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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Budget 2025-26 represents a significant milestone for the power sector paving the way for a secure, sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future :Shri Manohar Lal

    Source: Government of India (2)

    The Budget 2025-26 represents a significant milestone for the power sector paving the way for a secure, sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future :Shri Manohar Lal

    The focus on nuclear energy will strengthen the country’s power infrastructure and reduce dependence on conventional sources : Shri Manohar Lal

    Posted On: 01 FEB 2025 6:10PM by PIB Delhi

    This Union Budget 2025-26 aims to initiate transformative reforms across six domains during the next five years and these will augment our growth potential and global competitiveness, said Union Minister for Power and housing and Urban Affairs  Shri Manohar Lal.  He added that out of the six domains the two are:  Power Sector and Urban Development.

    The Budget 2025-26 represents a significant milestone for the power sector, ushering in transformative reforms that will drive India’s growth and pave the way for a secure, sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future, said Union Minister for Power Shri Manohar Lal.

    Shri Manohar Lal remarked that the government’s dedication to improving the financial and operational stability of electricity distribution companies, coupled with incentives for enhancing intra-state transmission capacity, will greatly boost the efficiency of the power sector.

    He states that the announcement of fully exemption of  scrap of lithium-ion battery, Lead, Zinc and 12 more critical minerals from basic custom duty is also a welcome decision. This will help secure their availability for manufacturing of batteries in India and promote more jobs for our youth.  The budget also proposed to add 35 additional capital goods in exempted list for EV battery manufacturing for electric vehicles.

    Commending the emphasis on nuclear energy, he stated that the vision to develop at least 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 underscores India’s ambitious yet essential transition towards clean energy.

    Welcoming the launch of the Nuclear Energy Mission, he highlighted that the ₹20,000 crore allocation for research and development in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) marks a significant step forward. He further emphasized that the target of operationalizing at least five indigenously developed SMRs by 2033 will strengthen India’s energy security and solidify its leadership in advanced nuclear technology.

    Union Minister for Power Shri Manohar Lal said that the focus on nuclear energy will strengthen the country’s power infrastructure and reduce dependence on conventional sources. This budget sets the stage for a resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy future, ensuring that India’s economic growth is powered by clean and reliable energy, he stated.

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    JN/ SK

    (Release ID: 2098678) Visitor Counter : 79

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on DOGE Commission’s Reported Access to Sensitive U.S. Treasury Systems

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.02.25
    Cantwell Statement on DOGE Commission’s Reported Access to Sensitive U.S. Treasury Systems
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released this statement regarding reports that Elon Musk and his DOGE team gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems:
    “Congress needs an explanation as to why the head of a private data management corporation and his volunteer team needed access to this system in the middle of the night. We need to know why they want to access the system, what they intend to do with our data, and whether there are any safeguards in place. This threatens the privacy and funds owed to every American taxpayer and Social Security recipient. Congressional Republicans cannot continue to turn a blind eye as to how their own constituents’ private financial records are handled.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia spends $714 per person on roads every year – but just 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Mclaughlin, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia

    Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock

    What could you buy for 90 cents? Not much – perhaps a banana.

    Unfortunately, that’s how much the Australian government has invested per person annually on walking, wheeling and cycling over the past 20 years.

    How would Australians’ lives change if that figure rose?



    Read more:
    What makes a city great for running and how can we promote ‘runnability’ in urban design?

    The state of play here and overseas

    From 2008-2028, the federal government spent $384 million on the following active transport investments:

    All up, about $714 per person is spent annually on roads; 90 cents out of this $714 is just pocket change.

    Even if you don’t want to walk, wheel or ride, you should care because less driving helps everyone, including other drivers, who benefit from reduced traffic.

    As a result of this over-investment in car road-building, Australia has the smallest number of walking trips of 15 comparable countries across Western Europe and North America.

    Cycling rates are equally dismal.

    Globally, the United Nations recommends nations spend 20% of their transport budgets on walking and cycling infrastructure.

    Countries like France, Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the largest cities in China invest between 10% and 20%.

    These places were not always known for walking and cycling – it took sustained redirecting of investment from roads to walking and cycling.

    Meanwhile, many Australians are dependent on cars because they have no other choice in terms of transport options.

    Why spend more on walking and cycling?

    Road use is inherently dangerous – in Australia last year, more than 1,300 people died on our roads, which is more than 25 people a week.

    Owning a car can also be expensive, which is especially concerning for those struggling with the cost-of-living.

    The typical Australian household spends 17% of its income on transport – with car ownership making up 92.5% of that figure, compared to 7.5% on public transport.

    Many Australians feel forced to own a car to get around, so investing in paths and public transport provides people the freedom to get around how they choose.

    Congestion is getting worse in most major cities and we can’t build our way out of it with more or wider roads.

    About two-thirds of car journeys in our cities could be walked, wheeled or cycled in 15 minutes or less, but these short car trips clog up our roads with traffic.

    A major source of all emissions in Australia are from driving.

    If more people felt safe to walk, cycle or take public transport, it would reduce this major emissions source.

    There is a strong rationale and economic argument, too. The NSW government has estimated every kilometre walked benefits the national economy by $6.30, while every kilometre cycled benefits the economy by $4.10.

    This means that by simply walking 500 metres to the local shops and back, you’re saving the economy about $6, while riding five kilometres to work and back saves a whopping $41 for the economy.

    But where could we get this funding from?

    Redirecting funding from the current road budget makes the most sense, because getting more people walking, wheeling and cycling eases pressure on the transport system (think of school holiday traffic).

    This is a popular proposition. One study found two-thirds of Australians supported the redirection of funding from roads to walking and cycling infrastructure. Another found many Australians support building more walking and cycling paths where they live.

    This is not a partisan issue: all Australians in all communities would benefit, including drivers who would face less traffic and enjoy more parking availability.

    Unfortunately, false solutions to our unwalkable and un-cycleable communities continue to derail our focus on fixing the root cause of our problems. For example, telling people to ride to work, while not providing them a safe place to do so, doesn’t make sense.

    What could $15 per person get us?

    Investing $15 per Australian per year would create a better built environment to walk, wheel or ride and deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits.

    If this was matched with 50:50 funding from state and territory governments (which often happens with transport projects) over a ten-year period, this investment would deliver the four national projects already shortlisted on Infrastructure Australia’s infrastructure priority list for our largest capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane.

    It could also fund up to 15 regional cities to build comprehensive networks. Wagga Wagga for example, is about to finish building a 56 kilometre network of walking and cycling paths. As a result, those using the network are 3.7 times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who don’t.

    Such an investment could also fund supporting initiatives, such as electric bike subsidies which have proven extremely popular in both Queensland and Tasmania.

    What could $10 or $5 per person get us?

    The Australian government could invest less than $15 per person – at $5 or $10 per year, the key projects outlined in Infrastructure Australia’s infrastructure priority list could still be targeted, but those would just take proportionally longer because there is less money.

    Or, instead of investing in the four capital cities on the infrastructure priority list, it could invest in two.

    A different approach could be to spend $5 or $10 to fund infrastructure for regional towns, but this wouldn’t help the problems in our capital cities.

    When it comes to transport, the saying goes “we get what we build” – so if we build more roads, we get more people driving. If we build paths, we get more people walking and cycling short journeys and our roads are less congested.

    We need bold solutions, and $15 should be seen not as an extravagance.

    Acknowledgement: We would like to thank Sara Stace, President of Better Streets Australia, for her expertise in discussions regarding this article.

    Dr Matthew ‘Tepi’ Mclaughlin has received research funding from government research funding organisations. He is currently a Board Member of Better Streets.

    Peter McCue receives an Australian Postgraduate Research Award to study a PhD. He is a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity.

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

    – ref. Australia spends $714 per person on roads every year – but just 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling – https://theconversation.com/australia-spends-714-per-person-on-roads-every-year-but-just-90-cents-goes-to-walking-wheeling-and-cycling-247902

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s address at ICAI Annual Function at the World Forum of Accountants, New Delhi (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 02 FEB 2025 8:51PM by PIB Delhi

    I am extremely happy and delighted to be at this World Forum of Accountants. Greetings to everyone, those from the country and outside. This is a unique gathering that is bound to inspire, energise, and motivate not only me, but many others.

    Chartered Accountant stands, not for Chartered Accountant, but credibility, ambassadors, change accelerators, and I would urge you to be conscience arbiters, ethical guardians, and bold decision makers. Friends, the theme of this year’s event, Accountability Meets Innovation for a Sustainable Planet, is of supreme contemporaneous relevance. India’s ancient wisdom, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam stands as a lighthouse illuminating humanity’s path through today’s twin challenges of climate crisis and technological disruptions.

    This philosophy, anchored in our G20 motto, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ guides us and our collective journey towards sustainable solutions and unified global action. Our sacred earth, Dharti Mata, stands, distinguished audience, at a critical precipice.

    The rivers once sacred now choke, forests fall silent, and toxic air strangles life itself. Peremptorily demanding, we unite Vedic sustainability with modern action before time runs out on humanity’s final chance to survive.

    Friends, in today’s world, sustainability is not just a choice, it is an imperative. There is no other option. Businesses are increasingly being evaluated, not just on their financial performance, but also on the will of their social and environmental impact. It is soothing that building on its successful G20 leadership and Global Biofuels Alliance, India continues this vision at this World Forum of Accountants, thanks to your organisation.

    Artificial intelligence emergence, or if you may call it onslaught, is no less than industrial revolution. The world is at the cusp of a change at a level unknown before. Artificial intelligence balances immense potential with critical challenges, data quality, ethics, regulations, bias, and transparency. Effective and efficient use of artificial intelligence requires organisations to walk the fine line between innovation and responsibility, guided by robust ethical frameworks and proactive leadership. If not tapped and regulated, artificial intelligence will emerge as a monster. Artificial intelligence landscape is suffering a paradigm shift by the moment.

    Friends, let me first advert briefly to the state of the nation. India has had unparalleled remarkable economic rise and upsurge, infrastructure development, technology penetration, and deep digitisation in the last few years amongst large economies, its growth stands out. An environment of hope and possibility is all-pervasive. There has been a budget booster, and for me there has been a Kumbh booster, the two are coupled. Budget booster, particularly for taxpaying populace has generated radiance all around. My visit to Kumbh, an event of unparalleled consequence for humanity. When I took the holy dip, in an event that celestially occurs after 144 years, population beyond America had already visited the place.

    Excellent management! I’m sure, World-level arrangements, you have noticed. It will be studied for many, how in such a small area, such a large human congregation has been taken care of. Reflecting India’s inclusivity, peace within us, there was a mishap but what stands out, the management thereof. The response was electric, nuclear. It was done in a moment. Health facilities, law and order facilities, helping hand facilities.

    I, therefore, as an Indian, take pride that we as a nation have come of age where such human congregation, driven by commitment to religiosity, sublimity, spirituality, and our civilisational ethos, has come together and peacefully handling situations. I salute everyone associated with such kind of exemplary management.

    Friends, a challenge to all of us. We allow some people to have microscopic approach to generate sensation, to get space when something happens. Ignoring the major achievements, I’m sure this distinguished group, which is unique, will take note of it and be on the watch out. Friends, our nation’s youth demographic component is global envy. Our median age is 28 for the U.S. it is 39 and China 40 but what is particularly of critical importance is, and what is heartening to note, that around 68% of the total chartered accountants in India, they are under 40. This global powerhouse, situated in the largest democracy on the planet, can effect wonders. I am optimistic you will do it.

    Friends, I would be a little honest in my thought process sharing with you and this is underscored by my very strong belief that if I express myself before you, it will generate a dialogue. Expression and dialogue, both are essential to democracy. Once you understand my point, you will realise to what extent you can make the difference. While undoubtedly affirmative and innovative governance policies are enabling for expanding potential and talent, hand-holding is essential to get human resources out of silos and grooves they have long believed in.

    Youth has to look beyond government jobs as therein lies a goldmine for them. Friends, so is also true of industry, commerce, business and trade. You will appreciate a discerning audience, International Monetary Fund has accoladed India as the favourite global destination of investment and opportunity. Friends, surely it is not premised on government jobs, something else. Friends, you as a distinguished category of professionals having deep connect with those who control economy. You can wisen people and youth in particular that there are growing vistas for you where the youth gets to be involved.

    They have to look beyond government jobs and that is something which can emanate from your side. In such a scenario, those in executive governance, parliamentarians, bureaucracy, business tycoons and managers, professionals in all fields have to rise and they have to rise to make aware to our youth, to our entrepreneurs, opportunity basket that is available for them. Our youth, our entrepreneurs can optimally contribute towards national development. If they come to know of new vistas where they can really contribute. For instance, let me tell you, blue economy, space economy have enormous potential. For the youth, number of avenues are available. They have to get into the groove of change, get out of silos.

    Friends, without adverting more, since I am frankly communicating with you, without adverting more, without elaborating, I dare assert each segment, the professionals, the parliamentarian, those in business and the like, have enough to reflect, soul search and resolve to be in correctional mode sooner than later so as to act in this direction. Friends, in last decade, a big change has taken place in the mindset of the people. People have tested development at all levels. What was beyond belief, amenities as toilet, gas connections, electricity, and ongoing pipe water schemes in all rural households, this has had transformative impact.

    Internet connectivity and smartphones have generated a particular climate of participation in all spheres, including governance. The people have now got into aspirational mode. This aspirational mode is premised that in last decade, no nation has progressed as much on development aspect as Bharat. So when people taste development, they want more. This has converted one-sixth of humanity as most aspirational population and therefore, this discerning, demanding populace is an asset but it is also a challenge. If it is restive, it is ticking time bomb. If energy is channelised, it is no less than nuclear power. I strongly feel bodies like yours have capacity to convert youth dividend into nuclear power and keep it away from restive temperament. After some analysis of the budget proposals yesterday, you are experts. I analysed it and I found there is all around joy, hope, and expectation of delivery.

    In such a scenario, keeping the principle of nation ever first, as a prestigious organisation like yours, you ought to fire on all cylinders to contribute to the attainment of a developed nation at 2047. Viksit Bharat at 2047 is no longer a dream, it is our destination. We will accomplish it in 2047 when we celebrate centenary of our independence, if not before. But for that, you all will have been overdrive.

    Friends, assured of your indulgence, assured of your consideration, and fully assured that you will not misunderstand me, I seek to assert that the chartered accountants fraternity will have to walk the talk. Soul searching will make you realise that your potential still remains untapped. If you fully exploit your potential, the results for the nation will be geometric.

    Friends, I am venturing into troubled waters to so indicate, as I trust your deep sense of understanding and also alive to your potential as a class to fuel research, innovation, ethical governance, and promote venturing into new economic vistas of artificial intelligence, blue and space economies of the kind.

    Friends, I am deeply concerned when I notice that when balance sheets shine premised on avoidable imports, finances blossom on raw material exports, the national economy bleeds as there is avoidable drain of foreign exchange, loss of employment, and impeding of entrepreneurial growth. There is need, and this need you alone can satisfy. There is need to imbibe the spirit of economic nationalism, as a distinguished class, chartered accountants are immediately positioned and suited to propagate and nurture the spirit of nationalism.

    Such an approach will be highly beneficial to the economy and save us billions in foreign exchange, billions of dollars, and create millions of jobs and account for growth of entrepreneurship. Bharat is home to one-sixth of humanity, it is gifted with human resource that is invaluable. Time has come for us to emerge a global leader in accounting profession. No one doubts your talent, no one doubts your potential but at global level, our chartered accountant outfits have to emerge. They have to occupy the space which is yours.

    I appeal to all concerned also in the government, to be proactive so that our chartered accountants as individuals or in conglomerates occupy global space. It’s a matter of concern that on those front, there seems to be no moment in as much as we are yet to be liberated on the home front. I want our firms, homegrown firms, to occupy a place of pride, and that is need of the times and also the challenges including data privacy we suffer.

    Arthashastra by Chanakya is a treatise of foundation for economic thought. We need to propagate this legacy and our firms must be amongst the top names in the world. All concerned, I appeal, must converge to secure this, and I’m sure the Institute will take proactive steps.

    Friends as a nation, and with civilisational history of thousands of years, and getting knowledge from our ethos, we can confidently assert to the world that adherence to the highest standards of ethics, property, and propriety are the ones that we have followed all throughout. When it comes to your profession, a profession that is unique because it is a repository of trust of people, unqualified trust, unqualified belief, and therefore I call upon you to maintain and exemplify scrupulously highest ethical standards because for your profession that is minimal requirement. There can be no human lapse than betrayal of trust. You are a repository of that.

    Friends, I come from a stream of legal profession. Like your profession, we also have self-regulation. I would therefore urge placatory stance at your end is fraught with severe consequences when there are transgressions in law. We must take all care and caution to see that we are not afflicted by ingratiating with our fraternal feelings or taking care because they belong to our fraternity.

    As an institution and as a class, you will be beacon of hope and trust to everyone once your disciplinary prescriptions are adhered to in exemplary manner.

    Friends, I earnestly appeal to you to realise and amplify your potential and potency to effect transformative change in economy and commerce. Set global benchmarks in transparency, accountability, and ethical standards. Be torchbearers of the change in your sector. Budget boost beacons you to add taxpayers and achieve higher formal economy. We have graduated into formal economy but now is the time for professionals in your category to contribute massively to see that more and more people contribute to national development by coming in tax net. As the architects of economic stability, watchdogs of financial integrity, and guardians of fiscal discipline, you are particularly enjoined to contribute optimally for nation’s march to unprecedented growth and prosperity.

    We are living in times when influencers in various walks of life matter hugely but as a class, you are the most potent influencers for transformative change in economy. There is no other class other than chartered accountants who can bring about revolutionary positive change in business ethics, business promotion. Your unique position at the intersection of business, finance, and governance enables you to bring about, catalyse reforms from the grassroots to the highest corporate achievements. You have the potential to be nerve centre for big change to contribute to our economy.

    A challenge to be a developed nation has to be understood at your level. A developed nation status, you know more than I do, is not as such defined, but certain global parameters can be called out and that, in my modest understanding of economics, means our per capita income has to rise eightfold. A daunting challenge, but achievable. Let us keep that in mind.

    Friends, as guardians of upright governance, your role transcends mere compliance. You are the conscious keepers of corporate India, wielding the power to shape ethical business practises and ensure transparent operations that build trust in our financial system. Your profession must emerge as harbinger of innovation, leading industry and business into new frontiers. Your expertise in financial structuring, risk management, and which is occurring very frequently now, and strategic planning positions you perfectly to guide businesses, industry, commerce, and organisations through technological transformations and sustainable growth initiatives.

    I firmly believe, and I’m sure nobody will disagree with me, if chartered accountants are first responders to transgression of law and ethics in any form, this will herald needed exit of malpractices. No malpractices can flourish if chartered accountants are so determined. I need not reflect in detail, but you are aware, placatory positioning of one of the world’s largest chartered accountants firm led to its exit from the radar, that’s a lesson to one and all.

    Friends, may you as a class get positioned at global level, befitting the largest, oldest, and most functional democracy in the land that has over 5,000 years of unparalleled civilisational and cultural heritage. Time is now, Time is ripe. Several steps will have to be taken by regulators in our country as well, by the CAG, by the RBI, and by the Ministry of Finance. Get in communication with them as a body. Make your suggestions. Lay bare your intent and I would want, as I dream, Indian accountancy and consultancy firms dominating not only the national scene, but also global scene.

    Friends, I’m sure the deliberations would have been highly productive and fruitful, particularly the young professionals. I’m addressing young professionals. You are the most impactful, powerful stakeholder in economy, in democracy, in shaping the future of Bharat. You are required to fire on all cylinders, contribute optimally to the Marathon March which the nation is having for Viksit Bharat at 2047. I have no doubt in your capacity.

    अंत में मैं यही कहूंगा, दुनिया के किसी भी कोने में चले जाओ, एक छत के नीचे इतने प्रतिभाशाली लोगों का एकत्रित होना।

    On a lighter note, I wish to share. A very distinguished parliamentarian, who was a distinguished senior advocate, he is no more with us. He paid tribute to your profession and he was a lawyer like me. उन्होंने कहा, Chartered Accountancy में पास होना मुश्किल है और कानूनी की शिक्षा में फेल होना मुश्किल है। That is your power.

    जब देश के सामने संकट भारी हो, जिनको जो काम करना है, कर्तव्य का निर्वाह करना है, वो नहीं कर रहे। आज के दिन अति आवश्यक है कि भारत की युवा शक्ति, जिसके apex पर आप लोग हैं, वह सही रास्ते पर डाले। यदि अगर संसद में चर्चा नहीं होगी, वाद-विवाद नहीं होगा, उसेमे व्यवधान होगा तो आपको भी कुछ करना पड़ेगा।

    मेरे लिए चिंता, चिंतन और मंथन का विषय बन गया है कि संविधान सदन के अंदर क्या होता था, चर्चा, विचार-विमर्श कोई टकराव नहीं, हार-जीत का प्रश्न नहीं था, लक्ष्य एक था, लक्ष्य था —राष्ट्रहित में क्या अच्छा है। आज का परिदृश्य क्या है? उसके ठीक विपरीत। 

    कई बच्चे मुझे कहते हैं, आप कुछ क्यों नहीं करते, सदन तो अखाड़ा बन गया है, कुश्ती दंगल बन गया है। सोचने की बात है।

    दूसरा, भारत की अप्रत्याशित छलांग, ऐसी विकास यात्रा की दुनिया की संस्थाएं अचंभित हैं। चमत्कारी योजनाओं का जमीनी हकीकत, कुछ लोगों को ठीक नहीं लगता है और ऐसे हालात में आ जाते हैं कई बार कि sensation generate करो, एक narrative करो, narrative के अंदर भारतीयता को भूल जाते हैं, राष्ट्रवाद,  राष्ट्रहित को भूल जाते हैं  और ऐसा कृत करते हैं जैसे उस टहनी को काट रहे हैं, जिस पर बैठे हैं।

    I appeal to youth, I appeal to platinum category of young minds that are before me. You have now gifted power in your hand to neutralise the Anti-National narratives. To defeat those forces that are inimical to India, your mind should be concerned, with the existential challenges we are facing, and the government is doing much. Our nation, cannot afford to have, millions of illegal migrants. We cannot have, we cannot allow, our electoral politics, to be disturbed, by demographic dislocations, and earthquakes.

    These are things which will matter for you because, these are the challenges, for which you collectively, have to find an answer. I have no doubt.

    अंत में मैं यही कहूंगा, दुनिया के किसी भी कोने में चले जाओ, एक छत के नीचे इतने प्रतिभाशाली लोगों का एकत्रित होना।

    On a lighter note, I wish to share. A very distinguished parliamentarian, who was a distinguished senior advocate, he is no more with us. He paid tribute to your profession and he was a lawyer like me. उन्होंने कहा, Chartered Accountancy में पास होना मुश्किल है और कानूनी की शिक्षा में फेल होना मुश्किल है। That is your power.

    जब देश के सामने संकट भारी हो, जिनको जो काम करना है, कर्तव्य का निर्वाह करना है, वो नहीं कर रहे। आज के दिन अति आवश्यक है कि भारत की युवा शक्ति, जिसके apex पर आप लोग हैं, वह सही रास्ते पर डाले। यदि अगर संसद में चर्चा नहीं होगी, वाद–विवाद नहीं होगा, उसेमे व्यवधान होगा तो आपको भी कुछ करना पड़ेगा।

    मेरे लिए चिंता, चिंतन और मंथन का विषय बन गया है कि संविधान सदन के अंदर क्या होता था, चर्चा, विचार–विमर्श कोई टकराव नहीं, हार–जीत का प्रश्न नहीं था, लक्ष्य एक था, लक्ष्य था —राष्ट्रहित में क्या अच्छा है। आज का परिदृश्य क्या है? उसके ठीक विपरीत।

    कई बच्चे मुझे कहते हैं, आप कुछ क्यों नहीं करते, सदन तो अखाड़ा बन गया है, कुश्ती दंगल बन गया है। सोचने की बात है।

    दूसरा, भारत की अप्रत्याशित छलांग, ऐसी विकास यात्रा की दुनिया की संस्थाएं अचंभित हैं। चमत्कारी योजनाओं का जमीनी हकीकत, कुछ लोगों को ठीक नहीं लगता है और ऐसे हालात में आ जाते हैं कई बार कि sensation generate करो, एक narrative करो, narrative के अंदर भारतीयता को भूल जाते हैं, राष्ट्रवाद, राष्ट्रहित को भूल जाते हैं और ऐसा कृत करते हैं जैसे उस टहनी को काट रहे हैं, जिस पर बैठे हैं।

    I appeal to youth, I appeal to platinum category of young minds that are before me. You have now gifted power in your hand to neutralise the Anti-National narratives. To defeat those forces that are inimical to India, your mind should be concerned, with the existential challenges we are facing, and the government is doing much. Our nation, cannot afford to have, millions of illegal migrants. We cannot have, we cannot allow, our electoral politics, to be disturbed, by demographic dislocations, and earthquakes.

    These are things which will matter for you because, these are the challenges, for which you collectively, have to find an answer. I have no doubt.

    मेरे लिए इतना कहना काफी है क्योंकि कहा जाता है, समझदार को इशारा काफी है।

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2099009) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigating Tea Tree burglary

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police investigating Tea Tree burglary

    Monday, 3 February 2025 – 11:47 am.

    Police are calling for information in relation to a house burglary on Middle Tea Tree Road at Tea Tree about 4pm Saturday 1 February.
    A white Toyota Hilux utility vehicle with NSW registration plates was recovered by police on Grices Road shortly after the incident.
    Police are interested in any dash cam footage of the vehicle in the Tea Tree area between 3.50pm and 4.50pm Saturday.
    Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – MCEC opens new accessible facilities

    Source: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

    3 February 2025 – To coincide with Physical Disability Awareness Day, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is proud to unveil its new Changing Places facility, providing welcoming and accessible bathroom facilities for visitors with high support needs.

    The new state-of-the-art facility was developed in collaboration with Folk Architects and constructed, using funding available through a Changing Places Grant provided by the Victorian Government.

    MCEC and the architects sought feedback and input from community members with lived experience to ensure their needs and preferences were considered in the design of the space.

    Featuring warm materials, an inviting colour palette, interesting textures and soft lighting, the facility has been specifically created as a welcoming and safe environment. Bespoke furniture, including bench seating for carers, created to be both beautiful and comfortable to use, enhance the overall experience.

    Universal Design principles are incorporated throughout the space. Fully functional and hygienic fixtures and fittings such as a height-adjustable adult changing table, a ceiling track hoist system and a centrally located peninsula toilet, ensure the facility is inclusive for all users.

    MCEC’s Changing Place is located centrally within the venue, close to Plenary theatre, Goldfields Café and the Exhibition Centre car park, as well as in close proximity to the surrounding retail and dining precinct.

    The new facility will enable children, young people and adults with profound or multiple disabilities to visit MCEC and participate in the diverse range of events we host, including events that specially attract people with disabilities such as the Melbourne Disability Expo, Disability Connections Expo, Source Kids Disability Expo and the Variety Kids Christmas Party.

    In addition to the new Changing Place facility, the adjoining Parents Room has also been upgraded, continuing a warm, inviting feeling throughout both spaces and providing accessible facilities for all ages and abilities.

    The opening of the Changing Place facility is a major step in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust’s Accessibility Action Plan, which was launched earlier this year.

    Quote attributable to Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn

    “This Changing Places facility further cements Victoria’s reputation as a state that prioritises inclusion and accessibility – as we continue removing barriers for thousands in the community.”

    “Accessible facilities are essential to creating an inclusive and comfortable experience for all Victorians and visitors, and we’re proud to support another Changing Places site.”

     Quote attributable to MCEC Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien AM

    “As an iconic venue, MCEC is committed to creating accessible and inclusive spaces, enabling everyone to meaningfully participate and engage in events that provide important social and economic value.”

    “We’re proud to unveil our new Changing Place, providing a safe, hygienic and welcoming bathroom facility. The thoughtful design elements and attention to detail prioritise accessibility and comfort for all users. We’re proud to work with the Victorian Government and Folk Architects to create a truly inclusive facility.”

    Quote attributable to Director of Folk Architects Tim Wilson

    “As architects, we are passionate about designing for everybody, to create inclusive and equitable spaces that engage with the community.”

    “On a personal note, as a parent of a child with complex additional needs we are excited and proud of this project. Not only will it encourage broader participation in all of the incredible events that the MCEC precinct has on offer but importantly it sends a message that people with disability, their families, friends and support networks can be included in all aspects of society and engage with the vibrant city of Melbourne.”

    ABOUT MCEC
    At Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), visionary ideas come to life, and the world’s thought leaders gather. The iconic venue hosts dynamic exhibitions, conferences, galas, and concerts—everyone who visits leaves inspired and excited.  

    MCEC loves all communities and interests, creating a space where everyone feels welcome. Blending trendy eats, sustainability, and cutting-edge tech, it creates mind-blowing, globally recognised events.  

    Thanks to its progressive sustainability practices, choosing MCEC means making a positive environmental impact. Feel Melbourne’s vibe, discover the next big thing, and be part of the conversation that shapes the future.

    Acknowledgement of Country

    Built on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River), Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to Elders of all First Nations communities that visit MCEC. We recognise the ongoing significance of the Birrarung to Traditional Owners as a life source and a meeting place for millennia and seek to honour this long-standing tradition of building community and exchanging ideas on these lands.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Sudan malnutrition crisis: MSF renews call for immediate action to prevent death and starvation

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    3 February, 2025: International donors, the UN, Sudan’s warring parties and their allies must act now to prevent even more avoidable deaths from malnutrition in Sudan, as the already catastrophic situation is expected to worsen this year, according to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

    Half of Sudan’s population faces high levels of acute food insecurity (24.6 million people), among whom 8.5 million people face an emergency or famine-like situation according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. “Despite this new wake-up call, robust humanitarian and diplomatic mobilisation to act on aid deliveries has fallen far short of the needs. To provide only those in the most extreme situation with monthly food rations, 2,500 aid trucks per month would be required, whereas only about 1,150 crossed into Darfur between August and December”, says Stephane Doyon, MSF operations manager.

    MSF has released data showing horrific rates of malnutrition in multiple locations, both at the height of Sudan’s lean season last year and as recently as December 2024. The conflict-driven malnutrition crisis has been exacerbated by the continued obstruction of aid by both of Sudan’s warring parties and by the neglectful inertia of the UN and aid system in Darfur. With the seasonal hunger gap coming in May, decisive action must be taken now.

     “Parts of Sudan are difficult to work in. But it is certainly possible, and this is what humanitarian organisations and the UN are supposed to do,” says Marcella Kraay, MSF emergency coordinator, speaking from Nyala, South Darfur state.

    “In places that are easier to access, as well as in the hardest to reach areas like North Darfur, options like air routes remain unexplored. The failure to act is a choice, and it’s killing people,” Kraay continued.

    The malnutrition crisis has been acknowledged for some time, with the UN in October warning that “never in history have so many people faced starvation and famine as in Sudan today.”[1]

    Moving supplies will become an even more difficult task during the upcoming rainy and lean season, when flooded dirt roads become impossible to navigate. A wide-scale humanitarian response must be launched now, including by drastically increasing available funding and logistical capacities, securing food pipelines and prepositioning food stocks in Chad and neighbouring countries.

    MSF is calling for UN agencies, international organisations, donor countries, and governments with leverage to pursue all options, including air routes, to complement and even replace road access where necessary.

    Bureaucratic requirements from the warring parties have long been an obstacle to international organisations’ ability to reach and provide services to people. Rather than reacting to critical needs in a timely manner, permissions to respond are either delayed or denied altogether by the warring parties. This is impeding MSF ‘s work in South Darfur with aid trucks stuck in Chad waiting for permissions to move from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their offices. A food distribution in South Darfur was also recently postponed as MSF was refused the necessary travel permits.

    Warring parties must grant unhindered access for humanitarian organisations. Access must be defined by lifesaving aid reaching people who need it, not by announcements celebrating piecemeal measures that fall far short. MSF calls for the warring parties, their allies, and influential states to use their leverage to ease the obstacles that are causing deaths and suffering.

    MSF has provided data from different locations to demonstrate the depth of the malnutrition crisis. In North Darfur, where an RSF siege on its capital El Fasher is starving people and depriving them from lifesaving assistance, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old while conducting a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality in December 2024. They found a staggering global acute malnutrition estimate of 35.5 %, with 7% of the screened children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Last September, 34% of the 29,300 children screened by MSF during a vaccination campaign in Zamzam camp were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition. Since the beginning of December, repeated shelling has made it impossible for our team to carry out further assessments in the camp and has most likely exacerbated the levels of malnutrition.

    MSF teams also see concerning rates of malnutrition outside of Darfur, in areas where displaced people have sought shelter, or in areas closer to the conflict. In Omdurman, Khartoum state, a conflict zone under control of the SAF, MSF carried out a nutritional screening while assisting with a vaccination campaign for children in October 2024, finding 7.1% of children screened were severely acutely malnourished.

    MSF data also reveals that malnutrition is not only an issue for people close to frontlines, but also in more stable cities like Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. In October 2024, 23% of children under five screened at MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, South Darfur’s capital, and nearby locations were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In two MSF-supported facilities, 26% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished. With WFP food distributions lacking, MSF launched a targeted food distribution in South Darfur in December 2024, providing two months’ food to about 30,000 people.

     

    Zahra Abdullah, 25 years old, received food for her and her son, they live together in the Al Salam displacement camp outside of Nyala city.

    “This is not the first war I have experienced, but it is definitely the most devastating to my life. The living conditions here are harsh, and everything is a daily struggle. The aid we receive has somewhat improved our situation. At least now, we finally have a meal in the morning,” says Zahra.

    “But even so, the suffering never ends. It starts with finding clean water to drink, continues with trying to provide enough food, and ends with finding a place to sleep. Sometimes I sit alone and think: is this the life I will live forever?” she says.

    For millions of people like Zahra, the time is now to act to prevent the situation from becoming ever more dire. MSF will continue to do what it can, but the scale is well beyond the organisation’s capacity to respond. We need to see a massive response now to prevent more death and starvation; timeliness is a matter of survival, not political expediency.

    ________________________________

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH1 Flyger Road rebuild: Plan ahead and expect delays

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is reminding people to plan ahead and expect delays as contractors will be rebuilding the southbound left lane on State Highway 1, between Flyger Road and Prescott Road, from Monday 10 February 2025.

    This work had been scheduled to start at the end of January but has been pushed back due to delays completing other works because of poor weather.

    Contractors will undertake approximately 4 weeks of day works, followed by 2 weeks of night works, with work expected to be complete by Friday 21 March 2025.

    The passing lane will remain closed for the duration of the works, with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place 24/7.

    During the day works, traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, except for brief periods of stop/go to allow contractors to shift equipment or set-up and pack-down the site.

    During night works, the road will operate under stop/go traffic management.

    Alternative southbound passing lanes are located between Puwera and Oakleigh (slightly south of Puwera) and between Oakleigh and Mata (near Totara Road).

    Travel delays during these works are expected to be 5-10 mins.

    Please be patient and treat our crews with kindness and respect. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.

    Rebuilding the road, which often involves replacing all or most of the structural road layers, improves the longevity of the network, the resilience and ultimately the safety and efficiency for all road users.

    This summer maintenance period (September 2024 to May 2025), we’re investing in the largest road rebuild programme ever for the region, with Northland one of three regions across Aotearoa with the most significant road rebuild programmes over the next three years. 

    Work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

    Journey Planner(external link)

    For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland state highway maintenance programme website: 

    Northland state highway maintenance programme(external link)   

    NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while we undertake this important work to improve the safety and efficiency of our roads.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH2 Oringi rail overbridge to close for 1 night of maintenance

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    Oringi rail overbridge, just south of Dannevirke, on State Highway 2 will be closing for 1 night at the beginning of March for asphalt resurfacing.

    Crews will be resurfacing the bridge on Monday 3 March working between 6pm and 6am (Tuesday 4 March).

    During these work times, a section of SH2 will be closed with the following detour in place:

    • All northbound traffic will be detoured via Pinfold Road, Coppermine Road to Top Grass Road, to Tamaki River Road before rejoining to SH2.
    • Southbound traffic will be detoured via Maharahara Road, Kiritaki Road, Top Grass Road, Coppermine Valley Road to Pinfold Road then back to SH2.

    The detour is expected to add an additional 10 minutes to journey times. Please note, this detour is not suitable for heavy vehicles. High Productivity Motor Vehicle (HPMV) and over-dimension loads will be escorted through the SH2 worksite.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience and for taking the detours during this work, which will boost the long term resilience of this stretch of road.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press Conference – Goodstart, Garran

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    ANNE ALY, MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: Well, good morning, everyone. We’re here at Goodstart Garran, having a great time with some of the littlest Aussies here in Garran and talking to the staff here. This week the Albanese Government will be introducing legislation for a 3 Day Guarantee. What does that mean? That means that more than 100,000 families across Australia will have access to more subsidised care – three days a week. And more than 66,000 families across Australia will be better off with our 3 Day Guarantee.

    Now, when you look at the children here and you watch them play and you see their interactions, you get a bit of an understanding of just how important early childhood education and care can be in children’s lives. But also, when you talk to the families and the parents, you understand also how much of an essential service it is for those families and parents. Changing the activity test to ensure that there is a three day guarantee means that every family, no matter what their circumstances, and every child, no matter what their background, no matter what their postcode, no matter where they live, and no matter what their parents’ circumstances are, has access to good quality early childhood education and care that helps them to grow, that helps them to thrive and that has a lasting impact throughout their life. Not just, not just at this age, not just with these little ones here, but right through school, right through adolescence and right into adulthood as well.

    So, the Albanese Labor Government is committed to reforming early childhood education and care, to creating a universal system in the great Labor traditions of Medicare and universal superannuation. We’re building the blocks, building the blocks for a future where every single Australian child and every single Australian family can have access to good quality early childhood education and care, so that parents can work if they need to work; primary caregivers, mostly mothers, mostly women, can go back to work or go back to study. And importantly – importantly, so that our children can have that care and that education that they need to grow and to thrive. I’m going to hand over to Minister Jason Clare to say a few more words on the Albanese Government’s 3 Day Guarantee. Jase?

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks, Anne. G’day, everybody. Childcare is essential for more than a million parents across the country and it’s critical to help children get ready for school. When we were elected two and a half years ago, the cost of childcare had skyrocketed, gone through the roof, and we’ve cut the cost of childcare now for more than a million families. When we were elected two and a half years ago, teachers and educators in childcare were leaving the sector in droves. And we’ve turned that around now with a 15 per cent pay rise. And this is the next step. Fundamentally, this is about helping to make sure that every child gets a great start in life, helping to make sure that every child gets the benefit of early education and care. Because we know that if you’re in early education and care, you’re less likely to start school behind. You’re more likely to start school ready to go, ready to learn. 
    That’s why we’ll build more centres where they don’t exist at the moment, in the bush, in the regions and in the outer suburbs, and why we are getting rid of the Liberals’ activity test that stops a lot of children from poor families from ever getting access to early education in the first place. As I said, if you’re a child who gets access to early education, you’re more likely to start school ready to learn. And that’s what this 3 Day Guarantee is all about. Guaranteeing 3 days of subsidised care for every child 3 days a week. Because if you get 3 days of early education a week, you’re more likely to start school ready to learn. Fundamentally, that’s what this is all about. We know that children have got a right to go to school and that government’s got a responsibility to help provide that. Children have also got a right to early education, so they start school ready to learn, and the government’s got a responsibility to help make that happen. And that’s what this legislation that we’re going to introduce this week is all about.

    Now, what will the Liberals do? Well, the Liberals were opposed to our changes to cut the cost of childcare. They’re opposed to our pay rise for early educators, they’re opposed to building more centres where they don’t exist. And I expect the Liberals will be opposed to this as well. The only thing that they’ve said that they will do is make cuts right across the board. 
    Peter Dutton yesterday said that if he’s elected Prime Minister then there’ll be cuts, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of cuts, but he won’t tell you where the cuts will be. Well, you don’t have to be Einstein to work it out. It’ll be cuts to childcare, cuts to aged care, cuts to Medicare. It’s the same old story from the Liberals on repeat. This will be Tony Abbott 2.0. Tony Abbott said that he wouldn’t cut health and education and then when he was elected, that’s what he did. It was like Nightmare on Elm Street. He ripped the guts out of Medicare, ripped the guts out of school funding. Peter Dutton says that he will cut, but he won’t tell you what he’s going to cut. This is like a used car salesman who won’t let you look under the bonnet before you buy the car. My message to the Australian people is, if you don’t know, vote no. And if you do know what he’s going to cut, you would never, ever vote for this bloke. Thanks very much.
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New housing on track for Croydon

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 3 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    More homes are on the way for Sydney’s Inner West with new planning controls being introduced around Croydon Station.

    The new planning controls to be introduced this week around Croydon Station in the Inner West local government area (LGA) will provide capacity for more than 2,700 new homes over the next 15 years.

    The Croydon Transport Oriented Development (TOD) precinct sits across two LGAs with Inner West Council to the south and east of the railway line, and Burwood Council to the north and west of the station.

    Croydon’s TOD State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) provisions will be triggered for Inner West Council as Council did not meet the strategic planning deadline to provide their own masterplan with equal or greater housing outcomes before 31 January 2025.

    Burwood City Council meanwhile has taken up the Minister’s challenge to produce its own detailed master planning in place of the TOD SEPP on the western side of the Croydon precinct.

    Council’s plan seeks to concentrate higher and mid-rise density development on the northern side of the rail corridor between Croydon and Burwood Town Centres, while protecting existing important heritage and character areas to the southern section of Burwood North.

    The plan recommends changes to land use zones, building heights, and density within the Croydon Masterplan Investigation Area. It also aims to improve the public domain by expanding open spaces, ensuring appropriate setbacks, planting street trees, and enhancing parking and active transport facilities.

    Public consultation was undertaken by Council with feedback considered before final plans were submitted to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) by the January deadline.

    DPHI is now assessing Council’s plans to ensure they meet the requirements of the agreement between Council and the NSW Government.

    You can view Burwood Council’s proposed plans for the Croydon TOD SEPP precinct here.

    Inner West Council and Burwood Council will continue to assess, consider and weigh up the merits of the impacts of proposed developments during the development assessment stage, unless a proposal is assessed through a State Significant Development pathway.

    Croydon’s new TOD SEPP planning controls in the Inner West LGA can be viewed on the NSW Government Spatial Viewer once the changes are notified early in February.

    Housing affordability is the single largest cost of living concern for people of NSW with the impacts being felt across the state, whether it be students, workers, young families or people looking to downsize later in life.

    The TOD Program is just one part of the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to confront the housing crisis by speeding up the planning system, investing in social and affordable housing, and reforming NSW rental laws.

    TOD provisions now apply to 29 stations across Greater Sydney with only 5 stations remaining to be scheduled between now and June 2025. These stations include Cockle Creek, North Wollongong, St Marys, Punchbowl and Wiley Park.

    Up to 37 locations were identified as being suitable for inclusion in the TOD SEPP program. Eighteen of the station precincts were adopted on 13 May 2024 with the remaining 19 deferred for further strategic work to be rolled out between now and June 2025.

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “Sydney’s inner west has always been bustling with activity and these planning changes will mean more people get to enjoy its great location and connectivity.

    “Croydon provides an ideal strategic location to leverage the benefits of Inner West living, while being close to public transport and essential services in and around Croydon and Burwood. 

    “Burwood Council has suggested a planning solution that means more homes near a train station, near services and the community.

    “Croydon now stands ready for an exciting new chapter in its long-storied history whereby thousands of new residents will get to experience the great cosmopolitan lifestyle this suburb offers.”

    Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-Sen Li said:

    “Burwood Council’s draft masterplan was the product of months of detailed consultation between the council and the community.

    “The Masterplan represents a sound blueprint for Croydon’s future. It balances the urgent need for more quality homes close to transport with the community imperative to protect long-established heritage conservation areas such as the Malvern Hill Estate, Cintra Estate and the Strand.

    “The Masterplan will also aim to improve amenity by expanding open spaces, providing appropriate setbacks, planting street trees, and enhancing parking and active transport facilities.

    “I would like to thank Burwood Council and the many residents who made their voices heard during this important process.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: First look at Canterbury Hospital redevelopment

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 3 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health

    Today, the Canterbury community will have its first look at the $350 million Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment with the new expansion of the facility and major upgrades to be unveiled with the launch of the master plan images, alongside the key clinical priorities for the redevelopment.

    The master plan provides the framework for how the redevelopment will integrate with existing facilities while allowing for future development opportunities.

    It follows extensive consultation with over 250 patients, staff, carers, volunteers and community members, and the master plan reflects their views on the future of the hospital.

    Feedback highlighted preference for more green spaces and access to natural light, updated amenities for staff, patients and carers, better accessibility, signage and wayfinding, and increased patient and visitor parking.

    New or increased services at the redeveloped site that have been identified as priorities for the redevelopment will include:

    • a new expanded and enhanced intensive care unit
    • new purpose-built adult in-patient accommodation
    • expanded and enhanced emergency department
    • additional surgical theatres
    • improved and expanded antenatal care
    • additional ambulatory and outpatient care capacity
    • other clinical and non-clinical enhancements to existing and retained facilities, to support changing models of care
    • improved accessibility to the campus, including internal access, urban spaces, landscaping and wayfinding.

    The redevelopment will maximise the capacity of existing facilities available at the Canterbury Hospital campus, including the main hospital building and the Canterbury Health Centre.

    Following the completion of master planning, the project team will continue through the planning and design phases for the redevelopment, with further consultation to continue throughout 2025.  

    The last major redevelopment of the century-old hospital took place in 1998.

    The Canterbury area – like much of Sydney – has had significant population growth, placing pressure on hospital services.

    The Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area is forecast to grow by 13 per cent in the next 12 years, with an estimated population of 443,000 by 2036.

    It is also expected to have a larger proportion of elderly people, with those aged 70 years and over forecast to grow by more than 60% between 2021 and 2036.

    The area is home to a culturally diverse community – some of which have complex health needs.  

    The redevelopment of Canterbury Hospital will enable services to better support the health and wellbeing of our growing local communities, now and into the future.

    The Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s delivery of over $3 billion in hospital infrastructure across Western Sydney, including:

    • $700 million for the Rouse Hill Hospital  
    • $120 million for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals – additional beds
    • $1.3 billion for the New Bankstown Hospital
    • $550 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “We are working to deliver the healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of this growing community.

    “Today’s announcement is a critical next step in the delivery of this significant project.

    “What this facility will mean will be enhanced services and more beds for Canterbury and surrounding suburbs.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis:

    “It’s very exciting to see the master plan images for this $350 million investment which will help build healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of Canterbury’s diverse and growing community.

    “I welcome what will be the largest upgrade to Canterbury Hospital in almost three decades.

    “This significant redevelopment will allow improved health care access and outcomes for generations to come, both for people living in the area and for those from Greater Sydney.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland Regional Council media briefs 03/02/25

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    Safeswim: Your ‘go-to’ for water safety updates
    Before heading to Northland’s beaches, lakes, or rivers, you can check the Safeswim website or app for updates on water conditions, weather, tides, and lifeguard availability.
    This service ensures you and your whānau can enjoy a safe and fun day at the beach.
    Safeswim is a collaborative initiative by Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and others, offering real-time information on water quality and swimming conditions at popular freshwater and coastal spots.
    Visit safeswim.org.nz or download the app by searching “Safeswim” in your app store. A quick check can make all the difference in having a great raumati (summer).
    Whangārei Beach Buses Summer 2025
    Beach buses are running again this summer with an improved service tailored to passenger requirements, following a community survey.
    The buses have two new routes from central Whangārei to Waipū Cove and Matapouri.
    Buses depart from Vine Street at 9.30am on Saturdays. (This is a change from Rose Street while construction works for a new bus hub are ongoing.)
    A single trip costs $5 and return $10. Bee cards are not accepted – EFTPOS and cash only.
    Please note: – There may not be lifeguards at the beach, so please stay safe. – Seats are limited on the bus and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. – Children under 14 years old must be supervised.
    Go to buslink.co.nz for all the timetables details and follow CityLink Whangārei on Facebook for the latest updates.
    Tū i te ora Scholarships – applications close soon
    Applications for Northland Regional Council’s Tū i te ora Scholarships must be with the council by Thursday 13 February.
    Six scholarships are available; each includes $4000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience with NRC from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026.
    The scholarships recognise, encourage and support students to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions, whilst contributing to council’s vision ‘Tiakina te taiao, tuia te here tangata – Nurture the environment, bring together the people’.
    The scholarships have a specific aim to build Māori capacity within Te Taitokerau, with three of the six scholarships earmarked for Māori who whakapapa to Te Taitokerau.
    Keen to korero – come see us at events
    Northland Regional Council staff will be at various summer events, offering information and advice. This week, they’ll be at Waitangi Day with a large display on the sportsfield.
    The focus will be on the moana, discussing water safety and protecting the marine environment from pests.
    Land management staff will also be available to talk about caring for the whenua. Councillors will be present for chats throughout the day.
    The climate action team will join the Far North District Council stand, while Civil Defence will be with Fire and Emergency.
    Visit the NRC stand if you’re heading to Waitangi Day. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofsted sets out proposals for fairer education inspections and new, more detailed report cards

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments 2

    Ofsted is consulting on a new approach to inspecting education providers and the introduction of report cards.

    Proposals for a new inspection model include:  

    • Introducing the Ofsted report card, giving parents detailed information about standards across more areas of practice in their child’s school, early years, or further education provider.

    • Replacing the ‘single word judgement’ with a new 5-point grading scale for each evaluation area, including a new top ‘exemplary’ grade to help raise standards.

    • Returning to schools with identified weaknesses, to check timely action is being taken to raise standards.

    • Increasing focus on support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and learners , including those with SEND.

    • More emphasis on providers’ circumstances and local context.

    • New toolkits to tailor inspections to the phase and type of provider.

    Ofsted has today launched a major consultation, seeking the views of parents, carers, professionals and learners, on a new approach to inspecting and reporting on education providers, from the autumn.    

    The consultation sets out a series of proposals that aim to serve the interests of the parents and children Ofsted works for, while strengthening the trust and cooperation of professionals working in the services it inspects and regulates.   

    In the past 12 months Ofsted has already made some significant changes to support education providers’ wellbeing, but further reforms were promised in the response to last year’s Big Listen. Today’s proposals apply to inspections of early years settings, state-funded schools, non-association independent schools, FE and skills providers, and initial teacher education (ITE) providers.

    Respond to the consultation

    New Ofsted report cards

    The Big Listen returned a clear message from parents, carers and professionals that the overall effectiveness grade should go, and that inspection reports should provide a more nuanced view of a provider’s strengths and areas for improvement. But there were different views on how to do that. Parents and carers favoured a clear assessment of a wider set of categories, while most professionals wanted narrative descriptions of performance.   

    Today’s proposals aim to bring both preferences together. New Ofsted report cards will give better information to parents in a simple format, as well as driving higher standards for children and learners. They include a colour-coded 5-point grading scale to evaluate more areas of a provider’s work at-a-glance, accompanied by short summaries of inspectors’ findings in more detail. An overall effectiveness grade will not be awarded.

    The 5-point scale will allow inspectors to highlight success when things are working well, provide reassurance that leaders are taking the right action where improvement is needed, and identify where more urgent action is required to avoid standards declining. As well as giving parents more nuanced information, this approach will help reduce pressure on staff – by presenting a balanced picture of practice across more areas, not a single overall grade.   

    The proposed scale ranges from ‘causing concern’ at the lowest end, through ‘attention needed’, ‘secure’ and ‘strong’, to ‘exemplary’ – where a provider’s practice is of such exceptional quality that it should be shared with others across the country so they can learn from it.   

    Ofsted is seeking feedback on the proposed layout for the new inspection reports and has produced this video demonstrating how they could look.

    Disadvantage and inclusion   

    Under the proposals, evaluation areas differ slightly by education phase (early years, schools, further education) but in all cases include a new focus on inclusion. This means inspectors will look at how well providers support vulnerable and disadvantaged children and learners, including those with SEND, making sure these children are always at the centre of inspection. 

    Taking context into account  

    Ofsted is also proposing to include more contextual data in inspections and reports, such as learner characteristics, performance outcomes, absence and attendance figures, and local area demographics. Inspectors will use this information to help understand the circumstances in which leaders are operating and to assess their work in context – for instance, whether they are working hard in a disadvantaged area facing particular challenges, or – if they have a high-attaining intake – whether they are stretching their most able pupils. This will help parents make national and local comparisons, and comparisons between providers working in similar contexts.

    Tailoring inspections to each phase of education

    Under the proposals, the inspection process will be better tailored to the phase and type of provider, to make sure the focus is on what really matters for children and learners in that setting. New inspection ‘toolkits’ list the standards that each type of provider will be evaluated against.   

    These toolkits provide more detail and clarity about what will be considered on inspection. They are intended to help drive greater consistency on inspection and give providers clarity about the expected standards and what they need to do to improve.

    Changes to monitoring arrangements for schools

    From autumn 2025, it’s proposed that Ofsted will no longer carry out ungraded inspections of state-funded schools. This means every school will know that its next routine Ofsted inspection will be a full, graded one. Ofsted is also proposing that all schools with an identified need for improvement will receive monitoring calls and visits, to check that timely action is being taken to raise standards. This includes schools with any evaluation area graded ‘attention needed’. Ofsted will only monitor for as long as is necessary to see a tangible difference for children.

    His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said:   

    Our mission is to raise standards and improve the lives of children, particularly the most disadvantaged. Today’s proposals for a new Ofsted report card and a new way of inspecting are designed to do just that. 

    The report card will replace the simplistic overall judgement with a suite of grades, giving parents much more detail and better identifying the strengths and areas for improvement for a school, early years or further education provider.  

    Our new top ‘exemplary’ grade will help raise standards, identifying world-class practice that should be shared with the rest of the country. And by quickly returning to monitor schools that have areas for improvement, we will ensure timely action is taken to raise standards. 

    We also hope that this more balanced, fairer approach will reduce the pressure on professionals working in education, as well as giving them a much clearer understanding of what we will be considering on inspection.

    Tom Rees, CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust & Chair of the DfE Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion said: 

    It is right that Ofsted is putting disadvantaged children and children with SEND at the heart of their reforms. Inclusion should not be a secondary consideration, but a fundamental principle of schooling and education – a truly great education system serves the needs of all children. 

    It is vital that schools, nurseries and colleges have the highest possible expectations for all children. Schools with expert teaching, a stretching curriculum, high standards of behaviour and attendance are the entitlement of every child – especially the most vulnerable.

    Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind said: 

    We know that an effective partnership between school and home is a cornerstone of the most successful of schools, enhances pupil well-being, and can add the equivalent impact of up to 3 years of education. 

    Schools increasingly face issues with attendance, behaviour, and the mental health and well-being of their pupils. Years of evidence shows that getting parental engagement right is vital to reducing these challenges, which is why we welcome Ofsted making parental engagement an important part of the process for inspecting schools.  

    We are delighted to have supported Ofsted’s work on a new ‘report card’ for schools, which recognises the need for school leaders to focus on building sustainable, long-term partnerships with parents, as well as the role of parents in helping improve behaviour and attitudes to learning, attendance, and personal development and well-being. Getting this right will deliver significant benefits for schools and children.

    The consultation will run for 12 weeks, from 3 February to 28 April 2025. As well as the online survey, Ofsted will hold focus groups during the consultation period. Formal pilots of the inspection approach and further user testing of report cards will also be carried out over the coming months, to help inform and improve the proposals.  

    Ofsted will publish a report on the outcome of the consultation in the summer, reflecting on all feedback and challenge received. The final agreed reforms will then be piloted again across all education remits, before being formally implemented from autumn 2025.   

    Changes to children’s social care inspections will follow in 2026.

    Notes to editors  

    1. In parallel with this consultation, the Department for Education (DfE) is consulting on proposed changes to intervention and support in maintained schools and academies. The plan is to put those changes in place in the autumn, alongside Ofsted’s new inspection approach. The Department is also seeking feedback on a product that could include Ofsted reports, along with other information about a provider.

    2. Proposed evaluation areas for schools, including independent schools:

      • leadership and governance
      • curriculum
      • developing teaching
      • achievement
      • behaviour and attitudes
      • attendance
      • personal development and well-being
      • inclusion
      • safeguarding (assessed as met or not met)
      • early years in schools
      • sixth form in school

    3. Proposed evaluation areas for early years providers:

      • leadership and governance  
      • achievement  
      • curriculum  
      • teaching  
      • behaviour, attitudes and establishing routine  
      • children’s welfare and well-being  
      • inclusion  
      • safeguarding

    4. Proposed evaluation areas for FE and skills providers:

      Provider as a whole:

      • leadership 
      • inclusion
      • safeguarding 

      Provider as a whole, but only in colleges and specialist designated institutions:

      • contribution to meeting skills needs

      For each type of provision offered (education programmes for young people, provision for learners with high needs, apprenticeships and adult learning programmes):

      • curriculum
      • developing teaching and training 
      • achievement
      • participation and development

    5. Proposed evaluation areas for ITE providers we inspect:  

      • leadership  
      • inclusion  
      • curriculum  
      • teaching  
      • achievement  
      • professional behaviours, personal development and well-being

    6. Parentkind is one of the UK’s largest federated charities. It has supported parents and schools to build strong and supportive school communities for almost 70 years and has a network of more than 23,500 schools, parent teacher associations (PTAs) and parent councils.

    7. The DfE is providing Ofsted with £6.2m to support development and delivery of the report card.

    Press office

    8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday 0300 013 0415

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Resurfacing works for SH1 Turntable Hill, Moerewa, start tomorrow

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises overnight asphalt resurfacing works will get underway on State Highway 1 at Turntable Hill, Moerewa tomorrow (Tuesday 4 February), before pausing for Waitangi Day holiday traffic.

    Asphalting works will then resume from Sunday 9 February through to Thursday 13 February (finishing on the morning of Friday 14 February), with one night of chipsealing scheduled in Moerewa the following week.

    The asphalting work will take place between 8pm and 5am, with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit operating during the works. During the day, the passing lane will be closed with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place.

    On Thursday 20 February, contractors will undertake chipsealing along the main street in Moerewa. Between 6pm and 6am, the road will operate under stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.

    During the chipsealing works there will be no access to SH1 (Main Road, Moerewa) from the Marshall St/Pembroke St intersection, Wynyard St, Nisbet St and Snowden Ave. There will also be no parking from 50m north of the Marshall St/Pembroke St intersection to 100m past Snowden Ave.

    Temporary speed limits and traffic management will remain in place the following day to guide traffic over the new seal and help to embed it successfully.

    It’s important to slow down through newly sealed sections of road because small chips can be flicked up from the road surface and damage vehicles – especially windscreens. That’s why we often keep temporary speed limits in place even after it looks like the work has been completed. As well as safety, the temporary speed limit also helps ensure the quality of the reseal. Travelling at the posted temporary speed limit allows for the chips to be embedded into the road surface and for them to remain in place as the seal cures.

    Travel delays during the resurfacing and chipsealing works are expected to be 5-10minutes.

    This work is part of Northland’s significant summer maintenance programme, which will see approximately 203 lane kilometres of state highway renewed across the region by the end of May.

    As well as ensuring a smooth, skid-resistant surface, road resurfacing helps to protect the important structural layers underneath, improves waterproofing to help prevent potholes, and extends the life of the road. It’s like the paint on your house or the varnish on your deck – it looks good, but, more importantly, it helps keep your most valuable assets safe and sound.

    There will be increased noise for residents and businesses in the area, and short delays for road users. We encourage road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

    Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained throughout the works.

    Please be patient and treat our crews with kindness and respect. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the traffic management directions at our work sites. 

    This work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

    Journey Planner(external link)

    For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland state highway maintenance programme website:

    Northland state highway maintenance programme(external link)

    NZTA thanks everyone for their understanding and support while we carry out this essential maintenance.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Crash blocks Wainuiomata Hill heading towards Lower Hutt

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    The Wainuiomata Hill is currently closed heading towards Lower Hutt following a crash.

    The two-vehicle crash involving a car and a motorcycle was reported on the Wainuiomata side of the hill just after 11:30am.

    One person has been seriously injured.

    Motorists are advised to expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Robots add futuristic twist to China’s Spring Festival

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

    BEIJING, Feb. 2 — The Chinese Spring Festival is traditionally celebrated with dumplings, firecrackers and red paper-cut decorations. This year, however, a new element is joining the festivities: robots.

    A group of humanoid robots performing a dance routine has become the most talked-about performance at this year’s Spring Festival Gala, broadcast on Chinese New Year’s Eve. These black-painted life-size robots, adorned with colorful sleeveless jackets, danced alongside 16 human performers in Yangko, a traditional folk dance renowned for its sweeping steps and twirling handkerchiefs.

    Behind their precise mechanical arm movements is the integration of advanced AI algorithms and smart sensors.

    In addition to the televised event, the first-ever tech-driven temple fair, held in Beijing’s Haidian District, also combined cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology.

    A robot greeting visitors with Chinese New Year blessings, a humanoid robot playing Peking Opera tunes, and the first AI display of the Chinese mythological character Lord Rabbit are all part of the ongoing 2025 Haidian Spring Festival-Themed Sci-Tech Temple Fair.

    Over 70 AI application scenarios from over 50 innovative companies are on display, showcasing the integration of AI technology with traditional Spring Festival customs and elements.

    Other attractions included a robot band and bipedal humanoid robot soccer matches, offering visitors a captivating and futuristic experience.

    A recently viral video on social media showcased a performance in the city of Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, where robot dogs took the stage to perform a lion dance, enthralling the crowd.

    During the 8-day Chinese New Year holiday, many Chinese people chose to climb mountains for exercise. A news story about an “exoskeleton robot” assisting climbers on Mount Tai, one of China’s most popular mountain tourist spots, garnered widespread attention.

    Weighing only 1.8 kg, this robotic leg device uses advanced ergonomics, power, electronics and AI algorithms to perceive lower limb movements and provide timely assistance, making mountain climbing a much easier endeavor.

    “Wearing this robot has been a great help to my legs,” said a tourist. “Climbing the mountain feels much easier than walking on flat ground.”

    This isn’t the first instance that robots have been used to offer a tech-savvy enhancement to the culturally and historically significant Mount Tai. Last October, a team of four-legged robotic dogs tasked with waste collection made headlines.

    Intelligent robots are becoming more common, facilitating daily life and work. These robotic products reflect the rapid development of China’s robotic industry.

    In 2023, China produced 7.833 million service robots, a 21.3 percent increase from the previous year. Industrial robot production reached 430,000 units, accounting for about 73 percent of the global total.

    According to a recent report by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, humanoid robots are poised to become the next big terminal after personal computers, smartphones and new energy vehicles, potentially forming a new trillion-yuan-level market.

    Broad market potential has attracted not only tech companies but also automotive firms and internet giants investing in humanoid robot projects.

    Driven by these pioneers, this year will mark the beginning of mass production for humanoid robots, with significant commercial applications on the horizon, the report noted.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ancient town in Tianjin attracts tourists to enjoy festive atmosphere during Spring Festival holiday

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

    Ancient town in Tianjin attracts tourists to enjoy festive atmosphere during Spring Festival holiday

    Updated: February 3, 2025 07:26 Xinhua
    People visit the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 2, 2025. Yangliuqing ancient town is long celebrated for its woodblock new year pictures. These pictures, which usually bear auspicious meanings, flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) due to highly developed canal transportation, and were sold to different places in the country. During Spring Festival holidays, light installations, folk performances, and specialty shops in the town attract large flocks of tourists to enjoy the festive atmosphere there. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a festive lantern show at the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People enjoy the night view at the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit a festive lantern show at the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People view woodblock new year pictures at Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial photo taken on Feb. 1, 2025 shows a night view of the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A stilt artist performs at the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Vendors sell specialty snacks at the Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister to hold defence and security talks with European partners

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Europe must double down on its efforts to crush Putin’s war machine as Russia’s economy shows signs of weakening, the Prime Minister will warn tomorrow [Monday 3 February].

    • Prime Minister to call on European countries to continue bearing down on Putin in the face of the struggling Russian economy 
    • He will discuss plans for a UK-EU defence and security partnership with the UK’s closest partners in order to tackle the generational threats we all face
    • Prime Minister continues his focus on bolstering the UK’s national security – the key foundation upon which the government will deliver its Plan for Change

    Europe must double down on its efforts to crush Putin’s war machine as Russia’s economy shows signs of weakening, the Prime Minister will warn tomorrow [Monday 3 February].

    As he travels to Brussels for defence and security talks, he will urge the UK’s closest allies to step up and shoulder more of the burden in order to keep Europe safe against Russia’s increasing campaign of sabotage and destruction on our continent. 

    Putin is facing mounting domestic pressure as a result of his struggling economy, having ploughed billions into bankrolling his war machine – leading to skyrocketing inflation and soaring interest rates in Russia.  

    The recent sanctions imposed on Putin’s shadow fleet and energy companies have dealt a severe blow to Russia’s oil trade. Russian oil and gas revenues were down 29% in 2024 compared to 2022, and the sanctions have led to a sharp rise in shipping costs, with the majority of sanctioned vessels left unable to trade. 

    The UK and its allies have introduced the most punishing sanctions ever imposed on any global economy, with Putin himself admitting that these are causing a “colossal number of difficulties”. 

    The UK alone has sanctioned more than 2,100 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, over 1,900 of which were imposed since Putin’s full-scale invasion. This includes more than 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers.  

    The Prime Minister will call on Europe to keep up the pressure on Putin, alongside sustained military support to Ukraine, to put them in the strongest possible position this year.  

    The Prime Minister will say today:

    We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe. 

    President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy. 

    I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s war machine. 

    Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer. 

    The Prime Minister has prioritised security as a foundation for his Plan for Change, believing every mission relies on a strong security base, from ensuring the UK’s Armed Forces have the cutting-edge equipment they need, to securing medical supply chains and increasing diversification in energy supplies.

    Tomorrow afternoon, he will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, before travelling to meet with the leaders of the 27 EU Member States at an informal meeting of the European Council. 

    There, the Prime Minister will set out his pitch for an ambitious UK-EU defence and security partnership with a number of steps to increase co-operation on shared threats, and go further on cross-border crime and illegal migration, while delivering growth and security at home. 

    The session of the Informal European Council is part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing commitment to strengthen our partnership with the European Union in order to drive growth, boost living standards and keep the UK safe and secure. 

    The Prime Minister is committed to making Brexit work better for the British people while keeping within his red lines – no return to freedom of movement and no re-joining the customs union or single market.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Prime Minister to hold defence and security talks with European partners

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Europe must double down on its efforts to crush Putin’s war machine as Russia’s economy shows signs of weakening, the Prime Minister will warn tomorrow [Monday 3 February].

    • Prime Minister to call on European countries to continue bearing down on Putin in the face of the struggling Russian economy 
    • He will discuss plans for a UK-EU defence and security partnership with the UK’s closest partners in order to tackle the generational threats we all face
    • Prime Minister continues his focus on bolstering the UK’s national security – the key foundation upon which the government will deliver its Plan for Change

    Europe must double down on its efforts to crush Putin’s war machine as Russia’s economy shows signs of weakening, the Prime Minister will warn tomorrow [Monday 3 February].

    As he travels to Brussels for defence and security talks, he will urge the UK’s closest allies to step up and shoulder more of the burden in order to keep Europe safe against Russia’s increasing campaign of sabotage and destruction on our continent. 

    Putin is facing mounting domestic pressure as a result of his struggling economy, having ploughed billions into bankrolling his war machine – leading to skyrocketing inflation and soaring interest rates in Russia.  

    The recent sanctions imposed on Putin’s shadow fleet and energy companies have dealt a severe blow to Russia’s oil trade. Russian oil and gas revenues were down 29% in 2024 compared to 2022, and the sanctions have led to a sharp rise in shipping costs, with the majority of sanctioned vessels left unable to trade. 

    The UK and its allies have introduced the most punishing sanctions ever imposed on any global economy, with Putin himself admitting that these are causing a “colossal number of difficulties”. 

    The UK alone has sanctioned more than 2,100 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, over 1,900 of which were imposed since Putin’s full-scale invasion. This includes more than 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers.  

    The Prime Minister will call on Europe to keep up the pressure on Putin, alongside sustained military support to Ukraine, to put them in the strongest possible position this year.  

    The Prime Minister will say today:

    We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe. 

    President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy. 

    I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s war machine. 

    Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer. 

    The Prime Minister has prioritised security as a foundation for his Plan for Change, believing every mission relies on a strong security base, from ensuring the UK’s Armed Forces have the cutting-edge equipment they need, to securing medical supply chains and increasing diversification in energy supplies.

    Tomorrow afternoon, he will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, before travelling to meet with the leaders of the 27 EU Member States at an informal meeting of the European Council. 

    There, the Prime Minister will set out his pitch for an ambitious UK-EU defence and security partnership with a number of steps to increase co-operation on shared threats, and go further on cross-border crime and illegal migration, while delivering growth and security at home. 

    The session of the Informal European Council is part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing commitment to strengthen our partnership with the European Union in order to drive growth, boost living standards and keep the UK safe and secure. 

    The Prime Minister is committed to making Brexit work better for the British people while keeping within his red lines – no return to freedom of movement and no re-joining the customs union or single market.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Doctors Trapped in Hospitals, Clinics Under Fire in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): PHR

    Source: Physicians for Human Rights

    February 1, 2025 – In response to mounting conflict and the M23 militia seizing additional cities and towns in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the following statement is attributable to Karen Naimer, JD, director of programs at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR):

    “Health and humanitarian workers and facilities are under assault in eastern DRC as M23 forces take over more territory in the region. Health care facilities, workers, and patients are protected under international law. Health care workers must be able to safely carry out life-saving aid to besieged communities. Clinicians must not be forced to evacuate their patients from hospitals to protect them from danger or harm.

    “At least 700 people have been killed and at least 2,800 injured people are receiving medical care in area facilities, according to the World Health Organization – with these figures likely underestimates and will rise as more information becomes available.

    “Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has received reports from our colleagues in eastern DRC of widespread violence and threats against the clinicians and humanitarian professionals who provide care for local communities. During the takeover of Goma by the M23 and their allies, health facilities were subjected to indiscriminate shooting and bombing. Shells fell on the Charité and Virunga hospitals. Similarly, M23 forces opened fire on an ambulance on mission from the Charité Hospital, with a trainee doctor shot in the leg.  

    “Armed actors are looting health facilities at this time of severe need. The Kyeshero hospital, like other facilities supported by  humanitarian groups, was looted and warehouses used for storing medical equipment and humanitarian supplies have also been affected by these thefts.

    “Clinicians in Goma are trapped in hospitals – unable to return home due to the fighting outside their doors, while other staff are trapped in their homes amid the violence. These health workers are taking care of the wounded with minimal supplies as well as tending to the dead. Clinicians are overwhelmed, running out of medicines as supply lines are interrupted and facilities are looted. These health workers urgently need support and the sick and injured need medical treatment and protection. Combatants must end any interference with medical care, from direct attacks to threats to theft. International actors must surge medical supplies and resources to the affected communities.  

    “Hundreds of thousands of people have already lost access to health care in recent days. Clinics set up at many of the region’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps have been shuttered. In many cases the IDP camps are at the front lines. The M23 has forced the closure of some IDP camps while residents flee others. These already-displaced families are again being displaced and now lack access to basic health care services. This is all happening amid a backdrop of a public health crisis and infectious disease outbreaks, such as mpox and cholera. The M23 must stop its forced closure of IDP camps.  

    “This dire situation requires all parties to the conflict to agree to the protection of health care facilities, the establishment of safe access via dedicated humanitarian corridors, to enable the resupply of critical medical and humanitarian supplies, safe civilian movement, and the rotation of humanitarian and medical staff. Access in and out of Goma and between Minova and Bukavu must be prioritized to ensure life-saving assistance reaches affected populations.

    “Without sustained international pressure and support, eastern DRC’s conflict risks spiraling into a broader regional war. Policymakers must act now to avert even greater civilian suffering and a wider conflict. Eastern DRC’s health and humanitarian actors need a lifeline.”

    Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a global advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here: (ref. https://phr.org/about/ )

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Vehicle clamped after hooning incident

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Vehicle clamped after hooning incident

    Monday, 3 February 2025 – 9:09 am.

    A 17 year old boy has had his vehicle clamped for 28 days after having his licence for only four days.
    A vehicle owned by the teen driver was detected doing a burnout on Richmond Road at Cambridge on Saturday 1 February.
    The vehicle was subsequently clamped, and investigations are ongoing in relation to the identity of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
    Police will continue to detect and deter hooning and anti-social behaviour on Tasmanian roads and urge anyone who witnesses such behaviour to report it by contacting police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
    If you can’t report it at the time but you have footage, you can upload it to police.tas.gov.au/report/

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Frank Ginn: Week Three Under the Gold Dome

    Source: US State of Georgia

    The third week of the 2025 Legislative Session has wrapped up, and we’re staying focused on passing common sense legislation that puts Georgia families, businesses and communities first.

    Last week’s snowstorm may have delayed budget hearings for a few days, but it didn’t slow us down. The General Assembly has been hard at work in joint sessions, carefully reviewing budget requests to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty—it’s the foundation of a responsible government that serves its people.

    One of the most crucial budget proposals this session is Governor Brian P. Kemp’s plan to return $1 billion in surplus funds directly to taxpayers. Thanks to years of conservative budgeting and fiscal responsibility, we’re in a position to give back to the hardworking Georgians who keep our state running. This is just part of the $2.2 billion in statewide allocations designed to benefit families, businesses, and communities across Georgia. I’m proud to support Gov. Kemp’s efforts to strengthen our economy by putting more money back in your pockets.

    Another key priority is ensuring communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene have the necessary resources to rebuild. Gov. Kemp has proposed $614.72 million in recovery funding, including $150 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help with debris removal and housing assistance. Another $300 million will go to the Georgia Department of Transportation to restore roads and infrastructure. Many rural counties are still reeling from this storm, and we’re committed to making sure they get the support they need to recover and move forward.

    Back at the Capitol, we hit the ground running this week, advancing legislation that reflects our values and priorities. On Thursday, Gov. Kemp hosted a press conference discussing his (and my) number one priority for the session: tort reform. With the support of leadership officials, I am optimistic about the General Assembly’s ability to pass meaningful and effective tort reform. I know my fellow Senators and I can help achieve better transparency and safeguard our small businesses from being held responsible for criminal acts out of their control.  In the words of Gov. Kemp, “Tort reform is not anti-insurance or anti-lawyer, its pro-Georgia consumer.”

    As committee meetings pick up, we’re working hard on issues that matter most to our communities, from protecting our schools to strengthening local infrastructure. I’m also excited to share my recent co-sponsorship of several Senate Bills, including the “Freedom of Speech and Belief Act,” which, if signed into law, would ensure that our constitutional First Amendment rights are protected in our state.

    Finally, I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. This is an excellent way for young people to see firsthand how the General Assembly works. Interested students may apply for the program by emailing me or my administrative assistant at my office. (Frank.Ginn@senate.ga.gov.)

    As always, I’m here to listen. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about our work at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s an honor to serve you, and I appreciate your trust as we work together throughout the remainder of the 2025 legislative session.

    # # # #

    Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47th Senate District which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson County. He can be reached at (404) 656-4700 or by email at frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH1/Bridge Street blocked following crash, Rakaia

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 1/Bridge Street, Rakaia is blocked at the intersection with Elizabeth Ave following a crash.

    The two-vehicle crash was reported just before 10:30am.

    Three people have been moderately injured.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    Diversions are in place.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – Sellers hit 2025 hard, with new listings at levels not seen in a decade

    Source: RealEstate.co.nz

    • New listings back at levels not seen during January since 2015
    • National stock levels up 18.9% year-on-year, close to 2015 levels 
    • Auckland stock levels reach 13-year January high 

    Coined ‘the perfect market’ by realestate.co.nz in November, the rare stability of high stock levels and stable prices has carried over to 2025. But with confidence on the rise and interest rates declining, the question everyone’s asking is, when will the market change?

    The latest data from realestate.co.nz shows that after a record low new listings for any December, sellers jumped into the market in January, with new listings reaching levels not seen during January since 2015. Stock levels were also high last month—closer to levels last seen in January 2015—while average asking prices remained relatively stable year-on-year.

    Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, said the market continues to offer strong opportunities for those wanting to buy and sell:

    “Lots of choice, combined with relative price stability, offers certainty for both buyers and sellers. And as interest rates decline, the market may become more appealing for those on the sidelines.”

    “When things will change is anyone’s guess. And right now, we still have high stock levels to cycle through, so it is unlikely that we will see a frantic rebound. But the market is cyclical, and eventually, we will see a shift.”

    New listings return to levels not seen during January since 2015

    Nearly 9,000 new listings came onto the market during January, a significant increase from December’s record-low new listing figures. Up 21.2% year-on-year, the data suggests sellers dove headfirst into 2025.

    Wood said that although it is typical to see more properties come to market in January, this year’s numbers are particularly noteworthy:

    “The country seems to take a collective holiday during January, and over the past few years, sellers have appeared to do the same. This is the first time new listings have been around 9,000 in the month of January since 2015.”

    Year-on-year, the largest increases in new listings were in West Coast (up 100.0% to 70 listings), Otago (up 52.4% to 352 new listings), and Gisborne (up 45.7% to 51 new listings).

    Auckland hits 13-year stock high

    Stock levels remained high during January, up 18.9% nationally year-on-year to 32,412 properties. All 19 regions saw stock levels increase compared to January 2024. Most notably, 11,465 properties were available for sale in Auckland last month—the highest January level since 2012.

    “We haven’t seen this level of housing stock in Auckland for more than a decade,” said Wood. “There could be a window of opportunity for those looking for property in the region.”

    Average asking prices hold steady as 2025 begins

    The national average asking price has hovered between $840,000 and $890,000 for two years, offering the stability buyers crave and the predictability sellers need. The start of 2025 saw this trend continue, with January’s national average asking price at $868,969, down a modest 1.3% year-on-year. The biggest increase was in West Coast, up 6.3% year-on-year to $505,151, while Coromandel saw the biggest decline, down 20.3% year-on-year to $1,004,312.

    Four regions – Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson & Bays, and Southland – saw prices grow both month-on-month and year-on-year, while Coromandel, Waikato, Wairarapa, and Wellington recorded declines over the same periods.

    “With interest rates easing and plenty of properties to choose from, the strong start to 2025 creates prime opportunity for those ready to make their move,” concluded Wood.

    About realestate.co.nz

    We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.

    Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.  

    Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.

    Want more property insights?

    Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and trends over time.
    Sold properties: Switch your search to sold to see the last 12 months of sales and prices.
    Valuations: Get a gauge on property prices by browsing sold residential properties, with the latest sale prices and an estimated value in the current market.

    Glossary of terms:

    Average asking price (AAP) is neither a valuation nor the sale price. It is an indication of current market sentiment. Statistically, asking prices tend to correlate closely with the sales prices recorded in future months when those properties are sold. As it looks at different data, average asking prices may differ from recorded sales data released simultaneously.

    New listings are a record of all the new residential dwellings listed for sale on realestate.co.nz for the relevant calendar month. The site reflects 97% of all properties listed through licensed real estate agents and major developers in New Zealand. This description gives a representative view of the New Zealand property market.

    Stock is the total number of residential dwellings that are for sale on realestate.co.nz on the penultimate day of the month.

    Rate of sale is a measure of how long it would take, theoretically, to sell the current stock at current average rates of sale if no new properties were to be listed for sale. It provides a measure of the rate of turnover in the market.

    Seasonal adjustment is a method realestate.co.nz uses to represent better the core underlying trend of the property market in New Zealand. This is done using methodology from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

    Truncated mean is the method realestate.co.nz uses to supply statistically relevant asking prices. The top and bottom 10% of listings in each area are removed before the average is calculated to prevent exceptional listings from providing false impressions.      

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers calls for doubling of QEII Trust funding

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to double its funding for the QEII National Trust to ensure it can continue to meet demand from farmers.
    “The QEII Trust has a stellar track record of working with landowners to permanently protect special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity,” Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says.
    “It’s an utter disgrace that QEII’s base government funding has remained unchanged at $4.3 million for a decade, despite rising demand for its help.
    “In real terms, that’s a huge cut in funding.”
    The QEII National Trust was established in 1977, with Federated Farmers dairy chair (the late) Gordon Stephenson a key instigator.
    Its core function is to encourage protection of natural and cultural features on private land. The trust partners with landowners who voluntarily protect their land without selling or donating it.
    Covenants ensure threatened species and special areas of bush and wetland are protected for future generations, in perpetuity. Subsequent landowners can’t alter this protection.
    Covenants now cover 187,774 hectares – the vast majority on farms. That is an area of land over double the size of Tongariro National Park.
    The QEII Trust celebrated its 4000 th covenant in 2014/15. Now, nearly 10 years later, it has 5,200 covenants to be managed and monitored – a 28% increase in demand, with no change in government base funding.
    For comparison, the Department of Conservation’s funding went from $470m to $718m over that same 10-year period.
    “With that big hike in the amount of covenanted land, there is clearly huge buy-in from farmers,” Hurst says.
    “Voluntary initiatives like the QEII Trust have huge support in rural communities and are a far better approach than heavy-handed and impractical SNA rules.”
    The trust leverages outside funding and bequests, and works with district and regional councils. In 2021 it also secured $8m of Jobs for Nature funding, spread over four years.
    But that runs out in June this year and the trust is warning it will have to scale back the number of new covenants it can support.
    A 2017 study by Waikato University’s Institute for Business Research found that covenanting landowners together spend an estimated $25 million of their own money every year to protect native species and special areas in their QEII covenants
    Loss of potential income from other alternative uses of land under covenant was estimated to be between $443-$638 million between 1977 and 2017.
    Farmers and other landowners pitch in with environmentalists, volunteers and council staff to carry out planting, pest control, fencing and other work on covenanted sites.
    “It represents farmer commitment, and great bang for buck, on conservation.
    “The Government needs to step up its contribution to keep up the pace,” Hurst says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Politics – GenPro focuses BIM on helping new Health Minister improve access to primary healthcare

    Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

    General practice owners, pleased the new Health Minister identifies access to primary healthcare as a top priority, have put forward their views on how Minister Brown could reduce waiting times to see a doctor.

    In a Briefing to the Incoming Minister, the General Practice Owners Association focuses on three key actions critical to reducing waiting times.

    GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers says doctors are on the same page as the Minister as every day they see the frustration of patients not able to make appointments in a timely way or register with their local GP.

    Dr Chambers said improving access was more than just about funding, though that’s an important part of the solution in the short term.

    “The new Health Minister needs to recognise the importance of primary healthcare and respond to its urgent need for financial support so it can deliver the essential services Kiwis need,” Dr Chambers says.  

    “Being enrolled with a GP means people are less likely to attend an emergency department, and it also reduces per-patient costs on our health system.

    “Investment in hands-on general practice will directly support the government’s aim of reducing waiting times at emergency departments. No other investment has any evidence of supporting the achievement of this target,” Dr Chambers says.

    Greater support right now for primary healthcare is critical. General practice has been degraded over two decades. Funding hasn’t kept pace with increasing costs, health needs are more complex, and the ability of general practices to raise revenue is restricted by fees controls. For all these reasons, general practice is in a precarious financial position, the BIM says.  

    GenPro’s three key areas to reducing waiting times are:

    Better funding for primary health care services
    Fair pay for family doctor teams
    Increasing the family doctor workforce

     
    While all are important, funding is a critical issue because it’s created or exacerbated other problems, such as staff shortages, crowded emergency departments, and reduced services as general practices restrict enrolments or exit after-hours care.

    “Minister Brown has a lot to read to prepare for his new role, but GenPro’s briefing must be near the top of the pile. General practice is in a parlous state and his influence on funding is desperately needed so we can arrest the decline in primary healthcare, reduce waiting lists, and give communities the healthcare they need and deserve,” Dr Chambers says.

    GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz
     
    GenPro-Briefing-to-Minister (ref. https://genpro.org.nz/assets/Uploads/PDFs/250123-GenPro-Briefing-to-Minister.pdf )

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ConsumerNZ reveals the best and worst insurance providers

    Source: ConsumerNZ

    Consumer NZ finds two insurers have topped the list for customer satisfaction across the insurance trifecta – car, house and contents.

    Results from Consumer’s annual insurance satisfaction survey found MAS and FMG were rated highly by their customers, both earning Consumer’s People’s Choice award.

    “This is the eighth consecutive year FMG has received the accolade, and customers have voted MAS for People’s Choice for nine consecutive years,” says Jon Duffy, Consumer NZ chief executive.

    “Winning People’s Choice is no small feat. The fact these two providers have won People’s Choice across multiple insurance categories reflects their continued focus on customer satisfaction.”

    The best  

    MAS and FMG are the top-rated insurers for house, car and contents insurance. Customers praise their value for money, easy-to-understand policy documents and products tailored to customers’ needs.

    MAS had the highest overall satisfaction rating for house insurance at 76%, while FMG ranked highest for contents insurance at 78%. For car insurance, MAS and FMG also took out the top spots, with 81% and 79% respectively.  

    Duffy emphasises the importance of choosing an insurer that puts customers first.  

    “New Zealanders should expect their insurer to get the basics right – good communication and customer support – especially now, with insurers needing to update policies to comply with upcoming law changes.”

    Consumer’s Insurance Satisfaction Survey found that while most banks scored below average for house and contents insurance, they generally perform better in travel insurance.

    “Some banks scored higher for travel insurance, likely due to it being offered free through some credit cards.

    “In today’s economy, value for money is a key factor in customer satisfaction.”

    The worst

    Big brands State and AMI (both owned by IAG New Zealand Ltd) scored below average for house and contents insurance, with significantly lower-than-average ratings for value for money, communication, customer support and tailored advice.

    “It’s disappointing to see major insurers fall short of the industry average. We’d like to see these big names use their market share to improve customer satisfaction.”

    Banks also underperformed when it came to car insurance.

    “Four banks – ANZ, BNZ, Westpac and ASB – received below average ratings, with ASB at the very bottom of the pile.”

    How to save on insurance

    Consumer’s research1 shows that concerns about insurance costs have risen more than any other household expense over the past 2 years, as premiums continue to outstrip inflation. Duffy encourages consumers to regularly review their insurance policies to ensure they’re getting the best value.  

    “If you’re parking your car in a garage instead of the street – update your policy. We’ve found that switching providers could save you as much as $670 per year in our car insurance survey (ref. https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fiihdx-ijjdkdttjk-j/ ).

    “Adjusting your sum insured or excess are simple ways to lower those premiums,” he adds.

    Consumer members can compare quotes for health, life, travel, house, contents and car insurance, as well as access Consumer’s independent insurance buying guide at consumer.org.nz.

    Notes

    1 Consumer NZ’s Insurance Satisfaction Survey was conducted online in October 2024, with 6,415 respondents, including Consumer NZ members, supporters and a nationally representative sample of over 1,500 New Zealanders.

    Satisfaction is based on the proportion of respondents who rated their experience 8 to 10 out of 10, indicating they were “very satisfied”.

    Learn more about Consumer’s People’s Choice award: https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fiihdx-ijjdkdttjk-i/

    1 Insurance cost concerns have increased the most over the past 2 years, increasing from 13% to 27% of people listing it as a top-three concern.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH1 blocked near Topuni

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are advising motorists that State Highway 1 is currently blocked near Topuni.

    At around 10.15am a truck rolled, blocking lanes in both directions near the intersections with Schiska and Otioro roads.

    There are currently no reports of any injuries from the scene.

    Motorists are advised that diversions will be put in place for both northbound and southbound traffic.

    Expect delays on your travels while the scene is cleared.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Donald Trump’s tariff wallop demonstrates the brute power of an imperial presidency

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Daniel Drache, Professor Emeritus, Department of Politics, York University, Canada

    As promised, United States President Donald Trump has imposed punishing tariffs on all exports from Canada and Mexico, leading to retaliatory tariffs from Canada.

    Canada’s closest ally has torn up the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal negotiated only seven years ago. The rationale behind what the Wall Street Journal editorial board has called “the dumbest trade war in history” isn’t even clear.

    The pessimistic view is that if Canada doesn’t give Trump everything he wants, he will bulldoze the country with more tariffs, sanctions on banks, enhanced border inspections and even a travel ban — everything he recently threatened to do to Colombia.

    Canada’s political class is scrambling because the U.S. has long been a cultural sibling and an economic partner. But now it is toxic, threatening and untrustworthy. Will Canada sign another trade deal with Trump in office? The chances recede the longer the tariffs remain in place.

    Iron-fisted

    It’s never been more clear that Trump is obsessive, seldom a bluffer and always iron-fisted. He seems to have planned and executed this tariff bomb to cause maximum pain and chaos. Now he says the European Union is next on his list.

    Trump is counting on his new majorities in U.S. Congress to ram through his radical right populist agenda, forcing other countries to play a role in his melodrama.

    In response to Trump’s charge that the U.S. subsidizes Canadian trade, former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper pointed out that half of America’s imported oil comes from Canada, and its price is significantly discounted due to a lack of pipeline capacity. “It’s actually Canada that subsidizes the United States in this regard,” Harper said.

    Nevertheless, Trump’s preferred foreign policy tactic is to hit first with economic sanctions and negotiate later. With his near total grip on U.S. government, he can now achieve all his aims through tariffs.



    Read more:
    Canada-U.S. tariff war: How it will impact different products and industries

    The imperial presidency

    Trump’s vision for his imperial presidency is organized around an old idea: the revenue tariff. Before income taxes, border tariffs were the primary source of income for government. But back then, government did a lot less.

    For example, America’s 19th-century navy of wooden sailing ships was purchased with tariffs. But it would be impossible to fund modern-day health care, student loans and $13 billion aircraft carriers with tariff revenues.

    A recent study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics shows the math doesn’t add up. Tariffs are levied on imported goods and are worth about US$3 trillion. American income tax is levied on incomes and are worth more than US$20 trillion. Government would have to be much smaller, and tariffs would have to be so high they would choke American trade, for tariffs to make economic sense.

    And yet Trump has a broad mandate. In the summer of 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. United States that presidents require a broadly defined “presumptive immunity from prosecution for … official acts.”

    This decision has given Trump the legal clout to force the entire federal government to answer to the president himself.



    Read more:
    US Supreme Court immunity ruling ideal for a president who doesn’t care about democracy

    War against democracy

    Trump is using his vast new mandate to wage multiple wars simultaneously. These wars against the guardrails of liberal democracy require the punishment of his enemies inside his own party.



    Read more:
    Canada should be preparing for the end of American democracy

    Republicans who have voted against Trump legislation during his first term faced high-profile challenges in the primaries as he funded their opponents. Today, the war is waged against those who are insufficiently loyal, including the highest ranks of the Coast Guard and the FBI.

    The war against the administrative state involves the mass firing of independent inspectors, federal lawyers and thousands of civil servants to be replaced by foot soldiers personally loyal to the leader.

    The Trump administration has sent out “deferred resignation” notices that invite the entire civil service to resign. This is the tactic Trump’s key adviser, Elon Musk, implemented at X, and it suggests a wave of firings will soon begin.

    Nonsensical trade war

    The trade war against Canada and Mexico is peculiar because neither country has expressed any willingness to abolish the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is among the achievements of Trump’s first administration.

    Nevertheless, the paranoid Trump seems to be convinced that he got a raw deal in 2018, and so he wants to scrap the whole treaty and negotiate something tougher that brings more jobs home.

    In 2024, the cars that were ranked most “American” in terms of their content and final assembly were made by Tesla, Honda and Volkswagen. By comparison, the best-selling the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck ranked No. 43 on the list. What Trump considers American and non-American isn’t clear, even to voters.

    A new Bank of Canada forecast predicts that American tariffs may reduce Canadian GDP by six per cent. The federal government is planning an enormous bailout package to compensate for widespread job losses like the one offered to businesses and individuals during the pandemic.

    Unsurprisingly, Trump divides Canada’s leadership. Alberta and Saskatchewan have publicly criticized the Team Canada approach. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to sign the joint federal/provincial statement and played to her secessionist base.



    Read more:
    Why Alberta’s Danielle Smith is rejecting the Team Canada approach to Trump’s tariff threats

    Even so, former Alberta premier Jason Kenney recognizes the peril, arguing that Alberta needs to “be prepared to retaliate … we can’t be wusses about this; we have to have a spine.”

    What’s next?

    Canada is an export-led economy based on natural resources. Its strength lies not in refusing to buy California wine or Florida orange juice. Its main sources of leverage are oil and gas, potash and uranium, rare earth minerals, timber products and hydroelectric power. But of all these, oil, uranium, and hydro-electric power are Canada’s biggest guns.

    It’s not yet clear how effective the Canadian government’s strategy will be. Previous rounds of retaliation after the steel and aluminum tariffs in Trump’s first term did not drive him to the negotiating table. It’s also unclear what the CEOs of Canada’s branch-plant multinational corporations will do when their loyalties are divided between Trump and Canada.

    Furthermore, it’s anyone’s guess how much the dissent of western Canadian premiers has hurt Canada’s case with Trump. Certainly, his preferred tactic is to divide and conquer.

    Finally, it’s unclear if Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s “Captain Canada” approach will earn the respect or disdain of Republicans — although, ultimately, it doesn’t matter what the rest of the American political class thinks because Trump and his inner circle are calling all the shots.

    In practical terms, there is little Canada can do to address the false accusations that it’s complicit in the illicit drug trade and in migrants crossing the border into the U.S. Facts don’t matter to Trump. He will eventually come up with a demand, and if Canada doesn’t give in, he will ramp up the economic pain.

    Welcome to the post-liberal world order.

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

    – ref. Donald Trump’s tariff wallop demonstrates the brute power of an imperial presidency – https://theconversation.com/donald-trumps-tariff-wallop-demonstrates-the-brute-power-of-an-imperial-presidency-247524

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –