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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 today (June 12):

    Alfred (President of the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation, Mr Alfred Leung), Vice President Wang (Vice President of the Research Institute of Highway of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wang Shuiyin), Tony (Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

         Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the inaugural International Conference on Roads and Railways – a timely and important gathering that brings together a distinguished community of policymakers, engineers, academics and industry leaders to explore the future of connectivity and sustainable mobility.

         To our guests from the Mainland and overseas, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.

    The future of roads and railways 

         Roads and railways have long been the backbone of economic growth and social advancement. They are more than just physical infrastructure; they are public goods that connect people, expand opportunities, foster mutual understanding, and enable more inclusive development.

         In an era of rapid technological advancement and growing climate urgency, we are called not only to build infrastructure, but to build it smarter and greener. Transportation systems must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in ways that align with the sustainable development goals and meet the needs of future generations.

         Around the world, the momentum towards smart and sustainable mobility is accelerating. Emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, to automation and digital twin systems, are transforming how we plan and manage transport infrastructure. These innovations are helping us optimise construction engineering, enable real-time traffic management, and apply AI-powered predictive maintenance that cuts costs, reduces downtime and enhances safety. 

         In short, we are seeing a profound shift from traditional infrastructure to intelligent assets that adapt, learn and improve over time.

         At the same time, the global push for decarbonisation is reshaping the transport landscape, calling for action on multiple fronts such as using low-carbon materials in construction; designing infrastructure to support green logistics; and investing in EV charging networks as critical enablers of clean transport. It also means leveraging smart technologies, such as optimising energy consumption through AI, sensor-based monitoring, modular construction, and more, to reduce emissions across the life cycle of transport assets. 

         Green infrastructure, once a goal, is now a necessity.

         A key strategy in this transition is transit-oriented development, or TOD, which is a planning approach that integrates high-density urban development with efficient public transport systems. It clusters housing, commercial services and amenities around transit hubs, reducing reliance on private vehicles and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. 

         Studies show that well-executed TOD can reduce urban carbon emissions by up to 25 per cent, while also enhancing liveability, walkability and economic vitality. In essence, TOD is about building communities that are compact, connected and carbon-conscious.

    Hong Kong’s experience 

         So where does Hong Kong stand in all these – and how can we contribute? I believe there are several areas that Hong Kong can share experience with our peers.

         First, technological expertise and professional excellence. Hong Kong’s pathway in transport infrastructure is built on advanced engineering know-how, precision planning, and a commitment to innovation. Mable, our Secretary for Transport and Logistics, will soon provide a detailed account of how we are taking the projects forwards and how we are applying advanced technologies. But allow me to highlight a few unique features of our experience. 

         Hong Kong is a compact and high-density city, where land is scarce and infrastructure must coexist with tight urban spaces. This has made us a pioneer in TOD, with railways serving as the backbone of urban development. Our railway-led planning integrates transport, housing and commercial uses to create seamlessly connected and lower-emission communities.

         A good example is the Northern Metropolis, envisioned as a major innovation and technology hub. With a projected population of 2.5 million and over 650 000 new jobs, its development will be “infrastructure-led” and “capacity-creating” – with key projects such as the Northern Metropolis Highway and the Northern Link driving connectivity and growth in the region.

         Given our dense built environment, careful planning and community engagement are essential to avoid undue disruption. While this can be time-consuming, it reminds us of the need to build infrastructure that is responsive to public aspirations and socially inclusive.

         Cross-boundary land transport infrastructure is a defining characteristic of Hong Kong. We have nine land boundary control points. From the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to the High Speed Rail, we have experience in integrating different engineering standards, operational models and even legal frameworks. A good example is the co-location of Mainland’s and Hong Kong’s customs, immigration and quarantine facilities at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. These projects require a high degree of agility, co-ordination with our counterparts and innovation.

         Second, smart and green innovation. Hong Kong is committed to making our transport systems smarter and greener, both as an innovator of new technologies and a user of cutting-edge solutions. 

         On the innovation side, we are investing heavily in four key technology areas: AI and robotics, biotech, fintech, and new energy and materials. Our goal is to become an international innovation and technology hub, with AI at its core.

         We already have a vibrant ecosystem of some 4 700 start-ups. In addition, we have been making good progress in attracting strategic enterprises to establish their presence, including R&D centres, here in Hong Kong. These include companies engaged in EVs, autonomous driving, smart traffic management and green materials, many of which are eager to seek global partners to expand their applications.

         On the application side, our high-density urban environment demands the use of advanced technologies to maintain efficiency and reliability of the transportation system. The opportunities in this space are vast, and we warmly welcome tech innovators from around the world to share solutions, co-create new applications, and shape the future of mobility together.

         Finally, financing the future. Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre gives us a unique and powerful lever to support infrastructure development globally. 

         With a full suite of funding options, Hong Kong is where infrastructure projects from around the world can raise funds. This is particularly relevant for green, low-carbon infrastructure projects. We are Asia’s leading green bond market, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total issuance. 

         And we are also pioneering innovative financing models to unlock capital for infrastructure development. One such example is securitisation of infrastructure loans, a mechanism that transforms mature, revenue-generating brownfield assets into investment products, thereby freeing up capital for new greenfield projects. To date, Hong Kong has issued two such tranches, totalling US$800 million, supporting over 50 projects across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. 

         In regions where infrastructure funding gap remains urgent and significant – particularly in the Global South – Hong Kong offers practical and scalable ways to accelerate the delivery of essential and sustainable transport networks.

    Concluding remarks

         Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I believe the path to smarter and greener mobility is full of potential – and it is through collaboration, innovation and shared commitment that we will realise it.  

         On this note, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Highways Department, and the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation for organising this meaningful conference.

         I wish the conference every success, and I look forward to the ideas and partnerships that will emerge from these three exciting days. Thank you very much. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Hainan Island Braces for Typhoon Vitip

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    HAIKOU, June 12 (Xinhua) — South China’s Hainan Province raised its flood and typhoon alert level to III from IV at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

    Typhoon Witip’s epicenter was located about 270 kilometers southeast of Sanya at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with winds of up to 18 meters per second and atmospheric pressure at the epicenter of 993 hectopascals, according to the provincial meteorological office.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Hainan was placed on typhoon alert level four after a tropical depression over the South China Sea strengthened into its first typhoon this year in the morning.

    Strong winds and rainfall have already affected Sansha City, China’s southernmost city, as a maximum of 108.6 mm of rainfall was recorded there between 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, with wind gusts of up to 18.7 meters per second.

    Meteorologists predict that Vitip will move west at about 10 km per hour, gradually gaining strength as it approaches the southern coast of Hainan Island. It is expected to make landfall in the area on Friday.

    At present, all marine cargo terminals in Sanya have stopped operations and all marine engineering projects have been suspended. According to the city’s Maritime Affairs Bureau, a total of 1,205 people on 11 offshore platforms have been evacuated to safe areas.

    Let us recall that China has adopted a four-level emergency response system for flood-related emergencies, where level 1 is the highest.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese students with disabilities realize their college dreams with improved assistance

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) — Among the 13.35 million Chinese applicants who took this year’s gaokao, the nationwide college entrance examination, more than 14,000 people with disabilities received the help they needed to realize their dreams of higher education.

    This year, China’s Gaokao was held from June 7 to 10. A total of 16 visually impaired examinees in 12 provincial-level administrative units used special examination materials printed in Braille in special rooms with extended time allotted for completing the tasks. All visually impaired examinees were allowed to bring Braille pens, tablets, drawing tools, and other assistive devices.

    As for examinees with hearing impairments, they were exempted from listening questions in foreign language tests and were allowed to wear hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices.

    Disabled examinees were guaranteed access to wheelchairs and mobility aids in examination rooms. Applicants who had difficulty writing papers due to upper limb impairments or loss were given 30 percent more time than other examinees.

    According to official statistics, in 2025, the number of disabled people in the country who passed the gaokao exams using preferential assistance measures was 140 times more than in 2012. Now, this practice has become more regular and institutionalized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Warns Against Trump’s Unprecedented Overreach in Los Angeles, Condemns Abuse of Immigrants to Attack Our Constitutional Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Warns Against Trump’s Unprecedented Overreach in Los Angeles, Condemns Abuse of Immigrants to Attack Our Constitutional Order

    WATCH: Padilla calls President Trump’s cruel immigration enforcement in Los Angeles “a threat to everybody. Because an attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined a spotlight forum entitled “Cruel and Unamerican: The Abuse of Immigrants to Attack our Constitutional Order” to condemn President Trump’s inhumane, theatrical immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, including his unprecedented move to federalize the California National Guard and mobilize hundreds of members of the U.S. Marine Corps. He warned that Trump’s actions in California are a “test case” for using the National Guard or Marines to attack immigrants’ rights in communities across the country.

    Padilla made clear that the blame for the unrest in Los Angeles falls squarely on President Trump. He blasted the President for using the same playbook when the headlines turn against him: scapegoat immigrants and manufacture a crisis. He outlined that Trump sought to sow chaos across Los Angeles to distract from his struggling political agenda, including Republicans’ billionaire-first tax bill that would gut health care and nutrition services that millions of Americans depend on to give tax breaks to the wealthy.

    Padilla also urged Californians to continue peacefully protesting the Trump Administration’s unprecedented overreach, and strongly condemned violence in all its forms, including the small set of bad actors engaging in violent behavior or vandalism.

    • “Proud to have been born and raised in Los Angeles, and I can tell you that Angelenos have a long history of speaking up for ourselves — for our communities and for the vulnerable in our community. We’ve seen that tradition continue this past week as Angelenos have spoken up against the extreme actions of the Trump Administration. And yes, while a small number of bad actors have sought to exploit the peaceful protests and have engaged in violence or vandalism, the overwhelming majority of activity has been peaceful and protected by the First Amendment.”
    • “Donald Trump created this chaos. He inflamed this violence. And he did it intentionally. He sent federal agents in to terrorize communities, and then turned around and blamed state and local leaders for the very chaos that he unleashed.”
    • “By last Friday, Trump was drowning in negative headlines. And so just as he’s done throughout the years, when all else fails, when everything is going bad, he turns to the same tired playbook: Attack immigrants. Blame immigrants. And manufacture a crisis to try to change the news cycle.”

    Padilla criticized Trump for his severe escalation of the conflict, deploying the National Guard without the Governor’s consent or request for the first time since 1965. Since then, Trump has arrested Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California President David Huerta for peacefully protesting, threatened to arrest Governor Newsom, and mobilized approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles without a clear mission or justification. Padilla warned of the dangerous precedent Trump’s actions set, not just for California, but for the entire nation.

    • “This is dangerous territory. Servicewomen and men are trained to fight wars overseas not to police communities here in the United States. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump wants. He wants to create theatrics. He wants a viral clip of a protest turned chaotic so he can justify his crackdown on immigrants and distract from his own failures. He’s testing the boundaries of his power.”
    • “And my message to the country today is this: What’s happening in California is not just a threat to California, it’s not just a threat to immigrant communities. It’s a threat to everybody. Because an attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights.”
    • “And no matter where you live or what’s your background, don’t think that anybody is insulated from Trump’s actions. If Donald Trump can bypass the Governor of California to activate the National Guard and suppress immigrant rights, he’ll do whatever he wants to suppress other rights, too. And if he can deploy Marines to Los Angeles, he can deploy them to any city in America.”

    Padilla concluded his remarks by promising to fight against President Trump’s reckless attempt to circumvent due process to enact his mass deportation agenda.

    • “If he can bypass due process, declare lawful residents ‘criminals’ subject to deportation, and disappear them to foreign countries without even giving them an opportunity to make their case, what’s to stop him from doing the same to any of us?”
    • “California is nothing but Trump’s test case for the rest of the country. We can’t let him get away with it. We won’t let him get away with it.”

    Video of Padilla’s full remarks is available here.

    In his questioning, Padilla discussed the Trump Administration’s alarming erosion of due process, including the unprecedented number of arrests taking place over the last few weeks at immigrants’ court dates, hearings, or regular check-ins.

    Senator Padilla has been outspoken in calling out the Los Angeles Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and Trump’s misguided mobilization of the National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. Yesterday, Padilla and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) demanded answers regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to deploy approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles. Padilla has spoken on the Senate floor multiple times to blast President Trump for manufacturing a crisis by launching indiscriminate ICE raids across Los Angeles and deploying the National Guard and active-duty servicemembers to the region. Earlier this week, Padilla, Schiff, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded answers from top Trump Administration officials regarding the arrest and detention of David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU-United Service Workers West.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Statement Blasting Misguided Trump Admin Memo Threatening California National Monuments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Statement Blasting Misguided Trump Admin Memo Threatening California National Monuments

    WATCH: Padilla Questions Interior Secretary Burgum on DOJ Memo During ENR Committee Hearing

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a new legal opinion that could pave the way for the Trump Administration to eliminate or shrink California’s recently established national monuments, Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands:

    “Once again, the Trump Administration is upending the rule of law and flouting 90 years of legal precedent — this time by coming after our nation’s treasured public lands. With this opinion, the Trump Administration is trying to give itself unlawful authorities that will devastate California’s hard-fought progress to protect our iconic wildlife, preserve our sacred tribal sites, and ensure clean energy production.

    “I was proud to work alongside local governments, tribal leaders, and the energy industry to build broad bipartisan support for Chuckwalla and Sáttítla, California’s recently designated national monuments. I will continue fighting this shortsighted effort to give carte blanche to this Administration which is determined to destroy our cherished public lands.”

    Earlier today, Padilla questioned Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on DOJ’s legal opinion and its implications for California’s national monuments during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

    Senator Padilla led the charge to establish the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments, protecting roughly 850,000 acres of California’s public lands. Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former California Senator Laphonza Butler, and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) successfully urged former President Biden to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument. Padilla, Butler, and Ruiz also introduced legislation to push for the establishment of the monument.

    Last year, Padilla, Schiff, and Butler called on President Biden to designate the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, and Padilla and Butler introduced legislation to establish it. Padilla and Schiff celebrated former President Biden’s official signing of proclamations to establish the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California earlier this year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New guideline stresses improved social security for low-income groups

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

    A construction worker works at a temporary settlement site in Chuimatan Town of Jishishan, northwest China’s Gansu province, Dec. 27, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China will intensify efforts to optimize its social insurance systems, assist low-income groups and ensure the public has fairer, more balanced and accessible social services in education, medical care, as well as elderly and child care, according to a new guideline.

    The general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, China’s Cabinet, jointly released the guideline on Monday. The guideline emphasizes securing and improving people’s livelihoods by addressing pressing issues such as education, social insurance, health care, and care services for children and the elderly.

    “China has achieved some historic improvements in people’s livelihoods in the new era,” Xiao Weiming, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. “So far, we have established the world’s largest social insurance system, with about 1.07 billion people covered by basic pension insurance and 1.32 billion by basic medical insurance. Last year, the average schooling years of new labor force entrants exceeded 14 years, and the average life expectancy reached 79 years.”

    Xiao said policies that promote more balanced public services and inclusive benefits are urgently needed to advance Chinese modernization and address challenges including an aging population, a low birthrate and disparities in public services.

    The new guideline outlines specific measures to tackle these challenges, including improving incomes for rural residents, refining social insurance payment systems and increasing the number of nursing care beds in elderly care homes.

    For example, flexible workers, migrant workers and those in new forms of employment such as food delivery drivers and ride-hailing drivers will be able to join social insurance programs without restrictions tied to the hukou, or household registration system.

    Regarding elderly and child care services, the guideline calls for nursing homes to enhance their ability to care for elderly residents who have lost basic living abilities and to expand nursing care bed availability. Newly established nursing homes should have nursing care beds making up more than 80 percent of their total bed capacity.

    The guideline also states that within about 10 years, child care services should be available in over 80 percent of residential communities in major cities.

    Zhang Wei, an official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said at the news conference that the guideline underscores the importance of strengthening assistance to low-income groups to ensure they share in the results of social reform and development.

    He said the ministry will work to improve the social assistance system, enhance efforts to identify individuals and families with low incomes and push for laws and regulations on social assistance to offer legal protection for low-income groups.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: American trio into quarterfinals at Queens Club

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

    American trio Emma Navarro, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys all advanced in the women’s singles round of 16 at the Queen’s Club Championships on Wednesday.

    Third seed Navarro came from a set down to defeat Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4.

    The world No. 10 struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set and faced a match point in the grueling second, but the former Wimbledon quarterfinalist gradually raised her level and sealed the win in 2 hours and 47 minutes.

    Navarro will face fellow American Anisimova in the quarterfinals after the world No. 15 outplayed British wild card Sonay Kartal 6-1, 6-3.

    Australian Open champion Keys overcame a shaky start to defeat Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova 6-3, 6-2.

    Keys admitted she had trouble early on. “Once I did, I feel like I played really well,” the second seed said during her on-court interview.

    Meanwhile, sixth seed Karolina Muchova was knocked out of the WTA 500 event in west London by German qualifier Tatjana Maria, 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-1.

    China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen will face American McCartney Kessler in the second round on Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China taps policy tools, emerging industries to unlock job market potential

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

    As part of its broader strategy to ensure high-quality and sufficient employment, China is combining fiscal support, targeted incentives and the rise of emerging industries to drive employment growth.

    Recent official data indicate that China’s job market remains broadly stable. The surveyed urban unemployment rate edged down to 5.1 percent in April from 5.2 percent in March, maintaining an average of 5.2 percent in the first four months of 2025.

    Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, credited this steady trend to the country’s improving industrial performance and expanding new growth drivers, along with strengthened assistance for key labor groups.

    Recognizing employment as a strategic priority, China’s leadership reaffirmed job stability as a top policy goal at a tone-setting meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held in April 2025.

    As part of these coordinated efforts, multiple government authorities on the same day jointly unveiled measures in a circular aimed at bolstering employment among 2025 college graduates and young jobseekers.

    “College graduates and other youths are valuable human resources,” the circular stated, urging maximum efforts to support their employment.

    Organizations that employ 2025 graduates, graduates unemployed within the first two years after leaving school or registered unemployed youth aged 16-24, are eligible for a one-off job expansion subsidy, according to the circular. This policy will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2025.

    Complementing these youth-focused measures, authorities have extended broader financial support to companies aiming to preserve existing jobs. Key unemployment insurance relief policies, which help companies retain employees and support workers in upgrading their skills, have been extended through the end of 2025.

    These supportive policies coincide with robust demand growth in China’s high-tech industries. Notably, industry data highlight significant increases in recruitment activity in fields like industrial automation and digital technologies in the first quarter of 2025.

    Data from Zhaopin.com show that vacancies for mechanical and automation engineers in the industrial automation sector had jumped by 40 percent and 10 percent in this period, respectively, while those requiring algorithm engineers and machine learning specialists rose by 44 percent and 18 percent, respectively, reflecting the increasing role of technology-driven growth.

    This momentum is echoed by major Chinese enterprises, including tech giants and manufacturing firms, which have recently unveiled ambitious recruitment plans.

    Tencent, for instance, announced its largest-ever employment initiative, creating 28,000 internships over three years, many with the prospect of full-time conversion. As of early March this year, the company had employed over 55,000 people — with technology roles accounting for 73 percent of total staff.

    Similarly, Alibaba opened over 3,000 roles in its 2026 spring campus recruitment round, nearly half of which are in AI-related fields. Midea Group, a leading home appliance manufacturer, plans to provide more than 2,000 positions through campus recruitment in 2025.

    China’s employment strategy goes beyond merely recruitment, but also emphasizes retaining and upgrading talent. Many enterprises have significantly invested in employee training programs, implementing structured pathways to facilitate skills enhancement and career growth.

    Fuyao Group, a leading global automotive glass supplier, for example, has developed a comprehensive training system, digitally connecting nearly 30,000 employees through its internal platform, complemented by technical skills programs.

    Vocational training across the country is likewise scaling up to match emerging employment demands. Local governments have initiated subsidized training programs targeting crucial sectors — such as advanced manufacturing, eldercare, childcare and modern services.

    In Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, a robotics innovation center has trained over 12,000 professionals in advanced robotics alone. Its future plans involve expanded collaboration with universities and industry leaders in fields including artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing.

    Such integrated industry-education ecosystems are becoming increasingly common nationwide, and are designed to continuously replenish talent pools in rapidly evolving sectors.

    Looking ahead, Chen Yun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security, suggested maintaining employment-oriented vocational training.

    Chen also called for further targeted fiscal, tax, financial, technological and industrial policies tailored specifically to different business conditions — with intensified support for enterprises facing greater difficulties. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 12, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 12, 2025.

    Trump may try to strike a deal with AUKUS review, but here’s why he won’t sink it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University The Pentagon has announced it will review the massive AUKUS agreement between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to ensure it’s aligned with US President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda. The US undersecretary of defence

    Why are sunsets so pretty in winter? There’s a simple explanation
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Wilkins, Associate Lecturer and PhD Candidate, Solar Physics, University of Newcastle nelo2309/Shutterstock If you live in the southern hemisphere and have been stopped in your tracks by a recent sunset, you may have noticed they seem more vibrant lately. The colours are brighter and bolder, and

    After weeks of confusion and chaos, Tasmania heads back to the polls on July 19
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hortle, Deputy Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania The Tasmanian government has called a state election for July 19, the fourth in a little over seven years. Following days of high drama, Governor Barbara Baker finally granted Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s election request, saying there

    Goodbye to all that? Rethinking Australia’s alliance with Trump’s America
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Beeson, Adjunct professor, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney Even the most ardent supporters of the alliance with the United States – the notional foundation of Australian security for more than 70 years – must be having some misgivings about the second coming of Donald

    A reversal in US climate policy will send renewables investors packing – and Australia can reap the benefits
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Downie, Professor, Australian National University President Donald Trump is trying to unravel the signature climate policy of his predecessor Joe Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act, as part of a sweeping bid to dismantle the United States’ climate ambition. The Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, is a

    ‘Hard to measure and difficult to shift’: the government’s big productivity challenge
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra Higher productivity has quickly emerged as an economic reform priority for Labor’s second term. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has laid down some markers for a productivity round table in August, saying he wants it to build the “broadest possible

    Extreme weather could send milk prices soaring, deepening challenges for the dairy industry
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milena Bojovic, Lecturer, Sustainability and Environment, University of Technology Sydney Australia’s dairy industry is in the middle of a crisis, fuelled by an almost perfect storm of challenges. Climate change and extreme weather have been battering farmlands and impacting animal productivity, creating mounting financial strains and mental

    201 ways to say ‘fuck’: what 1.7 billion words of online text shows about how the world swears
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Schweinberger, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, The University of Queensland Our brains swear for good reasons: to vent, cope, boost our grit and feel closer to those around us. Swear words can act as social glue and play meaningful roles in how people communicate, connect and express

    Were the first kings of Poland actually from Scotland? New DNA evidence unsettles a nation’s founding myth
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University An illustration from a 15th-century manuscript showing the coronation of the first king of Poland, Boleslaw I. Chronica Polonorum by Mathiae de Mechovia For two centuries, scholars have sparred over the roots of the Piasts, Poland’s first documented royal

    Medical scans are big business and investors are circling. Here are 3 reasons to be concerned
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sean Docking, Research Fellow, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University wedmoments.stock/Shutterstock Timely access to high-quality medical imaging can be lifesaving and life-altering. Radiology can confirm a fractured bone, give us an early glimpse of our baby or detect cancer. But behind the x-ray, ultrasound,

    ‘Microaggressions’ can fly under the radar in schools. Here’s how to spot them and respond
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Leslie, Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy with a focus on Educational Psychology, University of Southern Queensland Klaus Vedfelt/ Getty Images Bullying is sadly a common experience for Australian children and teenagers. It is estimated at least 25% experience bullying at some point in their schooling. The

    New Zealand’s ‘symbolic’ sanctions on Israel too little, too late, say opposition parties
    By Russell Palmer, RNZ News political reporter Opposition parties say Aotearoa New Zealand’s government should be going much further, much faster in sanctioning Israel. Foreign Minister Winston Peters overnight revealed New Zealand had joined Australia, Canada, the UK and Norway in imposing travel bans on Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar

    More deaths reported out of Sugapa in West Papua clashes with military
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia’s military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of May 14 in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central

    Q+A follows The Project onto the scrap heap – so where to now for non-traditional current affairs?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne Two long-running television current affairs programs are coming to an end at the same time, driving home the fact that no matter what the format, they have a shelf life. The Project on Channel

    Sanctioning extremist Israeli ministers is a start, but Australia and its allies must do more
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Whyte, Scientia Associate Professor of Philosophy and ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Sydney The Australian government is imposing financial and travel sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir (the national security minister) and Bezalel Smotrich (finance minister). This is a significant development. While Australia has previously

    Malaria has returned to the Torres Strait. What does this mean for mainland Australia?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney Aspect Drones/Shutterstock Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases spread by mosquitoes. Each year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected and half a million people die from the disease. While mainland Australia was

    Is regulation really to blame for the housing affordability crisis?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Sydney ymgerman/Shutterstock The Albanese government has a new mantra to describe the housing crisis, which is showing no signs of abating: homes have simply become “too hard to build” in Australia. The prime minister and senior ministers

    NZ’s goal is to get smoking rates under 5% for all population groups this year – here’s why that’s highly unlikely
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Hoek, Professor in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images Next week is “scrutiny week” in parliament – one of two weeks each year when opposition MPs can hold ministers accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. For us, it’s a good time to take stock

    Labor’s win at the 2025 federal election was the biggest since 1943, with its largest swings in the cities
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne We now have the (almost!) final results from the 2025 federal election – with only Bradfield still to be completely resolved. Labor won 94 of the 150

    What are the ‘less lethal’ weapons being used in Los Angeles?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara McPhedran, Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles. In response, police and military personnel have been deployed around the greater LA area. Authorities have been using

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Recycling to curb tyre dumping in Kaikōura

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    Date:

    A big leap has been made to end the practice of dumping and illegally stockpiling end-of-life tyres, thanks to Tyrewise, a regulated product stewardship scheme that ensures tyres are recycled across Aotearoa, free of charge.

    Tyres dumped or improperly stockpiled outdoors release harmful contaminants into the environment, significantly impacting our air, soil and water quality.

    After a series of incidents around the Kaikōura district, we’re reminding residents that the Tyrewise scheme is available at their local Innovative Waste Kaikōura (IWK) Resource Recovery Centre.

    Uptick in dumping incidents reported

    Our local compliance staff recently discovered a number of tyres down the deep gullies next to State Highway 1 (SH1) in Kaikōura, and in the coastal marine area at Goose Bay.  

    We also know that there are likely other legacy dumping sites and unauthorised stockpiles in the area.           

    Removing tyres dumped in hard-to-reach locations, like these gulleys, is both difficult and costly, and ratepayers foot the bill.

    Tyre dumping is illegal under the Resource Management Act 1992 (RMA). If caught dumping tyre waste, you risk compliance action like fines and abatement notices from the regional council.

    Local resource management officer Garry Husband says that we’re remediating the issue, but under the new scheme, there’s no good reason to pollute our environment with tyres.

    “We’ve now got a free way to get rid of those old end-of-life tyres that’s local and easy to use. It doesn’t make sense to break the law and pay the hefty cost.”

    “Our staff are working alongside community service workers from the Department of Corrections, who are providing manpower to remediate this tricky site.

    “We hope to see less of this non-compliant dumping activity in the future.”

    Tyrewise scheme

    Prior to 2024, the cost of end-of-life tyre disposal was falling on communities, local government and the environment.

    There were few collection sites available that would accept unwanted tyres, and the associated costs or travel required made this system inaccessible for many.

    As a result, significant amounts of tyres were ending up as discarded waste in our region.

    From 1 March 2021, new national regulations from the Ministry of the Environment introduced a stewardship fee to be collected on all regulated tyres when they enter the New Zealand market.

    This scheme, known as Tyrewise, ensures that producers take responsibility to minimise the waste and harm caused by tyres at the end of their usual useful life.

    Need to recycle your tyres visit Innovative Waste Kaikōura (IWK) Resource Recovery Centre.

    How it works

    Nationally and across Waitaha/Canterbury, Tyrewise has a network of registered partners and collection sites that take worn out tyres. No disposal charges apply.

    In Kaikōura, residents can take up to five end-of-life tyres to their local registered public collection site, IWK Resource Recovery Centre.

    Find out more about how this scheme is repurposing old tyres in Aotearoa.

    Impact of tyre dumping on the environment

    Tyre dumping is an unsightly issue with nasty environmental impacts.

    Tyres contain a variety of hazardous substances like heavy metals, organic compounds and microplastics.

    Decomposing and sun exposed tyres can produce a toxic leachate that can seep into soil and groundwater, polluting the environment and affecting our precious ecosystems.

    Unconsented tyre stockpiles also pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from tyre fires contains harmful chemicals that can contribute to air pollution and respiratory problems for people.

    Report dumped or stockpiled tyres: If you come across a tyre dump site or unauthorised stockpile,

    report it as an environmental incident by calling us on 0800 765 588 (24 hours), or via the Snap Send Solve app.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox News to Discuss Iran Nuclear Talks, Chinese Nationals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News to discuss Iran nuclear talks, along with deporting Chinese nationals that are in the country illegally.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Partial Transcript
    Hagerty on Iran nuclear talks: “If you think about it, we would not be in this position had we stayed with the ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ that President [Donald] Trump put in place in the first administration. When I was Ambassador to Japan, that was part of my role to get the Japanese to stop buying Iranian crude [oil]. We did that all over the world. We brought Iranian reserves down to almost nothing. The pressure was enormous on them. They were ready to deal. [Former President] Joe Biden comes into office, immediately relaxes all of the sanctions. Money starts flowing back to Iran. Terror starts flowing in the region. Iran is the heart of all of the terror that’s happening in the Middle East right now. And this is their tactic. They go back to obfuscating, trying to kick the can down the road, drawing out time. President Trump has dealt with them. He understands this—and I’m certain he’s disappointed with it—but he also strategically needs to bring them back to the table. And Iran needs to understand we will not tolerate their behavior. We’re not going to tolerate their funding [of] terrorism, and they will not have a nuclear weapon.”
    Hagerty on the stark difference between Obama’s and Trump’s negotiations with Iran: “If you think about what’s happened since that time, the Bidens allowed a lot more money to flow into Iran. Iran has advanced the ball much further in terms of their enrichment capabilities. That would’ve never happened at President Trump’s state in office. But again, the overarching objective is to stop Iran and stop this regime from funding terror and also do not allow them to get in a position to threaten the rest of the world with nuclear competence. That means they’re not going to get a nuclear weapon. So, the terms broadly are the same. The conditions are quite different though, and they’re much worse thanks to the Biden administration that stepped in and made [it] difficult for President Trump the first time, with the pallets of cash that [Former President Barack] Obama gave them, even though the Iranians never abided by the original negotiation, the original deal that they struck as well.”
    Hagerty on deporting illegal Chinese nationals: “This threat wouldn’t exist [had] Joe Biden not collapsed our southern border. These people are here illegally in the first place. The many that have been deported now recently were here illegally coming from China, coming from all over the world, many without our best interests at heart. The other piece of this, though—and let’s not forget what China has done on fentanyl as well—the precursors that continue to flow into this country. They’re waging war on us in multiple ways. This agroterrorism is a part of a biotechnology effort that China has going on, that the [Chinese Communist Party] has going on. I’ve fought hard here with my Biosecure Act to prevent U.S. funds from supporting biotechnology research that would happen here with Chinese equipment. We don’t want them to have access to our DNA data, certainly our genomic data. They’re trying at every front to gain advantage. And this agroterrorism was deeply, deeply concerning. If that had happened, if we’d not caught that, who knows what might’ve happened to our crops. It would’ve been devastating. So, we need to be much more diligent at every level. President Trump’s certainly trying to do that, and by making certain that these Chinese nationals, as well as many others, that are here illegally that may not have our best interest at heart. Sending them back out of the country is the right move.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Indecent assault and burglary – Larrakeyah

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Police attended a residence in Larrakeyah overnight following an indecent assault and urge the community to remain vigilant.

    Around 10:40pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a male intruder at a unit complex where a female had allegedly been indecently assaulted while in bed.

    It is alleged the victim woke to a hand across her mouth before she pushed the hand away and called for help. The offender subsequently fled the scene.

    The victim described the offender as neatly dressed in all black, wearing a full-face balaclava mask. He was approximately 190cm tall, slim build, with tanned skin and long eyelashes.

    Upon police arrival, it was reported the male had allegedly entered a second apartment and stolen multiple personal items.

    Detectives from the NT Police Force Sex Crimes Section have carriage of the incidents and investigations remain ongoing. At this stage, it is unknown whether the incident is linked to the recent indecent assault that occurred in Parap; however, police are investigating all possibilities.

    The offenders involved in both incidents remain outstanding.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said, “The nature of these incidents are understandably concerning to the community.  

    “NT Police Force takes these matters extremely seriously, and the Sex Crimes Section are working closely with Strike Force Trident, CCTV operators and other police units and agencies to identify the offenders and bring them before the courts.

    “It is unfortunate that with incidents like this we have to encourage the community to take safety precautions, such as securing doors and windows where possible, and to report any suspicious activity to police.”

    Police urge anyone who has information about the incident or CCTV in the area to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25157813. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Golden grills Navy Secretary over potential lapse in destroyer procurement that could cost jobs at BIW

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    Budget without DDG destroyers in FY26 would undermine shipbuilding capacity, national security, Golden says

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today questioned the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations on the lack of procurement funding for DDG-51 destroyers in their FY26 budget request. These ships are built at Bath Iron Works, and a lack of procurement would harm domestic shipbuilding capacity and national defense. 

    Golden addressed the top Navy officials during a full hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.

    “What we are asking for is simply consistency,” Golden said while questioning Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. “It’s just as important as how big the Navy you want to have, and how quickly you want to get there. You’re not going to maintain the best shipbuilders in the world if they don’t think it’s a consistent career. And you need their skills and assets. I would ask for you to give that some deep thought.” 

    DDG-51 destroyers, known as the “backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet,” are highly versatile warships capable of both anti-air defense and striking targets like submarines, land-based threats, and other warships. Two shipyards in the United States produce DDG-51s: Bath Iron Works in Maine, and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi.

    During the hearing, Acting Chief of Naval Operations James Kilby indicated that DDG class destroyers are a critical element to the Navy’s fleet. But the Trump Administration has released limited details about its upcoming FY2026 budget request, and current records show no plans to fund new DDG procurement in the upcoming year. 

    In addition to Phelan and Kilby, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps General Eric M. Smith also testified on Wednesday. Golden’s full questioning can be watched here. A partial transcription is provided below:

    +++

    CONGRESSMAN JARED GOLDEN (ME-02), HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: The navy’s shipbuilding plan envisions 23 [DDG] Flight III ships. You currently have one in the fleet. Correct? 

     

    ADMIRAL JAMES W. KILBY, ACTING CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS: Well, yes, sir. One is about ready to deliver. 

     

    GOLDEN: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, the pending reconciliation bill includes two DDG Flight IIIs. Congressional intent was pretty clear that these would result in a three-ship cadence in FY26 and FY27. I’m now hearing behind the scenes that the plan that we don’t have yet — the complete plan from you — is going to goose-egg the DDG program in your request for FY26. So I’ve been on the committee for six years and I’ve heard from the Navy consistently a desire that the two DDG yards [each] achieve a 1.5-ship per-year rate of production. But here you’re signaling demand that would not support that rate of production. So, do you envision paying these yards to build ships — well, I’m sorry I’ll rephrase that — to not build ships? Or do you expect these yards to achieve a 1.5-ship production rate only to then turn around and lay shipbuilders off? 

     

    THE HON. JOHN C. PHELAN, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY: Thank you for the question, Congressman. The president and I are committed to national defense and are committed to shipbuilding. As it relates to the budget, you know, we are working very closely with the OSD and the OMB on this as we speak, basically daily. And so we have a good idea of what we need and don’t need, and I don’t want to get in front of the president on that. He’ll be coming out with a budget soon. But I think shipbuilding will fare quite well in that budget. 

     

    GOLDEN: Shipbuilding, yes, but I’m talking about destroyers. 

     

    PHELAN:Yeah, I can’t go into specifics with you right now Congressman, but I understand the question. I think that we are at the end of the line on the current destroyers, on the DDG (X) as I’ve said before, we’re looking at the whole force and trying to understand what the whole force posture should be, in terms of what we’re learning and what’s going on, and how it should be structured, in effect. And destroyers are an important component of that. 

     

    GOLDEN:Yes. You know, across the country we have skilled shipbuilders, but they are aging. And every yard is trying to bring in new shipbuilders, to train them up, to have the skills that they need to build the best, most quality, most lethal Navy that this country needs. On this committee, we have found through studies, which we partnered with the Navy to do, that it takes on average seven years to develop a high-asset, fully skilled Navy shipbuilder. So this rate, this signal, the consistency of the signaled demand from the Navy, and then to actually deliver on acquiring at that rate, is key to not only developing that workforce — taking seven years to get them there — but maintaining them. You cannot build a future DDG (X) without shipbuilders. 

     

    PHELAN:I agree with you and I have more ships than our shipyards can handle for the next 10 years. Whether it’s a destroyer, whether it’s a tanker, whether it’s an oiler, whether it is a submarine. So I am not worried about the demand signal we have. It is getting those workers and getting them trained. It is there, and I think it is incenting the private sector to help us as well. So this is a, as I’ve said, It’s really going to be a whole of government approach. I think the demand signal, you know, as Congressman Courtney mentioned, which we recently did …

     

    GOLDEN:I hear you. What I’m asking to is a consistent concern that has been raised that these two yards [Ingalls and BIW] get to a 1.5-ship per year production rate, and you’re not actually then demanding that rate — which will inevitably lead to ups and downs, to bathtubs in the workforce, where you are hiring people, training people, and then laying people off. What we are asking for is simply consistency. It’s just as important as how big the Navy you want to have, and how quickly you want to get there. You’re not going to maintain the best shipbuilders in the world if they don’t think it’s a consistent career. And you need their skills and assets. I would ask for you to give that some deep thought. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra Hospital Opens New Veterans Lounge and Refurbished Foyer

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 12/06/2025

    Canberra’s veteran community now has an upgraded space at Canberra Hospital with the opening of a new Veterans Lounge. This purpose-built area provides a welcoming, quiet place for current and former military members who are patients, visitors and their families.

    Located in the newly refurbished Building 2 foyer, the Veterans Lounge is designed to support the connection and wellbeing of veterans at the hospital, providing a tranquil environment, comfortable seating and thoughtful amenities to help veterans feel at ease.

    Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the new space was an important step in recognising the unique needs of Canberra’s 22,000 veterans and their families accessing public health services and was another key part of the largest-ever investment into the Territory’s health infrastructure.

    “This is a significant space that shows that veterans and their families are welcome and supported here at Canberra Hospital,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

    “The Veterans Lounge reflects our broader commitment to creating inclusive, accessible and person-centred health facilities for every member of our community.”

    There are opportunities for quiet reading, a TV for entertainment and a workspace in the lounge area to support the needs of veterans while they are at the hospital.

    The Veterans Lounge complements other new features in the upgraded Building 2 foyer, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Welcome Lounge, the refurbished Yamba Cafe, and the new Canberra Hospital Foundation Gift Shop and Volunteers Hub.

    The foyer connects to the new Critical Services Building, improving navigation and access for patients and visitors. The foyer also features new flooring, seating, signage and indoor plants that reflect the contemporary design seen across the hospital’s recent developments.

    Minister Stephen-Smith said the upgrades marked a significant milestone in the final stages of the more than $660 million Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.

    “I’m pleased to see these internal foyer areas now complete. Later this year, as part of the Yamba Drive entrance redevelopment, dedicated outdoor spaces for veterans and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will also be established,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

    “This is part of our ongoing commitment to creating inclusive environments that reflect the needs of our diverse community.”

    Redevelopment works continue at the Yamba Drive entrance to deliver further upgrades, including improved public transport links, new seating, landscaping, and courtyard spaces.

    The Yamba Drive entrance remains closed, with patients, visitors and staff advised to use Hospital Road to access the Canberra Hospital’s Main Entry, Reception and Emergency Department.

    For more information visit: Canberra Hospital getting here & getting around – Canberra Health Services.

    Quote attributable to Minister for Seniors and Veterans, Suzanne Orr:

    “I know this facility at Canberra Hospital is highly valued by veterans and their families. I am very pleased to see additional resources available to support healthcare access.”

    – Statement ends –

    Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Biodiversity credit won’t fix damage done by Luxon Govt

    Source: Green Party

    The Green Party says the Government’s newly announced Biodiversity Credit scheme is a tiny positive that doesn’t undo the biodiversity harm caused by the Luxon Government.

    “This is a bandaid on a gaping wound which does nothing to address a deepening crisis and runs the risk of being mere greenwashing,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Agriculture Steve Abel.

    “While credit schemes and covenants are an important pathway to protecting vital biodiversity on farmland, these alone are not nearly enough to address the biodiversity crisis in Aotearoa. 

    “One tiny step in the right direction does not make up for the significant damage this Government is doing to the environment in many ways including through cuts to the Predator Free programme, Department of Conservation funding, significant natural area identification, and Jobs for Nature.

    “You cannot pretend to care for biodiversity while openly making policy that destroys it, targeting wetlands as a cash cow through tax deductibility, weakening or removing protections for freshwater, and allowing significant pollution to be permitted in our most vulnerable waterways.

    “Furthermore, market and corporate driven biodiversity credits can be little more than a greenwashing tool – and there’s proven to be very little demand without regulatory requirements for them.

    “Protecting biodiversity is in everyone’s interests, especially farmers. Our Green Budget proposed significant investment in supporting landowners to protect and restore their environments, rather than leaving it to the corporate world to pick up the slack in light of extensive government cuts,” says Steve Abel.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Disability and aged care support platform amends unfair contract terms

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Online services platform Mable Technologies Pty Ltd (Mable) has admitted to breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) by using unfair contract terms when connecting people seeking care support to independent support workers.

    Support services facilitated through Mable include social support, domestic support, nursing services and allied health services. Clients using the platform include participants on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the elderly and other people requiring support.

    Mable admitted the breaches of the ACL in a court-enforceable undertaking accepted by the ACCC.

    The unfair contract terms were in place between 9 November 2023 and 22 August 2024. These terms included the potential for Mable to receive a minimum penalty fee of $5,000 from clients and support workers in particular circumstances. For example, a support worker who leaves the Mable platform would be liable to pay the penalty fee if, within 12 months of leaving, they continued their care arrangement with a client they were introduced to through the platform.

    The terms also provided for a client’s ‘service log’ (similar to an attendance record or timesheet) to be automatically deemed approved unless the client disputed it within 24 hours. Other terms allowed Mable to change some of its fees and terms without reasonable notice. Mable also included terms which sought to limit its liability for claims and losses.

    “We were concerned Mable’s unfair contract terms potentially disadvantaged its clients, about half of whom are NDIS participants, as well as the support workers operating as sole traders or small businesses,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

    “Contractual relationships with consumers and small businesses should be fair and more powerful parties should not stipulate terms which are unfair or limit existing rights. This is especially concerning where the clients are people experiencing vulnerabilities and disadvantage.”

    Mable has cooperated with the ACCC’s investigation, amended its website and terms of use and offered a court-enforceable undertaking to address the ACCC’s concerns.

    The undertaking prohibits Mable from entering into particular terms with its clients and support workers, and to clearly and prominently communicate significant terms to clients and support workers. It also requires Mable to establish and maintain an ACL compliance program.

    “We were concerned that the terms, which Mable has admitted were unfair, were so weighted in Mable’s favour that they created a significant imbalance in the contractual rights and obligations between Mable and its clients and support workers,” Ms Lowe said.

    “We remind businesses who have not yet reviewed their contracts and removed or amended unfair terms that we are continuing to monitor the disability and aged care sector and will take appropriate action when warranted,” Ms Lowe said.

    Businesses can view information about changes to the unfair contract terms laws on the ACCC’s website.

    Further information for NDIS participants is available on the ACCC website.

    A copy of the undertaking is available at Mable Technologies Pty Ltd.

    Background

    Mable is an online platform provider for assisted care services. It operates a two-sided online platform that connects people looking for care support with independent support workers. Support services provided through Mable include social support, domestic support, nursing services and allied health services.

    From November 2023, changes to the ACL prohibit businesses from proposing, using, or relying on unfair contract terms in standard form contracts with consumers and small businesses.

    Note to editors

    Each year, the ACCC announces a list of Compliance and Enforcement priorities. These priorities outline the areas of focus for the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement activities for the following year.

    As part of the 2025/26 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities, the ACCC is prioritising improving compliance by NDIS providers with their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law.

    Enforcement activities in relation to unfair contract terms in consumer and small business contracts are another 2025/26 Compliance and Enforcement Priority.

    The ACCC recognises that consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage can be disproportionately affected by breaches of the law. Addressing conduct that impacts this cohort of consumers is always an ACCC priority. 

    In December 2023, the government established the NDIS (Fair Price and Australian Consumer Law) Taskforce comprising the ACCC, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the NDIA. The Taskforce was established to address concerns that NDIS participants were being charged more for goods and services than other people, and to address potential breaches of Australian Consumer Law.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal grand jury indicts Rochester and Jamestown man for role in narcotics conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Johnny B. Mays aka Blaze, 40, of Rochester and Jamestown, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2018, and May 26, 2022, Mays conspired with Joseph S. Zaso, co-defendant Quentin L. Yancey, and others, to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Rochester area. Joseph Zaso was previously charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Quentin Yancey.

    Mays was arraigned before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Roemer and detained.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Syracuse Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing an Assault Rifle at Gas Station

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Bradley, age 36, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 14 months in prison following his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

    As part of his prior guilty plea, Bradley admitted that, on September 9, 2024, he possessed a loaded assault rifle in his vehicle, which was parked at a gas station in East Syracuse. Bradley inadvertently fired the rifle several times, but did not strike anyone. As a result of his prior felony conviction for criminal mischief, Bradley could not lawfully possess a firearm.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a three-year term of supervised release to begin following the term of imprisonment and ordered Bradley to forfeit the rifle he possessed.

    U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “When Bradley fired the rifle in the parking lot, he put the lives of everyone at that gas station in danger. Thanks to the quick thinking of the gas station employees and the fast response by law enforcement, no one was harmed.”

    ATF Special Agent in Charge Miller said, “This case is a powerful reminder of the danger posed when illegal firearms end up in the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them. We thank our partners at the Manlius Police Department, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York for their work in holding this individual accountable. This shows the impact of Project Safe Neighborhoods and our collective commitment to reducing violent crime.”

    ATF and the Manlius Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Amsterdam Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Over 3 Kilograms of Cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Carrero, age 36, of Amsterdam, New York, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.  United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

    On November 4, 2024, DEA agents arrested Carrero after observing him place three kilograms of cocaine into the trunk of his car.  He had $1,704 in cash on his person, and a search of his home led to the recovery of an additional 296 grams of cocaine and $70,000 in drug proceeds. 

    United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, Amsterdam will be free of this major drug dealer for years.”

    DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III stated: “Today’s sentencing reflects the hard work and commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those individuals poisoning our communities. We will continue to target those individuals responsible for pushing illicit narcotics into our communities.”

    United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Carrero to serve 4 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.  Carrero administratively forfeited the $70,000 in drug money in his apartment as well as the $1,704 found on his person.

    The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Wall Street Veteran Launches Titan Capital to Bring Institutional Wealth Strategies to Entrepreneurs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bethesda, MD, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Titan Capital Strategies, a boutique financial advisory firm founded by former Wall Street portfolio strategist Nareena Khan, officially announces its mission to bring elite financial planning tools to high-performing business owners.

    After managing over $10 billion in institutional portfolios, Khan is shifting her focus to an under-served demographic: high-net-worth entrepreneurs scaling ambitious ventures in real estate, healthcare, and technology.

    In an environment where traditional financial systems often overlook the complexity and pace of founder-led businesses, Titan Capital Strategies aims to fill the gap. The firm delivers customized strategic capital planning services with a clear goal: to help entrepreneurs protect, scale, and sustain the businesses they’ve risked everything to build without compromising their personal financial safety.

    Nareena positions herself as a strategic partner, not a product pusher, for founders building something bigger than themselves.

    From Wall Street to Founder-Focused Solutions

    Nareena Khan’s pivot to entrepreneurship was sparked by a powerful realization: the same tools she used to manage multi-billion-dollar portfolios on Wall Street could—and should—be accessible to the entrepreneurs driving the real economy from the ground up.

    As a seasoned wealth strategist, Nareena brings an institutional-level lens to business owner financial planning, cutting through the noise to offer clarity in a landscape often clouded by complexity.

    “Too many founders operate without a true capital strategy,” says Khan. “They’re navigating risk blind—under-leveraged, overexposed, and often unsupported. We help them design smarter financial structures that evolve with their business and protect what they’ve built.”

    That mindset led Nareena to launch Titan Capital Strategies, a firm built not around institutions, but around individuals such as entrepreneurs, founders, and value creators. It was a bold step away from the high-stakes world of capital markets and elite portfolios—and into something far more personal.

    “I wanted more than spreadsheets and returns,” she reflects. “I wanted to know the people behind the numbers—the builders, the visionaries, the ones taking all the risk but getting none of the tailored support.”

    Then the pandemic hit—and deepened her clarity.

    “Watching people say goodbye to loved ones over video, seeing lives cut short with no closure… it made me ask: What am I doing with my time? What legacy do I want to leave behind?”

    That moment redefined her path—not away from finance, but toward a more human-centered approach. Today, Nareena helps business owners unlock liquidity, minimize tax drag, and preserve generational wealth—using elite strategies once reserved for institutions, now tailored for the founders shaping our future.

    A Framework Built for Visionaries

    Titan Capital Strategies applies a proprietary four-step model that guides founders from idea to execution. The process begins with clarifying the entrepreneur’s long-term vision, then mapping out exposure and risk. From there, the firm crafts tailored financial and succession planning solutions, integrating efforts with clients’ existing legal, tax, and accounting teams.

    Khan’s strategic plans often include alternative funding pathways such as premium financing, asset-backed lending, advanced insurance structures, and IUL for entrepreneurs. These strategies deliver tax-efficient growth while limiting reliance on personal guarantees or traditional loans.

    Addressing a Market Gap

    The need is urgent. According to PwC, 70% of business owners lack a formal risk mitigation or succession planning strategy. CNBC reports that over 60% of high-income entrepreneurs do not have access to advanced tax-free strategies. Titan Capital Strategies is responding with solutions that match the complexity of modern entrepreneurial ventures.

    By focusing on execution, not product sales, Khan positions herself not as a financial salesperson but as a strategic partner aligned with her clients’ broader ambitions.

    Reaching Underserved Founders with Smarter Capital

    Titan Capital Strategies serves founders who are rapidly scaling and need a capital strategy to match their momentum. Whether transitioning from seven to eight figures in revenue or preparing for an exit, clients work with Khan and her team to access capital in ways that preserve control and accelerate growth.

    Nareena’s experience managing institutional assets has uniquely prepared her to help clients unlock funding without exposing personal wealth. In recent cases, she has helped entrepreneurs restructure their financial positions to access multimillion-dollar capital while reducing tax liabilities and personal risk.

    New Chapter, Same Strategic Excellence

    The founding of Titan Capital Strategies marks a significant transition for Khan from portfolio manager to entrepreneurial ally. It’s also a shift that signals an evolving financial services landscape, one that demands agility, innovation, and transparency. The firm’s approach is especially timely in a post-2020 economy where founders are seeking financial strategies as dynamic as their ventures.

    Titan Capital Strategies does not offer one-size-fits-all products. Instead, each engagement is rooted in deep collaboration and long-term alignment. This methodology has already attracted interest from growth-stage companies and seasoned entrepreneurs looking for a financial advisor who understands the urgency, complexity, and stakes of founder-led growth.

    About Titan Capital Strategies

    Titan Capital Strategies is a strategic financial advisory firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, serving high-net-worth entrepreneurs across the U.S. The firm specializes in strategic capital planning, premium financing, alternative funding, and risk mitigation for business owners in high-growth sectors. Founded by former Wall Street strategist Nareena Khan, Titan Capital Strategies is committed to helping visionary entrepreneurs achieve tax-efficient growth and long-term wealth protection through fully customized planning frameworks.

    For more information or to explore a private strategy session, visit www.titancapitalstrategies.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU, Spain, UK, Gibraltar reach deal on future border-free agreement

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

    People walk on the street in Gibraltar, March 30, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and the United Kingdom (UK), along with Gibraltar representatives, reached an agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on the core aspects of a future EU-UK treaty concerning Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.

    “The future Agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction,” said a joint statement.

    The goal of the future agreement is to secure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, according to the statement.

    This will be done while preserving the Schengen area, the EU single market, and custom union.

    Regarding the circulation of people, checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and Spain’s La Linea will be removed for people who cross daily to go to work. Dual checks will be carried out at Gibraltar port and airport.

    Regarding goods, a strong cooperation between both custom authorities and lifting checks on goods will lead to a custom union between the EU and Gibraltar.

    Other areas to be covered by the future agreement include State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Stars light up China’s summer cinemas as market seeks rebound

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

    Actress Zhang Ziyi poses during a photocall for the film “She’s got no name” at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    After a notable box office boost over the Duanwu Festival holiday — powered by Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” — and with a wave of high-profile films like star-studded “She’s Got No Name” joining the schedule, China’s summer movie season, running from June 1 to Aug. 31, is heating up alongside the weather.

    With the Aug. 8 release of Guan Hu’s “Dongji Island” announced on Wednesday, the three-month window — seen by industry observers as China’s most important movie period second only to the Spring Festival holiday — now boasts a lineup of more than 70 domestic and foreign films, ranging from crime thrillers and historical features to animated fantasies and Hollywood imports.

    But beneath the packed schedule lies an urgent question: which ones will be this year’s runaway hits? It’s more than a popularity contest. After a 44 percent drop in 2024’s summer takings from the year prior, the Chinese film market is looking to the season for signs of resilience and perhaps revival. That rebound, if it comes, may hinge on whether one or several high-performing films can once again galvanize the public and drive momentum across the board.

    Some in the industry see “She’s Got No Name,” set for release on June 21, as the season’s first real momentum builder. “If ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,’ which opened on May 30, served as a soft launch,” film critic and Shandong-based cinema manager Dong Wenxin told Xinhua, “then ‘She’s Got No Name,’ packed with stars, may be the one to spark the summer’s first real surge.”

    Directed by Peter Chan and starring Zhang Ziyi, Jackson Yee, Zhao Liying and Lei Jiayin, the highly anticipated noir-tinged thriller is based on a sensational 1945 murder in Shanghai. A sharp re-edit of the 150-minute Cannes version that drew polarized responses last year, the upcoming release runs 96 minutes, now promoted as the first installment of a two-part series. Anticipation remains high: Chan spent eight years on the script, rebuilt historic Shanghai alleyways for the shoot, and framed the story through the lens of gendered violence.

    Dong sees the next major box office surge arriving in late July, driven by the release of period comedy “The Lychee Road” on July 25 and historical feature “731,” currently titled “731 Biochemical Revelations” in English, on July 31. In an interview with Xinhua, Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, also expressed particular interest in the two titles, as well as “Dongji Island.”

    The Zhao Linshan directed “731,” which stars Jiang Wu and Wang Zhiwen, revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan’s Unit 731, documenting a painful chapter of history while portraying the Chinese people’s heroic resistance. Leading all summer titles in advance interest with over 600,000 “want to see” clicks on film platform Maoyan, the film could emerge as a cultural flashpoint for both its emotionally charged subject and patriotic undertones.

    Also grounded in history, “Dongji Island,” starring Zhu Yilong, recounts the true story of Chinese fishermen rescuing over 300 British prisoners of war in October 1942, after the Japanese transport ship “Lisbon Maru” was torpedoed and left to sink, despite being secretly packed with more than 1,800 prisoners. The same events were previously explored in Fang Li’s critically acclaimed 2024 documentary, “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru.”

    Comedy remains a genre with mass appeal. Based on a popular novel by Ma Boyong, “The Lychee Road” is directed by comedian Da Peng, who also stars in the lead role. The film follows a Tang Dynasty (618-907) official tasked with the near-impossible mission of transporting fresh lychees — typically perishable within days — on a grueling 2,500-km journey from Lingnan in southern China to the capital, Chang’an. His desperate ingenuity in overcoming the logistical challenge becomes a sharp satire of bureaucratic absurdity.

    Rao said the film’s source material already boasts a strong fan base, and its TV drama adaptation has helped warm up audiences ahead of the theatrical release. “Comedy films are almost a necessity during summer,” he added, noting the film’s box office potential.

    Also among the anticipated local releases are the mystery drama “Malice,” written and supervised by Chen Sicheng, known for his commercial instincts and previous hits in the suspense genre; an animated fantasy from Light Chaser Animation adapted from the Qing Dynasty short story collection “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio;” “The Stage,” a big-screen adaptation of the comedy of the same name by comedian Chen Peisi; and the animated drama “Nobody,” which adapts an episode from the acclaimed “Yao-Chinese Folktales” animation series.

    Hollywood titles, despite their waning allure in China, remain an essential piece of the competitive puzzle this summer. “Jurassic World Rebirth” (July 2) brings back dinosaurs and picks up the story after the events of 2022’s “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The franchise’s popularity in China, where each of the three previous entries surpassed 1 billion yuan (139 million U.S. dollars) in box office takings, makes it one of the few American titles with breakout potential.

    Other high-profile imports include “How to Train Your Dragon” (June 13), “F1 The Movie” starring Brad Pitt (June 27), and James Gunn’s “Superman” (July 11).

    Voicing “cautious optimism” over the summer box office, Rao said the Chinese film market is undergoing structural changes, and that only films with truly “hardcore” cinematic elements, the kind that can only be fully appreciated in a theater for their uniquely immersive audiovisual power as a modern technological art form, can effectively draw large audiences.

    From 2017 to 2019, China’s summer box office each surpassed 16 billion yuan, with 2023 setting an all-time seasonal high of 20.62 billion yuan. But 2024 saw a steep drop to 11.64 billion yuan.

    “Based on the current slate, this summer is unlikely to reach the heights of 2023 or the pre-pandemic years,” noted industry blog Yingshi Fengxiangbiao. “Still, if a breakout hit surpassing 3 billion yuan emerges, the season could yet outpace last year.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests: Aggravated Robbery, Pukekohe

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Three offenders will appear in court over an aggravated robbery at a Pukekohe jewellery store last Friday.

    Counties Manukau Police have been investigating after a group allegedly entered the Michael Hill Jewellers King Street branch at around 5.45pm on 6 June.

    Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB, says a vehicle of interest was identified at a Henderson petrol station at around midnight last night.

    “West Auckland police responded quickly to Lincoln Road and with the assistance of the Police Eagle helicopter stopped the vehicle,” she says.

    “Three occupants of the vehicle aged between 15 and 20 were arrested.”

    Detective Inspector Bright acknowledges the careful coordination of all Police staff involved in last night’s operation.

    “We’re incredibly pleased with the progress made by the enquiry team over the past six days.

    “Police take this sort of aggravated offending seriously and work to hold offenders to account as swiftly as possible.”

    Police acknowledge the community for information provided to the enquiry team in the past week.

    Those arrested, aged 15, 17 and 20, will appear in the Manukau Youth Court today, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawful takes motor vehicle.

    ENDS.

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Kava seizures – Ramingining

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The NT Police Force has charged a 38-year-old male following the seizure of 241.55 kilograms of Kava in Ramingining on Thursday, 29 May 2025.

    Police conducted a traffic apprehension on a vehicle along the Ramingining goat track in which it initially stopped before taking off as the officers exited the police vehicle. Approximately 20 minutes later, the police observed the same vehicle crashed on the side of the road, abandoned.

    Upon approaching the vehicle, kava was seen in the backseat, therefore police executed a lawful search resulting in the seizure of 241.55 kilograms of kava.

    The male was located and subsequently arrested at Darwin airport, while attempting to flee interstate.

    He was charged with Possess commercial quantity kava Supply commercial quantity kava and Enter on Aboriginal Land without Permit. He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 18 June 2025.

    Investigations remain ongoing.

    Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs into remote communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 11th, 2025 Heinrich Highlights Harmful Impact of DOGE Cuts to the Department of the Interior, Slams President Trump’s Interior Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — In his opening statement, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member on the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee, grilled the U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum over the Trump Administration’s budget request for the Department of the Interior, which will further gut the Department already reeling from chaos and mismanagement by the “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE.

    VIDEO: Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks on the Department of Interior’s Fiscal 2026 budget request before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, June 11, 2025.

    “Mr. Secretary, when you were going through the confirmation process, I believed that you would be a responsible steward of our public lands, conservative, of course, but responsible. And with your experience in the private sector and as a governor, I believed that you could rein in the sometimes reckless tendencies of DOGE, at least within the Department of Interior,” said Heinrich in his opening statement. “We’re never going to agree on everything, but I thought we could agree that our public lands are the greatest heritage of our nation, and we have a responsibility to hand them down to the next generation, well-stewarded.

    Heinrich continued, “This budget request will not resource your department to responsibly steward our lands and waters. The proposal for the Interior Department operations next year includes a 30 percent cut across programs. It’s no exaggeration to say that this would cripple the Department as we know it.”

    A video of Heinrich’s opening remarks is here.

    A transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below:

    We are here today to talk about the budget proposal of a department that is, quite frankly, not resourced to meet its mission.

    Parks are cutting hours and services for visitors. Ranger tours are cancelled. Toilets are overflowing and trashcans sit unemptied.

    Permits are languishing on empty desks. Energy projects are delayed or cancelled.

    Contracts slowly wind their way through a byzantine bureaucracy that was invented overnight.

    The senior leadership positions at the department are mostly vacant.

    Roughly 100 park superintendent positions are vacant. Five of the seven regional director positions for the National Park Service sit empty.

    At the Bureau of Land Management, about a third of senior leadership positions are vacant, including both deputy directors and the director position itself.

    And the front-line staff is in no better shape.

    After promising to hire 7,700 seasonal employees to serve Americans visiting their national parks this summer, the Park Service has managed, at least according to public reports, to hire only half that. Memorial Day is gone. The 4th of July just around the corner.

    And all of this has occurred before this budget request is put place.

    Mr. Secretary, when you were going through the confirmation process, I believed that you would be a responsible steward of our public lands, conservative, of course, but responsible. And with your experience in the private sector and as a governor, I believed that you could rein in the sometimes reckless tendencies of DOGE, at least within the Department of Interior.

    We’re never going to agree on everything, but I thought we could agree that our public lands are the greatest heritage of our nation, and we have a responsibility to hand them down to the next generation, well-stewarded.

    This budget request will not resource your department to responsibly steward our lands and waters.

    The proposal for the Interior Department operations next year includes a 30 percent cut across programs.

    It’s no exaggeration to say that this would cripple the department as we know it.

    The cut to the Park Service is paid for by getting rid of most park system units.

    The National Park System would have to lose more than 350 of its 433 units to swallow that kind of a proposed cut.

    And yet, the Department has still not told us which units those might be.

    Any hope for a speedier permitting system from the BLM is gone, with a proposed 35 percent cut to that agency.

    Anyone who needs a recreation permit, a right-of-way, or a grazing lease will be left waiting. That is not efficiency.

    The 35 percent cut to the Bureau of Reclamation puts critical water infrastructure at risk of failing to safely deliver water to farmers, fish, and people.

    The proposal completely eliminates the WaterSMART program that provides resources to local, often rural communities and water users to conserve water and to make efficiency improvements to their water infrastructure, thereby reducing conflicts over this scarce resource.

    The nearly 40 percent cut to the U.S. Geological Survey would kneecap the scientific research we need to understand how our natural world is changing in the face of a changing climate

    And the major reduction to the Natural Hazards program would leave communities more vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanos, and landslides.

    The proposal also completely eliminates the biological resources program at USGS, which could mean abandoning bird flu monitoring, closing the most advanced wildlife disease lab in the United States, and discontinuing research efforts for climate adaptation.

    The USGS migratory bird research also directly informs the Fish and Wildlife Service’s bag limits for migratory bird hunting seasons. Eliminating this research would hobble the management of migratory bird hunting seasons.

    One of the seven pillars of the North American model of wildlife conservation, the foundation of wildlife management in the United States, is scientific management. We cannot manage wildlife without wildlife science.

    The budget proposal also overturns the bipartisan work of this committee in 2020 to pass the Great American Outdoors Act signed into law by this president.

    Instead of supporting reauthorization of this great accomplishment, this budget robs the Land and Water Conservation Fund in order to pay for deferred maintenance projects.

    And lastly, but most importantly, this budget request, if implemented, would cause irreparable harm to Indian Country.

    With 30-plus percent cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education, this budget represents a dereliction of every treaty obligation this country has to tribes and their members.

    This proposal even cuts the BIA’s Public Safety account, belying any claim that this administration might try to make that it cares for the safety of people of Indian Country.

    Mr. Secretary, you promised to prioritize the needs of Indian country in your time leading this department, but this budget simply doesn’t give you the resources to be able to effectively accomplish that.

    I think we need to do better, which I say out of respect for you and our shared values.

    It is often said a president’s budget requests that they’re “dead on arrival” on Capitol Hill.

    For the sake of the shared landscapes that we hold in trust for our grandchildren. I hope that’s the case for this budget.

    I yield back my time.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in the Independent City of St. Louis to Help Businesses Impacted by May Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC) in the Independent City of St. Louis to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring May 16.

    Beginning Thursday, June 12, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in St. Louis to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

    THE INDEPENDENT CITY OF ST. LOUIS
    Business Recovery Center
    St. Louis Community College
    Harrison Education Center
    3140 Cass Ave., Rm. #104
    St. Louis, MO  63106

    Opens at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 12

    Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    The following Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) location is also open and continues to serve survivors:

    ST. LOUIS COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    St. Louis County Library
    Florissant Valley Branch 
    Quiet Room
    195 S. New Florissant Rd.
    Florissant, MO   63031

    Mondays – Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    Fridays – Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    “SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62 for nonprofits, and 2.81% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 2026.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Available to Missouri Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by May Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued June 9, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Missouri small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring May 16.

    The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Scott, St. Louis, and the Independent City of St. Louis.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    Interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs and 2.81% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW residents urged to get vaccinated as flu levels rise

    Source: Australian Green Party

    NSW Health is urging the community to book in now for their flu vaccine, as cases rise across the state.
    The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows more than 3,100 people in NSW testing positive for influenza in the week ending 7 June, an increase of 10.6 per cent compared with the previous week, and following weekly increases since 10 May 2025. Most people with flu don’t have a test, so these are just a small proportion of all people who have had influenza recently.
    Health Protection NSW Executive Director Dr Jeremy McAnulty said influenza is now circulating at moderate levels in the community.
    “Getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months and over,” Dr McAnulty said.
    “With flu on the rise and school holidays fast approaching, we are strongly encouraging people to book in for their flu vaccine now, which is widely available through pharmacists and GPs. Vaccination is the best protection against infection and severe disease.
    “Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death.
    “Complications can occur in anyone but are most likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.”
    The flu vaccine is free for:

    children aged six months to under five years
    pregnant women
    Aboriginal people aged six months and over
    anyone aged 65 and over
    people with serious health conditions

    NSW Health also continues to remind the community there are a few simple steps they can take to protect themselves and others from respiratory illness, including:

    staying up to date with their vaccinations
    staying home if they’re sick and wearing a mask if they need to go out
    avoiding crowded spaces and getting together in well-ventilated spaces
    consider doing a rapid antigen test before visiting those more vulnerable
    making a plan with their doctor if they’re at higher risk of severe illness
    practicing good general hygiene, like regular handwashing.

    If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage the community to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour advice. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.
    ​

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Medtronic Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Newport™ HT70 and Newport™ HT70 Plus Ventilators and Certain Related Newport™ Service Parts

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    June 11, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    June 11, 2025
    Product Type:
    Medical Devices
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Device & Drug Safety – Potential Defect

    Company Name:
    Medtronic
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Newport™

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Newport™ HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators and certain related service parts

    Company Announcement
    Customers are being asked to remove the affected devices from use and replace with an alternate means of ventilation
    June 11, 2025 — In May 2025, Medtronic issued a voluntary recall notification to global customers related to specific Newport™ HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators and certain related Newport™ service parts. The FDA recently designated this voluntary action by Medtronic as a Class I recall.
    With this recall, Medtronic is advising discontinuation of clinical use of the affected devices. Investigation into customer complaints identified two separate capacitors on one of the ventilator’s controller Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), that, in case of failure, may result in:

    The ventilator shutting down during use, or
    The shutdown alert alarm failing to sound effectively.

    The following table identifies the item name, manufacture date and use by date:
    No instances of both capacitors failing on the same PCBA board have occurred, nor are they anticipated to occur.
    If a ventilator fails and does not provide adequate ventilation, the patient may not be able to breathe on their own, leading to low oxygen levels, high carbon dioxide levels, and potentially severe consequences like brain injury or death. There have been 63 medical device reports (MDRs) associated with this issue, including two serious injuries and one death. HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators are intended for use by home users, as well as for infant and pediatric patients who may be at higher risks of injury or death due to unanticipated ventilator failures.
    Customer recommendations
    Customers should remove the affected devices from use and replace with an alternate means of ventilation. Medtronic is not correcting these issues on affected ventilators or service parts and will no longer service affected ventilators identified in this notification. Customers with questions should contact Medtronic Customer Service at 800-962-9888. Adverse events or product quality concerns with this product should be reported to the FDA and Medtronic:

    Refer to the customer notification and the patient letter for additional information.
    The Newport™ HT70 family of ventilators is intended to provide continuous or intermittent positive pressure mechanical ventilatory support for individuals who require mechanical ventilation through invasive or noninvasive interfaces. Specifically, the Newport™ HT70 family of ventilators is applicable for infant, pediatric, and adult patients greater than or equal to 5 kg (11 lbs) in hospital, sub-acute, emergency department, and home care environments as well as for transport and emergency response applications. The Newport™ HT70 operator’s manual can be found here.
    Medtronic will continue working directly with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies around the world on this voluntary recall. In February 2024, Medtronic announced its decision to exit its ventilator product lines, including the Newport™ ventilators. The company continues to serve the needs of its customers and their patients worldwide, and honor existing ventilator contracts, as they wind down the business over the coming years.
    Contacts:Helga RadioPublic Relations+1 (612) 270-4999
    Ryan WeispfenningInvestor Relations+1 (763) 505-4626
    Identifying Affected Product  (see image below)

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Medtronic Customer Service
    800-962-9888

    Media:
    Helga Radio Public Relations
    +1 (612) 270-4999

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    06/11/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Thursday’s Forecasted High Temperatures

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers to stay safe this summer during periods of elevated temperatures. Higher than normal temperatures are forecast for New York City for tomorrow, June 12. The National Weather Service HeatRisk index forecasts potential heat risks for the New York City area which will impact most individuals sensitive to heat. In addition to the heat risks, an Air Quality Health Advisory is being issued for Thursday for the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley regions due to fine particulate matter pollution caused by wildland fires in Western Canada.

    “With summer almost here, New Yorkers should make plans to stay cool and safe, and sensitive groups should take steps to especially avoid potential health issues from high temperatures, humidity, and air quality,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage everyone to be prepared for periods of warmer weather, including making a preparedness plan and knowing the location of local cooling centers.”

    New York State provides resources on the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website to help residents stay cool and to help prepare for extreme heat ahead of the summer season. In addition, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today released preliminary urban heat island maps to help communities plan and adapt to extreme heat in the future.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Governor Hochul, DEC, and our partnering agencies are working together to help protect the air we breathe, educate the public on how to prepare and stay healthy, and ensure resources are available to address extreme heat and other harmful climate impacts. DEC’s updated heat maps are the latest step in helping New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities and statewide better understand heat threats, inform climate solutions, support actions to address urban heat islands, and protect public health.”

    New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Extreme heat can have a significant impact on people’s health, especially older people. Take steps to stay cool ahead of the hot weather including installing air conditioners and locating cooling centers in your area that will be open. People should also familiarize themselves with the symptoms and treatments for heat-related illnesses. During high heat drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned space and out of the sun, monitor your local forecast and check in on friends and neighbors who live alone or may be at risk.”

    New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, “Our New York State Park pools, beaches and spraygrounds are gearing up to help people cool off in the summer heat. Remember to always keep safety in mind for yourself and your loved ones while enjoying a day at the beach or the pool.”

    Air Quality Advisory

    An Air Quality Health Advisory for PM2.5 is being issued for tomorrow, June 12, 2025, for the Long Island, New York City, and Lower Hudson Valley regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada.

    New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. Information about exposure to smoke from fires can be found on DOH’s website.

    Staying Safe During Higher Temperatures

    The dangers of hot temperatures can affect everyone, regardless of age, physical shape, or existing health conditions. The body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature during extreme heat and, without taking proper measures, this can lead to heat-related illness or even death. Governor Hochul recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

    Pools and beaches at New York State Parks are available for swimming, dependent on location. Prior to making a trip, visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or  check the New York State Parks website  for any updates as weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

    New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, “Our New York State Park pools, beaches and spraygrounds are gearing up to help people cool off in the summer heat. Remember to always keep safety in mind for yourself and your loved ones while enjoying a day at the beach or the pool.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “As extreme heat events and air quality issues become more frequent due to climate change, it’s important that people know what resources are available to help them stay safe. Poor air quality can pose serious health risks, especially for people with asthma and heart conditions. New Yorkers can visit airnow.gov for the latest air quality forecast. Be alert for signs of heat related illness, like dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be life threatening. I also encourage everyone to keep an eye on one another and take action if you think someone is experiencing heat or air quality related illness.”

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

    The New York state Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers  can be found on  DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts,  visit the National Weather Service website.

    To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Implementing the Extreme Heat Action Plan

    DEC today released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. DEC worked in partnership with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the Davey Tree Expert Company to help identify, model, and map urban heat islands, assess extreme heat impacts and responses, and support climate actions to address urban heat island effects and extreme heat, particularly where New Yorkers are disproportionately burdened by the impacts of climate change.   

    Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage  and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. Over the next year, more comprehensive heat exposure maps will be developed and released. Unlike the preliminary maps showing the single hottest hour based on past data, the final maps will incorporate both historical and future data based on climate change projections. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

    MIL OSI USA News –