leaders who fled there after being expelled from Qatar.
    On December 2, 2024, Senator Budd released a statement after the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that U.S.-Israeli citizen Omer Neutra was killed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attacks. His body remains in Gaza, saying in-part, “this news is further proof of the true evil of Hamas terrorists. The U.S. government must not relent until all those responsible for Omer’s murder are brought to justice, and until we bring every American hostage home.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: OpenMind Makes Human-Machine Collaboration System Open to the Public

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OpenMind, building the foundation for a world where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly, is set to debut its cutting-edge, open-source intelligent agent framework, OM1, at the upcoming Coinbase AI Hackathon this Saturday.

    As the race for the best humanoid robot heats, with global teams integrating autonomous systems across workflows in healthcare, manufacturing, and defense, OpenMind’s launch couldn’t be more timely. At the heart of their innovation is OM1, an open-source operating system for building “thinking machines”—intelligent systems that combine perception, decision-making, and action. It provides developers with a modular, scalable, and transparent framework that simplifies the creation and deployment of intelligent agents that operate across digital, physical, and hybrid environments.

    At the heart of OM1 is the idea of modular intelligence, leveraging large language models (LLMs) to enable machines to process and respond to human language. Developers and users can interact directly with the system to debug, improve, or guide its operation. Designed like a system of building blocks, it allows components —perception systems, actuators, and reasoning modules to snap together seamlessly. This modular approach enables unified decision-making, where multiple inputs—such as cameras, voice recognition, and sensors—are fused in a shared decision-making process that outputs behaviors or actions in physical or virtual environments.

    OM1 doesn’t just help machines become smart—it enables them to think, adapt, and learn in ways that are fundamentally more flexible and robust than traditional systems. This approach ensures developers can create intelligent agents that are not only smarter but also more capable of solving real-world challenges.

    OpenMind is also developing FABRIC, a decentralized communication and coordination layer that enables intelligent agents to interact, negotiate, and collaborate efficiently. Key features include a robust framework for machine-to-machine interaction and data exchange; real-time team formation, adaptation, and dissolution based on task demands; and blockchain-powered auctions and evaluation systems ensure fair and efficient task assignments to the most capable human-machine teams.

    OpenMind will showcase OM1 at the Coinbase AI Hackathon this Saturday, offering developers, researchers, and AI enthusiasts an exclusive look into the future of decentralized intelligence and human-machine collaboration, giving everyone an opportunity to help define the next chapter in robotics.

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by OpenMind. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Contact:
    Paige Xu
    Head of Growth
    paige@openmind.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: LGBT+ History Month: Labour urged to end veto on gender reform

    Source: Scottish Greens

    01 Feb 2025 Equality

    Trans rights are human rights.

    More in Equality

    The Scottish Greens are calling on the UK Government to lift the anti-democratic veto and unblock the Gender Recognition Reform Bill that Holyrood voted overwhelmingly for in 2022.

    The call comes at the start of LGBT+ History Month. If enacted, this bill would allow self-identification for trans people, legally recognising their gender if different from their sex assigned at birth. It would give life-affirming autonomy without trans people having to wait years for an intrusive medical diagnosis.

    Scottish Greens spokesperson for Equalities Maggie Chapman said:

    “The theme of this year’s LGBT+ History Month is Activism and Social Change. I urge the Secretary of State for Scotland and his Labour colleagues at Westminster to live up to these values and undo the unfair and undemocratic veto on gender recognition reform.

    “Gender recognition reform was supported by MSPs from all parties, including the Scottish Labour leadership. Upholding the Tory veto undermines the cross-party support that it received and the backing by almost every reputable equalities organisation.

    “Most importantly, it highlights the lack of respect offered to some of the most marginalised and frequently targeted communities across Scotland. 

    “Self-identification is a normal process that is used in countries across the world. Finally allowing it to be implemented would be a small change that would offer more hope and support for trans people.

    “What Labour must realise is the precedent that the Tory veto set. It has had real consequences, denying hard-won rights, fanning the flames of a reactionary culture war and paving the way for other rights to be reversed in other areas.”

    Ms Chapman added: “LGBT+ History Month is about celebrating the diversity that exists in our communities and the activism and struggle of those who have stood up for equality and against prejudice. It is only right that we recognise that diversity in law too.

    “Human rights are non-negotiable and are at the heart of the fairer, greener Scotland that I want us to build.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: Remote inspection formats eliminate direct contact between the inspector and the entrepreneur

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Grigorenko held a meeting with the heads of regulatory authorities

    February 1, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko held a meeting with the heads of regulatory authorities

    February 1, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Grigorenko held a meeting with the heads of regulatory authorities

    Expanding the forms of remote control and developing a feedback system will become the main areas of improvement in the sphere of control in 2025. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko at a meeting with the heads of control and supervisory bodies.

    According to him, thanks to digital technologies, which are increasingly being introduced into the activities of control bodies, direct interaction between the inspector and the entrepreneur is currently not always assumed. In particular, using the Inspector mobile application in 2024, it was possible to carry out events on 43 types of control (for example, fire supervision, construction supervision, technical supervision, health supervision). As part of the pilot project (since May 2024), about 3 thousand remote events were carried out. In 2025, the scope of the mobile application will be extended to a number of other types of control.

    “This form of control has a number of advantages. First of all, it saves time and simplifies supervisory procedures. Also, remote formats of control measures using digital solutions eliminate direct contact between the inspector and the entrepreneur. On January 1, a new legislative norm came into force, with which we secured the legal basis for using the Inspector mobile application. We expect that this mechanism will be used in at least 10% of events this year,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    In addition, it will be possible to appeal 100% of control and supervisory activities through the public services portal in a pre-trial manner. In particular, it is planned to expand the functionality of the service for appealing the results of activities without interacting with the inspector. In 2024, about 36 thousand requests were received through the pre-trial appeal service, most of which are related to petitions to extend the deadlines for the execution of orders issued following inspections. Information received from the business community through this service as feedback is used to further improve the supervisory sphere.

    In total, about 390 thousand inspections were carried out in the country in 2024, less than half of which were business inspections. This is four times less than in 2019, when the reform of control and supervisory activities was launched. The most effective inspections are those carried out on the basis of a risk-oriented approach. Their efficiency is about 90%. The most effective agencies in working with risks are Rosselkhoznadzor (efficiency – 94%) and Roszdravnadzor (efficiency – 90%).

     

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics with Michelle Grattan: Albanese dumps Nature Positive legislation and considers shrinking the electoral reform bill

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dumped – for the second time – the government’s controversial “Nature Positive” legislation, which had run into strong opposition from the Western Australian Labor government.

    Albanese, speaking on The Conversation’s Politics podcast ahead of a fortnight parliamentary sitting starting next week, said there was not enough support for the legislation, which had been on the draft list of bills for next week, circulated by the government.

    This is the second time the Prime Minister has pulled back from the legislation. Late last year he also said it did not have enough support, despite Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek believing she had a deal with the Greens and crossbench for its passage.

    The legislation would set up a federal Environment Protection Agency, which has riled miners who claim it would add to bureaucracy and delay approvals.

    In recent days WA premier Roger Cook, who was instrumental in heading off the legislation last year, has been lobbying the federal government again. WA faces an election on March 8.

    In an interview on Saturday, Albanese told The Conversation: “I can’t see that it has a path to success. So at this stage, I can say that we won’t be proceeding with it this term. There simply isn’t a [Senate] majority, as there wasn’t last year.

    “The Greens Party on one hand have changed their views”, making another demand during the week, he said. While the Liberals – who began the review of the present Environment Protection Act – “have chosen an obstructionist path,” he said.

    Albanese said the government would continue to discuss the issue with stakeholders in the next term of parliament.

    “Does the environment and protection act need revision from where it was last century? Quite clearly it does. Everyone says that that’s the case. It’s a matter of working to, in a practical way, a commonsense reform that delivers something that supports industry.

    “I want to see faster approvals. We in fact have speeded up approvals substantially.

    “But we also want proper sustainability as well.”

    Albanese also flagged the government might cut back its legislation to reform rules covering electoral donations and spending in order to get a deal to pass it.

    Special Minister of State Don Farrell and the Liberals had been on the brink of a deal in the final week of parliament last year, but negotiations imploded at the eleventh hour.

    Albanese told The Conversation he hoped the legislation could still be passed. “I spoke with [Farrell] today, he is consulting with people across the parliament.

    “What I would say is that we are looking to get reform through. Now whether that is a bigger, broader reform or whether it needs to be narrowed down, we’ll wait and see.

    “But we’re very serious about the reform which would lower the donation declarations, that would put a cap on donations, a cap on expenditure, that would lead to more transparency as well. It’s an important part of supporting our democracy.

    “We see overseas and we’ve seen people like Clive Palmer here spend over $100 million on a campaign. That’s a distortion of democracy – if one person can spend that much money to try to influence an election and we don’t find out all of that information till much later on.”

    The reforms would not start operating until the next term of parliament.

    Albanese said he thought the reform would have “overwhelming support” with the public “and I hope that it receives overwhelming support in the Senate as well”.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Politics with Michelle Grattan: Albanese dumps Nature Positive legislation and considers shrinking the electoral reform bill – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-albanese-dumps-nature-positive-legislation-and-considers-shrinking-the-electoral-reform-bill-248848

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ-Kiribati fallout: Maamau’s inability to engage with NZ difficult to defend

    COMMENTARY: By Barbara Dreaver, 1News Pacific correspondent

    There has rightly been much debate and analysis over New Zealand’s decision to review the aid it gives to Kiribati.

    It’s a big deal. So much is at stake, especially for the I-Kiribati people who live with many challenges and depend on the $100 million aid projects New Zealand delivers.

    It would be clearly unwise for New Zealand to threaten or cut aid to Kiribati — but it has every right to expect better engagement than it has been getting over the past year.

    What has been disturbing is the airtime and validation given to a Kiribati politician, newly appointed Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs Ruth Cross Kwansing.

    It’s helpful to analyse where this is coming from so let’s make this very clear.

    She supports and is currently a minister of a government that in 2022 suspended Chief Justice William Hastings and Justice David Lambourne of the High Court, and justices Peter Blanchard, Rodney Hansen and Paul Heath of the Court of Appeal.

    She supports and is part a government that deported Lambourne, who is married to Opposition Leader Tessie Lambourne — and they have I-Kiribati children. (He is Australian but has been in the Kiribati courts since 1995).

    She supports and is part of a government that requires all journalists — should they get a visa to go there — to hand over copies of all footage/information collected.

    She also benefits from a 220 percent pay rise that her government passed for MPs in 2021.That same year, ministers were gifted cars with China Aid embossed on the side, as well as a laptop from Beijing.

    1News broke story
    This week, 1News broke the story of New Zealand putting aid sent to Kiribati on hold — pending a review — after a year of trying to get a bilateral meeting with the Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    NZ-Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

    Amidst a gushing post about a president who recently gave this rookie MP a ministerial post, Cross Kwansing wrote of the “media manufactured drama” and “the New Zealand media, in its typical fashion, seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati, and the familiar whispers about Chinese influence began to circulate”.

    These comments shouldn’t come as any surprise as blaming the media is a common tactic of politicians and Cross Kwansing is no different.

    Just because the new minister doesn’t like what New Zealand has decided to do doesn’t mean it must be “media manufactured”.

    Her comment that “the New Zealand media, in its typical fashion, seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati” is also ridiculous.

    The journalist that broke the story — myself — is half I-Kiribati and incredibly proud of her heritage and the gutsy country that she was born in and grew up in, with family who still live there.

    Cross Kwansing has been a member of parliament for less than six months. To not discuss the geopolitical implications with China, given the way the world is evolving and Kiribati’s close ties, would be naive and ignorant.

    Pacific leaders frustrated
    It is not just New Zealand that Maamau has refused to meet. Over the last two years, Pacific Island leaders have spoken of frustration in trying to engage with the president.

    Maamau is known to be a pleasant man and enjoyable to converse with. But, for whatever reason, he has chosen not to engage with many leaders or foreign ministers.

    Cross Kwansing has helpfully shared that the president announced to his cabinet ministers that he would delegate international engagements to his vice president so he could concentrate “intently on domestic matters”.

    Fair enough. Except that Maamau has chosen to hang on to the foreign minister portfolio.

    It is quite right that New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters would expect to engage with his Kiribati counterpart — especially given the level of investment and numerous attempts being made, and then a date finally agreed on by Maamau himself.

    Six days before Peters was meant to arrive in Kiribati, the island nation’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs told the NZ High Commission there that the president was now “unavailable”. In the diplomatic world, especially given the attempts that had preceded it, that is hugely disrespectful.

    There are different strategies the New Zealand government could have chosen to take to deal with this. Peters has had enough and chosen a hardline course that is likely to have negative impacts on New Zealand in the long term, but it’s a risk he obviously thinks is worth taking.

    Cross Kwansing has spoken about prioritising cooperation and mutual respect over ego and political posturing. Absolutely right — except that this piece of helpful advice should also be taken by her own government. It works both ways for the sake of the people.

    Barbara Dreaver is of Kiribati and Cook Islands descent. She was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities. This TVNZ News column has been republished with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: First Spring Festival temple fair opens in Frankfurt

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A man learns to perform Ansai waist drum during the Spring Festival temple fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2025. The first Spring Festival temple fair in Frankfurt kicked off on Friday. The fair celebrates Chinese New Year with a wide range of festive events, and will run until Feb. 2. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

    The first Spring Festival temple fair in Frankfurt kicked off on Friday. The fair celebrates Chinese New Year with a wide range of festive events, and will run until Feb. 2.

    It features authentic Chinese national intangible cultural heritage, such as Chaoyang Yingge dance from Guangdong, Ansai waist drumming from Shaanxi, traditional folk crafts like sugar painting, and performances by Chinese robots and robotic dogs.

    Last December, the Spring Festival was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

    Chinese Consul General in Frankfurt Huang Yiyang said: “The Spring Festival originates from China but belongs to the world. The Frankfurt Spring Festival temple fair is not only an event for the Chinese compatriots in Germany to celebrate their traditional festival but also an important platform for promoting the Global Civilization Initiative and fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Germany, bringing our peoples closer together.”

    Turgut Yueksel, a member of the Hessian State Parliament, said at the opening ceremony of the first temple fair for Spring Festival in Frankfurt that this event is very precious. It conveys Chinese cultural characteristics and brings a unique style to the local residents of Frankfurt, Yueksel said.

    Chen Tanpeng, coach of the Ximen Yingge Team from Shantou, Guangdong province, told Xinhua that the performers will offer a rich cultural feast to friends from all over the world through their Chaoyang Yingge dance, a unique art form combining drama, dance, and martial arts.

    “I find the environment in Germany to be excellent, the people incredibly warm, and the food absolutely delightful. We are very happy to be here and are thrilled to celebrate the New Year in such a wonderful place,” Chen said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival holiday sees cultural delights for everyone

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Beyond festive foods and goods, during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, people in China can also immerse themselves in delightful experiences featuring more cultural elements.

    The holiday film lineup may leave Chinese moviegoers spoiled for choice. Six domestic movies debuted during the period, covering a diverse range of genres, such as Chinese mythology, comedy, fantasy, animation and drama.

    Statistics showed that China’s daily box office hit an impressive record of over 1.8 billion yuan (about 249 million U.S. dollars) in earnings on Wednesday. The total holiday box office so far has topped 5 billion yuan.

    “Ne Zha 2,” a sequel to the 2019 animated blockbuster “Ne Zha,” led the charts with total box office revenue of over 1.9 billion yuan as of Saturday morning.

    The second and third highest-grossing films on the leaderboard are “Detective Chinatown 1900,” the newest installment of the “Detective Chinatown” franchise that debuted in 2015, and “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force,” the second episode of the Chinese myth trilogy.

    “We brought our kid to watch ‘Ne Zha 2’ and were informed that all tickets for afternoon screenings were sold out, and there were only seats available for the shows after 7 p.m.,” said Xu Yiwei, a resident in the city of Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia, noting that the box office during this year’s Spring Festival looks more prosperous than in previous years.

    For those who prefer to sit comfortably on their sofas and feast on entertainment programs on TV, the annual Spring Festival gala on Chinese New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly something not to be missed. The gala, featuring significant intangible cultural heritage content, garnered 16.8 billion views across all media platforms.

    More people could enjoy the festive atmosphere of the gala this year. The 2025 gala featured its first-ever accessible broadcast for visually and hearing-impaired audiences. Sign language performers attended the broadcast, and audio programs provided narratives and background interpretations of the gala for relevant groups.

    Chinese museums and cultural facilities also offer options for those wishing to spend an entertaining and educational festival.

    The Natural History Museum of China has launched a special exhibition featuring snake-themed cultural relics to celebrate the Year of the Snake. In addition to natural science knowledge about snakes, the exhibition also explores the development and evolution of zodiac culture, offering a comprehensive display of the rich and diverse symbolism of snakes in traditional Chinese culture.

    The 3,300-year-old Yin Ruins, confirmed as the capital site of the late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), is also the historical era depicted in the “Creation of the Gods” series. Anyang City in central China’s Henan Province has seized the opportunity of the latest movie’s release to launch a series of activities promoting the culture of the ancient period.

    “Watching the Chinese mythology and experiencing the rejuvenated appeal of traditional classics, this Spring Festival is truly extraordinary,” said Anyang resident Lyu Tianyu after watching the film.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two men guilty of stealing empty tills from Camden restaurant

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two men have pleaded guilty to burgling a Camden restaurant after police arrested them outside the venue trying, and failing, to open entirely empty cash registers.

    Detective Constable Michelle Andersen, the Islington based CID officer who led the investigation, said: “Officers were very quick to get to the scene of the burglary, and were able to arrest both suspects before they could make off.

    “But even before police arrived on scene, their criminal plan wasn’t going well. CCTV shows them trying and failing to open the drawers of the cash registers. But even if they had have managed that, they’d have found them to be completely empty.”

    At around 06:00hrs on Saturday, 25 January, police responded to an alert from London Borough of Camden CCTV operators to a break-in at a restaurant in Camden High Street.

    Officers arrived a short time later. Paul Haughey, 40, (03/09/1984) of Camden Road, NW1 and Jayvan Burton, 41, (19/10/1983) of no fixed address but from the Camden area, were caught red-handed.

    Both men were charged with non-residential burglary for stealing the empty tills, to which they pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 27 January.

    Haughey will be sentenced at the same court on 18 February. A date is yet to be arranged for Burton’s sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Shaheen, Senate Democrats Condemn Trump DoD Decision to End Policy Allowing U.S. Service Members to Access Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and 17 of their Senate colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense—U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)—in releasing the following statement on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) rescission of policy that allowed service members to get reimbursed for travel and transportation for non-covered reproductive care. Earlier this week, DoD updated its Joint Travel Regulations to rescind this policy. 

    “This decision strips away service members’ ability to access the reproductive care they need, which is nothing short of abhorrent. It runs contrary to a core goal of the Department of Defense – to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our service members so that our force remains ready at all times to protect Americans and keep this nation safe. 

    “U.S. service members have no control over where they are stationed and what state laws may govern their bodies. The policy that the Department of Defense took away from our servicewomen and military families provided them the ability to travel to another state to seek out the care they need. Rescinding that does nothing to enhance military readiness. 

    “At a time when we are already facing military recruitment and retention challenges, we should do all we can to assure those who answer the call to serve America that we will do everything in our power to support them and their families. Instead, this extreme action does the opposite and sends a message to servicewomen—who make up more than 17 percent of our military’s active duty—that they are not as valuable as their male counterparts. 

    “We will do everything in our power to mitigate the impact that this extreme decision will have on members of our military and ensure their health and safety comes first.” 

    Last Congress, Murray, Shaheen, and others introduced the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act—legislation that would codify the DoD’s February 16, 2023 policy to ensure service members and their families can access non-covered reproductive health care, including abortion services, regardless of the state in which they are stationed. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, DC — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Energy demanding answers about the Trump administration withholding critical investments to lower energy costs for American families and businesses, spur innovation, and strengthen our energy security.

    In the letter, Murray and Kaptur state: “We write expressing deep concerns regarding the Department of Energy’s recent unlawful actions to halt programs that are imperative to the Department’s mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing the nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.”

    “The Department’s actions to halt these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses, and they are a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted spending laws,” Murray and Kaptur continued.

    Murray and Kaptur note that President Trump’s executive order illegally freezing Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding is creating unacceptable chaos, confusion, and harm.

    In particular, they note that the order and a variety of other actions the administration has taken will hurt American families and businesses: “Stopping these programs is taking money from the pockets of Americans. For example, the Home Energy Rebates programs, funded by the IRA, has been putting money directly back in the hands of American households. The rebates help consumers save money on select home improvement projects that can lower energy bills by providing up to $14,000 per household in rebates. It is estimated that these programs will save households up to $1 billion per year on energy bills and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. The President’s attempt to freeze the Home Energy Rebates Program means these costs will fall back on American consumers.”

    Murray and Kaptur press the Department for answers about what funding it is currently freezing and other actions it is taking to halt critical programs, and concluded: “We hope you will work with us—not against us—to lower energy costs and help create good-paying jobs, but we demand that you follow the law as intended.”

    A timeline of President Trump’s actions to freeze critical federal funding is available HERE. Fact sheets detailing how presidents lack power to unilaterally override spending laws and deny enacted funding to communities through impoundment can be found HERE and HERE.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Western Australia sign on to new school funding and reform agreement

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The Albanese Labor Government and Cook Labor Government have signed an updated school funding and reform agreement.

    As part of this updated agreement, the Commonwealth will provide an additional 5 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to WA public schools.

    This will lift the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the SRS by 2034.

    This represents the biggest new investment in WA public schools by the Australian Government ever. This will be tied to reforms to help more students in public schools keep up, catch up and finish high school.

    This includes more individualised support for students, mandating evidenced-based teaching practices and more mental health support in schools.

    As part of the Agreement, WA will remove the provision put in by the Morrison Government allowing the state to claim 4 per cent of public school funding for indirect school costs such as capital depreciation and replace it with recurrent funding on eligible expenses, while also maintaining a share of at least 75 per cent of the SRS for public schools.

    This is not a blank cheque. The Agreement signed today will be followed by an updated WA Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms already being delivered in WA schools that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, such as: 

    • Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help
    • evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind
    • support for students to come to school ready to learn, such as greater wellbeing support for learning and engagement, including counsellors, school psychologists and health nurses
    • trialling place-based approaches to delivering a full-service school model in at least four WA public schools from 2026 which includes community, health and social services support
    • recruiting more co-ordinators to better support students with the most complex needs
    • identifying opportunities to reduce workloads and better support teachers and school leaders through professional learning
    • providing more support and pathways for people to transition to a teaching career in Western Australian public schools, with a focus on First Nations people, people with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

    In addition, the following national targets will be included: 

    • increasing the proportion of students leaving school with a Year 12 certificate by 7.5 percentage points (nationally) by 2030
    • reducing the proportion of students in the NAPLAN ‘Needs Additional Support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy nationally by 10 per cent
    • increasing the proportion of students in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030 and trend upwards for priority equity cohorts in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels nationally
    • increasing the Student Attendance Rate, nationally, to 91.4 per cent (2019 level) by 2030
    • increasing the engagement rate (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7 per cent by 2035.

    This means more help for students and more support for teachers.

    This agreement builds on the previous agreement with Western Australia signed in September last year.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare: 

    “This agreement lifts the Commonwealth’s contribution to 25 percent of the Schooling Resource Standard for WA public schools. 

    “This investment is tied to real, practical reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.”

    Quotes attributable to Premier Roger Cook:

    “The Cook Labor Government is firmly committed to doing what is right for WA students, which is why we were the first state to sign the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement in September last year. This further agreement builds on that deal and provides hundreds of millions of dollars of additional Commonwealth funding to the State through to 2034.

    “This is fantastic news for Western Australian students and teaching staff, it will provide the essential funding needed to ensure students can keep up, catch up and finish school.

    “In particular, students with complex needs will get more support, which is something that the Cook Government has been working on for many years.”

    Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Education Tony Buti:

    “This agreement is good news for Western Australia. Teachers, students and families across the State will benefit as a result of increased funding and increased support for mental health and preparing students for school.

    “I am delighted that Western Australia is one of the first jurisdictions to sign up to this new agreement.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Personalized health & wellness for women, expanding flavor choice, and health longevity offer food and beverages brands growth opportunities in 2025, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    The interconnectivity of all health concerns could offer food and beverages brands innovation opportunities in 2025 by addressing multiple wellness concerns at once.

    Several key trends are set to influence consumer purchasing behavior in 2025, including personalized health and wellness with a focus on women, health longevity, personalized products and experiences, and sustainability solutions aided by new technologies. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, highlights four food and beverages trends that are set to offer consumer packaged goods brands innovation opportunities in 2025:

    Personalized Health and Wellness: Women’s Health

    Women’s health has long been under-researched, presenting an opportunity for brands to create new products and new marketing initiatives to meet women’s unique health needs.

    In the supplements market, product ranges catering to reproductive and hormonal health concerns are now expanding into women’s fitness, digestion, and sleep – all of which require different supplements to men. Brands like Women Best recognize this and solely target women, providing them with supplements to support their dietary needs with functional benefits such as energy, focus, and stress relief. Unilever’s SmartyPants Vitamins range also offers multivitamins and pre and probiotic supplements that cater specifically to women’s health needs. In line with this, the women’s supplement market has seen double-digit value growth over the last two years, according to GlobalData Market Analyzers.

    Fahima Omer, Food Consultant and analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Whilst the health benefits of supplements are harnessed in products such as vitamins and protein bars, consumer packaged goods manufacturers could explore opportunities to develop new food and beverages products using supplement ingredients. One such opportunity is to recognize the interconnectivity of all health concerns and release more products aimed at addressing multiple wellness concerns at once.”

    Sustainability solutions based on new technologies

    Cell-based foods first emerged in 2013 when a scientist in the Netherlands managed to cultivate a burger patty. With new technological advancements and the use of molecular biology, brands such as GoodMeat create meat simply by feeding cells in a sterile environment. Widespread adoption of cell-based meat products has been slow thus far, but this developing technology offers the potential to produce meat products at scale in a more sustainable way. This is becoming increasingly important as The Food and Agricultural Organization at the United Nations* revealed in its 2017 report, “Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock”, that livestock is a significant contributor to climate change with emissions estimated at 7.1 gigatonnes CO2, representing 14.5% of human-induced GHG emissions.

    According to GlobalData’s consumer survey (Q3 2024), this kind of sustainability initiative resonates with 74% of global consumers who say that ‘sustainable/environmentally friendly’ is an ‘essential’ or ‘nice to have’ feature when deciding to make a product purchase.

    Cell-based foods could also address food insecurity. In a UN/WHO** joint report from 2022, the organization estimated that 11% of people globally suffer from undernourishment despite the planet being able to produce enough food.

    Health Longevity: An aging population and the rise of personalization

    With 22% of the world’s population expected to be over 60 years old by 2050, according to WHO***, there will be growing demand for food and beverage products that support this cohort’s desire for a long, healthy, and active life. Meal kits with claims around health management have grown in value by 67% during 2016-23, according to GlobalData Market Analysers’ health and wellness data on prepared meals.

    As older adults become more proactive about their health, they are choosing products that align with their wellness goals, including dietary supplements and foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that support longevity. Food manufacturer Chin Huay has responded to this demand with a selection of snacks formulated with probiotics, which support senior consumers’ dietary needs, and coffee brand UDA infuses several longevity-centric supplements to help fight aging. These include NMN, which increases metabolism and aids DNA repair; cognitive enhancer L-Theanine; quercetin, an anti-senescence and anti-inflammatory; and ashwagandha, to reduce fatigue and stress.

    This trend reflects a broader societal shift towards preventative health measures and lifestyle improvements, which have gained traction following the pandemic. Personalized health and wellness solutions from companies that provide health advice from the analysis of personal health data are growing in popularity. Everlywell provide at-home test kits that check age and gender-related conditions with the aim of providing consumers with specific lifestyle recommendations.

    Flavor expansion in Foods and Foodservice

    The ubiquity of foreign travel and the rise in social media usage have exposed consumers to global cuisines and flavors, which they have embraced, providing companies with the opportunity to expand their product and flavor choices beyond core brands and gain awareness for them through social media.

    According to GlobalData’s Consumer Survey (Q1 2024), 56% of 25-34-year-olds, globally, use social media to discover products and new flavors. A further 51% of the same age group agree with the statement ‘when I find a product in a new flavor I like, I enjoy sharing this knowledge on social media’.

    Foodservice operators such as UK-based Los Mochis have been successful in merging Japanese and Mexican cuisines using ingredients such as chipotle and kombu broth to create a chipotle miso soup, exposing their customers to bold new flavor choices.

    Omer adds: “Food and beverages trends in 2025 will reflect a complex interplay of functional health & wellness, sustainability, digitalization, and flavor choice. Innovation will not only cater to consumers’ immediate health needs but also prioritize health longevity. There could be a renewed focus on lab-grown meat which has the potential to address food insecurity whilst also combatting climate change. These trends will also present opportunities for brands to sell more value-added and premium products to meet the evolving expectations of consumers in a rapidly changing marketplace.”

    * Source: The Food and Agricultural Organization at the United Nations 2017 Report: Tackling Climate Change through Livestock
    ** Source: UN/WHO joint report: State of Food Security and Nutrition, 2022
    *** Source: WHO website ‘Ageing statistics’

    GlobalData Consumer Custom Solutions offers sector-level expertise in the Consumer Packaged Goods, Food, Beverages, Foodservice, Retail, Apparel, Packaging, Agribusiness, and Automotive industries. We use our unique data, insights and analytics to answer your bespoke questions with a tailored approach and deliverables.​ To learn more about this press release or have a chat, please drop us an email consulting@globaldata.com or contact us here and we’ll get in touch!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Demands Answers from Trump Administration After Army Corps Orders Central Valley Dams Open to Dangerous Flood Levels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Demands Answers from Trump Administration After Army Corps Orders Central Valley Dams Open to Dangerous Flood Levels

    Administration ordered two dams in Tulare County open without adequate notification to local officials, threatening Central Valley communities

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after the United States Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) directed unscheduled water releases from Lake Kaweah and Success Lake in Tulare County, purportedly to assist in fighting Los Angeles County fires that are already almost fully contained.

    Local officials warned the Corps that releasing water at the levels the Corps planned to would have flooded both the Kaweah and Tule rivers, posing a flood risk to communities and farms down river and wasting water that could have been used for irrigation over the summer. The decision followed President Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to maximize water deliveries in the state, falsely claiming that statewide water policy was to blame for the devastating Los Angeles County fires.

    “Unscheduled water releases require close coordination with local officials and safety personnel, as well as downstream agricultural water users, in order to reduce flood risks to communities and farms. Based on the urgent concerns I have heard from my constituents, as well as recent reporting, it appears that gravely insufficient notification was given, recklessly endangering residents downstream,” wrote Senator Padilla.

    Padilla asked Secretary Hegseth the following four clarifying questions in response to Trump’s post:

    1. Who directed that these releases be made?

    2. If the purpose of these releases is to help fight wildfires in Los Angeles County (which are already almost fully contained), what is the plan to transport this water to Los Angeles rather than let the water simply be discharged into Tulare Lake where it will evaporate?

    3. What type of notification, and how much advanced notice, was given to irrigation districts and public safety personnel to prepare for these increased flows?

    4. What impact will these releases have on Tulare Lake communities, including private landowners?

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Hegseth,

    I write regarding the troubling unscheduled release of water from two dams in California’s Central Valley by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following President Trump’s Executive Order falsely linking statewide water policies to the wildfires in Los Angeles. As I’m sure the Administration is aware, the rivers into which this water was released do not actually flow into Los Angeles.

    Unscheduled water releases require close coordination with local officials and safety personnel, as well as downstream agricultural water users, in order to reduce flood risks to communities and farms. Based on the urgent concerns I have heard from my constituents, as well as recent reporting, it appears that gravely insufficient notification was given, recklessly endangering residents downstream. Therefore, I ask that you respond in writing to the following questions:

    1. Who directed that these releases be made?

    2. If the purpose of these releases is to help fight wildfires in Los Angeles County (which are already almost fully contained), what is the plan to transport this water to Los Angeles rather than let the water simply be discharged into Tulare Lake where it will evaporate?

    3. What type of notification, and how much advanced notice, was given to irrigation districts and public safety personnel to prepare for these increased flows?

    4. What impact will these releases have on Tulare Lake communities, including private landowners?

    Clarity and transparency on these matters are crucial to ensure that the public is properly informed, that proper procedures are followed, and that any actions taken in the name of protecting against natural disasters will have the intended impact. 

    I look forward to your prompt response to these questions.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: High-tech inspections bolster high-speed rail safety amid Spring Festival rush

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

    NANJING, Feb. 1 — At midnight, after a busy day, a high-speed train rolls into Nanjing South Railway Station, a key hub in east China’s Jiangsu Province. Here, a team of technicians and intelligent robots stand ready to perform inspection tasks.

    Using laser radar navigation and positioning technology, the robots move smoothly along tracks. Equipped with two articulated arms featuring imaging devices, they adjust height and angle, meticulously scanning the train’s underside and components, while transmitting real-time artificial intelligence (AI) analysis for further review.

    During this year’s 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, which began on Jan. 14, China’s railway network is expected to transport 510 million passengers, with around 14,000 trains operating daily. To ensure operational safety during this high-traffic period, trains must undergo rigorous inspections every three days of service.

    Inspecting these sophisticated trains is no small task. A standard eight-carriage high-speed railway requires a comprehensive check of more than 10,000 components, from bolt tightness to oil leakage and component wear.

    “The manual inspection of a standard train requires at least two inspectors working for two and a half hours. With the use of robots, the process is reduced to just one hour, and staff only need 10 minutes for a final review — tripling efficiency compared to manual inspections, while also improving our working conditions,” said Qi Zhengang, an inspector at the railway station.

    Currently, intelligent inspection robots are deployed not only in Jiangsu but also in railway stations across cities like Jinan, Beijing and Shanghai.

    Across the country, a variety of high-tech solutions are being implemented to ensure the safety of the high-speed rail network during the travel surge.

    Electricity is the primary power source for high-speed trains. To meet soaring energy demand, the Haogang substation in south China’s Guangdong Province has adopted drones equipped with infrared, ultraviolet and sonic imagers to patrol the Shenzhen section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway.

    With the technology, invisible currents can be converted into visual patterns, cutting the maintenance time from 30 minutes to 15 minutes, said Tan Chuanbin, an employee at the substation.

    Featuring a wide field of view and AI-driven analysis, drones are also used to monitor and assess precarious rock formations and geological hazards along railway tracks in mountainous regions such as southwest China’s Guizhou and Sichuan.

    China’s high-speed rail network has seen extraordinary growth. In 2010, the country had 8,358 kilometers of operational high-speed rail. The number had skyrocketed to 48,000 kilometers by the end of 2024.

    “China’s high-speed rail advancements are built on continuous technological innovation,” said Duan Wei, deputy chief of the high-speed rail infrastructure department of the Huai’an section of Jiangsu.

    “Looking ahead, we expect AI and the Internet of Things to be further integrated, enhancing real-time monitoring and predictive warnings to better ensure passenger safety,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 1 dead, 3 missing after 2 fishing boats run aground off S. Korea’s southern island

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    One person was confirmed dead and three others went missing Saturday after two fishing boats carrying 15 crew members ran aground in waters off South Korea’s southern resort island of Jeju, according to Yonhap news agency.

    It was reported to the coast guard at about 9:24 a.m. local time (0024 GMT) that a 32-ton fishing vessel with seven people on board and a 29-ton vessel carrying eight were stranded in waters off the island.

    Twelve people were rescued around noon (0300 GMT), and three remained unaccounted for.

    Among the rescued, a captain of the 32-ton vessel in his 50s was taken in cardiac arrest to a hospital while receiving first-aid treatment such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but he died later.

    The others showed symptoms of hypothermia, but it was not a life-threatening injury.

    The captains of both vessels were South Koreans, while the other crew members were foreigners, such as Vietnamese and Indonesians.

    Search and rescue operations had been underway for the missing three crew members

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expresses condolences to victims of US aircraft collision

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China expresses deep condolences to the victims and profound sympathy to their families following a mid-air collision of a passenger plane and a helicopter near Reagan National Airport in the United States Wednesday night, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

    The foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in the U.S. launched the emergency response mechanism immediately after the incident. Unfortunately, two Chinese nationals lost their lives in the incident, according to preliminary verification of the victims, the spokesperson said.

    China has asked the U.S. to provide timely updates on the search and rescue efforts, identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible, and handle the ensuing matters properly, according to the spokesperson.

    “We will provide necessary assistance to the families of the Chinese victims as they deal with the incident,” the spokesperson added.

    The mid-air collision that happened in Washington, D.C. involved an American Airlines regional jet with 60 passengers and four crew members on board and a military Blackhawk helicopter with three U.S. Army soldiers.

    U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed no survivors in the collision at a Thursday press conference in the White House.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Quality taxi driver vote opens

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2024 is open for public voting until May 31, the Transport Department said today.

    Members of the public are welcome to cast their votes online or by scanning the QR code printed on the scheme’s promotional materials for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” and “Good Driver, Good Service” awards.

    The department said this year’s scheme received a record high number of over 1,400 nominations for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” and “Good Driver, Good Service” awards. Among them, 70 nominees for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” award and six nominees for the “Good Driver, Good Service” award were shortlisted for public voting.

    At the same time, a professional assessment panel will evaluate the nominees’ driving records, conduct, in-service training records, commended behaviour and passengers’ satisfaction levels.

    Twenty nominees for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” award and two nominees for the “Good Driver, Good Service” award who obtain the highest combined scores from the public vote and professional assessment will win the accolade, while the driver with the highest score from the vote will be the “Most Popular Taxi Driver”.

    Meanwhile, the assessment panel will evaluate taxi service management teams on taxi service quality, application of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency and quality of the service, and social responsibility. The team with the highest score will be given the “Quality Taxi Service Management Team” award.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Te Atatu Road closed following crash

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)


    District:

    Waitematā

    A section of Te Atatu Road is closed and diversions are in place, while emergency services respond to a crash reported at 4.30pm.

    There are reported to be serious injuries.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER DELIVERS NEARLY $1.8 MILLION IN NEW FED FUNDING TO HELP CITY OF SHERRILL MODERNIZE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT NEW DEVELOPMENT AND LEGACY MANUFACTURING AT SILVER CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK IN…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    After Securing $300,000+ From U.S. Economic Development Administration in 2020, Schumer Pushed For More To Cover Increased Project Costs And Has Now Secured Over $2M In Total Fed Investment
    Senator Says Millions In Fed $$ To Upgrade Sherrill’s Electrical Infrastructure Is Key To Unlocking New Shovel-Ready Sites, Attracting New Commercial Development & Supporting New Growth At Legacy Manufacturing Companies In Oneida County
    Schumer: Fed $$ Will Help Oneida County Power Commercial & Manufacturing Growth  
    U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced he is delivering $1,797,780 in new federal funding to help the City of Sherrill modernize the substation and electrical infrastructure servicing the Silver City Industrial Park, bringing the total federal investment to $2,103,780. The senator explained these critical infrastructure upgrades will help Oneida County and Mohawk Valley EDGE attract new businesses and jobs while continuing to support the growth and prosperity of legacy manufacturers like Sherrill Manufacturing and Briggs & Stratton.
    “Bringing new companies to Oneida County starts with ensuring that Silver City Industrial Park is shovel-ready. I’m proud to deliver nearly $1.8 million in new federal funding to upgrade critical electrical infrastructure in the City of Sherrill so we can fuel new commercial investments and catalyze new growth at legacy manufacturing companies in the Mohawk Valley,” said Senator Schumer. “Across Upstate New York, we are seeing a resurgence in manufacturing with Micron’s historic $100+ billion investment in Clay and Wolfspeed’s investment in Marcy thanks to my bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law. The time to prepare for even more investment is now. This federal funding is an essential piece of the puzzle needed to modernize Sherrill’s electrical infrastructure so Silver City can be shovel-ready for businesses to move in and set up shop and legacy manufacturers can continue to grow and prosper in our community.”
    Schumer previously helped secure $306,000 for the City of Sherrill’s Project Powerslam in 2020. Unfortunately, the estimated cost of the project more than quadrupled due to the increased cost of construction and labor in recent years, forcing the City to press pause on the project and seek additional funding. The senator pushed the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for additional federal investment to make up the shortfall and get the project back on track. Schumer said this multi-million dollar strategic investment from the EDA will finally allow the City to upgrade its 50+-year-old “South” substation to provide more reliable, resilient power to Sherill’s business and residential community for decades to come and help pave the way for planned expansion at Silver City Industrial Park. As part of the agreement, the City of Sherrill will contribute approximately $500,000 in matching funds.
    The upgraded electrical infrastructure will help provide the reliable power needed for continued growth at legacy manufacturing companies, specifically Sherrill Manufacturing, which is the only American manufacturer of flatware, and Briggs and Stratton, which is a lawn and garden equipment manufacturer. These companies have already brought millions in investments and hundreds of jobs to Oneida County, and the City of Sherrill hopes continued investment in its critical infrastructure will set the stage for these companies to keep growing and for new companies to locate alongside them.
    “On behalf of the City of Sherrill, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Senator Chuck Schumer for his unwavering support and tireless advocacy in securing millions in Economic Development Administration funding for the City of Sherrill.  Alongside the Senator, I would also like to thank the incredible team at Mohawk Valley EDGE for their hard work and commitment throughout the grant process. This funding will play a pivotal role in upgrading our electric distribution substation, supporting not only the long-term sustainability of our power grid but also fostering continued growth and jobs in our region,” said Brandon Lovett, Sherill City Manager. “Thanks to extraordinary collaboration between the Senator, the incredible team at Mohawk Valley EDGE, and the Sherrill community, we are closer than ever before growth and advancement at the Silver City Industrial Park. This project will provide critical infrastructure to support recent growth at existing businesses from Briggs & Stratton to Sherrill Manufacturing, while also paving the way for new investment and economic development in the years to come.”
    “Sherrill has seen tremendous industrial development success with companies like Sherrill Manufacturing, Upstate Stone, and Briggs & Stratton expanding in the Silver City Industrial Park, drawing significant attention to the area as a prime location for manufacturers,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Thanks to Senator Schumer’s leadership in securing this funding, we can modernize the city’s electrical infrastructure to further support our legacy manufacturers and fuel new investment. The benefit of municipal power in Sherrill is already a major incentive in an otherwise high-cost energy environment, and these upgrades will enhance reliability and capacity, ensuring the city remains a competitive and attractive hub for industry in Oneida County.”
    “We at Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop are excited to hear about further investment to improve the infrastructure within the Silver City Industrial Park.  As our business continues to grow, updated and reliable infrastructure is critical to our success as the only manufacturer of flatware in the United States,” said Matthew A. Roberts, President and Co-Founder, Sherrill Manufacturing Inc. and Liberty Tabletop. “We would like to once again thank Senator Schumer for his dedication to assisting both legacy and new business in the Mohawk Valley and across New York State. His hard work and partnership will help to ensure that Sherrill, NY can truly continue to be the Silver City.”
    Schumer has a long history of fighting for economic development in Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley. Last year, Schumer secured $500,000 for Brownfield’s Community-wide Assessment for MV EDGE to safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties across Oneida County and to position underused properties like the former St. Luke’s Campus for redevelopment. Last September, Schumer delivered nearly $13 million from his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Oneida Indian Nation to install 50+ new electric fast charging stations in the Mohawk Valley. Last October, Schumer announced a $750 million federal investment in Wolfspeed from his bipartisan Chips & Science Law that will accelerate the company’s ongoing Mohawk Valley expansion and hiring of hundreds of good-paying jobs. In 2023, Schumer delivered $2 million to Mohawk Valley Community College to help create a new semiconductor and advanced manufacturing training center to give the Mohawk Valley workforce the skills and training they need to be prepared for future investment in economic development.
    In December of last year, Schumer also announced that he successfully included in the reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration the bipartisan ONSHORE Act to surge more EDA resources into shovel-ready site development. Schumer was able to steer this reauthorization into law at the end of last year. Schumer’s provision creates a new grant program to support site development or expansion projects for manufacturing industries critical to national or economic security, all of which are modeled on the ONSHORE Act. Through this program, EDA will assist with site and utility readiness, workforce development, distribution, and logistics, to prepare strategic mega sites and regionally impactful sites across places like Upstate NY for new industrial investment. The EDA funding will place an emphasis on building up the workforce through training and other support as a key priority for attracting and scaling new employers at these industrial sites, providing new federal resources for the pressing priority of workforce development. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 500,000 displaced Palestinians return to northern Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    More than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, the Hamas-run media office said on Wednesday.

    A Palestinian child is seen on a destroyed building in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 29, 2025. More than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, the Hamas-run media office said on Wednesday. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

    “More than half a million (500,000) displaced Palestinians have returned in the past 72 hours from the southern and central governorates to Gaza and northern governorates via Al-Rashid and Salah Al-Din roads,” the media office said in a statement.

    Israel began allowing displaced people to return to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that put a pause on 15 months of fighting.

    Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said it would release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

    Gaza’s health authorities said hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours, including 59 recovered from rubble, two who died of injuries, and two new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since Oct. 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 injured, the authorities said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NASA to return stranded astronauts ‘as soon as practical’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    NASA said on Wednesday it is working with SpaceX to safely return the agency’s stranded astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back home “as soon as practical.”

    “NASA and SpaceX are expeditiously working to safely return the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore as soon as practical, while also preparing for the launch of Crew-10 to complete a handover between expeditions,” NASA said on X.

    NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than late March 2025 to launch Crew-10 to the International Space Station (ISS).

    The agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will return to Earth following the arrival of Crew-10 to the orbital laboratory.

    Williams and Wilmore have been stuck in space since June last year due to technical problems of Boeing’s Starliner which took them to ISS.

    NASA’s previous plan was to get them back in February. But the new launch schedule of Crew-10 meant the two astronauts will stay in space at least one more month.

    MIL OSI China News –