NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government releases more Fast-track detail

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has released the independent Advisory Group’s report on the 384 projects which applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and further detail about the careful management of Ministers’ conflicts of interest, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

    Independent Advisory Group Report

    The full report has now been published by the Ministry for the Environment. It provides the full list of the 384 projects that applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and the Advisory Group’s recommendation for each project.

    “The Bill, as introduced, was going to contain two lists of projects with significant national or regional benefits: Projects listed in Schedule 2A of the Bill were intended to be ready to start the Fast-track consenting process as soon as the Bill passed into law, while the listing of a project in Schedule 2B confirmed that project’s national or regional benefits when it eventually sought Ministerial approval to enter the Fast-track consent process,” Mr Bishop says.

    “As we said when we released the list of projects last Sunday, the independent Advisory Group recommended to Ministers a total of 342 projects for inclusion in the Bill. Cabinet chose to include 149 of them after taking into account the capacity from expert panels to assess these projects.

    “When Ministers received the Advisory Group’s report it was clear that, because so many projects were suitable for 2A, having a separate list for Schedule 2B was unnecessary. The Government therefore proposes to amend the Bill to remove 2B.

    “Narrowing down the projects from the total of 342 recommended by the Advisory Group to the 149 which will be listed in the Bill wasn’t easy. The makeup of the final list is not a reflection of the quality of projects which weren’t chosen in the end, nor is it a sign that any future application to the Fast-track process for these projects would be unsuccessful.”

    Identification and management of conflicts of interest

    During the policy development process, Ministers sought advice on any conflict of interest matters from the Cabinet Office and management plans were put in place as appropriate. 

    “The Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development were delegated authority to determine which projects were to be listed in the Bill,” Mr Bishop says.

    For efficiency, Ministers each assessed specific sectors for listing:
      

    • As Minister of Infrastructure I assessed the Housing and Land Development, and Infrastructure projects (excluding transport and energy) 
    • the Minister of Transport assessed the Transport and Energy projects 
    • the Minister of Regional Development assessed the mining, quarrying and aquaculture and farming projects.    

    “In considering the projects recommended for inclusion in the schedule to the Fast-track Approvals Bill, Ministers were mindful of the need to manage any actual or perceived conflicts of interest between our pecuniary, personal or constituency interests and our ministerial responsibilities.  

    “Accordingly, we made arrangements with the Prime Minister’s agreement such that, where one of us identified a conflict of interest with a project, that Minister took no part in the consideration of that project and instead transferred their Ministerial responsibilities relating to that project to another Minister in accordance with section 7 of the Constitution Act 1986.  

    “Minister Jones identified conflicts of interest with eight projects and Minister Potaka was the Acting Minister of Regional Development in relation to consideration of those projects. Those projects were those submitted by:

    • Te Aupouri Fisheries Management Ltd 
    • James Murray Aquaculture Ltd
    • Taharoa Ironsands Ltd (3 projects)
    • Kings Quarry Ltd
    • Katikati Quarries Ltd
    • Matamata Metal Supplies

    “I identified one project with a potential conflict of interest due to a possible perception of having publicly advocated for it previously, and out of an abundance of caution I transferred the decision to Minister Brown. That project was Winton Land Limited’s Sunfield development in Auckland.”

    “It is important to note that these transfers applied only to the relevant Ministers’ decision-making responsibilities outlined above. Transfers were not required if conflicts of interest were identified in relation to projects for which that Minister did not have sector responsibility.

    “Once delegated Ministers had made decisions, the final list of projects was considered by Cabinet Committee and Cabinet. Ahead of those meetings, Ministers reviewed their interests and declared any conflicts of interest in relation to any of the listed projects.

    “Ministers who declared an interest with a particular project left the room for any discussion at Cabinet Committee or Cabinet relating to that project.”

    Attached:

    Letter confirming Fast-track delegated decisions process.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: From flood mop-up and rockfall remediation back to summer re-sealing in Coastal Otago

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    It’s that time of year again (although last weekend almost had us fooled): the days are getting longer and warmer and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) teams are embarking on a big season of road repairs and resealing across the Coastal Otago highway network.  (“Coastal” but it includes a big chunk of Otago hinterland also).

    Downer’s Highway Highlanders crews maintain, repair and rebuild the coastal/eastern side of Otago’s highways, including Dunedin, on behalf of NZTA.

    “We have a solid and extensive programme of work ahead to help improve our network,” says Ben Parker, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA, Coastal Otago.

    Highway Highlanders started delivering road reconstruction and resurfacing projects last month and work has now resumed after the recent floods, running through to March/April. As daylight hours increase, the warmer temperatures and dry air help new seals stick as intended to the road surface. 

    “While we welcome this work and the smoother road conditions each project will bring road users, we also want to remind drivers to take care around our crews and slow to the speed limit. Patience and a friendly wave makes all the difference to them given they work in all weathers, often in quite remote spots,” says Mr Parker.

    “If people can build in an extra 20 minutes to their journeys, it will help ease the pressure on everyone and reduce the temptation to make up time if there is a short delay on key routes. Our teams work extremely hard to ease delays and keep everyone moving.”

    We encourage everyone to check out NZTA’s highway map before heading off on a road trip:

    Smoothing out the Coastal Otago black ribbon of highway

    Overall, the Coastal Otago team has 116 lane kilometres, or 58 km of two-lane highway up for renewal treatments. For high impact projects, people will spot electronic message boards ahead of work starting, providing work dates and information.

    Rehabilitation (ie full road reconstruction) sites include:

    • SH85 three sites near Morrisons (between Kyeburn and Palmerston) – September to November
    • SH88 Station Road, Sawyers Bay – underway
    • SH1 Milton – dates TBC
    • SH87, between Outram and Lee Stream – dates to be confirmed.

    Resurfacing (asphalting) sites include:

    • SH88 Port Chalmers – completed (see photo below)
    • SH88 Anzac Avenue – completed
    • SH1 Barnes Drive Dunedin to the Glen, Southern Motorway – dates to be confirmed, end of October likely
    • SH1 Lookout Point, Dunedin to Burnside Overbridge – dates to be confirmed
    • SH1 Fairfield – dates TBC
    • SH1 Leith Saddle Summit – resurfacing starting 21 October
    • SH1 Green Island Offramp – dates to be confirmed.

    Chipsealing – many sites

    A number of areas of highway will be chipsealed this summer. These tend to be shorter duration projects with minimal delays for road users.

    Holidays

    The highways will be as free of work and crews as much as possible in the lead-in to Christmas and the New Year peak holiday periods when most traffic is on the roads. Resurfacing work will continue from mid-January into March/April.

    Work underway in George St, Port Chalmers, part of SH88, now completed ahead of the cruise ship season.

    Quick tips for happy summer travel

    • Remember, there will be delays on key routes.  Drivers should check road conditions before they travel – NZTA’s traffic pages(external link) and MetService for weather forecasts(external link)
    • Always take care when driving through road work sites and follow the temporary speed restrictions to ensure everyone stays safe. Our crews work year-round, they deserve to be safe.
    • Keeping your speed down where sealing work is underway or has just been completed not only helps chip to settle in the new road surface, it will also prevent stone chips flying into windscreens and protect road workers from injuries.
    • Leave about two car lengths between you and the car in front, four if the weather is bad.
    • Even if you can’t see workers on the road or it looks like works are finished when you come across a temporary speed limit sign, safety hazards may still be present. There could be loose chip from a recent re-seal, workers underneath a culvert or bridge or on the side of the road.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill  Biden at the 2024 Girls Leading Change  Celebration

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The East Room
    As we come together today, our hearts are breaking for the communities upended by yet another devastating hurricane. Families waiting for news of loved ones, of homes, of the places where their kids took their first steps, where they got married, where they built their lives. Maybe some of you know someone who’s been in the path of one of these storms. We grieve with you. And we stand with you. President Biden and Vice President Harris are making sure the affected areas have every resource they need. Welcome to the White House! I’m grateful to Congresswoman McIver for joining us to honor these girls. And we have some of the incredible girls from our first group of honorees with us. Thank you for coming back and supporting this year’s class. 
    Today, we say proudly, for all to hear, that girls are powerful. And that no one is too young to lead.
    Last year, I worked with the White House Gender Policy Council to create this event—to honor you, the next generation creating change right now. Our world isn’t always kind. And when you’re young—in middle school hallways and at high school lunch tables—it can feel like life is happening to you, like people are telling you what to think and who to be. Don’t let them. Each of you has a way of seeing life that no one else does—a perspective you add to every conversation, to every choice you make. And every time you show up as your true self—with your boldness, with your insight, with your questions—you shape our world.
    That’s what this years’ honorees did. They didn’t wait for life to happen to them. They stepped forward—spent their weekends and hours after school to make our world kinder, fairer, and filled with more possibility. You show us that girls can do anything, can be leaders and scientists, writers and entrepreneurs, advocates for change, and, of course, president! I teach writing and English at a community college not far from here. At the end of the school year, teachers hope our students feel changed. I know I do. But what you might not know is that you—all of you—you change your teachers too. My students’ perspectives challenge me and shape me. To the young girls in the audience, that’s true in your classrooms too. The conversations you have stay with your teachers and classmates long after the bell rings or summer break begins. You’re already changing the world, even though you might not realize it. Every time you tell us who you are, with the words you write, with the hours you dedicate to something you believe in. When you accept someone else for being themselves. When you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity and share what you’ve learned. It isn’t always easy, but it’s important. And that bravery is what we need in the face of our, at times, unkind world. It’s how we unlock new ideas, come up with innovations that might seem impossible to someone else. The earth is brighter because of you. Keep filling it with your ideas and your hard work, leading us toward the future you want to see. Thank you. *** Thank you all for the important work you’re doing. You’re already leading the next generation forward. Can we get another round of applause for our honorees? And Karine, I’m grateful to you for taking the time to join us today. To the middle-schoolers in the audience, to all the girls leading change, there’s something I want to point out to you. It’s the people in this room. They’re leaders of non-profits and tech companies. Military families and public servants. Elected officials from across the country. And they’re girls, just like you. They’re all here for you. To support you. They believe in you. And so do I. And so do your President and Vice President. Hold on to that unique perspective you have. And as you look to the future, know that you will never be alone. This community will be right there beside you. There’s power when we come together. A power to hold each other up, even when we want to crumble, to heal one another, to share our inner strength. To create lasting change. So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I—one person, one girl—can I make a difference?” Standing here, among all these incredible women and girls, we have an answer: Yes, you can! Let this community be a light we all carry inside us for the days to come, connecting us across generations, so the confidence of girlhood can become the courage of womanhood. Now, please enjoy the reception.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hurricane Milton plows across US Florida, leaving at least 10 dead

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hurricane Milton hit the southeast U.S. state of Florida overnight with strong winds, destructive tornadoes and heavy rain, leaving at least 10 dead and millions of people without power as of Thursday afternoon.

    Police officers and National Guard members clear a downed tree after Hurricane Milton strikes on Davis Island, Tampa City, Florida, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Photo credit: City of Tampa)

    Milton made its landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm and weakened to Category 1 as it plowed quickly across central Florida.

    St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry confirmed five fatalities as a result of tornadoes spawned by hurricane.

    “This has been a tragic 24 hours,” he said at a press conference.

    “Numerous homes and structures across St. Lucie County, including the City of Port St. Lucie and unincorporated areas, suffered significant damage,” said the county in an earlier news release.

    “As Hurricane Milton makes its way into the Atlantic, St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials strongly encourage residents to stay off the roads and stay inside until it has been deemed safe to do so,” said the release, adding that unnecessary traffic or bystanders will hinder response and recovery efforts.

    Three people were confirmed died in Volusia County, including one person killed after a tree fell, according to NBC News.

    In addition, two storm-related fatalities occurred in City of St. Petersburg, the news outlet reported.

    Over 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa, the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and the county seat of Hillsborough County, were rescued by responders, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook.

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X Thursday morning that over 3 million households were without power.

    He noted that more than 50,000 linemen were in the state working to restore power as efficiently and safely as possible while law enforcement officials and first responders were engaged in rescue missions throughout impacted areas.

    The Florida National Guard has activated over 6,500 service members for Hurricane Milton response operations, according to an update released by the governor’s office.

    U.S. President Joe Biden also wrote on X urging people impacted by Hurricane Milton to “stay inside and off the roads.”

    “Downed power lines, debris, and road washouts are creating dangerous conditions,” he said, adding that “Help is on the way.”

    The U.S. National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center warned that there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the coast from east-central Florida northward to southern Georgia, where a storm surge warning remains in effect.

    Heavy rainfall across the central to northern Florida Peninsula through Thursday morning continues to bring the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat. Damaging hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, will continue for a few more hours in east-central and northeastern Florida, according to the agency.

    Milton is the fifth hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast so far in 2024, with three of them striking Florida. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Celebrations held across China to mark Seniors’ Day

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

    Celebrations held across China to mark Seniors’ Day

    Updated: October 11, 2024 08:15 Xinhua
    A dance team of senior citizens rehearse at a park in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark the country’s Seniors’ Day, which falls on Oct. 11 this year. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Volunteers perform a folk dance for local seniors in Zunhua, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Children tap the legs for local seniors at an elderly care center in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A volunteer gives free haircut to an elderly woman in Qintaigeng Village of Binzhou City, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Volunteers make dumplings with local residents in Qingtuo Town of Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An elderly woman (L) tries on new clothes in Daguozhuang Village of Zaozhuang City, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Pupils talk with local seniors at a primary school in the Binhai New Area of north China’s Tianjin, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A photographer takes a picture for an elderly couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in Rongcheng, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A folk artist performs donkey dance for local seniors in Liaocheng, east China’s Shandong Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A police officer shares information on how to prevent telecom and internet fraud with local elderly residents at a park in Xinghua City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A volunteer gives free haircut to an elderly man in Yangzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Karama

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have arrested an adult female in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred early this morning.

    Around 1:00am, police received reports that a 39-year-old woman had allegedly assaulted a male with an edged weapon.  

    Both the victim and the offender were later transported to Royal Darwin Hospital to receive treatment.

    The matter is under investigation by the Northern Domestic Violence Unit.

    The male and female are known to each other.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada Passes Legislation for a First Phase of National Universal Pharmacare

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Today, the Pharmacare Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. The Minister of Health will continue working with provinces and territories to reach bilateral agreements to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar access to a range of contraception and diabetes medications.

    Pharmacare Act includes universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.

    October 10, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada 

    Everyone in Canada deserves access to the medications they need, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Canadians should not have to choose between purchasing the medications that keep them healthy and putting food on the table.

    Today, the Pharmacare Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. The Minister of Health will continue working with provinces and territories to reach bilateral agreements to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar access to a range of contraception and diabetes medications as the first phase of a national universal pharmacare program. These agreements will support reproductive freedom by providing up to nine million women and gender diverse people in Canada free access to contraception. Additionally, the 3.7 million people in Canada living with diabetes will have universal access to a suite of medications that reduce the risk of serious health complications and improve quality of life.

    The Act also requires that Canada’s Drug Agency develop a list of essential drugs and related products to inform the development of a national formulary, a national bulk purchasing strategy to help further reduce drug prices, and a pan-Canadian strategy on the appropriate use of prescription medications. The Government of Canada will consult with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners and stakeholders about the path forward to improve the accessibility, affordability, and appropriate use of pharmaceutical products. The Act also requires that a committee of experts be established within thirty days to make recommendations on the operation and financing of national, universal, single-payer pharmacare in Canada. 

    Passing the Pharmacare Act is a crucial step forward to improve health equity, affordability, and outcomes, and will result in long-term savings to the health care system. The government is determined to work towards a plan where Canadians can obtain their medication as prescribed, regardless of where they live or if they can afford it. 

    • Many Canadians have no insurance for prescription medication or are under-insured. In 2021, Statistics Canada found that one in five adults in Canada did not have the insurance they needed to cover their medication costs.

    • On February 29, 2024, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare (Pharmacare Act).

    • In addition to providing access to a number of contraception and diabetes medications, the Act will also establish a fund for diabetes devices and supplies to help Canadians manage and monitor their diabetes and administer their medication. 

    • On December 18, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the creation of Canada’s Drug Agency with an investment of over $89.5 million over 5 years, starting in 2024-25. The Agency will help Canadians achieve better health outcomes by providing the dedicated leadership and coordination needed to make Canada’s drug system more sustainable and better prepared for the future. 

    • On March 22, 2023, the Government of Canada announced measures in support of the first-ever National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, with an investment of up to $1.5 billion over three years to help increase access to, and the affordability of, effective drugs for rare diseases. Bill C-64 commits to a model for long-term funding through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, beginning with funding for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.

    • In August 2021, the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island (PEI) announced the Improving Affordable Access to Prescriptions Drugs Program that provides federal funding to PEI to improve access to prescription drugs and make them more affordable for Island residents. Since then, PEI residents have saved over $2 million in out-of-pocket costs on more than 230,000 prescriptions under PEI’s $5 copay program, which was launched in June 2023 and reduced copays for almost 60% of medications regularly used by Island residents. 

    Matthew Kronberg
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health
    343-552-5654

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Surveys Storm Damage in Madison County, Joins EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Assess Water Infrastructure in Haywood and Buncombe Counties

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Surveys Storm Damage in Madison County, Joins EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Assess Water Infrastructure in Haywood and Buncombe Counties

    Governor Cooper Surveys Storm Damage in Madison County, Joins EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Assess Water Infrastructure in Haywood and Buncombe Counties
    mseets

    Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Marshall in Madison County on Thursday morning where he was joined by Mayor Aaron Haynie as well as FEMA and state officials to survey storm damage. Following this visit, the Governor joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan to assess water infrastructure damage and discuss federal support to rebuild water systems in Western North Carolina.

    “Today I traveled to Marshall and the Madison County Emergency Operations Center, met with residents, first responders, soldiers and business owners and again saw how they are working together with local, state and federal officials to recover and rebuild,” said Governor Cooper. “I also surveyed sites with EPA Administrator Michael Regan where work is happening to restore clean drinking water and we discussed streams for federal funds that are needed to build back these systems stronger than ever. We’ll continue our unprecedented response with our federal, state, local and non-profit partners to surge resources where they’re needed in Western North Carolina.”

    In Marshall, the Governor was joined by FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan, NCDPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins and NCDEQ Secretary Mary Penny Kelley. During the Governor’s travels to Haywood and Buncombe counties with Administrator Regan, he visited an EPA mobile command center that provides a space for first responders and scientists to direct field activities, a mobile drinking water lab that is designed to help local and state governments lift boil water advisories and the North Fork Water Treatment Plant to review operations in the wake of the storm.

    Goods and services continue to flow into impacted communities through state, federal and local partners. The North Carolina National Guard and the Joint Task Force- North Carolina have assisted thousands of people who needed rescue, evacuation and other assistance.

    Photos from the Governor’s visit to Western North Carolina can be found here.

    North Carolina National Guard and Military Response

    More than 3,500 Soldiers and Airmen are now working in Western North Carolina. Joint Task Force- North Carolina, the task force led by the North Carolina National Guard is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, and numerous civilian entities are working side-by-side to get the much-needed help to the citizens in western North Carolina.

    National Guard and military personnel are operating 29 aviation assets and more than 1,200 specialized vehicles in Western North Carolina to facilitate these missions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to assess water and wastewater plants and dams. Residents can track the status of the public water supply in their area through a website launched on Saturday.

    FEMA Assistance

    More than $70 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western NC disaster survivors and more than 143,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. Approximately 1,250 households are now housed in hotels through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. Federal partners have delivered approximately 10 million liters of water and approximately 7.8 million meals in North Carolina to support both responders and people living in the affected communities.

    1,000+ FEMA staff are in the state to help with the western North Carolina relief effort. In addition to search and rescue and providing commodities, they are meeting with disaster survivors in shelters and neighborhoods to provide rapid access to relief resources. They can be identified by their FEMA logo apparel and federal government identification.

    The Major Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Cooper and granted by President Biden now includes 27 North Carolina counties (Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey) and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    North Carolinians can apply for Individual Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm daily or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA app. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

    Help from Other States

    More than 1,400 responders from 36 state and local agencies have performed 125 missions supporting the response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This includes public health nurses, emergency management teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, teams with search dogs and more.

    Beware of Misinformation

    North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials are cautioning the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. NCEM has launched a fact versus rumor response webpage to provide factual information in the wake of this storm. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage.

    Food, Water and Commodity Points of Distribution

    Efforts continue to provide food, water and basic necessities to residents in affected communities, using both ground resources and air drops from the NC National Guard. More than 20,000 hot meals a day are being prepared and served by mobile kitchens. Food, water and commodity points of distribution are open throughout western North Carolina. For information on these sites in your community, visit your local emergency management and local government social media and websites or visit ncdps.gov/Helene.

    Missing Persons

    To report a missing person or request non-emergency support, please call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state. NC 211 also has a registry page for missing persons and welfare check requests.

    Shelters

    A total of 16 shelters are open in Western North Carolina serving 695 people and 95 pets.

    Storm Damage Cleanup

    If your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.

    Power Outages

    Across Western North Carolina, approximately 90,000 customers remain without power as of Tuesday, down from a peak of more than 1 million. Overall power outage numbers will fluctuate up and down as power crews temporarily take circuits or substations offline to make repairs and restore additional customers.

    Road Closures

    Travel remains dangerous, with hundreds of roads closed. Many of these roads are primary routes connecting the region. As connectivity and reporting measures improve, these number may increase.

    NCDOT is asking people to avoid unnecessary travel to or in Western North Carolina. NCDOT has posted at ncdot.gov an interstate detour map for travelers to avoid western N.C. NCDOT currently has approximately 2,100 employees and 1,100 pieces of equipment working on approximately 6,000 damaged road sites.

    Fatalities

    Ninety-one storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. We expect that this number will continue to rise over the coming days. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will continue to confirm numbers twice daily. If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911. To report that you have been unable to reach a person in Western North Carolina, please call 211.

    Volunteers and Donations

    Due to dangerous road conditions and the need to maintain open routes for emergency operations, travel to Western North Carolina is strongly discouraged. Instead, consider the following options for donations and volunteer opportunities:

    • If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate. Donations will help to support local nonprofits working on the ground.
    • For information on volunteer opportunities, please visit nc.gov/volunteernc

    Additional Assistance

    There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.

    If you are seeking a representative from the North Carolina Joint Information Center, please email ncempio@ncdps.gov or call 919-825-2599.

    For general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit ncdps.gov/helene.

    If you are seeking information on resources for recovery help for a resident impacted from the storm, please email IArecovery@ncdps.gov.

    ###

    Oct 10, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Address to Aspen Medical Foundation annual report launch, Canberra

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, on whose traditional lands we meet, and pay respect to all First Nations people here today.

    Thank you to Glenn Keys and his team for the invitation to address you and launch Aspen Medical Foundation’s first annual report.

    Some starting presumptions. If you’re here today, it is highly probable you’re a friend to the Foundation, perhaps as a contributor to its initiatives, or as a beneficiary of them.

    I will also presume you appreciate the role played by smart, innovative philanthropy in modern society.

    The role of reimagining what’s possible.

    This annual report demonstrates how Aspen Medical Foundation’s contributions have done just that.

    I was particularly moved by the story of Dr Tahni Derbin, one of the Foundation’s First Nations scholarship recipients, who graduated last year from Griffith University with a medical degree.

    Dr Derbin’s example highlights the resonance of philanthropy. How helping an individual can create changes that reverberate through communities to uplift, transcend and inspire.

    Working across 3 pillars of First Nations Health, Disability Health and Indo‑Pacific Health – the Aspen Medical Foundation has focused on big impacts.

    Since its establishment in 2008, the foundation has provided a way for Aspen Medical’s shareholders to allocate a percentage of profits to charitable causes – generating social impact and public good from the success of the company.

    Across a range of the Foundation’s initiatives I see a common thread – a goal of inspiring health care workers and young doctors to build community resilience and lasting human impact.

    It shows a belief that people might ultimately be the best health solution. Producing grounded, networked and well‑trained health workers and health advocates is an investment in human potential well beyond the direct recipients.

    Ambassadors who can change behaviour and build health knowledge in their day to day relationships as well as their professional lives, reaching across their extended families and their community.

    It’s a broad community based approach which sets of ripples of influence that go beyond purely medical outcomes.

    One of the best examples of this ripple effect is the Maalpa Young Doctors for Life program. This program, running in Perth and the South West regions of Western Australia, aims to turn students into health ambassadors. It takes students aged between 9 and 12 and gives them culturally appropriate teaching on how to set their own ‘health destiny’ and improve the outcomes for their family.

    The students are shown practical and hands‑on skills by Aboriginal elders, doctors and paramedics across a range of personal hygiene, mental health and nutrition – and this gives them the authority to shape better habits around them.

    This is a program deeply rooted in First Nations culture and it’s a charming and subtle approach to improving health among family groups in the region.

    But the foundation is also able to react quickly to global challenges, funding life‑enhancing prosthetics to victims of the catastrophic conflict in the Ukraine.

    These subtle and agile approaches to big problems show philanthropy at its smartest and most compassionate.

    Doubling giving by 2030

    Two years ago, when the Albanese government committed to double philanthropic giving by 2030, we envisaged ourselves as one participant in a partnership that also included the business, philanthropy and non‑profit sectors.

    That’s why we asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a once‑in‑a‑generation inquiry to examine the policy framework supporting philanthropy.

    The result was the Future Foundations for Giving report, which contains short‑ and long‑term recommendations to improve conditions for giving.

    What we’ve already done

    As many of you know, the government has been laying the foundations to improve conditions for giving.

    These changes are a clear signal of the government’s commitment to sectoral reform.

    We’ve made regulatory changes so the system works for charities, not against them.

    For example, we reduced red tape by giving the ATO responsibility of the deductible gift recipient application process for environmental organisations, harm‑prevention charities, cultural organisations, and overseas aid organisations.

    These types of charities will now spend fewer resources meeting requirements and more on pursuing charitable purposes.

    Second, we created a new deductible gift recipient category for ‘community foundations’. These are charities that directly support local and regional communities across Australia. The guidelines for the ‘community charity’ deductible gift recipient category will be made available for public consultation this year and I encourage everyone to have their say.

    Third, we gave new powers and resources to the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission. It can now publish information about investigating misconduct allegations, which will improve transparency and accountability in the charity sector.

    Fourth, we established the not‑for‑profit–led Blueprint Expert Reference Group to identify priority areas for reform.

    The group is developing a blueprint to capitalise on the strengths and the experiences of not‑for‑profits around the country to chart a path to a better‑connected Australia.

    Closing remarks

    Let me finish by saying that I am sure you, like me, are excited to see what comes next from Aspen Medical Foundation. As well as from other philanthropic organisations like yours that are shaping the pathway to doubling giving by 2030.

    I am sure many of you are thinking about what comes next now that the Productivity Commission’s inquiry has been published.

    The double‑giving goal is not just a government objective – it’s a shared objective.

    I’d like to suggest that everyone asks themselves the same question. ‘How can I contribute to that goal?’

    The Productivity Commission’s recommendations, alongside the data contained in this first Annual Report, present Aspen Medical Foundation with the opportunity to ponder that question.

    And by taking the right steps, Dr Tahni Derbin will have many more fellow scholarship recipients and graduates working at her side by 2030.

    Thank you.

    References

    Aspen Medical Foundation (2024), Impact Report 2023/24, p 12.

    Aspen Medical (12 July 2024) Aspen Medical Foundation and Alcoa Foundation partner to being program empowering kids to become ‘Young Doctors’ to Western Australia [media release].

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Newcastle Airport lands sustainability funding – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    CommBank supports the growing gateway to the Hunter with a $235m Green Sustainability-Linked Loan.

    Newcastle Airport has successfully converted $235m of funding from CommBank to support sustainability initiatives over the next five years.

    CommBank acted as sole coordinator in the deal and will provide funding through an innovative Green Sustainability-Linked Loan (GSLL). The Green Loan component can fund energy efficient buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and control, electric vehicle transportation and biodiversity initiatives.

    The Sustainability-Linked Loan ties interest rates to performance on three sustainability outcomes, building on existing achievements:

    Set and work towards a science-based target for reducing scope 3 emissions, caused indirectly throughout the airport’s supply chain. As part of this, the airport will work with airlines and tenants to reduce supply chain emissions installing infrastructure to support stakeholders to meet their goals, collaborating on mutually beneficial initiatives and advocating for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) alternatives for the aviation industry.

    Maintaining the third-highest level in Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), one of only two airports in Australia to do so. The ACA independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions. Newcastle Airport’s accreditation showcases its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

    Waste reduction – committing to reducing waste to landfill for the entire airport precinct by collaborating with precinct stakeholders, investing in diversion initiatives and waste education programs.

    The new loan builds on Newcastle Airport’s commitment to achieving net zero scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by 2030. Some of the important ways the airport has progressed on its commitment include:

    Designing and building energy efficient structures: the new terminal build has received a 5-Star Green Star ‘Designed’ Record of Achievement from the Green Building Council of Australia. Innovation hub Astra Aerolab buildings under development are also targeting the same accreditations. The expanded terminal at Newcastle Airport achieving a 5 Star Green Star rating is a testament to its high level of sustainability and environmental performance.

    Renewable energy: new carpark roof now supports 1236 solar panels.
    New partnership with an Australian renewable energy retailer, allowing energy requirements to be met entirely through renewable sources. This is a significant step towards the airport’s commitment of achieving net zero scope 2 emissions well ahead of its original 2030 target.

    Newcastle Airport CEO Dr. Peter Cock thanked CommBank for its support and said the loan funding will play a crucial role in delivering the airport’s sustainability promise and is fundamental to its commitment of being the airport the region deserves.

    “The people of the Hunter have high expectations,” Dr Cock said. “Ongoing investment in energy-saving and green initiatives is a key driver of Newcastle Airport’s leadership in the sustainable energy space. The Hunter is a region in transition, and Newcastle Airport is committed to enabling that shift towards our region and nation achieving net zero.

    “Our partnership with CommBank contributes to global sustainability efforts and aligns with our goal to become the green gateway to NSW.”

    CommBank General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking, Vanessa Nolan-Woods, said: “We’re delighted to continue our ongoing partnership with Newcastle Airport and play a role in helping to support the growth and sustainability of the Hunter and Newcastle region.

    “Newcastle Airport is already making strong progress in the transition to net-zero and its desire to set ambitious new environmental targets as part of this new funding arrangement demonstrates a continued commitment to achieving sustainable outcomes and the development of a world-class gateway to the Hunter region.”

    Commenting on CBA’s commitment to the region, Ms Nolan-Woods said: “We have expanded our Business Banking and customer support teams on the ground to better support growth in the region. We are also incredibly proud of our specialist sustainable finance team who work with our bankers and their customers to help them innovate and accelerate sustainability objectives.”

    CBA is committed to supporting the aviation and transport sectors with sustainable finance. Recent transactions include:

    • Dysons Group: Structured financing to support electrification of bus fleet following Victorian Government’s award of 10-year metropolitan bus contract.
    • GoZero Group: Asset finance to support GoZero school bus electrification in New South Wales
    • North Queensland Airport: Sustainability-Linked Loan tied to better biodiversity outcomes and partnership with First Nations peoples.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Environment – E-waste Experts Urge Public: Stop Trashing Electronic Products with Ordinary Garbage

    Source: WEEE Forum

    14 tonnes of e-waste discarded with regular household garbage every year equals in weight ~24,000 of the world’s heaviest passenger planes – enough to form a queue from London-Helsinki, NY-Miami, Cairo-Tripoli, Bangkok- Calcutta

    International E-waste Day 2024:

    To mark the upcoming International E-Waste Day, Oct. 14, consumers worldwide are urged to collect dead and/or unused electronics and electrical products and give them a second life through reuse or repair, or recycle them properly.

    Proper e-waste management reduces CO2 equivalent emissions by 93 million tonnes per year

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to provide an update on pharmacare

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    October 10, 2024, Ottawa, ON – The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health will provide an update and answer questions from media about pharmacare.

    Date

    October 11, 2024

    Time

    7:30 AM

    Location

    The event will be held virtually only, on Zoom:

    https://hc-sc-gc-ca.zoom.us/j/63092931633
    Passcode: 716640

    To help ensure optimal sound quality, journalists are encouraged to use a microphone (headphones/headset) or, when possible, a landline, and to avoid using speaker mode if queuing up for questions.

    X: @GovCanHealth
    Facebook: Healthy Canadians

    Media Inquiries:

    Matthew Kronberg
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health
    343-552-5654
    matthew.kronberg@hc-sc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Health Canada
    613-957-2983
    media@hc-sc.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Save the Children – A girl marries every 30 seconds in countries ranked fragile and child marriage hotspots – New Report

    Source: Save the Children

    A girl is married every 30 seconds in countries ranked as fragile states and with high child marriage rates, with about 32 million adolescent girls living in these emergency hotspots, according to new analysis released today by Save the Children [1].
    Save the Children’s latest Global Girlhood Report 2024: Fragile Futures set out to analyse if there was a link between fragility and child marriage and found some 32 million girls are living in countries rated ‘extremely fragile’ or ‘fragile’ and with high child marriage rates – so called “fragility-child marriage hotspots”.
    Eight of 10 of the worst fragility-child marriage hotspots are located in Africa with the Central African Republic, Chad and South Sudan the worst affected, followed by Somalia and Eritrea [2].
    The report, released on International Day of the Girl, also found that the 36 million girls living in 15 countries ranked ‘extremely fragile’ by the OECD were twice as likely to marry under the age of 17 than girls in more stable countries. One in 10 children marriages occurs in these states [3].
    In extremely fragile countries, almost 558,000 girls – or one-in-four – give birth before their 18th birthday. Many of those girls will not have access to skilled birth attendants to support them through the heightened risks associated with adolescent pregnancy.
    The number of countries ranked as fragile has increased in recent years with the OECD listing 60 countries as fragile in its 2022 States of Fragility report. Of these 15 countries were ranked as ‘extremely fragile’ and 45 countries as ‘fragile’, with 170 million adolescent girls living in these countries. This was an increase from a total of 57 fragile countries in 2020 and 58 in 2018.
    Fragile countries are those where the government does not have enough control over responsibilities like law-making, law enforcement, managing the economy and the services that people need to be safe and healthy. They are also countries more often affected by crises like wars and climate disasters, which contribute to fragility and its consequences. Extremely fragile countries are those where these factors are the most extreme.
    Child marriage has devastating consequences for a girl’s life by depriving them of their rights to health, education, safety and participation. Girls married young are far less likely to stay in school, impacting their economic independence and decision-making, at higher risk of physical and sexual violence, and face more complications in pregnancy and child birth and infection with HIV/AIDS.
    Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said:
    “Our latest report reveals a devastating link between child marriage and fragile states, with girls living in extremely fragile countries twice as likely to marry than girls in countries experiencing periods of greater stability. The picture is bleak for these children; right now, no fragile country is on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on ending hunger, ensure education and health for all, or gender equality.
    “Fragility has also increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and is linked to many of the new crises we see today, eroding the systems communities rely on for healthcare, safety, education and income.
    “Persistent and unaddressed inequalities, the climate crisis and the erosion of children’s and human rights mean that girls’ lives continue to be shaped by a cycle of crisis and recovery. And this will continue unless urgent action is taken.
    “Governments are ultimately responsible for guaranteeing the rights of all people within their borders. For governments in fragile settings this is more difficult as they face the dual challenge of needing to do more to protect girls rights at a time when they are less able to deliver that support. More resources are needed to support the governments, civil society organisations and communities – including girls – in fragile settings to ensure they can respond to the needs. The governments of the fragile countries, UN agencies, civil society organisations, and donors must work together to ensure girls’ rights are protected.”
    To uphold girls’ rights and address child marriage in fragile settings, Save the Children is calling on governments, UN Agencies, civil society organisations and donors focused on development and humanitarian settings to collaborate across development and humanitarian contexts for girls’ rights. In doing so they must develop policy guidance to address child marriage and support girls’ rights in fragile settings, and must invest more in research and trialing new responses.
    As a child rights organisation dedicated to ensuring all children have an equal opportunity to survive, learn, and live free from violence, Save the Children works around the world to prevent and respond to child, early, forced marriage and unions around the world.
    Our key strategies include supporting girls’ empowerment, including through meaningful participation in decision-making; mobilising families and communities as allies for gender equality; providing improved and inclusive gender-responsive access to services; conducting research and budget analysis to inform technical guidance on good practice programming, laws and policies; and advocating to ensure governments and other decision-makers are accountable to girls.
    [1] The figures are calculations done by Save the Children UK’s research and data hub using publicly available demographic and health statistics. We use the latest available data points on child marriage (%) from UNICEF, skilled birth attendance for ages 15 to 19 (%) and birth under 18 (%) from UNICEF Data, and data on out of school girls from UNESCO UIS. Data on fragility is taken from OECD States of Fragility index 2022 which categorised countries as “Extremely fragile”, “Other Fragile”, and “Rest of the World”. Projections of female population by age groups in 2024 is taken from World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations. Adolescent girls refer to girl population from age 10 to 17 years of age. To find the absolute number of child marriages in fragile contexts, child marriage numbers are calculated using weighted average of girl population in the age group of 20-24 by country before aggregating the countries into the respective fragility context. Similarly, the same is done for maternal health statistics by the appropriate age groups.
    [2] Eight of 10 of the worst fragility-child marriage hotspots are located in Africa with the Central African Republic, Chad and South Sudan the worst affected, followed by Somalia and Eritrea. The other hotspots listed were Sudan, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan.
    [3] From OECD’s Fragile States Index – 36 million girls live in “extremely” fragile countries; 134 million girls live in ‘other’ fragile’ countries – meaning those that aren’t fragile enough to be ranked ‘extreme’; and a total of 170 million girls live in countries consider fragile in total (extremely + other fragile).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Two people rescued from Lake Whakatipu overnight

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Two people were successfully rescued overnight following a report that the pair did not return from a kayaking trip in Queenstown.

    At around 11pm, Police were notified of two people missing after going to Lake Whakatipu for their trip.

    Otago Lakes Central Acting Area Commander, Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts says, “Police Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard Queenstown, and two rescue helicopters were deployed to search for the pair.

    “They were located on the shore in the early hours of this morning, in a good condition.

    “While it is fortunate this incident was resolved successfully, this is one of the four recent Search and Rescue incidents in the last week in the Southern District, with one other involving kayaks and two with dangerous high rivers,” says Senior Sergeant Roberts.

    On 8 October, one person died following a water-related incident in Milford Sound, Southland after a report of two people needing assistance while kayaking.

    Police would like to use these incidents as a reminder for people to ensure they’re prepared when going out on a trip in the outdoors, especially in the water.

    Police urge anyone going near waters, no matter the skill level, to take the basic precautions to keep themselves safe in case something goes wrong.

    “If you get into trouble and are wearing a lifejacket, your chances of survival are much greater. Always wear a lifejacket.”

    Have a form of waterproof communication with you or use a waterproof bag to put your phone in, to put inside your lifejacket.

    “A registered personal locator beacon is the lifeline when in a life-threatening situation. It provides us with the essential information that can help us get to you.”

    New Zealand weather is unpredictable and could change at any moment, check the forecast and change your plans if needed.

    Tell someone where you are going and when you will come back – this can be crucial information for us to locate you.

    Take care of yourself and look out for each other, pack warm clothes and extra food, and take breaks often.

    Personal locator beacons can be hired for as little as $10 from many Department of Conservation Visitor Centres and outdoor tramping and hunting stores.

    If you have purchased a beacon, make sure you register it at http://www.beacons.org.nz.

    For more information on outdoor safety, helpful free resources and videos, head to https://www.adventuresmart.nz/.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel continues its assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran appears increasingly backed into a corner.

    Israel’s efforts to weaken Iran’s proxy network have focused on a number of objectives: eliminating key Hezbollah leaders, destroying their weapons and other military sites, and targeting large numbers of fighters and sympathisers.

    Hezbollah has undoubtedly been weakened over the past few weeks, which presents a dilemma for Iran. Could this sustained pressure on its main militant proxy group push Iran towards finally acquiring a nuclear weapon?

    Iran’s deterrence strategy

    The use of armed proxy networks as a deterrence strategy is a well-known approach employed by countries worldwide.

    Iran has successfully adopted this strategy for decades, starting with Hezbollah in Lebanon and extending to Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, various Iraqi militant factions, and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

    This strategy has allowed Iran to project power in the region and counter pressure from the United States, Israel and their allies, while deterring any direct military confrontation from its adversaries.

    Both Iran and Israel have until recently appeared reluctant to engage in a full-scale war. Instead, they have adhered to certain rules of engagement in which they apply pressure on each other without escalating to all-out conflict. This is something neither side can afford.

    Iran has long avoided direct confrontation with Israel, even when Israel has targeted its groups in Syria and assassinated several Iranian nuclear scientists over the past few decades.

    Recently, however, this strategy has shifted. Feeling the impact of Israel’s prolonged assaults on its proxy network, Iran has responded by launching two direct missile attacks against Israel in the past six months.

    This indicates that as pressure on Iran’s proxies intensifies, Tehran may increasingly resort to alternative strategies to reestablish effective deterrence against Israel and its Western allies.

    Some analysts believe Israel may now be gaining what is called “escalation dominance” over Iran. As one group of experts has explained, this happens when one combatant escalates a conflict

    in ways that will be disadvantageous or costly to the adversary while the adversary cannot do the same in return, either because it has no escalation options or because the available options would not improve the adversary’s situation.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a “harsh response” to Iran’s latest missile attack against Israel in early October. This could push Iran further towards changing its deterrence strategy, particularly if Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Calls for a new nuclear strategy

    With pressure growing on Iran’s leaders, the regime is now openly discussing whether to declare a military nuclear program.

    This would represent a major shift in Iranian policy. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, with no intention of developing a military component. The US and its allies have contested this assertion.

    On October 8, the Iranian parliament announced it had received draft legislation for the “expansion of Iran’s nuclear industry”, which will be discussed in parliament. The nature of this expansion is not yet known – it’s unclear whether it will include a military program. However, recent statements by Iranian officials suggest such an agenda.

    Kamal Kharrazi, a senior politician and member of the Expediency Discernment Council, a high-ranking administrative assembly appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, forewarned of a reconsideration of Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview in May, he said:

    Iran’s level of deterrence will be different if the existence of Iran is threatened. We have no decision to produce a nuclear bomb, but we will have to change our nuclear doctrine if such threat occurs.

    Calls in Iran for a revision of the country’s defence doctrine are growing louder. This week, nearly 40 lawmakers wrote a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, which decides on Iran’s general security policy. They demanded the council reconsider the current nuclear policy, noting that Khamenei’s fatwa forbidding the production of a nuclear bomb could be subject to change due to current developments.

    In the same vein, Ayatollah Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic revolution and former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, called last week for “enhancing the level of deterrence” against Israel. Iranian media interpreted this as referring to nuclear weapons.

    There have also been reports speculating that an earthquake in Iran last week could actually have been a nuclear bomb test.

    However, the US has said there is no evidence yet that Iran is moving towards building a nuclear weapon.

    Revived nuclear deal increasingly unlikely

    In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany and the European Union. This deal allowed it to pursue a civilian nuclear program with certain restrictions on its critical nuclear facilities. In exchange, the US and its allies agreed to lift sanctions on Iran.

    However, the US withdrew from the deal under then president Donald Trump in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Since then, Iran has barred several international inspectors from monitoring some of its nuclear sites.

    It is now believed to be just weeks away from producing enough weapons-grade material to build a bomb.

    Efforts to revive the nuclear negotiations have not gone far in recent years, though Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has suggested his government would be willing to engage again with the West and resume the talks.

    Yet, if Israel carries out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in retaliation for last week’s missile attack, as has been speculated, Iran may deem it necessary to opt for the weaponisation of its nuclear program instead.

    If Iran declares a military nuclear program, it would do so with the expressed intention of restoring a deterrence balance with Israel that could prevent a full-scale war. Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has never confirmed it.

    However, such a decision is likely to have dire implications for both Iran and the region.

    It would undoubtedly lead to more international pressure and US sanctions on Iran, making it even more isolated. And it could spark a nuclear arms race in the region, as Saudi Arabia has already pledged to pursue a nuclear arsenal if Iran develops one.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with Middle east Council on Global Affairs (Doha).

    Ali Mamouri 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. As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb? – https://theconversation.com/as-the-conflicts-in-the-middle-east-dramatically-escalate-could-iran-acquire-a-nuclear-bomb-240893

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Further federal funding for innovative safety solutions at regional level crossings

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Four projects will share in $800,000 under Round 2 of the Research and Innovation Grants, a component of the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program (RALCSP).

    Through the Research and Innovation Grants, the Australian Government is delivering a total of $4.7 million from 2023-24 to 2025-26 to support research and trials of low-cost, innovative level crossing safety technology and improvements.

    These latest projects are in addition to the six projects already underway, which received a total of $2.8 million in federal funding under Round 1.

    They will investigate human behaviours at level crossings, trial radar technology that detects upcoming obstacles, engage predictive models to identify high-risk level crossings, and use analytics tools to promote low cost and efficient upgrades.

    The results will be used to inform ongoing activities under the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy currently being delivered jointly by the Australian Government, local governments, rail and heavy vehicle industry associations, and regulators.

    This is yet another demonstration of our Government’s commitment to achieving the goal of zero harm at level crossings, and finding better ways to improve the safety of level crossings in the regions.

    Currently, most level crossings in regional Australia have either give way or stop signs, particularly where there is no reliable electricity source.

    To address this, the $180.1 million RALCSP is also providing funding to deliver infrastructure upgrades such as rumble strips or boom gates, improve data, and promote safe behaviours around level crossings.

    This is consistent with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 which sets a goal for the Australian, state and territory governments of reducing road deaths by 50 per cent and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2030. 

    I look forward to seeing these latest projects get underway, to help us pave a safer road and rail future in Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police arrest man following alleged road rage incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have charged a man following a suspected road rage incident in Onehunga yesterday, which left a bus driver injured.

    Yesterday afternoon at about 2.20pm, Police were notified of a person who had received an injury during the incident near Onehunga Mall.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City’s Crime Squad, says the offender allegedly threw a wrench at the bus driver during the incident.

    “The wrench went through an open bus window and hit the driver in the head, resulting in an injury above his eye.

    “The victim was transported to hospital and is now recovering at home.

    “Our teams have been making a number of enquiries to identify and locate the person responsible and this morning arrested a man at a Randwick Park address.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says he is aware of the effect these types of incidents can have on the community and support is being provided to the victim.

    “I want to reassure the public that there is no place for this type of violence in our community.

    “No one deserves to come to work and be subjected to this type of behaviour.

    “Police will continue to identify and hold offenders to account for these of brutal crimes.”

    A 30-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court in the coming days, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless driving and driving while suspended.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Supports Life-Saving and Life-Sustaining Response Efforts following Hurricane  Milton

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, the Federal government pre-staged personnel and resources to ensure a robust and immediate response effort could begin once the storm passed. Following Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration is working alongside State and local officials to carry out life-saving response efforts. As conditions on the ground begin to improve, first responders have begun assessing damage and assisting communities. The top response priorities include search and rescue, power restoration, route clearance, and debris clean-up.
    President Biden and Vice President Harris have been regularly briefed about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton, as well as the Federal government’s ongoing support to State and local officials for their rescue and response efforts. This morning, President Biden spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the initial impacts of Hurricane Milton. The President reiterated that he will provide any Federal support the State needs to speed response and recovery.
    President Biden directed FEMA to immediately open disaster recovery centers across the impacted communities so there are one-stop-shops for residents to learn about all the Federal support that is available to them and apply for assistance in person.
    Additionally, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration authorized Florida Power and Light to fly large drones to quickly assess the damage to the power grid, so ground crews can restore power more quickly.
    The President directed Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess how fast they can re-open the Port of Tampa to get fuel, food, water, and basic goods flowing into the area again.
    More than 50,000 workers from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada already are dedicated to the power restoration efforts, beginning that work as soon as it was safe to do so. Additionally, three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Temporary Power teams are staged in the region to provide temporary power to critical facilities, such as hospitals.
    FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been on the ground in Florida since last night, and today she surveyed the damage alongside her State and local counterparts. She will continue working closely with them to determine any unmet needs. She is joined on the ground by more than 1,000 Federal responders.
    Since last night, the President has spoken with numerous Florida officials, including: Senator Rick Scott; Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Anna Paulina Luna; Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward; Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson; Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Pasco County Chair Ron Oakley; and Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. The President told each of them to call him directly if they need additional assistance on rescue, response, and recovery efforts. The President also emphasized that he will be with them and their communities before, during, and after the storm. The Vice President has also spoken to officials from impacted areas.
    These urgent efforts are in addition to the expansive Federal response and recovery efforts underway across the Southeast and Appalachia following Hurricane Helene.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Continues “Invest in NH Tour” with Visit to Lakes Region Community College to Discuss Paramedic Certificate Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Laconia, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, continued her “Invest in NH Tour” with a visit to Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) to learn more about its paramedic certificate program. The “Invest in NH” tour highlights the important funding opportunities Shaheen has secured for New Hampshire. In the fiscal year (FY) 2023 government funding bill that was signed into law, Shaheen secured more than $111 million for New Hampshire-specific projects. Photos from the event can be found here.
    “Paramedic certificate programs, like the one established at Lakes Region Community College, are critical to addressing the shortage of emergency medical personnel and first responders in New Hampshire and saving lives,” said Senator Shaheen. “I was proud to secure funding that is helping the program provide essential, life-saving training while also setting students of up for life-long, successful, careers as first responders.”
    Shaheen secured a $580,000 award for Lakes Region Community College to establish a new Paramedic training and certification program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 government funding bill through the congressionally directed spending (CDS) process. The funding is being used to offset tuition costs for students and to address instructional costs for the program. Recognizing the barriers facing potential students, LRCC has designed a 12-month program with flexible and convenient schedules for working firefighters and EMTs.  
    Through her role on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen has routinely fought to provide funding for New Hampshire’s community colleges and professional training programs. In April, Shaheen toured the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship to discuss rural entrepreneurship after securing $528,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to support the center. Last fall, Shaheen visited Nashua Community College (NCC) to learn about its new Aviation Technology Center. She secured funding to support the purchase of updated training aids and equipment for the Center.
    Shaheen has led efforts to address the shortage of emergency medical professionals and first responders throughout New Hampshire. In August, Shaheen joined New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation to announce more than $2.9 Million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to Support Granite State Firefighters. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 10th, 2024 Heinrich Unveils N.M. Minority Business Development Center’s New Office in Albuquerque

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    Heinrich was instrumental in establishing and standing up the Minority Business Development Center in New Mexico
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, joined Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, community leaders, and small business owners to unveil a new, larger office space for the New Mexico Minority Business Development Center (Business Center) as part of a new Business Resource Center that will also house the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office.
    Heinrich wrote the legislative provision that established and funded the New Mexico Business Center in 2020, securing more than $2.5 million in federal resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency for its staffing and programming.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the newly expanded office space for the New Mexico MBDC in Albuquerque, October 10, 2024.
    “Local businesses are the beating hearts of our communities and backbone of our economy. That’s why, four years ago, I wrote the federal legislative provision that re-opened New Mexico’s Minority Business Development Center and fought to fund its operations. And it’s why I am so pleased to celebrate this expanded Center in Albuquerque and the locations now open in Las Vegas and Las Cruces,” said Heinrich. “With the $2.5 million-plus in federal resources I’ve been able to deliver, we are expanding support for local businesses across our state as they create the types of careers New Mexicans can build their families around, in their home communities.”  
    Background:
    The federal Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission is to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential. The MBDA supports a national network of Business Centers and technical assistance programs that help entrepreneurs and small business owners overcome obstacles and grow their businesses.
    In 2018, New Mexico’s previous Minority Business Development Center closed. In 2020, Heinrich authored report language in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Appropriations Bills that required the U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency to re-open a new Business Center in New Mexico. 
    Heinrich then worked closely with the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce to secure an initial $300,000 in federal funding to help establish the new Business Center, along with delivering $1.875 million in federal funding to support the first five years of its operations. 
    In subsequent funding cycles, Heinrich has secured additional federal resources to expand the staffing and services offered by the Minority Business Development Agency in New Mexico. 
    In the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to help the Business Center hire two more business advisors based in Las Cruces and expand the reach of their services throughout New Mexico. 
    In the FY2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured an additional $200,000 CDS to help the Business Center launch a new technical assistance project that will provide professional business development services to support and promote the growth and success of minority-owned businesses across the state. 
    Earlier this year, Heinrich included $300,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending within the FY2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, which advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in August, to help the Business Center create a Food and Beverage “New to Export” Cohort that will provide comprehensive support to business enterprises looking to export their products.
    Heinrich recently welcomed the opening of a new Minority Business Development Centerin Las Cruces, thanks to the federal funding he secured in the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, and an additional $183,000 award from the MBDA and $20,000 from the City of Albuquerque to open a new Rural Minority Business Development Center in Las Vegas.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair to gather over 30,000 enterprises offline

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 10 — Over 30,000 enterprises from home and abroad will be in physical attendance at the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

    The fair will be held in Guangzhou in three phases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4, and is set to include 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters.

    Approximately 390,000 digital and smart products will be showcased at this session, skyrocketing 300 percent from the 135th Canton Fair, and the number of green and low carbon products will be up 130 percent from the previous session, according to ministry official Xiao Lu.

    As of Wednesday, about 125,000 overseas buyers from 203 countries and regions have expressed their willingness to attend the 136th fair.

    A record high of over 750 trade promotion activities will be held this session, alongside approximately 400 activities to launch new products, with that number up by over 30 percent from the previous fair.

    The functions of the online platform for the 136th Canton Fair have been optimized further, the ministry said, noting that 48,000 enterprises have uploaded 3.75 million products to the platform, with both of those figures reaching historic highs.

    Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China’s foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Testing of contactless payment technology coming to airport bus route

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    From December 2024, customers using Christchurch’s Route 29 bus – Metro’s most direct route between Christchurch Airport and the CBD – will be able to use contactless credit and debit cards for the first time on Metro buses.

    The pilot technology will enable customers to pay with their debit or credit card, including via mobile devices, charging the standard adult fare of $2.

    Metrocard payment will still be available, which customers will need to use to access concessions. Cash will also continue to be accepted during the pilot.

    Environment Canterbury director of public transport Giles Southwell says the live testing on Route 29 will help ensure the new contactless payment technology is working well before we deliver the first phase to Canterbury customers.

    The new Motu Move card reader

    “Contactless payments via debit or credit card on Route 29 will be part of the national testing of the system. Customers using the Greater Christchurch Metro network can continue to use their Metrocards until the new Motu Move ticketing system is fully rolled out here next year.

    “Having contactless payments on this route will bring the benefit of an additional way to pay for visitors and residents travelling to and from the airport.”

    Motu Move to roll out in 2025

    Motu Move’s launch, in Timaru and Temuka, will follow in early 2025, with delivery in Greater Christchurch starting after this.

    Giles says a smooth transition to Motu Move is the key reason for having the Route 29 pilot, and then a phased implementation of the solution.

    “It’s vital that we do this right so our customers have a great experience with the new system from day one.

    “Our priority is to make sure Cantabrians are supported in the change to Motu Move and that it gives customers an experience that’ll make travel by bus and ferry easier. Adding a pilot of contactless payments first and waiting just a little longer to start the roll out in Timaru and Temuka, and then Christchurch will help ensure that happens.”

    More information about the specific dates and details for the Motu Move national ticketing rollout in Canterbury will be finalised in the next few months. See information about the rollout dates for other regions on the NZTA website.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches third high-orbit internet services satellite

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying a new high-orbit internet services satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China on Thursday sent a new high-orbit internet services satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the country’s southwestern Sichuan Province.
    The satellite was launched at 9:50 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and then entered its preset orbit. It is the third member of an internet delivery high-orbit satellite group.
    The launch was the 538th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, the launch center said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Powering up the food system (PPF)

    Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Powering up the food system (PPF)

    People | Planet | Food – Roger Robson-Williams speaks with Mike Casey, about producing cherries without using fossil fuels and running a charity called Rewiring Aotearoa.
    They discuss what it takes to build a fully electrified orchard and the emerging opportunities for farmers and growers to help address growing demand for renewable power. Mike explains how Rewiring Aotearoa is helping kiwis save money on energy bills, reduce their carbon emissions, and have the resilience to keep their lights on and homes warm. This episode highlights the changing relationship between energy, food production, and the everyday decisions we all make about how to live our lives.
    For further information on Rewiring Aotearoa see: http://www.rewiring.nz
    To view our full catalogue of podcasts go to our Scigest page: http://www.plantandfood.com/scigest

    – –

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada gathered in Vientiane, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic on 10 October 2024, at the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience, in support of the priorities of the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024; 

    Recalling the establishment of an ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership on 6 September 2023 and REAFFIRMING our shared commitment to jointly address new challenges, including through cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); 

    Emphasising the importance of adhering to key principles, shared values and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 

    Recognising the long history of cooperation between ASEAN and Canada since the establishment of Dialogue Relations in 1977; 

    Noting that both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy share relevant fundamental principles in promoting an ASEAN-centred, open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law; 

    Acknowledging Canada’s support for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, which underscores Canada’s commitment to regional peace, security and prosperity and to ASEAN integration and ASEAN Community-building process; 

    Supporting this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”; 

    Noting that Canada, as G7 president in 2025, is keenly interested in ensuring that its presidency is informed by the views of ASEAN Member States; 

    We hereby declare our intention to:

    1. Expand collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership which will include a special focus in 2024-2025 on ASEAN-Canada digital cooperation, and an expanded Canadian commercial engagement in the ASEAN region. 
    2. Build on the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) and support the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans as well as the implementation of the AOIP.

    Connectivity 

    Cooperation on Transforming for the Digital Future 

    1. Strengthen digital cooperation between ASEAN and Canada, noting Canada’s interest in becoming a Dialogue/Development Partner of the ADGSOM. 

    Cooperation on Integrating and Connecting Economies 

    1. Strengthen economic ties by increasing ASEAN-Canada trade and investment, including through Team Canada Trade Missions to the ASEAN region. 
    2. Promote greater regional economic integration, development, and resilience, including through the timely conclusion of an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) and underscore our shared commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system; and achieve fair, open and free markets, as well as sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development. 
    3. Welcome the establishment of the Export Development Canada office in Jakarta, and planned expansion to other countries in Southeast Asia, striving to support Canadian companies doing business in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets through direct financing to Canadian exporters and investors and support local buyers involved in projects with Canadian content. 
    4. Welcome the establishment of FinDev Canada’s office in Singapore, which will accelerate the deployment of the corporation’s equity, financing, blended financing and technical assistance solutions in the region, enabling sustainable development and inclusive growth through the private sector. 

    Resilience 

    Environmental Cooperation 

    1. Support ASEAN’s objectives to enhance sustainable development, including strengthening resilience against climate risks, extreme floods and droughts, including through relevant ASEAN regional mechanisms, ASEAN centres, and institutions. 
    2. Advance ocean management initiatives in the region, in line with the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action, including by supporting ocean and climate scientific research, promoting biodiversity protection and conservation initiatives, and monitoring and enforcement capacity. 

    Food Security 

    1. Advance technical cooperation by sharing best practices and capacity building in research and development on agricultural product and agri-food innovation in the agricultural sector to support long-term, reliable trade relationships and a stronger supply chain as outlined in the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises. 
    2. Welcome the establishment of Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila which aims to strengthen ASEAN-Canada cooperation on food security and promote mutual trade objectives in the agriculture sector. 
    3. Explore possible cooperation to promote responsible fishing practices and to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

    Cooperation on ASEAN Centrality 

    1. Promote maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded commerce, mutual trust and confidence, the exercise of self-restraint, the non-use of force or the threat to use force, and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the relevant instruments and conventions of the International Maritime Organisation. 
    2. Enhance cooperation in maintaining peace, security and stability, and addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, including maritime security; transnational crime such as trafficking in persons, people smuggling, illicit precursor and drug trafficking; non-proliferation and disarmament; cyber security and cybercrime; international terrorism and violent extremism, with support from Canada’s capacity building efforts, including through the Anti-Crime and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programs, and in alignment with the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime. 

    Cooperation on Women’s Empowerment and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) 

    1. Commit to strengthen efforts in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda globally, including through sharing of information and best practices, enhancing security related cooperation in the context of WPS within the ASEAN-led mechanisms, launching of a regional WPS initiative; advancing the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations and regionally, the ‘Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace’ initiative and cooperation with UN Women involving CAD8.5 million to support ASEAN-led efforts to advance the WPS agenda in ASEAN including support for the implementation and localisation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS. 

    Cooperation on Health Security Initiatives 

    1. Further promote health security and health system resilience through ongoing support for the ASEAN-Canada Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) in the ASEAN Region Program, including supporting the development and operationalisation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Biosafety and Biosecurity and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and other collaboration to enhance regional preparedness and response to future health crisis. 
    2. Further strengthen collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada MBT in the ASEAN Region Program to enhance capacities to prevent, detect and respond to all manner of biological threats, whether natural, accidental or deliberate in origin. 

    Cooperation on Disaster Management 

    1. Enhance cooperation between ASEAN and Canada to support the implementation of ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme (2021-2025) and the next AADMER Work Programme, as well as strengthen collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). 

    Cross-Cutting Issues 

    1. Commit to consolidate the ASEAN-Canada partnership and strategic engagement through more frequent and meaningful dialogues at various levels. We welcome Canada’s support for ASEAN-led mechanisms and note its interest in joining the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), subject to these mechanisms’ respective enlargement processes. 
    2. Strengthen Canada’s support for ASEAN’s increased engagement with international and multilateral fora, including the UN, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20, and in Canada’s role as G7 president in 2025 to explore synergies and collaboration with ASEAN as it adopts the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans. 
    3. Support ASEAN’s efforts in narrowing the development gaps, including through the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025) and its successor documents as well as sub-regional frameworks in the ASEAN region, which would contribute to promoting sustainable and equitable development and inclusive growth across the ASEAN Community by aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive development of ASEAN. 
    4. Recognise the importance of further enhancing regional connectivity, including through support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document and the ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda, as well as promoting links and synergies with other relevant connectivity initiatives through ASEAN’s Connecting the Connectivities approach. 
    5. As we adopt this Joint Statement, we task our relevant officials to implement the above initiatives to complement the programmes and goals identified in the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) as well as the Joint Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit. We reaffirm our commitment to our relationship, as ASEAN and Canada commence negotiations of the next iteration of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2026 – 2030). 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: We must ‘help way earlier’ – united call to address systemic failures of Australia’s youth justice systems

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    Joint media release: Justice Reform Initiative and Australian Human Rights Commission 

    Law and justice leaders, parliamentarians, First Nations leaders, child safety advocates, community service providers, peak organisations, and people with lived experience of child imprisonment from around Australia will come together for a landmark parliamentary event in Canberra on Thursday.

    Amid an increasing national spotlight on the systemic failures of harmful youth justice practices across the country, more than 120 representatives – including former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce and Members of Parliament from all sides of politics – will converge in Canberra to recognise the urgent need for systems reform and for child justice, safety and well-being to be made a national priority.

    Co-hosted by the Justice Reform Initiative and National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, the meeting comes as submissions for the first Federal Senate Inquiry into Australia’s child justice system are set to close on Thursday.

    The event will include a panel discussion featuring four remarkable speakers who have experienced incarceration as children and have critical insights into what needs to change. They will be joined by Anne Hollonds (National Children’s Commissioner who will also provide a brief overview of her report), and Natalie Lewis (Commissioner for the Queensland Family and Child Commission).

    The event follows the tabling in Parliament of the National Children’s Commissioner’s major report ‘Help Way Earlier!’ How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing, and her address at the National Press Club last week.

    Among its 24 recommendations, the ‘Help Way Earlier!’ report specifically calls for:

    • a National Taskforce for Child Justice Reform
    • a National Cabinet Minister for Children
    • a Ministerial Council for Child Wellbeing reporting to National Cabinet 
    • legislation to protect the human rights of children.

    Comments attributed to National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds:

    “Our ‘Help Way Earlier!’ report finds that in Australia we have misunderstood the problems we are trying to solve – that the criminal justice system is not able to reduce offending by children and make the community safer.

    “The evidence shows that the younger you lock up children, the more likely it is that they will go on to commit more serious and violent crimes. Making the justice system more punitive through longer sentences, tougher bail laws, and building more children’s prisons is the wrong approach.

    “That’s because offending by children is a symptom of underlying causes and needs that we are failing to address. Instead we need to pivot towards the solutions based on decades of evidence, to transform our approach and work together across the federation to address the underlying causes of crime by children, and that will make communities safer for everyone.’

    Comments attributed to Chair of the Justice Reform Initiative, Robert Tickner AO:

    “Australia is failing its children every day with a failed approach to youth justice. As the National Children’s Commissioner’s report makes abundantly clear, it’s time for the Commonwealth to step up and show national leadership, working with the states and territories for a better approach.

    “The social factors which drive the crisis in youth justice have been allowed to worsen over time without adequate attention from either side of politics. The unanimous Senate support for an inquiry, set to be tabled in November, is acknowledgment of the need for major systemic change and national leadership to drive that change.

    “Too many children around Australia are managed in prisons, rather than receiving the support and care and opportunity they need in the community. Imagine if schools across the country failed two-thirds or more of their students, or if our hospitals had a death rate of two-thirds of patients or higher. About two-thirds (66%) of children aged 10 to 16 who are released from sentenced detention receive another supervised sentence within 6 months, and more than 4 in 5 (85%) within 12 months.

    “We are paying an enormous price for this failure – both socially and economically. Locking up children across Australia now costs more than $855 million each year at a cost of $2,827 per child per day, equivalent to over $1 million per year per child.

    “This is an issue which should be on the agenda of the National Cabinet. As the Prime Minister has noted, we need state and territory collaboration to develop a national model of best practice based on the evidence of what works to turn young lives around. As a cross party national organisation, the Justice Reform Initiative is calling for youth justice to be taken out of the hothouse war zone of party politics and for our political leaders to come together to support evidence-based policy which reduces crime and makes our communities safer.”

    MEDIA NOTE: The event will be held at 7.30- 9.30am in the Mural Hall. National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, Justice Reform Initiative chair Robert Tickner AO, Law Council President Greg McIntyre and Australian Medical Association President Danielle McMullen will be available for comment immediately following the event.

    Media contact: Pia Akerman 0412 346 746

    The Initiative respectfully acknowledges and supports the current and longstanding efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reduce the numbers of Indigenous people incarcerated in Australia and, importantly, the leadership role which Indigenous-led organisations continue to play on this issue. We also acknowledge the work of many other individuals and organisations seeking change, such as those focused on the rate of imprisonment for women, people with mental health issues, people with disability and others.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Agree on Technical Partnership for the Future of the Automotive Industry

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Agree on Technical Partnership for the Future of the Automotive Industry

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced today that they have concluded a basic agreement on entering a technical partnership concerning MoneyGram Haas F1 Team vehicle development and collaborative efforts. Through this partnership, the two sides aim to contribute to the development of the automotive industry by creating an environment in which young Japanese drivers, engineers, and mechanics can gain experience and grow in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the pinnacle of motorsports.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB, Papua New Guinea Agree on Action Plan to Accelerate Project Implementation

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (11 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) today agreed on a timebound action plan to accelerate the implementation and improve the performance of ADB-financed projects at the 2024 Country Portfolio Review Mission Roundtable Meeting.

    Co-chaired by ADB Country Director for PNG Said Zaidansyah and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring Acting First Assistant Secretary Reichert Thanda and attended by government officials—including Department of Works and Highways Acting Secretary Gibson Holemba and Department of Treasury Deputy Secretary John Uware—project directors, and ADB staff, the hybrid meeting discussed the overall performance of the portfolio, reviewed projects, and delegated responsibilities with executing agencies and implementing agencies.

    “As the biggest multilateral development partner of PNG, ADB will continue to support diversified, sustained, and inclusive growth in the country,” said Mr. Zaidansyah. “The development impact and effectiveness of ADB’s support depend on the quality of the portfolio performance and we will continue to collaborate with the government to improve the portfolio performance and build the capacity of the relevant government agencies.”  

    ADB’s active program in PNG includes 15 loans and 6 grants with 10 projects amounting to $1.38 billion. The largest sectors ADB is supporting are transport (roads and civil aviation)—comprising 60% of the total active portfolio—and energy (20%) in response to the large infrastructure gap in the country. The human and social development sector, building resilience to climate and supporting gender equity, are also integral parts of ADB’s active portfolio. ADB is also actively working on public sector management, including state-owned enterprise reform.

    The action plan designed to improve the portfolio performance focuses on contract and project management, procurement, financial management, social and environmental safeguards, and gender equality. ADB and the government will closely monitor the progress of the agreed actions.  

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Booth debuts at 2024 IMEX America

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China presented a fresh image in the global MICE tourism market, business insiders told Xinhua Thursday when IMEX America 2024 concluded in Las Vegas.

    MICE, meaning Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, is a type of business travel that involves large groups of people gathering for meetings, conferences, incentives, and exhibitions.

    According to a report released by the Fortune Business Insights in September, the global MICE market was valued at 904.30 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and is projected to grow from 970.76 billion dollars in 2024 to 1,932.73 billion dollars by 2032.

    It’s the reason why China prompted its MICE tourism resource in the most important annual exhibition of the industry by debuting a booth for the first time, Wu Dawei, the China National Tourist Office Los Angeles Director, explained to Xinhua.

    China aims at showing the country’s new look in the global MICE travel market and providing global buyers with a rich variety of MICE travel options, he noted.

    “During the exhibition, the Chinese delegation held several rounds of meetings with hundreds of international buyers to discuss in-depth cooperation in conference planning, product design and event organization in the future, which is expected to inject new vitality into China’s MICE market,” he said.

    Debra Brown from SmartBird World Travel in Atlanta, visited the China Booth on the first day of the exhibition. She planned to discuss with the China National Tourist Office Los Angeles about a conference she is organizing in Nanjing next year.

    The China Booth was joined by the cultural and tourism departments of Beijing, Shanghai, Shaanxi, and Chongqing, along with several MICE service providers from China, and Air China that provides flexible and efficient transportation solutions for international MICE groups by leveraging its extensive route network and convenient transfer services.

    They held multiple rounds of meetings with buyers from across the globe, showcasing China’s rich historical and cultural resources, its modern conference facilities and international business environment while exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

    “These discussions are expected to inject new vitality into China’s MICE tourism market,” Wu said.

    Lu Jiangtao, representative from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said that the largest city of China is positioning itself as the primary entry point for inbound tourism to the country.

    “Participating in the exhibition allows Shanghai to gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends and market demands in the global MICE industry,” he said.

    Guan Ting from Beijing BTG Tourism Development Co. told Xinhua that he had engaged with several professional counterparts worldwide at the three-day show to explore new markets and opportunities.

    “It will positively impact our group’s future development in the international market,” he said. BTG is a subsidiary of Beijing Capital Tourism Group.

    IMEX America is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry. This year’s show, kicked off Tuesday, attracted thousands of buyers and participants.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hurricane Milton plows across US Florida

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Hurricane Milton hit the southeast U.S. state of Florida overnight with strong winds, destructive tornadoes and heavy rain, leaving at least 10 dead and millions of people without power as of Thursday afternoon.

    Police officers and National Guard members clear a downed tree after Hurricane Milton strikes on Davis Island, Tampa City, Florida, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/City of Tampa]

    Milton made its landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm and weakened to Category 1 as it plowed quickly across central Florida.

    St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry confirmed five fatalities as a result of tornadoes spawned by hurricane.

    “This has been a tragic 24 hours,” he said at a press conference.

    “Numerous homes and structures across St. Lucie County, including the City of Port St. Lucie and unincorporated areas, suffered significant damage,” said the county in an earlier news release.

    “As Hurricane Milton makes its way into the Atlantic, St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials strongly encourage residents to stay off the roads and stay inside until it has been deemed safe to do so,” said the release, adding that unnecessary traffic or bystanders will hinder response and recovery efforts.

    Three people were confirmed died in Volusia County, including one person killed after a tree fell, according to NBC News.

    In addition, two storm-related fatalities occurred in City of St. Petersburg, the news outlet reported.

    Over 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa, the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and the county seat of Hillsborough County, were rescued by responders, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook.

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X Thursday morning that over 3 million households were without power.

    He noted that more than 50,000 linemen were in the state working to restore power as efficiently and safely as possible while law enforcement officials and first responders were engaged in rescue missions throughout impacted areas.

    The Florida National Guard has activated over 6,500 service members for Hurricane Milton response operations, according to an update released by the governor’s office.

    U.S. President Joe Biden also wrote on X urging people impacted by Hurricane Milton to “stay inside and off the roads.”

    “Downed power lines, debris, and road washouts are creating dangerous conditions,” he said, adding that “Help is on the way.”

    The U.S. National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center warned that there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the coast from east-central Florida northward to southern Georgia, where a storm surge warning remains in effect.

    Heavy rainfall across the central to northern Florida Peninsula through Thursday morning continues to bring the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat. Damaging hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, will continue for a few more hours in east-central and northeastern Florida, according to the agency.

    Milton is the fifth hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast so far in 2024, with three of them striking Florida. 

    MIL OSI China News –