Category: Transport

MIL-OSI Australia: West Tamar man charged with fraud and stealing from employer

Source: Tasmania Police

West Tamar man charged with fraud and stealing from employer

Tuesday, 18 February 2025 – 1:22 pm.

Police have charged a 55-year-old West Tamar man with fraud and stealing following an investigation relating to his former employment at a northern Tasmanian aged care provider.
In December 2024 police executed a search warrant at a West Tamar address, and seized three vehicles.
Following further investigation, a fourth vehicle was seized in Victoria last Friday.
The man was arrested yesterday and charged with three counts of stealing, and two counts of fraud.
He has been bailed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on 19 May 2025.

MIL OSI News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Travellers on Air Canada Flight 66 that arrived in Vancouver on February 11, 2025, advised to monitor for measles symptoms
Travellers on Air Canada Flight 66 that arrived in Vancouver on February 11, 2025, advised to monitor for measles symptoms
jlutz
February 17, 2025 – 4:55 pm
Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) and the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) are advising Yukoners of a potential measles exposure linked to Air Canada Flight 66, which arrived in Vancouver on February 11, 2025, as announced by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications, particularly for infants, pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems. Yukoners who may have been on this flight or in contact with affected individuals are advised to monitor for symptoms and follow public health guidance. High risk groups should contact YCDC at 867-667-8323 for guidance.

Those considered high-risk for severe illness include:
- individuals who have never had measles disease;
- those who have not had two doses of the measles vaccine;
- infants under six months of age;
- pregnant people; and
- people with weakened immune system.
Symptoms of measles

Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include:
- fever of 38.3°C or higher;
- cough, runny nose or red eyes; and
- a red, blotchy rash appearing three to seven days after a fever starts.
Individuals who develop symptoms should isolate immediately and call 811 or their health centre or YCDC before visiting any health care facility or provider.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of measles infection, the Government of Yukon encourages all Yukoners to:
- stay up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination; and
- check their immunization records and ensure they have received two doses of the MMR or MMR-V vaccine.
If unsure of your immunization status or you require a vaccine, contact YCDC or your health care provider.
Related information:

Information about measles

Measles guidelines for health professionals

MMR and MMRV vaccines for the Yukon immunization program

British Columbia media alert on confirmed case of measles in Lower Mainland

MIL OSI Canada News –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Two reports show privacy must be at the heart of trust in government
Source: Privacy Commissioner

18 Feb 2025, 15:15

Today’s release of two reports into the protection of personal information show agencies must be better at privacy, says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.

The Inquiry into how government agencies protected personal information for the 2023 Census and COVID-19 vaccination programme (the PSC Inquiry) and the Independent investigation and assurance review of allegations of misuse of 2023 Census information (the Stats NZ report), show the protection of personal information needs to be treated as a priority.

Several matters have now been referred to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (these are detailed below).

Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said he is carefully reviewing the referrals raised in the two reports. That work will be done in the context the Privacy Act and the need to ensure individuals’ rights to privacy is protected and respected.

“New Zealanders need to be confident that when they do activities, like filling in their Census form, or giving over information for medical services, that their information is collected, used, and shared as the law outlines it should be,” says Mr Webster.

“The Privacy Act is very clear that agencies collecting personal information need to keep it safe and treat it with care. This responsibility extends to the use of third-party service providers.

Agencies need to be confident that personal information is protected wherever and whatever organisation is handling it.”

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has recently issued guidance to help agencies working with third-party providers understand their responsibilities.

Mr Webster said he was encouraged to see that work on a new information sharing standard is underway, supporting the information stewardship framework at the core of the Privacy Act.

“Its important people can trust that their information is treated with care. In our 2024 Privacy Survey the percentage of people who said they are “more concerned” about privacy issues over the last few years has increased to 55%, a 14% increase from two years ago. New Zealanders were clear in their response to these concerns:
- 80% want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information.
- 63% said protecting their personal information is a major concern in their lives.
- around two-thirds of New Zealanders are concerned about businesses or government organisations sharing their personal information without telling them.
“Good privacy is an essential part of providing services and doing business in a digital economy. Today’s findings should be a reminder to government organisations that good privacy practices aren’t an optional extra but are fundamental to the work they do,” says the Commissioner.

A number of questions have now been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the PSC Inquiry:
- Whether systems and controls were appropriate for personal data following its transmission by Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Health and Stats NZ to service providers
- Whether there were appropriate means in place for these public agencies to be confident that their service providers were meeting their contractual privacy requirements
- Whether personal information was collected or used by Manurewa Marae for unauthorised purposes
- Whether separation of personal data from Census data was maintained at Manurewa Marae, and whether privacy statements were adequate to inform people about the use of their information.
A further matter has been referred to the Privacy Commissioner by the Stats NZ report about the collection and management of personal information and confidential census data.

While the review of the referrals takes place, the Office will not be making any further comment.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Govt bodies seek deep integration with AI tech

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Local governments in China are racing to embrace cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and intelligent robots, to facilitate decision-making and industrial innovation, after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek recently sparked a new wave of global discussions on technology.
The municipal government of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, recently deployed DeepSeek’s open-source model on its government extranet, a private network for sharing information with selected external users, thereby pioneering the application of the model in fields such as government administration, urban management and public services.
Chen Geng, head of the infrastructure division at the Guangzhou Municipal Government Affairs Data Administration, said on Monday that the integration of the DeepSeek AI model can improve local residents’ access to policy information and boost the efficiency of document processing.
Chen said the open-source ecosystem of DeepSeek lowers the threshold for AI applications, benefiting intelligent administrative operations in government institutions at the provincial, municipal and county levels.
Guangzhou has upgraded its hotline services for handling complaints and suggestions from local residents by integrating with the DeepSeek AI model and other new technologies. This has reduced the average waiting time for calls from the public by 43 percent and increased the accuracy of directing the calls to 97 percent, according to the city government.
In addition, the government of Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has also completed the deployment of the DeepSeek-R1 model on its government extranet.
Li Haigang, director of the service center of Hohhot’s big data management bureau, said on Monday, “We will promote the application of the DeepSeek model across various departments, starting with providing immediate response and intelligent Q&A for the complaint hotline, and gradually expanding to accommodate more departmental business scenarios.”
Li added that the bureau plans to leverage advanced technologies such as big data and AI to analyze multimodal data, such as texts, images and videos, in order to support the aggregation and sharing of public data.
As of Monday, at least eight cities in China had announced integration with the DeepSeek AI model to empower local government services.
Moreover, some local governments have organized learning sessions to help officials and business professionals understand the development and application of DeepSeek and other AI technologies.
On Saturday, officials of Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, participated in a collective learning session on DeepSeek, during which Shen Yang, a professor at Tsinghua University’s College of AI, provided insights into domestic and international AI models, the use of DeepSeek, and AI-generated content and applications in various industries, according to Zhengzhou Daily.
An Wei, secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhengzhou committee, called for all officials in the city to master the use of AI models like DeepSeek, in order to fully leverage AI to assist in decision-making and improve work efficiency.
He also emphasized the need to align with the demands of Zhengzhou’s industrial transformation, promoting the integration of AI technology with strategic emerging industries, advantageous traditional industries, and new business formats such as the use of short videos, livestreaming and cultural creativity.
In the Jinpu New Area of Dalian, Liaoning province, a training session on applications of the DeepSeek AI model was held on Friday for more than 1,300 participants, including key government officials and representatives from over 500 enterprises, according to Li Yan, chief of the Jinpu New Area’s data bureau.
She said on Monday that the bureau will use AI models to empower government services by continuously improving the efficiency of government work, facilitating the transformation and upgrading of emerging industries, reducing the costs and increasing the efficiency of enterprises, and driving the high-quality development of the new area.
In addition to the application of the DeepSeek AI model in government services, the use of AI technology is also being encouraged in other fields, such as the new energy industry.
In December, a three-year action plan for technological innovation in the new energy industry was jointly released by 11 departments in Shandong province. It aims to establish an intelligent power management platform integrated with AI, achieving large-scale application by 2027.
According to People’s Daily Online, State Grid Shandong Electric Power Co has developed an AI-assisted intelligent power regulation model, achieving real-time control of various segments of the power industry chain.
Besides AI, senior officials across the country are also focusing on other technologies in emerging and future industries.
Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong visited the high-tech hub of Shenzhen last week to inspect the development of intelligent robots, AI, autonomous driving and quantum technology, according to Guangdong TV.
Wang emphasized the need to accelerate breakthroughs in key components such as machine brains, limbs and bodies, and to promote the innovative application of intelligent robots in scenarios such as elderly care and public services.

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Trust Stamp Partners with Digital Platformer to Strengthen Security in Digital Identity and Financial Services

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Trust Stamp and Digital Platformer unite to establish a strategic partnership, delivering an integrated solution that combines Trust Stamp’s advanced identity verification capabilities with Digital Platformer’s cutting-edge decentralized security solutions

This joint initiative aims to enhance financial security, identity authentication, and regulatory compliance across multiple industries, ensuring a seamless and privacy-first user experience

Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp (Nasdaq: IDAI), the Privacy-First Identity Company™, and Digital Platformer, a leader in decentralized solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on innovative technologies that enhance financial security, identity verification, and privacy protection, with the intention of the parties to enter into a definitive agreement for shared services.

This planned strategic partnership introduces advanced solutions integrating biometric authentication with decentralized security frameworks, addressing key challenges such as cybersecurity threats, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance, enhancing trust and efficiency across financial services, digital transactions, and data protection.

As digital services evolve, organizations face increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats, growing concerns over data privacy, and the challenge of balancing security with usability. Traditional authentication methods—such as passwords and centralized credentials—remain vulnerable to breaches, while emerging alternatives like passkeys and device-based authentication can introduce risks related to device compromise, cloud syncing vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access. Additionally, fragmented identity verification processes create barriers to adoption, increasing operational friction and limiting growth opportunities.

In response to these challenges, Trust Stamp and Digital Platformer aim to introduce a unified solution, leveraging advanced biometric authentication and decentralized technology to streamline onboarding, mitigate fraud risks, and ensure compliance across sectors like finance, healthcare, and government services. The combination of a privacy-first biometric identity verification together with secure authentication mechanisms, offers a forward-looking approach to identity authentication.

Gareth Genner
CEO, Trust Stamp
“This partnership is built on a shared vision to redefine the standards of security and usability in the digital economy. By integrating our cutting-edge tokenized biometric authentication with Digital Platformers advanced solutions, we’re delivering a comprehensive and decentralized platform that not only enhances compliance, but also creates new opportunities for businesses navigating complex regulatory and technological environments.”

“The partnership leverages Secure Multiparty Computation (MPC) to securely manage biometric data and private keys in a decentralized manner, enabling rapid, secure, and privacy-focused authentication. By integrating Trust Stamp’s solutions with Digital Platformer’s advanced technology, businesses can enhance identity security and streamline digital services, enhance financial security, while ensuring seamless interoperability with existing platforms. This addresses the shortcomings of existing methods and ensures that only genuine users can access applications and accounts.”

Ikkei Matsuda
CEO, Digital Platformer
“Our partnership with Trust Stamp marks a significant step toward redefining digital identity and financial security. At Digital Platformer, we leverage cutting-edge blockchain technology to establish trustless identity solutions that ensure authenticity, while adding trust to the secure ownership and transactions of digital assets. By integrating diverse services and advancing automated transactions, we foster autonomy in the flow of people, goods, and money, ultimately supporting the formation of a new economic ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide a more secure and efficient authentication and transaction environment across industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, expanding the potential of decentralized technologies.”

“‘Digital identity authentication is undergoing a significant transformation. As users embrace biometric verification, the shift toward more secure and advanced solutions is accelerating. This collaboration revolutionizes identity and asset management, empowering various industries with secure, efficient interactions that enhance user satisfaction, address cybersecurity risks, and simplify regulatory compliance—all without compromising privacy. Trust Stamp and Digital Platformer are paving the way for a safer, more inclusive digital economy.”

Ajmir Safi
Vice President, Trust Stamp Japan
“As the digital landscape continues to evolve, security and privacy are more important than ever. Our partnership with Digital Platformer supports the growing need for stronger cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and seamless user experiences. This collaboration sets a new benchmark, and marks a significant step toward providing businesses and consumers with secure, efficient, and future-proof authentication solutions that protect against cyber threats while ensuring ease of use”

Enquiries

Trust Stamp Email: Asafi@truststamp.ai
Ajmir Safi

Digital Platformer Email: contact@digitalplatformer.co.jp
Maki Tateno

About Trust Stamp
Trust Stamp the Privacy-First Identity Company^TM, is a global provider of AI-powered identity services for use in multiple sectors, including banking and finance, regulatory compliance, government, real estate, communications, and humanitarian services. Its technology empowers organizations with advanced biometric identity solutions that reduce fraud, protect personal data privacy, increase operational efficiency, and reach a broader base of users worldwide through its unique data transformation and comparison capabilities.
Located in nine countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Trust Stamp trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq: IDAI). The company was founded in 2016 by Gareth Genner and Andrew Gowasack.

About Digital Platformer
Digital Platformer, founded in Tokyo in 2020, leverages one of Japan’s most advanced blockchain technologies to provide trustless identity (ID) solutions that ensure authenticity and add trust to the secure ownership and transactions of digital assets. By integrating diverse services and automating transactions, Digital Platformer fosters autonomy in the flow of people, goods, and money, supporting the formation of a new economic ecosystem.

Safe Harbor Statement: Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Remarks
All statements in this release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements and information related to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events-based information currently available and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

The MIL Network –

February 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Fish and chips shouldn’t come with a catch: how Australia can keep illegal seafood off our plates
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leslie Roberson, Postdoctoral research fellow, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland

If you’ve ever been stopped by quarantine officers at the airport, you might think Australia’s international border is locked down like a fortress. But when it comes to trade in seafood, it’s more like a net full of holes.

Products sourced from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing can easily slip through to unsuspecting buyers.

Seafood is among the world’s most traded agricultural commodities. Yet illegal fishing accounts for an estimated one-fifth of all wild-caught seafood.

This represents a serious threat to marine ecosystems, food security and even human rights. The phenomenon has been linked to organised crime, modern slavery, and the depletion of vulnerable species such as abalone and hammerhead sharks.

The blame usually falls on countries where the fishing occurs, or where the boat is registered. But seafood markets, including processors, retailers and consumers, play a major role in driving demand. They could also play a crucial role in combating illegal fishing.

In our new policy paper, we propose more effective controls on seafood imports.

What is illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing? (Australian Fisheries Management Authority)

Australia’s role as a seafood-loving nation

Australia spends considerable effort managing its own fisheries, ensuring they are legal and sustainable.

Yet, 60 to 70% of the seafood consumed in Australia is imported.

These imports come mainly from countries with weaker environmental regulations, more illegal activity, and greater vulnerability to labour abuse and slavery.

Current policies leave Australia vulnerable to illegally sourced seafood. Key information, such as the fishing location or species name, is often not required under current trade measures. This means seafood products can be imported under vague labels such as “frozen fish”, obscuring their identity and origins.

Suspect seafood products

Certain seafood products such as shark fins are more likely to be sourced illegally for a variety of reasons, including high market value. Other riskier wild-caught products imported into Australia include:
- shark meat (“flake”): high chance of being illegally caught and most commonly mislabelled
- tuna: a high-value product that could be illegally caught
- squid: most of Australia’s imported squid is caught by Chinese fleets, which are under fire for illegal fishing and labour abuses.
Most of the seafood consumed in Australia comes from overseas.
Shine Nucha, Shutterstock

A new border policy could help crack down on fishy imports

Australia has made international commitments to consume sustainable seafood, in fisheries policy and through subscribing to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Meeting these commitments will require being more careful about what we import from other countries. This could take the form of stricter border regulations.

The Australian government has begun to explore trade measures aimed at denying entry to illegal or untraceable seafood products. A group of organisations was formed two years ago to support this process. While a draft report was released at the end of 2023, the final outcome remains delayed – perhaps until after the next federal election.

To inform this process, we reviewed the existing seafood import policies and recommend eight key design criteria for improvement.

Only the United States, the European Union, and Japan have systems in place to verify the legal origin of imported seafood. Since these are some of the world’s largest seafood import markets, their efforts are important. But their schemes all have notable flaws that Australia should avoid replicating.

These systems are technologically obsolete, lack solid traceability and accounting mechanisms, and rely on trade documents that are often impossible to verify. Most systems are not fully electronic, resulting in shipping containers of seafood arriving with shoeboxes of paper catch certificates.

There are no mechanisms for cooperation between countries. Crosschecking of the same certificate arriving in both France and Italy, for instance, is not yet possible. This makes it easy to reuse certificates across multiple countries, enabling trade of falsely labelled or illegally caught seafood.

Unlawful transfer of fish between vessels is an example of illegal fishing activity.
Richard Whitcombe, Shutterstock

Australia’s chance to take the lead against fishy imports

Seafood supply chains are notoriously complex. Without effective certification schemes, keeping seafood sourced from illegal fishing operations out of our market is virtually impossible.

Although Australia’s seafood appetite is minuscule compared to the US, the EU, or Japan, it has the resources and the opportunity to create a better import control system. Such a system would involve designing an electronic platform with automated fraud detection mechanisms that tracks seafood products from the fishing boat, through the supply chain, to the Australian border. Australia can then start to close the sizeable loophole in its efforts to secure a legal and traceable seafood supply.

Such policies would support sustainable Australian fisheries and help the country’s biggest seafood suppliers to source responsibly. Nearly every country in the world trades seafood: if countries implement smart import policies, illegally sourced seafood will become much easier to intercept.

The authors appreciate the valuable contributions of Gilles Hosch, a fisheries expert with 25 years of experience in global fisheries compliance and seafood traceability.

Leslie Roberson receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Carissa Klein receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Rosa Mar Dominguez-Martinez receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Fish and chips shouldn’t come with a catch: how Australia can keep illegal seafood off our plates – https://theconversation.com/fish-and-chips-shouldnt-come-with-a-catch-how-australia-can-keep-illegal-seafood-off-our-plates-249481
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
February 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: YouTube hosts a lot of garbage – but the government is right to let kids keep watching it

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Page Jeffery, Lecturer in Media and Communications, University of Sydney

suriyachan/Shutterstock

When the Australian government passed legislation in November last year banning young people under 16 from social media, it included exemptions for platforms “that are primarily for the purposes of education and health support”. One such platform was YouTube.

The government is currently conducting private consultations with the tech industry over how the social media ban – which won’t come into effect until at least December this year – will work, and the decision to exempt YouTube.

Meta and TikTok have criticised the exemption. These tech giants have pointed to research which shows YouTube is the most popular social media platform among young people. They argue all social media sites used by under 16s should be held to the same standard.

YouTube plays an important part in the digital lives of teens. It is a key source of information and entertainment for young people. At the same time, however, the video streaming platform hosts a diverse range of potentially harmful content, including content espousing misogynistic, racist, hateful and far-right ideologies.

So is YouTube’s exemption from the social media ban justified?

A multipurpose platform

For many teens, YouTube is a major source of information. It offers not only entertainment, but also a sense of community.

Young people use it to listen to and search for music and for watching television content; to keep up with news; to create their own content; for social connection; and to learn about new topics.

YouTube has also been found to create a sense of community and boost the collective self-esteem of the LGBTQ community.

Many organisations – such as mental health and sexual health organisations – seek to deliver important health information to young people through YouTube.

In my research with families, parents and teens have told me YouTube is an invaluable source of information for both parents and teens. It can facilitate family bonding through co-viewing of either educational or entertaining videos.

YouTube occupies an important place in the lives of young people. So banning them from it would cut off an important source of information, education, entertainment and connection.

For many teens, YouTube is a major source of information. It offers not only entertainment, but also a sense of community.
PixieMe/Shutterstock

Recommending harmful content

However, we also know that YouTube – like other social media sites and the internet more broadly – also contains potentially harmful content that the platform may recommend to young users.

The algorithmic systems that recommend new videos to viewers can be difficult to study due to their opaque nature as commercially valuable IP carefully guarded by platforms.

But from the studies that do exist, we know YouTube’s recommendation system has served content that is sexually explicit and otherwise distressing to young users.

A recent report by Reset Tech also found YouTube’s algorithms may promote misogynistic and other extremist content to young people.

A different design

YouTube has in place a range of content moderation policies designed to combat these issues. For example, it takes action to prioritise in its recommendations sources from channels it deems reliable and unlikely to contain harmful content, with mixed results.

Content that might harm young people is explicitly banned under the platform’s community guidelines.

Of course, most social media platforms have similar restrictions in their guidelines.

A key difference between YouTube and other social media platforms, however, is the way YouTube is designed to be used.

Unlike Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, YouTube is not designed to be a social network. Users can and most commonly do go to the platform to passively watch videos, just as they might go to Disney+ or Netflix.

The social media ban will apply to platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok.
Danishch/Shutterstock

Striking the right balance

The most alarming research into the impact of social media on young people suggests they are at the highest risk of harm when they are encouraged to actively rather than passively participate on social media platforms.

Exempting YouTube from the ban strikes the right balance between recognising and valuing forms of cultural practice and consumption important to young people today and protecting them from online harm.

But we should still continue to demand better practices from YouTube. There is always more these social media companies can do to protect their users from harm. When they fail to do so, they should be held accountable.

While exempting YouTube from this ban, they should still be held to the highest safety standards under Australia’s Online Safety Act.

The exemption also does not mean young people should be able to freely engage with YouTube without restriction or oversight.

We must talk to our kids about what they watch, teach them critical thinking skills and ensure they have rich lives outside of the digital realm.

One tangible step parents can take to reduce the risk of harm is to turn off the autoplay setting on YouTube for their kids, so videos do not stream back to back, stopping the endless flow of videos and providing an opportunity for viewers to consider what and whether they want to watch another video.

Catherine Page Jeffery receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is affiliated with Children and Media Australia.

Joanne Gray currently receives funding from the Australian Research Council and has previously received funding for research from companies such as Meta Platforms and ByteDance.

– ref. YouTube hosts a lot of garbage – but the government is right to let kids keep watching it – https://theconversation.com/youtube-hosts-a-lot-of-garbage-but-the-government-is-right-to-let-kids-keep-watching-it-250050

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Firings of FAA Employees

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.17.25
Cantwell Statement on Firings of FAA Employees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement about reports that FAA safety employees who have served less than one year at the agency, including to technicians working under FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, have been fired as part of the DOGE-led federal workforce cuts:
“Now is not the time to fire technicians who fix and operate more than 74,000 safety-critical pieces of equipment like radars, navigational aids, and communications technology,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The FAA is already short 800 technicians and these firings inject unnecessary risk into the airspace — in the aftermath of four deadly crashes in the last month. The FAA’s safety workforce needs to be a priority for this Administration.”
Last year, when Sen. Cantwell served as chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee highlighted FAA’s shortage of at least 800 airway transportation systems specialists – commonly known as technicians – during a December 2024 hearing on “Air Traffic Control Systems, Personnel, and Safety”. Dave Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), the union representing FAA technicians, testified about the importance of closing the shortage and boosting this segment of the FAA workforce in order to keep FAA’s air traffic control systems and equipment safely running. According to the FAA, over 4,000 talented technicians “install, operate, maintain, and repair more than 74,000 pieces of aviation safety equipment located across all of the United States and outlying U.S. territories.”
During her tenure as chair, Sen. Cantwell sounded the alarm about the staffing shortage of air traffic controllers, need for more FAA safety inspectors, a series of aviation incidents and near-misses on and around runways, and the midair blowout of a door plug in January 2024.
She led the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, signed into law in May 2024, which boosts controller staffing, ensuring a five-year commitment to maximum hiring and training to close the current staffing gap. The law requires upgraded safety technologies – giving controllers better visibility into runway traffic – to be installed at every large and medium airport nationwide. The law also includes stricter safety standards for aircraft operators and plane manufacturers, as well as provisions to boost staffing to put more FAA safety inspectors on factory floors.
On Feb. 6, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy calling on him to ensure that Elon Musk stays out of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), citing Musk’s clear conflicts of interest.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Pacific – Vanuatu’s earthquake won’t stop children learning – UNICEF

Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

UNICEF supports Vanuatu’s recovery plan as thousands of children start a new school year

Port Vila, Vanuatu, 17 February 2025 – Two months on since the 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu, more than 12,000 children from affected schools are able to continue their learning during this new school year. The earthquake caused widespread damage to lives, homes, schools, and health care facilities.

UNICEF is supporting government efforts to ensure that all children have as smooth a transition as possible back into learning, providing temporary learning spaces and materials to help children readjust. It is vital that children regain a sense of normalcy and connection, to protect them from the harmful effects of prolonged stress.

According to the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training, 45 schools have been affected, with 107 classrooms sustaining varying levels of damage. 20 Early Childhood Care and Education centres were also affected. As a result, there are far too few safe classrooms for the numbers of children returning to school.

Children must be able to learn, despite these challenges, so UNICEF and partners have provided more than 50 safe temporary learning spaces for 5,839 girls and boys. Learning materials, School-in-a-Box and Early Childhood Development kits for 2,300 children and teachers have also been provided. These learning spaces will not only provide a conducive learning environment but also serve as entry points for other essential services for children’s recovery including mental health and psychosocial support.

Through the deployment of a child psychologist, teachers and other frontline workers are being trained to run psychosocial support activities with children. The activities are designed to help children express their feelings, and to help adults identify signs of distress, to provide counselling, and to make referrals to specialized mental health services where required.

UNICEF is also supporting access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices to provide school children and teachers with a safe and supportive environment for learning. This includes quick fixes; restoring water, sanitation, and hygiene services; and the provision of WASH in school kits, which include soap and portable handwashing stations, to the affected schools. This is complemented with hygiene education materials and training to strengthen the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure.

“Every child deserves to have the opportunity to learn, especially with these challenges,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Chief of Vanuatu Field Office, Eric Durpaire. “We are working with teachers and communities to enable a safe return to school for all children, under the leadership of the Ministry.”

In the coming months, UNICEF’s recovery plan includes the rehabilitation of the classrooms that will allow children to shift from temporary learning spaces to semi-permanent or permanent structures. The plan must ensure the long-term maintenance and teacher and community resilience.

UNICEF is working closely with the government, communities, and partners to integrate disaster-resilient designs as well as climate-adaptive measures into reconstruction efforts to reduce vulnerabilities. This includes support across essential aspects of a child’s optimal development – nutrition, health, safe water, learning opportunities and a safe and protected environment.

Emergency response and recovery after a disaster such as this cannot be achieved alone. UNICEF acknowledges the support provided by donors including the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom as well as the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), while acknowledging the Government of Vanuatu in ensuring that children can pack their bags for a new school year.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2’ brings boons beyond theaters

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Having broken the Hollywood monopoly in the global list of 10 highest-grossing films, the animated feature “Ne Zha 2” is generating ripple effects beyond cinemas, showcasing China’s vibrant consumption and dynamic economy.

Less than three weeks since its premiere, the global earnings, including presales, of “Ne Zha 2” have exceeded 12.05 billion yuan (about 1.68 billion U.S. dollars).

Drawing inspiration from a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) mythological tale, much like the globally acclaimed 3A video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” “Ne Zha 2” reimagines the story of Nezha, a legendary boy with extraordinary powers, for today’s audience. He is also a character in the classic novel “Journey to the West,” which features the Monkey King, or Sun Wukong.

The film’s success extends to catering, retail, tourism, and capital markets.

Inspired by the film, a restaurant in north China’s Tianjin Municipality has creatively incorporated the film’s characters and cuisines into its menu, with dishes like “stir-fried squid tentacles” recalling a humorous scene from the movie.

Traditional specialties, such as lotus root powder — used in the film to remake Ne Zha’s flesh — have seen a resurgence in popularity.

Additionally, a Ne Zha-themed hot pot restaurant in Yibin, Sichuan Province, has become a popular spot for photos due to its interior design inspired by the film’s elements, like the Red Armillary Sash.

Craze for IP derivatives

The craze for IP derivatives is evident, with Ne Zha-themed merchandise selling out rapidly. In Shanghai, movie theater operators reported that popcorn tubs and drink packages featuring Ne Zha sold out within days of the film’s release. In Beijing, action figures of Ne Zha are in high demand, with shipments scheduled as far out as July.

“I really like Ao Bing (a dragon prince and friend of Ne Zha in the film). I ordered six blind boxes from Pop Mart as soon as the products were released, hoping to get a toy of Ao Bing,” said Dekyi Yangzom, a movie enthusiast from southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, who was deeply impressed by the story and visual effects of the film.

Online sales of “Ne Zha 2” merchandise have surged, with sales reportedly exceeding 50 million yuan on Taobao, a leading e-commerce platform in China.

Zhang Zizhong, an assistant professor at Zhejiang University, highlighted the evolving revenue models in China’s film industry.

“In the past, films mainly relied on box office to generate revenues. However, today, IP derivatives have become a significant source of profits,” said Zhang, adding that the audiences are willing to pay for content beyond the movie itself.

A boost for local tourism

The film’s use of various Chinese dialects has entertained audiences and highlighted the unique charm of local cultures, boosting cultural tourism in regions like Tianjin and Sichuan.

Locations like Chentangzhuang in Tianjin, linked by some people to Chentang Pass in the film, are seeing increased visitors. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Tianjin’s cultural and tourism sector has introduced several Ne Zha-themed experiential routes, resulting in a nearly 30 percent surge in visitor traffic.

In the Cuiping district of Yibin, known for ancient temples honoring Nezha, newly launched attractions and themed events have drawn crowds, leading to a 34 percent increase in hotel booking.

In Xixia County, Henan Province, the Nezha Temple attracts global visitors annually. Following the movie’s release, the local cultural and tourism department reported a year-on-year rise in visitor numbers at the county’s major scenic spots, accompanied by a 13.2 percent increase in overall revenue.

Stock price rise

As “Ne Zha 2” continues to dominate the box office, the stock prices of the companies involved in its production, including Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd., the main producer, have seen a significant uptick.

Within seven trading days after the Spring Festival holiday, Enlight Media’s stock price hit the upper limit five times, with its market value soaring from approximately 28 billion yuan on Jan. 27 to 101.9 billion yuan on Feb. 14.

Wang Changtian, the company’s chairman, said that such performance is a direct market response to the box office success of “Ne Zha 2.”

Zhu Yuqing, vice chairman of the industry review committee of the China Film Critics Association, said that amidst the global sensation of “Ne Zha 2,” investors previously skeptical about the Chinese film market have shifted their stance and are now paying attention to Chinese animated films.

“The investment rationale for animated films extends beyond box office revenue; their industrial chain is extensive. Derivative products, real-world scenery development, souvenirs, and games can all generate a long-tail effect,” Zhu explained, adding that the capital market is generally optimistic about animated films this year, which marks the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and the 130th anniversary of world cinema.

“The strong start of ‘Ne Zha 2’ is just the beginning. The vast potential for consumption in China’s film market, the broad development space for the film industry, and the growing enthusiasm for domestic blockbusters will drive Chinese filmmakers to create more outstanding domestic animations that will shine on the global stage,” said Zhao Xinli, dean of the Advertising School at the Communication University of China.

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Meet Flary Finance: A New Unique Opportunity for High Potential Returns in the DeFi Revolution

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Photo courtesy of Flary Finance

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following Donald Trump’s victory and his administration’s commitment to pro-crypto policies, investors are seeing growth and new opportunities in digital assets. Adding to the momentum, financial titan BlackRock has begun significant investments into crypto-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling strong potential in the future of digital currencies. While investors are flocking back to top assets, a new player offers substantial potential—Flary Finance.

The idea behind Flary Finance is simple: combine the features of traditional Web2 lending services while taking advantage of Web3’s unique strengths of decentralization, security, and user autonomy. The result is a carefully crafted outlook on liquidity distribution across multiple blockchains that solves common pain points. It offers fresh solutions to enhance user experience that are accessible to all.

Flary Finance bridges EVM and non-EVM solutions, allowing users to utilize their tokens across different blockchains without selling. Its intuitive interface caters to users of varying technical proficiencies, making DeFi navigation accessible even for newcomers.

Flary Finance’s advanced lending and borrowing protocols also empower users to borrow funds while preserving their assets, turning crypto holdings into powerful instruments. With its competitive rates, users keep more of their earnings, with the ultimate cross-chain bridges making asset mobility between networks effortless.

According to the words of a Crypto whale, these features result in a comprehensive user-centered DeFi experience, where seamless asset management, low fees, and high liquidity come together—all in one place.

The same investor emphasizes that a good way to assess Flary Finance’s potential is to compare it to a similar DeFi platform, which has a fully diluted market cap of around $5.2 billion, while Flary Finance’s is only $9.92 million.

The investor explains, “This difference offers a considerable advantage: if Flary reaches this similar DeFi platform’s market cap, early investors could see an impressive 524x return. Even if Flary only reaches half of the FDMC, that would still yield a substantial 262x potential return for early token holders!”

With its balance of user-focused techniques and technology-driven features, Flary Finance is positioned to capture a large share of the market. As an ultimate aggregator in the DeFi market, the platform is a timely investment for exceptional growth, creating a unique opportunity for investors to join a growing project with significant long-term potential.

About Flary Finance

Flary Finance is a pioneering DeFi platform that integrates traditional lending features with blockchain technology, offering a user-friendly and decentralized financial ecosystem. It bridges both EVM and non-EVM solutions to provide a seamless experience across multiple blockchains. With its additional features, it empowers its users with advanced lending and borrowing protocols, competitive rates, and effortless cross-chain asset mobility.

Details:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlaryFinance
Telegram: https://t.me/+YJYY0sO_Vh9mMjBk
Website: https://flary.finance
Docs: https://flary-finance.gitbook.io

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95cfd237-6181-439b-a65a-59e634bdee1c

The MIL Network –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s Xizang reports surging foreign trade in 2024

Source: China State Council Information Office

Foreign trade in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region climbed to 12.67 billion yuan (about 1.77 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a 15.4 percent increase from the previous year, Lhasa Customs officials said Monday.

Exports rose 15.3 percent year on year to 11.32 billion yuan, while imports increased 16.9 percent to 1.35 billion yuan, according to the data.

Xizang has expanded its trade ties to 140 countries and regions. Nepal became its largest trading partner last year, with bilateral trade soaring 84.8 percent to 5.12 billion yuan.

Private enterprises played a dominant role, contributing 98.6 percent of the region’s total foreign trade, it said.

Local officials attributed the trade growth to increased exports of specialty products, rising demand for new energy products, improved border trade, and enhanced customs clearance processes.

Exports of plateau specialty goods such as wool and cashmere surpassed 100 million yuan for the first time in 2024, up more than 20 percent year on year.

“Our company specializes in wool processing, with products mainly exported to Nepal, the United States and European countries where they are well received,” said Lhapa Trinley, head of a local trading company. “This year, foreign trade orders have increased, and our customer base is expanding.”

The renewable energy sector also emerged as a key driver, with demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium batteries, and solar products rising in South Asia. Xizang exported more than 11,800 NEVs worth 1.55 billion yuan in 2024, up 144.82 percent and 126.79 percent year on year respectively.

“China’s NEVs, with their strengths in electrification and intelligence, are gaining popularity in Nepal,” said Sun Yong, general manager of Xizang Xudatong Trade Co., Ltd.

As Xizang deepens its opening-up efforts, border trade is picking up. In 2024, 14 traditional border trade points resumed operations, with small-scale border trade reaching 3.53 billion yuan.

“The rapid growth of foreign trade would not be possible without policy support and trade facilitation,” said Chungda, an official at Lhasa Customs. “We have continuously optimized the business environment at ports and improved customs clearance efficiency, and plan to introduce new clearance models to further enhance logistics and trade facilitation.”

Xizang’s gross domestic product expanded by 6.3 percent in 2024, and this year the region has set a growth target of over 7 percent, striving to reach 8 percent, according to its government work report.

The year 2025 marks the 60th founding anniversary of the Xizang Autonomous Region.

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s NEV output, sales surge in January

Source: China State Council Information Office

An automatic assembly line is pictured at a smart factory of Changan Auto in Chongqing, southwest China, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

China’s new energy vehicles (NEVs) performed strongly, with production surging 29 percent year on year to 1.02 million units in January, industry data showed on Monday.

NEV sales grew rapidly by 29.4 percent year on year to 944,000 units in January — accounting for 38.9 percent of total new vehicle sales last month, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

China’s auto industry witnessed a steady start to the year, with both passenger car production and sales posting year-on-year increases in January.

Total passenger car output reached 2.15 million units last month, up 3.3 percent year on year, while sales grew 0.8 percent year on year to top 2.13 million units.

Meanwhile, China’s auto exports rose 6.1 percent year on year last month, totaling 470,000 units in January.

Boosted by the implementation of pro-consumption measures, such as a consumer goods trade-in program, China’s auto industry will continue to post stable development, said Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM.

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Telehealth staff cuts would reduce access to virtual healthcare – PSA

Source: PSA

While Health Minister Simeon Brown pushes for more Telehealth services, Health New Zealand (HNZ) is proposing to cut key Telehealth support roles to meet the Government’s drive to reduce health spending.

These proposed cuts would reduce access to virtual healthcare, increasing wait times and delaying vital diagnosis and treatment, Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.

Under HNZ’s proposed restructures of the Data and Digital, and Planning, Funding and Outcomes teams there would be a loss of 14 Telehealth roles.

The proposed cuts would see only two full time Telehealth data and digital roles, and one Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) role remain, reduced from 17 Telehealth support roles (including vacant roles). Roles proposed to be cut include Telehealth co-ordinators and Telehealth facilitators.

Telehealth Data and Digital staff provide critical technical support to clinicians delivering healthcare services virtually, Fitzsimons says.

“These cuts will mean clinical staff delivering virtual patient care will not be able to access the support they need to deliver that care in future,” Fitzsimons says.

Removing this number of Telehealth roles will result in significant loss of access, availability and quality of healthcare for our communities, she says.

“Axing vital Telehealth support roles makes a nonsense of the Government’s claims that their cuts to health won’t affect the care New Zealanders receive,” Fitzsimons says.

The proposed cuts are part of the overall 47% cut to Data and Digital health services under the HNZ restructure proposal announced in late November, following a directive from the government to cut health spending.

The PSA understands some Telehealth workers have already left the team via voluntary redundancy or not having their contracts renewed.

“There is a risk that Telehealth workers will head offshore, and they would be hard to replace,” Fitzsimons says.

“In January and February new Health Minister Simeon Brown strongly signalled he would be looking for increased use of virtual health care in the future. At the same time the Government is driving spending cuts that will see vital Telehealth technical support severely eroded.

“Cutting Telehealth is not going to help the Minister Simeon Brown’s intention to embrace technology and open new ways for patients to access healthcare. These cuts pull the plug on this.

“It’s further evidence that the Government’s funding cuts are rushed, disorganised and ill thought out.”

Telehealth enables patients to connect with healthcare providers for a range of reasons, including new mums accessing lactation experts, diabetics receiving help with insulin self-management and support for women who were survivors of the pelvic mesh medical scandal.

Some communities who may be impacted the most by these cuts include the nearly 25% of New Zealanders with disabilities, and those in rural communities, who may struggle to physically access healthcare.

“The geography of New Zealand coupled with a spread-out population present certain challenges for accessing healthcare services. Virtual healthcare will undoubtedly be part of the solution, but this requires funding and resourcing to meet the need,” Fitzsimons says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Concern for welfare – Douglas Daly

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force hold concerns for the welfare of 89-year-old Roland.

Around 5pm on Monday 17 February, Roland’s vehicle was located by a member of the public washed off the Stray Creek Crossing on Fleming Road, Douglas Daly.

He was not located him inside the vehicle or during searches conducted in the surrounding areas.

Around 10:30pm, Roland’s son, who was in Darwin at the time, contacted police to report the incident.

Daly River Police attended to commence investigations, and the search was called off a short-time later due to weather conditions.

Search and Rescue Section deployed early this morning with both land and air assets and investigations remain ongoing.

If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, please contact police on 131 444.

MIL OSI News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: BitMart Launches Exclusive KOL Incentive Campaign to Reward Top Referrers
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Victoria. Mahe, Seychelles, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to unveil its monthly Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Incentive Campaign, a unique opportunity for influencers to earn exclusive rewards by driving community growth. This initiative is tailored to reward top referrers who bring new users to the BitMart platform, offering USDT prizes, customized gifts, and more.

Why Join the Campaign?
- Boost Your Influence: Top-performing KOLs will be spotlighted on BitMart’s social channels, elevating your personal brand within the crypto space.
- Earn Exclusive Rewards: The #1 KOL each month receives a customized gift and a significant USDT reward, while runners-up (2nd–5th) earn USDT prizes or trading fee discounts.
- Everyone Wins: Active participants are eligible for random draw rewards, ensuring everyone has a chance to benefit.
How It Works:
1. Sign Up: Join the KOL Incentive Campaign on BitMart’s platform.
2. Refer & Grow: Use your unique referral code to invite friends and new users.
3. Win Big: Compete monthly to refer the most users and claim your rewards.
Monthly Rewards Await:

Every month, the KOL who refers the highest number of new users will be crowned the BitMart Champion of Growth, earning a custom gift and USDT rewards. This is your chance to shine and be recognized globally for your contributions to the BitMart community.

Amplify Your Impact:

BitMart is dedicated to building a thriving and engaged community. By participating in this campaign, you can leverage your network to make a meaningful impact while reaping exclusive rewards.

Don’t Wait – Join Now!

Take your influence to the next level and start earning today. Sign up for BitMart’s Monthly KOL Incentive Campaign and compete for incredible rewards.

For more details, visit: https://www.bitmart.com/activity/KOLincentive2025/.

About BitMart
BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

Disclaimer:

Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

The MIL Network –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: BitMart Research Releases In-Depth Analysis on World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and Its Strategic Vision
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Victoria. Mahe, Seychelles, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart Research, the research arm of BitMart Exchange, has released an extensive report on World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi initiative backed by members of the Trump family. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of WLFI’s financial strategy, political influence, and long-term investment potential, making it a must-read for investors, policymakers, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI)

I. Project Background

1. Project Introduction

WLFI is a DeFi project supported by the Trump family, the President of the United States, and officially launched in September 2022. Its core objective is to promote the widespread adoption of stablecoins, strengthen the dominance of the US dollar in the global financial system, and utilize cryptocurrency technology to fulfill the vision of “Make America Great Again.” WLFI is positioned as a DeFi lending platform, initially operating on the Ethereum network. It leverages mature DeFi protocols (such as Aave v3) to optimize user experience rather than launching entirely new financial tools.

On December 13, 2024, the World Liberty Financial community approved its first proposal and successfully deployed an instance of Aave v3. Although WLFI has made initial progress, many of its team co-founders are newcomers, and its long-term feasibility and innovation potential remain to be verified.

On February 12, 2025, WLFI announced the launch of “Macro Strategy,” aimed at establishing strategic token reserves to support leading cryptocurrency projects such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. This strategy will help WLFI enhance stability, promote growth, and build trust, while collaborating with traditional financial institutions to advance tokenization of assets. WLFI is working with several financial institutions to incorporate their tokenized assets into reserves and provide transparency through public blockchain wallets. Additionally, WLFI will collaborate with partner institutions to conduct marketing and brand promotion activities, showcasing its leadership in financial innovation.

2. Team Information

Trump Family Roles
- Donald J. Trump: Listed as the “Chief Cryptocurrency Advocate,” responsible for promoting the project but not deeply involved in technology or operations.
- Eric Trump & Donald Trump Jr. & Barron Trump: Serve as “Web3 Ambassadors,” mainly responsible for promoting and publicizing the project.
Core Co-Founders
- Chase Herro and Zak Folkman: Both co-lead operations but have controversial backgrounds due to a lack of experience in the crypto industry. Chase Herro has been involved in cannabis sales and promoting controversial tokens; Zak Folkman founded a male dating coaching company.
Witkoff Family
- Real estate developer Steven Witkoff and his sons Zach and Alex are closely related to the Trump family. Steven donated $2 million to Trump’s campaign. After Trump’s victory, he was appointed as the Middle East envoy.
Core Technical Personnel
- Rich Teo: Head of stablecoins and payments, previously founded the exchange itBit and stablecoin company Paxos, currently serves as CEO of Paxos Asia. Rich is also an advisor for the SocialFi project RepubliK.
- Corey Caplan: Head of technical strategy, co-founder of the DeFi platform Dolomite, responsible for integrating lending and trading functions.
- Bogdan Purnavel: Chief Developer, previously worked on Dough Finance.
Advisory Team
- Alexei Dulub: Founder of Web3 Antivirus, blockchain security expert, participated in L1/L2 development since 2013.
- Sandy Peng: Co-founder of Ethereum Layer 2 network Scroll, provides scaling technology support.
- Justin Sun : As a strategic advisor and largest investor (invested $75 million), promotes ecological cooperation with TRON.
Source: WLFI official website

II. Funding Sources and Token Utilization
WLFI’s funding comes from token sales, raising a total of $455 million as of February 9 (Source: WLFI official website). Of this, the first public sale of 21.3 billion tokens was sold out at $0.015 per token, raising $319 million. In the second public sale, the price was increased to $0.05 per token, raising $136 million by February 7. Currently, WLFI’s total value of purchased crypto assets is estimated at approximately $325.8 million, including important projects like ETH, WBTC, DeFi, and RWA. However, it should be noted that this project does not operate like a fund raising money through WLFI tokens to purchase mainstream project tokens with growth potential; WLFI token holders do not have rights to distribute investment returns. Although WLFI defines itself as a DeFi lending platform, it has not yet begun operations or provided DeFi services, so WLFI tokens currently have no value or usage path

.

III. Total Holdings

As of February 9, 2025, WLFI’s total asset value is estimated at approximately $327million, with on-chain assets valued at around $37.79 million and centralized exchange assets valued at approximately $289 million (if unsold, deposited into Coinbase Prime for fund management and business operations).

WLFI On-chain Assets (Data Source: ARKM)

WLFI CoinbasePrime Assets (Data Source: SpotonChain)

IV. Holding Structure Analysis

As a crypto project strongly associated with the Trump family, WLFI’s asset allocation strategy has attracted market attention and spawned the concept of “presidential picks.” As of February 2025, ETH occupies a core position in WLFI’s crypto holdings (62.3%), followed by WBTC (16.4%), with remaining funds allocated to DeFi and RWA tracks. Notably, despite the decline in ETH/BTC exchange rates since December 2024, WLFI chose to increase its ETH holdings, highlighting its bet on the underlying infrastructure value of the Ethereum ecosystem. In terms of track selection, WLFI focuses on leading projects: Chainlink (LINK) and Aave (AAVE) in the DeFi field; Ondo Finance (ONDO) and Ethena (ENA) in the RWA track, forming a combination of “established protocols + emerging protocols.”

In terms of external cooperation, WLFI has formed a deep connection with Sun Yuchen, founder of TRON. The latter has invested $75 million through an HTX address and become the largest institutional investor. This also explains WLFI’s holdings of TRX and WBTC.

Regarding fund management, WLFI recently transferred $307.4 million in assets to Coinbase Prime for custody and released 194 thousand stETH for liquidity management. Currently, the project still holds $47.49 million in stablecoin reserves. Future investments may focus on three main directions: (1) supplementing core asset holdings; (2) laying out emerging RWA protocols; (3) covering ecological cooperation costs.

Detailed Holdings Breakdown:
1. Ethereum (ETH)
- ETH：78,610 tokens ($209 million, 63.8%)
1. DeFi
- AAVE: 16,585 tokens ($4.091 million, 1.3%)
- LINK: 219,000 tokens ($4.117 million, 1.3%)
1. RWA
- ENA: 4.941 million tokens ($2.47 million, 0.8%)
- ONDO: 456,000 tokens ($612,000, 0.001%)
1. Justin Sun-related Assets
- WBTC: 553 tokens ($53.648 million, 16.4%)
- TRX: 40.71 million tokens ($9.772 million, 3%)
1. Other Assets
- USDC: 37.54million tokens ($37.54 million, 11.5%)
- USDT: 4.14 million tokens ($4.14 million, 1.3%)
- MOVE: 3.68 million tokens ($1.98 million, 0.3%)
Analysis of WLFI Project Logic: Political Empowerment and Financial Ambition

1.Financialization of Political Resources: A Fundraising Tool for the Trump Family

From the token economic model of WLFI, it is evident that up to 75% of sales revenue directly belongs to the Trump family. Meanwhile, the project’s legal structure deliberately avoids direct association with Donald Trump himself, but strengthens its political binding attributes through public endorsements by family members (such as Eric Trump). This design essentially transforms Trump’s political influence into quantifiable financial assets, making it a political fundraising tool rather than a true decentralized financial product. The market generally views WLFI as a “bet on the prospects of Trump’s support for cryptocurrency policies.” Previously, investors purchasing this token were essentially indirectly supporting Trump’s campaign activities. This model is similar to Trump’s previous Trump MEME token, both serving as alternative financing channels beyond traditional political donations.

2.Market Sentiment Manipulation: Dual Operation of Capital and Narrative

The project can leverage Trump’s political influence to create market sentiment for itself and related projects. For example, after receiving investment from Sun Yuchen, WLFI made significant purchases of TRX and WBTC, with the current holding value at approximately $63.41 million. As of February 9, Sun Yuchen had invested a total of $75 million, with 84.5% of the funds used to purchase tokens related to his investments. Additionally, recently WLFI co-founder Chase Herro announced plans to establish a “strategic reserve” using tokens purchased by WLFI. Although he did not specify the goals or reasons for establishing the token reserve, this topic has been highly regarded since Trump committed during his last presidential campaign to establish a token reserve. Last month, Trump signed an executive order to assess the feasibility of creating a digital asset reserve. Against this backdrop, WLFI’s plan to establish a strategic reserve will undoubtedly strengthen market expectations around the concept of “presidential selection.” By deeply binding WLFI with Trump’s cryptocurrency policies, it can not only create market expectations and attract more capital inflows but also potentially facilitate off-market cooperation between the project party and political capital, thereby further expanding its market influence.

About BitMart

BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join theirTelegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

Risk Warning

Note: All cryptocurrency investments, including yield products, are highly speculative and involve significant risks. Past performance of products cannot guarantee future results. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and before making any investment decisions, you should carefully assess whether it is suitable for trading or holding digital currencies based on your investment objectives, financial situation, and risk tolerance, and consult a professional financial advisor. The information in this article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment, legal, or tax advice. The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for any losses incurred due to the use of this information.

The MIL Network –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 10 dead, 19 missing after landslide in SW China

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

As of Monday noon, a landslide in southwest China’s Sichuan Province had left 10 people dead, 19 missing and two injured, according to the emergency rescue headquarters.
Houses of 10 households had been buried in the landslide and more than 100 hectares of crops had been damaged.
The landslide occurred on Feb. 8 in Jinping Village, which is located in Junlian County in the city of Yibin.
More than 3,000 personnel from the armed police, firefighting, emergency response, transportation, medical and other forces have been dispatched to join the search and rescue efforts, aided by drones, sniffer dogs and life detector equipment.
Currently, 767 people in 139 households have been evacuated and relocated to safety.
The post-disaster reconstruction work is being carried out simultaneously in Junlian to restore normal production and living order of the affected people.

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Gaza – Less than seven percent of pre-conflict water levels available to Rafah and North Gaza, worsening a health catastrophe – Oxfam

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

– Nearly 1,700 kilometres of water and sanitation networks have been destroyed

– Big-ticket repairs of networks urgently needed but Israeli government balks in approving supplies

The resumption of aid into Gaza, including fuel to operate undamaged water and sanitation facilities along with water trucking, has improved the amount of water available to people in some parts of Gaza. But the picture remains extremely bleak and dangerously critical, especially in the North Gaza and Rafah governorates, warned Oxfam today.

Fifteen months of Israel’s military assault has destroyed 1,675 kilometres of water and sanitation networks. In North Gaza and Rafah governorates, which have suffered the most destruction, less than seven percent of pre-conflict water levels is available to people, heightening the spread of waterborne diseases.

As fragile ceasefire negotiations hang in the balance, any renewed violence or disruption to fuel and the already inadequate aid would trigger a full-scale public health disaster.

Carlos Calderon, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Head of Partnerships and Humanitarian said:

“No human can survive more than a few days without water. In Gaza, over two million people are being forced to drink from unsafe sources, while overflowing sewage networks create a breeding ground for deadly diseases we once conquered. This is a second humanitarian catastrophe in the making. What we do next will define who we are as a society.”

Clémence Lagouardat, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Gaza said:

“Now that the bombs have stopped, we have only just begun to grasp the sheer scale of destruction to Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure. Most vital water and sanitation networks have been entirely lost or paralyzed, which is creating catastrophic hygiene and health conditions.

“Our staff and partners have told how people are stopping them in the streets asking for water, and that parents are not drinking to save water for their children. It is heartbreaking to hear about children having to walk for miles for a single jerrycan of water.”

In the North Gaza governorate, almost all water wells have been destroyed by the Israeli military. Over 700,000 people have returned to find entire neighbourhoods wiped out. For the few whose homes remain standing, water is non-existent due to the destruction of rooftop storage tanks.

In Rafah, over 90 percent of water wells and reservoirs have been partially or completely damaged, and water production is less than five percent of its capacity before the conflict. Only two out of 35 wells are currently operational.

Despite efforts to resume water production since the ceasefire, the destruction of Gaza’s water pipelines means that 60 percent of water is leaking into the ground rather than reaching people.

Oxfam and partners’ initial assessment after the ceasefire found:

– More than 80 percent of water and sanitation infrastructure across the Gaza Strip has been partially or entirely destroyed, including all six major wastewater treatment plants.

– 85 percent of the sewage pumping stations (73 out of 84) and networks have been destroyed. Some have been repaired but urgently require fuel to operate.

– 85 percent of small desalination plants (85 out of 103) have been partially damaged or completely destroyed.

– 67 percent of the 368 municipal wells have been destroyed. Most of the private small wells cannot function due to lack of fuel or generators.

The lack of safe water, combined with untreated sewage overflowing in the streets has triggered an explosion of waterborne and infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organisation, 88 percent of environmental samples surveyed across Gaza were found contaminated with polio, signalling an imminent risk of outbreak. Infectious diseases including acute watery diarrhoea and respiratory infections – now the leading causes of death – are also surging, with 46,000 cases, mostly children, being reported each week.

Chickenpox and skin diseases such as scabies and impetigo are also spreading rapidly, particularly among displaced populations in the Northern Gaza Governorate, where water shortages are most severe.

Meanwhile, with no waste collection and transport for over 15 months, more than 2,000 tonnes of garbage has been piling up in the streets every day. This toxic combination of open sewage, uncollected waste and contaminated water is creating a perfect storm for a deadly disease outbreak.

Lagouardat said: “Despite the increase in aid since the ceasefire, Israel continues to severely impair critical items needed to begin repairing the massive structural damage from its airstrikes. This includes desperately needed pipes for repairing water and sanitation networks, equipment like generators to operate wells.”

Oxfam’s own 85 tonne-shipment of water pipes, fittings and water tanks – worth over $480,000 – had been held up for over six months because it was deemed as dual-use and “oversized” to enter. Israeli authorities only finally approved the shipment this week, although it has yet to enter.

Lagouardat said: “Hundreds of thousands of displaced people across the Gaza Strip have had to resort to digging makeshift cesspits next to their tents. This daily discharge of approximately 130,000 cubic meters – the equivalent of 52 Olympic pools – of untreated sewage is contaminating the Mediterranean Sea and Gaza’s only aquifer.

“Rebuilding water and sanitation is vital for Gaza to have a path to normalcy after 15 months of horror. The ceasefire must hold, and fuel and aid must flow so that Palestinians can rebuild their lives. Lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis can only come through a permanent ceasefire and a just solution.”

– Oxfam has recent photos and footage of water and sanitation destruction in Gaza and can be downloaded HERE(valid until 14 May 25)

– According to the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) as of February 2025, a total of 1675 km out of 4,800 km of Gaza’s water and sanitation networks have been partially or entirely destroyed since October 2023. This includes 350km in North Gaza, 495km in Gaza City, 240 Km in the Middle area, 350km in Khan Younis, and 240km in Rafah respectively.

– Data on water and sanitation destruction is based on the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) Rapid Damage Assessment Report, January 2025.

– Data on cost of infrastructure repair is based on Gaza Municipality Planning and Investment Unit report of December 31, 2024.

– According to Oxfam’s Water War Crime s report, the Gaza population had access to 82.7 litres per person per day before 7 October 2023. Currently Rafah has less than five percent of that amount; and North Gaza governorates have less than seven percent of that amount, or 5.7 litres per person per day.

– According to the 10 Feb 2025 WASH Cluster report: only two (out of 35) wells in Rafah are currently operational.

– Acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in children under five years old was reported to be 13,179 cases. This accounts for approximately 54% of the total registered cases of AWD. Also, 21 out of 24 Polio environmental surveyed samples across Gaza (88%) were positive. Source: Polio Global Eradication Initiative (WHO & UN) on 1 Feb 2025

– UNOSAT latest data collected on 1 December 2024 identified 60,368 destroyed structures, 20,050 severely damaged structures, 56,292 moderately damaged structures, and 34,102 possibly damaged structures for a total of 170,812 structures. The governorates of North Gaza and Rafah have experienced the highest rise in damage compared to the 6 September 2024 analysis, with around 3,138 new structures damaged in North Gaza and around 3,054 in Rafah. Within North Gaza, Jabalya municipality had the highest number of newly damaged structures, totalling 1,339.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Information sought after possible sighting of Tom Phillips

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are asking for the public’s help after a possible sighting of Tom Phillips and his children over the weekend.

About 8.30am on Sunday 16 February, a member of the public called Police and stated they had seen four people dressed in camouflage sitting in a layby on State Highway 4, about 100m south of the Tikitiki road intersection with Mapara North Road.

The group was comprised of an adult, believed to be a man, and three other people, two of which were described as children.

Police are now working to establish whether this is a credible sighting and are working to rule out other possible scenarios.

A number of enquiries have been carried out over the past two days as we work to confirm the identity of the group.

We are now appealing for anyone who saw this group, or who has information about their identity, to come forward, particularly anyone who has dashcam footage from the area at the time.

We are also asking that if you were in this group of people and can identify the group for us, please get in touch immediately.

If you can help, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use reference number 211218/5611.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New rail watchdog to give passengers a voice and hold railway to account
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Have your say on how new Great British Railways (GBR) will work to provide reliable services for passengers across the country.
plans unveiled for landmark rail reform bill to establish powerful passenger watchdog

rewiring of our railways will end decades of poor service, waste and timetable chaos

unified, simplified railway will put passengers first, raise living standards and boost growth as part of government’s Plan for Change

Plans for a landmark bill to rewire Britain’s railways, including setting up a powerful passenger watchdog to give passengers a voice and hold train operators to account, have been unveiled by the government today (18 February 2025).

This once in a generation overhaul will establish Great British Railways (GBR), a new body bringing track and train together, delivering reliable services for passengers and catalysing growth across the country.

Outlined in a consultation launched today, the plans will smash a broken rail system, put passengers at the forefront of all decisions made on the railways, ending major failures and disruptions like the 2018 timetabling crisis.

Through this consultation, the government will be working with industry to rewire the railways and unite train and track, putting an end to outdated and inefficient processes which have resulted in poor performance, timetable chaos and complex fares and ticketing. It will also rightly be giving devolved leaders more of a say on the services that directly impact their towns and cities, working together to integrate transport making it simpler to travel and attracting more people to our railways.

The new independent watchdog will be tasked with ensuring GBR addresses the issues that consistently rank highest in passenger complaints, rooting out the problems that cause poor journeys, ensuring passengers are given clear information when they travel and help tackle the maze of confusing rail fares and tickets passengers have to navigate.

It will hold operators to account on behalf of passengers and arbitrate where passengers are not satisfied about the handling of a complaint. Working with the Transport Secretary and GBR, it will also be given the powers to set clear standards for passengers on things like journey information and assistance, investigate persistent problems and publish reports on poor service. Where poor passenger experiences are identified, it will be able to refer this to the railway regulator for enforcement action.

Growth is at the heart of this government’s missions and the key priority in the Plan for Change, which is why one of GBR’s guiding principles will be to work closely with the private sector to create jobs and drive investment and innovation.

This includes investing billions of pounds in the private sector supply chain, so that improvements to the network are more coordinated, giving longer-term assurance to businesses. A long-term rail strategy will give industry certainty on what they can expect, including a long-term plan for rolling stock.

Open access services will continue having a place on the network where they encourage growth, improve connectivity and provide more choice for passengers, as long as these benefits are not outweighed by costs to the taxpayer and impacts performance.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

Passengers have put up with broken railways for far too long. This landmark reform will sweep away decades of failure, creating a Great British Railways passengers can rely on.

We’re giving passengers a powerful voice with a new watchdog dedicated to addressing their biggest concerns, building railways people can trust, improving our services and boosting the economy in the process – the priority in our Plan for Change.

These plans are the next step in establishing GBR, which will end years of fragmentation by bringing track and train together in a unified, simplified railway. As part of the biggest overhaul to the network in a generation, we will be raising living standards and connecting people to work, education, healthcare and leisure, supporting growth across the country.

The consultation also looks more widely at far-reaching reforms and how GBR will interact with the industry to effectively implement its plans to relentlessly focus on driving up standards, boosting our economy and ensuring our railways deliver the services passengers deserve.

Laura Shoaf, Chair of Shadow Great British Railways, said:

GBR will fundamentally change our railways, delivering growth, connections and opportunities across the country.

The plans set out today will mean a better railway for everyone that uses it, allowing industry to work closer together, putting passengers and customers first and providing better value for money for taxpayers.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul how the railways are run – creating a service that puts passengers first, with more reliable trains and simpler fares and tickets.

In Greater Manchester things are already changing. We’re working in partnership with the government and the rail industry on plans for the next phase of the Bee Network, to join up our trains, buses, trams and active travel routes, moving from a fragmented system to one that is more accountable to our residents. We look forward to helping shape the bill, with a statutory role for Mayors and city regions in making the railways work for everyone.

This government is already working to deliver reforms ahead of Great British Railways being set up, including simplifying fares and modernising ticketing. This includes the rollout of Pay As You Go ticketing to give passengers the ability to travel more flexibly and working with devolved leaders on plans for further expansion in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

In addition to this, our flagship Public Ownership Act, which achieved Royal Assent last year, will improve reliability and support the government’s number one priority of boosting economic growth, by encouraging more people to use the railway. This will also save taxpayers up to £150 million a year that will be invested straight back into the railways rather than the pockets of private shareholders.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:

Passengers are crying out for a rail service that works for them. We need our train services to be joined up and much more reliable – helping more people get to where they need to be for the right price.

The North East is poised to make the most of the opportunity that rail reform presents to transform the network. Our recent North East Local Transport Plan public consultation shows most people want an integrated network and that’s what I will deliver in North East England. We are already taking steps to integrate rail ticketing in our region with the Metro system but we are ready to do so much more.

A railway fit for Britain’s future consultation starts today and will last for 8 weeks.

Rail media enquiries

Media enquiries 0300 7777878

Switchboard 0300 330 3000

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Updates to this page

Published 18 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: $23 million for new key health worker accommodation for communities in the Murrumbidgee

Source: New South Wales Government 2

Headline: $23 million for new key health worker accommodation for communities in the Murrumbidgee

Published: 18 February 2025

Released by: Minister for Regional Health

Communities in Griffith, Deniliquin and Lake Cargelligo are set to benefit from new Key Worker Accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers to the region.

The Minns Labor Government will invest $23 million in health worker housing in the Murrumbidgee region as part of the Key Health Worker Accommodation program.

The $200.1 million program supports more than 20 projects across rural, regional and remote NSW.

The funding will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW, which includes the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.

The four-year program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.

The program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen the regional, rural and remote health workforce and builds on the success of the NSW Government’s $73.2 million investment in key health worker accommodation across five regional local health districts (Far West, Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, Hunter New England and Western NSW).

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

“Strengthening our regional health workforce is a key priority for our government and this $23 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of key healthcare workers to the Murrumbidgee.

“The Key Health Worker Accommodation program will support Murrumbidgee Local Health District in providing high-quality health services to the community.”

Quote attributable to Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:

“This investment is set to significantly benefit communities across Griffith and Deniliquin. The success of the initiative in other areas such as Narrandera, Finley and West Wyalong shows that provision of quality housing can help to attract and retain essential healthcare professionals to regional and rural areas.

“With the new Griffith Base Hospital opening soon it is also a wonderful time to be promoting our community as an attractive destination for healthcare workers looking to take the next step in their career, or enjoy a tree change to our beautiful region.”

Quote attributable to Member for Barwon, Roy Butler:

“Lake Cargelligo is warm and friendly community, with a dedicated team working at their MPS. Accommodation in town is tight at the best of times, so providing more places to live for health workers is essential for the community.

“More accommodation for health workers means less pressure on local rental and housing markets. Rural and remote communities desperately need more accommodation for our key workers, and this will be a good start.”

MIL OSI News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: ‘It’ll save lives’ tourism operator’s call to businesses

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Maxwell Vella of Sky Pods Cape Otway

A Cape Otway accommodation owner is encouraging fellow tourism operators to complete CFA’s Tourism Fire Safety Module after a recent bushfire forced the evacuation of his guests in the middle of the night.

Maxwell Vella, owner of Sky Pods Cape Otway, successfully evacuated eight guests and several staff when a significant bushfire broke out near his property in January.

“I got a call from a neighbour warning me about the fire,” Maxwell said.

“Within 15 minutes, the VicEmergency app sent an evacuation notice, and we got all our guests up and out.

“Some didn’t answer their phones, so we had to knock on doors at 2am, but they all cooperated because they understood the seriousness of the situation.”

The evacuees then drove their own vehicles to a pre-determined assembly point in Apollo Bay, and the fire was contained later that day.

Following the evacuation, Maxwell discovered CFA’s Tourism Fire Safety Module, designed to help tourism operators understand their local risk, develop a comprehensive bushfire plan and how best to communicate with guests during an emergency.

While he already had a stringent bushfire survival plan in place for his guests, Maxwell said the module provided him with additional insights on refining evacuation procedures and how best to communicate with guests.

“I now ask all guests to leave their phones on overnight. Many turn them off while on holiday, but emergencies don’t wait for the morning.”

To further integrate fire safety into his business, Maxwell is developing an information booklet for each accommodation unit based on what he’s learnt from CFA’s Tourism Fire Safety Module.

“I’d recommend this training to every tourism operator in Victoria. It’s a must, it’ll save lives,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to keep our guests safe, and the module provides practical steps to be prepared.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the module gives businesses the tools to act swiftly in an emergency.

“Tourism operators play a critical role in keeping visitors safe, particularly in regional areas where fire risks can escalate quickly,” Jason said.

“This module equips businesses with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively, ensuring both staff and guests are well-prepared.

“Maxwell’s experience is a great example of why preparedness matters. We strongly encourage all tourism operators to take the time to complete the training and apply its lessons.”

You can find more information and complete the CFA Tourism Module here.

Submitted by CFA Media

MIL OSI News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: New school semester starts in China

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

New school semester starts in China

Updated: February 18, 2025 07:57 Xinhua

Middle school students learn about Chinese ancient architecture at an art museum in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 17, 2025. With a mixture of nerves and excitement, many students in China attended their special first class of new semester. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows students interacting with robots at a primary school in Xingye County of Yulin, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A firefighter introduces a fire fighting truck to students at a school in Changning District of Shanghai, east China, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students perform folk dance at a middle school in Wuzhou, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An actor performs Sichuan opera face-changing for students at a primary school in Guang’an, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students play games at a primary school in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students watch the performance of an intelligent robot dog at a middle school in Pengshan District of Meishan, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students perform at the opening ceremony of the new semester at a primary school in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students attend the opening ceremony of the new semester at a primary school in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A student walks into a primary school in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A student hangs a wish card at a primary school in Guiyang City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students try floor curling at a primary school in Guiyang City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students read books at a classroom of a primary school in Haidian District, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Statement on Departure of Darcie N. McElwee as U.S. Attorney

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

Published: February 17, 2025

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today released the following statement in response to the announcement of the departure of Darcie N. McElwee as U.S Attorney for Maine:

“Darcie McElwee served her country well as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine. She has dedicated her career to keeping our state safe, advocating for victims of crime, and upholding the law. I am proud of the outstanding public service of my fellow Caribou native.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Cook Islanders march in Avarua against Mark Brown government

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist, in Avarua, Rarotonga

More than 400 people have taken to the streets to protest against Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s recent decisions, which have led to a diplomatic spat with New Zealand.

The protest, led by Opposition MP and Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, has taken place outside the Cook Islands Parliament in Avarua — a day after Brown returned from China.

Protesters have come out with placards, stating: “Stay connected with New Zealand.”

The protest in Avarua today. Video: RNZ

Some government ministers have been standing outside Parliament, including Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana.

Heather said he was present at the rally to how how much Cook Islanders cared about the relationship with New Zealand and valued the New Zealand passport.

He has apologised to the New Zealand government on behalf of the Cook Islands government.

Leader of the opposition and Democratic Party leader Tina Browne said she wanted the local passport to be off the table “forever and ever”.

“We have no problem with our government going and seeking assistance,” she said.

“We do have a problem when it is risking our sovereignty, risking our relationship with New Zealand.”

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Support Adoptive Children, Families

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
Click here for audio.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In Fiscal Year 2022, over 100,000 children were awaiting adoption. To better support adoptive children and families, Congressional Coalition on Adoption co-chairs U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced two pieces of legislation.
Pre- and post-adoption services are essential to supporting adoptive families, and the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act (SACFA) enhances pre- and post-adoption support services by expanding eligible uses of federal adoption funding.
The Safe Home Act defines and provides federal resources to spread awareness of the practice of unregulated custody transfers (UCTs), also referred to as rehoming, in which the child is given to a caregiver who does not have legal custody.
“Giving a child a stable home through adoption is one of the greatest joys for a parent, and I can attest to it,” said Cramer. “Our bills ensure children are not neglected and families have the support services they need throughout the adoption process.”
“We’re grateful for the dedication and commitment of adoptive families who open their homes and hearts to children,” said Klobuchar. “As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I will continue to work with Senator Cramer and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure every child has a safe, stable, and loving home.”
Click here for bill text.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Cramer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Adoptive Families and Protect Adopted Children
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Senate co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation, the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act and the Safe Home Act.

“We’re grateful for the dedication and commitment of adoptive families who open their homes and hearts to children,” said Klobuchar. “As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I will continue to work with Senator Cramer and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure every child has a safe, loving, and permanent family.”

“Giving a child a stable home through adoption is one of the greatest joys for a parent, and I can attest to it,” said Cramer. “Our bills ensure children are not neglected and families have the support services they need throughout the adoption process.”

The Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act supports adoptive families with pre- and post-adoption resources, including mental health treatment. This legislation will promote:
- Training and counseling on behavioral issues, including issues relating to emotional, behavioral, or developmental health needs;
- Peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that permit a new adoptive parent to communicate and learn from more experienced adoptive parents, including programs that enhance communication between adoptive parents with children of similar geographic, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds;
- Treatment services specialized for adopted children, including psychiatric residential services, outpatient mental health services, social skills training, intensive in-home supervision services, recreational therapy, suicide prevention, and substance abuse treatment; and
- Crisis and family preservation services, including crisis counseling and a 24-hour emergency hotline for adoptive parents.
The Safe Home Act protects a parent’s ability to place their children with a trusted relative when appropriate but ensures they cannot transfer custody to a stranger without the oversight of the child welfare system. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide states with guidance on preventing, identifying, and responding to unregulated custody transfers (UCTs). UCTs occur when parents transfer custody of their adopted children outside of the child welfare system — without background checks, home studies, and supervision — increasing the likelihood that the child will experience neglect, exploitation, or abuse. The bill defines UCTs as the placement of a child:
- With someone other than a child’s adult relative, family friend, or member of the child’s Indian tribe;
- With the intent of severing the existing parent-child relationship;
- Without ensuring the safety and permanency of the placement; and
- Without transferring parental rights and responsibilities under the law.
The Safe Home Act also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the State Department, to issue a report to Congress on UCT and guidance to states on preventing, identifying, and responding to these cases.

Klobuchar and Cramer serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in Congress. CCA brings together members of Congress from both parties who share the goal of ensuring all children know the love and support of a family through adoption, guardianship, and kinship care. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Danny K. Davis (D-IL) serve as the caucus’s House co-chairs.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road workers aid in drunk driver arrest on SH 29

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Members of a road working crew spotted a woman driving her vehicle the wrong way through a set of road works on SH29. She came to a stop and the roading crew noticed she was disoriented and managed to keep her stationary while Police were called.

At about 2pm on Monday 17 February, a Police unit was called to assist with an intoxicated driver who was driving with a young baby along the Kaimai Ranges.

Area Road Policing Manger for Western Bay of Plenty, Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter says road workers told Police they had observed a woman drive into their road works site the wrong way and appeared intoxicated when spoken to. The workers observed a baby in the rear of the vehicle.

“Units have subsequently arrived at the scene to test the driver for excess breath alcohol and she was allegedly more than three times the legal alcohol limit.”

Senior Sergeant Hunter says the woman was not able to drive the vehicle properly let alone care for the baby who was in the car. Police made referrals to Oranga Tamariki for the care of the child.

“We thank the team of road workers who alerted us to this behaviour. This vigilant reporting is often the key to Police being able to respond in a timely manner and hold people to account for their actions.

A 37-year-old woman was remanded to appear in Tauranga District Court at a later date.

END

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney Airport gearing up for new slot manager

Source: Australian Ministers 1

Airport Coordination Limited Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (ACL APAC), which was successful in the competitive process for the Sydney Airport Slot Manager, is gearing up to take on the role from April.

ACL APAC has been appointed as the new slot manager, setting the scene for a smooth transition of the airport’s slot management and embedding one of the Government’s key aviation competition reforms.

The wider Airport Coordination Limited group manages slots at 75 airports across the world, bringing a breadth of experience to the role.

This competitive process formed part of a suite of reforms to Sydney Airport’s slot system undertaken by the Albanese Labor Government.

We have already implemented a number of other slot reform commitments at Sydney Airport, including publishing an independent audit of slot usage and new legislation that modernises and strengthens the compliance regime.

My department is continuing to work on slot reforms for Sydney Airport, including developing supporting legislation for a recovery period, transparency around slot use and an independent compliance committee.

Slot reform at Sydney Airport was recommended by the Harris Review in 2021 and subsequently ignored by the Liberal and National Government.

It’s taken the Albanese Government to overhaul Australia’s aviation sector, introducing the most comprehensive reforms to the industry in 25 years.

Consultation on the new slot management framework is expected to be undertaken later this year.

More detail about these reforms is available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/airports/reforms-sydney-airport-demand-management-framework

MIL OSI News –

February 18, 2025