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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Africa: Countries on the cusp of abolition must take a stand against the death penalty 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Three sub-Saharan African countries on the cusp of abolition must act now and abolish the death penalty once and for all, paving the way for others around the world to follow in their footsteps, said Amnesty International on World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October).

    Kenya and Zimbabwe currently have bills tabled to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while Gambia, which has made steady progress against this cruel punishment since 2017, has commenced a constitutional amendment process that will, among other things, effectively abolish the death penalty. So far, 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes while two additional countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only.

    “Although the sub-Saharan Africa region saw a surge in both recorded executions and recorded death sentences in 2023, Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe have the opportunity to buck that trend in the region,” said Oluwatosin Popoola, Amnesty International’s legal adviser on the death penalty.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty are an isolated minority as the world continues to decidedly move away from this cruel punishment. The more countries that abolish the death penalty for all crimes, the more isolated the remaining countries will become and the weaker their position on the death penalty will be. The majority of countries in the world have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. It’s time for all countries to move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment once and for all.”

    Countries that still retain the death penalty are an isolated minority as the world continues to decidedly move away from this cruel punishment.

    Oluwatosin Popoola, Amnesty International’s legal adviser on the death penalty

    Hope for the region

    Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwehaven’t carried out an execution in over a decade while each country has commuted multiple death sentences in the same period.

    The last known execution in Kenya was recorded in 1987. Although the country does not have an official moratorium on executions, it has an established practice of not carrying them out. While the courts in Kenya continue to impose death sentences, the country continues to make good progress against the death penalty. In 2023, 606 commutations of death sentences were granted, while four bills to abolish the death penalty are currently pending in Parliament.

    The last known execution in Zimbabwe was carried out in 2005 even if courts continue to impose death sentences. However, since President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed office in November 2017, he has made his opposition to the death penalty clear.

    “Zimbabwe’s President himself was sentenced to death for ‘terrorism’ as a young man due to his involvement in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. He narrowly avoided execution as he was below the age of 21 at the time and was sentenced to 10 years in prison instead. The President knows what it’s like to be facing the death penalty and he now has the opportunity to ensure no one else goes through that,” said Oluwatosin Popoola.

    In December 2023, the Death Penalty Abolition Bill was published in the official gazette in Zimbabwe and the government cabinet announced its support for it in February 2024. The Bill is currently pending before parliament.

    The last execution in Gambia was carried out in 2012, when nine soldiers were executed by firing squad. However, since President Adama Barrow assumed office in January 2017, Gambia has been making remarkable strides against the death penalty with the country establishing an official moratorium on executions, becoming a party to an international treaty aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and regularly commuting death sentences.

    Moving forward

    In 2023, Amnesty International recorded 1,153 executions, an increase of 31% (270) from the 883 known executions in 2022. This year has continued a worrying trend with an alarming surge in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia, a decision in Democratic Republic of Congo to resume executions, and Taiwan’s Supreme Court failing to abolish the death penalty. Yet countries in sub-Saharan Africa offer a glimmer of hope in the way towards the global abolition of the death penalty. So far, 113 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty for all crimes.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty in their laws often resort to the death penalty believing the punishment can make their people and communities safer. However, that is a misconception. The death penalty does not have a unique deterrent effect, and it violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The small minority of countries that insist on using this punishment must move with the times and abolish the death penalty once and for all,” said Oluwatosin Popoola.

    Background information

    In 2023, Amnesty International documented a sharp increase in the use of the death penalty across sub-Saharan African. Recorded executions more than tripled and recorded death sentences increased significantly by 66%. Somalia was the only country in the region known to have carried out executions. Death sentences were recorded in 14 countries, a decrease of 2 compared to 2022. Four countries took positive legislative steps towards the abolition of the death penalty. For more information, please see Death Sentences and Executions 2023.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Clues left by the Alpine Fault’s last big quake reveal its direction – this will help NZ prepare for the inevitable next rupture

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jesse Kearse, Postdoctoral Researcher in Seismology, Kyoto University

    Kate Clark, CC BY-SA

    One of the world’s most anticipated earthquakes is the next major surface rupture of the Alpine Fault in the South Island of New Zealand.

    With a 75% chance of it happening within the next 50 years, there is justified interest in the likely magnitude, extent and intensity of ground shaking and impacts on the landscape, infrastructure and buildings.

    A key – and so far unanswered – question is which direction the fault rupture will take.

    Our new research reveals for the first time that the Alpine Fault ruptured from south to north in the great magnitude 8+ earthquake of 1717.

    We developed our technique to determine rupture direction based on the Kekerengu Fault after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. But our method is globally applicable for use in realistic earthquake scenarios and thus can contribute to better societal preparedness.

    In an Alpine Fault earthquake, there’s no direction that’s good news for the West Coast of the South Island. But a north-to-south rupture would send excess seismic energy into the relatively unpopulated region of Fiordland and the Tasman Sea.

    A south-to-north rupture on the other hand is forecast to cause higher intensity shaking in the populated regions of Canterbury, Marlborough, Tasman and the northern West Coast.

    A simulation of the shaking of a south-to-north earthquake along the Alpine Fault. Credit: Brendon Bradley, University of Canterbury.

    In the Kaikōura earthquake, Wellingtonians experienced this influence of rupture direction on shaking intensity. The south-to-north rupture meant more seismic energy was focused towards the capital city than, for example, Christchurch.

    So, while rupture direction has been observed to make a big difference in modern earthquakes, it is not something geologists have been able to directly determine for past earthquakes.

    Markings in the rock face

    The Kaikōura earthquake was well documented by seismographs. We know it started near Waiau in the south and travelled northwards to Cook Strait over a period of two minutes.

    We observed markings that were scratched onto the fault plane. Like coarse sandpaper against wood, these scratches, or “slickenlines”, record movement as rock faces slipped past each other during the earthquake. Some of these markings were curved, and our method can tell us the direction the earthquake rupture was travelling.

    Slickenlines from the Kekerengu Fault, taken days after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.
    Kate Clark, CC BY-SA

    Using computer models to simulate how the earthquake unfolded moment by moment, we were able to replicate the curved slickenlines observed in the field and relate them to rupture direction. This gave us the framework we needed to investigate rupture direction for past earthquakes on the Alpine Fault.

    The Alpine Fault hasn’t had a major surface rupture since 1717. During field work, we visited three sites along the fault and examined natural outcrops, carefully exposing the fault plane using hand tools. We found 146 slickenlines, 30 of which were curved.

    Geologist Tim Little measuring slickenlines on the Alpine Fault.
    Nic Barth, CC BY-SA

    The curved geometry of slickenlines from the Alpine Fault’s most recent earthquake indicated it had travelled from the south towards the north. We also found evidence for rupturing in the opposite direction, suggesting that earthquakes can start both north and south.

    On one outcrop, we found evidence of slickenlines from multiple earthquakes – a rare and tantalising find suggesting development of a longer history of rupture direction may be possible.

    The technique we’ve applied is a novel, on-fault observational method for determining past rupture directions. Its full potential is yet to be tested, but already it’s applicable to faults worldwide.

    Our research shows that the last Alpine Fault rupture was from the south, and that both directions are possible. New information about past earthquakes like this helps the scientific community produce realistic scenarios for the next major earthquake.

    We now have direct evidence from the fault itself that we need to prepare for the scenario of very strong to severe shaking for the northern West Coast, Tasman, Marlborough and Canterbury regions in the next major Alpine Fault earthquake.

    Jesse Kearse receives funding from the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

    Nicolas Barth receives funding from the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

    – ref. Clues left by the Alpine Fault’s last big quake reveal its direction – this will help NZ prepare for the inevitable next rupture – https://theconversation.com/clues-left-by-the-alpine-faults-last-big-quake-reveal-its-direction-this-will-help-nz-prepare-for-the-inevitable-next-rupture-240879

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Exceeds $344 Million as FEMA Expands Dual Response Efforts as Hurricane Milton Forecast to Make Landfall This Evening

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Exceeds $344 Million as FEMA Expands Dual Response Efforts as Hurricane Milton Forecast to Make Landfall This Evening

    Federal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Exceeds $344 Million as FEMA Expands Dual Response Efforts as Hurricane Milton Forecast to Make Landfall This Evening

    WASHINGTON – FEMA, under the direction of the Biden-Harris Administration, continues to lead a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to assist communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. As of October 9, federal disaster assistance for survivors has surpassed $344 million and has reached 375,000 households.

    More than 8,000 federal workers from all parts of the country are supporting the response efforts in six states and three Tribal Nations for both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As the agency prepares for Hurricane Milton’s impacts to Florida, these assets remain in partnership with state, tribal and local partners to support of Hurricane Milton recovery efforts to ensure every available resource is mobilized.

    Hurricane Helene Response

    The agency is actively working alongside state, local and tribal partners to assess damage and support those affected by Helene. To date, FEMA has shipped over 17 million meals, nearly 14 million liters of water and 210 generators. 

    FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground meeting with survivors in neighborhoods across the affected states to help them apply for assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    Disaster survivors in designated areas of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in these areas should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. 

    Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters—whether they received FEMA funds or not—are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Helene.   

    Those with access to power and cellular service can apply for FEMA assistance in one of three ways:  

    FEMA reminds survivors who applied for assistance that a letter from FEMA saying they’re ineligible for assistance may not be a final decision. If you believe your application was not approved in error, or if you have additional information that could strengthen your claim, you may appeal the decision. To learn more, visit http://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-answers-appeals-process-qa.

    Voluntary Organizations

    Voluntary agencies are supporting all affected states by providing critical feeding operations and support for survivors with hot and prepared meals and shelf-stable meals. Organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has hundreds of trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. 

    Survivors can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mitigating mold with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386. The hotline is open through Oct. 11 and can connect survivors with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and the faith-based community who may be able to assist.  

    Additional support and assistance provided to each state includes: 

    Support for Florida  

    Recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene continue in Florida even as the federal government is supporting the state in preparing for Hurricane Milton’s landfall on the Gulf Coast. FEMA has approved approximately $142 million for nearly 49,000 households impacted by Hurricane Helene. FEMA specialists are canvassing Florida communities affected by Helene to help survivors apply for assistance. Additionally, FEMA inspectors are visiting applicants’ homes to verify disaster-caused damage.

    There are more than 90 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods and 10 Disaster Recovery Centers are open where they may speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.  

    Residents can find additional resources and information at Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website, FloridaDisaster.org. 

    Support for Georgia 

    FEMA has approved over $59 million for nearly 76,000 households. 

    There are more than 120 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods and one Disaster Recovery Center is open where they may speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Resources: Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. 

    Support for North Carolina

    Financial Support: FEMA has approved approximately $60 million in housing and other types of assistance for nearly 52,000 households.

    Staffing: As response efforts continue in North Carolina, more than 1,000 FEMA staff are on the ground, with more arriving daily. Nearly 400 Urban Search and Rescue personnel remain in the field helping people. These teams have rescued or supported over 3,200 survivors to date. There are over 1,200 Department of Defense personnel supporting the response. Experienced FEMA leaders from around the country are in the field to bolster response efforts. 

    Sheltering: Shelter numbers continue to decline, with 17 shelters housing just more than 700 occupants. Over 2,600 people who cannot return home are staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Transitional Sheltering Assistance is available for North Carolinians displaced by Helene. Residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance. 

    Power and Cellular Restoration: As of today, power was restored to more than more than 90% of originally reported power outages have been restored as a result of approximately 8,000 crew on the ground. Cellular restoration continues to improve, with more than 90% of cellular sites operating. FEMA is boosting response coordination by providing 40 Starlink units to ensure first responders can communicate with each other. 

    Commodities: Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA commodity shipments are enroute to support operations. Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are reaching survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties. 

    The Salvation Army has 20 mobile feeding units supporting the massive operation and has provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors. To date, the American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage. 

    Resources: 

    • Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance.  
    • Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.  
    • There are more than 300 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.

    Support for South Carolina 

    In South Carolina, FEMA has approved over $77 million for nearly 97,000 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties continuing to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    There are nearly 50 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.

    Residents with questions on Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 866-246-0133. 

    Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 855-472-3432 for more information. 

    Residents can find additional information at South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website.

    Support for Tennessee 

    FEMA has approved more than $5.1 million for disaster assistance for over 900 households. 

    Residents can call 800-824-3463 to report a missing person. Callers should be prepared to provide as much information as possible including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known whereabouts.  

    There are more than 20 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.

    Counties continue to establish donation centers. For the evolving list, visit Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s website. 

    Support for Virginia  

    To date, FEMA has approved over $1.3 million for over 700 households. 

    There are about 30 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.

    mashana.davis

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Pressley Celebrates Signing of Massachusetts Liquor License Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Pressley Championed, Helped Enact Landmark Reforms as a Boston City Councilor in 2014

    Video (YouTube)

    BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) celebrated the enactment of state legislation to authorize additional liquor licenses in Boston and delivered remarks at a ceremonial bill signing at the Massachusetts State House. As a Boston City Councilor, Pressley championed and helped enact the last major liquor license reform in 2014.

    “Restaurants are the economic, social, and cultural anchors of our streets and every Bostonian deserves the chance to realize the fundamental idea that this city and all its blessings belong to each of us. Today’s signing of legislation to reform Massachusetts’ archaic liquor license laws—and build upon the reforms we enacted in 2014—gives our restauranteurs and our communities a chance to enjoy an equitable opportunity to build community and wealth—from Hyde Park to East Boston from Dorchester to Jamaica Plain and all across the city.

    “When I authored the home rule petition to lift the cap as a Boston City Councilor a decade ago, I was hopeful it would set a new floor for future reform, and I am so proud to see that playing out today. Thank you to Senator Liz Miranda, Rep. Chris Worrell, Councilor Brian Worrell, Governor Maura Healey and every restauranteur and advocate who invested the sweat equity that made today possible. Today, we raise a figurative drink to this achievement and look forward to tomorrow to actualize the potential of this legislation.”

    During her time on the Boston City Council, Pressley championed legislation to overhaul the liquor license process in Boston by eliminating the cap on liquor licenses and returning control over licensing to the city. In 2014, in partnership with then-Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, her City Council colleagues, and the Massachusetts Legislature, Pressley’s reforms returned the Boston Licensing Board to the City of Boston and created 75 new liquor licenses to be distributed across the city.

    In 2017, Pressley and Walsh announced a new proposal to grant the City of Boston additional liquor licenses as part of an ongoing effort to attract new businesses and restaurants, encourage expansion of current establishments, and support Boston’s growing economy.

    A transcript of Rep. Pressley’s remarks is below, and the full video is available here.

    TRANSCRIPT: Pressley Celebrates Signing of Massachusetts Liquor License Reform Bill

    October 9, 2024

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Governor, I have to say that, you know, because there are so many people here today, it’s easy to have oversights, and if there are any more, know that it’s an error of the head and not the heart.

    But I would say that it is incredibly heartening that there are so many people here. This was not always the case on this issue. Many people saw this is a third-rail issue. There were a lot of people that were happy with an unjust status quo.

    10 years ago, when I was an At-Large Boston City Councilor and Chair of the Committee on Healthy Women, Families and Communities, making the case that walkable amenities, that restaurants, had something to do with healthy communities. That it was about public health and public safety, social and economic mobility. These critical anchors.

    And so to stand here today, President Spilka, I have to say, it feels good to be in the Massachusetts Seventh. It feels good to be home.

    It feels good to be in Boston as we celebrate the signing of game-changing legislation to reform our archaic liquor license laws to give our restaurateurs and our communities a chance to enjoy in equity and opportunity to build community and to build wealth.

    It never gets old. I feel just as hopeful as I did 10 years ago, when we were here with Governor Deval Patrick, when we signed the economic development bill that included our first bite at reforming this antiquated, unjust liquor licensing system.

    Governor Patrick signed that after we had worked for four-and-a-half years with two mayors: Mayor Menino—this was the last action on his desk—Mayor Menino and Mayor Walsh. So if we could just acknowledge both of those mayors and Governor Patrick.

    I was proud to lead that effort as an At-Large Boston City Councilor. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to celebrate with Governor Healey as we take the next step towards economic justice for all of Boston’s neighborhoods.

    Are you tired of making history yet? You keep doing it. Okay.

    The legislators in this room: Councilor Brian Worrell, Representative Chris Worrell, State Senator Liz Miranda. When I say that they have poured their blood, sweat, and legislative capital into making today a reality, it was not easy.

    But this is a glorious day. It is so rare, as a lawmaker, when you plant a seed that you can see it bear its fruit in your lifetime. So this is an incredible, incredible day.

    When I first raised this issue a decade ago, we knew that reforming a century-old system designed to strip Boston of the flexibility to raise or lower the cap on liquor licenses was a long, difficult and politically risky process.

    But we showed what was possible when we bring together a diverse coalition of existing and aspiring restauranteurs, economic justice advocates, and community members who recognize the need to disrupt an unjust status quo and address the disparity in neighborhood sit-down restaurants.

    I am proud of the cultural and economic impact that our liquor license reform has had since passing in 2014. The impact has been undeniable in the restaurants that have been able to open, remain open, and become staples of their respective neighborhoods.

    And for the entrepreneurs and workers who have found opportunities that were previously closed to them—and take it from me, there is simply no better feeling than traveling this incredible city from Hyde Park to East Boston, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury—seeing the fruits of that labor and new neighborhood restaurants.

    Restaurants are the economic, social and cultural anchors of our streets. They incentivize foot traffic. They feed our bodies and our souls. They create space for us to celebrate and to grieve the milestones of life. And the folks up here know that every single Bostonian deserves the chance to do that in the community they call home.

    10 years ago, I was hopeful that our liquor license reform would set a new floor for future reform as we saw today. It is a joy to celebrate this new legislation, which gives us the chance to realize that fundamental idea that this city, in all its blessings, belong to all of us.

    And now we know that even a historic day like today is not a magic wand. We’re all committed to putting in the work to make sure this game-changing legislation has the transformative and equitable impact we all know it can.

    So while we continue to do the work to break down barriers to entry, like disparate access to capital, the shortage of built out commercial space for restaurants in our communities, the importance of today cannot be underestimated or understated.

    So let’s raise a figurative drink to today’s achievement, roll up our sleeves tomorrow, to actualize the potential of this game-changing legislation.

    And with that, I’m proud to introduce my sister-in-service, who speaks the same love language that I do—policy—lead of this historic piece of legislation, State Senator Liz Miranda.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of World Mental Health Day, Senator Hassan, Students, and School Leaders Discuss Youth Mental Health Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    MANCHESTER – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan visited Southside Middle School in Manchester, where she met with students and received an update from officials from the Manchester, Concord, and Laconia School Districts on their federally funded programs that provide mental health resources and training in schools. They include a focus on evidence-based suicide prevention due to Senator Hassan’s bipartisan STANDUP Act, which was passed into law in 2022.

    During the visit, Senator Hassan met with Southside Middle School students who showed her posters that they have put up ahead of World Mental Health Day (on October 10) to reduce the stigma around youth mental health. She then sat down with officials from Manchester, Concord, and Laconia school districts and discussed the impact that Project AWARE, a federally funded youth mental health program, has had on students. Project AWARE includes evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training as part of Senator Hassan’s bipartisan STANDUP Act.

    “Young people across New Hampshire have been speaking up about the need for more mental health resources in our schools,” said Senator Hassan. “Programs like Project AWARE – which has been strengthened by the STANDUP Act’s focus on utilizing the most effective methods to reduce suicides – are making an impact in our schools. I appreciated hearing from school officials about their Project AWARE programs and how we can continue to work together to improve students’ mental health.”

    “In order for our students to succeed academically, we need to go beyond the classroom to focus on the whole student. Our work to build district-wide systems of support for mental health and safety would not be possible without the Project Aware grant. We are grateful for Senator Hassan’s support in securing this funding, and thankful for her efforts on behalf of our students,” said Manchester Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel.

    “The Concord School District is grateful to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the opportunity to continue to build relationships with our community behavioral health partners, expand mental health literacy through training and awareness campaigns, and integrate social-emotional competencies into our curriculum, all in support of our students and their families. Through Project AWARE, we will keep improving our interconnected systems with local and state child-serving entities to enhance care coordination with an eye toward sustainability. We are excited to spend the next 5 years building protective factors in our diverse learners, providing equitable access to school-based behavioral health supports so each student can bring their best self to their education every day,” said Concord Superintendent Kathleen Murphy.

    “Project AWARE has given us the resources to talk with our young people about what to do when they’re having mental health issues. We’re working to have a proactive approach where it’s natural and appropriate to get help to feel better and get back in the game of learning and life,” said Laconia Superintendent Bob Champlin.

    Senator Hassan is working to strengthen mental health care treatment for young Granite Staters. In addition to Senator Hassan’s bipartisan STANDUP Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Senator Hassan supported and helped pass into law, includes important funding for New Hampshire schools to support youth mental health, including a $760,000 annual grant used by the University of New Hampshire to partner with the Manchester School District to place mental health professionals in schools.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Garcia and Asm. Schiavo Lead Bipartisan Letter to Governor Newsom to Declare State of Emergency for Chiquita Canyon Landfill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25)

    SANTA CLARITA, CA– Today, Representative Mike Garcia (CA-27) and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-AD-40) led a bipartisan letter of state representatives petitioning Governor Newsom for a State of Emergency declaration at Chiquita Canyon. The letter, signed by 15 state legislators, outlines the urgent need for this declaration to protect the health and safety of residents living near the landfill.
    “The environmental disaster at Chiquita Canyon has only worsened for residents in Val Verde, Castaic, and the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Rep Garcia. “Innocent residents continue to face severe health problems and financial hardships because of this ongoing issue. It’s more urgent than ever: We need a State of Emergency. I’m grateful to have Assemblywoman Schiavo as a partner committed to taking this fight directly to the Governor. This joint letter proves that this issue transcends political boundaries – it’s about protecting the community and urging the state and county to do more for residents,” concluded Rep. Garcia.  “Residents of Val Verde, Castaic, and students of nearby schools have been subjected to prolonged exposure to harmful emissions, leading to a range of health issues including headaches, nausea, asthma, heart palpitations, and a newly identified cancer cluster,” said Asm. Schiavo. “Last week, to get a full understanding of the impacts, I stayed overnight with a family in the area. On their street of 14 houses, seven neighbors have been fighting cancer – one has passed away. While I am grateful for the robust state, federal, and county response to the disaster on the landfill site, neighbors just a few yards away do not have the protections or relief they need to keep themselves or their children safe. We must do more and we need to act now before more people get sick, or worse, die. A state of emergency must be declared and we need to focus relief efforts to get the community out of harm’s way and the healthcare and support they need,” concluded Asm. Schiavo.

    Rep. Garcia has been actively leading the response to the Chiquita Canyon crisis since it was brought to his attention last year. He has welcomed the EPA’s involvement, led a bipartisan letter urging the Governor for a State of Emergency, called for the immediate suspension of landfill operations except for local waste collection, demanded a thorough investigation to hold responsible parties accountable, secured federal funding for emissions monitoring and emergency response, and introduced the Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act. Throughout this time, he has maintained regular communication with affected residents to ensure they receive the necessary relief.

    A full copy of the letter text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: No savings? No plans? No Great Australian Dream. How housing is reshaping young people’s lives

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wendy Stone, Professor of Housing & Social Policy, Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology

    Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    Australia’s housing crisis is dramatically reshaping the lives and hopes of young people, highlighted in a new report launched today in Canberra as part of World Homeless Day.

    The research, developed by Swinburne University of Technology and funded by YWCA Australia, provided a platform for young women and gender diverse people from around Australia to share their housing experiences and aspirations.

    Our research found many young people are frustrated about the affordability, quality and security of housing in Australia.

    These housing barriers are changing the traditional life course that many of these young people expected to follow, undermining their sense of what it means to be an “adult”.

    Louise, 26, told us, as part of our research:

    I don’t feel like an adult sometimes because of my living circumstances … I thought I’d be like ‘Sex and the City’, having my own apartment and going out for drinks with my friends. But none of us have time to do that.

    The report highlights how such housing barriers and frustrations are severely impacting young people’s relationships, health and wellbeing, education, employment, and ability to plan for the future.

    Housing dreams are ratcheted down

    Home ownership is still “the great Australian dream” for many. However, numerous young people feel buying a home is out of reach or impossible.

    Erin, a young woman in her late 20s, states:

    It feels like you have to buy a house to be in the game, but to get there it just feels completely out of our grasp. And that’s quite scary.

    For many, buying or even renting is seen as unattainable without a partner. This has gendered implications where young women need to depend financially on a partner, potentially leading to disadvantage in the future.

    Amy, 30, articulates:

    It’s very hard to get a rental as a single female […] the uncertainty of not getting another place keeps me here.

    Participants with hopes of having children express anxiety when their housing circumstances are unpredictable and/or unaffordable.

    Jamie, a non-binary person in their mid-20s, says:

    The biggest negative impact of being stuck on the lowest end of the rental market is that it severely limits my ability to plan to start a family. My partner and I both want a child but are terrified of the idea of not being able to afford rent with a new baby and limited family support.

    Health and wellbeing are undermined

    Young people describe feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, trapped and crushed by their housing situations. For some, this stems from the daily challenge of simply making ends meet.

    Celia, a woman in her late 20s, describes:

    The constant cycle of living in a place for a year, getting a massive rent increase, having to find a new place and move again is exhausting, financially unsustainable and demoralising. It feels pretty hopeless because I’m stuck in this cycle and I’ll never save for a house deposit because I’m losing it all on exorbitant rent.

    For other participants, the health and wellbeing impact stems from their less-than-ideal dynamics at home, with many living with family as adults to save on rent.

    As Zoe, a woman in her late 20s, describes:

    It’s like you don’t pay with money to live with family […] but you pay with your mental health.

    Relationships and safety are affected

    Compromised safety is a concern among young women and gender diverse people we spoke with – whether it be escaping family and domestic violence, living in housing that is physically safe (such as with working locks on doors and windows), or sharing with others comfortably.

    Our research found gender has a material impact on housing experiences, and shaped young women’s and gender diverse people’s perceptions of safety.

    Julia, a woman in her early 20s, highlighted safety concerns:

    My family home was filled with a lot of domestic violence. And so when I left and now I have my own place, I feel very, very safe there in comparison. And also no one in my family knows where I live. So that makes me feel very safe.

    Some of the challenges of living with family were summarised by Ryde, a non-binary person in their early 20s:

    Even now I’m like learning how to like be my own person while still being under my parents’ roof […] like still living at home is a bit emotionally kind of weird.

    So what needs to change?

    Participants involved in the research provide a number of solutions for addressing their housing barriers, including:

    Beth told us:

    I feel like our education totally failed us. I always think there needs to be some kind of unit in Year 11 or 12, like a compulsory unit where it’s like just life skills. So taxes, superannuation, getting your first job, buying your first house, getting into the rental market. If we have the skills or knowledge from that education, we might be able to make more informed choices.

    Finally, young people urgently need a seat at the table when it comes to decisions about housing. They know what is needed and what politicians need to hear.

    In the words of Taylor, a 24-year-old woman:

    I think one thing that the politicians struggle to understand is that we’re not asking for, you know, four bedroom, three bathrooms at $400.00 a week. We’re asking for houses with working locks. No mould. And you know, we’re asking for very basic secure housing at affordable prices, it’s not a matter of us being picky. It’s a matter of health and safety.

    (All participants’ names have been changed).

    Wendy Stone receives funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation, Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), Kids Under Cover and YWCA Australia, the funder of the research this article reports on. She has previously received funding from the Victorian Government.

    Catherine Hartung received funding from YWCA Australia to undertake this research.

    Sal Clark received funding from YWCA Australia to undertake this research

    Zoe Goodall has received funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), the Victorian government, the Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation, Kids Under Cover, and YWCA Australia. YWCA Australia funded the research this article reports on.

    – ref. No savings? No plans? No Great Australian Dream. How housing is reshaping young people’s lives – https://theconversation.com/no-savings-no-plans-no-great-australian-dream-how-housing-is-reshaping-young-peoples-lives-240435

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China calls for peace, stability on Korean Peninsula

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday called on all parties to work together to uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue.

    It is reported that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said it will completely cut off roads and railways connected to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and fortify the relevant areas of its side with strong defence structures from Wednesday. The DPRK will take a substantial military step to completely separate the territory of the DPRK, where its sovereignty is exercised, from the territory of the ROK.

    In response to a related query, spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing that China is following the developments on the Korean Peninsula and DPRK-ROK relations.

    “China believes that upholding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and advancing the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue serves the common interests of all parties, and it is what the international community expects,” Mao said, adding all parties need to work together for this end. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, EU to continue consultation on anti-subsidy case involving EVs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China and the European Union (EU) will continue to hold consultations regarding the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), after the representatives of EU Member States last Friday voted to pass the draft final ruling on the case.

    Recently, China has had intensive communication with both the United States and the EU concerning trade issues involving EVs, said sources familiar with this matter. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Motor Vehicle Crash – Batchelor

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have charged a man after a crash in Batchelor yesterday. 

    Shortly before 5pm, Batchelor Police responded to reports of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash on Kirra Crescent, Batchelor.

    No persons were injured in the crash.

    The 39-year-old male driver and single occupant of the vehicle was arrested at the scene.

    Upon conducting a breath analysis, the male returned a high range reading of over 5 times the legal limit. 

    He was subsequently charged with:

    • Drive high range blood alcohol content
    • Drive an unregistered / uninsured motor vehicle
    • Breach of bail

    He was remanded overnight and is due to appear in local court today.

    Remote Sergeant Matthew Ridolfi said “The Northern Territory’s lives lost on roads has reached 50 this year already and this is another example poor decision-making among drivers. This incident occurred on a suburban street that has a high level of pedestrian activity and could have easily ended in tragedy.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police graduates keeping it in the family

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Families and friends were at Te Rauparaha Arena to watch seventy new police officers graduate from their initial police training  in Porirua today. Twenty three out of the seventy graduates joined police because they had whānau already in police as constables, sergeants, senior sergeants, detectives and even members of the police executive.

    In attendance at the 378 Wing graduation was Hon Hekia Parata, the Wing Patron, The Hon Mark Mitchell – Minister for Police, The Hon Casey Costello – Associate Minister for Police with Acting Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and members of the police executive. 

    Constable Steven Karehana was the recipient of the Commissioner’s Leadership Award. 

    “This is the beginning of our journey in the New Zealand Police, but for all of us graduating, there are many people who have sacrificed and worked hard to allow us to be here, and we are very grateful.  We could not have done it without you. The call to service is one few answer, but it is a selfless sacrifice to put community above self and by graduating today we have all joined a proud and selfless organisation.”

    Top award winner in the wing, Constable Jesse McIntyre was presented with the korowai to wear on parade by Ministers Mitchell and Costello.

    He says, “College is where I became part of the Police family. Both recruits and staff were welcoming and respectful. From day one you could see the passion and drive that everyone had to serve their communities and help people.

    My advice to anyone thinking of joining is keep true to yourself, remember why you joined and what you are striving to achieve.  Look after your mates and don’t be afraid to ask for support, we all need a bit of help sometimes.
    All staff here want you to succeed and achieve your potential, therefore have an open mind, and take on advice. Stay humble and take it one day at a time.”

    Awards:
    Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Jesse McIntyre, posted to Canterbury District.  Constable McIntyre also wins the Firearms Award.
    Patron’s Award for second in wing, recognising second top student: Constable Daniel Coonan, posted to Auckland City District.
    Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Stephen Karehana posted to Central district.
    Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Ethan Comer posted to Bay of Plenty District.
    Physical Training and Defensive Tactics: Constable Marthinus Venter, posted to Tasman District.

    Deployment:
    The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on Monday, 21 October 2024 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables. Northland 4, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 22 and broken down as follows: Auckland – 7, Waitematā – 3, Counties Manukau – 12, Waikato – 5, Bay of Plenty – 8, Eastern – 3, Central – 7, Wellington – 10, Tasman – 2, Canterbury – 6, Southern – 3.

    Demographics:

    20.0 percent are female, 80.0 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 57.2 percent of the wing, with Māori 11.5 percent, Pasifika 10.0 percent, Asian 12.9. percent and Other 4.3 percent.

    Wing Patron:  The Honourable Hekia Parata – Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Porou.

    After a career as a senior public servant, Parata was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, representing the National Party, from 2008 until 2017. She served as the Minister of Education in the Fifth National Government. Some of her parliamentary roles included Minister for Women’s Affairs, Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Minister of Education and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs.  She retired from politics in 2017, and since then has had several appointments to ministerial inquiries, such as leading the 2023 inquiry into forestry land use after Cyclone Gabrielle.

    Please look out for a Ten One Magazine story that will be published on the Police website with more stories and photos about our recruits tackling work in their first week.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Sub-Saharan Africa: Sharp rise in use of death penalty across region

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Executions more than tripled in 2023, while death sentences increased by 66% in the region

    Fresh call for abolition on World Day Against Death Penalty, with Kenya, Zimbabwe and Gambia leading the way

    ‘It’s time for all countries to move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment once and for all’ – Oluwatosin Popoola

    Sub-Saharan African countries on the cusp of abolition must ban the death penalty immediately, paving the way for others around the world to follow in their footsteps, said Amnesty International on World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October).

    Last year, Amnesty documented a sharp increase in the use of the death penalty across sub-Saharan Africa, when recorded executions more than tripled and death sentences increased by 66% from 298 to 494. Somalia was the only country in the region known to have carried out executions.

    Death sentences were recorded in 14 African countries, an overall decrease of two compared to 2022.  However, there were increases in recorded death sentences in some countries, including Ghana (seven to 10); Mali (eight to 13); and Nigeria (77 to 246).

    Despite these bleak statistics, Kenya and Zimbabwe and Gambia are edging closer towards abolition. Kenya and Zimbabwe currently have bills tabled to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while Gambia has begun a constitutional amendment process that will effectively abolish the death penalty. So far, 24 out of 53 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes.

    Oluwatosin Popoola, Amnesty International’s legal advisor on the death penalty, said:

    “Although the sub-Saharan Africa region saw a surge in both recorded executions and recorded death sentences in 2023, Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe have the opportunity to buck that trend in the region.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty in their laws often resort to the death penalty believing the punishment can make their people and communities safer. However, that is a misconception. The death penalty does not have a unique deterrent effect, and it violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty are an isolated minority as the world continues to move away from this cruel punishment. The more countries that abolish the death penalty for all crimes, the more isolated the remaining countries will become and the weaker their position on the death penalty will be. It’s time for all countries to move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment once and for all.”

    Progress in the region: Kenya

    Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe have not carried out an execution in more than a decade, while each country has commuted multiple death sentences in the same period. The last known execution in Kenya was in 1987, and although the country does not have an official moratorium on executions it has an established practice of not carrying them out. Kenyan courts continue to impose death sentences, but the country continues to make good progress against the death penalty. In 2023, 606 commutations of death sentences were granted, while four bills to abolish the death penalty are currently pending in Parliament.

    Progress in the region: Zimbabwe

    The last known execution in Zimbabwe was carried out in 2005 even though courts continue to impose death sentences. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who assumed office in 2017, has also made his opposition to the death penalty clear.

    Oluwatosin Popoola explained:

    “Zimbabwe’s president was himself sentenced to death for ‘terrorism’ as a young man due to his involvement in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. He narrowly avoided execution as he was below the age of 21 at the time and was sentenced to ten years in prison instead. The president knows what it’s like to be facing the death penalty and he now has the opportunity to ensure no one else goes through that.”

    Last December, the Death Penalty Abolition Bill was published in the official gazette in Zimbabwe and the Government announced its support for it this February. The bill is currently pending before parliament.

    Progress in the region: Gambia

    The last execution in Gambia was carried out in 2012, when nine soldiers were executed by firing squad. However, since President Adama Barrow assumed office in 2017, Gambia has made significant progress in abolishing the death penalty: the country has established an official moratorium on executions, become party to an international treaty aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and regularly commutes death sentences.

    The global picture

    In 2023, Amnesty recorded a sharp rise in  executions globally, with 1,153 executions, an increase of 31% (270) from the 883 known executions in 2022. This year has continued a disturbing trend with an alarming surge in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia, a decision in Democratic Republic of Congo to resume executions, and Taiwan’s Supreme Court failing to abolish the death penalty. So far, 113 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty for all crimes.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Statement on Republican Disinformation Regarding Hurricane and Disaster Warnings

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today regarding the disinformation spread by Republicans about the hurricane warnings and resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

    “With one of the most powerful hurricanes in history bearing down on America’s gulf coast, the last thing the hundreds of thousands of evacuees need is disinformation. Sadly, Donald Trump, the provocateur-in-Chief, Senator Vance as his deputy, and the members of the extreme MAGA far-right, have seized on this natural disaster to spread conspiracy theories and political hoaxes. 

    “Trump forces continue to vilify FEMA and raise doubts about the agency’s warning to Americans caught in the path of the deadly storm to evacuate before it is too late. Spreading these lies is not only morally disgusting; it is dangerous. 

    “Every second counts in an evacuation. Someone who cares more about maximizing the number of likes and views on a provocative tweet over minimizing the number of American lives lost to these storms has no place holding public office. Our response to these storms has been – and must remain – bipartisan and truthful. 

    “It is crucial that our House comes together to secure disaster aid to help those affected by these storms and the many other disasters America has experienced in recent months. I urge Americans to evacuate, and I urge their leaders to either reiterate that warning or refrain from their partisan lies.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: St Helens continuing to target drink and drug drivers

    Source: Tasmania Police

     
    St Helens Police have detected five drink and drug drivers since the start of October.On 1 October, a 46-year-old man was detected in St Helens who was driving an unregistered vehicle with false number plates while unlicensed. He subsequently returned a reading of 0.079 per cent and was also charged with a minor drug offence.
    On 3 October, a 31-year-old man was detected in St Helens who returned a positive result for methamphetamines on a roadside test.
    On 6 October, an 18-year-old woman was detected in Scamander. She was a provisional driver who should not have had any alcohol in her system but returned a result of 0.055 per cent.
    On 9 October, a 47-year-old man was detected in St Helens who was driving on a suspended licence. Following a roadside test, he also returned a positive reading for amphetamines.
    Also on 9 October, a 35-year-old man was detected in St Helens who was also driving on a suspended licence. He returned a reading of 0.228 per cent, over four times the legal limit for licensed drivers.
    Inspector Luke Manhood warned that police are actively targeting this sort of offending and could be operating anywhere and at any time. Alcohol and drug affected drivers put the safety of themselves and others in serious jeopardy and police will do everything we can to take them off the road.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) alongside Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Grace Fu.

    “Climate change is a global challenge, and it’s important for countries to be enabled to work together and support each other in the transition to a low emission, net zero future,” Mr Watts says.

    “To support cooperation and unlock financial investment, Minister Fu and I have been asked to co-chair negotiations that will finalise details for how countries can cooperate on carbon markets under the Paris Agreement. Having credible, high integrity, and transparent carbon markets are good for countries, consumers, and the climate as they encourage direct investment towards reducing emissions.

    “It is an honour to be selected as one of the eight Ministerial representatives from among 195 countries to chair these negotiations. It recognises New Zealand and Singapore’s expertise in carbon markets and emissions pricing mechanisms, and the Government’s work to restore credibility in our domestic carbon market, the Emissions Trading Scheme.”

    The UN Climate Change system drives global action to reduce the impacts of climate change through the implementation of the Paris Agreement. These meetings also allow businesses and civil society to engage on climate solutions and navigating the economic transition.

    COP29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11-22 November 2024. Ministers Watts and Fu will engage with their counterparts in preparation for the meeting to ensure smooth negotiations.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UniSA appoints new Director of Defence and Space

    Source: University of South Australia

    10 October 2024

    The University of South Australia has appointed Ryan McClenaghan as its new Director of Defence and Space, responsible for steering research and education across the sector at a pivotal time in the nation’s defence history.

    McClenaghan has made a substantial impact in his most recent role as Director, Defence and National Security at Fleet Space Technologies, one of Australia’s leading satellite companies with a global presence. During his three-year tenure at Fleet, McClenaghan secured millions of dollars in defence contracts.

    At UniSA, he will draw on his extensive international experience with defence companies, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, including working across the AUKUS partnership with government and industry.

    Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, McClenaghan moved to Australia in 2006, co-founding two start-up companies and working in various roles in the intervening years, including with the Australian Industry Group and Micro-X, an award-winning ASX-listed x-ray technology company.

    Announcing the appointment, UniSA Director: Enterprise Partnerships, Peter Stevens, says McClenaghan will strengthen the University’s defence and space footprint with industry and governments in Australia and worldwide.

    “South Australia is at the forefront of Australia’s space and defence sector, responsible for delivering a $368 billion nuclear submarine construction project for the AUKUS alliance, hosting the Australian Space Agency, and supporting more than 100 space-related companies,” Stevens says.

    “Academia, industry and government need to work hand-in-hand to ensure the sector thrives, highlighting the importance of this appointment. Ryan and his experienced team will work closely to bridge the gap between innovation and operational efficiency as well as collaborating to develop the skills required to deliver on our commitments.”

    UniSA has bolstered its sector credentials in recent years with programs like the Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space, software degree apprenticeships with BAE Systems and ASC, the Venture Catalyst Space program and the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program.

    “All these underpin our strengths in research and collaboration in areas such as the SmartSat CRC and iLAuNCH Trailblazer program, which will be amplified by the creation of Adelaide University in 2026, bringing together the State’s two biggest universities,” Stevens says.

    Excited by the challenge, McClenaghan says he is looking forward to leading UniSA’s defence and space strategy at such a critical time.

    “As Australia seeks to grow its sovereign defence and capabilities, and Adelaide University is created, it is more important than ever that we align research with industry engagement and technology transfer and support the skills required for the future,” McClenaghan says.

    He will commence his new role on Monday 14 October.

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $410,000 to upgrade health facilities on the Mid North Coast

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 10 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Health

    The Mid North Coast Local Health District will benefit from a $410,000 funding boost from the NSW Government to upgrade health facilities in the region.

    The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

    Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Kempsey District Hospital and Macksville District Hospital will share a $235,000 allocation to replace outdated waste management systems in each facility’s operating theatres.

    Wauchope District Memorial Hospital will also receive $175,000 to replace the decking structure between the main building and the hospital’s rehabilitation unit, improving accessibility for patients and staff at the facility.

    Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

    “This investment will allow Mid North Coast Local Health District to upgrade equipment and health facilities to enhance the working environment for health staff and improve patient experiences.

    “The program is one of a number of investments our Government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

    Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Port Macquarie, Cameron Murphy MLC:

    “I’m proud to be part of a government which is making this important investment in regional health facilities.

    “This funding will benefit staff and patients, and it means we can upgrade outdated systems in operating theatres in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Macksville and also improve accessibility for patients in Wauchope.”

    Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Oxley, Anthony D’Adam MLC:

    “Through investments like this one, our government is improving access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities.

    “This investment in health infrastructure supports improved working environments for our healthcare staff.”

    Quotes attributable to Jill Wong, Mid North Coast Local Health District Acting Chief Executive:

    “The replacement of outdated waste management systems at Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Macksville hospitals will ensure that we can continue to safely remove surgical waste at each of the facilities in an appropriate manner.

    “The upgrade to the deck structure at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital will enable patients, staff and visitors have improved accessibility when moving between the main building and the rehabilitation unit.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Shatters $500 Million Mark in Texas Disaster Relief Loans

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, announced today that SBA has approved more than $500 million in federal disaster loans for Texas businesses and residents impacted by recent disaster declarations. According to Sánchez, SBA has approved $140,398,750 for businesses and $364,812,900 for residents to help rebuild and recover from these disasters.

    “SBA’s disaster assistance employees are committed to helping businesses and residents rebuild as quickly as possible,” said Sánchez. “Don’t miss out on any assistance you may be entitled to by not registering for help. You don’t need to wait for your insurance to settle or obtain a contractor’s estimate,” he added.

    SBA continues to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants in all the federal-state Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Business Recovery Centers located throughout Texas. Please see a complete listing of locations and hours at SBA.gov/disaster.

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

    Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    For SBA declaration 20320 for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 26–June 5, 2024, the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until Feb. 18, 2025, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    For SBA declaration 20445 for Hurricane Beryl that occurred July 5-9, the deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 10, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is April 14, 2025.

    SBA will accept all disaster loan applications up to 60 days after the filing deadline without an explanation of why you were delayed. You can apply online using the MySBA portal at https://lending.sba.gov, or by coming into our centers.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Unlawful entries – Pinelands

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are investigating after a series of unlawful entry and trespass incidents occurred in Pinelands on Wednesday morning.

    Between, 5am and 7:30am, police received reports of multiple offences being committed throughout the Pinelands industrial area.

    A business owner located a 10-year-old believed to be involved in the alleged offending and transported him to Palmerston Police Station.

    One adult male, believed to be the father of the youth, fled the scene in the company of another woman.

    The 10-year-old was released into the care of a responsible adult and a referral has since been made to Territory Families.

    Earlier this morning Strike Force Trident arrested a 37-year-old male and a 27-year-old female.

    Both remain in custody and are expected to be charged later today.

    Strike Force Trident urge anyone with information about the incidents to contact police on 131 444.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xinjiang’s protection of blue skies shows China’s determination to air pollution control

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

    Xinjiang’s protection of blue skies shows China’s determination to air pollution control

    URUMQI, Oct. 9 — Zhang Xin still remembers the complaints she saw on social media some years ago: “In winter, you can’t see the sun clearly in the city of Urumqi,” and “The snow is all black.”

    Zhang, who works in the ecology and environment bureau of Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has participate in the air pollution prevention and control work for a long time.

    Urumqi is among an economically vibrant urban cluster located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, which also contains parts of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture and the cities of Wujiaqu and Shihezi. The urban cluster is collectively referred to as the Wu-Chang-Shi area by locals.

    For a long time, Wu-Chang-Shi has been a key and challenging area for air pollution prevention and control in Xinjiang due to its heavy industrial and coal-dominated energy structure.

    However, 2023 was the year with the most significant improvement in air quality in the past decade for the urban cluster, thanks to the concerted and unremitting efforts made by the local ecology and environment authorities, enterprises and scientists.

    An aerial panoramic drone photo taken on May 9, 2024 shows a city view of Wujiaqu, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The transformation of Wu-Chang-Shi is a microcosm of China’s air pollution control efforts. Following the introduction of an action plan to prevent and control air pollution in 2013, China became the first developing country in the world to impose large-scale efforts to reduce PM2.5 density.

    China has announced that it will peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

    IMPROVED AIR QUALITY

    Years ago, the Chinese government began publishing air quality rankings in major cities, and the cities in Wu-Chang-Shi, such as Urumqi, often ranked at the bottom of the list.

    “Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Urumqi has poor conditions for diffusion in both horizontal and vertical directions. According to an assessment, Urumqi’s self-purification capacity in winter is only one-tenth of that in summer,” said Zhang.

    In winter, when temperatures often drop to minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, residents in Urumqi relied heavily on coal-fired heating, which led to more pollutant emissions.

    Zhang said that with the central government funding, Urumqi has initiated projects, such as clean-energy heating. “The city has begun to improve its heating structure, from centralized heating and cogeneration to clean heating for all bulk coal users, which is a particularly effective experience in air pollution control,” she added.

    In 2012, the central urban area of Urumqi completed the transformation from coal to gas for large-scale coal-fired heating boilers. In October 2023, the city completed the treatment of the remaining villages and households in rural areas that were using bulk coal for heating, making it among the first cities in China to achieve full coverage of clean-energy heating.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows a wind farm in Dabancheng District of Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    From Oct. 10, 2023 to April 10, 2024, Urumqi boasted 144 days of good air quality, an increase of 33 days year on year. The average concentrations of six major air pollutants, including PM2.5, decreased by 8.8 percent to 22.7 percent, reaching the best level since the monitoring began.

    Social media, which acts as an unofficial “air quality monitoring station,” also reflects the effectiveness of air pollution control measures.

    In recent years, Zhang noticed some positive changes on social media — residents in Urumqi often post photos and videos of the blue skies of the city.

    KEY INDUSTRIES, TARGETED MEASURES

    Located in the city of Shihezi in the Wu-Chang-Shi area, Tianwei Cement Co., Ltd. is a major cement-producing company in the city.

    China is among the world’s largest producers and consumers of cement. However, due to factors such as large emissions during production, the cement industry is also a major contributor to carbon emissions.

    In 2023, the regional government of Xinjiang proposed to spend three to five years to completely solve the air pollution problem in Wu-Chang-Shi. Various departments have implemented pollution control measures in key enterprises in the area.

    Tianwei Cement is among the 135 industrial enterprises in Wu-Chang-Shi that have been given priority treatment, which altogether accounts for more than 92 percent of the total pollutant emissions in the area.

    According to the ecology and environment bureau of Shihezi, in terms of the comprehensive management of air pollution, the city has implemented a performance-based grading system of key industries to cope with heavy-pollution weather, in sync with other regions across China.

    This photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 shows a photovoltaic project in Shihezi City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The four-tier grading system, involving 39 key industries including steel and chemicals, is a measure to implement differentiated control in response to heavy-pollution weather, with A representing the highest and D the lowest. When heavy-pollution weather occurs, Class-A enterprises can take measures independently based on their actual situations to reduce emissions without stopping or limiting production.

    To attain the Class-A rating as quickly as possible, Tianwei Cement has collaborated with the city’s ecology and environment bureau to develop a tailored pollution control plan. Measures have been taken during various processes of production, including the installment of dust-reduction devices in its warehouses.

    Last year, the company obtained the Class-A rating after completing the ultra-low emission transformations. Thanks to the upgrades, the company made a profit of over 80 million yuan (about 11.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2023.

    Meanwhile, Shihezi’s air quality in 2023 reached the best level since 2017, data shows.

    BUILDING TALENT BASE

    Sitting in an office of the air-pollution prevention and control center of Changji, Ma Tong can oversee the pollutant emissions in the entire prefecture in real time through a large screen, which displays data and charts, such as the forecast and dynamic control of heavy-pollution weather. However, she still worries.

    “A lot of data has been integrated into the platform, but the problem is how to effectively utilize it. We lack skilled personnel who can use the platform and information equipment,” she said.

    This photo taken on May 20, 2024 shows staff members working at an office of the air-pollution prevention and control center in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Ma is an expert from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences. Five years ago, she came to Xinjiang to provide intellectual support for local air pollution control. “Changji is already at the forefront of Xinjiang in terms of air-pollution treatment through sci-tech means, but compared with the whole country, the prefecture lacks equipment and talent,” said Ma.

    Since last year, the regional government of Xinjiang has pooled 10 billion yuan in funding to establish the Xinjiang talent development fund, which is used to introduce talent from other parts of China, among other objectives.

    In early 2024, the Urumqi-based Xinjiang University introduced Huang Haibao, an air-pollution control expert from Sun Yat-sen University in south China’s Guangdong Province.

    “In addition to cultivating talent ourselves, we have also introduced a group of scholars from universities including Beijing University of Chemical Technology,” said Huang.

    Within six months, Huang and his colleagues have established the air pollution control and research center at the university. He is working to establish the Xinjiang environmental science society, which will serve as a gathering place for the top scientific research talent in Xinjiang and a platform for international cooperation and exchange.

    He also stresses the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. “Ultimately, emission reduction needs to be implemented at the enterprise level,” he said, adding that his team has visited over 10 companies to strengthen cooperation in terms of technology and scientific research.

    “We will try to bring in the technologies, talent and companies from across the country to contribute to air pollution prevention and control work in Xinjiang,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s railways handle 177M passenger trips during National Day holiday

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China’s railway passenger flow surged during the 10-day travel rush for the National Day holiday, data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) showed Wednesday.
    From Sept. 29 to Oct. 8, a total of 177 million railway passenger trips were made nationwide, said China Railway.
    The average daily number of railway passenger trips reached about 17.74 million, it added.
    On Oct. 1, the number of passenger trips served by China’s railways reached about 21.45 million, a new record high for single-day passenger traffic, according to China Railway.
    During the holiday, the railway passenger flow was sustained at a high level and an average of 12,237 passenger trains were operated daily, hitting a record high, it said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Jiangsu steps up efforts on affordable, reliable childcare

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    East China’s Jiangsu Province boasted more than 3,300 nurseries at the end of September, signifying its continuous efforts to enhance the childcare service system and reduce the burden on child-rearing families, according to the Jiangsu Commission of Health.
    The province had also provided 324,000 available childcare slots, with 3.8 slots per 1,000 people by the end of 2023. Various service models are now available, such as community-based childcare, employer-run nurseries, family day-care and comprehensive childcare centers.
    Spanning over 2,000 square meters, the comprehensive childcare center in the Jianye District of Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, offers 80 childcare slots.
    “We are very satisfied with the center’s clean environment, reasonable fees and trustworthy childcare staff,” said Zhang Feng, a resident who enrolled her two-year-old daughter there.
    Jiang Xuexia, deputy director of the childcare center, noted that Jianye District has the youngest population demographic in Nanjing, with many young parents striving to balance work and family life.
    To help ease the burden on parents, the center has implemented an integrated medical and childcare service system to improve the quality of infant and childcare services in the district. Since its opening in September last year, all of its slots have been fully booked.
    More and more cities in Jiangsu have stepped up efforts to provide more families with universal day-care services for children under three in recent years.
    Suzhou is pushing hard to build a 15-minute childcare service circle, and plans to add 100 community-based childcare centers, offering full-day, half-day, temporary and time-based childcare services at the end of this year. Wuxi and Taizhou have set up childcare facilities within enterprises and industrial parks to provide free or favourable childcare services for employees.
    Data from the National Health Commission shows that there are currently over ten million children aged under three in need of childcare services.
    Looking ahead, Jiangsu aims to scientifically allocate childcare resources and improve support policies, foster talents at a faster pace, and promote the high-quality development of accessible, affordable and reliable childcare services. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA’s Temporary Housing for Wildfire Survivors Extended to February 2026, Supporting their Continued Recovery

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA’s Temporary Housing for Wildfire Survivors Extended to February 2026, Supporting their Continued Recovery

    FEMA’s Temporary Housing for Wildfire Survivors Extended to February 2026, Supporting their Continued Recovery

    HONOLULU – At the request of the state of Hawaiʻi, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), including Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for survivors of the Maui wildfires.

    The 18-month initial period of assistance for FEMA IHP was set to end Feb.10, 2025 but has now been extended to Feb. 10, 2026.

    Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, FEMA may extend the period of assistance due to extraordinary circumstances. Last year’s wildfires caused unprecedented damage to Lahaina and impacted numerous households, businesses, communities and the infrastructure on Maui.

    FEMA is working closely with the state of Hawai‘i, local officials and volunteers to help survivors in temporary housing find permanent solutions. Disaster case managers are also providing personalized assistance.

    FEMA approved the Direct Lease as a form of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance in September 2023 and currently has 1,194 households occupying FEMA-provided units. 

    During the extended period, survivors who continue to live in a FEMA-provided temporary housing unit are generally expected to work on their permanent housing plan and start paying rent, depending on their financial ability. The rent amount would be based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rent. 

    FEMA will send occupants an advance notice of the rent requirement.

    Occupants who provide documentation of their post-disaster income that meets or is below HUD’s very low-income limit will qualify for fully reduced rent of $50 per month without having to appeal and submit documentation of pre- or post-disaster housing costs. 

    Occupants with household incomes above the HUD very low-income limit will only have to provide documentation of post-disaster housing costs for FEMA to evaluate the amount of rent to be charged based on their financial ability. 

    FEMA will conduct outreach to assist occupants of temporary housing units with the documentation necessary to evaluate their ability to pay. This effort is designed to reduce the need for occupants to appeal the rent amount determined by FEMA. 

    For more information on temporary housing, call the Individual Assistance Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600. Or contact 2-1-1 to reach the disaster case management program. 

    You may also call FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline operators can assist you in many languages. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

    You may get help in person at:
    Lahaina Gateway (next to Ace Hardware)
    Maui County Office of Recovery – West Maui
    8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    CNHA Office (next to Maui Mall)
     Kākoʻo Relief & Aid Services Center
    153 E. Kamehameha Ave. Suite 101

    Kahului, HI 96732
    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires – YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 

    shannon.carley

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence News – NZDF to hold Court of Inquiry into HMNZS Manawanui sinking

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
     
    The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has announced details of its Court of Inquiry (COI) into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa.
     
    The dive and hydrographic ship struck a reef south of Upolu on Saturday 5 October. All 75 people aboard were successfully rescued.
     
    Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding has directed the assembly of a COI into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui and has appointed Commodore Melissa Ross as the president. The COI will assemble on Friday.
     
    She will be joined by three senior military members – Captain Andrew Mahoney, Group Captain John McWilliam, from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Captain Dean Battilana, who has been seconded from the Royal Australian Navy.
     
    Counsel assisting the COI will be Commander Jonathan Rowe, who is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court.  
     
    COIs are set up to establish the facts of an incident and any circumstances leading to it to allow the NZDF to identify possible improvements or changes for the future.  
     
    The terms of reference direct the COI to collect and record evidence and report on the sequence of events leading up to the loss of the ship, the cause of the grounding and subsequent sinking, and details on notification procedures, injuries sustained and any environmental damage.
     
    The COI has also been directed to consider any organisational aspects relevant to the loss, and the material state of Manawanui prior to the grounding.  
     
    Courts of Inquiry into significant matters may be subject to an external legal review to provide independent assurance of their procedure and conclusions. External legal reviews are conducted by independent King’s Counsel or other senior barristers. For the COI into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, it has been determined that an external legal review will be conducted by a King’s Counsel.
     
    Rear Admiral Golding said he was very aware of the high interest in the COI.
     
    “Given the high level of public interest in this and with transparency at front of mind, I will make the report publicly available to the maximum extent possible consistent with the Privacy Act and my obligations to uphold national security,” Rear Admiral Golding said.
     
    “I have directed the Court to provide me with an interim report on specific areas by mid-November, and then to provide regular updates on the progress of their inquiry from there.”

    MORE DETAILS ABOUT COURTS OF INQUIRY:
     
    Courts of Inquiry are established by an officer in charge of part of the Armed Forces to inquire into any matter.
     
    The court must have no less than two officers and the officer assembling the court must appoint one of those members as the president. The officer assembling the court must issue its terms of reference and the court is required to collect evidence and provide a report against those terms of reference.
     
    The court may sit wherever it considers necessary to do so and may direct or summons any witness to attend before it. Witnesses are sworn and their evidence is transcribed. Any person who may have their character and reputation affected is afforded natural justice rights by the president.
     
    Courts of Inquiry are not designed to determine guilt of any individual and the evidence gathered is not admissible in other proceedings.
     
    Courts of Inquiry are established under statute and are provided numerous powers and protections so that the fact-finding procedure is as expeditious as possible. Courts of Inquiry are statutorily required to be held in private to ensure that there is no inhibition on witnesses giving full and frank evidence.
     
    The provisions governing courts of inquiry can be found at sections 200 to 201 of the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971.

    BIOGRAPHIES
     
    Commodore Melissa Ross, RNZNR
    Commodore Melissa Ross (Ngāpuhi) joined the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 1993 as a Marine Engineering Officer. She was one of the first women in the RNZN to go to sea on an operational warship. Commodore Ross has previously held the position of Deputy Chief of Navy and Commander Logistics. She is appointed to the COI as the President.
     
    Group Captain John McWilliam, AFC
    Group Captain John McWilliam joined the RNZAF in 1975 as a pilot. Throughout his career he has flown helicopters and been a flying instructor. He departed the RNZAF in 1995 to pursue a civilian career and was a test pilot during this period. He returned to the RNZAF in 2010 and established the role of the NZDF Operating Airworthiness Operator. GPCAPT McWilliam is a deep expert in the airworthiness arena and will bring that expertise to the Court.
     
    Captain Andy Mahoney, RNZN
    Captain Andy Mahoney joined the Royal Navy (RN) in 1996. He transferred to the RNZN in 2016. He is a Principal Warfare Officer who has served on ships in both the RN and the RNZN. He was the commissioning Captain of the HMNZS Manawanui. Captain Mahoney has operated across a wide range of navies and agencies globally. He will bring decades of ship operations knowledge to the Court.
     
    Captain Dean Battilana, RAN
    Captain Dean Battilana joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1996 and specialised as a Hydrographic Officer. Captain Battilana has commanded multiple ships with deep expertise in operations, ship driving and hydrography. He brings a wealth of experience in the hydrographic trade to the investigation as well as his experience from his work as part of the recovery efforts in response to the 2017 USMC OSPREY crash in Australia.
     
    Commander Jonathan Rowe, RNZN
    Commander Jonathan Rowe joined the RNZN in 2014 and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court. He has held roles at the tactical, operational and strategic level within the NZDF and has deployed operationally to the Middle East and Asia in roles both ashore and at sea. He has been involved in numerous NZDF Courts of Inquiry as well as external inquiries. He brings a wealth of legal experience to the Court.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, SH1, Main South Road, Selwyn

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Main South Road, Selwyn this morning.

    Police responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at around 10.50am.

    One person received injuries and sadly, died at the scene of the crash.

    The road was closed while emergency services attended, and Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

    The road has now re-opened.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Culture – Auckland Museum sinks its teeth into nature’s vampires

    Source: Auckland Museum

    Discover the fascinating science lurking beneath the surface of history’s most enduring legends at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum in a new exhibition, Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches, open from Monday 9 December 2024 until Sunday 27 April 2025.

    Blood is a vital source of life for humans, and an abundant food source for an astounding 30,000 species across the globe, including birds, mammals, fish, insects, leeches, and flatworms. Bloodsuckers draws visitors into this world, starting on a microscopic level with the biology behind blood. Immersive experiences, larger-than-life installations, and interactive displays delve into these diverse organisms and their feeding mechanisms in detail, showing visitors just how clever blood-feeders are, and the intricate ways they have evolved to take blood and thrive on it.

    Bloodsucking animals have captured the human imagination for centuries, providing fodder for fear and fantasy. Stories of vampiric creatures persist across cultures and time, borne out of fear of the unknown, from the first publication of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897 and his immortal incarnations on stage and screen, to the more recent urban legend of the coyote-like Chupacabra. In the exhibition, immersive experiences bring myths and beliefs in the undead and bloodthirsty beasts to life, highlighting the history of vampire hunting and pop culture’s most famous monsters.

    Auckland Museum’s Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive David Reeves says, “Bloodsuckers blends of science, history, and pop culture, to explore the natural environment and the cultural impact of blood feeding creatures in both our real and imaginary worlds. Drawing from science and culture, Bloodsuckers transforms a subject that might seem gory into something truly fascinating.”

    “This award-winning international exhibition lets you get close to bloodsuckers – without the risk of being bitten,” says Reeves.

    Bloodsuckers is full of juicy facts on the role that bloodfeeders have played in medicine for over 3,000 years, and how they spark scientific discoveries today. The exhibition explores the evolution of bloodletting, from hungry leeches feeding on patients in the name of health, to barbers and physicians tapping veins for vitality in Medieval and Victorian times. Current research on bloodborne diseases around the world and how leech anticoagulants—the strongest in the world—enable advancements in medical care highlight the impact bloodfeeders continue to have on human health. The exhibition will also arm visitors with knowledge on how to identify, avoid, and heal bites from bloodfeeding organisms, and ultimately live in harmony with them.

    Reeves says, “In Aotearoa, bloodsuckers like mosquitoes, sandflies, and ticks are an inevitable part of the summer experience. While they may be a nuisance, these creatures have evolved fascinating adaptations to survive and thrive. Bloodsuckers gives visitors the opportunity to understand species like these in a new light, from their role in nature to their influence on our daily lives.”

    The exhibition showcases over 200 unique objects, including wet, mounted, and taxidermy specimens, 17th–19th century bloodletting instruments, and 20th-century pop culture artefacts, all telling the story of blood feeding creatures through time. The interactive exhibits allow visitors to explore these creatures up close, with highlights including a giant glowing column of red blood cells, an old-world bloodletting shop, an audio experience of a mosquito swarm and a retro movie theatre playing clips from classic bloodsucker-inspired films.

    Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches is coming exclusively to Auckland Museum and opens Monday 9 December. Tickets are on sale from Tuesday 26 November at aucklandmuseum.com.

    Auckland Museum Membership provides unlimited free entry to Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events. Find out more at aucklandmuseum.com/membership.

    Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches is produced and circulated by ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), Toronto, Canada.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Israel has banned the UN secretary-general. Is this legal – or right?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Berhanu Woldemariam, Lecturer in law, University of Newcastle

    In early October, Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, announced on X he had declared the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, persona non grata. In other words, he had banned Guterres from setting foot in Israel.

    Katz said Guterres’ failure to “unequivocally condemn” Iran’s recent attack on Israel was the reason he was no longer welcome. The strongly worded statement further accused the UN chief of failing to “denounce” Hamas’ massacre in southern Israel on October 7 2023. He added:

    A secretary-general who gives backing to terrorists, rapists and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and now Iran — the mothership of global terror — will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN.

    Security Council members expressed their support for Guterres after Katz’s declaration. And Guterres’ spokesperson called it “a political statement” and “just one more attack […] on UN staff” by the Israeli government.

    What is the significance of Israel’s declaration? And what kind of impact could it have?

    What does persona non grata mean?

    The Latin phrase persona non grata means “an unwelcome person”. In international law, it refers to the right of states to exclude a diplomat or consular officer from their territory. This can take the form of expelling a diplomat or denying them entry.

    Under international conventions, nations are not required to provide a reason for such a declaration.

    Diplomats and consular staff enjoy a wide range of immunities and privileges under international law. Among other things, they cannot be subjected to any form of arrest or detention, nor can they face legal action in a criminal or civil court.

    The diplomat’s home nation must waive immunity for this kind of action to be taken.

    The concept of persona non grata was therefore devised as a way to balance against these immunities and privileges. A nation that is aggrieved by the actions of a diplomat or consular officer can simply bar them from their territory, without even providing a reason.

    Can UN officials be declared persona non grata?

    There is a longstanding debate between the UN and its member states about the legality of such declarations.

    The UN maintains its officials cannot be barred from member nations because they are not diplomats accredited to those countries. Rather, they are international civil servants who are accountable to a global organisation.

    The UN also notes that declaring its officials persona non grata seriously interferes with the organisation’s functions, as well as the powers of the UN secretary-general under the UN Charter.

    Many countries, however, do not agree with the UN’s position. In recent years, Ethiopia, Mali, Sudan and Armenia have all declared UN officials to be persona non grata, just to name a few.

    Israel’s declaration is only the second time a nation has specifically banned the UN secretary-general. The first time was in the 1950s when both the Soviet Union and the Republic of China declared the first secretary-general, Trygve Lie, persona non grata.

    In 1961, the Soviet Union also said it would not recognise Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold as an “official of the United Nations”.

    Power must be handled with restraint

    I am researching this issue, which has not yet been widely explored. My study is looking at two main questions: whether states have the right to bar UN officials and the implications of doing this.

    On the first question, I believe there are strong legal reasons to support the rights of states to kick out – or keep out – UN officials.

    For one, nations have a wide scope of sovereign rights to decide who enters and leaves their territory. This is a cardinal principle of sovereignty.

    If UN officials are suspected of engaging in conduct harmful to a country’s national interests and security, it also has a right to defend and protect itself. One way of doing so is to expel the suspected UN official.

    Lastly, there is no direct rule under international law that prohibits this kind of action.

    Beyond these legal rights, however, is the important issue of what such an action means for the longer-term credibility and efficacy of the UN.

    Because countries are not required to provide a reason for banning a foreign diplomat, this makes it a powerful political weapon if used against a UN official.

    And banning UN officials specifically could also seriously jeopardise the organisation’s work and put innocent lives at risk. This is especially true in the context of armed conflicts where the UN is called upon to provide humanitarian assistance.

    For example, in 2021, Ethiopia expelled five UN humanitarian officials who were providing food, medicine, water and other life-saving items to more than 5 million people in a region that was engaged in armed conflict with the federal government. Given the expelled officials were high-ranking staff, the action disrupted the co‑ordination and provision of assistance.

    And banning the secretary-general, in particular, is perhaps the strongest indicator of the breakdown of the relationship between a state and the UN.

    The secretary-general is the chief international civil servant and the embodiment of the organisation. Their leadership is also critical for providing emergency relief, brokering ceasefires and promoting peace.

    Declaring the secretary-general persona non grata, therefore, seriously damages his or her standing, especially in the context of an armed conflict. It’s also a strong political statement against the UN more broadly, which could significantly complicate its humanitarian work.

    Therefore, while countries do have the sovereign power to declare UN officials persona non grata, they need to exercise restraint in how they use this power. What such restraint should look like is an open question, but one that must be urgently addressed.

    The author’s ongoing research work on the topic has received internal funding support from the College of Humanities and Social Futures at The University of Newcastle, NSW.

    – ref. Israel has banned the UN secretary-general. Is this legal – or right? – https://theconversation.com/israel-has-banned-the-un-secretary-general-is-this-legal-or-right-240674

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China says anti-dumping measures on EU brandy legitimate

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China’s commerce ministry said Wednesday the country’s anti-dumping move on brandy imported from the European Union (EU) is a “legitimate trade remedy measure and entirely in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.”

    The decision to take anti-dumping measures against EU brandy imports, which was announced Tuesday, was based on legal investigations in response to a request from the domestic industry, the ministry said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, the ministry noted that the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles was not launched at the industry’s request. Furthermore, the EU move has been strongly opposed by relevant EU member states and their industries.

    The EU’s action seriously lacked factual and legal basis and clearly violated WTO rules, which was a practice of protectionism in the name of trade remedies, the ministry said.

    To defend the legitimate rights and interests of China’s electric vehicle industry, the country has lodged strong representation at the WTO and appealed to the WTO dispute settlement over relevant anti-subsidy measures, it said.

    China has always opposed the abuse of trade remedy measures, the ministry said, urging the EU to immediately correct its wrong practices and work with China to safeguard the overall economic and trade situation between the two sides.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Post tops global postal operators by revenue, profits

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Staff members distribute parcels at a distribution center of China Post Group Co., Ltd. in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, Jan. 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China Post ranked first among global postal operators by both revenue and profits in the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list, according to company sources on Wednesday.

    Liu Aili, chairman of China Post Group Corporation Limited, said that the company had continually strengthened its core competitiveness. China Post has established an extensive delivery network, operating 120,000 delivery trucks and 42 cargo aircraft.

    The state-owned postal service provider maintained stable operation in the first eight months of this year, with revenue of 472.17 billion yuan (66.9 billion U.S. dollars) and profits of 70.48 billion yuan, Liu said in a speech marking the 55th World Post Day, which falls on Wednesday.

    Looking ahead, the company will focus on further enhancing the rural delivery system, integrating local industries into larger economic networks and helping small agricultural producers reach national markets, Liu added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nation’s housing market sizzles on policy measures

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Optimization measures rolled out by China’s central government as well as major cities, along with large-scale promotional activities by real estate developers, have led to a better-than-expected housing market performance during the weeklong National Day holiday, industry experts said on Wednesday.

    To seize market opportunities brought on by favorable policies, property developers are looking to strengthen their competitiveness by enhancing quality and branding instead of resorting to price wars, experts said.

    Despite a conventional low season for home transactions, the just-concluded National Day holiday saw greater transaction volumes for new homes in several Chinese cities, according to Chen Wenjing, director of research at the China Index Academy.

    “The conditions are more evident in first-tier cities. In Guangzhou and Shenzhen of South China’s Guangdong province, new home transaction volumes of projects monitored by China Index Academy are double that from the whole of September, and the number of deals inked during the same period surpassed that of September in Beijing and Shanghai,” Chen said.

    “It is worth noting that similar hot sales took place in second-tier cities including Chengdu of Sichuan province and Hangzhou of Zhejiang province,” she said, attributing it to the bigger discounts that helped activate the real estate market.

    During the first seven days of October, new home transactions in the key 22 cities tracked by China Real Estate Information Corp soared 26 percent in terms of space year-on-year, and that of Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou surged 42 percent, according to Ding Zuyu, CEO of E-House (China) Enterprise Holdings Ltd.

    Along with the improved new home trade volumes, major real estate developers also reported outstanding sales. Some of the top 20 developers saw their sales grow between 60 percent and 150 percent, Ding said.

    “The positive figures indicated that the home market confidence is steadily recovering,” said Ding.

    Policies announced by the central and local governments to stabilize the home market have played a great role in boosting market confidence. Meanwhile, significant promotions by real estate developers have also contributed to the market performance, said Li Yujia, a researcher on residential policy in Guangdong province.

    According to Li, several residential projects resorted to offering gold, new energy vehicles and huge discounts to homebuyers, but regardless of the appealing gifts or discounts, the bestselling projects are always the ones with reasonable prices and high quality under big-name developers.

    With the home market entering its conventional peak season, some developers are adjusting their pricing strategy, which is also in line with the central government’s call for market stabilization, according to local news portal ThePaper.cn.

    MIL OSI China News –