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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Hosts Rural Community Funding Summit in Monroe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    MONROE – This morning, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) hosted his first Rural Community Funding Summit of 2024 in Monroe, to connect mayors, city council members, and other local officials in Northeast Louisiana with those responsible for distributing funds from his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 
    “My goal is for Northeast Louisiana to do as well as it possibly can,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Working in partnership with local officials to get resources to fix infrastructure is the way to get it done. This returns our tax dollars to our communities.”
    Since its inception, over $9.1 billion has been distributed from the IIJA to Louisiana for various projects. In Ouachita Parish alone, millions of dollars are going to highway surface transportation projects, including over $3.4 million for US 80: LA 617-Ouachita River Bridge, over $2.9 million for Finks Hide-A-Way: Barkley-Bayou Oaks, and over $2.5 million for Lee Avenue: Jackson Street-Standifer Avenue. Cassidy’s IIJA is also helping bring about I-20 corridor intercity passenger rail service, which when completed will run through Monroe, Ruston, and Shreveport to Dallas. Millions have also been secured to clean up brownfields and improve the Monroe Regional Airport.
    Other notable grants for Northeast Louisiana include over $17.5 million for Mound Rest Area reservations in Madison Parish, over $15.2 million for two major surface transportation projects in West Carroll Parish and over $10.5 million for the Ouachita River and LA Highway 165 Multimodal Connectivity and Safety Project in Caldwell Parish. Other road, bridge, and Corps of Engineers projects are being funded throughout the region, and orphan wells are also being addressed.
    Several federal and state agencies were represented at the summit. The summit was co-hosted by the Louisiana Municipal Association, along with the Mayors of Monroe and West Monroe, who thanked Cassidy for putting together the summit and sponsoring the IIJA.
    “Senator Cassidy is a great friend of Monroe and makes sure we get our fair share of federal infrastructure dollars, whether it’s widening roads, improving our airport, or building passenger rail that will connect us to Dallas,” said Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis. “We know we can count on him to advocate for us. I appreciate the Senator’s intentionality at making sure rural communities know that no matter the size of the community, they deserve this information and access to funding. And thanks to this rural community funding summit, our neighbors will also be able to enjoy the benefits of his work. We look forward to working together to make Northeast Louisiana a better place to live and work.”
    “West Monroe is already benefiting from Senator Cassidy’s infrastructure bill, thanks to a major grant to boost our recycling efforts, and other communities can receive help with water, sewage and transportation projects, among others,” said West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell. “We appreciate the opportunity to host this summit, to connect leaders throughout the region with the opportunities available to them. Thank you Senator Cassidy for your efforts.”
    Five more rural community funding summits will be held throughout Louisiana, including one on Tuesday at the Minden Recreation Complex on 1001 Recreation Drive, and another on Wednesday at the Leesville Event Center on 608 Nolan Trace. Both will begin at 9 AM. For more information, please contact Shawn Hanscom at shawn_hanscom@cassidy.senate.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Dixmoor

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Dixmoor

    Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Dixmoor

    SPRINGFIELD – A FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center will open Tuesday, October 8, 2024, to help residents kickstart their recovery after the July 13 – 16, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.

    Specialists from FEMA, the state of Illinois and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the center to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, get their questions answered in person, access other types of help that may be available and learn ways to make their property more disaster resistant.

    The center will be open at the following location, days and hours:

    Dixmoor Village Community Center
    14336 Paulina St.
    Dixmoor, IL 60426
    Hours: Mon. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

    Additional recovery centers will be opening in other impacted counties soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.

    Assistance in languages other than English, including American sign language, and translated materials are available at these centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available at all centers.

    Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

    For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4819.  

    kimberly.keblish

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Inclusive Response and Recovery: FEMA’s Disability Integration Efforts During Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Inclusive Response and Recovery: FEMA’s Disability Integration Efforts During Hurricane Helene

    Inclusive Response and Recovery: FEMA’s Disability Integration Efforts During Hurricane Helene

    FEMA Supporting Survivors with Disabilities Through Proactive and Inclusive Disaster Recovery Efforts

    WASHINGTON — FEMA’s Disability Integration Advisors are on the ground in areas impacted by Helene to ensure recovery resources are accessible to all survivors. At FEMA, accessibility isn’t confined to one program or specialist, it is incorporated into the execution of all our work and programs. The Disability Integration Advisors are experts in proactively addressing the disability community’s equities and work alongside FEMA leadership to guide FEMA staff in incorporating these equities into their work. Having these advisors on the ground now is crucial to developing recovery systems that are planned and executed with survivors with disabilities in mind. Their duties include ensuring the distribution of water and food factors in survivors who cannot get to reach points and those who require assistive aids to file a FEMA application receive what they need to begin the recovery process. 

    At the direction of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Director of FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration Sherman Gillums plans to visit Helene-impacted areas to meet and collaborate with disability advocates and provide disability integration guidance to emergency managers. 

    “Disability, in some form or fashion, affects just about every family in our country and it is impossible to have a successful response without keeping accessibility at the forefront,” said Director Sherman Gillums. “We’re making sure people can access the information they need to make informed decisions in their recovery. Along with our state, local and voluntary partners, we’re working to get people access to their care needs such as oxygen and prescription medications. Meeting these needs early prevents medical complications and helps preserve independence while reducing the likelihood of forced institutionalization or premature death.” 

    As part of FEMA’s broader efforts to ensure all survivors have access to vital recovery information, specialized teams are actively addressing the needs of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. FEMA’s Office of External Affairs’ Certified Deaf Interpreter and communication access specialists are working with disability integration specialists, non-profit partners and state agencies, such as the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Emergency Preparedness team. Together, they are coordinating events to provide information on FEMA assistance, helping survivors complete the application for assistance and ensuring critical updates are communicated in accessible formats, including American Sign Language (ASL). This collaborative effort ensures that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing survivors receive the support they need throughout the recovery process.

    For those needing to apply for FEMA disaster assistance: You can apply online now or get help to apply using one of the methods below:

    • Call the FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (in your time zone), 7 days a week.
      Hours may be longer during high disaster activity. If you use a video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone (CTS), or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
    • Find a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you.
      DRCs are accessible and set up to provide help and answer questions after a disaster. The operating hours and services offered may vary at each DRC.
    • Downloading and applying on the FEMA App. 

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Watson Coleman Gathers Community Partners to Celebrate $715,000 in Funding for Delaware River Basin Commission

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

    October 07, 2024

    Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) visited the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) West Trenton offices, joined by New Jersey Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Protection Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer, DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini, DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and invited guests and partners in Greater Trenton.

    The Congresswoman announced $715,000 in funding, which she secured for the second year in a row, to support DRBC’s water resources work in the region. This funding came as a part of the omnibus government funding legislation that Congress passed March 23rd. Together with prior funding, the DRBC has committed to set aside a total of $1 million to advance climate resilience.

    “Clean water is not a luxury, it’s a basic human right,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “This $715,000 federal investment will help ensure the over 14 million Americans who rely on the Delaware River Basin for drinking, agriculture, and industrial usage continue to have access to a clean source of water. It will support the 600,000 jobs and $20 billion in industrial activity that the river facilitates. And it will make our communities more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. I am so grateful to the Delaware River Basin Commission for the crucial work they do to support our communities. And to the Biden-Harris Administration for making this investment possible.”

    “The DEP is proud to partner with the Delaware River Basin Commission to protect this critical waterway serving millions of residents and multiple communities across four states,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer. “By working together and through the Commission, we are securing a more resilient New Jersey. DEP thanks Congresswoman Watson Coleman not only for her leadership, but her unwavering commitment to protecting the vital resources of the Delaware River Basin.”

    “Congresswoman Watson Coleman is a true champion for the Greater Trenton community and the water resources of the Delaware River Basin,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini. “With support from our federal and state partners, DRBC is embarking on agency-wide work to enhance the resilience of the Basin’s water resources into the future, and we are thrilled to accept this funding for the benefit of over 14 million people in four states.”

    “Today’s announcement by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman highlights the critical importance of investing in our water resources and climate resilience,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “Securing $715,000 in funding for the Delaware River Basin Commission for the second consecutive year is a testament to her unwavering dedication and leadership. This investment not only strengthens our state’s environmental initiatives but also serves as an example of how we can unite and collaborate across jurisdictions to enhance climate resilience, ensuring a legacy of clean and safe water for future generations.”

    “Getting this funding is a huge win for our community,” said Mayor Bert H. Steinmann. “Thanks to Congresswoman Watson Coleman, we’re making sure our water stays clean and safe, which is vital for everyone. It takes a lot of teamwork to tackle these big issues, and the Delaware River Basin Commission has been a great partner in this. We’re all about rolling up our sleeves and working together—whether it’s building new infrastructure or keeping our waterways healthy for the long haul. This money is going to help us do just that.”

    Following the funding announcement, the Commission and Congresswoman Waston Coleman’s staff hosted Trenton community partners to hear about recent projects and funding opportunities.

    “Partnership is core to our work, and only through partnership can we face the challenges posed by a changing climate to our shared waters. This committed funding fuels our goals for collaborative and meaningful progress,” said DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh. “We were pleased to welcome so many partners working in the Greater Trenton community to highlight their work and connect with our staff to learn about funding opportunities.”

    “From supporting local events and initiatives to engaging in critical environmental projects, Princeton Hydro is proud to play a role in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant Trenton,” said Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, President, Princeton Hydro. “Trenton has welcomed our business with open arms, and we are grateful to be part of this community. We hope to inspire other businesses to join us here in Trenton.”

    “It is such a pleasure to work alongside so many incredible partners to ensure a sustainable future for the Greater Trenton community, where residents are experiencing disproportionate impacts of climate change,” said Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “New Jersey Conservation Foundation is proud to play a role in the protection of critical natural resources in our capital city and across the state.”

    “The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County is proud to participate in honoring Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and recognizing the impactful contributions of DRBC,” said Latarsha Burke, CEO/Executive Director of The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. “Since 2020, in partnership with NJ Legislative District 15, Mercer County Administration, and the City of Trenton, we have successfully produced the annual Juneteenth Celebration. Thanks to the investment and support of DRBC and many others, the Juneteenth Celebration has become a cherished event that unites people of all races and ethnicities. It is now our most anticipated event of the year!”

    About the Delaware River Basin

    The Delaware River Basin spans 13,539 square miles, includes parts of four states, all or portions of 42 counties, 868 municipalities, multiple government entities and jurisdictions, and twenty-two congressional districts. The Basin serves 14.2 million users including 2 million in New Jersey. 

    About the Delaware River Basin Commission

    The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency created in 1961 by concurrent compact legislation, marking the first time that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development and regulatory agency. The five Commission members are the governors of the Basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

    Commission Signatory funding supports DRBC engineering, science, research, monitoring and regulatory programs providing: clean and healthy water for people and wildlife; water resiliency to address climate change and extreme conditions such as floods and droughts; water availability and economic growth by having enough water to meet all of our current and future needs; and water equity to ensure that everyone in our communities share equally in the benefits and stewardship of our shared water resources.

    To learn more about the Commission, please visit http://www.drbc.gov or follow DRBC on X at @DRBC1961.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police unveil new fit-for-purpose dog units and ute for Chatham Islands

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Today New Zealand Police and Wade Group have unveiled the new Ford Ranger 4×4 Police Dog Unit and Mitsubishi Triton ute for the Chatham Islands Police.

    The unveiling and tour of the factory at Wade Group headquarters in Hamilton was attended by Minister for Police Hon Mark Mitchell, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mike Johnson, and Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate with representatives from Skoda and Ford.

    Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says “I am delighted to be here alongside the Minister, Mayor Southgate, executive leaders from Giltrap, Wade, Skoda, Mitsubishi, and Ford to unveil our new Ford Ranger 4×4 Police Dog Unit and custom Mitsubishi Triton ute for the Chatham Islands.

    Police’s ongoing collaboration with these businesses, highlights the tangible impact they have on contributing to the safety of New Zealand.

    Some of the features of the Ford Ranger 4×4 dog units include two large pods for the dog to travel in, an automatic fan, and in-built magnetic water bowls.

    These vehicles are a result of the significant investment made as part of Budget 24 which ensures Police continue to have the tools we need to do our job on a day-to-day basis.
    While the overall goal is to standardise our fleet to drive cost-efficiency, it is crucial to maintain some flexibility for specific needs, especially in rural environments like the Chatham Islands.

    “I am eager to see these vehicles deployed and operational, strengthening our policing capabilities.

    They will not only provide visibility and reassurance to our communities but also enhance our ability to address public concerns around gangs and violent crime,” says Assistant Commissioner Johnson.

    Alyssa Wade, Managing Director, Wade Group says, “It’s a privilege to host the official launch of this new Ford Ranger 4 x 4 Dog Unit. This unique vehicle is the result of close collaboration between the New Zealand Police’s Dog Vehicle Working Group and Wade Group. This event comes on the back of Wade Group’s recent milestone of fitting out over 4,500 New Zealand Police vehicles to date. I’d like to recognise our team, as it’s their commitment and hard work that enables Wade Group to do our bit in helping New Zealand Police keep our communities safe.

    Neil Robinson, Operations Manager Emergency Vehicle Division, Wade Group says, “We kicked off the project back in January with a specification meeting, after nine months of hard work seeing a police dog pup in the back of the vehicle for the first time really highlighted for me the important role these new vehicles will play in the community.

    The Chatham Islands utility has a high-spec fitout, ideal for life on an island – including rust and underbody protection for longevity in a harsh sea environment. With a large portion of the work on the island being off-road, it was necessary to fit the vehicle out with bull bars, winch, snorkel, mud tyres, 360 search-light and a high spec and rugged canopy, he says.”

    As part of the event, Wade Group New Zealand showcased the production line of their Skoda Police vehicles.

    Along with the production line tour, they provided a history, and future of vehicles and the services they provide to New Zealand Police.

    There was a display of specialist vehicles from New Zealand Police, Department of Corrections and Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Equinor acquires a 9.8% minority stake in Ørsted

    Source: Equinor

    07 OCTOBER 2024 – Equinor ASA has acquired 41,197,344 shares in Ørsted A/S (“Ørsted”), corresponding to 9.8% of the shares and votes in the company.

    The transaction establishes Equinor as the second largest shareholder in Ørsted, after the Danish State, which holds a controlling stake in the company.

    “Equinor has a long-term perspective and will be a supportive owner in Ørsted. This is a counter-cyclical investment in a leading developer, and a premium portfolio of operating offshore wind assets. The exposure to producing assets complements Equinor’s operated offshore wind portfolio of large projects under development”, says Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor.

    Equinor is supportive of Ørsted’s strategy and management, and is not seeking board representation.

    “This investment is in line with Equinor’s strategy of value driven growth in renewables. The offshore wind industry is currently facing a set of challenges, but we remain confident in the long-term outlook for the sector, and the crucial role offshore wind will play in the energy transition”, says Opedal.

    Ørsted has a net renewable generation capacity of around 10.4 GW, and a gross portfolio of offshore wind projects in execution of around 7 GW. The company’s ambition is to achieve a gross installed renewable capacity of around 35 to 38 GW by 2030. (1)

    Equinor’s ownership position has been built over time, through a combination of market purchases and a block trade.

    The current market value of Equinor’s holding in Ørsted is around USD 2.5bn, based on a closing price Friday 4 October of DKK 418 per share and a USD/DKK exchange rate of 6.8.

    Subject to obtaining regulatory approvals under applicable Foreign Direct Investment regulations, Equinor intends to increase its ownership to 10%. There are currently no plans to further increase the stake.

    The transaction will be executed within Equinor’s communicated financial framework.

    * * *

    (1) Net renewable generation capacity refers to the company’s equity share of offshore wind, onshore wind and solar generation capacity. Offshore wind projects in execution and the 2030 ambition are gross (100%) numbers. The ambition also includes onshore renewable energy, power-to-X and bioenergy. Source: Ørsted’s Q2-24 presentation and asset book.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Equinor reports on Norwegian development projects

    Source: Equinor

    07 OCTOBER 202422:14(GMT+13) – Equinor is the operator of 19 projects currently under development in Norway. In the proposed National Budget for 2025, the Ministry of Energy listed the status of 13 Equinor-operated projects currently under development or recently completed.

    The projects in question have a total investment framework of 198 billion kroner, from commencement to commissioning.

    “Equinor has a good portfolio of profitable projects being developed in Norway, which will contribute to long-term security of supply of oil and gas to Europe. In 2023, our developments contributed to high activity and 25 billion kroner to the Norwegian supplier industry. Together with our partners and the industry, we have completed six projects during the past year,” says Trond Bokn, head of project development in Equinor.

    The reported projects have seen a cost increase of 6.5 billion 2024-NOK over the past year, which is about 3 per cent. The overall increase since the plans for development and operation (PDOs) is 32.9 billion 2024-NOK. Currency effects account for 12.4 billion of this. If the Johan Castberg project and currency effects are omitted, the cost increase for the reported projects is around 3 percent since PDOs.

    Two of the projects, Johan Castberg and Oseberg gas compression and partial electrification, have experienced a post-PDO increase of more than 20 percent, and are therefore mentioned specifically in the proposed national budget.

    Johan Castberg

    The production ship is now anchored at the field and Johan Castberg is on track for start-up towards the end of the year.

    The cost increase in the project is 2.2 billion 2024-NOK since last year. This is due to a longer stay than estimated at Aker Solutions at Stord, currency effects and a general cost increase. Of this, almost NOK 800 million is currency effects. Since the PDO, estimated costs have grown by 25.7 billion 2024-NOK. Currency effects account for 8.1 billion of this.

    Oseberg gas phase 2 and power from shore (OGP)

    OGP is composed of partial electrification of the Oseberg Field Centre and Oseberg sør, as well as installation of a new compressor module at the field centre.

    The cost increase over the past year is 1.2 billion 2024-NOK. Since the PDO, the cost increase is about NOK 2.5 billion in 2024-NOK. Since the PDO, estimated costs have grown by around 2.5 billion 2024-NOK. This is a result of longer delivery times for new transformers that were destroyed in a fire at Hitachi’s factory in Vaasa in 2023, as well as delays related to increased complexity. Planned commissioning has been postponed from 2026 to late 2027.

    Snøhvit Future

    Snøhvit Future encompasses onshore compression and electrification of Hammerfest LNG on Melkøya. Since the PDO, the cost increase is 1.9 billion 2024-NOK. More than 500 million of this relates to currency effects.

    One of the main reasons for the higher costs is the joint venture’s decision to change the design of an electric boiler as a result of safety considerations.

    Projects included in the National Budget overview

    Breidablikk
    Gina Krog alternative oil export
    Halten Øst
    Johan Castberg
    Kristin Sør phase 1
    Oseberg gas phase 2 and power from shore
    Sleipner power from shore
    Troll Vest electrification
    Irpa
    Verdande
    Snøhvit Future
    Njord Electrification
    Eirin

    Completed projects

    Breidablikk
    Sleipner power from shore
    Kristin Sør phase 1
    Troll Vest electrification
    Gina Krog alternative oil export
    Northern Lights.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Day7 – Army Best Squad Competition 2024 Highlight Reel

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    Soldiers participated in multiple lanes on Day 7 at the Best Squad Competition – including reacting to a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) attack; Tactical Combat; Casualty Care medical lane; and shooting the M320.

    The competition assesses each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, knowledge, and implementation, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team.

    Afterward, the top four teams of the week will travel to Washington, D.C. for a board-style interview that will test their knowledge and professionalism in front of top Army leaders.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLVDQaAggUk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Renewable Energy Sector – Lake Pūkaki – back in black and on the right track

    Source: Meridian Energy

    The level of New Zealand’s largest hydro storage lake – Lake Pūkaki – is above the 91-year average for the first time since May.

    “All the rain we missed from April to August finally arrived in September,” says Meridian GM Wholesale Chris Ewers.

    “We’ve been managing our hydro lakes extremely carefully for months now, but there’s nothing like a helping hand from Mother Nature.”

    Lake Pūkaki had been below average for more than 150 days, and at historically low levels as recently as mid-August, before weeks of heavy rain and snowfall changed the outlook. Over the last week Pūkaki rose 715mm to just over 525m above sea level – 102% of average for this time of year.

    “The last few weeks have more than exceeded our expectations.”

    “September felt wet, and it was. The Waitaki catchment, which feeds Lake Pūkaki and the Waitaki Hydro Scheme, had its fourth wettest September on record,” says Chris Ewers.

    But it’s not just water in the lakes that’s welcome. In the mountains above the Waitaki catchment, snow storage is now sitting at 117% of average.

    “That’s great news for later in the season as that snow melts and feeds the lakes throughout the warmer months. After a challenging winter, we couldn’t have asked for a better start to spring.”

    The historical average level of Lake Pūkaki changes over the course of the year, and spring is generally when levels are at their lowest due to high demand for electricity and less rainfall throughout winter.

    The ongoing favourable conditions continue to ensure wholesale prices (also known as spot prices) are kept in check. The average North Island price was down $5 to $78 per megawatt hour and the average South Island price was down $5 to $69.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Graham, Governor McMaster, Lt. Governor Evette Announce Team South Carolina Days For Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – In order to best serve South Carolinians who were impacted by Hurricane Helene, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) is joining Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in announcing a series of Team South Carolina Days. These will be one-stop-shops for South Carolinians who need access to federal, state and nonprofit resources as the state rebuilds after Hurricane Helene.
    Click here to watch Graham’s video on Team South Carolina Days
    Graham said, “I know it’s been tough on our state. There has been so much devastation. I’ll be working with Governor McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Evette to host Team South Carolina Days where we will get federal, state and local people together so you’ll know where to go to get the services you need.”
    Graham concluded, “I know people are hurting out there. I believe this will help.”
    Team South Carolina Days will include representatives from South Carolina state agencies to assist with a variety of services including information for seniors, veterans, and children, and information concerning insurance and unemployment benefits. Officials from the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to provide information on disaster loans for small businesses. The South Carolina Office of Resilience will be able to provide assistance with applying for disaster relief and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will attend to take applications for individual assistance. Several nonprofits are expected to be in attendance as well.
    Please see below for information on the Team South Carolina Days that have been announced.
    Serving Pickens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties:
    Wednesday, October 9
    10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Clemson Littlejohn Coliseum
    219 Perimeter Road
    Clemson, SC 29634
     
    Serving Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties:
    Thursday, October 10
    10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    University of South Carolina Upstate
    Health Education Complex
    300 N. Campus Blvd
    Spartanburg, SC, 29303
     
    Serving Greenville County:
    Friday, October 11
    10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Greenville Technical College
    Student Success Center
    506 South Pleasantburg Drive
    Greenville, SC 29607
    Additional Team South Carolina Days will soon be announced for the weeks of October 14 and 21 for other impacted counties.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Education – Ara Creative Industries collab with ‘Planetary Emergency’

    Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury

    An October collaboration is a providing a chance for the talented staff of Ara’s Creative Industries Department to put their own practice on display.
    ‘Planetary Emergency’ at the Arts Centre’s Pūmanawa Gallery from 7 to 13 October is a multidisciplinary exhibition by tutors and technicians in art and design – their work responding to current environmental and social issues.
    Curator Dorothée Pauli said the artists and designers involved chose the theme as a collective and have responded to it in a variety of media, including textile design, fashion design, photography, printmaking, painting and mixed media works.
    “The theme was settled on two years ago when we discussed a combined research outcome. We have a strong commitment to research of course, as we teach at the graduate and post graduate level at Ara,” Pauli said.
    “The exhibition highlights the creative spirit at the heart of our department, and how artistic practice engages with, and comments on, complex contemporary issues,” she added.
    Pauli’s own contribution is the essay supporting the exhibition which contextualises the various works. Ara’s Visual Communication Design tutor Carl Pavletich designed the publication bringing her words and the works together.
    In it, Pauli notes that Ara staff had approached the exhibition with a united sense of purpose, continuing a long tradition in the history of the visual arts seeking to “bear witness to what we see is happening around us”.
    “We accept that art alone cannot change the world but assert that our personal actions matter and that the uniquely human capacity for aesthetic creativity privileges us to advocate for the survival and dignity for all life on earth,” she wrote.
    The exhibiting artists include Holly Liberona, Denise Mill, John Hill, Rach Winter, Stefan Roberts, Kim Lowe, John Osborne, Deb Marshall, Julie Humby, Sandra Thomson, Wendy Clarke, Katharina Jaeger, Oliver Perkins, Carol King and Jane Schollum.
    Besides their teaching and research commitments in their respective fields, a significant number of the exhibitors maintain an independent creative practice.
    “Daily, our focus is the growth and development of our ākonga, seven of whom achieved Master’s qualifications in Ara’s recent Spring graduation,” Pauli said. “Investment in their work can take precedence over our own practices but ‘Planetary Emergency’ is a rare chance to express our own expertise.”
    It’s been three years since staff have collaborated in this way, and a project they had embraced enthusiastically.
    “They’ve all responded differently. Some have pushed planetary emergency awareness and environmental concerns; others allow more room for personal interpretation of the work. The audience will take away what they will take away,” Pauli said.
    Current art and design ākonga said they felt honoured to attend the exhibition opening.
    “It’s the first time we’ve had a chance to see their work. It’s like putting a face to a name,” second year Applied Visual Arts student Amy Carpenter said.
    “They can be a bit shy about talking about themselves or sharing what their own practices may look like. To be able to have more of an understanding of their work is great.”
    Supported by the Ara Institute of Canterbury Research Fund, Planetary Emergency is on for just seven days in the heritage Pūmanawa Gallery at the Christchurch Arts Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter – information release – 8 October 2024 – Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter presents information on one subset of Māori businesses that contribute to our country’s economy. This release includes data on Māori authorities and related businesses. It does not cover all Māori businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Māori authorities are defined as businesses that receive, manage, and/or administer assets held in common ownership by iwi and Māori. Māori authorities are largely identified through their tax codes as registered with Inland Revenue. Any business within a Māori authority ownership group is also included for the purposes of Tatauranga umanga Māori.

    Key facts
    In the June 2024 quarter, around 1,450 Māori authorities and related businesses were in the Tatauranga umanga Māori population.

    All figures are actual values and are not adjusted for seasonal effects.

    In the June 2024 quarter compared with the June 2023 quarter:

    • the total value of sales by Māori authorities was $1,057 million, up $4.3 million (0.4 percent)
    • the total value of purchases by Māori authorities was $774 million, down $25 million (3.2 percent)
    • the total number of filled jobs for Māori authorities was 12,100, up 390 jobs (3.3 percent)
    • the total value of earnings by employees of Māori authorities was $219 million, up $15 million (7.4 percent)
    • Māori authorities exported $216 million worth of goods, up $5.6 million (2.7 percent).

    Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $15 million program bringing international visitors back to Tropical North Queensland

    Source: Minister for Trade

    A resurgence in international visitors to Tropical North Queensland is being supported by a $15 million Australian Government program.

    The International Tourism Recovery Program has delivered 28 campaigns so far, generating bookings in the last financial year for 20,000 Chinese visitors, who it is estimated will inject $37 million into the local economy.

    The second year of the $15 million program, rolling out from 1 July 2024, is expected to create even stronger demand for the world-class tourism experiences in the sunshine state’s tropical north, including the Great Barrier Reef.

    The return of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and Cairns from December through to March is projected to bring in up to 13,000 additional international visitors, who are projected to collectively spend an estimated $20 million in the region.

    China was the region’s largest international market before the pandemic, accounting for one in four international visitors and injecting more than $200 million a year into the regional economy.

    Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s tourism regions that is most economically dependent on international visitation.

    The International Tourism Recovery Grant Program is providing Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) with grants worth up to a total of $15 million over three years, helping to bring more international visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

    Quotes attributable to Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:

    “Queensland’s tropical north is a spectacular place that has always been a personal favourite, a sentiment I share with many Australians and people from around the world.

    “We understand how important international visitors are for tourism in the region and, having spoken with many local business operators, I know the challenges they’ve been facing.

    “I am pleased that the Albanese Labor Government’s support is bringing back more Chinese visitors to this remarkable part of our country where they can dive into the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef or be guided by local First Nations peoples on a Dreamtime walk through one of the world’s oldest rainforests.”

    Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:

    “The Great Barrier Reef brings tourists from all across the world to Cairns and Far North Queensland.

    “Tourism is the lifeblood of our region, and welcoming international guests is vital to the success of our communities.

    “I am so proud that our Government’s investment in TTNQ is supporting the return of Chinese visitors to this incredible part of the country.”

    Quotes attributable to Mark Olsen, CEO – Tourism Tropical North Queensland:

    “The support from the International Tourism Recovery Program has given the region a boost when it needed it most, as our international numbers have been slower to recover than the capital cities.

    “China was our region’s single biggest international market in 2019, one in three Chinese visitors to Queensland came to see Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Rebuilding demand from China is vital with Cathay Pacific returning in December.

    “The 28 trade campaigns have been supported by a coordinated approach, with a publicity push generating over $16.5 million. Roadshows are bringing our operators back into China as a region – bringing back key trade partners to experience Tropical North Queensland and all the great experiences here first-hand.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arts – $25,000 CLNZ | NZSA Writers’ Award has been awarded to writer Mark Derby

    Source: The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc

    Mark Derby has been awarded the 2024 Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc, CLNZ | NZSA $25,000 Writers’ Award for his project, with the working title, ‘Outlaw Prophet – Hakaraia Mahika and the Tauranga Wars,’ This book is an account of the New Zealand Wars in the Bay of Plenty, with a focus on an extraordinary spiritual and military leader.

    Mark Derby says “I’ve been intrigued by the impressive, mysterious 19th century Bay of Plenty prophet Hakaraia Mahika for decades, ever since I saw a mention to him in Belich’s The New Zealand Wars, as a leader who deserves more attention from historians. Since then I’ve been gathering archival and other information about Hakaraia in a piecemeal manner, while writing other projects such as Waitangi Tribunal reports in the Bay of Plenty region. This generous grant is the spur I need to turn that large body of information into a book. I’ve also recently been asked by Hakaraia’s descendants to contribute to tribal wānanga about their tūpuna and his legacy, and it’s an honour to support local Māori to engage with their own history in this way. The NZSA|CLNZ grant means I can participate fully in these wānanga at no cost to anyone else. I am very grateful for it.”

    The CLNZ | NZSA Writers’ Award is one of the annual investments made through the CLNZ Cultural Fund and is open to writers of any genre of non-fiction, including writers of education material. The award enables the successful applicant to devote time to a specific writing project. This year’s winner, Mark Derby is a Wellington writer and freelance historian.

    On the applications overall, convenor Dr Vanda Symon said, “It was heartening to see such a high number of entrants for this year’s  Writers’ Award across a diverse field of topics. The range of works included everything from local history to biography and memoir to educational projects to works tackling topical issues of today. The quality and significance of the entrants made for a tough time for the judges. Our congratulations to the finalists and the winner.”

    Judging panellist Jade Kake said of Derby’s project, “Hakaraia Mahika (Tapuika), a once (in)famous and perhaps controversial actor in the New Zealand Wars and a contemporary of the likes of Wiremu Tamihana, Rewi Maniapoto and Te Kooti, has since receded from sight and is now a little-known figure. An important new contribution to New Zealand history profiling a significant figure in the New Zealand Wars who has largely been forgotten by the history books.”

    While Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod, the third judge on the panel, said that “This project is of strong Aotearoa New Zealand interest and gives much needed attention to the Bay of Plenty wars and I am convinced Mark Derby has the track record to deliver.”

    The judging panel also highlighted Barbara Dreaver’s project Voyaging the Pacific and Jane McCabe’s project Taiwhenua: Family Land in Rural Aotearoa, which were both shortlisted for the Award.

    The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc was proud to administer the award this year. CLNZ and NZSA would like to thank all the writers who took the time to apply and to this year’s judging panel of Dr Vanda Symon, Jade Kake and Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod.

    Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) plays a key role in making creative rights valuable assets for all New Zealanders, be they rightsholders like writers, publishers and artists, or users of creative works such as educators, students and businesses. CLNZ manages the Cultural Fund, which derives its revenue from licensing income.

    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works across the literary sector to make Aotearoa New Zealand writers and books more visible, and runs professional development programmes for writers. authors.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    October is officially marked as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. This creates an opportunity to shed light on the most common learning disability in the United States, one that affects millions of Americans every day. Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence, but a unique way of how the brain processes language which ultimately presents challenges in reading and writing. This month is about raising awareness and advocating for the proper tools and resources needed to help those with dyslexia unlock their full potential. It is unfortunate that, as the most common learning disability, dyslexia remains woefully misunderstood and unnoticed. Because of this, the inability to provide better resources for educators and parents only continues to hold us back. By fostering a better understanding of dyslexia, we can create a more successful and inclusive environment for all learners.

    As the co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I have been a proud advocate in the halls of Congress for science-based approaches to bolster support for those who experience learning disabilities due to dyslexia. But on a more personal level, as a former school board president and the husband of a teacher, I understand firsthand the importance of providing helpful resources for educators to assist those with dyslexia and all learning disabilities. Last year, I was proud to sponsor legislation, The 21st Century Dyslexia Act, which emphasizes the need for a more modern understanding of the definition of dyslexia. Instead of the more overly broad definition of dyslexia as a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), it would be included in the list of disabilities that are under the definition of a “child with disability.” Additionally, I recently introduced a Resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. This resolution was an important step in ensuring that educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and can give their students the learning resources they need. I am once again proud to have supported this resolution and am grateful to my colleagues from the House and the Senate who made this a bipartisan and bicameral effort. 

    As we continue through the month of October, it is important to understand that dedicating a month to dyslexia awareness is a noble cause, but it is only the first step. True change and progress will come from the continued search for improved resources and creating environments where people with dyslexia can succeed in learning. It’s time for dyslexia to no longer be a barrier to greater understanding and learning. My hope is that we can commit to finding the resources needed to support evidence-based policy not only in the month of October but throughout the year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter – information release – 8 October 2024 – Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: June 2024 quarter presents information on one subset of Māori businesses that contribute to our country’s economy. This release includes data on Māori authorities and related businesses. It does not cover all Māori businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Māori authorities are defined as businesses that receive, manage, and/or administer assets held in common ownership by iwi and Māori. Māori authorities are largely identified through their tax codes as registered with Inland Revenue. Any business within a Māori authority ownership group is also included for the purposes of Tatauranga umanga Māori.

    Key facts
    In the June 2024 quarter, around 1,450 Māori authorities and related businesses were in the Tatauranga umanga Māori population.

    All figures are actual values and are not adjusted for seasonal effects.

    In the June 2024 quarter compared with the June 2023 quarter:

    • the total value of sales by Māori authorities was $1,057 million, up $4.3 million (0.4 percent)
    • the total value of purchases by Māori authorities was $774 million, down $25 million (3.2 percent)
    • the total number of filled jobs for Māori authorities was 12,100, up 390 jobs (3.3 percent)
    • the total value of earnings by employees of Māori authorities was $219 million, up $15 million (7.4 percent)
    • Māori authorities exported $216 million worth of goods, up $5.6 million (2.7 percent).

    Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

     

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Shares Best Practices for Urban Infrastructure Development with Regions

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Transport and Industry of Moscow

    The Moscow government has launched a series of demonstration days to show best practices in urban infrastructure development that can be implemented in other regions of Russia. Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, announced the initiative.

    The first event was dedicated to advanced solutions in the field of transport. Participants were presented with the best practices for the development of the city’s transport system, as well as innovative digital services for drivers and passengers.

    On the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the capital is ready to share its successful practices and cooperate with the regions to improve the quality of life of city residents. This is in line with the goals set by the President and the Government of the Russian Federation. Today’s event is the result of extensive joint work by the Moscow Government and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Over the past few months, we have studied and assessed socially significant urban practices that may be useful to other regions, and selected the best of them, noted Maxim Liksutov.

    Experts from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) assessed practices in Moscow and other regions to determine their feasibility and applicability in areas with different population sizes. Using a comprehensive approach, specialists identified the most promising solutions for implementation in the regions.

    It is important that the regions have the opportunity to see transport infrastructure facilities and effective solutions with their own eyes. Today, they were able to evaluate Moscow solutions that help the capital remain a leader in digitalization and approaches to the development of the transport system, as well as other practices supported by the Agency and presented at Smartek. Some of these practices are completely free and can be easily implemented in the regions, since they do not require investments in new infrastructure or information systems. They can really take advantage of the huge resources that the authors of the project are ready to provide to other regions and cities. To help the regions understand the effect of the implemented transport solutions, the Agency will develop a corresponding methodology. This document will allow them to see the degree of influence of the practices on the indicators of the national project, – shared Svetlana Chupsheva, General Director of ASI.

    Regions will gain access to more than 70 practices in the fields of transport, industry, tourism, culture, healthcare, ecology, education, investment and business development, and social support.

    Moscow, as a center for the development of high-tech industries, is implementing more than 20 citywide measures to support industry and is already disseminating positive experience to the regions, including through the conclusion of interregional offset contracts. As part of a specialized demo day, we will share with colleagues the most successful practices of localizing innovative technical and commercial enterprises. The creation of high-tech, knowledge-intensive industries in the regions is, first of all, strengthening the technological sovereignty of the country, developing its scientific and technical potential and, of course, increasing wages and improving the quality of life of people, said Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.

    The Moscow government is actively replicating successful solutions to increase investment activity and economic attractiveness of regions.

    Thus, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024, the Government of Moscow and the Ministry of Economic Development signed an agreement on the creation of a single investment portal of the Russian Federation. The basis for joint development will be the investment portal of the Government of Moscow. In February 2024, the first joint digital product was launched – the Investment Map of the Russian Federation.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media are invited to the 378 Recruit Wing graduation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    New Zealand Police is pleased to announce the 378-recruit wing will be graduating from their initial training course on Thursday morning 10 October in front of whānau and friends.

    Attending the ceremony will be Assistant Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and the Police executive, Hon Mark Mitchell the Minister for Police, Hon Casey Costello, Associate Minister for Police along with Wing Patron, Hon Hekia Parata.

    Wing 378’s prize-winners are spread across five policing districts, namely Auckland City, Bay of Plenty, Eastern, Tasman and Canterbury.

    More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Thursday.

    Patron details:

    The Honourable Hekia Parata (Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Porou) has provided 41 years of public service to New Zealand.

    She began her public service career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Māori Studies. Hekia was a Member of Parliament, representing the National Party, from 2008 until 2017 when she retired.  Since then she’s has had several appointments to ministerial inquiries, such as leading the 2023 inquiry into forestry land use after Cyclone Gabrielle.

    Graduation day:

    Media are welcome to attend the graduation parade which takes place at 10am at The Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

    Please RSVP to the Police Media Centre as soon as possible:  media@police.govt.nz

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Invest Moldova Agency – Moldova Receives ‘B+’ Rating with Stable Outlook from Fitch Ratings, Signaling Economic and Financial Resilience

    Source: Invest Moldova Agency

    Fitch Ratings has assigned the Republic of Moldova a Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘B+’ with a Stable Outlook. (ref. https://invest.gov.md/en/fitch-ratings-assigns-moldova-a-b-rating-with-stable-outlook-reflecting-economic-and-financial-resilience )

    This rating highlights the country’s steady commitment to maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability through prudent fiscal policies, a credible inflation-targeting framework, and a flexible exchange rate regime. These factors, combined with a resilient banking sector, demonstrate Moldova’s progress in overcoming past challenges and building a more stable financial environment.

    One of the key elements supporting this rating is the resilience of Moldova’s banking sector. For the past 10 years, Moldova undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its regulatory standards. Today, the sector remains well-capitalized, profitable, and exhibits low levels of non-performing loans. These improvements have fortified the country’s financial system, enhancing confidence in its ability to withstand economic pressures.

    Victoria Belous, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the significance of the rating in strengthening Moldova’s financial standing:

    “The B+ rating with a stable outlook reflects our efforts to maintain financial stability and prudently manage public debt. It sends a strong signal to investors and confirms the effectiveness of our policies. This rating will open new financing opportunities and support Moldova’s expansion on international markets.”

    Her statement underscores the government’s focus on responsible fiscal management and how the rating aligns with Moldova’s ambitions to attract international investors.

    Dumitru Alaiba, the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova, also commented on the positive impact of the Fitch rating on Moldova’s global investment attractiveness:

    “For many years, we have been striving to improve our country’s rating. The report from Fitch Ratings is a key indicator for financial markets and institutional investors. The better the rating, the more attractive and stable the country becomes, and the lower the cost of financing. We are acting on all reform fronts within our control. I am pleased to see that our efforts over the past three years are now yielding tangible results. We continue to work hard moving forward.”

    Moldova’s B+ rating, coupled with its stable outlook, confirms the country’s commitment to economic reforms and financial discipline. By maintaining prudent fiscal policies and a robust regulatory environment, Moldova is well-positioned to leverage new financing opportunities. As a result, this rating serves as a milestone for the country as it continues to expand its presence on international markets and strengthen investor confidence.

    The Invest Moldova Agency, under the Prime Minister’s Office, promotes Moldova as an investment destination and supports export growth. Managing the national brand, it fosters international partnerships, economic diplomacy, and sectoral growth, enhancing Moldova’s global economic appeal

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Nigeria

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

    • Reviewed: 4 October 2024, 15:33 NZDT
    • Still current at: 8 October 2024

    Related news features

    If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

    Do not travel to the states of Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers (including Port Harcourt and Bonny Island), the river areas of Cross River state, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. There is an ongoing significant threat from terrorism and a very high threat of kidnapping, localised conflict, and armed attacks in these areas. The security situation is volatile. If you are in one of these areas you should consider departing as soon as it is safe to do so. (Level 4 of 4).

    Avoid non-essential travel elsewhere in Nigeria (except the cities of Calabar, Abuja and Lagos), due to the threat from terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime (level 3 of 4).

    Exercise increased caution in the cities of Calabar, Abuja and Lagos due to the threat of terrorism and violent crime (level 2 of 4).

    Nigeria

    Terrorism
    There is a very high threat from terrorism, especially in northern and northeastern states, and bandit groups are increasingly active in the northwest. No location in Nigeria should be viewed as being outside the scope of terrorist groups. Terror attacks occur very regularly in Nigeria. There have been many serious attacks which have resulted in a significant number of deaths and injuries. The terrorist group Boko Haram regularly mounts large-scale attacks in Nigeria, including bombings, gun assaults, assassinations, arson and mass kidnappings. Future attacks are highly probable, most likely by Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa (ISWA). Attacks by bandit groups on civilians, motorists and local communities can involve gunfire, explosives, machetes and kidnapping.

    Most attacks take place in areas where we advise Do Not Travel, future attacks could occur anywhere in Nigeria. The Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) has been targeted in several attacks in recent years, resulting in high numbers of deaths and injuries. Further attacks in Abuja, Lagos and elsewhere are likely and could be indiscriminate.

    Armed groups often target transport routes. Avoid intercity transport via road or rail. If despite our advice you undertake travel within Nigeria, we advise that you seek professional security advice and support before departing.

    Other common targets include churches and mosques during times of worship, government and security institutions, hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, markets, educational facilities and police stations. Many attacks have occurred around religious or public holidays or festivals in public and crowded places. We advise New Zealanders to remain vigilant at all times. Locations frequented by foreigners have been attacked and may be targeted again. 

    Military operations against Boko Haram in northern and north-eastern parts of Nigeria are ongoing. New Zealanders in Nigeria should be aware that any increase in violence between security forces and terrorist groups is likely to increase the possibility of terrorism throughout Nigeria.

    Local authorities in Nigeria often impose, amend and lift curfews in response to security incidents at short notice. New Zealanders in areas affected by violence are advised to monitor local media for the latest information on possible curfews and restrictions on movement, and follow any advice from local authorities.

    Local authorities may also interrupt telecommunication services in the northeastern states without notice and for indeterminate periods of time. Neighbouring states may also be affected by these disruptions.

    New Zealanders throughout Nigeria are also advised to keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources.

    Kidnapping
    There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria, particularly in North and North-Eastern Nigeria and in the Niger Delta states. Attacks are often indiscriminate – residents and foreigners alike have been abducted and held captive, with some deaths being reported. Humanitarian aid workers may be targeted.

    There is an increasing risk of kidnapping by bandit groups throughout Nigeria, including in Abuja and Lagos. Kidnappers often target transport routes.

    Expatriate workers at oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta states are at particular risk of kidnapping, which is typically financially motivated. New Zealanders working in the Niger Delta states against our advice are advised to seek professional security advice and ensure appropriate personal security measures are in place at all times.

    Violent Crime
    There are high rates of violent crime such as armed robbery, home invasion, mugging, carjacking, sexual assault and violent assault throughout Nigeria. Crime is more prevalent at night, particularly in urban areas, such as Lagos, and on the main highways.

    New Zealanders in Nigeria are advised to be security conscious at all times and should avoid walking and travelling at night, particularly to isolated areas. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of a robbery, mugging or carjacking as this could lead to an escalation in violence. As victims of robbery are often targeted due to their perceived wealth, it is advisable to avoid wearing or displaying items that appear valuable, such as electronic devices and jewellery. We also recommend carrying the minimum amount of cash required.   

    When driving you should keep doors locked, windows up and keep any valuables out of sight. Don’t use public transportation throughout Nigeria due to safety reasons. We recommend using prearranged transport only or making bookings through your hotel.

    Civil Unrest
    Numerous deaths and injuries have occurred as a result of violent civil unrest and inter-communal violence in Nigeria in recent years.  In the past government security forces have sometimes used live ammunition to disperse demonstrations. There is an ongoing heightened risk of violence, particularly in central and northern regions. Bystanders can get caught up in the violence directed at others. 

    New Zealanders are advised to avoid all large public gatherings, protests, demonstrations and political rallies as even those intended to be peaceful  have the potential to turn  violent. If you are in an area affected by unrest, you should leave the immediate vicinity, stay indoors and monitor local media to stay informed of developments.

    Piracy
    Piracy, including against off-shore oil rigs, is a significant problem in Nigerian waters. There have been armed robberies targeting ships in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Guinea, including in the Niger Delta region.

    Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautionary measures. For more information view the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy report. 

    Scams
    Commercial and internet fraud is common in Nigeria, including internet relationship scams. New Zealanders should be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true, as they may be a scam. For further information see our advice on Internet Fraud and International Scams and Internet dating scams.

    General Information
    As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in Nigeria, the ability of the government to provide assistance to New Zealand citizens is severely limited, particularly in areas where we advise against all travel.

    We offer advice to New Zealanders about contingency planning that travellers to Nigeria should consider.

    Modesty and discretion should be exercised in both dress and behaviour in Nigeria to avoid offending local sensitivities. Sharia law operates in many Northern states. Same-sex relationships are illegal in all parts of Nigeria.

    Photography of airports, government buildings and military installations is illegal, and can result in fines or imprisonment.

    Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

    Keep your passport in a safe place and only carry a photocopy for identification purposes. Checkpoints operate throughout the country. Police officers and individuals posing as police officers have been known to solicit bribes. New Zealanders should carry relevant personal identification and vehicle registration papers with them at all times.

    The possession, sale and export of African art, particularly antiquities, without authorisation may carry heavy penalties.

    New Zealanders travelling or living in Nigeria should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

    New Zealanders in Nigeria are strongly encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

     

    Travel tips

    The New Zealand Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is accredited to Nigeria

    Street Address Bole Sub City, Woreda 03, House No 111, Behind Atlas Hotel/close to Shala Park, (Namibia Street), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Postal Address New Zealand Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Private Bag 18-901 Wellington Mail Centre 5045, Wellington Telephone +251-11-515-1269 Fax +251-11-552-6115 Email aue@mfat.govt.nz Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/ethiopia Hours Open to the public: Monday – Friday, 9am-12pm by appointment Note In an emergency or if you require urgent assistance after hours, please call the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24/7 Consular Emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.

    See our regional advice for Africa

    Top of page

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Renewal accrual in the Waikato this summer

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Over the next 3 years, the Waikato region is benefiting from the national funding injection of over $2 billion for pothole prevention and maintenance, with a significant volume of road renewals planned in this region over the next 3 summers.

    In total over 180 lane kilometres of road will either be rebuilt or resealed, with a substantial portion of this planned to take place over the next 6 months.

    Roger Brady, Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) explains that while this is great news for everyone, it is necessary to crack a few roading eggs to make the perfect network omelette.

    “The Waikato state highway network is extensive and heavily used every day by a variety of road users, including freight operators, commuters and tourists. To complete the volume of road renewals in our region there will be disruption across the network.

    “We’re looking at how we can minimise disruption by thinking differently and challenging ourselves and our suppliers to be as efficient and effective as possible. This includes using methods such as road closures to allow suppliers to get in and complete work in a quicker and safer way, and with fewer road cones.

    This approach is already in use on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Tīrau to Waiouru maintenance project. The stage between Tīrau and Putāruru has already been completed and the next stage between Tokoroa to Kinleith/Upper Ātiamuri started this week.

    “We’re using the increase in funding to rebuild more roads, which will improve the overall condition of the state highway network,” says Mr Brady. “This means smoother journeys for everyone – but we need to make the most of the warmer, drier weather to get the right result.

    “The renewal season is a game of 2 halves – we’ve started early to make the most of the weather now, and we’ll be pushing through until Christmas, completing as much as we can. After a short break over the holiday period road workers will be back at it until autumn sets in.”

    “Highlights of the programme include significant resealing around the Coromandel Peninsula, a number of asphalt resurfacing sites at the southern end of Hamilton along with the major rebuild programme on SH1 between Tīrau and Waiouru.

    “With so much work taking place it is inevitable people will come across worksites and traffic management. We thank you for your patience in advance. When you see roadworkers out on the road, travel safely through their worksites, follow signage and any instructions you receive, and give them a wave to say thanks for their tremendous work.”

    More information on the map attached.

    Waikato 2024/25 summer renewals programme and projects [PDF, 858 KB]

    This work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tourism to become $91 billion cornerstone of NSW economy

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 8 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Tourism

    Millions of extra airline seats, tens of thousands of hotel rooms and a focus on experience-led tourism will transform the state’s visitor economy into a $91 billion powerhouse as set out in a government review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy.

    The Minns Government will adopt a more ambitious goal of $91 billion in annual visitor economy expenditure by 2035 – a 40% increase on the previous goal. The accelerated growth is expected to provide a big economic windfall for regional communities, with $44 billion (48%) of the $91 billion expected to be spent in regional NSW. 

    This ambitious growth trajectory will further cement tourism as a critical pillar of future growth in the NSW economy, driving up to 150,000 new jobs by 2035.

    The next decade of growth in the visitor economy will be underpinned by a potential increase of 8.5 million airline seats due to the new Newcastle Airport international terminal opening in 2025, the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport in 2026, increased capacity at Sydney Airport and growth in cross-border arrivals through Canberra Airport and Gold Coast Airport.

    The Minns government has already been working to boost aviation capacity through support for the recently announced Turkish Airlines route to Sydney Airport and an agreement to support Newcastle Airport to attract more international routes.

    This additional capacity will increase competition, providing a greater incentive for European travellers to choose NSW as their holiday destination and put downward pressure on the cost of holidays for NSW families.

    To meet the $91 billion stretch goal, the review highlights key challenges including:

    • The need for 40,000 extra hotel rooms, a 41% increase on what’s currently available
    • Significant worker and skills shortages in roles such as tour guides and chefs
    • Need for increased business event facilities in Sydney, Western Sydney and priority regional areas.

    The review sets out a series of recommendations for achieving the stretch goal including:

    • Prioritise the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy as a government-wide economic focus.
    • Anchor the Visitor Economy Strategy around ‘experience tourism’
    • Celebrate First Nations culture and businesses through authentic visitor experiences.
    • Increase accommodation quality across regional NSW and quantity in Greater Sydney.
    • Boost aviation capacity in key domestic and international markets.
    • Leverage leisure events to grow season al visitation and showcase NSW’s strengths.
    • Dominate Australia’s business events sector.
    • Capitalise on NSW’s status as being number one for international students.
    • Foster a diverse, skilled visitor economy workforce.

    The Minns government has begun work on attracting more business events with a $1.5 million increase in funding for Business Events Sydney in FY25.

    Confirming the international appeal of the experiences on offer in Sydney, last week the NSW capital was voted ‘best city in the world’ in the Condè Nast Traveller UK’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. The poll cited Sydney’s ‘unique, indoor-outdoor way of life’ which speaks directly to the review’s recommendation to focus the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy on ‘experience tourism.’

    The NSW visitor economy is the biggest in Australia, achieving a record $53 billion in expenditure in FY24 and employing almost 300,000 workers. The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 had a target of $65 billion. The review into the 2030 strategy will inform the new NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which will be released in the coming months.

    A summary of the review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 is available here.

    Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

    “From pristine beaches to lush national parks, NSW is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe.

    “People coming to New South Wales for a holiday is at an all time high, but this review shows there are opportunities to grow it even more, partially due to more airports opening and more flight routes being secured.

    “We are ready to put our shoulder to the wheel and attract even more travellers to NSW, boosting local business and creating thousands of jobs.”

    Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

    “This is a very exciting moment for the NSW visitor economy. We’re taking a sector that is already very strong and raising our ambitions even higher.

    “This review dares us to dream big, but it also outlines the hard work needed to meet the opportunity.

    “To reach this ambitious new target we need to build more hotel rooms, attract and train more workers and create and market the experiences that connect visitors with the culture, nature and people of NSW.

    “NSW has the nature, the culture and incredible experiences. We just need to match it with hard work and planning.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ghana

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

    Ghana

    Terrorism
     Terrorist attacks are possible in Ghana. There is a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in the northern areas of Ghana which border neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, where armed groups and militias are active.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Gone Fishing Day returns on Sunday 13 October 2024

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 8 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW

    The Minns Government is proud to celebrate the wealth of fishing opportunities on offer in NSW with the return of Gone Fishing Day on Sunday 13 October.

    The Government will be hosting free community events across the state, giving both novice and experienced fishers a chance to enjoy fishing fun with family and friends.

    Gone Fishing Day events will be held at Gordon Park in Nambucca, Queen Elizabeth Park in Taree, Lake Keepit, Lakeside Parkin Narrabeen, Spencer Park in Merimbula and Apex Park in Wagga Wagga, with activities kicking off at 9am.

    Many fishing clubs, organisations and community groups will also run their own community fishing events and activities in their own local area on Gone Fishing Day, with support from NSW Government.

    A total of 62 fishing clubs and organisations have been sent fishing packages with gear to use at their local events while another 49 clubs and organisations are receiving grants of up to $2000 to help run their events.

    An open day and Gone Fishing Day event will also be held at the Gaden Trout Hatchery near Jindabyne to give the community a chance to see the newly renovated, state-of-the-art facilities, with the Government investing $8.6 million in upgrades to help futureproof NSW’s iconic trout fishing sector.

    A range of family-friendly activities will be on offer at the Gaden Trout Hatchery open day, including guided tours, Try Fishing sessions, fishing demonstrations, fish feeding opportunities, children’s face painting and much more.

    Gone Fishing Day is another example of the NSW Government’s ongoing work to promote and improve recreational fishing in NSW, with funding from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.

    To find out more on the DPIRD Gone Fishing Day community events near you or for more information, visit Gone Fishing NSW Day.

    Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

    “Gone Fishing Day is a great opportunity for people to get out on the water and take advantage of the many exceptional fishing locations we have across our great state.

    “Whether you are an experienced angler or you’ve never held a rod before – we want everyone to get involved and wet a line!”

    “It is a fantastic opportunity to attract keen fishers to take to the water and introduce kids to fishing, with casting competitions and Try Fishing sessions.

    “We know that fishing provides so much more than just a nutritious food source and Gone Fishing Day allows us to share the benefits of this fun outdoor activity to everyone around the State.

    “Recreational fishing is a $3.4 billion industry in NSW, so it is important that we acknowledge this day and the positive impact this industry has on our economy and communities.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Should you need a permit to protest? Here’s why that’s a bad idea (and might be unlawful)

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria O’Sullivan, Associate Professor of Law, Member of Law as Protection Centre, Deakin Law School, Deakin University

    Australians’ ability to protest has again been in the news this week. Against the background of an armed conflict in the Middle East and rallies nationwide, the government has suggested Australia should establish a permit system for all protests.

    Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten made the suggestion on television this week:

    how the permit system works is it doesn’t stop people protesting, but the purpose of is to look at the circumstances […] I don’t necessarily think it should apply to industrial relations, but for some of these protests we’ve seen week in, week out, I do think that having a permit system would at least straighten it up.

    So what are protest laws like around the country? Do any states or territories have this permit system, and should they? And importantly, what effect to these laws have on the right to protest?

    What are the laws like nationally?

    A permit system to allow protest organisers to hold an “authorised public assembly” operates in most states and territories in Australia. These systems allow police to “authorise” a particular protest and require a written application to police and/or the relevant local council.

    For instance, in New South Wales, people who wish to hold an authorised protest must lodge a “notice of intention to hold a public assembly” with the NSW Police Commissioner.

    Similar provisions also exist in Queensland, where organisers wishing to obtain authorisation for a protest must send a “Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly” form to Queensland Police Service and the local council.

    In Western Australia, organisers may apply for a permit to hold a public meeting and/or procession under the Public Order in Streets Act.

    However, there a significant differences in the detail of these laws. In most states, the permit system simply allows the protest to be “authorised”. This means that while it is not a criminal offence to hold a protest without a permit, it provides a level of protection to protesters from certain criminal charges such as obstructing traffic.

    Victoria does not have a permit system like NSW. Instead, it has laws that enable police to move people on, or to arrest someone for violent or anti-social behaviour.

    However, in Tasmania, a section of the Police Offences Act makes it an offence for a person to organise or conduct a demonstration without a permit if it is to be held, wholly or partly, on a public street. It’s punishable by a fine.

    The period of notification also varies widely. In most states and territories, the lead time is anywhere from five days to two weeks.

    However, in Tasmania, protest organisers are advised to lodge an application with police 12 weeks before the demonstration.

    Finally, the grounds for rejection of a permit can be overly broad. For instance, in South Australia, police and other authorities may reject a permit on the ground that “it would, if effectuated, unduly prejudice any public interest”. The legislation does not set out any criteria for that test.

    Which laws are the best?

    In terms of how these laws compare with one another and which approach is the most preferable, we need to consider two factors: the practicalities of a permit system, and whether allowing government authorities to control protests is advisable.

    In terms of practicalities, the paperwork burden, cost and uncertainty of a mandatory permit system may be unworkable. There could also be ensuing litigation to consider.

    This was starkly demonstrated in 2020 when planned protests against Indigenous deaths in custody were litigated in the NSW Supreme Court.

    In NSW, which has a permit system, the “Stop All Black Deaths in Custody” protest was initially rejected by the NSW Supreme Court but was then declared an authorised public assembly by the NSW Court of Appeal only minutes before the protest was scheduled to start.

    In deciding on the best approach to permits, we must also consider whether it is wise to allow government agencies to give the green light to some protests and disallow others. Will this put too much power into the hands of police and individual judges?

    The human right of protesting

    Here it is relevant to consider Australia’s international human rights treaty obligations, which protect the right to assemble peacefully. United Nations guidance on this right recognises that states can set up notification provisions for protests, but they cannot establish authorisation requirements.

    This means Australia can set up a notification system to allow police to facilitate the smooth conduct of a protest in advance (such as by organising road closures).

    However, this cannot require people to get permission from the police before undertaking a protest. In fact, this international human rights guidance states that having to apply for permission to protest undermines its status as a basic human right.

    More generally, it should be remembered that protests can be spontaneous and should be allowed to be so.

    This is best illustrated by one of the most important acts of protest in Australian history: the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This was set up spontaneously on January 26 1972 when four Indigenous men set up a beach umbrella on the lawns opposite Parliament House in Canberra as a protest against the government’s approach to Indigenous land rights.

    It stands to this day and is a visual reminder of the power of spontaneous protest, carried out without police permission, and a sober reminder of the importance of protest in our democratic system.

    Maria O’Sullivan is part of a Public Intoxication Reform Evaluation which is funded by the Victorian Department of Justice.

    – ref. Should you need a permit to protest? Here’s why that’s a bad idea (and might be unlawful) – https://theconversation.com/should-you-need-a-permit-to-protest-heres-why-thats-a-bad-idea-and-might-be-unlawful-240671

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Manawanui sinking: an expert explains why a speedy cleanup will be crucial – and the main challenges ahead

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Battershill, Professor in Coastal Science, University of Waikato

    HMNZS Manawanui arrives at Devonport Naval Base in 2019 still bearing its original Norwegian name,
    Edda Fonn.     Getty Images

    Speed will be of the essence as salvage crews attempt to stop fuel leaking from the sunken New Zealand naval ship off the coast of Samoa.

    The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground last weekend on a reef about one nautical mile off the south coast of Upolu, Samoa’s most populated island. The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel was on its third deployment, conducting a reef survey, when it caught fire and sank.

    Manawanui listing on the reef, October 6.
    Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority via Facebook

    The ship has come to rest at a depth of up to 150 metres, which means it may be relatively undisturbed even during storms. Any hull cracks from the impact should not be exacerbated.

    But depth makes the salvage operation challenging. Crew may need decompression chambers, and there’s only a narrow window of time to seal any fuel leaks – and, ideally, pipe out more than 900 tonnes of marine diesel the ship carries.

    Fuel leaks the first priority

    The Manawanui’s sinking is a marine disaster. But it arguably poses a lesser risk than the oil spill caused by the container ship MV Rena, which ran aground near the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga in 2011.

    The Rena was loaded with 1,368 containers, some of which contained hazardous materials, as well as 1,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. It also carried thousands of tonnes of dairy products, which effectively fertilised the ocean and caused massive algal blooms, visible from space.

    The fuel oil on board the Manawanui is lighter. Its most toxic short-chain hydrocarbons will likely evaporate with wave action. But if the remaining slick washes up on beaches, it will be harder to remove. During low tides, it will be running onto the reef, likely killing off corals and fish in a swath moving inshore or driven by wind and currents.

    The salvage crew’s first focus will probably be on mitigating fuel leaks. But they will also need to clean up any crushed coral and contaminated sediment around the reef and wreck as quickly as possible, as it may have been exposed to the ship’s anti-fouling paint. In calm weather this would be possible as it’s shallow on the reef crest.

    Ships in the past have been painted with the anti-fouling paint Tributylin. It has now been banned because of its toxicity, but many ships simply painted over it with modern paints. Any damage to the hull could expose old layers. Without a thorough cleanup, this could preclude coral recovery.

    My experience, and that of colleague’s both in New Zealand and in tropical Australia, shows a speedy cleanup can make all the difference for the environmental recovery after ships ground on reefs and sometimes sink.

    When the Malaysian-flagged container ship Bunga Teratai Satu ran into the Sudbury Reef in the Great Barrier Reef in 2001, the vessel was refloated without losing any cargo or fuel. But it had scraped against the reef, spreading tributyltin-coated fragments. The salvage operation cleaned up the toxic material and the coral was on a recovery trajectory within four years.

    In contrast, the sinking of the Shen Neng 1 in 2010 flattened 8,000 square metres of reef east of Great Keppel Island on Queensland’s Capricorn coast. While the ship was also refloated and removed, there was no cleanup and no signs of coral recovery a decade after the disaster.

    Should oil dispersants be used?

    All 75 crew and passengers have been taken off the Manawanui by life rafts and other boats that came to the rescue. A Court of Inquiry is under way to establish exactly what caused the sinking.

    Rescued crew and passengers from Manawanui on Upolu’s southern coast.
    Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority via Facebook

    The focus is now on mitigating environmental impacts.

    At this point, there are no signs of oil on the beaches where the vessel sank, but locals are reporting an oil-like substance in the water around the wreck.

    Should fuel oil spill ashore, locals will have to find ways of harnessing the public for the beach cleanup. When the oil slick from the Rena contaminated local beaches, thousands of volunteers helped with the recovery operation.

    Locals will likely also face decisions about using oil dispersants, which break up oil into smaller droplets into the water column.

    At the time of the Rena operation, there was a public outcry against the use of dispersants because they spread the pollution further into the marine environment, and the chemical combination of oil and dispersant can be more toxic than either alone.

    The use of dispersants makes sense however, if an oil spill threatens turtle nesting areas for example, as it did when the cargo ship Pacific Adventurer was caught in a cyclone off Queensland in 2009 and 270 tonnes of oil created a 5.5 kilometre long slick.

    The reef where the Manawanui struck is well known for its large population of sea turtles, which come to feed in the area. They are likely to sense the pollution and eventually stay away, as will pelagic fish.

    Given the area is the local villagers’ food basket and a tourist destination, any deleterious effects on the coastal environment and coral reefs will be keenly felt. As in Aotearoa, the intimate bond between people and the sea is profound. Drawing on past experiences will empower speedy action and hasten ecological restoration.

    Christopher Battershill received funding from the Ministry for the Environment to examine the environmental effects of the MV Rena ship wreck. He is affiliated with the Oil Pollution Advisory Committee and has previously worked with the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

    – ref. Manawanui sinking: an expert explains why a speedy cleanup will be crucial – and the main challenges ahead – https://theconversation.com/manawanui-sinking-an-expert-explains-why-a-speedy-cleanup-will-be-crucial-and-the-main-challenges-ahead-240775

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: An unbroken night’s sleep is a myth. Here’s what good sleep looks like

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Reynolds, Associate Professor in Clinical Sleep Health, Flinders University

    Bricolage/Shutterstock

    What do you imagine a good night’s sleep to be?

    Often when people come into our sleep clinic seeking treatment, they share ideas about healthy sleep.

    Many think when their head hits the pillow, they should fall into a deep and restorative sleep, and emerge after about eight hours feeling refreshed. They’re in good company – many Australians hold the same belief.

    In reality, healthy sleep is cyclic across the night, as you move in and out of the different stages of sleep, often waking up several times. Some people remember one or more of these awakenings, others do not. Let’s consider what a healthy night’s sleep looks like.

    Sleep cycles are a roller-coaster

    As an adult, our sleep moves through different cycles and brief awakenings during the night. Sleep cycles last roughly 90 minutes each.

    We typically start the night with lighter sleep, before moving into deeper sleep stages, and rising again into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – the stage of sleep often linked to vivid dreaming.

    If sleeping well, we get most of our deep sleep in the first half of the night, with REM sleep more common in the second half of the night.

    Deepest sleep usually happens during the first half of the night.
    Verin/Shutterstock

    Adults usually move through five or six sleep cycles in a night, and it is entirely normal to wake up briefly at the end of each one. That means we might be waking up five times during the night. This can increase with older age and still be healthy. If you’re not remembering these awakenings that’s OK – they can be quite brief.

    What does getting a ‘good’ sleep actually mean?

    You’ll often hear that adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. But good sleep is about more than the number of hours – it’s also about the quality.

    For most people, sleeping well means being able to fall asleep soon after getting into bed (within around 30 minutes), sleeping without waking up for long periods, and waking feeling rested and ready for the day.

    You shouldn’t be feeling excessively sleepy during the day, especially if you’re regularly getting at least seven hours of refreshing sleep a night (this is a rough rule of thumb).

    But are you noticing you’re feeling physically tired, needing to nap regularly and still not feeling refreshed? It may be worthwhile touching base with your general practitioner, as there a range of possible reasons.

    Common issues

    Sleep disorders are common. Up to 25% of adults have insomnia, a sleep disorder where it may be hard to fall or stay asleep, or you may wake earlier in the morning than you’d like.

    Rates of common sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnoea – where your breathing can partially or completely stop many times during the night – also increase with age, affecting 20% of early adults and 40% of people in middle age. There are effective treatments, so asking for help is important.

    Beyond sleep disorders, our sleep can also be disrupted by chronic health conditions – such as pain – and by certain medications.

    There can also be other reasons we’re not sleeping well. Some of us are woken by children, pets or traffic noise during the night. These “forced awakenings” mean we may find it harder to get up in the morning, take longer to leave bed and feel less satisfied with our sleep. For some people, night awakenings may have no clear cause.

    A good way to tell if these awakenings are a problem for you is by thinking about how they affect you. When they cause feelings of frustration or worry, or are impacting how we feel and function during the day, it might be a sign to seek some help.

    If waking up in the night is interfering with your normal day-to-day activities, it may indicate a problem.
    BearFotos/Shutterstock

    We also may struggle to get up in the morning. This could be for a range of reasons, including not sleeping long enough, going to bed or waking up at irregular times – or even your own internal clock, which can influence the time your body prefers to sleep.

    If you’re regularly struggling to get up for work or family needs, it can be an indication you may need to seek help. Some of these factors can be explored with a sleep psychologist if they are causing concern.

    Can my smart watch help?

    It is important to remember sleep-tracking devices can vary in accuracy for looking at the different sleep stages. While they can give a rough estimate, they are not a perfect measure.

    In-laboratory polysomnography, or PSG, is the best standard measure to examine your sleep stages. A PSG examines breathing, oxygen saturation, brain waves and heart rate during sleep.

    Rather than closely examining nightly data (including sleep stages) from a sleep tracker, it may be more helpful to look at the patterns of your sleep (bed and wake times) over time.

    Understanding your sleep patterns may help identify and adjust behaviours that negatively impact your sleep, such as your bedtime routine and sleeping environment.

    And if you find viewing your sleep data is making you feel worried about your sleep, this may not be useful for you. Most importantly, if you are concerned it is important to discuss it with your GP who can refer you to the appropriate specialist sleep health provider.

    Amy Reynolds receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Australian Research Council, the Lifetime Support Authority, and has received consulting and/or speaker fees from industry-funded sources including Compumedics, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Sydney Trains.

    Claire Dunbar received funding from The Hospital Research Foundation for their PhD Scholarship and previously from Flinders University development grants.

    Hannah Scott receives research funding from Re-Time Pty Ltd, Compumedics Ltd, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, and Flinders University.

    Nicole Lovato receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Hospital Research Foundation, the Lifetime Support Authority, and industry including ResMed, Phillips, and ReTime.

    Gorica Micic 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. An unbroken night’s sleep is a myth. Here’s what good sleep looks like – https://theconversation.com/an-unbroken-nights-sleep-is-a-myth-heres-what-good-sleep-looks-like-238069

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Argentine Minister of Defense Luis Petri

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following:

    Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Argentine counterpart, Minister of Defense Luis Petri, spoke by phone today to reaffirm the importance of the defense partnership between the United States and Argentina. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Petri for Argentina’s joining of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and the two leaders reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to supporting a democratic, independent, and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself and deter Russian aggression.  

    The two leaders noted with satisfaction the deepening of defense ties between the United States and Argentina, to include Argentina’s interest in becoming a NATO Global Partner, Argentina’s decision to join the Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East, and Argentina’s resumption of its participation in the State Partnership Program with the Georgia National Guard. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Petri for hosting the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, which will convene in Mendoza, Argentina on October 13-16, 2024.  

    The two leaders agreed to continue engaging on the important role that the Western Hemisphere plays in defending a rules-based world order.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard Station Rio Vista to have temporary delay in response to search and rescue

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    10/07/2024 07:15 PM EDT

    Coast Guard Station Rio Vista will be delayed in response times for search and rescue from Suisun Bay to Sacramento River north towards Sacramento. Coast Guard Station Rio Vista’s facilities have been temporarily closed due to necessary emergency repairs. Out of concern for the health and safety concerns of Coast Guard members at the unit, the station has temporarily assumed a degraded readiness posture. Other Coast Guard assets, including aircraft from Air Station San Francisco, and partner agencies, maintain their capabilities. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco will leverage every available asset to respond to mission demands, including search and rescue cases.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Albania

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

    • Reviewed: 4 October 2024, 09:28 NZDT
    • Still current at: 8 October 2024

    Related news features

    If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

    Exercise increased caution in Albania due to the threat of crime (level 2 of 4).

    Albania

    Terrorism
     Terrorist groups, individuals returning to Europe from areas of conflict, and individuals adhering to various forms of extremist ideologies, continue to make threats to conduct attacks throughout Europe.

    New Zealanders in Albania are advised to keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. We recommend following any instructions issued by the local authorities and exercising a high degree of vigilance in public places, including at tourist sites, restaurants, bars, shopping areas, sporting events and transport hubs. Be alert and take official warnings seriously.

    Crime
     Violent crime does occur, but targeting of foreigners is rare. Petty crime such as bag snatching and pickpocketing occurs in Albania and is common in tourist areas, in larger cities and major public transport hubs, including airports. House break-ins and property theft also occur. Security risks increase after dark. Be cautious when using ATM machines. We advise New Zealanders to be alert to their surroundings at all times and take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings, including in vehicles.

    Civil Unrest
     Public demonstrations occur often, and can happen with little warning causing serious traffic disruptions. Political protests regularly take place in central Tirana. You should avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings in Albania, as some previous protests have turned violent.  Follow local media sources and be aware of your surroundings.

    General Travel Advice
     Landmines are still present in the north-eastern border area with Kosovo, but are often marked clearly as danger zones. New Zealanders are advised not to stray off well-used roads and paths in rural areas.

    Keep your passport in a safe place and only carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes.

    Penalties for the possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

    Medical facilities are limited outside Tirana. New Zealanders travelling or living in Albania should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation.

    New Zealanders in Albania are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    Travel tips

    The New Zealand Embassy Rome, Italy is accredited to Albania

    Street Address Via Clitunno, 44, 00198 Rome, Italy Telephone +39 06 853 7501 Fax +39 06 440 2984 Email rome@nzembassy.it Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/italy Hours Mon- Fri 0900 -1230 and 1330-1630 Note We encourage you to make an appointment to ensure prompt service.

    See our regional advice for Europe

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –