Category: Law

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 17:35

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Full Text: Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit

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

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The following is the full text of the Joint Statement of the Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and China released on Tuesday:

Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit

WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on the occasion of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit on 27 May 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;

ACKNOWLEDGING the long-lasting and deeply-rooted historical and civilizational linkage and economic ties among ASEAN, China and GCC;

RECOGNIZING the close and mutually-beneficial economic collaboration and cooperation among ASEAN, China and GCC;

REAFFIRMING our desire to further promote ASEAN-China-GCC relations, guided by fundamental principles and shared values, norms and commitments, including those enunciated in the United Nations Charter;

UNDERSCORING the importance of regionalism and multilateralism, regional unity and international law in addressing shared challenges, while upholding ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture to foster peace, stability, development and prosperity;

UNDERSCORING the importance of GCC’s critical role to foster peace, security, stability, development, prosperity and dialogue;

APPRECIATING China’s crucial role in promoting peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in regional and international affairs;

ENDEAVORING to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity, through mutual respect and cooperation between countries and regions to achieve development and progress based on adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, the principles of good neighbourliness, and respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity, non-interference in their internal affairs, and refraining from the threat or use of force, and settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means;

ACKNOWLEDGING the importance of strengthening relations among ASEAN, China and GCC in promoting regional cooperation and economic development in the broader Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern contexts;

RECOGNIZING that ASEAN, China and GCC encompass diverse and complementary economies which create enormous potential, broad prospects and new opportunities for greater cross-sectoral trade, investment and economic collaboration;

RECOGNIZING the increasing importance of fostering closer economic collaboration among our regions, and reiterating our shared commitment to strengthening our partnerships to promote economic and sustainable development;

RECOGNIZING the need to strengthen confidence in the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core to protect businesses, consumers worldwide and livelihoods of people in our regions;

REAFFIRMING our resolve to enhance economic resilience and environmental sustainability, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to our peoples and future generations;

ACKNOWLEDGING our joint efforts to promote closer cooperation between ASEAN, China and GCC and China’s vision to build a closer China-ASEAN Community with a shared future and a China-Arab Community with a shared future in the new era;

EXPLORING cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crime, cybercrime, counter-terrorism and extremism;

The Leaders expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East and agreed on the following:

— Condemn all attacks against civilians and call for a durable ceasefire and for all concerned parties to ensure the most effective and efficient access for humanitarian aid, and relief supplies and other basic necessities and essential services, as well as the restoration of electricity and water, and allow the unhindered delivery of fuel, food and medicine throughout Gaza;

— Call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949;

— Acknowledge the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024, which is of the opinion, among others, that the UN, and especially the General Assembly, which requested this opinion, and the Security Council, should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

— Support the ongoing efforts to release all hostages and those under arbitrary detention;

— Urge all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realizing the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders; in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) and UN General Assembly resolutions, including UNGA resolution A/RES/ES-10/23 on the Admission on New Members to the UN dated 10 May 2024;

— Support the efforts of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, and note the initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union towards realizing an independent Palestinian state;

— Recognized Qatar’s mediation efforts to reach ceasefire and facilitate aid delivery and China’s efforts towards Palestinian internal reconciliation, particularly its role in facilitating the signing of the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity by Palestinian factions in July 2024 in Beijing;

— Welcome the Resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted on 11 December 2024, in which the General Assembly, inter alia, called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and called upon all parties to enable the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all areas of operation with full respect for the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

With firm resolve, we pledged to advance the spirit of inclusivity, sustainability, resilience and equal partnership, charting a united and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future.

We hereby:

Economic Integration

1. Decide to foster collaboration that promotes economic prosperity, resilience and sustainable development among ASEAN, China and GCC, based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit, and anchored on the principles of inclusivity and sustainability in engaging all interested partners.

2. Commit to enhancing economic cooperation by leveraging the complementarities among ASEAN, China and GCC. Priority will be given to:

(i) Reaffirming the central and indispensable role of the WTO at the core of the rules-based multilateral trading system, which provides a predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory and open global trading system;

(ii) Exploring cooperation, including through the priority areas of the Global Development Initiative and various frameworks or initiatives by ASEAN and GCC, to facilitate the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

(iii) Promoting free trade and welcoming the full conclusion of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations, and looking forward to its early signing and entering into force, as well as an early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations;

(iv) Enhancing industrial and supply chain resilience and fostering sustainable trade practices for new economic opportunities in potential areas in emerging and future-oriented industries such as the digital and green economy and technologies;

(v) Exploring the establishment of a regional business council to facilitate dialogue between businesses from ASEAN, China and GCC in supporting enhanced trade and investment flows and the development of regional value chains;

(vi) Exploring regional financial cooperation, including capital markets, and financial technology among others, while empowering micro, small and medium enterprises;

(vii) Exploring cooperation on local currency and cross-border payments;

(viii) Taking coordinated and comprehensive actions to prevent and fight corruption.

Connectivity

3. Enhance connectivity through:

(i) Promoting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and seamless connectivity, including through the development of logistics corridors and digital platforms;

(ii) Promoting sustainable infrastructure development in supporting interconnected and seamless economic diversification, growth and sustainability;

(iii) Exploring further cooperation to enhance infrastructure development for seamless and efficient connectivity, including recognizing the importance of maintaining and promoting maritime safety and security, given the importance of oceans and seas as key factors in driving growth and prosperity in the respective regions.

Energy Security and Sustainability

4. Acknowledge the global imperative for sustainable resilience and energy transition with the aim to collaborate on:

(i) Working together towards a sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive and orderly energy transitions in line with the Paris Agreement;

(ii) Supporting global energy market stability and adopting a balanced approach that does not exclude energy sources but instead innovates technologies that enable emissions management and efficient use of all energy sources to facilitate sustainable economic growth for all;

(iii) Working to diversify and secure supply chains globally in line with international best practices, including for critical energy transition minerals, and encourage resource efficiency, while respecting applicable national laws and regulations;

(iv) Recognizing the strategic importance of our cooperation on stable, reliable, and sustainable energy markets to reduce volatility and to enhance the security of energy supply. We recall the urgent need to address climate change and stress the importance of the energy transition;

(v) Exploring new business opportunities, including the development of clean energy;

(vi) Enhancing knowledge exchange and collaboration on renewable energy, clean/green energy, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), biofuel, bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas), low carbon hydrogen, low carbon ammonia, and sustainable fuels, as well as energy efficiency policies, regulatory frameworks, technology and innovations consistent with the national priorities of each country;

(vii) Strengthening training and capacity-building initiatives in areas such as nuclear safety, security and safeguards, reactor technology, nuclear and radioactive waste management, regulatory infrastructure, and civilian nuclear energy development that is guided by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, guidance and international best practices, and advancements in and energy storage technologies to support informed decision-making and policy development for civilian nuclear energy;

(viii) Driving the strategic development of initiatives on hydrogen and ammonia technologies, oil and LNG supply chains and infrastructure, upstream LNG projects, methane abatement and emissions reduction to support both energy security and the transition to cleaner fuels;

(ix) Encouraging private and public sector investments and partnerships in energy infrastructure development, including subsea power cables, and cross-border transmission projects under related initiatives of ASEAN, China and GCC, to advance multilateral power trade for greater regional energy connectivity, resilience, and market integration, including through renewable energy generation and LNG terminals;

(x) Promoting cooperation on environmental sustainability, including climate action, disaster management, biodiversity conservation, monitoring the state of the marine environment, air and soil quality, industrial inspection, and pollution control by leveraging on new technological advancements, the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise, technology, and training and strengthening multilateralism and climate solidarity;

(xi) Developing joint research and innovation initiatives on emerging technologies such as direct air capture, enhanced geothermal systems, and next-generation solar and wind technologies to support long-term energy sustainability and low-carbon solutions;

(xii) Sharing of knowledge and best practices on green skills development of workforce to support just transition to renewable energy.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

5. Pursue opportunities in digital innovation and technology by:

(i) Exploring a cross-regional framework to promote the digital economy, in areas such as digital trade, e-commerce, digital payment, fintech, artificial intelligence, start-ups and data security cooperation;

(ii) Exploring partnerships in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, quantum computing, and smart cities development and advanced technological infrastructure;

(iii) Supporting cooperation in the development of digital skills and digital literacy programmes to ensure inclusive participation in the digital age, and promoting platform work with inclusive social protection.

Food and Agriculture

6. Recognize the potential for cooperation in the food and agriculture sector and commit to:

(i) Promoting sustainable agriculture, including through reducing harmful agrochemicals, promoting digitalization, advancing nature-based solutions and fostering public-private partnerships;

(ii) Exploring cooperation in the field of halal food through the exchange of information and sharing of experiences on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s national systems, laws and policies;

(iii) Supporting efforts to strengthen food security, nutrition and distribution, including through enhancing productivity and sustainability efforts, promoting the diversification of food sources, strengthening the quality and variety of food production, and supporting the generation and diffusion of new and sustainable technologies;

(iv) Promoting the trade of food and agricultural products and technologies cooperation.

People-to-People Exchange

7. Foster greater understanding and connectivity among our peoples by:

(i) Promoting high-quality tourism and cross-regional marketing campaigns, including culture and heritage tourism, ecotourism, and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions tourism, among other segments, and fostering an exchange of best practices in tourism digitalization and tourism destination management;

(ii) Promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and cultures to advance mutual understanding and friendship as well as respect for diversity and welcoming the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution of International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations;

(iii) Exploring opportunities to enhance mutual understanding and friendship while fostering cultural exchanges through art, music and literature programmes, especially among youth and ethnic groups;

(iv) Strengthening cooperation in education through the exchanges of students and educational personnel, scholarships programmes and joint research initiatives, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

8. Implement the Joint Statement through mutually agreed activities among ASEAN, China and GCC, including through existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN-GCC, China-ASEAN and China-GCC mechanisms.

9. Reaffirm our collective resolve to work hand-in-hand to unlock the full potential of our partnership, and to ensure that our cooperation translates into tangible benefits for our peoples and communities.

10. Welcome the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Doha on 3 October 2024;

11. Note ASEAN’s initiatives on its priority areas, such as:

— ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future;

— ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP);

— The ASEAN Power Grid;

— Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP);

— The Action Plan on Sustainable Agriculture in ASEAN.

12. Note GCC’s initiatives on its priority areas, such as:

— The Global Logistics Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12-14 October 2024;

— The First Global Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25-26 November 2024;

— United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 2024;

— Sustainable Development Week in Abu Dhabi, UAE, January 2025;

— International Conference in Support of Syria 2025;

— The International Conference on Food Security in Yemen, 27-28 October 2025;

— United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 2026;

— The Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani International Award for Excellence in Combating Corruption;

— The establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;

— High-level international conference for peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, to be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, in June 2025;

— Saudi Arabia’s Middle East Green Initiative.

MIL OSI China News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Police to crush vehicles used antisocially in 48 hours
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Police to crush vehicles used antisocially in 48 hours

Consultation launched on fast-tracking disposal of vehicles seized for antisocial behaviour.
Photo: Getty Images

Communities blighted by off-road biking in public parks and intimidating street racing are set to benefit from new police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour and deliver safer streets through the Plan for Change.

Perpetrators of antisocial driving face having their cars, e-scooters or off-road bikes seized and destroyed after 48 hours under stronger powers proposed by the government.

Currently, police must wait 14 days before being able to dispose of a vehicle, making it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and with a limited deterrent to repeat offending.

The measure to fast-track the disposal of vehicles comes alongside additional proposals to give police stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in antisocial behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing them.

Combined, these new powers will help tackle the scourge of vehicle-driven antisocial behaviour by sending a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities that swift justice will be delivered and this behaviour not tolerated.

The changes are also expected to have a wider impact on tackling more serious crime with e-scooters and e-bikes often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.

Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said:

Antisocial and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks.

By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we’re giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve.

As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that antisocial behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.

In a public consultation published today, the government is reviewing the statutory fees for removing, storing, and disposing of vehicles in England and Wales. This will help make sure police can afford to keep removing antisocial and illegal off-road bikes and other vehicles from our streets.

The crackdown on antisocial behaviour continues implementation of the government’s Plan for Change and Safer Streets Mission which will see new Respect Orders targeting persistent perpetrators of antisocial behaviour.

In April this year, the Prime Minister set out new measures as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to restore neighbourhood policing to local communities, including every force having a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead to tackle the specific challenges each area faces.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, said:

We welcome the consultation announced by the government. Antisocial use of a vehicle, such as street racing, street cruising or off-road use is more than a matter of noise pollution. It can have long-term effects on a neighbourhood, with the criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.

Drivers and riders also risk injuring themselves, other road users, cyclists and pedestrians as they do not have full control of their vehicle and their full attention on their surroundings.

As with all forms of transport, we know they can potentially be exploited for criminal use, antisocial behaviour or cause danger when used inappropriately.

We know that driving or riding in this way can also be used as a form of intimidation, either to other road users or the community. Loud noise from engines or music, and deliberately creating large amounts of exhaust or tyre smoke can also be seen as an aggressive act.

Officers are committed to preventing harm and keeping our communities safe and will continue to take necessary action against those who use transport illegally. Officers having the ability to quickly seize, remove, store and dispose of vehicles used in an antisocial behaviour setting will help keep road users safe and protect our communities.

Policing will take appropriate action against those who commit offences using existing legislation whilst also raising awareness through engagement.

Edmund King, AA president, said:

Illegal car meets and street racing are not just antisocial, but also present road safety problems which have resulted in needless injuries and fatalities.

This is a positive step that should make people think again before joining illegal car cruises.

Sandra Bauer, Neighbourhood Watch Head of Policy, Partnerships and Projects and Deputy Chief Executive said:

We’re so used to seeing powerful vehicles on our roads that it’s easy to forget just how dangerous and noisy they can be, especially when they are being used antisocially.

Our members tell us that the impact on a community or neighbourhood can be huge, creating safety risks, noise disturbance and intimidating people.

This initiative sends a strong message that activities like off-road biking in public parks and street racing are not harmless, but very dangerous and damaging.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 28 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI: Nykredit Realkredit A/S publish supplement no 1 to joint Euro Medium Term Note Programme – Nykredit Realkredit A/S
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

To Nasdaq Copenhagen

Nykredit Realkredit A/S publish supplement no 1 to joint Euro Medium Term Note Programme

Nykredit Realkredit A/S publish supplement no 1 dated 28 May 2025 to joint €15,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (“EMTN Programme”) dated 8 May 2025.

Under the EMTN Programme Nykredit Realkredit A/S may issue Subordinated Notes (Tier 2), Senior Non-Preferred Notes and Senior Unsecured Notes.

The supplement and the EMTN Programme are available for download on Nykredit’s website at nykredit.com/ir.

Questions may be addressed to Morten Bækmand Nielsen, Head of ALM & Investor Relations, tel +45 44 55 15 21 or Birna Arnbjarnardóttir, Attorney-at-Law, tel +45 44 55 16 90.

Attachments
- Supplement for EMTN Progamme
- Nykredit Realkredit publish supplement
The MIL Network –
May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Promoting traditional customs and cultural activities

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ6: Promoting traditional customs and cultural activities
Question:

It is learnt that the traditional customs of “Petty Person Beating” and “Offering Sacrifices to the White Tiger” carried out underneath the Canal Road Flyover (commonly known as “Ngo Keng Kiu”) in Causeway Bay have attracted quite a number of tourists to view and experience them. However, due to the crowded environment at the location, there have been conflicts between tourists and local residents from time to time, which is not conducive to the promotion of the relevant cultural activities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the change in the number of stall operators carrying out the aforesaid traditional customs and cultural activities underneath the flyover in the past 10 years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) of the details of the authorities’ work in promoting the aforesaid traditional customs and cultural activities in the past three years, and whether the effectiveness of such work has been assessed; and

(3) as it is learnt that at present, the aforesaid stall operators only hold business registration certificates and there is no accreditation mechanism for such cultural activities, while the management of stall operators and related activities also involves different policy areas (e.g. environmental hygiene and cultural tourism), whether the Government has considered setting up an interdepartmental management group to improve the relevant accreditation and management work with the focus on cultural conservation, so as to reduce the conflicts between tourists and residents while balancing the operational needs of the industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

President Xi Jinping once pointed out that the outstanding traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation. The current-term Government is committed to promoting the outstanding traditional Chinese culture and has introduced multiple measures over the past two years, including establishing the Chinese Culture Promotion Office and organising the Chinese Culture Festival. “Promote Profound Traditional Chinese Culture and Develop Cultural Contents with Hong Kong Character” was also formulated as one of the four strategic directions in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development promulgated at the end of last year.

From the perspective of traditional culture, whether a custom qualifies as “outstanding” traditional culture depends on its cultural values in terms of diversity and pluralism. The merit of traditional culture should also be evaluated based on among others, its transmission, dissemination, and level of prevalence.

Both “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger” and “Beating Petty Person” are traditional Chinese culture with certain folk customs and symbolic meanings. In folk belief, White Tiger is seen as a malevolent spirit believed to bring misfortune. Thus, the ritual of “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger” aims to ward off bad luck and troubles. “Beating Petty Person”, a folk custom in southern China, involves striking paper effigies or wooden figures with various tools to drive away bad luck and negative energy.

The “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger during Insects Awaken Day” is included as one of the items on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Inventory of Hong Kong. The item specifically pertains to the practice of “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger” conducted on the “Insects Awaken Day” within the “Twenty-Four Solar Terms” system, which typically falls on the 5th or 6th of March in the Gregorian calendar. This practice conducted on the “Insects Awaken Day” may include “Beating Petty Person”, and the practice of “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger” can take place at various venues across Hong Kong, without limitation to any specified location. However, the “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger” and “Beating Petty Person” activities underneath the Canal Road Flyover (commonly known as “Ngo Keng Kiu”) in Causeway Bay are operated all year round in general. These activities, which are not included in the scope of the “Twenty-Four Solar Terms” social practices, constitute commercial operations conducted by service providers.

In consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Environment and Ecology Bureau, my consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Edward Leung is as follows:

The area underneath Canal Road Flyover is a renowned location for “Beating Petty Person”. While peak activity occurs during the “Insects Awaken Day” in March each year, the stalls operate “year-round”. Currently, around ten stalls operate beneath the flyover for this ritual, primarily concentrated along the pedestrian walkway facing the Hennessy Road tram tracks.

Relevant departments have all along been following up on the environmental hygiene and street management issues arising from “Beating Petty Person” and carrying out enforcement actions within their respective jurisdictions. The Wan Chai District Office (WCDO) co-ordinates interdepartmental clearance operations (Joint Operation) on a regular basis to mitigate nuisances caused by these activities to the local residents and the surrounding environment. On-street activities may involve the purviews of various departments. The work of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is mainly to maintain environmental hygiene. The FEHD has been monitoring the traditional customs of “Beating Petty Person” underneath the Canal Road Flyover and officers will, during their routine inspection, take appropriate actions based on the actual circumstances to maintain environmental hygiene.

From January to May 2025, the WCDO coordinated a total of nine Joint Operations at the aforementioned location. Prior to the operation, the Government will post notices on unauthorised articles placed on Government land, reminding owners to remove the obstructive items. During the Joint Operation day, any remaining articles would be cleared by the FEHD. The WCDO will advise the “Beating Petty Person” practitioners to maintain clear pedestrian pathways. The Hong Kong Police Force will be present to maintain public order and provide assistance as required. Furthermore, any unauthorised structures found to be occupying Government land would be referred to the Lands Department for follow-up action.

In alignment with the objective of promoting the outstanding traditional Chinese culture, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are committed to safeguarding, transmitting and promoting the ICH of Hong Kong while actively supporting the national policies on furthering the safeguarding of ICH. For ICH items across diverse domains, various corresponding measures are implemented to strengthen different aspects of work such as identification, documentation, research, preservation, promotion and transmission and to enhance the public’s understanding of ICH and engage the community in safeguarding ICH. An example of these measures includes the ICH Funding Scheme of the LCSD, which supports eligible local organisations and individuals in implementing meaningful local ICH projects to promote the items on the ICH Inventory of Hong Kong. In addition, the LCSD will also develop a mechanism and criteria in 2025 for recognising the bearers of the items on the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong, as well as organising the “Hong Kong ICH Month”. As to “Offering Sacrifices to White Tiger during Insects Awaken Day”, the first “Hong Kong ICH Month” to be held in June this year will include workshops to introduce “Twenty-Four Solar Terms”, including the introduction of this ICH item of “Insects Awaken Day”.

In addition, the one-stop travel information platform of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, DiscoverHongKong, features information on “Beating Petty Person” under Ngo Keng Kiu. If visitors are interested, they can experience this distinctive local custom firsthand.
Issued at HKT 15:42

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s new law targets private sector growth through stronger financial support

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

People work in the filling workshop of the Global Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park of Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley in Tumd Left Banner in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China’s newly enacted Private Sector Promotion Law has drawn significant attention for introducing a range of financial support mechanisms designed to bolster private businesses.

The legislation, which took effect on May 20, 2025, aims to address long-standing financing challenges faced by private enterprises and promote high-quality economic development.

Expanding financing channels

The Private Sector Promotion Law explicitly encourages private businesses to diversify their financing channels. By supporting the development of a multi-layered capital market, the law makes it easier for private companies to raise money directly, for example, by issuing stocks or bonds.

Some local governments are already introducing new financing tools. Jiangsu province, for instance, has launched the “Private Credit Loan,” which breaks through traditional loan limits and offers more flexible financing options for private businesses.

Specifically, Jiangsu’s loan breaks through the previous loan ceiling of 10 million yuan ($1.3 million), with the maximum amount now reaching up to 30 million yuan. The funding usage term has also been extended to a maximum of three years, and for project-based financing, it can be extended to 10 years — far longer than the traditional corporate loan practice of annual review within a one-year term.

Optimizing credit policies

The law also requires relevant State Council departments to use monetary policy tools and macro-credit policies to encourage financial institutions to provide more inclusive financial services to private businesses. Measures include setting reasonable tolerance levels for non-performing loans, improving the due diligence and liability exemption mechanisms, and enhancing professional service capabilities.

The National Financial Regulatory Administration has also called for optimizing credit supply policies, directing financial institutions to offer more targeted financial services to private enterprises.

Innovating financial products and services

The law encourages financial institutions to create products and services tailored to the specific needs of private businesses. This includes innovative financing methods such as accounts receivable financing, warehouse receipt financing, equity financing, and intellectual property financing.

For example, Chongqing has promoted IP financing to help small- and medium-sized technology firms access funding. When Zhongke Guangzhi (Chongqing) Technology Co., Ltd. faced financing challenges, the Chongqing Intellectual Property Operation Center arranged an IP pledge loan.

By using the company’s core patents as collateral, and combining this with a credit assessment, the center helped the company secure a 5 million yuan loan. Across China, financial institutions are also using big data and artificial intelligence to develop new service models, aiming to make financial services more efficient and better suited to the needs of private enterprises.

Strengthening financing guarantee functions

The Private Sector Promotion Law aims to establish a comprehensive risk-sharing system for private enterprise financing, supporting collaboration between financial institutions and guarantee providers. The National Financial Regulatory Administration, together with the Ministry of Finance, is promoting the creation of a nationwide government-backed guarantee system to offer low-cost financing guarantees for small and micro businesses.

Establishing information-sharing mechanisms

The law also calls for the development of a robust credit information collection and sharing mechanism, encouraging credit reporting agencies and rating institutions to serve private enterprises. This measure is designed to reduce information gaps between lenders and private businesses, lowering lending risks.

In short, the Private Sector Promotion Law introduces a broad range of financial support policies to make financing more accessible and equitable for private companies. These initiatives are expected to ease funding challenges, unlock innovation, and drive high-quality economic development in China.

Luo Weijie is an associate professor in economics at Beijing International Studies University.

MIL OSI China News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt is ‘scared’ about Australia’s research capacity – this is why

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Walker-Munro, Senior Lecturer (Law), Southern Cross University

On Wednesday, Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt and economics professor Richard Holden gave a joint address to the National Press Club in Canberra. Their key message? Australia isn’t spending enough money on university research.

Schmidt wants to ensure Australia can undertake research vital to our national interests.

“I look around and I am scared,” Schmidt said. “The Australian government investment in its sovereign research capability was 50% higher 15 years ago as a fraction of GDP.”

In his remarks, Holden warned, “we’ve become addicted to funding […] research capability through international student income”.

If this sounds familiar, both Schmidt and Holden have made similar calls before. And their press club presentation follows constant and repeated repeated calls from the university sector for more funds.

How much is Australia spending on research and how does this compare to other countries?

How does Australia compare?

When we look around the world, Australia is lagging when it comes to research spending. Australia spends roughly 1.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on all forms of research and development.

Our research expenditure has also decreased every year since 2008, according to the Australian Academy of Science.

Meanwhile, based on World Bank data, the United States spends about 3.59% of their GDP on research. China might only spend 2.56% of its GDP, but that’s 2.56% of around US$18.7 trillion (A$29 trillion) – meaning China spends about US$500 billion ($778 billion) on research annually.

The OECD average (across 38 member countries) is 2.7%, a full percentage point higher than Australia. We’re also underspending compared to other nations smaller than us, including:

– Finland has a population roughly one-fifth of Australia and spends 2.96% of its GDP on research

– Sweden has a population of about 10 million and spends 3.41%.

Australia’s top research universities (the Group of Eight), argue Australia needs to work towards a target of 3% GDP to “underwrite national prosperity”.

The funding we have is unstable

Australia’s university research funding also lacks stability.

Government only funds part of university research – so universities have to come up with the rest. This adds a layer of vulnerability to our research system.

One of the key sources of university-generated funding is international student fees.

This means if there are cuts to overseas students – as we saw during COVID and as we see now due to federal government policy changes – there is a flow-on impact on research funding.

Repeated calls for more funds have been ignored

Universities have been asking for more money for years and these requests have been ignored by both sides of politics.

But while the requests may not change, the global security context is shifting. As Schmidt told the press club,

We can expect new technologies based around small-scale automated machines, hypersonic missiles and computer warfare to feature prominently if we are to have future conflicts between advanced economies.

In such a case the research capability of a country will be incredibly important at influencing the overall winners and losers, because once the conflict starts, you ‘have what you got’.

If we don’t properly fund universities to do cutting-edge research, such as quantum science, robotics and cybersecurity, researchers will go elsewhere to do their work. And some funders might not have Australian interests at heart.

China, Russia and the European Union have leapt on US President Donald Trump’s recent decisions to defund or halt research programs, creating funds worth billions of dollars to woo scientists and scholars from the US to their own countries.

What options do we have?

The Albanese government has commissioned a strategic review of Australia’s research and development sector (led by Tesla chair Robyn Denholm), which is due to report by the end of the year. Part of its remit is to look at “mechanisms to improve coordination and impact of [research and development] funding and programs […].”

In an ideal world, this will prompt the federal government up its funding of research, to match other countries. But previous unheard calls suggests this is unlikely.

But we can also be more creative. Perhaps industry can fill the gap with an Australian “Silicon Valley” where emerging industries can be clustered with universities in research partnerships. This is what some authors have called “innovation precincts”.

We could also look at prioritising industry-based PhDs, so postdoctoral students have a research job when they graduate. Or we could consider reallocating government funds going to other sources, such as defence, on topics of military or intelligence importance.

This could see university funding pools become broader and deeper, more diversified and better suited to our national interests.

Brendan Walker-Munro has completed paid consultancies for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. He receives funding from the Australian Government under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technologies Partnership.

– ref. Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt is ‘scared’ about Australia’s research capacity – this is why – https://theconversation.com/nobel-laureate-brian-schmidt-is-scared-about-australias-research-capacity-this-is-why-257717

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 28, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University

Franklin64/Shutterstock

In a decision surprising very few people, Australia’s new environment minister Murray Watt has signed off on an extension for the gas plant at Karratha, part of the enormous North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project.

The decision had been deferred until after the federal election, given significant environmental concerns around the project.

This approval means the gas plant at Karratha can now keep running until 2070. The Woodside-operated project has helped to shape Australia’s reputation as one of the biggest suppliers of LNG in the world.

Watt did not have to consider climate impacts, but rather what damage the extension might do to ancient rock art as well as economic and social matters. His approval is “subject to strict conditions”, which largely focus on air emissions from the project. Critics claim the extension will threaten irreplaceable 50,000 year old rock carvings and petroglyphs.

The decision will enrage environmentalists. If the project continues to operate, it has been estimated to generate four billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 50 years.

Australia has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. But the majority of the gas extracted from the North West Shelf will be exported, meaning the huge emissions generated from its extraction, liquefaction, transportation and burning will not be counted domestically.

But while the Karratha plant now has a lifeline, there’s still an open question about where the gas will come from. For decades, the plant has processed gas from the North Rankin, Perseus and Goodwyn gasfields offshore. These are now running out.

The main purpose of extending the Karratha plant’s lifespan would be to process gas extracted from giant new gasfields lying underneath the pristine Scott Reef. Approval to open these gasfields has not yet been given because of the significant concerns extraction will damage the reefs.

What is the North West Shelf Project?

The North West Shelf development has been operational since the 1980s. Gas is extracted from huge basins located off the Pilbara coast and processed at the Karratha plant on the Burrup Peninsula.

To date, only a third of the 33 trillion cubic feet of gas in this basin has been extracted.

Woodside Petroleum is the project operator, holding a one-third shareholding along with Chevron and Shell in what is known as the North West Shelf Joint Venture.

The project is the largest producer of domestic gas in Western Australia, providing almost two-thirds of the state’s consumption. In the 2023-2024 financial year, it produced gas worth about A$70 billion.

Domestic consumers are paying much more for this gas than their international counterparts. For example, a $25 billion contract entered into with China in 2002 includes a guarantee prices will remain the same until 2031.

With the rapid escalation of gas prices, this means China is paying a third of the price paid by domestic consumers. Other markets for the gas include Japan and South Korea, which lack domestic gas resources.

The Karratha plant has been cleared to run until 2070.
Hans Wismeijer/Shutterstock

The ‘transition fuel’ worse than coal

Gas has long been touted as a transition fuel in a decarbonising economy. But this is questionable on several fronts.

Rather than replacing coal, LNG may actually be displacing renewables.

Worse, a recent study showed emissions from LNG are 33% higher than coal over a 20 year period when extraction, piping to a processing facility, compression, shipping, decompression and burning for energy are considered. “Ending the use of LNG should be a global priority,” the report concludes.

Turning methane-heavy natural gas into a liquid to allow it to be shipped overseas is energy intensive. Large leaks of methane from wells and pipes are common during extraction and transport. When the gas is finally burned to generate energy, it produces carbon dioxide.

In China, coal’s share of electricity production has been eroded by renewables but not by LNG, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

From a big picture point of view, climate commitments can’t be met if high-emitting infrastructure keeps being commissioned. Alongside stopping the expansion of fossil fuel projects, existing fossil fuel infrastructure must be retired or retrofitted with cleaner technology.

Eroding ancient rock art

The project’s processing plant is located on the Burrup Peninsula, also known as Murujaga. But this peninsula also has about 500,000 rock carvings by First Nations groups, the densest concentration in the world. In 2023, former environment minister Tanya Plibersek announced a bid to give this area World Heritage listing.

In a new draft decision, the United Nations World Heritage Committee flagged concerns over the bid and referred it back to the Australian government to “ensure the total removal of degrading acidic emissions” and “prevent any further industrial development” near the petroglyphs.

Gas production and ancient rock art are poorly matched. Research suggests processing plant gases such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ammonia have been gradually eroding the fragile petroglyphs for decades. Successive state and federal governments have failed to act to safeguard this area.

Gas projects seem untouchable

Approving the North West Shelf extension is a disaster for the environment, our climate commitments and the fragile and irreplaceable rock art in Murujuga.

It would seem that despite well-founded concerns on many fronts, big gas projects in Australia are all but untouchable.

Samantha Hepburn 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. Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070 – https://theconversation.com/green-light-for-gas-north-west-shelf-gas-plant-cleared-to-run-until-2070-257008

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with possessing child exploitation material

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged with possessing child exploitation material

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 – 4:50 pm.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged with possession of child exploitation material following the search of property at Kingston today.
The arrest is the result of a Tasmania Police investigation that was launched after the recent detection of child exploitation material being downloaded.
The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET),comprising the High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit and the Australian Federal Police, conducted a search in Kingston today, (May 28) supported by the Community Protection Offender Reporting (CPOR) Team.
During the search, police located and examined numerous digital devices, leading to charges being laid against a 31-year-old man. He has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Online child abuse is a serious crime type. Tasmania Police, with the support of its partners, is committed to stopping these crimes and keeping children safe.
If you have seen inappropriate behaviour online that you suspect is child abuse, call police on 131 444, but if the child is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000).
You can also report concerns online to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) https://www.accce.gov.au/report

MIL OSI News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI: ADVANT Nctm Selects iManage to Power Flexible, Secure Document and Email Management Across Global Legal Practice

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHICAGO, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iManage, the company dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™, today announced that ADVANT Nctm, one of Italy’s leading independent law firms, has selected iManage to transform its approach to document and email management.

Firm cites iManage’s ability to enhance usability, ensure compliance, and support seamless collaboration across teams and geographies as key factors in selection.

ADVANT Nctm chose iManage after a thorough evaluation of leading content management solutions. The firm emphasized the need for a platform that is intuitive for legal professionals, supports structured organization, and integrates smoothly with its macOS-based infrastructure. iManage stood out for its ability to support structured, user-friendly organization of content—while also delivering the advanced capabilities firms need to manage information securely, maintain visibility, and work more efficiently—crucial for efficient collaboration and secure knowledge management.

“ADVANT Nctm has always been characterized by the very high interest in the development of legal tech solutions able of improving the work of lawyers and, consequently, the quality of services offered to clients,” said Patrizia Circosta, lawyer and Knowledge Manager of ADVANT Nctm. “It is with this purpose that the firm has decided to adopt iManage as a document management system to be combined with our iLex platform: we are confident that the integration of the two systems will give excellent results optimizing the quality of our work.”

More than 350 professionals at ADVANT Nctm will use iManage to coordinate across matters, maintain consistent access to content, and ensure compliance with Italy’s rigorous cybersecurity requirements. The firm plans to integrate iManage into its existing identity and access management platform, enabling secure, streamlined access across teams and practice groups.

Ounet Sistemi, iManage’s Italian partner, allowed the customer to evaluate the solution in all its components and placed in the context of the Italian market. Ounet Sistemi, thanks to the experience gained through projects carried out in Italy and abroad, guarantees the customer the support and consultancy necessary for the realization of a successful project.

As part of the ADVANT alliance—with member firms in Germany and France that also use iManage—ADVANT Nctm will benefit from greater alignment in tools and processes, strengthening cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing. The implementation underscores the firm’s commitment to leveraging trusted, enterprise-grade solutions to drive better business outcomes through secure, centralized knowledge management.

“ADVANT Nctm’s selection of iManage reflects a growing demand across Europe for document and email management solutions that combine user-friendly design with robust governance,” said Suzanne Walmsley, Senior Director of European Sales at iManage. “Our AI-enabled platform is purpose-built to help knowledge workers operate smarter, faster, and safer—making it an ideal fit for firms like ADVANT Nctm that are focused on long-term productivity and client service.”

Meet Us at Future Lawyer Europe – Milan

iManage will be exhibiting at Future Lawyer Europe on May 28–29, 2025, at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. Visit us at Stand #2 to explore how our platform is helping legal professionals modernize knowledge work with smarter, more secure document and email management.

About iManage
iManage is dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™. Our cloud-native platform is at the center of the knowledge economy, enabling every organization to work more productively, collaboratively, and securely. Built on more than 20 years of industry experience, iManage helps leading organizations manage documents and emails more efficiently, protect vital information assets, and leverage knowledge to drive better business outcomes. As your strategic business partner, we employ our award-winning AI-enabled technology, an extensive partner ecosystem, and a customer-centric approach to provide support and guidance you can trust to make knowledge work for you. iManage is relied on by more than one million professionals at 4,000 organizations around the world. Visit www.imanage.com to learn more.

Follow iManage via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imanage
X: https://x.com/imanageinc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iManage

Press contact:
Alicia Saragosa, iManage
press@imanage.com

The MIL Network –

May 28, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Proposed Differential Rates for 2025/26

Source: South Australia Police

The City of Wanneroo’s Proposed Differential Rates for 2025-2026 are now available for public comment.

In accordance with Section 6.36 of the Local Government Act 1995, the City of Wanneroo hereby gives notice of its intention to adopt the following rates in the dollar for each differential rating category in the 2025-26 Financial Year which is a 3.50% overall rate increase,

To achieve overall 3.5% rate increase, it is proposed to increase Residential, Rural and Mining rates categories by 3.0%, whereas Commercial/Industrial rates categories are proposed to increase by 5.5%: –

Rate category	Minimum rate	GRV rate in $ (cents)	UV rate in $ (cents)
Residential Improved With lesser minimum for Strata Titled Caravan Parks	$1,138 $166	7.0902	0.3761
Residential Vacant	$949	14.1803	0.5692
Commercial/ Industrial Improved	$1,588	8.4541	0.3085
Commercial/ Industrial Vacant	$1,588	8.2585	0.3425
Rural & Mining Improved	$1,131	–	0.3710
Rural & Mining Vacant	$1,069	–	0.4855

Information relating to the Objectives and Reasons for each proposed Differential Rates is available is available below.

Submissions in respect of the proposed Differential Rates and any related matters are invited from Electors or Ratepayers.

Views can be submitted by:

using the online form
or by mail to the Chief Executive Officer at City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.

Comments must be received before 5pm on Thursday 19 June 2025.

William Parker

Chief Executive Officer

Objects and Reasons for 2025-2026 Proposed Differential Rates

The overall objective of the proposed rates in the 2025-2026 Budget is to provide for the net funding requirements of the City of Wanneroo’s various programs, services and facilities.

The Objects and Reasons that have been proposed are:

GRV & UV Residential Improved

The rate in the dollar and minimum rate have been set on the basis that ratepayers make a reasonable contribution to the cost of local government services and facilities available to residents that are not available to those in the Commercial/Industrial and Rural & Mining categories.

The lesser minimum for Strata Titled Caravan Parks is set recognising the unique purpose of these properties while still ensuring a reasonable contribution to the cost of local government services and facilities available to residents.

GRV & UV Residential Vacant

The rate in the dollar and minimum rate have been set in an effort to promote development of these properties thereby stimulating growth and development in the community.

GRV & UV Commercial/Industrial Improved

The rate in the dollar and minimum rate for all Commercial/Industrial Improved property has been set to provide an acceptable standard of infrastructure and parking needs due to the greater volumes of people and vehicular traffic.

GRV & UV Commercial/Industrial Vacant

The rate in the dollar and minimum rate for all Commercial/Industrial Vacant land has been set in an effort to promote the development of these properties by attracting business and industry to the City thereby stimulating growth and development in the community.

UV Rural & Mining Improved

The rate in the dollar and the minimum rate have been set with an intention to foster and encourage farming and horticultural activities in the City of Wanneroo thereby stimulating growth and development in the community.

UV Rural & Mining Vacant

The rate in the dollar and the minimum rate have been set with an intention to encourage the development of vacant land thereby stimulating growth and development in the community

MIL OSI News –

May 28, 2025

Trump administration moves to cut all remaining federal contracts with Harvard

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plans to terminate the federal government’s remaining contracts with Harvard University, according to a letter sent to federal agencies on Tuesday.

The letter, from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), directs all federal agencies to review and potentially terminate or reallocate their contracts with Harvard, which an official valued at about $100 million.

Harvard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move marked the latest instance of the Republican administration attempting to undermine the financial stability and global standing of the oldest and wealthiest U.S. university after it pushed back on government demands for vast policy changes.

The government has already terminated nearly $3 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school and moved last week to revoke its ability to enroll international students. Those roughly 6,800 students make up about 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment.

A federal judge in Boston on Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from revoking foreign student enrollment ahead of a Thursday hearing. During a brief hearing on Tuesday, a U.S. Department of Justice lawyer said the administration is complying with that order and was weighing its options.

Even so, the Trump administration has ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants.

Several hundred demonstrators, including Harvard students and teachers, gathered at the university on Tuesday to show support for foreign students and protest the Trump funding cuts.

Following graduation events led by Harvard President Alan Garber, one of the protesting students, Jacob Miller, climbed onto a makeshift stage and said the ban on international enrollments had nothing to do with combating antisemitism, which was given as one of the official reasons for the crackdown on foreign students. “We will not allow our identities to be invoked to destroy Harvard,” said Miller, who is Jewish. “If there is anything to learn from the Jewish history, it’s that when we push people out of our schools because of their identity, it’s a symptom of a morally bankrupt politics.”

Another protest organizer, Harvard student Rae Trainer, said many international students were afraid to demonstrate because they risk deportations. Some international students recorded statements to be read by classmates who are U.S. citizens.

The GSA’s letter accused the school of engaging in discriminatory admissions practices even after the U.S. Supreme Court, in its 2023 decision ending affirmative action in higher education, rejected Harvard’s use of race as an admissions factor to boost campus diversity.

The letter from Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of the GSA’s federal acquisition service, also accused Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard of discriminatory hiring practices and of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment.

The GSA sent the letter to federal agencies Tuesday morning, said an administration official familiar with the matter. The letter directs agencies to submit a list of contract cancellations by June 6 and says contracts for critical services would be transitioned to other vendors.

Harvard, which is suing to challenge the administration’s actions, has argued that its rush to punish the school has run afoul of various procedures and violates free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment by trying to assert control over its staff, curriculum and enrollment.

Garber, the Harvard president, said in an NPR interview released on Tuesday that despite campus problems that it needs to address, the administration’s decisions to cancel grant funding were “perplexing.”

“As long as there has been a United States of America, Harvard has thought that its role is to serve the nation,” he said.

(Reuters)

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Horeke Homicide: Positive response to Police appeal

Source: New Zealand Police

Northland Police investigating the death of Horeke man Daniel Hepehi are continuing to build a picture about events that led up to an incident at his property.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says the investigation team are working on fresh lines of enquiry following an appeal for information yesterday.

“We have a motivated team building a picture of what happened to Mr Hepehi and we continue to ask people with information to come forward,” he says.

Police are appealing for sightings of the 77-year-old, who was also known as Danny Whitson, on Wednesday, May 21.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who saw or interacted with Mr Hepehi on May 21,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

“We know he shopped for groceries in Kaikohe around 10.30am last Wednesday.”

Police are continuing an appeal for sightings of a green and gold 4-wheel-drive with the number plate LCP129 on May 21.

“Police are investigating a connection between the vehicle and Daniel Hepehi,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

Anyone with information is asked to update Police online or call 105.

Please quote the reference number 250522/0155. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BL test for teachers set for July 19

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The fifth round of the Basic Law & National Security Law Test in the 2024-25 school year is scheduled for July 19, the Education Bureau (EDB) announced today.

Applications can be made from 9am on Friday until 5pm on June 12. Limited places for the test will be available on a first come, first served basis.

The target participants for this round of the test are bachelor’s degree holders, or students who will attain a bachelor’s degree in 2025 or 2026, who plan to join or change to another secondary school, primary school or kindergarten to take up a teaching post.

Those who have obtained a pass result in a test organised by the EDB, the Civil Service Bureau, or a recruiting department or grade, will not be accepted to sit for it again.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Identifying calls from government departments and public organisations

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ7: Identifying calls from government departments and public organisations
Question:

     It has been reported that telephone frauds have occurred frequently in Hong Kong in recent years and to avoid being defrauded, quite a number of members of the public prefer not answering calls from non-traditional telephone numbers with prefixes of “3” or “5”, etc, telephone numbers not found in their phone contacts and without caller numbers. However, there are views pointing out that such calls may also include those from government departments and public organisations, such as public hospitals, the Police and Immigration Department, etc, and refusal to answer these calls may result in wastage and ineffective use of some public resources as well as affect the use of public services by members of the public. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the major prefixes of existing fixed-line telephone numbers of government departments, public organisations and public hospitals, and the respective percentages of telephone numbers with the relevant prefixes;

(2) whether it has examined the actual situation of the effect of frequent occurrence of telephone fraud on the contact made by various government departments and public organisations with members of the public by phone, including the telephone number prefixes which were most affected, the five government departments and public organisations which were most affected, and the estimated number of members of the public who have not been successfully contacted;

(3) regarding the failure of staff of government departments and public organisations to effectively contact members of the public by their office fixed-line telephones, whether follow-up mechanism and guidelines have currently been put in place, including the circumstances under which the responsible personnel are allowed to follow up using their private mobile phones; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will formulate the relevant mechanism and guidelines in the future; and

(4) whether consideration will be given to reorganise and centralise the allocation of telephone numbers of government departments and public organisations with specified prefixes, so as to facilitate identification by members of the public and reduce the chance of refusal to answer calls?

Reply:

President,

     The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) has been devising and implementing a series of preventive measures from the perspective of telecommunications services to assist the Hong Kong Police Force (Police) in combating phone deception at the source. In response to the question raised by the Hon Duncan Chiu, having consulted OFCA and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, our consolidated reply is as follows:

     Government departments and public organisations will enter into commercial service contracts with telecommunications service providers respectively based on their own operational needs for suitable telephone services and obtain office phone numbers. In addition, OFCA has established a mechanism to provide designated telephone numbers for government departments or public organisations in need of hotline numbers or communication with the public. Examples include the Government’s one-stop service hotline 1823, the Police’s Anti-Deception Coordination Centre hotline 18222, the Customs and Excise Department’s reporting hotline 1828080, the Immigration Department’s service hotline 1868, and the Home Affairs Department’s “Care Team” inquiry number 182111. The operational arrangements for these phone numbers and actual interface with the public will be determined by the respective government departments and public organisations in accordance with their mode of operation, service nature and needs for communicating with the public. OFCA does not centrally collect or maintain related data or information.

     Currently, government departments and public organisations involve hundreds of thousands of telephone numbers and users, with varying nature and requirements for phone services when communicating with the public. If all government departments and public organisations needed to restructure and be uniformly allocated with telephone numbers of designated prefixes, and massively revamp the existing telephone systems as well as hotline/office phone numbers, the whole process would be complex and time-consuming. In particular, there would be a need to put in place transitional arrangements, and all users should be informed of the updated phone numbers. It could instead cause confusion and inconvenience to the public during such a period. Therefore, the suggestion to uniformly allocate telephone numbers with designated prefixes for all government departments and public organisations may not be the most effective way to prevent phone deception. In fact, the tactics of phone deception are ever-changing. Criminals may use other means to impersonate government calls. In this connection, OFCA will continue to work with the telecommunications industry and the Police to mitigate the risk of phone deception on various fronts, including requiring telecommunications service operators to block/suspend suspected fraudulent phone numbers and websites, intercept suspicious calls starting with “+852”, send voice alerts or text messages to all mobile users for overseas calls prefixed with “+852”, and play voice alerts for newly activated prepaid SIM cards, so as to assist the public in guarding against suspicious calls and messages.

     To enhance the regulation and security of mobile device usage by government staff members and to effectively mitigate the risk of leaking sensitive government information, the Digital Policy Office has issued the “Practice Guide for Mobile Security” (Guide). Among others, the Guide requires government bureaux and departments, when considering the adoption of mobile devices in their operations, should first assess their needs for mobile devices and evaluate how mobile solutions can support their business operations. In addition, government bureaux and departments should establish a mobile security policy (including specifying the scope of mobile device use, business needs and security requirements) and formulate appropriate procedures to manage the use of such devices.

     For privately owned mobile devices, the Guide specifies that, considering the associated security risks and the risk of data leakage caused by device loss, government bureaux and departments should not use privately owned mobile devices for official business in the absence of appropriate protective measures.
Issued at HKT 12:30

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrest made following Papatoetoe assault

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man sought in connection with a violent assault in Papatoetoe earlier this month.

This morning, Police released CCTV images as part of an investigation into the incident on May 9 on Sutton Crescent.

“This afternoon, a man presented at the Ōtāhuhu Police Station and has been arrested,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, of Counties Manukau West CIB, says.

“He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.”

The 25-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.

“Police acknowledge for sharing our appeal today in this investigation.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weighing in on the new weigh station
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work has begun on the next stage of installation of the weigh-in-motion scales for the new Taupō hi-tech weigh station.

Five sites on the roads leading to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre at the State Highway 1/ State Highway 5 intersection are having in-road weighing technology installed. The affected lanes have been coned off for the past month while new asphalt cures. Work installing the communication systems continued in the meantime.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says now the asphalt has hardened it can be cut for the scales to be installed.

“While it may have looked like nothing was happening beyond the cones, it was essential to give the asphalt time to cure and be ready for cutting and carrying traffic,” says Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.

“We couldn’t remove the traffic management and run traffic over it because the soft asphalt would’ve resulted in an uneven compaction. The new asphalt either side of the scales has been laid to precise levels to allow the scales to read truck weights correctly.

The scales are being installed on 5 of the roads heading towards the safety centre.

The locations are:
- SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout
- SH1 south of the roundabout
- SH5 east of the roundabout
- Napier Road west of the roundabout
- Nearby Crown Road
Temporary lanes on the road shoulders allow traffic to pass around the work areas and minimise the use of stop/go or temporary detours. Speed restrictions are in place.

This work will run through to mid-to-late June when all traffic management can be removed.

Cutting asphalt in preparation to install the in-road scale on Napier Road.

The Taupō weigh station is one of 12 facilities NZTA is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for NZ Police to operate. The safety centres are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.

This technology will screen passing traffic and number-plate recognition and electronic signage will direct any suspected non-compliant heavy vehicles into the safety centre. Police officers on site will check vehicle weights, road user charges, certificates of fitness, logbooks and driver impairment.

Read more about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres:

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP)

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH5 cleared following Tarawera crash

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 5, Tarawera has reopened following an earlier crash.

The crash occurred at about 8.50am and had closed the road in both directions.

The crash involves a car and a truck.

The road reopened at around 3:45pm.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EDB announces arrangements for fifth round of Basic Law and National Security Law Test in 2024/25 school year

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

EDB announces arrangements for fifth round of Basic Law and National Security Law Test in 2024/25 school year
The target participants for the fifth round of the test are persons with a bachelor’s degree or those who will attain a bachelor’s degree in the 2024/25 or 2025/26 academic year and are planning to join or change to another secondary school, primary school or kindergarten to take up a teaching post. Applications can be made through the EDB’s online application system (www.edb.gov.hk/en/blnst
Issued at HKT 11:32

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Lee, colleagues applaud U.S. Sentencing Commission’s amendment on supervised release

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), along with Representative Barry Moore (R-Ala.), released the following statement to applaud the United States Sentencing Commission’s unanimously finalized recent amendment to the United States Sentencing Guidelines regarding federal supervised release:
“This is an important step by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. This amendment regarding federal supervised release better aligns our system with parts of our Safer Supervision Act. It is a meaningful move to restore federal supervision to the system that Congress originally intended and focus supervision on those who need it most. This is an illustration of how we can work together to improve our justice system by promoting rehabilitation, fairness, and public safety. We look forward to continuing this effort and ensuring that the entire Safer Supervision Act becomes law.”
Federal supervised release is a form of supervision after incarceration that was originally designed to be used “for those, and only those, who [need] it,” according to the U.S. Supreme Court. Currently, however, supervised release is imposed in nearly every case, resulting in an overburdened system with more than 110,000 people in supervision at any moment, and nearly 50,000 people cycling into it each year. The result is a system that does not provide appropriate supervision to the high-risk individuals who most need it, while creating counterproductive burdens on low-risk individuals that inhibit their ability to reintegrate.
On April 30, 2025, the United States Sentencing Commission transmitted to Congress an amendment to the Guidelines that encourages courts to impose supervised release on the basis of individualized circumstances, provides courts with factors to consider in assessing potential early termination, and increases courts’ discretion on how to address supervised release violations. These changes are aligned with certain portions of the Safer Supervision Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will ensure that supervision resources are directed in a way that best promotes rehabilitation and public safety. The Commission initially proposed this amendment in January, and the aforementioned members of Congress filed a comment in March in support of the Sentencing Commission’s proposal. The proposal received favorable comments at a public hearing in March from law enforcement and advocates across the political spectrum. The finalized amendment will go into effect on November 1, 2025.
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national sentenced to federal prison for firearms violation

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BEAUMONT, Texas –A Mexican national has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Maria Magdalena Chavez, 41, illegally residing in Port Arthur, pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on September 11, 2024, Chavez was in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation in Nederland. During the stop, it was determined that Chavez had a firearm concealed in her bra. Further investigation revealed Chavez was a Mexican national who had been previously removed from the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Nederland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy L. Coleman.

###

MIL Security OSI –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Dunklin County Woman Sentenced for Aiding $565,000 Fraud

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge on Tuesday sentenced a money mule to fifteen months imprisonment for moving $565,000 in stolen funds.

Sheri L. Reeves acted as a money courier or “money mule,” transferring money obtained by fraud to others. On June 9, 2020, Reeves opened an account at a Bank of America branch in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and later added the name of the fraud victim to the account. Reeves’ co-conspirators used fraudulently obtained account information to access the victim’s account and transfer a total of $565,000 to Reeves’ account. She then sent the money to others using cashier’s checks obtained in Tennessee and Arkansas and via a CoinFlip cryptocurrency ATM in Dunklin County. She also sent her account information to others and withdrew or attempted to withdraw the proceeds in cash or by check, her plea agreement says.

Despite being warned by the FBI, Reeves continued to assist in the commission of financial crimes.

Reeves, 55, of Kennett, in Dunklin County, pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one count of aiding and abetting bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. In addition to the sentence of fifteen months imprisonment, Reeves was ordered to pay $565,000 in restitution to the Bank of America, and to serve a term of five years supervised release upon her release from imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn prosecuted the case.

If you believe you are participating in a money mule scheme or a victim of one, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaints Center at ic3.gov or contact your local FBI office.

MIL Security OSI –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Manatee County Man Sentenced To 5 Years For Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Capers Scott Hammond (35, Bradenton) to 5 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Hammond was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, a $30,000 fine, and will be required to register as a sex offender. The court also ordered Hammond to forfeit an iPad, three thumb drives, a MacBook, a custom PC tower, and an iPhone, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Hammond entered a guilty plea on February 13, 2025.

According to court documents, Hammond used a file-sharing network to distribute and receive CSAM. Pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement searched Hammond’s apartment, seized various electronics, and determined he had received and possessed seven images and four videos of CSAM.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

MIL Security OSI –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crimes

Source: US State of California

A Texas man pleaded guilty today before Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett for the Southern District of Texas to not reporting and paying over employment taxes that his company withheld from its employees’ paychecks. The plea must be accepted by a U.S. district court judge.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Joseth “Joe” Limon, of Harris County, owned and operated Platinum Employment Group Inc., a company that supplied laborers to businesses in the Houston area. From 2013 through 2018, Platinum did not file employment-tax returns, and, according to its payroll records, did not pay more than $8.8 million in employment taxes. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

After closing Platinum, he set up another labor-staffing company, Rockwell Staffing LLC, in the name of his then 18-year-old daughter. When he later found out that the IRS was attempting to collect Rockwell’s unpaid employment taxes, he caused his daughter to submit an affidavit to the IRS that falsely claimed that Rockwell had been a victim of identity theft and had no employment tax liability.

Limon is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 6. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Curtis Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Loxahatchee Man Convicted At Trial Of Conspiring To Traffic Cocaine

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Wilmer Sanchez Aquino (36, Loxahatchee) guilty of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Sanchez Aquino faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2025.

On May 1, 2025, co-defendant Luis Garcia-Serrano (36) pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A third co-defendant, Antonio Gonzalez Prado (49), pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025, to cocaine trafficking. He faces a minimum of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.

According to evidence presented at trial, in September 2021, Sanchez Aquino received a package containing two kilograms of cocaine on behalf of Garcia-Serrano. In November 2021, investigators intercepted a kilogram of cocaine intended for an address in the Middle District of Florida and replaced the cocaine with a block of wood. Garcia-Serrano and Sanchez Aquino discussed the block of wood inside the package and how Sanchez Aquino already had a buyer lined up to buy the kilogram. Financial records from Sanchez Aquino’s checking account showed cash deposits going into the account during the conspiracy. Sanchez Aquino testified in his defense at trial and claimed that he was not the person in certain phone calls despite his phone number being used in those calls and being referred to in one call as “Wilmer.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza. The forfeiture is being handled by AUSA Suzanne Nebesky.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL Security OSI –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Clearwater Man Sentenced To 20 Years’ Imprisonment For Role In Fatal Fentanyl Overdose

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Dennis Jackson (36, Clearwater), a/k/a “Miami,” to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. Jackson pleaded guilty on November 30, 2022.

According to court documents, Jackson was a distributor of fentanyl. On the night of April 1, 2020, first responders found M.B. dead from an apparent overdose at a residence in Clearwater. Evidence of opioid use was found near the body and the autopsy and toxicology results confirmed that there was a lethal level of fentanyl in M.B.’s body. Eyewitness information identified Jackson as the supplier. Two days later, Jackson appeared for a voluntary interview at the Clearwater Police Department. During that interview, Jackson admitted to his involvement in the overdose.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clearwater Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

MIL Security OSI –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the First Review under El Salvador’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement
Source: IMF – News in Russian

May 27, 2025

End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
- IMF staff and the Salvadoran authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the first review of the 40-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, El Salvador would receive nearly US$120 million (SDR 86.16 million).
- Program performance has been strong. Key fiscal and reserve targets were met with margins and substantial progress continues in the ambitious reform agenda in the areas of governance, transparency, and financial resilience.
- Continued implementation of the fiscal consolidation plan and structural agenda remains critical to address macroeconomic imbalances and create conditions for stronger and more sustainable growth.
Washington, DC: IMF staff and the Salvadoran authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the first review of the country’s extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). They also finalized discussion on the 2025 Article IV consultation focused on boosting El Salvador’s medium-term growth prospects.

Upon the conclusion of these discussions Mr. Cubeddu, Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, and Mr. Torres, Mission Chief for El Salvador, issued the following statement:

“IMF staff have reached staff-level agreement with the Salvadoran authorities on the first review under the 40-month EFF arrangement.[1] The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, and contingent on the implementation of the agreed prior actions.

“The authorities have made significant progress in implementing their economic reform plan under the IMF-supported program. Most program targets set for the first review were comfortably met, and implementation of the structural benchmarks is progressing well. Meanwhile, despite a more challenging external backdrop, El Salvador’s economy continues to expand supported by improved confidence and still robust remittances. Prudent policies and more favorable terms of trade have led to reduction in inflation and the current account deficit.

Against the backdrop of early strong program implementation, understandings have been reached on policies to continue to secure program objectives, including with the technical support from the Fund and other development partners:
- The fiscal consolidation will continue this year through cuts in the wage bill and current spending restraint, and plans are being developed to reform the civil service and the pension systems to underpin the adjustment beyond this year. This will be supported by the new Fiscal Sustainability Law, which is expected to be enacted shortly.
- External buffers will be strengthened further through the accumulation of government deposits at the Central Bank, supported by financing from International Financial Institutions and fiscal discipline. Meanwhile, bank liquidity requirements will be raised in line with program commitments, while bank oversight is strengthened, including of cooperatives.
- Following the adoption of the Anti-Corruption Law, attention will now focus in securing its proper and timely implementation to complement ongoing efforts to enhance governance, accountability, and transparency, including of the fiscal accounts of the overall public sector.
- On Bitcoin, efforts will continue to ensure that the total amount of Bitcoin held across all government-owned wallets remains unchanged, consistent with program commitments, while also securing the unwinding of the public sector’s participation in the Chivo wallet by end-July.
There is a shared understanding that steadfast program implementation and agile policy making, in the context of rising global uncertainties, remain critical to further entrench stability and lay the foundation for stronger and more sustainable growth. IMF staff thank the Salvadoran authorities for the excellent collaboration and constructive discussions.”

[1] The EFF was approved by the IMF Executive Board on February 26, 2025, with total access of SDR 1033.92 million (about US$1.4 billion or 360 percent of quota), and initial disbursement of SDR 86.16 million. Other official creditors committed to provide additional financial support for a combined total of roughly US$3.5 billion.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/27/pr-25162-el-salvador-imf-reaches-agreement-on-the-1st-rev-under-eff

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police release images in Papatoetoe assault investigation

Source: New Zealand Police

Police believe information from the public will help identify an offender involved in a violent assault in Papatoetoe.

An investigation has been underway this month into the incident where a woman suffered a head injury in the early hours of 9 May on Sutton Crescent.

Counties Manukau West CIB is releasing footage of a man sought in connection with the assault.

“At around midnight, the victim and the offender had been walking along Sutton Crescent when an argument broke out between them,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward says.

“We do not know why this argument began but it has continued as the pair moved towards Kolmar Road.”

The female victim attempted to walk away from the male offender but was assaulted.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hayward says: “The force of the assault has caused the victim to fall to the ground.

“The offender has continued the violent assault and used extreme force on the woman.”

Police have since obtained CCTV footage of the assault, which shows the male offender walking away from the scene a short time later.

The female victim was transported to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries and is continuing to recover from her ordeal.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hayward says despite a thorough area canvass, no witnesses to the violent incident have been identified.

Police are now releasing images to the public.

“We have obtained good CCTV footage of the man we want to speak with in this investigation,” he says.

“There is no place for this extreme violence in the community, and I’m confident someone will know who this man is.

“We need to hear from you.”

If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250509/4414.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 28, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Help America Vote Act Lawsuit Against North Carolina for Inaccurate Voter List

Source: US State of North Dakota

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the State of North Carolina and the North Carolina State Board of Elections for failure to maintain an accurate voter list in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

The lawsuit alleges that the State of North Carolina, in violation of HAVA’s mandate and clear Congressional intent, used a State voter registration form that did not require a voter to provide identifying information such as a driver’s license or last four digits of a social security number. Voters were then added to the State’s voter registration roll without the required information, and many of these voters remain on the registration rolls without it.

On March 25, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14248 entitled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” to ensure that elections are being held in compliance with federal laws that guard against illegal voting, unlawful discrimination, and other forms of fraud, error, or suspicion. The election integrity issues raised in this action are a core component of the Federal election laws that Congress has statutorily charged the Attorney General of the United States, through the Civil Rights Division, to enforce.

“Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in North Carolina are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that maintain inaccurate voter registration rolls in violation of federal voting laws.”

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the integrity of the vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 28, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Job Opportunities and Training for At-Risk Youth

Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $56.5 million to help approximately 21,000 young people from low-income households enter the job market this summer through New York State’s Summer Youth Employment program. As part of the FY 2026 State Budget, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is distributing funding to all 57 counties and New York City to implement a Summer Youth Employment Program to introduce at-risk youth to New York’s workforce, where they will gain professional training and develop useful skills that will help them improve educational performance and explore possible career paths.

“Investing in our young people’s future and providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed is a top priority of my administration,” Governor Hochul said. “The Summer Youth Employment Program helps young New Yorkers across the state find good summer jobs that provide valuable experiences and skills that will help them pursue their educational and career goals and prepare them for success in the workforce as adults.”

The Summer Youth Employment Program supports businesses and communities across the state in providing summer jobs for youth from low-income families. Participants work in entry-level jobs at places such as parks, summer camps, child care organizations, cultural centers, educational facilities, and community-based organizations, among others.

To be eligible for the program, youth must be between the ages of 14 and 20 and have a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which varies by household size and, for example, is $53,300 for a family of three.

The FY 2026 State Budget included an increase of $1.5 million for the program over last year to address minimum wage increases. The program served more than 21,000 young people last summer.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young people from lower-income households good summer jobs in a range of occupations that provide participants a paycheck and the important opportunity to gain valuable work experience that will support their future success in school and in the job market. The Summer Youth program is also an important part of the state’s efforts to build a strong workforce pipeline for area businesses. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to prioritize programs and policies that support the health, well-being, and future promise of New York’s youth while helping to strengthen our communities.”

State Senator Sean Ryan said, “Connecting at-risk youth with good job opportunities helps not only them, but also their families, their communities, and our economy. This funding will boost our state’s workforce, promote safer and stronger communities, and set thousands of young New Yorkers up for successful careers.”

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The Summer Youth Employment Program empowers young people to be proactive as they work towards their future careers, all while supporting businesses and communities across the state with meaningful summer jobs. The continued funding for this program represents an investment into the future job market and a commitment to seeing all young people succeed and thrive. Thousands of young New Yorkers will have an opportunity to grow their professional skillset without the burden of economic hardship holding them back.”

Funding Awards for the Summer Youth Employment Program Breakdown by County:

County	Funding
Albany	$774,578
Allegany	$221,757
Broome	$650,283
Cattaraugus	$321,822
Cayuga	$230,591
Chautauqua	$491,187
Chemung	$259,293
Chenango	$174,812
Clinton	$250,440
Columbia	$133,304
Cortland	$166,684
Delaware	$147,217
Dutchess	$613,770
Erie	$2,598,654
Essex	$93,743
Franklin	$188,360
Fulton	$177,426
Genesee	$140,702
Greene	$137,344
Hamilton	$13,714
Herkimer	$198,769
Jefferson	$358,283
Lewis	$97,913
Livingston	$196,071
Madison	$211,149
Monroe	$2,164,276
Montgomery	$174,934
Nassau	$1,806,927
Niagara	$568,697
NYC	$29,329,237
Oneida	$724,225
Onondaga	$1,396,576
Ontario	$254,309
Orange	$1,078,708
Orleans	$137,245
Oswego	$468,563
Otsego	$220,851
Putnam	$109,026
Rensselaer	$387,905
Rockland	$993,778
Saratoga	$333,260
Schenectady	$367,739
Schoharie	$97,089
Schuyler	$57,613
Seneca	$119,365
St. Lawrence	$490,045
Steuben	$309,545
Suffolk	$2,315,367
Sullivan	$243,516
Tioga	$140,953
Tompkins	$435,842
Ulster	$415,932
Warren	$127,626
Washington	$169,208
Wayne	$242,690
Westchester	$1,754,517
Wyoming	$129,071
Yates	$87,499
Total	$56,500,000

Funding Awards for the Summer Youth Employment Program Breakdown by Region:

Region	Amount
Capital Region	$2,194,793
Central NY	$2,473,563
Finger Lakes	$3,841,908
Long Island	$4,122,294
Mid-Hudson	$5,209,247
Mohawk Valley	$1,553,818
New York City	$29,329,237
North Country	$1,335,713
Southern Tier	$2,237,310
Western NY	$4,202,117
Total	$56,500,000

MIL OSI USA News –

May 28, 2025

Category: Law

Police to crush vehicles used antisocially in 48 hours

Share this page

Updates to this page

How does Australia compare?

The funding we have is unstable

Repeated calls for more funds have been ignored

What options do we have?

What is the North West Shelf Project?

The ‘transition fuel’ worse than coal

Eroding ancient rock art

Gas projects seem untouchable