NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Government boosts digital collection of world’s oldest English language daily newspaper

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK Government boosts digital collection of world’s oldest English language daily newspaper

    Belfast News Letter editions from 18th-20th centuries to be digitised as UK Government project promotes Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage.

    Historic editions of the world’s oldest English language daily newspaper still in circulation are to be digitised by the UK Government, delivering on commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. 

    The News Letter, first published in September 1737, will this year mark its 288th anniversary as the oldest continuously published English language daily paper.  To strengthen understanding of Northern Ireland’s cultural traditions around the world, the Northern Ireland Office is working in partnership with the British Library and FindMyPast to expand the online collection of the historic publication in the British Newspaper Archive. Building on previous preservation and scanning initiatives, the digitisation of these copies from three centuries of the historic Belfast title means that all known surviving copies of the News Letter will become accessible online for the first time.

    Announcing the start of the project, Secretary of State Hilary Benn visited Belfast’s Linen Hall Library to view historic copies of the News Letter. While historic copies of the publication are available in physical and microfilm format in libraries across Northern Ireland, this project will ensure a worldwide audience will be able to observe the newspaper’s unique insight into the political situation in Ireland from the late 18th century to the early 19th and 20th centuries. 

    Key historical events, such as the Irish Parliament winning legislative independence from Britain in 1782, the formation of the Orange Order in 1795, the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen, and the 1801 implementation of the Act of Union are covered by the newly digitised pages.

    Originals of the News Letter are being provided in microfilm and newspaper format by the British Library, to be digitised by the online platform Findmypast, which has spent nearly 15 years working on a collaborative project to digitise the British Library’s vast newspaper collection. 

    The archive is then made available online through the British Newspaper Archive and on Findmypast, where it can be viewed freely at the British Library sites in London and Yorkshire, as well as at any library or by any private individual  around the world with a subscription.

    Speaking after his visit to The Linen Hall Library, Secretary of State Hilary Benn said: 

    “The News Letter’s status as the longest-running continuously published English language daily newspaper in the world is an important part of Northern Ireland’s unique cultural heritage.

    “As set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, the UK Government is committed to digitising these historical archives to promote the richness of Northern Ireland’s traditions around the world, including in nations with historic ties, such as the United States.

    “This will also ensure that these precious historical records are preserved and accessible for generations to come.”

    Sarah Bush, Managing Director of Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, said: 

    “As the trusted partner of many iconic British and Irish institutions, we work to digitise millions of records from our nation’s history and make them accessible to the public online. 

    “Alongside the British Library, we’re delighted to make this unique and culturally important title available to be searched and viewed on Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, offering a fascinating window into centuries of Northern Ireland’s history as it happened.

    Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image at the British Library, said: 

    “The British Library cares for one of the world’s greatest news archives with over 60 million issues of British and overseas newspapers dating back to the 1600s, as well as ever expanding collections of radio, television, and web news. 

    “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Findmypast and the UK government to build on the existing collection of the News Letter available through the British Newspaper Archive to make all known surviving copies of the historic Belfast title accessible for the first time.”

    New Letter’s David Montgomery, Executive Chairman of the News Letter’s owners, National World plc, said:

    “For four centuries The News Letter has been in the frontline of local and global

    news and opinion – it was already in its fortieth year when it covered the U.S.

    Declaration of Independence. In the 1990s it and other Northern Ireland papers helped pave the pathway to peace. 

    “Today The News Letter is often a solitary and essential promoter of its community’s rich heritage.  The digital archive is an eternal reminder of that crucial, continuing role of reliable independent journalism.”

    The UK Government continues to make progress on the delivery of the commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, which formed the basis upon which the Northern Ireland Executive was restored last year.

    The digitisation project will see Findmypast digitise pages of the Belfast News Letter using specialist microfilm scanners, which scan thousands of newspaper pages every day, in its state-of-the-art studio at the British Library’s facility in Boston Spa. This ensures the faithful reproduction of the newspaper as it once appeared, and enables online searching of the newspaper by name, keyword, date, or specific location.

    The digitisation process will be completed this Spring. Once online, individuals will be able to access the editions free of charge by visiting libraries with a subscription to Findmypast, includingthe British Library’s sites in St Pancras, London and Boston Spa, Yorkshire. They will also be accessible to people around the world with a subscription to the Findmypast or British Newspaper Archive websites.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    • To subscribe to the FMP or British Newspaper Archive, visit https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk or https://www.findmypast.co.uk
    • The editions of the News Letter being digitised are from 1738-1750, 1752-1770, 1772, 1775-1780, 1782, 1784-1785, 1787-1800, 1802-1803, 1806, 1816-1825, 1827, 1959 (Mar-Dec), 1960, 1961 (Jan-Jun)

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young people urged to ‘Think Fraud’ over rent offers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Young people urged to ‘Think Fraud’ over rent offers

    New data shows 18 to 39 year olds account for almost 3 quarters of rental fraud reports as phase 2 of nationwide ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign launches.

    Young people aged between 18 and 39 account for almost three quarters of cases of rental fraud, according to exclusive National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) data released by the Home Office today.

    Rental fraudsters typically target their victims by offering access to properties that do not exist, or which are not theirs to rent, often using fake details and photos, and usually offering prices at well below market rate. To secure the property or even arrange a viewing, they will usually demand a deposit or the first month’s rent, and many individuals desperate to find a home will make the upfront payment to avoid missing out.

    According to the NFIB data, the resulting fraud losses amounted to nearly £9 million across around 5,000 reported cases last year. The 18 to 29 age group accounted for 48% of all reported rental fraud cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland last year, with the 30 to 39 age group accounting for 25%.

    With many students and young workers using the spring months to search for new rented accommodation, Home Office ministers are urging renters to avoid rushing into a quick decision or paying over any money for a property before they have viewed it in person.

    And with rental fraud often taking place through properties advertised on social media websites, the government is also renewing its calls for tech companies to go further and faster to tackle fraud on their platforms ahead of convening the next Joint Fraud Taskforce meeting later this month.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:  

    Rental fraud is an utterly shameful crime, and this new data should serve as a stark reminder that anyone can be a victim. It doesn’t matter how streetwise and tech-savvy you are, fraudsters will get to anyone who doesn’t stop and think before handing over their money.

    That’s why I am determined to root out fraud from our society, crack down on the callous criminals behind it, and ensure that stronger protections are put in place by the tech companies on whose platforms much of this fraud takes place.

    The Home Office will be making progress on all of those issues through the next phase of our Stop! Think Fraud campaign, and the new, expanded fraud strategy we are developing this year as part of this government’s Plan for Change.

    Oliver Shaw, Commander for Fraud and Cybercrime, City of London Police, said:

    Young people are disproportionally targeted by criminals whilst they look for new accommodation or housing opportunities. This can result not only in a devastating financial loss but can also lead to a negative impact on their mental health. The data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau highlights clearly how much of a critical issue this is in affecting 18 to 29 year olds.

    That’s why we, as the national lead force for fraud, continue to support the Stop! Think Fraud campaign’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of this vital issue. And we continue to work to highlight emerging cybercrime and fraud types that could be a threat, understanding the importance of reporting, and advocating ways the public can prevent themselves from becoming victims of fraud.

    The new figures are published on the same day as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – part of GCHQ – launches the second phase of a nationwide campaign encouraging individuals and small businesses to set-up 2-step verification (2SV) on their most important accounts.

    2SV adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to access your accounts even if your password is compromised.

    NCSC Chief Operating Officer Felicity Oswald said: 

     Online fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to trick you into sharing personal information or money, but thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself. 

    Today, we’re launching a nationwide campaign urging everyone to strengthen their security by enabling 2SV, which adds an extra layer of protection to keep your accounts safe. 

    Toughen up your online security by enabling 2SV today – usually found in the security settings of your accounts – and keep the fraudsters out.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Activists scale NZ building in protest against global weapons company

    By Kate Green , RNZ News reporter

    Protesters have scaled the building of an international weapons company in Rolleston, Christchurch, in resistance to it establishing a presence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Two people from the group Peace Action Ōtautahi were on the roof of the NIOA building on Stoneleigh Drive, shown in a photo on social media, and banners were strung across the exterior.

    Banners declared “No war profiteers in our city. NIOA supplies genocide” and “Shut NIOA down”.

    In late December, the group hung a banner across the Bridge of Remembrance in a similar protest.

    In 2023, the global munitions company acquired Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, an Australian-owned, US-based manufacturer of firearms and ammunition operating out of Tennessee.

    According to the company’s website, its products are “used by civilian sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 80 State Department approved countries across the world”.

    In a media release, Peace Action Ōtautahi said the aim was to highlight the alleged killing of innocent civilians with weapons supplied by NIOA.

    NIOA has been approached for comment.

    Police confirm action
    A police spokesperson said they were aware of the protest, and confirmed two people had climbed onto the roof, and others were surrounding the premises.

    In a later statement, police said the people on the ground had moved. However, the two protesters remained on the roof.

    “We are working to safely resolve the situation, and remove people from the roof,” they said.

    “While we respect the right to lawful protest, our responsibility is to uphold the law and ensure the safety of those involved.”

    Fire and Emergency staff were also on the scene, alongside the police Public Safety Unit and negotiation team.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Next stage of clean-up set to start at former Truegain site

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Next stage of clean-up set to start at former Truegain site

    Published: 3 March 2025

    Released by: Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    The Minns Labor Government is set to launch the next stage of a major project to clean up the former Truegain industrial site in the Lower Hunter region.

    Ford Civil has been appointed by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) on a $5.3 million project to remediate contaminated soil across almost 1.2 hectares of the former oil refinery at Rutherford near Maitland.

    The second stage of work will be guided by a Remediation Action Plan, developed by Property and Development NSW and environmental consultant Ramboll. The remedial works will involve the removal of concrete slabs, excavation of contaminated soil and subsurface infrastructure, backfilling the excavation with clean soil and revegetating or resealing the area. The proposed works have been reviewed and endorsed by a NSW EPA accredited site auditor.

    The first stage of the project was completed in 2023 and involved the removal of more than 11,000 tonnes of industrial liquid waste, sludge and above ground infrastructure including storage tanks from the site.

    The Truegain site was abandoned in 2016 after the company lost its trade waste permit, had its environment protection licence suspended and entered into liquidation.

    In 2021, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) brought proceedings against Truegain director and former owner Robert Pullinger to recover the cost of cleaning up the site. The Land and Environment Court of NSW ordered Mr Pullinger to pay $1.2 million towards the EPA’s costs.

    Stage 2 work is expected to start in the coming weeks and be completed by the end of the year.

    For more information on remediation of the former Truegain site, visit the Truegain site remediation webpage. 

    Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

    “I understand the local community has been waiting for this site to be cleaned up for over a decade.

    “Since coming into Government, we have worked to clean up this site so it can be remediated for future use.

    “PDNSW’s Environmental Management Group has done great work across multiple former industrial sites to clean them up and allow them to be re-used safely by local communities. Sites include the former Waratah Gasworks in Newcastle and former Hunters Hill radium hill refinery in Sydney.”

    Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:

    “The former Truegain site has been a difficult contamination issue for our community over many years. This next stage of remediation work brings us another step closer to finally putting this matter behind us.

    “I am grateful to the NSW Labor government for continuing to invest in the site for the benefit of everyone in Maitland.

    “Once Stage 2 works are completed, we will explore options to return this site for future community industrial use.”

    Property and Development NSW Environmental Management Group Executive Director, Peter Graham said:

    “We are delighted to appoint Ford Civil to lead this important remediation work that will return the former waste oil processing site for future safe industrial use.

    “The Environmental Management Group will work closely with Ford Civil and the NSW EPA Auditor to ensure this legacy contamination is safely remediated and the risk to human health or the surrounding environment is removed.”

    Ford Civil Chief Executive Officer Alan Gordon said:

    “Ford Civil Contracting are proud to be selected to undertake the remediation works at the former Truegain industrial site. The strategy will include the mitigation and removal of environmental contaminants onsite making it safe for future re-development.

    “Ford Civil has extensive experience in the delivery of complex design and construct civil engineering and remediation contracting activities. This includes the recently completed 7.4-hectare former Newcastle gasworks remediation site at Hamilton North.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor gains in Redbridge poll of marginal seats and seizes lead in a Morgan poll

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    A poll of 20 marginal seats by Redbridge and Accent Research was conducted for the News Ltd tabloids on February 20–25, from a sample presumably over 1,000. The Coalition led by 50.5–49.5, a 1.5-point gain for Labor since the February 4–11 marginals poll.

    Labor won the 2022 election by 52–48 and won the marginal seats polled by 51–49, implying a 1.5-point swing to the Coalition across these seats since the last election. If this poll were applied nationally, it suggests a Labor lead of 50.5–49.5.

    Primary votes were 41% Coalition (down two), 34% Labor (up one), 12% Greens (steady) and 13% for all Others (up one). Anthony Albanese’s net favourability was up five points to -11 while Peter Dutton’s was down two to -13. By 50–33, voters thought things were headed in the wrong direction (55–27 previously).

    While Labor improved overall in this poll, their position in the Victorian seats polled was dire, with an 8.4% two-party swing to the Coalition across the first two waves of this poll. State Labor is dragging down federal Labor.

    Labor gains lead in Morgan poll

    A national Morgan poll, conducted February 17–23 from a sample of 1,666, gave Labor a 51–49 lead by headline respondent preferences, a 2.5-point gain for Labor since the February 10–16 poll. This poll contrasted with the Resolve poll taken February 18–23 that gave the Coalition a 55–45 lead.

    Primary votes were 36.5% Coalition (down three), 31.5% Labor (up 3.5), 13.5% Greens (up one), 5% One Nation (down 0.5), 10% independents (steady) and 3.5% others (down one). By 2022 election preference flows, Labor led by 53–47, a four-point gain for Labor.

    By 49.5–34.5, voters said the country was going in the wrong direction (52.5–32.5 previously). The 15-point lead for wrong was the lowest since January 2024. Morgan’s consumer confidence measure jumped 4.7 points to 89.8.

    The Morgan poll and the Redbridge marginal seats poll both suggest movement to Labor since the Reserve Bank reduced interest rates on February 18. While the Coalition retained a narrow lead in YouGov, the primary votes implied a little movement to Labor.

    The graph below shows Labor’s two-party estimated vote in national polls, so the Redbridge marginals poll is excluded.

    Labor has not recovered the lead in a polling average, but the latest polls are far better for them than the Resolve poll last week.

    Coalition narrowly ahead in YouGov poll

    A national YouGov poll, conducted February 21–27 from a sample of 1,501, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead by preference flows from YouGov’s MRP polls, in which Greens and One Nation preferences are both weaker for Labor than at the 2022 election. There was no change from YouGov’s last MRP poll, conducted from late January to mid-February.

    Primary votes were 37% Coalition (steady since the MRP poll), 28% Labor (down one), 14% Greens (up one), 8% One Nation (down one), 1% for Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots, 10% independents (up one) and 2% others (down one). By 2022 election preference flows, Labor would lead by about 50.5–49.5, a 0.5-point gain for Labor.

    Albanese’s net approval was up three points since YouGov’s last non-MRP poll in January to -12, with 52% dissatisfied and 40% satisfied. Dutton’s net approval was up four points to -2. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 42–40 (44–40 previously).

    By 60–8, voters supported the government operating the Whyalla steelworks through a publicly owned company if no suitable private investor was found.

    Additional Resolve questions and seat polls

    The Resolve poll for Nine newspapers asked whether Donald Trump’s policies should be applied to Australia. Question wording has an impact: for example, “cutting waste from the public service” is a pro-Trump framing. A question that asked whether Australians approved or disapproved of Trump’s performance as US president would be preferable.

    In past elections, seat polls have been unreliable. The Poll Bludger reported last Wednesday that three polls of Western Australian federal seats had been conducted by JWS Research for Australian Energy Producers from a combined sample of 2,529.

    In Curtin, held by teal independent Kate Chaney, the Liberals held a huge primary vote lead of 56–28 over Chaney. In Bullwinkel, a new federal WA seat that is notionally Labor, Labnr’s primary vote had slumped 21 points to 15%, putting them in third place behind the Nationals and Liberals. However, there were only modest primary vote swings in Tangney, with Labor looking competitive to hold.

    There were also two uComms NSW federal seat polls. In Wentworth, held by teal independent Allegra Spender, Spender held a 57.2–42.8 lead over the Liberals. This poll was taken for Climate 200 on February 12 from a sample of 1,068. In Labor-held Gilmore, the Liberals led by 52.8–47.2. This poll was taken for the Australian Forest Products Association February 17–20 from a sample of 684.

    NSW Resolve poll: Labor’s primary vote slumps

    A New South Wales state Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald, conducted with the federal January and February Resolve polls from a sample of over 1,000, gave the Coalition 38% of the primary vote (up one since December), Labor 29% (down four), the Greens 14% (up three), independents 11% (down two) and others 8% (up one).

    No two-party estimate was reported, but The Poll Bludger estimated a Coalition lead of about 51–49 from these primary votes. Labor incumbent Chris Minns led Liberal Mark Speakman by 35–14 as preferred premier (35–17 in December).

    On the rail dispute between the NSW government and the train union, 43% wanted the government to negotiate a better deal with the union, 26% wanted the government to refuse the union’s demands and 16% thought they should agree to the union’s demands in full.

    EMRS Tasmanian poll has little change

    An EMRS Tasmanian state poll, conducted February 11–18 from a sample of 1,000, gave the Liberals 34% of the vote (down one since November), Labor 30% (down one), the Greens 13% (down one), the Jacqui Lambie Network 8% (up two), independents 12% (up one) and others 3% (steady). Tasmania uses a proportional system, so a two-party estimate is inapplicable.

    Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s net favourability dropped five points to +10, while Labor leader Dean Winter was down eight to +6. Rockliff led Winter by 44–34 as preferred premier (43–37 in November).

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Labor gains in Redbridge poll of marginal seats and seizes lead in a Morgan poll – https://theconversation.com/labor-gains-in-redbridge-poll-of-marginal-seats-and-seizes-lead-in-a-morgan-poll-250614

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong accelerates integration into national development as CEPA enters new stage

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

    Hong Kong accelerates integration into national development as CEPA enters new stage

    HONG KONG, March 2 — The Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Agreement on Trade in Services (agreement II) was implemented on Saturday, allowing Hong Kong to accelerate its integration into the overall national development.

    The agreement II further opens up the services market of the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong businesses and professionals to enter the mainland market with more preferential treatments.

    This move was welcomed by various sectors in Hong Kong, and the industry is looking forward to making good use of the Central Government’s policies to support Hong Kong and promote high-quality economic development, further integrating into the national development.

    The agreement II introduces new liberalization measures across a number of service sectors where Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages, such as financial services, construction and related engineering services, testing and certification, telecommunications, motion pictures, television and tourism services.

    The liberalization measures take various forms, including removing or relaxing restrictions on equity shareholding and business scope in the establishment of enterprises; relaxing qualification requirements for Hong Kong professionals providing services; and easing restrictions on Hong Kong’s exports of services to the mainland market.

    Most of the liberalization measures apply to the whole mainland, while some of them are designated for pilot implementation in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said earlier that according to the agreement II, the restriction for the mainland branches of Hong Kong banks to conduct bank card business will be lifted starting from March, which will facilitate them in expanding their businesses in the mainland.

    Tommy Tam, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said that the new measures are expected to attract more foreign tourists to enter Hong Kong to explore the city and travel further to the mainland. The industry is preparing to promote these arrangements and believes that the demand from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) tourists is relatively large.

    Law Society of Hong Kong President Roden Tong Man-lung said that this is very good news for the entire Hong Kong legal sector. The legal industry hoped to seize the opportunity to expand their business.

    By the end of last year, the cumulative customs duty concessions under CEPA had exceeded 10.2 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars). Last year, the total trade in goods between the mainland and Hong Kong exceeded 4.8 trillion Hong Kong dollars (about 613.92 billion U.S. dollars), more than three times the amount before the implementation of CEPA, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6 percent.

    The number of sectors in which the mainland has fully or partially opened up to Hong Kong’s service industry has increased to 153, accounting for 96 percent of all 160 service trade sectors.

    The agreement II also brings along institutional innovation and collaboration enhancements. It includes the addition of “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law” and “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong” as facilitation measures for Hong Kong investors; and removal of the period requirement on Hong Kong service suppliers to engage in substantive business operations in Hong Kong for three years in most service sectors.

    Paul Lam, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said on the social media that qualified Hong Kong-invested enterprises can choose to use Hong Kong law as the governing law for their contracts. He encouraged the business community to take full advantage of this new opportunity.

    Jonathan Choi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, recently pointed out that the agreement II covers multiple important system innovations, not only providing convenience for Hong Kong businesses entering the mainland market, but also offering broader legal service options for investors in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    It encourages more foreign investors to use Hong Kong as a springboard to invest in the Greater Bay Area, further consolidating Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, Choi said.

    The mainland and Hong Kong signed CEPA in 2003. CEPA has now been upgraded to a comprehensive and modern free trade agreement and has brought significant economic benefits to Hong Kong.

    Since the implementation of CEPA, all products manufactured in Hong Kong that meet CEPA’s rules of origin can enjoy zero-tariff benefits when exported to the mainland. In addition, in terms of trade in services, the mainland and Hong Kong have essentially achieved trade liberalization.

    John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, mentioned on multiple occasions that the agreement II creates more favorable conditions for Hong Kong enterprises and professionals to enter the mainland market. He encouraged Hong Kong and global enterprises to make full use of the new preferential treatments under CEPA, to explore the continuous opportunities in the mainland market.

    On Feb. 19, the HKSAR government and the country’s Ministry of Commerce co-organized a forum on the agreement II to familiarize business sectors with the content and implementation arrangements of the relevant measures.

    Over 350 people, including representatives from local and foreign chambers of commerce, consulates, major trade associations and professional sectors, participated in the forum.

    Fan Shijie, director of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs under the Ministry of Commerce, said that through CEPA, the Central Government aims to strengthen open cooperation, supporting Hong Kong and global investors in their efforts to enter the mainland via Hong Kong.

    The Central Government also supports more Hong Kong enterprises in participating in major exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo, the Canton Fair, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, providing matchmaking services for Hong Kong businesses to tap into the mainland market and share development opportunities, Fan added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China signals stronger financial support for private enterprises

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

    China’s central bank, together with other top financial regulators, convened a high-level symposium on Friday to discuss measures for boosting private enterprise development, which analysts said signaled bigger steps in facilitating the financing of private enterprises as their role in innovation becomes increasingly significant.

    Jointly convened by the People’s Bank of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, National Financial Regulatory Administration, China Securities Regulatory Commission and State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the symposium stressed supporting private businesses as an inherent priority for financial services and a manifestation of upholding the political and people-centered nature of financial work.

    “We will proactively strengthen policy frameworks, enhance supervision and implementation and provide strong financial support for the healthy development of the private economy, helping private enterprises grow stronger, better and bigger,” said a meeting statement released by the PBOC on Sunday.

    Analysts said it is not the first time for the PBOC to convene symposiums on supporting private enterprises, with similar meetings in 2018 and 2023. However, Friday’s meeting features a wide participation by various financial authorities, indicating that all-out, coordinated efforts to strengthen financial support for private enterprises are underway.

    “The joint meeting reflects the central government’s strong commitment to fostering private sector growth,” said Yang Weiyong, an associate professor at the University of International Business and Economics, expecting significant financial measures, including expanded lending for private enterprises.

    The meeting called for a solid implementation of an accommodative monetary policy, a good use of structural monetary policy tools, increased credit access for private and small businesses and equal treatment of all ownership types by financial institutions.

    Specific measures stressed at the symposium include a full implementation a previously-launched 25-point plan to strengthen financial support for the private economy, improvements to credit enhancement systems for smaller businesses and accelerated rollout of supply chain finance regulations.

    The meeting also emphasized strengthening bond market innovation, reaffirming boosting private enterprise financing through capital markets, including support for tech-driven firms, mergers and acquisitions and industrial upgrades.

    Attendants of the meeting also included leaders from fashion and apparel company EVE Group, automotive company Geely Holding Group, artificial intelligence company SenseTime, express delivery company YTO Express and dairy company Yili Group.

    Lou Feipeng, a researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, emphasized the need for stronger financial support for the private sector, particularly as the latest wave of technological revolution continues to advance.

    “Private and small businesses, known for their flexible structures, play a crucial role in driving technological innovation,” Lou said.

    In terms of direct financing, eligible private enterprises should be supported in raising funds through bond issuance and IPOs, he said. On the indirect financing front, banks should improve first-time loan services for private bushiness, expand access to credit-based lending, implement loan renewals without principal repayment and develop supply chain finance.

    Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Saturday that the purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector — where private enterprises play a significant role — came in at 50.2, standing above the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction and up from 49.1 in January.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: PSA survey proves Govt’s cuts are hurting patients

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The National Government’s decision to cut jobs and freeze recruitment of health care workers is hurting frontline services and harming patients.

    “The PSA’s health workforce survey shows 81 percent of health workers believe the cuts and restructuring they’ve been subjected to over the last year have hurt the services they deliver,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. 

    “Our healthcare workers are enduring job cuts, underfunding and a hiring freeze, and they can see every day the impact that it’s having on their ability to help people in need.

    “The survey of almost 1300 health workers shows that cuts and hiring freezes result in longer waiting lists and burnt out staff, both of which can contribute to poorer health for patients.

    “Cuts to services mean people can’t get the care and treatment they need to help their condition improve right now. Their condition can also worsen long-term creating greater cost to the health system and lower quality of life for patients in the future.

    “National talked a big game during the election campaign, promising both tax cuts and improved health services, but now we’re seeing New Zealanders paying the price.

    “This government is failing to deliver what they promised and is taking New Zealand’s health system backwards,” Ayesha Verrall said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 02/28/2025 Blackburn, Cassidy, Colleagues Applaud Senate Committee Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and their colleagues in applauding the passage of their Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent the temporary classification of fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The drug’s Schedule I classification is set to expire on March 31, 2025. This legislation builds on the momentum of the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.).
    “Border Patrol officers have caught more fentanyl nationwide over the last two years than ever before in history, and Tennessee communities are paying the tragic price,” said Senator Blackburn. “The HALT Fentanyl Act would help law enforcement crack down on fentanyl trafficking, and I’m pleased it is one step closer to becoming law.”
    “Chinese fentanyl was pouring into the U.S. under President Biden’s open border. Law enforcement needs every tool possible to combat this,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I am grateful for Chairman Grassley’s quick work to move this through the Judiciary Committee. Let’s make it law.”
    BACKGROUND
    Drug overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, are the leading cause of death among young adults 18 to 45 years old. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl account for 66 percent of U.S. overdose deaths.
    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. This was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. 
    In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than double the amount seized in 2021.
    In 2017, Senator Johnson introduced the SOFA Act following the Wisconsin legislature’s unanimous adoption of a bill that mirrors the HALT Fentanyl Act. 
    CO-SPONSORS
    The HALT Fentanyl Act is also co-sponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chuck Grassley(R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ruben Gallego(D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Political analyst hopes NZ, Australia will ‘step up’ over USAID cuts gap

    By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor

    The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate more than 90 percent of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding means “nothing’s safe right now,” a regional political analyst says.

    President Donald Trump’s government has said it is slashing about US$60 billion in overall US development and humanitarian assistance around the world to further its America First policy.

    Last September, the former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that Washington had “listened carefully” to Pacific Island nations and was making efforts to boost its diplomatic footprint in the region.

    Campbell had announced that the US contributed US$25 million to the Pacific-owned and led Pacific Resilience Facility — a fund endorsed by leaders to make it easier for Forum members to access climate financing for adaptation, disaster preparedness and early disaster response projects.

    However, Trump’s move has been said to have implications for the Pacific, which is one of the most aid-dependent regions in the world.

    Research fellow at the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre Dr Terence Wood told RNZ Pacific Waves that, in the Pacific, the biggest impacts of the aid cut are likley to be felt by the three island nations in a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US.

    He said that while the compact “is safe” for three COFA states – Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau – “these are unprecedented times”.

    “It would be unprecedented if the US just tore them up. But then again, the United States is showing very little regard for agreements that it has entered into in the past, so I would say that nothing’s safe right now.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Dr Terence Wood speaking to RNZ Pacific Waves.   Video: RNZ Pacific

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New expert taskforce to help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: New expert taskforce to help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects

    The Taskforce, made up of government, medical, industry and union representatives, will provide expert guidance to prevent and manage silica and other dust related disease associated with tunnelling projects in NSW.

    Major tunnelling projects present heightened risks for silica-related lung disease.

    Tunnelling is vital to the transformation of the States civil infrastructure, which includes road and rail networks, to ensure New South Wales is a modern and globally competitive place to live, work and do business.

    Four broad areas of action have been identified to help focus and guide the work of the Taskforce including:

    Better use of data with more transparent access

    Under the program, project persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure worker access to workplace air monitoring data with SafeWork NSW to make exceedance notification date publicly available and use the data to guide regulatory reform. SafeWork NSW will also partner with the Dust Diseases Board to establish data-driven research.

    Improved health monitoring

    Improved health monitoring will help to protect worker’s long-term health and safety. It will also play a key role in informing a continual improvement process for businesses and regulators in dealing with silica dust work health and safety risks. The Government’s commitment to the silica worker register is a key initiative to support improved health monitoring for workers.

    Best practice Work Health and Safety controls

    SafeWork NSW will review and revise the Tunnels Under Construction Code of Practice to guide industry and workers on best practice control measures. Major tunnelling PCBU will regularly meet to share information and experience, and to establish a consistent best practice benchmark across the industry.

    Enhanced compliance

    SafeWork NSW will maintain and reinforce dedicated resources to monitor tunnelling and silica respirable crystalline silica dust results to enable optimal work health and safety.

    It will also develop a tunnelling project silica compliance assessment to establish a clear set of criteria on which to assess the safety performance of projects to assist strengthened application of suitable controls to manage risk.

    SafeWork NSW has surged additional staff into the Silica Task Force (STF) team, which is undertaking compliance activities in all tunnels under construction in NSW. Eight inspectors from the STF are undertaking these regular visits.

    On January 1, 2025, the Minns Labor government welcomed the ban on the importation of engineered stone products to protect the future health and safety of workers.

    The national import ban covers engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent.

    This follows the world-first domestic ban on the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone products in Australia that started on 1 July last year.

    The ban prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing at least 1% silica.

    The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban, vowing it was prepared to act unilaterally, ahead of an agreement being reached across the Commonwealth.

    The NSW government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with the strengthened laws. 

    Since September, the $2.5 million investment has seen a Silica Compliance Team conduct 140 inspections, handing out three fines totalling almost $10,000 for non-compliance. More than 125 improvement notices have been issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.

    The moves aim to safeguard workers from silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica, which tragically has led to several deaths.

    Silicosis is caused by items with a high silica content such as engineered stone. Engineered stone is a common item used in kitchen benchtops.

    The Minns Labor government has pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust.

    The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).

    In addition, the icare Lung mobile lung clinic provides specialised lung health assessments to current and retired workers who are at risk of developing a workplace dust disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or silicosis.

    In 2025, the Lung Bus will travel right around the state, including stops in Taree, Tuncurry, Lake Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Nowra, Bathurst, Dubbo, Griffith, Newcastle and Tamworth.

    More information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations can be found here.

    https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/injured-or-ill-people/work-related-dust-disease/services-and-support/lung-screening-service/workers-mobile-clinic-lung-bus-bookings-for-workers

    More information on crystalline silica and the new safety requirements can be found here:

    www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/hazardous-chemical/priority-chemicals/crystalline-silica#new-safety-requirements

    Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing silica dust work health and safety risks to protect workers. The Taskforce will give the community confidence that we have the right experience and expertise in the same room to guide the response to this risk.

    “I welcome the important work of the expert taskforce to protect the health and safety of workers. We have identified areas which will be addressed in a co-ordinated, transparent process which will help create safer workplaces.”

    SafeWork NSW Acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said:

    “SafeWork NSW is committed to maintaining leading practices to protect the workers of this State and is looking forward to working together with experts across Government, industry, unions and health to address this issue.

    “SafeWork NSW will continue to work with industry to ensure compliance with existing safety standards and that workers are being protected against any potential exposure to silica dust.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Annual Plan open now for public feedback

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 is open for public consultation, as the council invites all Aucklanders to have their say on its investment and services for the year ahead.

    The consultation also includes an opportunity to give feedback on the funding of events and destination marketing, and the priorities of local boards.

    The proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 focuses on delivering the second year of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034. Consultation runs from 28 February-28 March 2025.

    Mayor Wayne Brown says it’s important Aucklanders have their say.

    “Council is here to serve Auckland ratepayers, and the Annual Plan is an opportunity for Aucklanders to speak up and have their say on what the council is focused on,” says Mayor Brown.  

    “We want the community’s thoughts on a bed night levy to fund major events like bringing the America’s Cup back to Auckland, hosting NRL rugby league matches, the ASB Classic and concerts like Coldplay and Taylor Swift.  None of these will happen without it, as I won’t rate struggling households to fill hotels.

    “This is also a chance to tell us what they want from their Local Boards and on the proposed rates for the next year. My message to Aucklanders is speak up, help inform our decision-making.”

    Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker says the Annual Plan focuses on getting on with strengthening the financial and physical resilience of Auckland, while investing where it is needed most to manage growth.

    “This Annual Plan is about delivering on our Long-term Plan commitments, at a time when we know the cost of living is high for our ratepayers. This year we are prioritising investment in transport, water and fair funding for local communities,” says Mr Tucker.

    The plan sets out the proposed way to pay for services and investments, including a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property, which is in line with the Long-term Plan.

    “We are also asking our communities for feedback on funding major events and destination marketing for the region. To help cover a shortfall in funding that was outlined in the Long-term Plan, the council would like to see the introduction of a bed night visitor levy,” says Mr Tucker.

    “The levy requires new legislation and, to inform the government, the council would like to hear Aucklanders’ views on a bed night visitor levy that could help raise $27 million and not just meet the shortfall, but fund even more destination management, marketing and major events activities in Auckland.”

    Local board agreements

    The final Annual Plan 2025/2026 will also set out local board agreements – with each of the 21 local boards setting out priorities for their community and where funds will be invested.

    A fairer funding approach will begin to be phased in for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 to enable local boards to better respond to the needs of their communities, by addressing funding imbalances between the 21 local boards.

    “Each local board’s priorities for the year are included in the Consultation Document,” says Mr Tucker. “Local boards provide a wide range of services such as local parks, libraries, pools, community facilities, and local art and environment activities, along with community events.

    “This makes their plans and priorities really relevant at a local level, and we encourage Aucklanders to take a look at what is planned by their local board, and provide feedback.”

    While the council is not proposing significant changes to services or investment levels compared with what is in the Long-term Plan, it is important to check in each year with all Aucklanders in our communities, to make sure plans are still on the right track.

    Additional proposals

    There are some proposed changes to targeted rates, fees and charges – including refuse collection being rolled out in North Shore, Waitākere and Papakura, and targeted rates for refuse in Franklin and Rodney. There are also some changes for fees relating to additional council services, such as dog adoption, cemetery and cremation, and bach fees.

    “We are also seeking input on the annual plan for Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which governs the 14 Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau. Public feedback is an important part of developing these plans.”

    The Annual Plan 2025/2026 Consultation Document for feedback is available online at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.

    Want to learn more?

    Join our online information session where you can hear more from the Auckland Council Finance team about the topics we are consulting on in this annual plan.

    You can also ask questions to subject matter experts.

    Wednesday 5 March 2025

    6pm to 7.30pm

    Register for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 Online Information Session via akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan (events).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Virtual care, real impact: ProCare funding provides Kiwis with summer healthcare support

    Source: ProCare

    This summer, health didn’t have to go on hold for hundreds of patients, thanks to funding from ProCare to provide subsidised virtual GP appointments via CareHQ. This funding ensured that patients within the ProCare Network could access the care they needed, even as general practices and their hardworking staff took a well-deserved break after another demanding year. Virtual appointments bridged the gap during the holiday period, meaning patients could continue to connect with trusted medical professionals from the comfort of their homes, or holiday spots.

    Between Monday 16 December and Sunday 9 February, CareHQ saw hundreds of patients through the ProCare Christmas funding programme, helping with concerns from viral upper respiratory tract infections, right through to gastroenteritis, or UTIs.

    Bindi Norwell, Group Chief Executive at ProCare says: “Our network of practices has been telling us that funding, and workforce, have been two big areas of concern this year. This funding initiative has offered crucial support for both patients and general practices. By supporting virtual consultations through CareHQ, we’ve helped alleviate pressure on in-person clinics, ensuring they could take a well-earned break after another demanding year.

    “At the same time, we’ve helped provide patients with an affordable, accessible way to get the care they need, whether they’re at home or holidaying across New Zealand. This flexibility has been a win for all involved, supporting the health of our communities while also looking out for the wellbeing of our hardworking primary care teams,” continues Norwell.

    “We’re under no illusion, that 2025 is going to continue to put pressure on practices, as government funding increases have been minimal and not enough to cover inflation, let alone increased costs to running a practice. This means that practices will continue to grapple with workforce shortages and need support with overflow and afterhours to keep up with high levels of patient demand moving forward, an issue for which we will continue to look for solutions,” concludes Norwell.

    Brett Butler, General Manager of CareHQ says: “Our team of highly qualified GPs and nurses were an exceptional resource over the Christmas break, demonstrating how virtual healthcare can be a vital support solution now and into the future. At CareHQ we are pleased to be able to offer this overflow and afterhours service throughout the year, including public holidays, keeping Kiwis healthy. Our care with patients, and flow through of consultation notes back to the practice ensure a smooth continuity of care, while also making sure individuals can be flexible with the type of care they need and when they need it.”

    Notes:

    About CareHQ

    CareHQ is a virtual consultation service that provides New Zealanders with a convenient and easy to use telehealth consultations with specialist General Practitioners (GP), there for when they can’t see their regular GP or need support after-hours. CareHQ has delivered more than 100,000 consults to New Zealanders to date and continues to grow every day.

    CareHQ is made possible by a partnership between Southern Cross Health Insurance and ProCare however CareHQ exists as an independent service from both these organisations.

    Collectively Southern Cross Health Insurance and ProCare already care for and are trusted by more than one million New Zealanders:

    Southern Cross has more than 920,000 members
    ProCare supports 143 general practices across Tāmaki Makaurau, covering almost 700,000 enrolled patients.

    About ProCare

    ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Schoolyard safety first: NSW and SA unite to curb bullying with landmark agreement

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Published: 2 March 2025

    Released by: Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning

    The NSW and South Australia state governments are continuing their collaboration on initiatives to help improve the wellbeing of our schoolkids with an agreement to work on measures to combat bullying.

    Deputy Premier and NSW Education Minister Prue Car and her South Australian education counterpart Blair Boyer signed a joint agreement to tackle the scourge of bullying.

    The joint effort follows the success of last year’s groundbreaking Social Media Summit, organised jointly by the NSW and SA Premiers, to explore and address the impacts of social media on children and young people.

    The MOU binds the two states to “undertake a coordinated approach to information sharing and collaboration to minimise the impacts of bullying in schools and support positive school environments”.

    Work will commence immediately on the sharing of best practice prevention strategies that are already working in NSW and SA schools, curriculum materials and tools for educators to combat bullying, including cyberbullying, in our schools.

    Last year NSW Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Car announced they would lead the development of a statewide bullying framework for all NSW schools. 

    The regulator of schools, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), has already convened its first meeting with the school sectors to progress the work on the anti-bullying framework.

    The MOU is just part of a suite of measures the Minns Labor Government has initiated to deal with challenges facing our schools.

    • Banned mobile phones in all NSW Public schools, with a recent survey showing that 86% of principals believing socialising has improved since this came into effect.
    • Implemented a new, stronger behaviour policy which provides teachers and principals with the authority they need to appropriately manage student behaviour.
    • Introduced a revised school curriculum which includes lessons on bullying, respectful relationships and consent education.
    • Hosted a Social Media Summit alongside the South Australian Government, and supported the Federal Government’s decision to raise the minimum age for social media to 16.
    • Recruited 92 new school counsellors and psychologists since the beginning of this year.
    • Launched the Spotlight on Cyberbullying Website which provides free and easily accessibly cyberbullying resources for parents, carers, teachers and schools.

    NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

    “Bullying is a scourge that impacts children across all school sectors, states and territories, and we all have a crucial role to play in stamping it out.

    “NSW is leading the way nationally to address bullying and cyberbullying so children at all schools feel safe and supported to focus on their learning.

    “I am proud to work with South Australia in progressing this issue. There is much that we can share with each other to come up with the best approaches to prevention.

    “We all want the same outcome – which is to keep our kids safe and happy so that they can get the best out of their education.

    “As we progress this work in NSW, we look forward to working with our state and federal counterparts on a consistent national approach.”

    SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said:

    “Preventing bullying before it starts is the best action we can take to make sure every child can get the education they deserve.

    “That’s why we’ve focused our efforts on training teachers to better respond to bullying and bolstering the respectful relationships curriculum.

    “Prue Car and I have made tackling bullying a priority and our new partnership will give staff more tools to act and support students.

    “This action builds on South Australia’s nation-leading mobile phone ban, the rollout of explicit teaching of behaviour in schools, and 100FTE mental health and learning specialists in schools.

    “Bullying impacts all schools in all sectors. That’s why we’re sharing resources and training across all sectors to take action across all schools.”   

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minns Labor Government to bring Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Published: 2 March 2025

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations

    The Minns Labor Government will bring the management of Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands in one of the largest de-privatisation moves in NSW history, further delivering on its commitment to publicly-owned assets, and to providing secure jobs and long-term career opportunities for working people.

    The decision to return the management of this vital service to the public sector will secure over 400 well-paid public sector jobs for workers in Western Sydney.

    The 1,576-bed facility at Parklea is Sydney’s second-largest remand centre and has been managed by MTC Australia (previously MTC Broadspectrum) since 2018, with its existing contract expiring in March 2026.

    The contract will be extended by six months, to allow sufficient time for the transition to occur in October 2026.

    Parklea will become the second NSW prison to return to public ownership after Corrective Services NSW takes over the management of Junee Correctional Centre on 1 April 2025, following a 16-month transition.

    The NSW public sector is currently responsible for around 10,000 inmates across 31 prisons.

    Corrective Services NSW and Justice Health will work with MTC, current employees, the Public Service Association of NSW, as well as the local community, as part of the transition.

    A Corrective Services NSW transition team will be established to provide timely updates and additional support to current staff throughout the transition period.

    Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:

    “We began bringing Junee Correctional Centre back into public hands in 2023, and today, we take the first step in making Parklea public again.

    “Frontline staff who work at Parklea Correctional Centre today will have a job at Parklea – regardless of the changes.

    “We told voters at the last election that we opposed privatisation, and we are again delivering on that promise today.

    “This is a win for hundreds of essential workers in Western Sydney as we rebuild essential services for NSW.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:

    “The Minns Labor Government was elected with a clear mandate to ensure publicly owned assets remain in public hands, and returning Parklea to the public sector is a clear response to this mandate.

    “Unlike private management, the Corrective Services NSW’s operating model is not based on a profit motive, it’s based on the objective to reduce reoffending following release from prison, which focuses on rehabilitation, education, and safe reintegration into the community.

    “Due to the hard work Corrective Services NSW has done to bring the Junee Correctional Centre back into public ownership, we now have a blueprint for success that we’ll follow closely to ensure a smooth transition for Parklea Correctional Centre to transition back into the public sector.

    “By bringing Junee and Parklea Correctional Centres back into public hands, we’re delivering better value for NSW taxpayers and improving outcomes for workers, inmates, and the community.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:

    “This decision has been a long time coming and I welcome the Parklea Correctional Centre’s move back into public hands.

    “We will work to support a smooth transition of staff employment arrangements into the public operated facility.”

    Quotes attributable to Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner Leon Taylor:

    “Corrective Services NSW will work with MTC and other stakeholders through this period of change with as minimal impact on day-to-day operations as possible.

    “We look forward to Parklea Correctional Centre being safely back in public hands, which will provide secure jobs and career opportunities for our hardworking frontline Corrective Services NSW staff.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karrin Vasby Anderson, Professor of Communication Studies, Colorado State University

    U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    Journalists covering the Feb. 28, 2025, Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a “jaw-dropping” “spectacle” and a “striking breach of Oval Office comity.” Slate’s Fred Kaplan asserted, “Nobody has ever seen anything like it.”

    People shouldn’t have been surprised.

    The Oval Office encounter was expected to be an on-camera meeting between the president and the Ukrainian head of state before the signing of a crucial minerals deal between the two countries that was meant to be a key step toward ending war in Ukraine.

    But as reporters described it, the initially routine meeting devolved into a “fiery exchange” in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance “berated” and “harangued” Zelenskyy after he pushed back on Vance’s assertion that Trump’s diplomatic skills would ensure that Russian president Vladimir Putin would honor a cease fire agreement.

    Trump’s compulsion to dominate both allies and enemies seems to have caused him to jettison the negotiation the moment that Zelenskyy declined to perform subservient fealty. The meeting, which was ended by Trump with no agreement signed, illustrated why authoritarians are lousy dealmakers, particularly when autocratic instincts are exacerbated by what’s known as toxic masculinity.

    Toxic masculinity is a version of masculinity that discourages empathy, expresses strength through dominance, normalizes violence against women and associates leadership with white patriarchy. It devalues behaviors considered to be “feminine” and suggests that the way to earn others’ respect is to accrue power and status.

    As a communication scholar who studies gender and politics, I have written about Trump’s displays of toxic masculinity and authoritarian tendencies in a variety of situations, during and after his first presidential term.

    Trump’s reaction to Zelenskyy in the Oval Office illustrates how these inclinations stymie the president’s purported dealmaking abilities, undermine democratic values and make the world a more dangerous place.

    Excerpts from the Feb. 28 Oval Office meeting, featuring U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    Diplomat, dealmaker or mafia don?

    Trump staged the public Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy to showcase his ostensible prowess as – in his words – an “arbitrator” and “mediator.” Trump insisted during the first 40 minutes that “my whole life is deals” and asserted that he has what it takes to make Putin conform to a peace agreement with an embattled Ukraine.

    Apparently eager to project a persona as a successful diplomat and powerful dealmaker, Trump rejected a reporter’s suggestion that “you align yourself too much with Putin” and not with democratic values.

    Trump contended that in order to successfully negotiate, he couldn’t alienate either Putin or Zelenskyy. “If I didn’t align myself with both of them,” he said, “you’d never have a deal.” Instead, he claimed, “I’m aligned with the United States of America and for the good of the world. I’m aligned with the world.”

    Vance initially echoed Trump’s message, casting Trump as a consummate diplomat and arguing, “What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy.”

    But Vance’s tone shifted the moment Zelenskyy challenged Trump’s framing.

    Zelenskyy provided historical examples of U.S. diplomatic failures and observed that Trump and other presidents had been unable to contain Putin. Vance responded by castigating Zelenskyy for not “thanking the president” and repeatedly instructed him to “say thank you” as the exchange grew more volatile.

    Trump, seemingly angered after Vance pointed out Zelenskyy’s lack of deference, dropped his diplomatic tone and informed Zelenskyy, “You’ve got to be more thankful because let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any cards.”

    After the meeting, both the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and Slate’s Kaplan compared Trump to a mafia don. The Daily Beast writer David Rothkopf suggested he was more like “the Luca Brasi for mob boss Vladimir Putin,” invoking Don Corleone’s henchman in the movie “The Godfather.”

    The comparison to famous fictional mafiosos was apt. As a scholar who studies both film and politics, I have observed how fictionalized depictions of both the mafia and MAGA Republicanism are deeply patriarchal and autocratic cultures that demand loyalty, breed abuse and foster corruption.

    After Trump suspended negotiations, canceled lunch and expelled the Ukrainian delegation from the White House, Reuters reported that “most Republicans rallied behind Trump and Vance.”

    Democrats, a few Republican outliers and the majority of European leaders backed Zelenskyy.

    President Donald Trump, center, and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025.
    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    The art of the deal’s demise

    Donald Trump cemented his reputation as an accomplished dealmaker in the 1980s, when he published the largely ghostwritten New York Times bestseller “Trump: The Art of the Deal.”

    Many of his supporters voted for Trump in 2016 because they wanted a “dealmaker in chief,” as one poll characterized it, who could get things done in a fractured Congress.

    In his second term, despite having a Republican congressional majority, Trump has established himself as the nation’s sole authority, embracing toxic masculinity’s theory of power and respect. Doing an end run around Congress and flouting the law, Trump initiated scores of policy changes via executive order and asserted that neither lawmakers nor judges have the authority to challenge or constrain him.

    Trump’s blow-up at Zelenskyy is much more than a foreign policy snafu. It’s a preview of what will happen when toxic masculinity drives U.S. foreign policy.

    Toxic masculinity on the world stage

    A screenshot of various U.K. newspapers’ headlines about the Oval Office meeting.
    CBS Evening News

    In his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy modeled a version of masculine strength characterized by empathy, discipline and mutual respect. Focusing on the needs of his people, Zelenskyy showed Trump pictures of Ukrainian prisoners of war abused in Russian custody and advocated for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.

    Trump initially acknowledged that Russian abuses were “tough stuff,” but concern for Ukrainians seems to have vanished after Zelenskyy politely challenged Trump.

    Decrying Zelenskyy’s insufficient gratitude and escalating the conflict, Trump asserted, “You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

    Vance similarly shifted focus from the needs of Ukrainian civilians to paying homage to Trump, demanding that Zelenskyy “offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country.”

    A common tactic employed by abusers is to demand that the person they are bullying show them gratitude.

    In their berating, bullying and humiliation of Zelenskyy, the president and vice president of the United States used the language and rhetoric of abusers in an apparent attempt to try to force the proud and dignified leader of a country at war to grovel and get in line.

    Their lack of discipline and decorum also upended the negotiation, jeopardizing a deal aimed at halting the fighting in Ukraine and advancing U.S. interests.

    In my view, the toxic masculinity on display in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025, was a bald demonstration of something new and alarming to a public accustomed to decorum and diplomacy in that formal setting.

    For many, the enduring image of that meeting is an anxious Zelenskyy being hectored by a furious Trump.

    But there’s another image that captures equally well the dynamic unfolding in the room. Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova sat in a chair just in front of the assembled members of the press. Papers held steady in her lap with one hand, the normally unflappable member of the diplomatic corps buried her head in her other hand, unable to even look at what was happening.

    Karrin Vasby Anderson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability – https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-compulsion-to-dominate-sabotages-dealmaking-undermines-democracy-and-threatens-global-stability-251210

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Napier Sailing Club Proves a Powerhouse

    Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Napier Sailing Club Proves a Powerhouse

    Napier Sailing Club’s junior sailors have once again demonstrated their strength on the national stage with an outstanding performance at the New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association Ranking Selection Regatta.

    The post Napier Sailing Club Proves a Powerhouse first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    – –

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Belle Gibson, teenage lives and trying to find the traitors: what we’re streaming this March

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Isaacs, Associate Professor, Film Studies, University of Sydney

    Disney+/Netflix/Stan

    This month, as the weather stays high and you’re likely to want to stay under the air-conditioning, our experts have a cornucopia of shows and films they’re watching to suit every mood.

    There is Robert de Niro’s romp through politics which “stretches the bounds of credibility”, new seasons of The Traitors from both the United Kingdom and the United States, three new Aussie productions and a new comedy from Aotearoa New Zealand. There is a documentary about Cyclone Tracy for the history buffs – and to round it all out, the intriguingly titled Nightbitch.

    Zero Day

    Netflix

    It seems appropriate that Netflix’s attempt to create a show that captures the state of US politics should be as absurd and troubling as the first months of the Trump administration. Zero Day stretches the bounds of credibility, but, like Trump, it is hypnotic viewing.

    A former president, George Mullen (Robert de Niro) is called upon to track down the source of a cyber-attack which turns off all power for one minute, leading to multiple deaths.

    Mullen’s own family story becomes central to the plot, involving both his wife (Joan Allen) and daughter (Lizzy Caplan) – who conveniently happens to be a congresswoman, clearly inspired by left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

    Zero Day is full of such references, from the current president (Angela Bassett), a nod to Kamala Harris, to a populist radio host and a sinister tech tycoon.

    American reviews have complained the series tries too hard to appeal across partisan lines, to suggest woke calls from the left is equivalent to extremism on the right. Yes, there’s a fuzziness to the politics of Zero Day. But I saw it as a cry of despair at the state of American public life which is also highly entertaining television.

    – Dennis Altman

    Optics

    ABC iView

    What does it mean to tell the truth? And how do we, as consumers of media, differentiate truth from fabrication? Optics, a new comedy series from the ABC, asks these questions through the setting of a public relations firm.

    The show expertly balances humour with quick-wit, social media vernacular, and a level of marketing wordsmithing that makes you question if the news has ever told you a true story.

    The show is based in the PR firm Fritz & Randell and opens with the death of its aging CEO Frank Fritz (Peter Carroll), in a men-only board meeting no less.

    After Frank’s death, the son of the cofounder, Ian Randell (Charles Firth) makes a bid for top spot. But the owner of the firm, Bobby Bahl (Claude Jabbour) is concerned with “optics”, so he puts two young women in charge instead.

    Their young, spunky attitude and social media prowess is seen as a massive advantage. And it is. But it soon becomes apparent this move is much more than a feminist fresh-take for the firm – and is rather a bid to push some skeletons further back in the closet.

    With outrageous lines such as “is there an emoji for miscarriage”, you are guaranteed an entertaining watch. The show will have you questioning the stories you yourself are presented through news outlets. Further still, it will make you wonder how many hands those stories passed through before they hit the papers and screens.

    – Edith Jennifer Hill



    Read more:
    ABC’s Optics is a clever, believable comedy that will make you second-guess what you see in the media

    N00b

    Netflix (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)

    N00b is a coming-of-age story set in small town Gore, New Zealand, a proverbial “arse-end” of the world. Under show creator Victoria Boult, the series bristles with a vibrancy and edginess.

    It’s a familiar story of rugby jocks (“boys”) and popular kids, geeks, misfits, and their witless teachers. It’s something of a modest, reality snapshot of the teen dramas it so confidently riffs on, shows like Laguna Beach and The O.C.

    But what makes this a courageous entry in the genre is N00b’s willingness to be both uproariously funny and caustically cynical. This is a very funny teen comedy, and yet it is also dark and provocative in ways I found refreshing and quite surprising.

    Boult cut her teeth on film studies at the University of Sydney and then went on to work with Jane Campion on The Power of the Dog. The sureness of vision and the deftness of the way in which Boult understands genre is so impressive. The production is based on Boult’s viral TikTok series of the same name (which I can highly recommend).

    I sincerely hope that N00b finds a major audience and perhaps even garners a cult following. Highly recommend.

    – Bruce Isaacs

    The Traitors US and UK, seasons three

    TenPlay (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)

    The third seasons from The Traitors UK and US are fantastic companion pieces, with respective hosts Claudia Winkleman and Alan Cumming guiding the plucky contestants with their camp prowess.

    With their third seasons, the creative teams behind each version have realised that the more theatrical the better, with Winkleman and Cumming leading the charge with their sass and eccentric fashion choices. The setting of Ardross Castle (for both series) in the Scottish Highlands helps.

    The premise is simple: a cast of contestants must complete challenges to earn money for the kitty. Hidden among the faithful contestants are traitors. If a traitor makes it to the end, they keep the money for themselves.

    Each episode, the faithfuls must banish a contestant who they think is a traitor. That evening, the traitors also meet in their turret, wearing mysterious cloaks of course, to “murder” a contestant in their sleep.

    The British season has a diverse cast of everyday contestants, with standouts being one person who gives herself away as a traitor within seconds of being chosen, and another faking a Welsh accent to appear more down to earth.

    The US season is vastly different with a cast of former reality television show icons. Here, it’s fascinating to see how contestants from different franchises, such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Real Housewives, Survivor and Big Brother all approach the game differently.

    Both the American and British versions of The Traitors are fantastic viewing and it’s a genuine shame that the Australian version was let down with substandard casting choices and an aesthetic that was the antithesis of camp.

    – Stuart Richards

    Cyclone Tracy

    9 Now

    On Christmas Eve 2024, Australia remembered the 50th anniversary of the destruction of Darwin wrought by Cyclone Tracy. Fittingly, the 9 Now streaming service marked this anniversary by featuring the 1986 miniseries Cyclone Tracy, a vivid depiction of 1970s Darwin and the terrible impact of the cyclone.

    Cyclone Tracy stars Tracy Mann as Connie, a widow and mother of two who has just paid off the mortgage of her hotel, which serves as the central stage for the drama.

    The series captures the cultural diversity of Darwin (though some portrayals veer towards caricature at times), and the city itself is beautifully evoked through archival footage and great production design. The cyclone itself is frightening, and its destructive power is powerfully evoked (the series’ director of photography, Andrew Lesnie, would later win an Oscar for cinematography).

    In the mid-1980s, when this series first went to air, many viewers would have still been coming to terms with this terrible disaster: it was an act of storytelling for the nation. Watching it in 2025, Cyclone Tracy reminds us of the importance of these nation-making television programs that were once such an important part of Australian culture.

    – Michelle Arrow

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    Netflix

    Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson.

    For anyone who followed Gibson during her rise to fame in the 2010s – or her spectacular fall – the show feels eerily familiar.

    From the clothing, to the makeup, to the food, Apple Cider Vinegar excels in set design and staging. Every effort has been made to ensure this true story, based on a lie, looks like it did when it was unfolding on our phone screens in the 2010s.

    As someone who followed Gibson closely and spent months hunting down the recalled cookbook to see if the health claims were as outlandish as I’d heard (they were), this show was a treat to watch.

    The scenes are cut with recreations of Belle’s stylised Instagram pictures of green juices, beaches and food with “no nasties”. Belle’s account was removed from Instagram after the massive public ousting of her hoax.

    Apple Cider Vinegar has done an incredible job recreating this account and breathing life back into the deleted content.

    Whether or not you are already familiar with Gibson’s story, Apple Cider Vinegar is a compelling watch. You’ll especially love it if you enjoy non-fiction productions that play with ideas of truth such as iTonya, the Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna.

    – Edith Jennifer Hill



    Read more:
    Belle Gibson built a ‘wellness’ empire on a lie about cancer. Apple Cider Vinegar expertly unravels her con

    Invisible Boys

    Stan (Australia), TVNZ+ (New Zealand)

    Stan’s new series Invisible Boys follows four young gay men as they understand and explore their identities while living in Geraldton, a regional town in Western Australia.

    Charlie Roth (Joseph Zada), Zeke Calogero (Aydan Calafiore), Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith (Zach Blampied) and Matt Jones (Joe Klocek) represent four very different young men. Yet they share the experience of feeling invisible because of their sexuality.

    An adaptation of Holden Sheppard’s novel of the same name, the story challenges linear narratives of progress and typical ideals of queer life. It also shows how such mentalities can lead gay and bisexual men growing up in regional Australia to feel invisible, as they often don’t fit the neat narratives associated with “progress”.

    No previous teen drama has been quite as truthful in its representation of some young gay and bisexual men’s experiences.

    As someone who grew up gay in regional Australia, it feels like an authentic representation of my own experience. There’s something universal about Charlie, Zeke, Kade and Matt’s stories of not fitting in, and of being invisible to be safe.

    Most striking is the way the series captures the complicated mix of joy and fear – the clash of opportunity and consequence – that accompanies becoming visibly gay in these environments.

    – Damien O’Meara



    Read more:
    Stan’s Invisible Boys carries the tradition of real, gritty Aussie teen drama, while smashing it into something new

    Nightbitch

    Disney+

    “Motherhood,” the beleaguered stay-at-home mother of Nightbitch tells us in contemplative voice-over, “is probably the most violent experience a human can have aside from death itself”.

    The film sets out to show motherhood is also far more savage and feral than the anodyne images posted on social media by retrograde tradwives or mumfluencers would have us believe.

    As Nightbitch puts it, it’s “fucking brutal”.

    Mother (Amy Adams) is an unnamed installation artist who places her career on hold to raise her young son. Wrung out by the demands of motherhood and increasingly furious with the lack of support she receives from her incompetent and often absent Husband (Scoot McNairy), Mother starts to spiral out of control, morphing into a dog complete with tail, sharpened canines, extra nipples and a ravenous desire for raw meat.

    Nightbitch takes the fear of the reproductive woman literally, drawing on magic realism and horror tropes to show the visceral and psychological metamorphosis women undergo on becoming mothers. Unfortunately director Marielle Heller’s refusal to lean into the body horror results in a neutered narrative with more bark than bite.

    – Rachel Williamson



    Read more:
    A new wave of filmmakers are exploring motherhood’s discontents. Nightbitch makes this monstrous

    Michelle Arrow receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Bruce Isaacs, Damien O’Meara, Dennis Altman, Edith Jennifer Hill, Rachel Williamson, and Stuart Richards do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Belle Gibson, teenage lives and trying to find the traitors: what we’re streaming this March – https://theconversation.com/belle-gibson-teenage-lives-and-trying-to-find-the-traitors-what-were-streaming-this-march-250759

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leakage is a risk with carbon storage projects – NZ’s new framework must be clear on how to deal with this liability

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Dempsey, Associate Professor in Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

    Shutterstock/Oksana Bali

    The government recently announced a framework to regulate carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) by New Zealand companies.

    Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts outlined new rules that would allow emitters to capture their carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and inject them underground for permanent disposal. They would then avoid having to pay for those emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

    Globally, CCUS is currently used mostly by coal or gas-fired power stations, liquefied natural gas plants and petroleum refineries. There are 41 commercial operations around the world, and they capture about 40 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

    Our peers (Australia, the United States and the European Union) already have CCUS frameworks and storage projects. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change acknowledges CCUS’s role in curbing emissions, but highlights challenges in scaling and technology readiness.

    New Zealand faces the challenge of reducing emissions from strategic industries such as steel, concrete, fossil fuels and their derivatives (methanol, ammonia). CCUS has been tabled as an interim solution, strongly supported by the fossil fuel industry. However, critics warn it could reduce incentives to phase out fossil fuels.

    The government argues its CCUS framework aligns New Zealand with international standards. This claim has merit insofar as successful climate action is likely to require international collaboration and technology transfer.

    CCUS in New Zealand could enable reinjection of CO₂ produced from the Kapuni gas field in Taranaki, with “utilisation” involving diverting some of the gas for use in the food and beverage or horticulture industries.

    However, leakage of CO₂ from long-term disposal sites is a major technical risk and New Zealand’s framework must be clear on how it would deal with this liability.

    A bubbling sping near Lake Boehmer emits noxious fumes.
    Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

    Lake Boehmer and how things might go wrong

    Rules for CCUS projects generally require operators to monitor, report and remedy any leakage of CO₂. But because the industry is young, it is useful to take a broader look at geological leakage in the past to reveal how future challenges play out.

    Lake Boehmer, in the the Permian Basin of West Texas, wasn’t always there. But 20 years ago an old irrigation well started leaking saltwater and hasn’t stopped since.

    The well was drilled in 1951 by an oil and gas company. No oil was discovered so the well was handed over to the landowner for irrigation. The well produced water, but also poisonous hydrogen sulphide, enough to kill a farmhand in 1953.

    In the 1990s, the well started leaking. Water from a deep aquifer had pushed its way up alongside the well through geological layers of salt. The water dissolved the salt, worsening the leak, and emerged from underground three times saltier than seawater.

    The Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas, says they are not liable to plug the well because they only have jurisdiction over oil wells. The original operator, which is claimed to have promised to plug the well “any time it becomes polluted with mineral water”, is no longer in business. No one can find the landowner.

    After 20 years, Lake Boehmer has grown to 60 acres. Its shore is rimmed in salt crystals and the odd dead bird from hydrogen sulphide exposure. No one can agree who should fix it.

    Could something similar happen with CCUS? Exacerbating factors in the Boehmer case include deterioration of an aged well – it’s almost 50 years since leakage started – and the absence of a backstop party as the final holder of liability. Both could happen with CCUS under the wrong circumstances.

    Better ways of dealing with leakage

    The Decatur CCUS project in the US state of Illinois has been injecting CO₂ produced from corn ethanol two kilometres deep into sandstone. Over about a decade, 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ has been injected – emissions diverted from the atmosphere.

    The US government imposes strict monitoring rules on CCUS projects. Special monitoring wells are drilled into the disposal aquifer to measure pressure changes and how far the CO₂ has travelled.

    Unfortunately, one of these wells started to leak, possibly due to corrosion. It allowed about 8,000 tonnes of CO₂ to escape into overlying geological layers.

    This is rightly concerning, but to put it into perspective, the size of the leak is 0.2% of the injected CO₂ volume and none of it has escaped to the atmosphere or shallow groundwater. The leak was detected, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intervened, issuing a notice that the leak be remediated, and the company plugged the well.

    This illustrates a functioning CCUS framework. Monitoring requirements ensured the leak was discovered and the regulator was empowered to dictate remedial action.

    However, critics have questioned the timeliness of the operator’s disclosure. The site remains on hold but may resume operations if the EPA is satisfied with the fix.

    Lessons for New Zealand

    A proposal circulated last year suggests the government will model its legislation on Australia and the EU, with CCUS operators being responsible for leaks during disposal operations and for a time after site closure.

    This is like the Decatur situation. It makes sense for operators to fix leaks because they have the technical expertise and are the direct financial beneficiaries of emissions disposal.

    It gets trickier on generational time frames. Companies can go out of business or might leave the country. In these cases, the government is liable for long-term leakage and may seek financial security from the operator to cover future costs.

    A leak arising decades after closure could be more difficult to detect and costly to fix, especially if held up by a protracted fight around liability. This is the Lake Boehmer example.

    Some CCUS seems inevitable if the world is to meet climate targets. It is therefore important to prepare for the possibility of a leak by having robust practices and clear responsibility.

    Although it may seem unfair to burden future generations with looking after CO₂ disposal sites, we argue it is preferable to a legacy that has those same climate-warming gases in the atmosphere.

    David Dempsey receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.

    Andrew La Croix receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.

    – ref. Leakage is a risk with carbon storage projects – NZ’s new framework must be clear on how to deal with this liability – https://theconversation.com/leakage-is-a-risk-with-carbon-storage-projects-nzs-new-framework-must-be-clear-on-how-to-deal-with-this-liability-251006

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Alcohol and gambling firms donate to political parties multiple times. And new rules won’t stop them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Lacy-Nichols, Senior Research Fellow in Commercial Determinants of Health, The University of Melbourne

    Good quality information about when and how alcohol and gambling industries try to influence government decision making should be easily accessible. But in Australia, it’s not.

    When we mapped the network of alcohol and gambling interests in Australia in our recent study, we revealed a complex web of memberships and partnerships.

    We then used the latest data on political donations from the Australian Electoral Commission to show how these companies can “double donate”, or potentially donate more than twice. That’s once directly and via their often-multiple associations.

    However, recent political donation reforms will not stop these kinds of multiple donations.

    We’re concerned about the lack of transparency in these associations and political donations, and the potential for influencing public health policy on everything from gambling reform to alcohol labelling.



    Read more:
    Parliament has passed landmark election donation laws. They may be a ‘stitch up’ but they also improve Australia’s democracy

    Hidden webs of influence

    Understanding which companies are connected with alcohol and gambling associations can be challenging. This was immediately apparent when we mapped alcohol and gambling industry associations (such as Clubs Australia, which represents both community clubs and large pokies venues, or Alcohol Beverages Australia, which represents drinks manufacturers, distributors and retailers).

    Just 75 (59.5%) of the 126 industry associations we identified disclosed their members or corporate partners.

    When we documented the members and corporate sponsors of those 75 associations, we found a large and well-connected network.

    Unsurprisingly, major alcohol and gambling companies were among the members and corporate sponsors. But these were in the minority. More than three-quarters (78.3%) were from other industries such as health, finance, construction, law, entertainment and telecommunications. Some of these were among the most well-connected organisations in the network.

    The figure below shows the links between the most connected associations and corporate partners, using data from 2022.

    The larger circles indicate more connections in the network (for example, associations with more partners). Circles of alcohol interests are blue, gambling is pink, industry associations are orange, and other industries are shown in grey. The lines show a direct link (for instance, between a company and industry association).

    We revealed a large and well-connected network of alcohol and gambling associations.
    Author provided

    We also investigated how transparent these relationships were. We mapped disclosures about two prominent groups: the hotels associations (which represent pubs and hotels) and the clubs associations.

    Of the 658 relationships assessed, only 91 (13.8%) were transparently disclosed. Alcohol companies were the least transparent (disclosing none fully). Gambling companies fully disclosed only 19 relationships.

    The figure below compares the number of disclosures from alcohol, gambling and other companies about their relationships with hotels and clubs associations.

    On the left, we have industry sectors. On the right we have the clubs and hotels associations they partner with. In the middle we show how many of those relationships were fully, partially or not disclosed at all.

    Here’s what hotels and clubs assocations disclosed.
    Author provided

    Poor transparency is just the start

    Poor transparency in membership of hotels and clubs associations makes it even harder to keep track of which companies are making political donations to which parties, and how much they’re donating in total.

    Donations are often said to buy access to politicians, which can facilitate political influence. Companies who may not want to visibly support political parties can donate via intermediaries – in this case, associations that represent their interests. Depending on how many associations a company belongs to, companies can cultivate multiple access points to government.

    This gives them more opportunities to influence politics – and perhaps oppose public policies that threaten their commercial interests.

    These multiple access points are often opaque. The potential links between the thousands of donors in political donation data from the Australian Electoral Commission are not explicit. This makes it challenging for someone with limited time and resources to easily understand which company is giving money to which party, how much, and why. So much of the money in Australian politics is effectively hidden.

    It was only through extensive data collection, cleaning and linking that we could map links between alcohol and gambling sectors. We then linked our dataset to the new data published by the Australian Electoral Commission on February 1.

    If we look at just alcohol and gambling companies, we can see that several essentially “double donate”. They donate once directly and a second time (or more) indirectly via their associations.

    We put together a simple visual below to show the flow of funds for the largest alcohol and gambling donors and associations in our dataset.

    On the left we have the alcohol and gambling companies donating to political parties on the right. In the middle, we have have alcohol and gambling industry associations also donating to the political parties. The lines represent the financial connection between entities. The wider the lines, the more money we know is donated.

    Alcohol and gambling industry donations to political parties, 2023-24.
    Author provided

    Why aren’t recent reforms enough?

    The most recent donation reforms mean political donations over A$5,000 must be disclosed, and these must be disclosed monthly. However, these reforms are far weaker than originally proposed (real-time reporting, $1,000 disclosure cap). This potentially allows alcohol and gambling industries to influence government and hide it.

    Our current political integrity safeguards are failing us. That’s because the reforms do not compel industry groups to disclose their members or funders. This potentially allows companies to donate to political parties under the radar.

    This would be the case for the 51 organisations we found that did not have a list of members publicly available.

    Better transparency – about donations, lobbyists, conflicts of interest and more – can help ensure government decision-making is not unduly influenced by vested interests.

    With a federal election looming, it is important the public can trust policies from all sides of politics are free from undue influence.

    Cara Platts from the University of Melbourne coauthored the academic paper on which this article is based, and contributed to this article.

    Jennifer Lacy-Nichols receives funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Association and the National Health and Medical Research Council. She is a member of Transparency International Australia, the Public Health Association of Australia and Healthy Food Systems Australia.

    – ref. Alcohol and gambling firms donate to political parties multiple times. And new rules won’t stop them – https://theconversation.com/alcohol-and-gambling-firms-donate-to-political-parties-multiple-times-and-new-rules-wont-stop-them-250374

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The WA election campaign has been about big promises, but culture wars are inescapable in contemporary politics

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Broom, Lecturer in Politics and Policy, Murdoch University

    The Western Australian election is less than a week away, and two themes have dominated: big public spending and culture wars.

    The main parties are racking up a long and expensive list of policy promises. The ABC’s election promise tracker shows big spending in suburban road upgrades, improving school access and infrastructure, responding to domestic and family violence, and addressing undercapacity in WA’s health system. The combined promised spend of Labor, Liberals, Nationals and the Greens is estimated to exceed A$16 billion.

    Appeals to fiscal restraint have been quiet. Labor is trumpeting its responsible economic management, while the Liberals are promising to “set the right priorities”. There is little talk of slashing and saving.

    The combination of the cost-of-living crisis and WA’s strong economy has dampened the public’s appetite for austerity. It has also provided the parties with the cover to spend without seeming fiscally reckless.

    While the policy priorities between the parties are broadly similar, there remain significant differences.

    Policy debates on housing and climate

    In housing, for example, all parties promise to slash stamp duty for first home buyers, but their proposals otherwise differ:

    For climate policy, the differences are starker. Labor promises a coal-free grid by 2030 and a green energy future built in WA, driven by windfarms and WA-made home batteries. It stops short at reducing natural gas use, unlike the Greens.

    However, Labor has also pushed back against environmental regulation. Premier Roger Cook lobbied the federal government to abandon environmental protection legislation.

    The recent release of a long-withheld independent report that prompted sweeping changes to the WA Environmental Protection Agency was criticised by conservation organisations for its lack of consultation outside of the mining industry.

    The Liberals agree on the need for batteries and wind power. However, they also promise to extend the lifespan of WA’s coal power stations and lift the ban on uranium mining in WA.

    In her campaign launch speech, Liberal leader Libby Mettam pledged to cut “green tape” and defund the Environmental Defenders Office. This is on the grounds that “taxpayer money should not be spent propping up activists”.

    The culture wars cometh

    Mettam’s choice to target “activists” signals the Liberals’ flirtation with the culture wars. This term refers to conflict over social issues concerning identity and inclusion such as gender, race and sexuality. These issues are invoked by politicians to win votes from a polarised electorate.

    Centre-right parties around the world have embraced culture wars, including in Australia.

    Aligning herself with federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton, Mettam has stated she will refuse to stand in front of the First Nations flags.

    She’s also promised to “ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatments and surgical intervention for children under the age of 16 for the purpose of gender transition” and launch a comprehensive review of these treatments.

    There are incentives for the Liberals to engage in culture war tactics.

    Labor’s electoral position is stable. It also holds a dominant share of political donations. Public desire for big spending is limiting the effectiveness of traditional conservative attacks on Labor’s economic management.

    The Liberals may perceive culture-war signalling as their most viable strategy for winning government. And, if the results of recent elections around the world are anything to go by, then “anti-woke” politics is surging.

    Scandals involving various Liberal candidates further deepen the perception the Liberals are engaged in culture wars.

    Albany candidate Thomas Brough was ordered to take workplace training with the Australian Human Rights Commission after making comments falsely linking the LGBTQIA+ community with paedophilia. Brough (who is a doctor) was referred to the State Administrative Tribunal by the Medical Board for the comments.

    Brough also came under fire for suggesting a “posse” of regional doctors would help gun owners navigate new stricter gun laws introduced by Labor. Brough has not been asked by the party to resign.

    Similarly, a rising star for the Liberals and candidate for Churchlands, Basil Zempilas, made widely condemned comments about transgender people on his radio show in 2020, shortly after becoming Lord Mayor of Perth. Apologising after, he said he had “forgotten he was lord mayor”.

    The party also preselected candidates whose digital footprints revealed unpalatable views.

    During an awkward press conference, Darling Range candidate Paul Mansfield was confronted with what the ABC described as “a series of derogatory social media posts, including homophobic slurs and two lewd posts about women”.

    Kimberley candidate Darren Spackman was asked to leave the party after derogatory social media posts he made in 2022 about Indigenous people were republished.

    The preselection of these candidates could be written off as the reflection of a hollowed-out party struggling to attract strong candidates.

    But under Mettam, the WA Liberal Party is caught between signalling it is part of the anti-woke surge and being seen to resist discrimination.

    It is unclear whether the culture wars will secure votes for the Liberals. Recent research shows strong support for issues such as transgender rights among Australian voters.

    How WA voters respond to culture-war messaging will undoubtedly inform the Liberals’ position in the federal election.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The WA election campaign has been about big promises, but culture wars are inescapable in contemporary politics – https://theconversation.com/the-wa-election-campaign-has-been-about-big-promises-but-culture-wars-are-inescapable-in-contemporary-politics-249691

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Submarine cables keep the world connected. They can also help us study climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cynthia Mehboob, PhD Scholar in Department of International Relations, Australian National University

    Gail Johnson/Shutterstock

    Last month tech giant Meta announced plans to build the world’s longest submarine communication cable.

    Known as Project Waterworth, the 50,000-kilometre cable would link five continents. Meta says it would improve connectivity and technological development in countries including the United States, India and Brazil.

    Improving global connectivity has been the main purpose of submarine cables since the first one was laid across the Atlantic Ocean in 1858.

    Globally, there are currently around 1.4 million kilometres of these garden hose-sized, plastic-wrapped cables. The optical fibres inside can transmit data at speeds of up to 300 terabits per second.

    But submarine cables can do far more than just enhance telecommunications. In fact, a recent conference I attended in London highlighted how a relatively new generation of cables can also be used to keep us safe from threats such as climate change and natural disasters.

    Multipurpose cables

    SMART – short for Scientific Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications – cables are designed for environmental monitoring. They are a joint initiative by the International Telecommunications Union, the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

    The Transatlantic submarine cable, connecting British North America to Ireland, was laid in 1858.
    Rod Allday, CC BY-SA

    These cables are equipped with sensors that measure vital environmental data in the ocean. This data includes seismic activity, temperature fluctuations and pressure changes. It can be used to improve early-warning systems for tsunamis and earthquakes as well as tracking changes in the climate.

    OFS – short for optical fibre sensing – cables are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure. They use the fibre within to detect vibrations surrounding the cable. This allows cable operators to identify potential disruptions from fishing activity, ship anchors and other physical disturbances.

    A handful of countries, including France and Portugal, are actively investing in these cables. The European Commission is also supporting SMART cable projects within broader infrastructure strategies.

    A slow uptake

    The topic of sensing cables comes up at conferences, thanks to industry professionals who work on it pro bono. But the technology isn’t widely adopted by the broader industry and governments. For example, SMART cables have been around since 2010, but there are only two projects in development.

    The reasons for this slow uptake boil down to three major concerns, as discussed at the conference.

    1. Outdated regulation

    The legal framework governing undersea cables is outdated.

    While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regulates international waters, it doesn’t address cables equipped with environmental sensors.

    This legal ambiguity introduces additional complexities to already lengthy and complex processes for obtaining permits when sensing technologies are integrated into cables.

    2. No clear business model

    Industry executives question the financial feasibility of sensing cables. For example, during the conference in London, several industry executives suggested adding sensors raises costs by approximately 15%, with no clear revenue return.

    Unlike data traffic, environmental data doesn’t directly generate income. Unless governments intervene with funding, tax incentives or expedited permits, cable operators have little incentive to absorb these added costs and complexities.

    3. Security risks

    At the subsea cable conference in London, several industry insiders also warned embedding sensors in cables could create new security risks.

    Some governments might view sensing-equipped cables as surveillance tools rather than neutral scientific infrastructure.

    There is also concern such cables could become attractive targets for malicious actors.

    Large ships are used to deploy and repair submarine cables in the ocean.
    Korn Srirawan/Shutterstock

    A need for more ocean data

    But there are good reasons for more countries and industry to invest in SMART cables.

    For example, information on ocean depth, seabed composition and temperature fluctuations is valuable. A wide array of industries, from shipping and offshore energy to fisheries and insurance, could leverage this data to enhance their operations and mitigate risks.

    Scientists have also pointed out that in order to better understand climate change, we need more and better data about what’s happening in the ocean.

    Current subsea cable regulatory hurdles make investing in sensing technology challenging. But if regulation is updated, projects such as Meta’s Waterworth Project could more easily integrate sensors.

    With experts suggesting the Waterworth Project be viewed as multiple cables instead of one, sensors could just be deployed on less geopolitically sensitive cable branches.

    They could facilitate the creation of an open-access, publicly funded database for ocean observation data. Such a platform could consolidate real-time data from sensing cables, satellites and marine sensors. This would provide a transparent, shared resource for scientists, policymakers and industries alike.

    Of course, deploying sensing technology may not be feasible in volatile regions such as the Baltic or South China seas.

    But there is potential in areas especially vulnerable to climate change, such as the Pacific. Here, scientific data could be harnessed to model oceanic changes and explore solutions to rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.

    Data collected from submarine cables can help us better understand the effects of climate change on the ocean.
    somavarapu madhavi/Shutterstock

    A path forward

    Portugal demonstrates a path forward for SMART cables. Despite the regulatory challenges, it is actively investing in SMART cables in order to improve climate data.

    Other governments can learn from this if they wish to fulfil their moral duty to invest in infrastructure that serves as a public good.

    The idea of embedding sensors in cables may not be the perfect climate change fix. But it’s a step toward understanding the ocean’s invisible rhythms – a small but necessary gesture to stop pretending our planet’s breakdown will fix itself.

    Cynthia Mehboob 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. Submarine cables keep the world connected. They can also help us study climate change – https://theconversation.com/submarine-cables-keep-the-world-connected-they-can-also-help-us-study-climate-change-251046

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chair’s Statement: Leaders Meeting on Ukraine, London, 2 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Chair’s Statement: Leaders Meeting on Ukraine, London, 2 March 2025

    Chair’s Statement from the Leaders Meeting on Ukraine in London on 2 March 2025.

    Today, I hosted counterparts from across Europe including Türkiye, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the EU Commission, EU Council and Canada, in London to discuss our support for Ukraine.

    Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States. Europe’s security is our responsibility above all.  We will step up to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence.

    We must not repeat the mistakes of the past when weak deals allowed President Putin to invade again.  We will work with President Trump to ensure a strong, just, and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. Ukraine must be able to deter and defend itself against future Russian attack. There must be no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine. We have agreed that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together.

    Equally importantly, we discussed further rapid steps to enhance our support for Ukraine in pursuit of ‘peace through strength’. We will step up our military support, ensuring Ukraine has the support it needs to train its armed forces and accelerating our support in areas of greatest need. To help bring President Putin to the table, we will put further pressure on Russia by increasing sanctions, including on Russia’s energy revenues, while tightening enforcement of existing measures.

    We also agreed that Ukraine must have robust security arrangements in place at the time of any future peace deal so that Russia does not invade again.  We will accelerate plans to build up Ukraine’s own armed forces and border defences after any deal, and ensure that Ukraine can draw on munitions, finance and equipment to defend itself.

    In addition, many of us expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security, including through a force consisting of European and other partners, and will intensify our planning.

    We will continue to work closely together to drive forward next steps, and will take decisions in the coming weeks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth

    Deal will create 200 jobs in Northern Ireland and provide 5000 air defence missiles missiles to Ukraine.

    200 new jobs will be created and hundreds more supported at one of the UK’s leading defence manufacturers, after a £1.6bn deal was announced by the Prime Minister today to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine.

    The latest measures in the UK’s support for Ukraine to achieve peace through strength, the deal will also provide a major boost to the UK economy and support 700 existing jobs at Thales in Belfast, which will manufacture more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) for Ukraine’s defence. The deal will see production of LMMs at Thales’s factory treble and will also benefit companies in the Thales Supply Chain across the UK – putting more money in working people’s pockets.

    It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast and the second largest MOD has placed with Thales, building on a previous contract with Thales, signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. The first batch of missiles were delivered before Christmas, and this new contract will continue deliveries.

    The deal comes after the Prime Minister announced the Government’s commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and confirmed an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, in order to keep Britain safe and secure for generations to come. This investment will be an opportunity to translate defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British skills, and British innovation.

    The deal helps deliver on the Government’s pledge in its Plan for Change to improve the lives of people in every corner of the UK by growing the economy. By spending more on defence we will deliver the national security that underpins economic growth, and unlock new jobs, skills and opportunities across the country. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    My support for Ukraine is unwavering. I am determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.

    I am also clear that national security is economic security. As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.

    By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    Three years since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, we are now at a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and the security of us all in Europe. 

    We all want a secure and lasting peace. As today’s meeting has showed, the UK will continue to lead international efforts to support Ukraine in securing a ceasefire and durable peace. And we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. This new support will help protect Ukraine against drone and missile attacks but it will also help deter further Russian aggression following any end to the fighting.

    This new deal delivers on the UK’s ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, whilst boosting jobs and growth at home.

    ​Today’s deal marks a historic step for industrial relations between the UK and Ukraine, building on the 100 Year Partnership signed recently by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The contract will enable Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn of export finance to acquire military equipment from UK companies, boosting both the UK’s and Ukraine’s defence industrial bases and support investment in further military capabilities.

    Ukraine has already put the highly capable LMM missile to use as part of its air defences where it has proven to be incredibly effective in protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from Russia’s bombardment. A £162m contract announced in September last year saw 650 LMM missiles supplied to Ukraine as an initial order to ramp up production – deliveries started in December 2024.

    Thales Northern Ireland will deliver the contract – worth an initial £1.16bn with the potential for around a further £500m of work to be added – in collaboration with a Ukrainian industry partner, which will manufacture launchers and command and control vehicles for the missiles in Ukraine.

    The contract has been placed by the MOD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment & Support on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, to be funded by a loan underwritten by United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) after a deal signed last year to allow Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn worth of support from UKEF to spend with UK industry.

    As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the Government – and a strong economy is built on the bedrock of strong security. Increased defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK. Last year, defence spending supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60, and 68% of defence spending goes outside of London and the Southeast, benefitting every nation and region of the country.

    Andy Start, DE&S CEO and UK National Armaments Director said:

    The UK’s Defence Industry has supported Ukraine from the start of the war and this important contract underlines industry’s ability to scale up production at pace to deliver the world-class defence equipment Ukraine requires.

     This contract is a critical next step in the work of Task Force HIRST in developing lasting partnerships between the UK and Ukraine’s defence industries. The substantial increase in LMM production capacity will benefit both Ukraine’s fight tonight, as well as the longer-term security of the UK.

    The deal marks the next milestone in the work of the MOD’s Taskforce HIRST and the first of a series of “mega projects” to be delivered for Ukraine, with the HIRST team working to build long-term relationships with Ukrainian industry to restore and modernise their defence industrial base, support its future defence and economic growth.

    Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced a new £150m military support package to support Ukrainian troops fighting Russia on the frontline, part of the UK’s unprecedented £3 billion annual pledge to Ukraine.

    The UK has committed to spending £3bn next financial year to support Ukraine, with an additional £1.5bn from interest on seized assets through the Extraordinary Revenue Accelerator – taking the total to £4.5Bn. This will ensure Ukraine can achieve peace through strength and underscoring the new 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul Calls Out Federal Medicaid Funding Cuts

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined pediatric patients and families to call out federal Medicaid funding cuts.

    B-ROLL of the Governor during her visit can be found on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     I want to thank Dr. Eddie Simpser, the President and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare, and this is an extraordinary place. You walk in here, it’s brightly lit, the sun comes through, it’s a place of hope, a place of love and a place of miracles. And I want to thank you and your dedicated staff of just, God’s angels on Earth — and you have a big fan over there as well — for all the work you do. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Also really proud to be joined by our champions in Congress. Congressman Greg Meeks and Congresswoman Grace Meng who have been out there on the front lines talking about what devastating cuts, as proposed by the Republicans in Congress, would do all over the State, in their districts, but at a place like St. Mary’s. So I just want to thank both of you for being on the front lines.

    And to the parents and the children — this place is about the children. And I just had a tour a few minutes ago. I met some wonderful children and families and just — it was really touching. It’s hard to see kids that are just in such challenging places because of medically complex conditions. But, you know, you see their smiles and it just warms your soul, and you realize that there’s a lot of people who need our help — Yes, darling.

    You think about the fact that we have over 7 million New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline. Whether it’s half of the children — we have 2.5 million kids who get health care — or it’s our seniors, our parents, our grandparents who are in nursing homes. Over 600,000 people with disabilities. Almost 200,000 pregnant women. These are the people we’re talking about when we say, “You cannot cut this program, because it is a place like St. Mary’s that’ll be devastated when they get almost all their dollars from Medicaid.”

    We have over 2,000 children served — 1,200 at home, and many, many here every single day — who are getting life saving support and care. And if they dare touch this, there has to be a revolt from all Americans, but certainly here in the State of New York. We’ll take that fight on.

    And I think every Republican member of Congress who claims to represent New York State should come to St. Mary’s. Look in the eyes of these kids, listen to their voices, talk to the parents and then still see if you can go back to Washington and cut this program. I bet you cannot. Because otherwise you’d be the most heartless, callous people who ever walked this Earth.

    I challenge you. Come here and tell them you’re willing to cut them. This lifeline. But here in New York, we’re here for the families. We’ll continue supporting them. And when all the parents here — and I talked to the CEO here about what people are feeling when they heard about the cuts in Washington — these families have enough stress in their lives. They’re dealing with complex situations, life and death situations.

    And now, they have to worry about whether their health care for their kids is going to be covered? We’re better than that. New York is better than that. America is better than that. And we won’t let that happen.

    And I will say as an aside, this is not the only program that’s under assault by Washington. Not just Medicare, but Elon Musk representing the Trump Administration just called Social Security — which has been in place since the depression, conceived by Franklin Roosevelt, who once held the job I held now — Social Security is a lifeline for people with disabilities and seniors and everybody who works hard to count on their family. He called it a Ponzi scheme. My God. We have to stand up and say, “You are not unraveling the social fabric of our nation, because we take care of our people.” So this is the fight we’re waging, my friends.

    I’m ready for it. I’m up for it. And I know we have great partners in government who are going to take it to the mat. And we’re there with you, all the way to the end. Let me represent — let me introduce — Congressman Greg Meeks. A tremendous, tremendous champion, not just for his district, but for this entire country.

    Congressman Meeks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM remarks at international leaders’ summit press conference: 2 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    PM remarks at international leaders’ summit press conference: 2 March 2025

    The Prime Minister’s remarks at the International Leaders summit press conference in London.

    Good afternoon. 

    The first priority of this government – of any government…

    Is the security and safety of the British people…

    To defend the national interest…

    Particularly in these volatile times.

    That’s why, last week…

    I announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

    That’s also why I met President Trump last week…

    To strengthen our relationship with America –

    As indispensable partners in defence and security. 

    And it’s why, this weekend, I have been hosting European leaders here in London…

    To work together…

    For the security of the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

    Through my discussions over recent days…

    We have agreed that the UK, France and others…

    Will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting…

    Then we’ll discuss that plan with the United States…

    And take it forward together. 

    The purpose of today’s meeting was to unite our partners around this effort…

    To strengthen Ukraine…

    And to support a just and enduring peace… 

    For the good of all of us. 

    Our starting point must be…

    To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position now…

    So that they can negotiate from a position of strength. 

    And we are doubling down in our support.

    Yesterday evening…

    The UK signed a £2.2 billion loan…

    To provide more military aid to Ukraine –

    Backed, not by the British taxpayer…

    But by the profits from frozen Russian assets.

    And today, I am announcing a new deal…

    Which allows Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance…

    To buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles…

    Which will be made in Belfast…

    Creating jobs in our brilliant defence sector.

    This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now…

    And strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace, when it comes.

    Because we have to learn from the mistakes of the past. 

    We cannot accept a weak deal like Minsk – 

    Which Russia can breach with ease.

    Instead, any deal must be backed by strength. 

    Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can. 

    Bringing different capabilities and support to the table…

    But all taking responsibility to act…

    All stepping up to their own share of the burden. 

    So we agreed some important steps today. 

    First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia…

    To strengthen Ukraine now. 

    Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. 

    And Ukraine must be at the table. 

    Third, in the event of a peace deal…

    We will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities…

    To deter any future invasion. 

    Fourth, we will go further to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend a deal in Ukraine…

    And to guarantee the peace.

    Not every nation will feel able to contribute. 

    But that can’t mean we sit back. 

    Instead, those willing will intensify planning now – with real urgency.

    The UK is prepared to back this…

    With boots on the ground, and planes in the air…

    Together with others. 

    Europe must do the heavy lifting…

    But to support peace on our continent.

    And to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing.

    We’re working with the US on this point, after my meeting with President Trump last week. 

    And let me be clear – we agree with the President on the urgent need for a durable peace.

    Now we need to deliver, together. 

    Finally, we agreed that leaders will meet again very soon…

    To keep the pace behind these actions…

    And to keep working towards this shared plan.

    We are at a crossroads in history today. 

    This is not a moment for more talk – 

    It is time to act….

    Time to step up and lead…

    And to unite around a new plan…

    For a just and enduring peace.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kristina P. Brant, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State

    Parts of the North Fork of the Kentucky River flooded in July 2022, and again in February 2025. Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

    On Valentine’s Day 2025, heavy rains started to fall in parts of rural Appalachia. Over the course of a few days, residents in eastern Kentucky watched as river levels rose and surpassed flood levels. Emergency teams conducted over 1,000 water rescues. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were displaced from homes, and entire business districts filled with mud.

    For some, it was the third time in just four years that their homes had flooded, and the process of disposing of destroyed furniture, cleaning out the muck and starting anew is beginning again.

    Historic floods wiped out businesses and homes in eastern Kentucky in February 2021, July 2022 and now February 2025. An even greater scale of destruction hit eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina in September 2024, when Hurricane Helene’s rainfall and flooding decimated towns and washed out parts of major highways.

    Scenes of flooding from several locations across Appalachia in February 2025.

    Each of these events was considered to be a “thousand-year flood,” with a 1-in-1,000 chance of happening in a given year. Yet they’re happening more often.

    The floods have highlighted the resilience of local people to work together for collective survival in rural Appalachia. But they have also exposed the deep vulnerability of communities, many of which are located along creeks at the base of hills and mountains with poor emergency warning systems. As short-term cleanup leads to long-term recovery efforts, residents can face daunting barriers that leave many facing the same flood risks over and over again.

    Exposing a housing crisis

    For the past nine years, I have been conducting research on rural health and poverty in Appalachia. It’s a complex region often painted in broad brushstrokes that miss the geographic, socioeconomic and ideological diversity it holds.

    Appalachia is home to a vibrant culture, a fierce sense of pride and a strong sense of love. But it is also marked by the omnipresent backdrop of a declining coal industry.

    There is considerable local inequality that is often overlooked in a region portrayed as one-dimensional. Poverty levels are indeed high. In Perry County, Kentucky, where one of eastern Kentucky’s larger cities, Hazard, is located, nearly 30% of the population lives under the federal poverty line. But the average income of the top 1% of workers in Perry County is nearly US$470,000 – 17 times more than the average income of the remaining 99%.

    This income and wealth inequality translates to unequal land ownership – much of eastern Kentucky’s most desirable land remains in the hands of corporations and families with great generational wealth.

    When I first moved to eastern Kentucky in 2016, I was struck by the grave lack of affordable, quality housing. I met families paying $200-$300 a month for a small plot to put a mobile home. Others lived in “found housing” – often-distressed properties owned by family members. They had no lease, no equity and no insurance. They had a place to lay one’s head but lacked long-term stability in the event of disagreement or disaster. This reality was rarely acknowledged by local and state governments.

    Eastern Kentucky’s 2021 and 2022 floods turned this into a full-blown housing crisis, with 9,000 homes damaged or destroyed in the 2022 flood alone.

    “There was no empty housing or empty places for housing,” one resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me. “It just was complete disaster because people just didn’t have a place to go.”

    Most homeowners did not have flood insurance to assist with rebuilding costs. While many applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, the amounts they received often did not go far. The maximum aid for temporary housing assistance and repairs is $42,500, plus up to an additional $42,500 for other needs related to the disaster.

    The federal government often provides more aid for rebuilding through block grants directed to local and state governments, but that money requires congressional approval and can take months to years to arrive. Local community coalitions and organizations stepped in to fill these gaps, but they did not necessarily have sufficient donations or resources to help such large numbers of displaced people.

    Affordable rental housing is hard to find in much of Appalachia. When flooding wipes out homes, as Jackson, Ky., saw in July 2022 and again in February 2025, it becomes even more rare.
    Michael Swensen/Getty Images

    With a dearth of affordable rentals pre-flood, renters who lost their homes had no place to go. And those living in “found housing” that was destroyed were not eligible for federal support for rebuilding.

    The sheer level of devastation also posed challenges. One health care professional told me: “In Appalachia, the way it usually works is if you lose your house or something happens, then you go stay with your brother or your mom or your cousin. … But everybody’s mom and brother and cousin also lost their house. There was nowhere to stay.” From her point of view, “our homelessness just skyrocketed.”

    The cost of land – social and economic

    After the 2022 flood, the Kentucky Department for Local Government earmarked almost $300 million of federal funding to build new, flood-resilient homes in eastern Kentucky. Yet the question of where to build remained. As another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me, “You can give us all the money you want; we don’t have any place to build the house.”

    It has always been costly and time-intensive to develop land in Appalachia. Available higher ground tends to be located on former strip mines, and these reclaimed lands require careful geotechnical surveying and sometimes structural reinforcements.

    If these areas are remote, the costs of running electric, water and other infrastructure services can also be prohibitive. For this reason, for-profit developers have largely avoided many counties in the region. The head of a nonprofit agency explained to me that, because of this, “The markets have broken. … We have no [housing] market.”

    Eastern Kentucky’s mountains are beautiful, but there are few locations for building homes that aren’t near creeks or rivers. Strip-mined land, where mountaintops were flattened, often aren’t easily accessible and come with their own challenges.
    Posnov/Moment via Getty Images

    There is also some risk involved in attempting to build homes on new land that has not previously been developed. A local government could pay for undeveloped land to be surveyed and prepared for development, with the prospect of reimbursement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if housing is successfully built. But if, after the work to prepare the land, it is still too cost-prohibitive to build a profitable house there, the local government would not receive any reimbursement.

    Some counties have found success clearing land for large developments on former strip mine sites. But these former coal mining areas can be considerable distances from towns. Without robust public transportation systems, these distances are especially prohibitive for residents who lack reliable personal transportation.

    Another barrier is the high prices that both individual and corporate landowners are asking for properties on higher ground.

    The scarcity of desirable land available for sale, combined with increasingly urgent demand, has led to prices unaffordable for most. Another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts explained: “If you paid $5,000 for 30 acres 40 years ago, why won’t you sell that for $100,000? Nope, [they want] $1 million.” That makes it increasingly difficult for both individuals and housing developers to purchase land and build.

    One reason for this scarcity is the amount of land that is still owned by outside corporate interests. For example, Kentucky River Properties, formerly Kentucky River Coal Corporation, owns over 270,000 acres across seven counties in the region. While this landholding company leases land to coal, timber and gas companies, it and others like it rarely permit residential development.

    But not all unused land is owned by corporations. Some of this land is owned by families with deep roots in the region. People’s attachment to a place often makes them want to stay in their communities, even after disasters. But it can also limit the amount of land available for rebuilding. People are often hesitant to sell land that holds deep significance for their families, even if they are not living there themselves.

    Rural communities are often tight-knit. Many residents want to stay despite the risks.
    AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

    One health care professional expressed feeling torn between selling or keeping their own family property after the 2022 flood: “We have a significant amount of property on top of a mountain. I wouldn’t want to sell it because my papa came from nothing. … His generation thought owning land was the greatest thing. … And for him to provide his children and his grandchildren and their great-grandchildren a plot of land that he worked and sweat and ultimately died to give us – people want to hold onto that.”

    She recognized that land was in great demand but couldn’t bring herself to sell what she owned. In cases like hers, higher grounds are owned locally but still remain unused.

    Moving toward higher ground, slowly

    Two years after the 2022 flood, major government funding for rebuilding still has not resulted in a significant number of homes. The state has planned seven communities on higher ground in eastern Kentucky that aim to house 665 new homes. As of early 2025, 14 houses had been completed.

    Progress on providing housing on higher ground is slow, and the need is great.

    In the meantime, when I conducted interviews during the summer and fall of 2024, many of the mobile home communities that were decimated in the 2022 flood had begun to fill back up. These were flood-risk areas, but there was simply no other place to go.

    Last week, I watched on Facebook a friend’s live video footage showing the waters creeping up the sides of the mobile homes in one of those very communities that had flooded in 2022. Another of my friends mused: “I don’t know who constructed all this, but they did an unjustly favor by not thinking how close these towns was to the river. Can’t anyone in Frankfort help us, or has it gone too far?”

    With hundreds more people now displaced by the most recent flood, the need for homes on higher grounds has only expanded, and the wait continues.

    Kristina Brant has received funding from the National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture to support her past and ongoing research in rural Appalachia.

    – ref. In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations – https://theconversation.com/in-many-of-appalachias-flood-ravaged-areas-residents-have-little-choice-but-rebuild-in-risky-locations-240429

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Standing united in support of Ukraine

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    For over three years, Ukraine has fought with extraordinary courage and resilience against Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion. This ongoing aggression is not only a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, but also a direct attack on the rules-based international order, freedom, and democracy everywhere. Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to defend their independence.

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today participated in the Securing our Future Summit in London, United Kingdom. Hosted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, the Summit brought together Euro-Atlantic and NATO leaders to promote unity, reinforce collective security, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.

    During the Securing our Future Summit, the Prime Minister announced new sanctions against 10 individuals and 21 entities, including paramilitary organizations and their leaders, to help counter Russia’s reliance on third-party organizations and countries to advance its political and military objectives in Ukraine. To date, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 3,000 individuals and entities complicit in Russia’s aggression – and we remain committed to working with our partners to increase economic pressure on Russia.

    Throughout the Summit, the Prime Minister engaged with his counterparts on the future of international support for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for continued and co-ordinated action in the face of growing global instability and uncertainty. Together, the leaders agreed that there can be no sustainable peace in Europe without security for Ukraine, that any peaceful end to the conflict must include Ukraine at the negotiating table, and that any peace deal should include robust security guarantees.

    At a plenary session, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined that strengthening security and stability in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region will remain a top priority for Canada, including as part of our G7 Presidency this year. He underscored our leadership in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, which includes almost $20 billion in multifaceted assistance ranging from military aid – such as armoured vehicles and drone technology – to humanitarian and financial assistance to help Ukraine rebuild and recover.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing work of members of the Canadian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom and Poland under Operation UNIFIER. Since 2015, they have provided military training to over 44,000 Ukrainian troops. Canada continues to engage closely with Ukraine, Allies, and partners on how best to enhance support through Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine defend itself.

    Prime Minister Trudeau also emphasized the importance of standing together to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

    Canada’s commitment to Ukraine is unwavering. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and work closely with our Allies to provide the necessary military, economic, and humanitarian support to push back against Russian aggression. We are stronger when we work together. And together, we can ensure Ukraine is able to defend itself, rebuild, and secure a just and lasting peace.

    Quote

    “Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty is a fight for freedom and democracy everywhere. The important discussions we had today reinforced our shared resolve: as Allies, we will remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine. Canada will be there for Ukraine until there is a just and lasting peace. Slava Ukraini!”

    Quick Facts

    • In London, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer. Before returning to Canada tomorrow, he will also have an audience with His Majesty King Charles III.
    • The new sanctions announced today include nine leaders of post-Wagner paramilitary organizations, one member of the affiliated senior Russian military leadership, nine paramilitary organizations operating in Ukraine and in the Kremlin’s Africa-network, and 12 affiliated organizations that are responsible for resource extraction within this network.
    • Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed almost $20 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine. This includes:
      • Over $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance, the highest in the G7 on a per capita basis.
      • $4.5 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, thermal clothing, body armour, fuel, and more.
      • $585 million in development assistance, including support to Ukraine’s energy system.
      • $372.2 million in humanitarian assistance, including support for emergency health interventions, protection services, and essentials such as shelter, water, sanitation, and food. Programming also addresses child protection, mental health support, and prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
      • Nearly $225 million in security and stabilization assistance.
    • As announced by the Prime Minister in Kyiv last month, Canada has started delivering on its commitment of a $5 billion contribution toward the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans mechanism. Launched at last year’s G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the ERA Loans aim to bring forward future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide Ukraine with approximately US$50 billion in additional funding as it continues to defend its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
    • In February 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the historic Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, establishing a new strategic security partnership between our two countries. This included $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine for 2024.
    • Launched by Canada and Ukraine in 2024, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children co-ordinates joint efforts and co-operation between Ukraine and partner states to address the issue of the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia. To date, 41 states and the Council of Europe have joined the Coalition, helping successfully facilitate the safe return of over 1,000 children.
    • As part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government announced last year its intention to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine, including through proposed legislative changes that will ensure profits from frozen Russian assets are used to rebuild Ukraine.
    • Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 220,000 Ukrainians. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put support services in place for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.
    • Canada and Ukraine have long been steadfast partners and close friends. In 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world. In 2022, total bilateral trade between our two countries was valued at over $421 million.
    • This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to the United Kingdom.
    • Canada and the United Kingdom share a strong relationship rooted in deep historical ties and common values. We work closely together to advance shared priorities, including sustainable growth, rules-based international trade, gender equality, the fight against climate change, democracy and media freedom, and support for Ukraine.
    • In 2023, the United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest destination for goods and services exports, with trade valued at $47 billion.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Cuts to frontline health services exposed by health workers survey

    Source: PSA

    Chilling evidence of the Govt’s broken promise
    – 81% say cuts have damaged health services
    – 86% say cuts will make it harder for people to get healthcare
    – 72% agree health is underfunded
    The PSA’s survey of nearly 1300 health workers lays out in stark detail how the Government’s promise that its cuts would not impact frontline health services is blatantly false.
    Four out of five workers said that cuts and restructuring over the last year had damaged the services they delivered.
    Examples of the impacts of the cuts quoted in the comprehensive PSA Report Health Care in Crisis included:
    Hiring restrictions mean that we are only able to run our national paediatric clinic at half capacity. This directly impacts children’s access to timely healthcare.
    Cancer patients are not getting adequate diagnosis to help guide their drug regimen.
    We now have nurses and social workers covering receptionist duties which takes them away from clinical duties.
    Cutting IT support is effectively cutting frontline healthcare.
    “The survey is chilling reading for New Zealanders. It shows that the Government’s repeated claims that cuts would not impact frontline health services are just false,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    The survey underpinning the report was run between Friday 24 January and Wednesday 29 January and was completed by 1,287 healthcare workers.
    “Make no mistake this report makes clear that health is in crisis and Government policies are to blame. We now have stark evidence from health workers who know the system best that funding cuts and the hiring freeze are having a direct impact on services.
    “This is a government prepared to put saving dollars ahead of saving lives. Patient care should not be sacrificed to pay for tax cuts for landlords and big tobacco.
    “This report is a wake-up call for the new Health Minister Simeon Brown. He needs to listen to what health workers are telling him and advocate for more funding so New Zealanders get the timely, quality care they deserve.
    “The stakes are too high for cuts and job losses to continue; that’s why the PSA has taken Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to the Employment Relations Authority to stop these reckless and poorly thought through cuts.
    “Enough is enough – health workers say the Government must lift the hiring freeze, fill vacancies urgently and work with unions, and workers to build and fund a health system that provides the care patients need.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Triathlon test event staged

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A test event for the 15th National Games Triathlon was staged at Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour yesterday and today.

    Around 110 athletes from the Mainland, Macau and Hong Kong participated in the two-day event.

    In the first-ever mixed relay event held in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong team claimed the bronze medal.

    Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung said the race route, ending at the Central Harboufont Event Space, was varied.

    The athletes ran past a number of Hong Kong landmarks, including the Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Central Government Offices, the Legislative Council Complex, and the Observation Wheel.

    The cycling route was between Golden Bauhinia Square and the International Finance Centre, taking in the dramatic backdrop of Central and Victoria Harbour.

    A stand for spectators was in place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, giving audience members a close view of participants crossing the finish line.

    The event tested various operations and procedures, race arrangements, venue setup, information systems, security, medical services, accommodation, hospitality, food and beverage services, transportation, contingency plans, and more.

    Mr Yeung said the office will review the event procedures and other details with relevant organisations and government departments with a view to preparing for official events due to be held at the end of this year.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –