NewzIntel.com

Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI Security: Twillingate — Twillingate RCMP investigates theft of truck from Summerford, man arrested

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As part of a stolen vehicle investigation, 24-year-old Jack LeBlanc of Summerford was arrested by Twillingate RCMP on April 8, 2025.

    Shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Twillingate RCMP received a report that a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado had been stolen from a commercial property in Summerford. As part of the investigation, police attended the area and gathered information that identified Leblanc as the suspect.

    Later that same morning, Twillingate RCMP received a report of a single-vehicle crash in Twillingate involving the stolen truck. The driver, who was identified as LeBlanc, departed the scene on foot and was causing a disturbance outside a nearby residence. Police attended the property where LeBlanc was arrested without further incident.

    LeBlanc appeared in court earlier this week and was charged with the following criminal offences:

    • Theft of a motor vehicle
    • Possession of property obtained by crime
    • Failure to comply with conditions of an undertaking

    He was released by the court on a number of conditions and is set to appear in court at a later date.

    The investigation is continuing.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft presented tourist car routes in Kaluga region

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On the eve of Cosmonautics Day, Rosneft and the Kaluga Region Tourism Development Center presented four new routes for auto tourists traveling around the Kaluga Region.

    Rosneft actively supports initiatives to develop domestic tourism and aims to create comfortable conditions for car travelers. Developing roadside service and improving the level of customer service provided at Rosneft filling stations is one of the Company’s priority areas of activity.

    The presentation of new auto routes took place at the Rosneft gas station in Kaluga. Thanks to carefully designed logistics, tourists can rationally use their time during their trip and see the main attractions of the region, which is considered the “cradle of cosmonautics”. At the same time, the Rosneft gas station mobile application will make it easy to find the nearest gas station along each route.

    The “Space” route includes several interesting locations. The first stop is the city of Borovsk, where the apartment museum of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the founder of theoretical cosmonautics, is located. Here, tourists will be told about the scientific works and life of the scientist. The next point is the Tsiolkovsky Memorial House Museum in Kaluga, where he lived for almost 30 years. Most of the exhibits are authentic and belonged to the scientist himself and his family members. Another point on the route is the State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics, the first stone of which was laid by Yuri Gagarin. It contains one of the world’s largest collections of Soviet and Russian space technology, as well as rarities and documents on the history of cosmonautics. The final point of the route is the monument to the 600th anniversary of Kaluga, located at the entrance to the city. Its steles depict important pages of the city’s history.

    The launch of the second route, the Patriotic Route, is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It takes you through the places of military glory of the Kaluga Region, where fierce battles took place at that heroic time. Among the main attractions of the route is the first museum in Russia dedicated to the Marshal of Victory, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. It is located in the city of Kremenki and houses the most complete collection of items related to the life of the great commander. The next stop is the Ilyinskye Rubezhi memorial complex, one of the key places of memory of the Battle of Moscow. The memorial is dedicated to the feat of 3,500 cadets of the Podolsk military schools, who held back the advance of German tanks on Moscow in October 1941. Two more points on the route are the Voenfilm cinema complex, created for filming military history films, reenactments and patriotic projects; as well as the Soyuz Museum of Small Arms, which contains various exhibits dating back to the Patriotic War of 1812.

    You can see the Kaluga Region through the eyes of poets and painters by choosing the route “In the Footsteps of Tsvetaeva”. It runs through the city of Tarusa. Thanks to its picturesque landscapes, this settlement, located on the banks of the Oka River, was the cultural capital of the Russian intelligentsia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tourists traveling along the car route will see the Tarusa Art Gallery with works by Vasily Polenov and Vasily Vatagin, the Tsvetaev Family Museum, which is also called the “Tyo House”, the Sergei Zharov Museum, the K.G. Paustovsky House Museum, the House of Writers and much more. The final point is the arboretum garden of the agronomist Rakitsky with rare plants and cozy tea parties.

    For those who come to the region for the first time, the route “Kaluga for Beginners” has been developed. It includes the largest art park in Russia and Europe “Nikola-Lenivets”, which presents landscape installations, as well as land art objects by the best Russian and foreign authors. Another stop is the largest bird park in the country “Vorobyi”. This is both an amusement park and a zoo. Currently, it contains almost 500 different species of animals. Among other points of the route is the unique ethnographic park-museum “Ethnomir”, as well as the art museum of garbage “Mu-Mu”.

    Each of the four routes passes through a Rosneft gas station, where tourists can fill up their cars with high-quality fuel, relax and have a tasty snack.

    Detailed information about new tourist routes in the Kaluga region can be obtained at Rosneft gas stations in the region, as well as on the website of the Tourism Development Center “Kaluga Region”.

    Reference:

    Rosneft’s retail network is the largest in the country in terms of geographic coverage and number of stations. It includes almost 3,000 petrol stations in 62 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in the Republic of Belarus, Abkhazia and Kyrgyzstan.

    Guests of Rosneft filling stations have access to a wide range of goods and services: from shops and cafes to roadside services. For example, you can stay overnight in roadside hotels at filling stations and multifunctional complexes of the Company.

    Rosneft is developing a new customer service area, “cafes on wheels” – food trucks. They are available at gas stations in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions where the retail chain is present.

    In 2023, Rosneft launched a special information and service platform, Horizons of Russia: Come with Us! It allows you to plan a trip to interesting places through the infrastructure of Rosneft roadside services and gas stations in constructor mode. Currently, tourists have access to 14 developed routes, both regional and federal.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 11, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Final consultation opened on Canford incinerator proposals

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Final consultation opened on Canford incinerator proposals

    This is the final Environment Agency consultation on plans for the proposed site, so don’t miss your chance to give us any new and relevant information.

    If you wish to make comments about the application, please do so by 11.59pm on Friday 23 May.

    The Environment Agency has today launched the final consultation into an environmental permit application for an incinerator in Canford Magna.

    Following earlier consultations, we have now reached the stage where we are likely to grant the permit, having received all of the necessary information from the applicant, MVV Environment Ltd. 

    The company has applied for the permit to operate an incinerator on the Canford Resource Park. This does not mean a final decision has been taken, only that we will grant the permit unless we receive new information that gives cause for not allowing it. This consultation gives you the opportunity to let us know any new information. 

    Issues that we consider are: 

    • relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards
    • information on local population and sensitive sites
    • comments on whether the right process is being used for the activity, for example whether the technology is the right one
    • pollution control
    • the impact of noise and odour from traffic on site
    • whether energy generated by waste incineration is recovered as much as possible
    • handling and storage of waste
    • plans to deal with litter and vermin on site
    • any permit conditions that may be needed

    We do not look at issues around vehicle movements to and from the site, working hours and whether or not the site is suitable for this kind of work. All of those are matters dealt with through the planning process. However, in order to build and operate the proposed incinerator, the company will need to be granted both planning permission and an environmental permit.

    The agency is now consulting the public again on our draft decision and has made the draft permit and draft decision document available to view. The permit sets out the conditions being imposed on the applicant.

    The company wants to burn up to 260,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste each year in the incinerator. The proposed facility will, if given permission, burn waste to produce energy in the form of electricity. Power from this process will be exported to the National Grid.

    Once the consultation closes, the Environment Agency will review all the comments received before reaching a final decision. MVV Environment Ltd has the right to appeal if the permit is refused.

    If you wish to make comments about the application, please do so by 11.59pm on Friday 23 May.

    You can comment by:

    Environment Agency Permitting and Support Centre,
    Land Team,
    Quadrant 2,
    99 Parkway Avenue,
    Sheffield,
    S9 4WF.

    If you need help accessing this consultation in another format or would like to be added to the mailing list for this application, please contact us by emailing: wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk   or call 03708 506506.

    We may charge for copying costs.

    Please use the application number EPR/SP3127SF/A001 when you contact us.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Stolen motor vehicle – West Daly Region

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information on the whereabouts of a motor vehicle that was stolen in the West Daly Region on Friday 4 April.

    Police allege that between 9am and 3:15pm, the NSW registered vehicle and boat trailer were stolen from the Daly River boat ramp whilst the registered owner was fishing. Police have since sighted the vehicle in Palumpa and Wadeye; however, a pursuit was not initiated due to safety concerns. On one occasion the stolen vehicle bumped the rear of a police vehicle.

    Investigations remain ongoing into the whereabouts of the outstanding vehicle and offenders involved.

    Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to make contact on 131 444. You can anonymously report crime via Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: QUICK ESTIMATE OF INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND USE-BASED INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation

    QUICK ESTIMATE OF INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND USE-BASED INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025

    (BASE 2011-12=100)

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every month (or previous working day if 12th is a holiday) with a six weeks lag and compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn receive the data from the producing factories/ establishments. These Quick Estimates will undergo revision in subsequent releases as per the revision policy of IIP.

    2.        Key Highlights:

    1.  The IIP growth rate for the month of February 2025 is 2.9 percent which was 5.0 percent (Quick Estimate) in the month of January 2025.
    2.  The growth rates of the three sectors, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity for the month of February 2025 are 1.6 percent, 2.9 percent and 3.6 percent respectively.
    3.  The Quick Estimates of IIP stands at 151.3 against 147.1 in February 2024. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of February 2025 stand at 141.9, 148.6 and 194.0 respectively.
    4.  Within the manufacturing sector, 14 out of 23 industry groups at NIC 2 digit-level have recorded a positive growth in February 2025 over February 2024. The top three positive contributors for the month of February 2025 are – “Manufacture of basic metals” (5.8%), “Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers” (8.9%) and “Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products” (8.0%).
    5.  In the industry group “Manufacture of basic metals”, item groups “Flat products of Alloy Steel “, “Pipes and tubes of Steel”, “Bars and Rods of Mild steel” have shown significant contribution in growth.
    6. In the industry group “Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers”, item groups “Auto components/ spares and accessories”, “Axle”, “Commercial Vehicles, have shown significant contribution in growth.
    7. In the industry group “Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products” item groups “Cement- all types”, “Cement Clinkers”, “Pre-fabricated Concrete blocks (including RMC)” have shown significant contribution in growth.
    8.  As per the use base classification, the indices stand at 152.3 for Primary Goods, 115.5 for Capital Goods, 159.9 for Intermediate Goods and 191.3 for Infrastructure/ Construction Goods for the month of February 2025. Further, the indices for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stand at 126.5 and 146.7 respectively.
    9.  The corresponding growth rates of IIP as per Use-based classification in February 2025 over February 2024 are 2.8 percent in Primary goods, 8.2 percent in Capital goods, 1.5 percent in Intermediate goods, 6.6 percent in Infrastructure/ Construction Goods, 3.8 percent in Consumer durables and (-)2.1 percent in Consumer non-durables (Statement III).  Based on use-based classification, top three positive contributors to the growth of IIP for the month of February 2025 are – Infrastructure/ construction goods, Primary goods, and Capital goods.
    10.   Monthly Indices and Growth Rate (in %) of IIP for the last 13 months

     

    3.       Along with the Quick Estimates of IIP for the month of February 2025, the indices for January 2025 have undergone the first revision and those for November 2024 have undergone final revision in the light of the updated data received from the source agencies. The Quick Estimates for February 2025, the first revision for January 2025 and the final revision for November 2024 have been compiled at weighted response rates of 89 percent, 94 percent and 95 percent respectively.

    4.     Details of Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production for the month of February 2025 at Sectoral, 2-digit level of National Industrial Classification (NIC-2008) and by Use-based classification are given at Statements I, II and III respectively. Also, for users to appreciate the changes in the industrial sector, Statement IV provides month-wise indices for the last 13 months, by industry groups (as per 2-digit level of NIC-2008) and sectors.

    5.     Release of the Index for March 2025 will be on Monday, 28th April 2025.

     

    Note: –

    1. This Press release (English and Hindi Version) is also available at the Ministry’s Website –http://www.mospi.gov.in.
    2. Detailed information pertaining to IIP is available at https://mospi.gov.in/iip and https://esankhyiki.mospi.gov.in/

     

    STATEMENT I: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION – SECTORAL

    		  

    (Base: 2011-12=100)

    		  

    Month

    Mining

    Manufacturing

    Electricity

    General

    (14.372472)

    (77.63321)

    (7.994318)

    (100)

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Apr

    122.6

    130.9

    138.8

    144.6

    192.3

    212.0

    140.7

    148.0

    May

    128.1

    136.5

    143.1

    150.4

    201.6

    229.3

    145.6

    154.7

    Jun

    122.3

    134.9

    141.6

    146.6

    205.2

    222.8

    143.9

    151.0

    Jul

    111.9

    116.1

    142.1

    148.8

    204.0

    220.2

    142.7

    149.8

    Aug

    111.9

    107.1

    144.4

    146.1

    220.5

    212.3

    145.8

    145.8

    Sep

    111.5

    111.7

    141.5

    147.2

    205.9

    206.9

    142.3

    146.9

    Oct

    127.4

    128.5

    142.1

    148.4

    203.8

    207.8

    144.9

    150.3

    Nov

    131.3

    133.8

    139.3

    147.0

    176.3

    184.1

    141.1

    148.1

    Dec

    139.5

    143.2

    151.6

    156.8

    181.6

    192.8

    152.3

    157.7

    Jan

    144.3

    150.7

    150.8

    159.5

    197.1

    201.9

    153.6

    161.6

    Feb*

    139.7

    141.9

    144.4

    148.6

    187.2

    194.0

    147.1

    151.3

    Mar

    156.2

     

    156.2

     

    204.2

     

    160.0

     

    Average

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Apr-Feb

    126.4

    130.5

    143.6

    149.5

    197.8

    207.6

    145.5

    151.4

    Growth over the corresponding period of previous year

     

     

     

     

    Jan

    6.0

    4.4

    3.6

    5.8

    5.6

    2.4

    4.2

    5.2

    Feb*

    8.1

    1.6

    4.9

    2.9

    7.6

    3.6

    5.6

    2.9

    Apr-Feb

    8.2

    3.2

    5.4

    4.1

    6.9

    5.0

    6.0

    4.1

    * Figures for Feb 2025 are Quick Estimates.

    NOTE : Indices for the months of Nov’24 and Jan’25 incorporate updated production data.

     

     

    STATEMENT II:  INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION – (2-DIGIT LEVEL)

    (Base: 2011-12=100)

    Industry

    Description

    Weight

    Index

    Cumulative Index

    Percentage growth

     

    code

     

    		  

    Feb’24

    Feb’25*

    Apr-Feb*

    Feb’25*

    Apr-Feb*

     

     

     

    		  

     

     

    2023-24

    2024-25

     

    2024-25

     

    10

    Manufacture of food products

    5.302

    151.9

    142.6

    133.8

    130.8

    -6.1

    -2.2

     

    11

    Manufacture of beverages

    1.035

    120.0

    114.8

    109.7

    112.5

    -4.3

    2.6

     

    12

    Manufacture of tobacco products

    0.798

    77.3

    76.1

    81.3

    83.6

    -1.6

    2.8

     

    13

    Manufacture of textiles

    3.291

    104.1

    106.6

    107.6

    108.9

    2.4

    1.2

     

    14

    Manufacture of wearing apparel

    1.322

    125.6

    120.1

    106.8

    113.9

    -4.4

    6.6

     

    15

    Manufacture of leather and related products

    0.502

    96.8

    87.7

    94.9

    91.9

    -9.4

    -3.2

     

    16

    Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials

    0.193

    101.7

    106.6

    97.1

    102.7

    4.8

    5.8

     

    17

    Manufacture of paper and paper products

    0.872

    79.2

    72.0

    79.1

    78.3

    -9.1

    -1.0

     

    18

    Printing and reproduction of recorded media

    0.680

    88.8

    81.2

    89.1

    84.3

    -8.6

    -5.4

     

    19

    Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products

    11.775

    131.2

    131.8

    132.1

    136.6

    0.5

    3.4

     

    20

    Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

    7.873

    125.4

    121.8

    126.9

    129.3

    -2.9

    1.9

     

    21

    Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products

    4.981

    205.6

    212.0

    234.1

    232.0

    3.1

    -0.9

     

    22

    Manufacture of rubber and plastics products

    2.422

    110.3

    115.2

    108.4

    113.4

    4.4

    4.6

     

    23

    Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products

    4.085

    147.7

    159.5

    142.2

    147.3

    8.0

    3.6

     

    24

    Manufacture of basic metals

    12.804

    213.2

    225.6

    212.4

    226.3

    5.8

    6.5

     

    25

    Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment

    2.655

    95.7

    102.1

    90.3

    97.0

    6.7

    7.4

     

    26

    Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products

    1.570

    125.8

    139.1

    120.5

    130.0

    10.6

    7.9

     

    27

    Manufacture of electrical equipment

    2.998

    111.5

    121.9

    105.1

    129.2

    9.3

    22.9

     

    28

    Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.

    4.765

    121.0

    124.7

    118.7

    122.2

    3.1

    2.9

     

    29

    Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers

    4.857

    130.4

    142.0

    127.5

    132.7

    8.9

    4.1

     

    30

    Manufacture of other transport equipment

    1.776

    145.8

    157.8

    141.9

    161.0

    8.2

    13.5

     

    31

    Manufacture of furniture

    0.131

    227.7

    240.8

    183.5

    226.5

    5.8

    23.4

     

    32

    Other manufacturing

    0.941

    76.4

    71.6

    84.9

    80.7

    -6.3

    -4.9

     

     

     

    		              

     

    05

    Mining

    14.372

    139.7

    141.9

    126.4

    130.5

    1.6

    3.2

     

    10-32

    Manufacturing

    77.633

    144.4

    148.6

    143.6

    149.5

    2.9

    4.1

     

    35

    Electricity

    7.994

    187.2

    194.0

    197.8

    207.6

    3.6

    5.0

     

     

     

    		              

     

     

    General Index

    100.00

    147.1

    151.3

    145.5

    151.4

    2.9

    4.1

     

    * Figures for Feb 2025 are Quick Estimates.

    		              

     

     

    STATEMENT III: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION – USE-BASED

    (Base :2011-12=100)

     

    Primary goods

    Capital goods

    Intermediate goods

    Infrastructure/ construction goods

    Consumer durables

    Consumer non-durables

    Month

    (34.048612)

    (8.223043)

    (17.221487)

    (12.338363)

    (12.839296)

    (15.329199)

     

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Apr

    142.2

    152.2

    92.4

    95.0

    152.0

    157.8

    169.8

    184.2

    108.1

    119.5

    154.7

    150.9

    May

    149.9

    160.9

    102.6

    105.3

    156.9

    162.4

    173.2

    186.3

    115.6

    130.2

    149.8

    154.0

    Jun

    146.7

    156.0

    107.4

    111.3

    154.2

    159.1

    170.9

    184.9

    116.8

    127.1

    146.7

    145.2

    Jul

    141.8

    150.1

    102.1

    114.0

    153.8

    164.6

    170.3

    179.7

    117.0

    126.6

    153.5

    147.1

    Aug

    145.4

    141.6

    107.4

    107.4

    157.4

    162.3

    176.8

    181.5

    123.2

    129.8

    148.3

    141.8

    Sep

    138.8

    141.3

    112.6

    116.5

    154.2

    160.8

    172.8

    178.8

    125.0

    132.9

    142.6

    145.7

    Oct

    146.1

    149.8

    106.1

    109.2

    157.5

    165.0

    175.9

    184.2

    123.0

    129.8

    142.4

    146.4

    Nov

    143.8

    147.7

    98.0

    106.7

    151.3

    158.5

    164.2

    177.3

    106.5

    121.5

    157.2

    158.1

    Dec

    151.9

    157.7

    103.8

    114.6

    159.8

    170.0

    180.3

    193.6

    114.5

    124.0

    179.7

    166.3

    Jan

    154.3

    162.8

    108.3

    119.5

    163.8

    172.5

    186.6

    200.4

    121.4

    130.2

    164.9

    164.4

    Feb*

    148.2

    152.3

    106.7

    115.5

    157.6

    159.9

    179.5

    191.3

    121.9

    126.5

    149.9

    146.7

    Mar

    163.1

    		  

    131.6

    		  

    169.2

    		  

    195.2

    		  

    129.9

    		  

    155.2

    		  

    Average

    		                        

    Apr-Feb

    146.3

    152.0

    104.3

    110.5

    156.2

    163.0

    174.6

    185.7

    117.5

    127.1

    153.6

    151.5

    Growth over the corresponding period of previous year

    		              

    Jan

    2.9

    5.5

    3.2

    10.3

    5.3

    5.3

    5.5

    7.4

    11.6

    7.2

    0.3

    -0.3

    Feb*

    5.9

    2.8

    1.7

    8.2

    8.6

    1.5

    8.3

    6.6

    12.6

    3.8

    -3.2

    -2.1

    Apr-Feb

    6.5

    3.9

    6.2

    5.9

    5.2

    4.4

    10.0

    6.4

    3.0

    8.2

    4.0

    -1.4

    * Figures for Feb 2025 are Quick Estimates.

    NOTE: Indices for the months of Nov’24 and Jan’25 incorporate updated production data.

     

    STATEMENT IV:  MONTHLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION – (2-DIGIT LEVEL)

    (Base: 2011-12=100)

    Industry code

    Description

    Weight

    Feb-24

    Mar-24

    Apr-24

    May-24

    Jun-24

    Jul-24

    Aug-24

    Sep-24

    Oct-24

    Nov-24

    Dec-24

    Jan-25

    Feb-25

    10

    Manufacture of food products

    5.3025

    151.9

    142.4

    119.8

    116.4

    118.3

    119.9

    122.3

    120.5

    130.5

    136.5

    152.8

    159.0

    142.6

    11

    Manufacture of beverages

    1.0354

    120.0

    124.2

    123.8

    136.4

    125.2

    112.9

    100.3

    101.8

    102.7

    99.4

    104.3

    115.4

    114.8

    12

    Manufacture of tobacco products

    0.7985

    77.3

    78.3

    61.1

    88.1

    83.2

    81.3

    78.5

    91.2

    92.3

    80.3

    89.0

    98.4

    76.1

    13

    Manufacture of textiles

    3.2913

    104.1

    106.9

    105.3

    107.0

    106.2

    109.1

    109.4

    109.3

    111.1

    106.2

    113.9

    113.7

    106.6

    14

    Manufacture of wearing apparel

    1.3225

    125.6

    143.0

    105.1

    123.6

    122.6

    111.7

    112.5

    103.7

    104.0

    110.3

    119.1

    120.2

    120.1

    15

    Manufacture of leather and related products

    0.5021

    96.8

    95.9

    89.3

    102.6

    99.2

    102.0

    94.3

    89.5

    87.0

    76.3

    89.2

    93.9

    87.7

    16

    Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials

    0.1930

    101.7

    111.4

    84.3

    100.3

    103.8

    99.1

    108.1

    106.7

    103.2

    98.2

    115.0

    104.4

    106.6

    17

    Manufacture of paper and paper products

    0.8724

    79.2

    83.0

    75.6

    81.0

    79.8

    81.7

    83.0

    81.2

    78.3

    75.0

    76.7

    76.7

    72.0

    18

    Printing and reproduction of recorded media

    0.6798

    88.8

    91.6

    82.1

    91.9

    85.3

    84.4

    83.3

    84.7

    78.0

    82.6

    90.0

    83.3

    81.2

    19

    Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products

    11.7749

    131.2

    142.4

    135.4

    140.7

    132.2

    140.9

    130.8

    128.8

    132.8

    135.6

    147.4

    146.3

    131.8

    20

    Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

    7.8730

    125.4

    132.3

    127.0

    133.2

    131.7

    135.2

    129.5

    129.4

    129.4

    123.2

    131.0

    130.9

    121.8

    21

    Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products

    4.9810

    205.6

    228.0

    244.4

    245.0

    218.8

    224.7

    212.6

    222.9

    216.9

    251.4

    258.6

    244.3

    212.0

    22

    Manufacture of rubber and plastics products

    2.4222

    110.3

    116.3

    108.9

    112.4

    114.5

    116.9

    115.5

    117.6

    116.6

    103.6

    107.0

    118.7

    115.2

    23

    Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products

    4.0853

    147.7

    165.4

    148.7

    149.1

    154.1

    136.3

    139.8

    137.6

    144.3

    136.7

    151.9

    162.7

    159.5

    24

    Manufacture of basic metals

    12.8043

    213.2

    232.1

    220.7

    225.9

    219.2

    223.7

    225.6

    219.7

    228.2

    222.0

    237.0

    242.2

    225.6

    25

    Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment

    2.6549

    95.7

    115.0

    85.0

    97.8

    89.5

    93.7

    92.8

    99.5

    100.2

    95.2

    106.9

    104.2

    102.1

    26

    Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products

    1.5704

    125.8

    134.7

    114.2

    136.5

    134.8

    130.9

    146.6

    146.7

    124.2

    115.9

    115.1

    126.2

    139.1

    27

    Manufacture of electrical equipment

    2.9983

    111.5

    124.7

    110.4

    122.7

    136.8

    131.8

    127.7

    128.1

    125.9

    121.1

    163.8

    131.4

    121.9

    28

    Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.

    4.7653

    121.0

    145.4

    108.0

    118.1

    125.3

    126.2

    122.9

    131.7

    120.2

    117.7

    127.7

    122.0

    124.7

    29

    Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers

    4.8573

    130.4

    130.5

    126.5

    134.4

    128.9

    133.5

    129.2

    132.6

    133.4

    134.4

    116.3

    148.3

    142.0

    30

    Manufacture of other transport equipment

    1.7763

    145.8

    175.7

    140.3

    153.2

    153.4

    155.0

    156.4

    189.0

    184.5

    159.4

    142.2

    180.0

    157.8

    31

    Manufacture of furniture

    0.1311

    227.7

    296.4

    220.8

    246.0

    217.0

    209.2

    226.2

    246.6

    211.4

    201.7

    239.1

    232.9

    240.8

    32

    Other manufacturing

    0.9415

    76.4

    90.0

    96.5

    72.5

    74.6

    83.3

    86.9

    99.5

    91.8

    57.0

    77.8

    76.7

    71.6

     

     

     

    		                          

    5

    Mining

    14.3725

    139.7

    156.2

    130.9

    136.5

    134.9

    116.1

    107.1

    111.7

    128.5

    133.8

    143.2

    150.7

    141.9

    10-32

    Manufacturing

    77.6332

    144.4

    156.2

    144.6

    150.4

    146.6

    148.8

    146.1

    147.2

    148.4

    147.0

    156.8

    159.5

    148.6

    35

    Electricity

    7.9943

    187.2

    204.2

    212.0

    229.3

    222.8

    220.2

    212.3

    206.9

    207.8

    184.1

    192.8

    201.9

    194.0

     

     

     

    		                          

     

    General Index

    100

    147.1

    160.0

    148.0

    154.7

    151.0

    149.8

    145.8

    146.9

    150.3

    148.1

    157.7

    161.6

    151.3

    Note: The figures December 2024, January 2025 and February 2025 are provisional

     

    ****

    Samrat

    (Release ID: 2120934)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Flooding alert set for low-lying roads

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government announced today that it will launch the Pilot Scheme on Wading Line System at five low-lying road sections with a higher flooding risk to tackle flooding as early as possible and alert drivers on the road ahead, thereby reducing the possibility of vehicles stalling due to water damage.

    The system is being introduced in view of the increasing likelihood of flooding at low-lying road sections caused by heavy rain under extreme weather. Five pilot road sections have been selected as they experienced serious flooding in September 2023, causing damage to vehicles and rendering them inoperable.

    The road sections are at Chai Wan Road, Lung Cheung Road, Tsui Ping Road, Chatham Road North and Nam Wan Road in Tai Po Market.

    Traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases from later this month at the relevant road sections to facilitate the installation of the system’s warning signs. The installation is expected to be completed in mid-May.

    Under the system, warning signs will be placed at low-lying road sections, including a red wavy line and the words “Wading Line” painted on the road surface, with a water meter gauge placed next to it and a sign erected next to the carriageway.

    When the water level has reached or submerged the wading line, it indicates the depth of the water at the lowest point of the road ahead has reached 0.3m or above.

    The Drainage Services Department (DSD) will install water level sensors called Flood Monitoring Devices at the lowest point of the road sections to collect real-time water level data.

    When the devices detect the water level on the road has reached the warning level, the monitoring system will immediately alert relevant government departments. The DSD and the Highways Department will promptly deploy emergency response teams to inspect and clear blocked drains to reduce the risk of flooding.

    When the depth of the water has reached 0.3m, there will be temporary traffic guidance on-site to prevent vehicles from entering the flooded road sections. The Transport Department will disseminate information on traffic arrangements accordingly and Police will give assistance as necessary.

    If vehicles have entered low-lying road sections before the temporary traffic guidance is in place, drivers should stop their vehicles before reaching the wading line and avoid entering the flooded area. They should also turn on their hazard warning lights and follow the on-site directions to leave the temporarily closed road sections.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pilot Scheme on Wading Line System to cope with flooding at low-lying road sections (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    In view of the increased chance of flooding at low-lying road sections caused by heavy rain under extreme weather, the Government will launch the Pilot Scheme on Wading Line System at five low-lying road sections with higher risk to monitor the flooding situation in real time, to facilitate effective mobilisation and collaboration of relevant government departments to tackle flooding as early as possible, and alert drivers of flooding on the road ahead, thereby reducing the possibility of vehicles stalling due to damage by flooding.
     
    A Government spokesman said today (April 11) that the five pilot road sections are located at Chai Wan Road, Lung Cheung Road, Tsui Ping Road, Chatham Road North, and Nam Wan Road in Tai Po Market. During the severe rainstorms in September 2023, these locations experienced more serious flooding, causing damage to vehicles and rendering them inoperable.
     
    Warning signs of the system will be placed at low-lying road sections, including a red wavy line and the words “Wading Line” painted on the road surface, with a water meter gauge placed next to it and a sign erected next to the carriageway. When the water level has reached or submerged the wading line, it indicates that the depth of the water at the lowest point of the road ahead has reached 0.3 metre or above.
     
    In addition, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) will install water level sensors called Flood Monitoring Devices at the lowest point of the road sections to collect real-time water level data. When the devices detect that the water level on the road has reached the warning level, the monitoring system will immediately alert relevant government departments. The DSD and the Highways Department (HyD) will promptly deploy emergency response teams to inspect and clear blocked drains to reduce the risk of flooding. When the depth of the water has reached 0.3 metre, there will be temporary traffic guidance on-site to prevent vehicles from entering the flooded road sections. The Transport Department will disseminate information on traffic arrangements accordingly and the Police will assist at scene as necessary.

    If vehicles have entered low-lying road sections before temporary traffic guidance is in place, drivers should stop their vehicles before reaching the wading line and avoid entering the flooded area. They should turn on hazard warning lights and follow the on-site directions to leave the temporarily closed road sections.
     
    The Government will monitor the implementation of the pilot scheme, review its effectiveness in due course and optimise it as necessary.
     
    To facilitate the progressive installation of warning signs of the system at the pilot road sections by the HyD, which will begin in late April, temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases at the relevant road sections. The installation is expected to be completed in mid-May.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC – 10 04 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 10 APRIL 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 5p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 11,878,976 5.4483    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 11,878,976 5.4483    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    5p ORDINARY SALE 4,222 192.8p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 150 193p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 1,000 193.2p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 728 193.4p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 2,830 198.8789p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 5,087 193.8p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 4,913 194.8p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 10,000 195p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 2,500 196p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 2,500 198p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 11 APRIL 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European fire safety strategy – E-000779/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Affordable Housing Plan will include a dedicated European Strategy for Housing Construction to foster productivity and competitiveness in the construction sector to increase housing supply. While the Plan is not expected to alter national fire safety requirements, the Commission is already pursuing a number of relevant initiatives:

    — The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive[1] (EPBD) provides that Member States must address the issues of fire safety in new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation and may address fire safety in their national building renovation plans.

    — In the context of the implementation of the EPBD, the Commission has recently launched a call for tender[2] aiming at providing the Member States with guidance on fire safety linked to the electrification and renovation of buildings.

    — The Commission has published guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces[3], which will feed into the guidance on fire safety in car parks required by the EPBD.

    — The Fire Information Exchange Platform (FIEP) is supports exchange of information relevant for fire safety considerations.

    — In the context of the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation[4] (CPR), the Commission will initiate a horizontal CPR Acquis group for fire issues. One of the subjects this forum will discuss is the new test method for fire performance of façades.

    — Later this year, the Commission will launch a call for tender for preparatory action on fire safety statistics in close collaboration with the Member States.

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast). OJ L, 2024/1275, 8.5.2024. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj
    • [2] https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/digit/opsys/esubmission-fo-ui/?cftUuid=f762535d-cef8-4774-b779-8b7f8f0c5b34
    • [3] Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces — Publications Office of the EU (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c2c1f892-f3ef-11ef-b7db-01aa75ed71a1/language-en).
    • [4] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr_en
    Last updated: 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Proposals to improve bus reliability set to take next step

    Source: City of York

    Published Friday, 11 April 2025

    Ideas to speed up bus journeys and increase bus reliability could be taken to public consultation soon.

    At a meeting later this month (22 April) the council’s Executive Member for Transport will be asked to agree to publicly consult on a series of potential measures on the Rougier Street – Micklegate – Tower Street corridor, an area which has been long discussed for bus priority.

    As well as better bus reliability, any proposals would look to improve infrastructure for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people who use mobility aids and cyclists whilst maintaining vehicle access to all parking bays in this city centre area for everyone at all times. The expectation is that this could bring benefits far beyond the city centre with buses from villages and beyond the city boundaries also benefiting from the improvements on this route with quicker and more reliable journeys.

    In 2023 the council carried out extensive engagement through ‘Our Big Transport Conversation’. In it people shared how bus reliability was an issue affecting their lives and that they wanted to see this improved. When asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the introduction of dedicated priority routes for buses and sustainable transport 72% agreed or strongly agreed.

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said:

    “Bus reliability is something residents and businesses clearly told us they wanted to see improve.

    “Alongside the many bus operators we share people’s frustrations regarding bus reliability. This is because many of our local and regional buses get stuck in the heavy congestion in the city centre. Delayed buses erode people’s confidence in using public transport and push people towards travelling by private car instead – adding to the traffic jams in the city. We need to reverse this negative trend and make bus travel a reliable and convenient way to travel.

    “One option would be a bus filter, something which people told us they were supportive of in ‘Our Big Transport Conversation’. No decisions have been made yet and we are committed to listening to everyone’s views via extensive public consultation before implementation of any scheme.”

    If the report is approved the council will go out to public consultation in the coming months with further details around design options and operation shared at that point. The council will involve residents and businesses across the city and ask them to have their say with feedback collated and published before any decision is made.

    In April 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) made an indicative funding award of £17.3m to City of York Council in respect of its Bus ;Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). York’s BSIP sets out a new vision to help improve York’s bus network, aiming to make it more inclusive, accessible, attractive and welcoming – becoming a source of pride for the city and its residents. If the project progresses it is proposed that £2M of the BSIP funding would be used for this.

    The report will be considered at a decision session for the Executive Member for Transport on Tuesday 22 April. View the meeting papers online. The meeting will be available to view live or on demand.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s NEV output, sales see robust growth in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s new energy vehicles (NEVs) saw robust production and sales in the first quarter of 2025, industry data showed Friday.

    NEV production surged 50.4 percent year on year to 3.18 million units in the first three months, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

    During the period, NEV sales soared 47.1 percent year on year to 3.08 million units, accounting for 41.2 percent of total vehicle sales in the period, according to CAAM data. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry

    The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany.

    The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries.

    Today’s package, worth £450 million, includes £350 million from the UK from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

    The support package will be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey when he chairs the contact group alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later today, where 50 nations will come together to coordinate urgent military support for Ukraine.

    It will include £160 million of UK funding to provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment the UK has already provided to Ukraine – partnering UK companies with Ukrainian industry, supporting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

    Today’s support also includes a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway. The package builds on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia.

    This will include high manoeuvrable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These two types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment.

    The new kit will be procured from a mixture of UK and Ukrainian suppliers, demonstrating how investment into Ukraine’s defence supports jobs and the economies of both the UK and Ukraine.

    The £160 million package for equipment repairs and maintenance will ensure vital armoured vehicles and other equipment can get back to the battlefield as quickly as possible. It will be implemented through the UK’s Taskforce HIRST, linking UK and Ukrainian companies to ensure repairs can be conducted in country to ensure that vital equipment is returned to the frontline as quickly as possible.

    The support provides opportunities for British companies to learn lessons from the battlefield and support the UK’s own industrial capabilities, an example of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership announced by the Prime Minister in action.

    Addressing the contact group, Defence Secretary John Healey MP will say:

    The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

    We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight.

    2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war fighters what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences.

    Yesterday, [Thursday] the Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, Minister Lecornu, chaired the first meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers, bringing together 30 countries to progress planning for a reassurance force to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

    The meeting followed a series of high-level meetings of leaders and defence chiefs in the last month to move forward with operational planning.

    This work delivers on the Prime Minister’s four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin.

    The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine remains in the strongest possible position, which is why £4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year – more than ever before.

    As well as demonstrating leadership through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, the UK is also contributing heavily to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Command, which is coordinating further support for Ukraine in the form of training and providing more capabilities. Through the International Fund for Ukraine, the UK will manage the NSATU Trust Fund for rapid procurement – which Canada, Denmark and Iceland have already pledged funding towards, to meet Ukraine’s urgent equipment support and logistical needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council suspends busking in Leicester square following court ruling | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    • Recent court ruling leaves Westminster City Council with no choice.
    • Council remains committed to seeking a balance between buskers and local business.

    Following a ruling by a City of London magistrates’ court judge last month, Westminster City Council has suspended two busking performance pitches in Leicester Square in order to comply.

    In the case between Global Radio and Westminster City Council on the 26th March, the district judge ordered the local authority to stop the nuisance that is caused by “noise from the playing of music by buskers playing in Leicester Square”.

    It puts the council in an impossible position as they have always tried to make sure the right balance is struck between everyone involved. They have looked to ensure that disruption by performers is minimised but they know how much performers are loved by visitors and are an iconic part of the city’s tourist scene and are keen to make sure that buskers are able to continue and adding to the wider city’s cultural heritage.

    Unfortunately, the ruling leaves the council with no choice but to suspend performance pitches in Leicester Square.

    In a letter sent to licenced performers who currently work in the area, the local authority shared their decision and outlined what happens next. From Thursday 17th April until further notice, all licensed and unlicensed buskers and street entertainers will have to comply with the suspension in Leicester Square.

    Anyone who performs in the affected area may face enforcement that includes a fine, equipment being seized or even their licence being taken off them.

    Cllr Matt Noble, Westminster City Council Spokesperson said:

    Street performers are a much-loved part of our city’s identity, but we also have to balance this with a duty to protect residents and businesses. The court ruling gives us no choice—we now have a legal obligation to act.”

    “This is categorically not a ban on street performers in Westminster. Our next step is to comply with the ruling by suspending street performance pitches in Leicester Square, consider the court ruling and find a fair solution.”

    ENDS

    Notes to Editors:

    City of London Magistrates’ Court ruled in favour of Global Radio and determined that:

    • A statutory nuisance exists and is likely to recur from busking in Leicester Square.
    • An abatement order has been issued against the council, requiring us to:
      • Abate the statutory nuisance consisting of noise from the playing of music by buskers in Leicester Square, and
      • Prevent the recurrence of that statutory nuisance.
    • The council must comply with this Order within 28 days of 26 March 2025.

    This suspension will remain in effect until further notice. During this period, the council will review the Court’s judgment in detail and consider its next steps. This includes assessing the issues raised by the Court, exploring its grounds of appeal and in due course, exploring any appropriate revisions to the busking and street entertainment licensing regime, such as pitch locations, licence and pitch terms and conditions, and the wider Council policy for this regime. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ministers Burke and Dillon announce new measures to support the transport sector

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    11th April 2025

    The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has signed regulations making changes to the employment permits system to address skills shortages in Ireland’s transport sector. The quota for car mechanics will increase by 200, the quota for HGV and Bus mechanics by 200, and the quota for vehicle body builders and repairers has increased by 50. The changes came into effect on Monday, 7 April.

    Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said:

    “I am pleased to announce that I have increased quotas for Car mechanics and HGV/Bus mechanics by 200 employment permits each and Vehicle body builders and repairers by 50 permits. Car mechanics play a vital role in ensuring that Ireland’s private car fleet is safe for all road users. HGV/Bus mechanics and Vehicle body builders and repairers are both necessary to support the extension of our public transport services including the BusConnects program, which aims to provide a significant expansion of routes and increased 24-hour operations for public transport. The planned transition to alternative power vehicles will also require access to skilled mechanics. Ensuring that there is a sufficient workforce to maintain these new vehicles will play a vital role in the delivery of this program.”

    Minister of State for Small Businesses and Retail, Alan Dillon said:

    “The increase to these quotas will help us to secure additional skilled workers to help deliver our ambitious public transport goals, as well as improving the roadworthiness of the private car fleet. This measure will help to ensure the safety and reliability of both public transport and the private car fleet and help to ensure that we meet our public transport goals.”

    Notes for editor

    The Employment Permits System

    Ireland’s policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other European Economic Area (EEA) states. Policy in relation to applications for employment permits remains focused on facilitating the recruitment from outside the EEA of skilled and highly skilled personnel, where the requisite skills cannot be met by normal recruitment or by training. Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.

    The Occupations Lists

    For the purposes of the employment permits system, occupations fall into three categories:

    1. Occupations listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List are highly skilled professional roles that are in high demand and are not always available in the resident labour force. Occupations on this list are eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) and include roles such as medicine, ICT, sciences, finance, and business.
    2. Occupations listed on the Ineligible Occupations List (IOL) are those with evidence suggesting there are sufficient Irish/EEA workers to fill such vacancies. Employment permits are not granted for these occupations. Some roles are removed from the IOL subject to quota, in order to sustainably integrate a new source of workers into the labour market and to test the labour market needs.
    3. Every other job in the labour market, where an employer cannot find a worker, is eligible for an employment permit. For these occupations, the employer is required to undertake a Labour Market Needs Test and if no-one suitable applies for the job, the employer is free to apply for an employment permit. Occupations such as these may be skills of a more general nature and are eligible for a General Employment Permit (GEP).

    ENDS

    Back to Department News

    Back to Top

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New traffic signal junction to be activated in Pitlochry

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The new traffic signal junction at Atholl Road and West Moulin Road in Pitlochry is set to be activated today, Friday 11 April at approximately 11:30 am.

    This follows six weeks of construction work, which included the installation of traffic lights and the widening of sections of the footway.

    The new infrastructure aims to improve pedestrian movements and manage vehicle traffic around the junction. The project is part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and streamline traffic flow in the area.

    Our traffic and network team will be monitoring the site over the coming weeks and may make small adjustments if required to ensure a smooth transition.

    Additional road safety improvements planned for the Atholl Road and Station Road junction in Pitlochry have been postponed until later in the year to minimise disruption to the town centre.

    Thank you to the local businesses and residents in Pitlochry for their patience and support while these works took place.

    Last modified on 11 April 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice to the Annual General Meeting of KH Group Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KH Group Plc
    Stock Exchange Release 11 April 2025 at  10:00 am EEST

    Notice to the Annual General Meeting of KH Group Plc

    Notice is given to the shareholders of KH Group Plc (“KH Group” or the “Company”) to the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EEST at Sanomatalo, Flik Event Studio Eliel, at the address Töölönlahdenkatu 2, 00100 Helsinki, Finland. The reception of attendees who have registered for the meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will commence at 1:30 p.m. EEST.

    Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by voting in advance. Shareholders who have registered for the meeting may also follow the meeting via a live webcast. Further instructions for shareholders are provided in section C “Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting” of this notice.

    In connection with the Annual General Meeting, coffee will be served at the meeting venue.

    A. Matters on the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting

    At the Annual General Meeting, the following matters shall be considered:

    1. Opening of the meeting

    2. Calling the meeting to order

    3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

    4. Recording the legality and quorum of the meeting

    5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adopting the list of votes

    6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, the Board of Directors’ Report, the Auditor’s Report and the assurance report on the sustainability statement for the year 2024, and presentation of the CEO’s Review

    7. Adoption of the Financial Statements

    8. Resolution on the use of profit shown on the balance sheet and the payment of dividend

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that no dividend be paid for the financial period ended 31 December 2024.

    9. Resolution on the discharge from liability of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO

    10. Adoption of the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report

    11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the Board of Directors remain unchanged, so that the Chairman of the Board of Directors be paid as remuneration EUR 3,550 per month and the other members of the Board of Directors each EUR 2,300 per month. The Nomination Board further proposes that the travel expenses of the members of the Board of Directors be compensated in accordance with the Company’s travel policy and that each of the members of the Board of Directors shall have the right to abstain from receiving remuneration.

    Earnings-related pension insurance contributions are paid voluntarily for the paid remuneration.

    12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be six (6).

    13. Election of members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the current members of the Board of Directors Juha Karttunen, Taru Narvanmaa and Jon Unnérus shall be re-elected as members of the Board of Directors and that Christoffer Landtman, Jari Rautjärvi and Carl Haglund shall be elected as a new members of the Board of Directors, for a term ending at the closing of the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Of the current Board members, Kati Kivimäki and Timo Mänty have indicated that they are not available for re-election.

    All persons nominated as members of the Board of Directors have given their consent to the election. The Nomination Board considers all the nominees to be independent of the Company and of the significant shareholders of the Company.

    According to the Articles of Association of KH Group, the Board of Directors elects a Chair from among its members.

    CVs, photographs and the evaluation regarding the independence of the proposed members of the Board of Directors are presented on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/

    14. Resolution on the remuneration of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the auditor shall be paid according to the auditor’s reasonable invoice approved by the Company.

    The Board of Directors further proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the sustainability reporting assurance provider shall be paid according to the sustainability reporting assurance provider’s reasonable invoice approved by the Company.

    15. Election of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Public Accountants, be re-elected as the Company’s auditor. Ernst & Young Oy has notified that Timo Eerola, APA, will act as the principally responsible auditor for the Company.

    The Board of Directors further proposes to the General Meeting that Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Sustainability Audit Firm, be elected as the Company’s sustainability reporting assurance provider. Ernst & Young Oy has notified that Timo Eerola, ASA (Authorised Sustainability Auditor), will act as the principally responsible sustainability auditor for the Company.

    The term of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider ends at the closing of the Annual General Meeting following the election.

    16. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and/or the granting of special rights entitling to shares as referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, in one or several instalments as follows: The total number of shares to be issued under the authorisation may be at the most 11,400,000 shares. The authorisation concerns both the issuance of new shares as well as the conveyance of shares held by the Company. The authorisation is proposed to be used to finance or carry out possible acquisitions or other arrangements or investments related to the Company’s business, to implement the Company’s incentive program, or for other purposes decided by the Board of Directors.

    The Board of Directors decides on all terms and conditions of a share issue and the issuance of special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, and the authorisation therefore includes the right of the Board of Directors to deviate from the shareholders’ pre-emptive subscription right (directed issue), the right to issue shares against consideration or without payment, and the right to decide on a free issuance of shares to the Company itself, however, taking into account the provisions of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act concerning the maximum number of own shares held by the Company.

    The authorisation is proposed to be effective until 30 June 2026, and it will cancel the corresponding authorisation given to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2024.

    17. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of the Company’s own shares

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide to repurchase a maximum of 5,700,000 shares in the Company in one or several instalments by using funds in the Company’s unrestricted equity, however, taking into account the provisions of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act concerning the maximum number of own shares held by the Company. The Company’s own shares may be repurchased to be used as consideration in possible acquisitions or in other arrangements related to the Company’s business, to finance investments, as a part of the Company’s incentive program, to develop the Company’s capital structure as well as to be conveyed for other purposes, to be held by the Company or to be cancelled. The authorisation also includes the right to pledge the Company’s own shares.

    The Company’s own shares may be repurchased in public trading organized by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders, at the market price at the time of repurchase. The shares will be repurchased and paid in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd and Euroclear Finland Oy. The Board of Directors is in all other respects authorised to decide on the terms and conditions of the repurchase of own shares.

    The authorisation is proposed to be effective until 30 June 2026, and it will cancel the corresponding authorisation given to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2024.

    18. Closing of the meeting

    B. Documents of the Annual General Meeting

    The aforementioned proposals on the agenda of the General Meeting, this notice, the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report as well as the Annual Report, which includes the Financial Statements of the Company, the Board of Directors’ Report (including the sustainability report), the Auditor’s Report and the assurance report on the sustainability statement, are available on KH Group’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025.

    The minutes of the General Meeting will be available on the aforementioned website on 20 May 2025, at the latest.

    C. Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting

    1. Shareholder registered in the shareholders’ register

    Each shareholder who is registered on the record date of the General Meeting, on 23 April 2025, in the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy, has the right to participate in the General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares in the Company are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account, is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company.

    The registration to the General Meeting begins on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST. A shareholder who is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company and who wants to participate in the General Meeting, shall register no later than on 28 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EEST, by which time the registration must be received.

    Registration can be done:

    a)   Through the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/

    In the electronic registration, a strong identification of the shareholder or their proxy representative or legal representative is required with Finnish, Swedish or Danish banking codes or a mobile ID.

    b)   By email or mail to Innovatics Ltd to the address agm@innovatics.fi, to the address Innovatics Ltd, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland.

    Shareholders registering by email or mail shall submit the registration form and possible advance voting form available on the Company’s website https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025 or corresponding information in the message.

    In connection with the registration, a shareholder shall provide the requested information, such as their name, date of birth or business ID, phone number and/or email address as well as the name of assistant or a proxy representative, if any, date of birth of the proxy representative and their phone number and/or email address. The personal data given by the shareholders or the representatives to KH Group or Innovatics Ltd is used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and with the processing of necessary related registrations.

    The shareholder, legal representative or their proxy representative shall, if necessary, be able to prove their identity and/or right of representation at the meeting venue.

    Additional information on registration and advance voting is available by phone during the registration period of the General Meeting at Innovatics Ltd’s phone number +358 (0)10 2818 909 from Monday to Friday at 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon and at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EEST.

    2. Proxy representative and powers of attorney

    A shareholder may participate in the General Meeting and exercise their rights at the meeting by way of a proxy representative. The shareholder’s proxy presentative may also vote in advance as described in this notice. The proxy representative must identify him/herself to the electronic registration service and advance voting with strong identification, after which he/she will be able to register and vote in advance on behalf of the shareholder he/she represents. The shareholder’s proxy representative shall produce a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate their right to represent the shareholder at the General Meeting. The representation right can be demonstrated by using the suomi.fi authorisation service available in the electronic registration service.

    A power of attorney template and voting instructions will be available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025 on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST at the latest. If a shareholder participates in the General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares at different securities accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration.

    Possible proxy documents are requested to be delivered primarily as an attachment in connection with the electronic registration, or alternatively by email to agm@innovatics.fi or by mail to the address Innovatics Oy, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland before the expiry of the registration period. In addition to providing proxy documents, the shareholder or the proxy representative must register for the General Meeting as detailed above in this Notice.

    3. Holder of nominee registered share

    A holder of nominee registered shares has the right to participate in the General Meeting by virtue of such shares based on which he/she on the record date of the General Meeting, i.e., on 23 April 2025, would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy. The right to participate in the General Meeting requires, in addition, that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been temporarily registered into the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy at the latest by 1 May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST. As regards nominee registered shares, this constitutes due registration for the General Meeting. Changes in shareholding after the record date of the General Meeting do not affect the right to participate in the General Meeting or the number of votes of the shareholder.

    A holder of a nominee registered share is advised to request without delay the necessary instructions regarding the registration in the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents, the registration and participating for the General Meeting and voting in advance from their custodian bank. The account management organisation of the custodian bank has to register a holder of a nominee registered share, who wants to participate in the General Meeting, temporarily into the shareholders’ register of the Company and if needed to see to the voting in advance on behalf of a holder of a nominee registered share before the expiry of the registration period for the holders of nominee registered shares.

    4. Advance voting

    A shareholder whose shares are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account may vote in advance during the period from 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST until 28 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EEST on certain matters on the agenda of the General Meeting.

    Advance voting can be done in the following ways:

    a)   Through the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/
           Logging in to the service is done in the same way as for registration above in the Section C.1.

    b)   By email or mail by delivering the advance voting form available on the Company’s website on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST at the latest or corresponding information by email to agm@innovatics.fi or to the address Innovatics Ltd, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland. The advance votes shall be received before the expiry of the advance voting period. Submitting votes in such manner before the expiry of registration and advance voting period constitutes due registration for the General Meeting, provided that the documents delivered by the shareholder contain the information required for registration.

    A shareholder who has voted in advance can use their right to request information under the Finnish Companies Act or their right to request a vote at the General Meeting or vote on a possible counterproposal only if the shareholder participates in the General Meeting in person or by way of proxy representation at the meeting venue.

    An agenda item subject to advance voting is considered to have been presented unchanged to the General Meeting.

    The terms and conditions as well as other instructions related to the electronic advance voting are available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/.

    5. Other instructions and information

    The meeting language will be Finnish.

    Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the General Meeting has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the meeting.

    The Company will arrange an opportunity for shareholders who have registered for the meeting to follow the meeting online via a live webcast. A video link and password to follow the meeting remotely will be sent via email and text message to the email address and mobile phone number provided in connection with the registration. Following the meeting through the remote access is only possible for shareholders who are shareholders on the record date of the General Meeting.

    Detailed instructions on following the webcast will be available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/. Shareholders are asked to take into account that following the meeting via webcast is not considered participating in the Annual General Meeting, and that it is not possible for the shareholders to exercise their shareholder rights in the Annual General Meeting through the webcast. Shareholders that wish to follow the webcast can exercise their voting rights by voting on the matter on the agenda in advance in accordance with the instructions provided above.

    On the date of this notice, the total number of shares and votes in KH Group is 58,078,895.

    No free parking has been arranged at the meeting venue.

    Helsinki, 10 April 2025

    KH GROUP PLC
    Board of Directors

    FURTHER INFORMATION:
    CEO Ville Nikulainen, tel. +358 400 459 343

    DISTRIBUTION:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Main media
    www.khgroup.com

    KH Group Plc is a Nordic conglomerate operating in the business areas of KH-Koneet, Nordic Rescue Group and Indoor Group. We are a leading supplier of construction and earth-moving equipment, rescue vehicle manufacturer as well as furniture and interior decoration retailer. The objective of our strategy is to create an industrial group around the business of KH-Koneet. KH Group’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigate serious crash in Austins Ferry

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigate serious crash in Austins Ferry

    Friday, 11 April 2025 – 3:35 pm.

    Police are investigating a serious crash involving a moped that occurred on Main Road, Austins Ferry this afternoon.Police and emergency services were called to the scene about 1.45pm.Preliminary investigations indicate the moped crashed into a pedestrian safety barrier.The rider and the pillion passenger – both male youths – were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, with the pillion passenger in a critical condition and the rider receiving serious injuries.No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash.The road remains closed to allow crash investigators to examine the scene and conduct inquiries.Police would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding.Anyone with information or relevant dash cam or CCTV footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University

    The Coalition has announced it would, if elected to government, weaken a scheme aimed at cutting car emissions.

    The scheme, known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), was introduced by the Albanese government and was due to take effect in July. It involved issuing penalties to automakers that breach an emissions ceiling on their total new car sales.

    The new Coalition plan, announced this week, would see such penalties abolished.

    But the penalties are crucial. Without penalties, automakers have limited incentive to supply fuel efficient, low or zero-CO₂ emitting vehicles to the Australian market.

    If this plan became government policy, it would make Australia an international outlier – and put at risk Australia’s ability to meet its obligations under the Paris climate agreement.

    An international outlier

    More than 85% of the international car market is covered by fuel efficiency standards.

    Without a robust New Vehicle Efficiency Standard scheme, complete with penalties for automakers that break the rules, Australia would join Russia in the tiny minority of developed countries without strong fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles.

    Abolishing the penalties embedded in the scheme also risks making Australia the world’s dumping ground for inefficient vehicles.

    That’s because the penalties embedded in the scheme are there to incentivise automakers to sell more efficient vehicles in Australia.

    The current scheme, as it is, is not particularly punitive. Automakers that breach their cap of emissions are given up to two years to fix their mistakes before being issued with a financial penalty.

    Weakening the scheme won’t help make it easier for Australians to buy fuel-efficient cars.

    Decarbonising Australian roads

    The 2015 Paris Agreement, to which Australia is a signatory, requires developed nations to decarbonise their transport by as much as 80% by 2050.

    Carbon emissions from Australian transport accounts for 21.1% of the nation’s emissions (to June 2023).

    It represents the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

    Without measures aimed at making cars more fuel efficient, Australia’s CO₂ emissions will continue to rise. It will be harder to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement.

    It’s regulation, not a tax

    The Coalition, which is hoping to pick up votes in outer-ring suburbs, has called the penalties embedded in the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard scheme a “car tax”.

    Liberal leader Peter Dutton said this week:

    This is a tax on families who need a reliable car and small businesses trying to grow. Instead of making life easier, Labor is making it harder and more expensive […] We want cleaner, cheaper cars on Australian roads as we head towards net zero by 2050, but forcing unfair penalties on carmakers and consumers is not the answer.

    But these penalties are not a tax; they are a form of regulation. Automakers that meet the rules wouldn’t have to pay penalties, under the current scheme.

    If the goal is to reduce people’s hip-pocket pain at the bowser, the focus should be on ensuring Australians can buy fuel-efficient vehicles.

    That means incentivising automakers to bring fuel-efficient vehicles to the Australian market. It also means avoiding any policy that encourages carmakers to see Australia as a dumping ground for gas-guzzling vehicles.

    Anna Mortimore receives funding from Reliable Affordable Clean Energy Cooperative Research Centre for 2030 (RACE for 2030).

    – ref. Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier – https://theconversation.com/coalition-plan-to-dump-fuel-efficiency-penalties-would-make-australia-a-global-outlier-254386

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: TGR to Launch Evolved GR Yaris

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: TGR to Launch Evolved GR Yaris

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) has announced that orders are being accepted from today for its evolved GR Yaris at Toyota vehicle dealers across Japan, with sales to commence on May 6. Also announced today was the GR Yaris factory-installed option Aero Performance Package scheduled for launch this autumn or later, the elements of which were first unveiled as part of a concept vehicle at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 and which incorporates insights gained from motorsports.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Collaboration to Make Engine-Equipped Vehicles Carbon Neutral Using Synthetic Fuel

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: Collaboration to Make Engine-Equipped Vehicles Carbon Neutral Using Synthetic Fuel

    ENEOS Corporation (hereinafter “ENEOS”), Suzuki Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Suzuki”), Subaru Corporation (hereinafter “Subaru”), DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. (hereinafter “Daihatsu”), Toyota Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Toyota”), and Mazda Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Mazda”) are pleased to announce they will provide passenger vehicles that use a fuel mixture containing synthetic fuel during the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter “the Expo”) event period for transporting guests and related parties within the venue.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Think before you drive: Police warn drivers ahead of public holidays

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    The results of a Police operation targeting impaired drivers in Auckland City this week has officers warning drivers to think before getting behind the wheel.

    Auckland City Police partnered with the Tāmaki Makaurau Impairment Prevention Team and Auckland Transport on Wednesday as part of an operation targeting impaired drivers.

    Auckland City Road Policing Manager, Acting Inspector Scott Jones, says the aim was to reinforce the message that motorists should be alcohol and drug free before hopping in a vehicle.

    “Close to 5000 drivers were breath tested across 15 check points, with eight drivers testing over the legal limit for driving.

    “While that may seem like a good result, it’s still eight too many and Police are disappointed to see that these people have put themselves and other road users at risk.

    “All of those caught will appear in court, and another driver who was suspected of being under the influence of cannabis while driving will also appear in court charged with refusing to provide a blood sample.”

    Acting Inspector Jones says Police are committed to ensuring our roads are safe, and they need everyone to do their part.

    “We want our presence to deter motorists from any driving behaviours or impairments that put themselves and others at risk.

    “When it comes down to it, we choose our behaviour behind the wheel and there are consequences for those who make poor choices.”

    He says in addition to impairment, officers focussed on other aspects of road safety and dealt with a number of drivers who had unrestrained children in their cars.

    “Our partners at Auckland Transport assisted these motorists with education on using child restraint systems to keep their family safe.

    “The public can expect Police to be out on our roads over the Easter and Anzac holiday weekends and encourage people to make good decisions before they drive.”

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2 planes bump wings at Washington DC’s Reagan airport

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Two American Airlines passenger planes bumped wings on a taxiway at the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

    No injuries were reported.

    The wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck American Airlines Flight 4522 on a taxiway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport around 12:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, the FAA said in a statement.

    Flight 5490, a Bombardier CRJ900, was headed to Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, and Flight 4522, an Embraer E175, was headed to JFK International Airport in New York.

    “While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe,” House Representative Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey posted on social media.

    “Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences … like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing. Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok,” said Congressman Nick LaLota from New York.

    The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kerrs Road, Linwood closed following crash

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Kerrs Road, Linwood is currently closed following a crash.

    The crash involved a vehicle and a cyclist and happened near the intersection with Woodham Road just before 4pm.

    One person has been seriously injured.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese ambassadors upbeat about prospects of relations with neighboring countries

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows a view of Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue for the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese ambassadors say they are upbeat about building on historic achievements to open new prospects for China’s relations with neighboring countries, after a key meeting outlined goals and tasks for the next phase of the country’s neighborhood work.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for the country’s neighborhood work, at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday.

    China’s relations with neighboring countries are at the best level seen in modern times, and they are entering a critical phase in which regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the conference noted.

    “China always places its neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its diplomatic agenda, and ASEAN is the priority in this neighborhood diplomacy,” Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said.

    Chinese and Malaysian leaders have reached a consensus on building a community with a shared future, and China-Malaysia trade accounts for one-fifth of China-ASEAN trade. In addition to the East Coast Rail Link project and other joint infrastructure projects, both countries are cooperating in such fields as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, electric vehicles and photovoltaic products.

    “Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Malaysia relations will further grow, and cooperation between China and ASEAN will also expand,” the ambassador said.

    Representatives of China and five Central Asian countries attend a launching ceremony of the secretariat of the China-Central Asian cooperation mechanism in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, March 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China-Central Asia relations have seen leapfrog progress with the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and the five Central Asian countries, the launch of the China-Central Asia mechanism, and joint efforts to promote the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin.

    President Xi’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and his three global initiatives offer important guidance for the China-Central Asia mechanism and SCO development, Han noted.

    A drone photo taken on June 23, 2024 shows a view of Rashakai Special Economic Zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Nowshera, Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As a pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has seen more than 25 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment and created more than 230,000 jobs. It has raised the level of China-Pakistan cooperation and promoted Pakistan’s economic and social development, according to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

    “We will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and safeguard China’s overseas interests,” Jiang said.

    China continues to bring development opportunities and certainty to its neighboring countries through its own development, said Shen Minjuan, Chinese ambassador to Mongolia. “In Mongolia, people remember President Xi’s offer of welcoming them to ride China’s fast train of development.”

    The 21st century will undoubtedly be the Asian Century, and China’s diplomacy with its neighboring countries holds immense potential, Shen said, adding that Asia should remain stable and thriving, thereby supporting China’s modernization drive.

    China and ASEAN have been each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years. ASEAN regards China as an indispensable partner for regional countries to achieve modernization, and China firmly supports ASEAN’s centrality in regional cooperation, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi.

    China encourages ASEAN to forge close ties with the SCO and BRICS, together practice genuine multilateralism and open regionalism, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the interests of developing countries, Hou said.

    An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2024 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that the world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, and that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace.

    “The CPC Central Committee exercises overall leadership, maintains strong strategic resolve, and responds to challenges with steadfastness and prudence. This is our greatest source of confidence in advancing our diplomatic endeavors, and the root cause of the respect and growing influence China gains on the global stage,” Fu said.

    “We must unwaveringly uphold the vision of a global community with a shared future, continuously advance the reform and improvement of global governance, and safeguard the interests of developing countries,” Fu said.

    The ambassadors expressed opposition to the United States’ indiscriminate tariffs on all of its trading partners, saying that China and neighboring countries should oppose the fallacy of “might makes right” and work together to safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of all countries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Turbo-charging tomatoes with Auckland’s food scraps

    Source: Auckland Council

    Thanks to a technology called anaerobic digestion, Aucklanders’ food scraps now provide renewable energy to help power the tomatoes that may very well end up on Aucklanders’ plates, contributing to New Zealand’s circular economy and reducing waste disposal costs.

    Anaerobic digestion extracts the powerhouse of energy and nutrients locked inside food scraps and other organic waste, with the EcoGas facility in Reporoa leading the way in implementing this technology in New Zealand.

    The facility collects food scraps and other organic waste from a range of sources, including Auckland Council’s food scraps collection, and produces enough heat from the waste to keep a neighbouring five-hectare glasshouse at ideal temperatures to grow its tomatoes – the equivalent of heating about 2,000 homes. Soon, the glasshouse will also gain bio-carbon dioxide produced by the food scraps to enhance tomato growth, as excess energy generated from the food scraps is fed into the national gas grid.

    The residual material that remains after biogas is extracted is transformed into liquid fertiliser, replacing synthetic fertilisers in New Zealand’s agriculture, which is much better for soil health.

    Auckland Council GM Waste Solutions Justine Haves says diverting Auckland’s food scraps from landfill to be turned into clean energy and other resources helps move Auckland towards its goal of Zero Waste by 2040.

    “Sending waste to landfill is the most expensive way to dispose of a community’s waste from an environmental perspective,” Ms Haves says.

    “The more waste we have going to landfill, the more harmful emissions we have and the more landfill capacity we need, which comes at a significant cost to communities,” she says.

    “With our finite resources, it makes sense to use the best environmentally sustainable technologies available to us to recover valuable resources from food scraps, and by diverting Auckland’s food scraps away from landfills towards processing for beneficial uses, the cost of the food scraps service is reduced.

    “The food scraps sent from Auckland to Reporoa travel in aggregate trucks that were previously heading back there empty, so this is a truly circular initiative.”

    Separating food scraps from rubbish is an easy way to reduce a household’s carbon footprint and provide a renewable resource for energy and fertiliser, so if you haven’t yet made use of your food scraps bin, it’s never too late to start! Simply put your food scraps bin out each week and it will be picked up as part of Auckland Council’s kerbside collection. 

    From your kitchen to an Ecogas facility – the food scraps journey

    Watch the Journey of Food Scraps video below. 

    [embedded content]

    Food scraps bins go out weekly, on council collection day. The small bins are emptied into food scraps collection vehicles – a third of which are electric – and the food scraps are transported to a facility in Papakura before being transferred into trucks bound for Reporoa.

    The food scraps are loaded into vehicles which have delivered gravel and aggregate to Auckland from Taupō. Instead of returning to Taupō empty, they make the return trip south carrying food scraps. We are using an existing trip that would still happen without food scraps.

    Food scraps arrive at the Ecogas Organics Processing Facility where they begin the process of anaerobic digestion.

    Turning food scraps into clean energy and fertiliser – what is Anaerobic Digestion?

    Imagine a huge tank. You mash up all your food scraps, like banana peels, corn cobs, and bones until it looks like a thick soup and pour it into the tank. Inside it, there are tiny, invisible helpers – the bacteria. These helpers love to eat the food scraps, but they don’t need any air to do it.

    As they munch away, they make two special things: bio-gas for energy use and a liquid fertiliser that can be applied onto pasture to help grass thrive. This whole process is called anaerobic digestion because it happens without any oxygen.

    The huge tanks turn Auckland’s food scraps into renewable energy and fertiliser which is spread on neighbouring farms. The energy helps to grow tasty tomatoes and the fertiliser helps grow grass to feed cows. Both the tomatoes and milk end up in your supermarket and on your plate. This energy is also used to run the facility itself making it self-sufficient and supplying renewable gas to the local gas grid.

    Place your food scraps bin at the kerbside on your collection day and rest assured that you’re making a difference now and for the future.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Boating Incident – Roaring Beaches, South Arm

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Boating Incident – Roaring Beaches, South Arm

    Friday, 11 April 2025 – 12:10 pm.

    Sadly, a man has died after a boating incident at Roaring Beach in Southern Tasmania this morning.
    Police and other emergency services were called to the scene about 8.45am after reports a boat had experienced engine failure and was struck by large waves.
    Two men were on board the boat at the time of the incident.
    One man was able to return to shore safely before raising the alarm.
    He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
    The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, police and civilian vessels searched the area for the missing man who was sadly located along with the overturned boat about 9.40am.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones.
    A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigating vehicle rollover, Carlton

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigating vehicle rollover, Carlton

    Friday, 11 April 2025 – 12:10 pm.

    Police are investigating the circumstances of a vehicle rollover involving a white Ford Falcon utility on Carlton River Road, Carlton last night.
    Police were called to the scene near the intersection of Moomere Street shortly before 7:30pm, following reports a vehicle had rolled.
    The two occupants were reportedly removing property from the vehicle, including its registration plates, and loading it into a nearby burgundy Ford Falcon sedan.
    The pair then left the crash scene prior to police arrival.
    Hooning and burnouts in the Carlton and Lewisham areas were reported immediately before the crash.
    Police are investigating, and are following a particular line of enquiry.
    Anyone with information about the crash, or dashcam or CCTV footage of either vehicle in the area at the time, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 347-10042025.
    Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China taps big data to close graduate job gap

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Students learn about employment information at a job fair held at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China will build a workforce demand database to help bridge the gap between college talent pool and the needs of employers.

    The measure comes as part of the country’s latest push for high-quality, sufficient employment for the millions of graduates hitting the workforce each year.

    A comprehensive, well-functioning and reliable job services network will be established within the next three to five years to support college graduates in the job market, according to new guidelines released on Tuesday.

    China will also step up analysis and consultation regarding the demand for talent critical to national strategies, said the policy document from the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

    This means digging into big data across innovation, industry, capital and talent chains, forecasting supply-demand trends, and updating a list of high-demand disciplines and majors to guide universities in the refinement of their programs, according to the document.

    Education officials emphasized the need to pinpoint real societal demand, boost the effectiveness of education, and strive for supply-demand balance.

    Addressing these pressing, real-world challenges is crucial for the education system today, they said.

    “Only when what we teach matches what society needs, will graduates thrive in the job market,” said Kuang Xiaozhen, director of an employment and entrepreneurship guidance center for college students in Beijing.

    In 2025, a record 12.22 million graduates — 430,000 more than last year — are expected to join the workforce. The figure has remained above 10 million for three consecutive years.

    To meet this challenge, China aims to create over 12 million urban jobs in 2025, targeting a surveyed unemployment rate of 5.5 percent. Last year, China successfully added 12.56 million urban jobs, maintaining a surveyed urban unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

    Yet, the pressure is unlikely to lessen anytime soon. The ministry said that the surge of graduates is likely to persist for a decade, fueled by the growing availability of higher education in China.

    Meanwhile, the job market itself is shifting. Industries once eager to scoop up fresh talent — internet giants, private tutoring, and real estate — are losing ground to rising sectors like new energy vehicles, semiconductors, and green technologies.

    The success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics has ignited the ambitions of numerous startups, spurring fierce competition in fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robotics. The lavish pay packages offered by these companies have made headlines during the spring hiring season, which is now in full swing across the country.

    It is estimated that China faces a workforce shortage of over 5 million in AI, 2.3 million in big data, over 1 million in new energy vehicles, and another 1 million in drone operators for the low-altitude economy, according to recent statistics.

    “Industry regulators need to team up with education folks and share data to make the database full and precise,” said Kuang.

    Dynamic adjustments 

    China will also work on supply-side fixes by pushing universities to “dynamically” adjust their programs and resources, according to the guidelines. Education quality and job placement rates will be factored into shaping university enrollment plans.

    At a meeting focused on employment and other issues on March 31, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng highlighted how a database linking disciplines, programs, market trends, and career paths could provide solid evidence for revamping academic programs.

    The minister called for forward-looking research and evaluation, real-time monitoring, and rapid detection in this process.

    China plans to revamp approximately 20 percent of its degree and diploma programs in colleges between 2023 and 2025.

    Last year alone, 1,673 new programs aligned with national strategies were introduced, while 1,670 outdated ones were removed for failing to meet current economic and social needs.

    At Sichuan Agricultural University in southwest China, an index system evaluates disciplines and programs based on faculty strength, enrollment scores, job placement rates, and social impact.

    Each year, the university distributes numerous questionnaires to employers and government agencies, using a red-and-blue warning system to guide necessary adjustments.

    Disciplines and majors flagged blue for low index scores must improve within three years, while those flagged red may face phase-out by the academic degrees committee, said Wu De, president of the university.

    Such dynamic adjustments are designed to sharpen students’ skills and give them a competitive edge in the job market, said experts.

    Tuesday’s policy document also covers career guidance, recruitment services and subsidies for new jobseekers in difficulty. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Appeal close to home for Werribee Fire Brigade

    Source:

    Werribee Fire Brigade members are gearing up for the Good Friday Appeal

    Werribee Fire Brigade members will be hitting the streets once again this Good Friday, hoping to raise as much as possible for The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.

    Fundraising as a brigade since 1977, the brigade begins planning months before the day itself, taking into account where members will be stationed, transport for the day and most importantly who will be cooking the fish on the BBQ to keep them fueled.  

    Having raised well over $1 million for the cause over the years, the Appeal is a key event in the brigade’s annual calendar. 

    Werribee Fire Brigade Captain Michael Wells has been a CFA member for 36 years and has fond memories of fundraising with the brigade in the late 1980s right through to today. He said fundraising is a joint effort between the brigade itself and the wider community.  

    “We rely on our members to get involved, both in the lead-up to and on the day itself, and we rely on our community to be generous enough to allow us to do that,” Michael said. 

    “Everyone gets behind the cause and it really inspires us to keep doing this.” 

    For the brigade members, fundraising for the Appeal is a proud extension to their volunteerism with CFA. 

    “As firefighters, we often see devastation that can occur and incidents where children might end up needing the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital, whether it’s a burn or an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident,” Michael said. 

    “We volunteer with CFA because we are community-minded and like giving back, so this is just another way we can contribute. We understand the importance of having the best facilities available, and if we can contribute to this in some way, it is worthwhile.” 

    The cause hits close to home for the team, with many brigade members using the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital over many years.  

    Werribee Fire Brigade firefighter Mick Davie is one of those members. Mick has done everything and more over his last 20 years of fundraising, from door-knocking, tin-rattling, to sitting on the organising committee.  

    “My family has a long history with both CFA and the Good Friday Appeal. Both my kids and my wife get there early in the morning with me, and we spend the day helping to raise as much money as we can for the cause,” Mick said.  

    “We’ve seen the impacts the Appeal can have firsthand, with both of our kids needing treatment. 

    “Our son, Jake, has needed two head reconstructions and our daughter, Charlotte, is currently going through cancer treatment, so we are at the hospital weekly. We can’t speak highly enough about them and what they have done for our family. 

    “We are so lucky to have the Royal Children’s Hospital so close and accessible to us. The staff there are the best in the world at what they do, they are so good at finding the best treatment for each individual and what will work best for each child. 

    “There is a reason that people come from around the world to see specialists there.  

    “We need the hospital to have the best gear possible so our kids can be looked after. 

    “You can see the impact that the Good Friday Appeal can have as soon as you visit The Royal Children’s Hospital. It is really important to keep the support going.” 

    This year, CFA volunteers are aiming to surpass $40 million in total funds collected for the Good Friday Appeal across 74 years.   

    On Good Friday, call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and 11pm.

    • Jake, Mick and Charlotte Davie
    • The Good Friday Appeal is a community event for Werribee crews
    • Werribee Fire Brigade have been heavily involved with the Appeal for many years
    • The Appeal is a great opportunity to get as many brigade members involved as possible
    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Seeks to Unfreeze $80 Million to Help RIers Lower Their Home Energy Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    PROVIDENCE, RI – The Trump Administration is withholding tens of millions of dollars for clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades across Rhode Island that Congress approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) and the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169).

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed supported the creation of a number of clean energy grant programs in the two laws to help Rhode Islanders lower their energy bills, make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable and accessible for Americans, and boost renewable energy production.  Now, Senator Reed is urging the Trump Administration to release around $80 million in previously awarded federal funds to help Rhode Island accelerate its clean energy transition, lower prices, and drive economic growth.

    Today, Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, sent a pair of letters to two key members of President Trump’s cabinet.  Reed urged U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to “release the nearly $36 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure funding for Rhode Island that is being held by the Department of Transportation.”  He also urged U.S. Secretary of Energy  Christopher Wright to “immediately release nearly $43 million in clean energy and energy efficiency funding for Rhode Island.”

    “Rhode Islanders deserve affordable, reliable electricity.  America needs an energy policy that embraces technology and innovation and includes renewables like solar, wind, geothermal, and emerging battery storage technologies.  Investing in things like heat pumps is a win-win that lowers energy costs, increases energy independence, and supports good-paying jobs here in Rhode Island.  We’ve made some real progress, but President Trump’s partisan hold on clean energy funds puts those gains at risk and contributes to higher home energy costs,” said Senator Reed.

    Federal clean energy funds being halted or withheld by the Trump Administration includes:

    Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) Program: $31.9 million halted indefinitely, awaiting final approval.   The funding is in Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources’ (OER) U.S. Treasury account, but OER is unable to launch the program until it receives final approval of its implementation blueprint plan from DOE. 

    This funding would allow Rhode Islanders to get rebates for up to 100 percent of the costs (up to $16,000 per multifamily unit) to purchase and install heat pumps.  According to Rewiring America, the average homeowner will save between $370 to $1,000 per year by upgrading to a heat pump.

    National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI): Over $20.8 million frozen and guidance rescinded.  NEVI funds are designed to ensure a convenient, reliable network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide.  The program was allocated $22.8 million, $2 million has already been spent by the state.

    Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program (CFI): $15 million on hold – with grant agreement signed, but funds not obligated.

    This funding would help build out RI’s EV charging infrastructure and would finance additional chargers in strategic public locations such as public road parking lots, municipal office buildings, public schools, and public parks. 

    Building Code Adoption: $9.4 million awarded but never obligated.

    This program would help local governments adopt updated building energy conservation codes and standards.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2040, modernized energy codes will save homes and businesses $138 billion on their utility bills— equivalent to $162 annually per household.

    Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI): $1.6 million on hold. The money is in OER’s U.S. Treasury account, but any drawdown of funds is subject to agency approval.

    This program is designed for training and implementation of updated energy codes for residential buildings.

    Many of these large grants are structured as passthrough grants, meaning federal agencies grant a large sum to a state agency, which then coordinates its own in-state application and disbursement process with local communities and non-profit partners.  Many were scheduled to begin this year before being halted by the Trump Administration.

    The Inflation Reduction Act has been instrumental in attracting more than $129 billion in announced clean energy factory investments nationwide since it was enacted in 2022.  Rolling back investments would harm all 50 states and create an economic drag on the U.S. economy.

    These federal funds were authorized and appropriated by Congress, signed into law by the previous administration, and awarded to Rhode Island.  Federal law allows for a pause or delay in releasing funds by a new Administration, but a rescission of Congressionally appropriated funds, without Congressional approval, is tantamount to impoundment, which is illegal.  However, the Trump Administration believes impoundment is permissible and that the President has the authority to ignore funding laws that have been passed by Congress. The Trump Administration now wants to litigate this matter before what it believes is a friendly U.S. Supreme Court with six of nine justices appointed by Republican presidents. 

    MIL OSI USA News –