NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 52 performances to take place at XUAR International Dance Festival

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    URUMQI, July 21 (Xinhua) — The 7th China Xinjiang International Folk Dance Festival opened Sunday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The event will feature 52 performances and will run until Aug. 5.

    The event features 24 dance troupes, including groups from eight foreign countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the United States, Italy and Cambodia – as well as 16 domestic troupes. Performances include dance dramas, operas, ballet and modern dances.

    With Urumqi as the main venue, the festival will also feature performances in regions such as Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Hotan, Aksu, Karamay, Hami and Alaer.

    Associated events include a Silk Road-themed street dance show, performances by local dance troupes, an international dance carnival and a traditional opera week.

    The festival, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People’s Government, has been held since 2008. The previous six such events have attracted 138 troupes from more than 70 countries and regions, becoming a key platform for cultural exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Red flags hoisted at Butterfly Beach and Ting Kau Beach

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention TV/radio announcers:

    Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

         Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 21) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun District and Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at these beaches is “Very Poor” due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. Red flags have been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 21, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 21, 2025.

    What’s the difference between sperm and semen? And can pre-ejaculate get you pregnant?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong priya kunkayan/Getty Semen, sperm, spunk, cum, ejaculate, pre-cum, seminal fluid. These are just some of the many words we use to describe what comes out of an erect penis. Some of these terms can be used interchangeably,

    What happens if I go over or under on my NDIS plan? And what do shorter funding periods mean for me?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing another round of major reforms. One key change relates to the funding periods in which participants are allowed to spend their budgets. While these aim to improve the scheme’s sustainability, they

    Opera Australia gives us a rocking Carmen for the post-#metoo era
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruben Perez-Hidalgo, Lecturer in Spanish Studies, University of Sydney Keith Saunders/Opera Australia The story of Carmen, in the 19th century opera by French composer George Bizet, is, at its simplest, the story of a developing tension between Carmen, a stereotypically racialised woman attempting to break free from

    New study peers beneath the skin of iconic lizards to find ‘chainmail’ bone plates – and lots of them
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roy Ebel, PhD Candidate in Evolutionary Biology, Museums Victoria Research Institute Radiodensity heatmap of emerald tree monitors. Roy Ebel Monitor lizards, also known in Australia as goannas, are some of the most iconic reptiles on the continent. Their lineage not only survived the mass extinction that ended

    Cook Islanders flock from outer islands for 60th anniversary celebrations
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist The Cook Islands’ outer islands, or Pa Enua, are emptying as people make the pilgrimage to Rarotonga for constitution celebrations. This year is particularly significant, August 4 marks 60 years of the Cook Islands being in free association with New Zealand. Cook Islands Secretary of Culture Emile Kairua said

    Why has a bill to relax foreign investment rules had so little scrutiny?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images While public attention has been focused on the domestic fast-track consenting process for infrastructure and mining, Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour has been pushing through another fast-track process – this time for

    Federal election feel like ages ago? Parliament is now back. Here’s your political refresher
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Sheppard, Senior Lecturer, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University Tracey Nearmy/Getty Despite many pre-election predictions, the 48th Australian parliament looks quite similar to the 47th. The Labor Party has greater representation than before: 94 Members of the House of Representatives (up from 77)

    Federal election feel like ages ago? Parliament is now back. Here’s your political refresher
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Sheppard, Senior Lecturer, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University Tracey Nearmy/Getty Despite many pre-election predictions, the 48th Australian parliament looks quite similar to the 47th. The Labor Party has greater representation than before: 94 Members of the House of Representatives (up from 77)

    Is spinal cord stimulation safe? Does it work? Here’s what you need to know if you have back pain
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin Jones, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney AsiaVision/Getty Spinal cord stimulators are electrical devices that are surgically implanted in the body to treat long-term pain. They have a battery pack and leads that deliver electrical impulses directly to the spinal cord. The devices

    Is spinal cord stimulation safe? Does it work? Here’s what you need to know if you have back pain
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin Jones, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney AsiaVision/Getty Spinal cord stimulators are electrical devices that are surgically implanted in the body to treat long-term pain. They have a battery pack and leads that deliver electrical impulses directly to the spinal cord. The devices

    Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor in Entomology, University of Sydney Tambon Nong Chaeng/Pexels Think back to a time you helped someone move a heavy object, such as a couch. While at first the task may have appeared simple, it actually required a suite of advanced behaviours. The job

    Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor in Entomology, University of Sydney Tambon Nong Chaeng/Pexels Think back to a time you helped someone move a heavy object, such as a couch. While at first the task may have appeared simple, it actually required a suite of advanced behaviours. The job

    Does play belong in primary school? New research suggests teachers are not sure
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Meeuwissen, Lecturer in Early Childhood and Primary Education, University of Canberra Jon Challicom/ Getty Images Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood education in Australia. We know children learn about the world through play and it helps them build creativity and independence.

    Does play belong in primary school? New research suggests teachers are not sure
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Meeuwissen, Lecturer in Early Childhood and Primary Education, University of Canberra Jon Challicom/ Getty Images Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood education in Australia. We know children learn about the world through play and it helps them build creativity and independence.

    The first video of Earth’s surface lurching sideways in an earthquake offers new insights into this force of nature
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jesse Kearse, Postdoctoral Researcher, Geophysics, Kyoto University Sai Aung MAIN/AFP via Getty Images During the devastating magnitude 7.7 Myanmar earthquake on March 28 this year, a CCTV camera captured the moment the plate boundary moved, providing the first direct visual evidence of plate tectonics in action. Tectonic

    After yet another election, Tasmanians are left wondering what the point of it was
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hortle, Deputy Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania When the results firmed up a few hours after polling closed on Saturday, many Tasmanians would have been wondering, “what was the point of all that?”. A state election only 16 months after the last one looks

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Opera Australia gives us a rocking Carmen for the post-#metoo era

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruben Perez-Hidalgo, Lecturer in Spanish Studies, University of Sydney


     Keith Saunders/Opera Australia

    The story of Carmen, in the 19th century opera by French composer George Bizet, is, at its simplest, the story of a developing tension between Carmen, a stereotypically racialised woman attempting to break free from society’s impositions and her already-written fate.

    Anne-Louise Sark’s adaptation takes that conflict much further.

    Carmen (Danielle de Niese at the performance I attended) is a gypsy who works in a cigarette factory. She catches the eye of Don José (Abraham Bretón), who obsessively falls in love with her.

    Don José’s love for Carmen devolves into what today would be succinctly called “toxic”. In a post-#metoo era, where we are all attuned to anti-racism teachings, Sarks gives us a contrast between the antiquated words sung in French, and the conscious effort to make those words exist in our contemporary world.

    This Carmen is defined by many degrees of contrast. This rocking feeling of contradiction keeps on growing until the climax in the very last act.

    A toxic love

    The opening act begins in a square of Seville. Marg Horwell’s design sees the stage strewn with fluorescent confetti spread all over the floor (as if the Sydney Mardi Gras parade had just ended), a chain link fence colourfully crowded with love locks and flashy ribbons, behind which peeks a monumental but austere cross typical of most squares in that part of Spain.

    There, a teenage couple – sporting polyester track suits – alongside a pair of young lovers similarly attired, and a string of children discordantly dressed stay in the background while one of the khaki-wearing guards begins to sing an aria to the protagonist, “La Carmencita”, also known as Carmen.

    The sensation of the contrast between this contemporary setting and Bizet’s original opera is deepened at the beginning of the second act at Lillas Pastia’s Tavern.

    Marg Horwell’s design plays into the contrast between this contemporary setting and Bizet’s original opera.
    Keith Saunders/Opera Australia

    The stage is crowded by a neon-filled atmosphere composed of camp portrayals of the Virgin Our Lady of Guadalupe and pop art images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    The charm of the background is enhanced by the stellar performances of not only the two main protagonists, Carmen and Don José, but by an array of supporting characters that truly elevate this second bout of the action.

    A string of smugglers are at the tavern of Lillas Pastias, plotting how to bring about their criminal deeds with the help of Carmen, her close friends (incredibly played by Helen Sherman and Jane Ede), and critically Don José, who has just joined them.

    Blinded by this “toxic” love, Don José cannot help but to increase the dramatic tension when he realises Carmen is losing interest in him in favour of the famous bullfighter from Granada, Escamillo (Andrii Kymach).

    The production sees stellar performances from an array of supporting characters.
    Keith Saunders/Opera Australia

    The tension is fortified by the visual conflict between the irreverent religious décor and the ongoing action, consisting of an unruly mob drinking and dancing until the early hours of the morning.

    By the end of this second act, there is another turn of the screw in the depiction of Don José’s progressive possessiveness of Carmen, who in parallel begins to assert ever more explicitly the signs of her indomitability.

    Exploding tension

    The plot picks up pace in the third act, set in the smugglers’ hideout.

    There, an Othello-like Don José spirals down, green with jealousy, in the face of an increasingly distant Carmen. The more Don José wants her, the more Carmen is filled with desires of freedom from her possessive lover.

    This tense dynamic explodes in the fourth act.

    Set in a little cottage right outside a bullring in Seville, it is at this point obvious Carmen and the matador Escamillo are lovers – anticipating Don José’s fatal deed.

    Although the audience must have expected Carmen’s death at the hands of the spirited Don José, witnessing the act of her killing on stage comes as more than just an awaited unpleasant surprise.

    It works to anchor the conflict at the core of Sark’s adaptation.

    The more Don José wants her, the more Carmen is filled with desires of freedom from her possessive lover.
    Keith Saunders/Opera Australia

    For a flash moment, we are pushed to peek beyond the fiction. Don José strangles with his bare hands the actress playing Carmen, her arm hopelessly punching her aggressor, her legs writhing in despair. Such an instant from our sad reality shocks through the stage, breaking the fourth wall.

    The theatricalisation of Carmen’s killing is also the realisation that male violence against women is anything but a fiction – least of all one left in the distant past.

    Paradoxically, the quick lowering of the curtain and the much-deserved long applause that follows serves to cut short the impact of the “real” death of Carmen shown on stage.

    Perhaps, for the next version, a new director will find a newer way to make Carmen’s reality last beyond the many pleasures of watching this multi-layered drama unfold.

    Carmen is at the Sydney Opera House for Opera Australia until September 19, then playing in Melbourne.

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

    – ref. Opera Australia gives us a rocking Carmen for the post-#metoo era – https://theconversation.com/opera-australia-gives-us-a-rocking-carmen-for-the-post-metoo-era-261103

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What happens if I go over or under on my NDIS plan? And what do shorter funding periods mean for me?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney

    The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing another round of major reforms.

    One key change relates to the funding periods in which participants are allowed to spend their budgets.

    While these aim to improve the scheme’s sustainability, they risk making an already complex system even harder to navigate.

    A common question participants ask is: what happens if they overspend or underspend on their NDIS budgets?

    There isn’t a simple answer. But let’s unpack the components of budgets and set out some practical tips for NDIS participants.

    What is driving this round of NDIS reforms?

    Concerns about the growing NDIS budget prompted the government to limit annual growth to a target of 8% a year by mid-2026.

    One cost pressure the government has identified is intra-plan inflation. This happens when NDIS participants spend their budget before the end of their plan, meaning they need to ask for extra funding within their plan timeframe.

    In the 12 months to February 2024, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – the body responsible for the NDIS – estimated intra-plan inflation costs more than A$3.3 billion. Around 15% of participants spend their budget before the end of their plan.

    Several changes are now in place to address this.

    What causes plans to be overspent (or underspent)?

    Overspending occurs when a participant runs out of funding before the end of their plan period.

    This can happen when a participant receives a plan that is insufficient to meet their needs, which is more common with first plans.

    It can also occur when a participant has a change in circumstances which means their support needs change, so they increase their spending before their plan can be reviewed.

    In both circumstances, participants must request additional funding so they can keep receiving supports.

    Participants might also find they underspend their budget.

    This can occur because of confusion over what is funded and how funds can be spent.

    But it can also be because of a lack of appropriate services near where the participant lives.

    Research shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with psychosocial disability (from mental health issues such as schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder) and people living in rural and remote areas are more likely to underspend.

    What an NDIS plan includes

    Each NDIS plan includes a total budget amount, which is the amount of funding allocated for all supports expected to last for the full duration of their plan.

    But this doesn’t mean participants can use this budget in whatever way they want.

    Participant spending needs to meet a set of criteria and can only be spent in the way the NDIA describes.

    NDIS supports are provided in plans using four support categories:

    • core supports – help with everyday activities such as personal care, household tasks and support to join in community activities

    • capacity-building supports – help to build or maintain skills and independence such as behaviour support, employment-related support and therapies

    • capital supports – high-cost assistive technologies, home modifications and specialist disability accommodation

    • recurring supports – regularly paid directly to a participant’s account and typically include costs for transport.

    In each category, supports are labelled either flexible or stated. Flexible supports allow for some discretion in how funds are used.

    “Assistance with daily life” can cover a range of tasks including household cleaning or meal preparation. These core support funds tend to be the most flexible.

    Stated supports, on the other hand, must be used exactly as the plan describes.

    Not all plans have funds in every category.

    Importantly, funds can’t be shifted from one category to another. You can’t, for example, use core funding for capacity building supports.

    New funding periods introduced

    In May, changes were introduced for new plans, meaning funds are released over set time periods.

    While the total value of the plan remains the same, there are now limits on when funds can be accessed and how long they need to last.

    Funding can be allocated over different periods:

    • quarterly – released in three-month blocks so spending is spread over the full length of the plan

    • monthly – for high-cost ongoing supports such as supported independent living

    • up-front – funding for one-off supports such as assistive technology can be released in full at the start of a plan.

    Participants may have different funding periods for different parts of their plan, although most funds will likely be released quarterly.

    If funds aren’t used in an allocated period they roll over into the next time block in the same plan.

    However, any funds left unused at the end of the full plan duration are returned to the NDIS funding pool.

    What’s the government trying to do?

    The change means participants can’t draw on future allocations if funds for a current period run out. Nor can funds be shifted between categories.

    If a plan is exhausted, participants may be left without support or face out-of-pocket costs, particularly if plans are self-managed.

    Service-providers may stop delivering support if they’re notified that a participant’s budget has run out.

    In some cases, the NDIS may consider persistent overspending as a sign the participant cannot effectively manage their plan. This could result in the NDIA taking over management of their plan.

    If a participant consistently finds their funds run out early, or if they need more funds because their circumstances change and they need more support, they can request a review of their plan to seek more funding.

    However, requesting a plan review can sometimes affect other areas of a participant’s plan. So some people may be reluctant to ask for a review and instead try to manage with less supports than they need.

    A number of disability rights organisations have spoken out against these changes, stating they have the potential to impact NDIS participants’ autonomy, safety and wellbeing.

    Tips for NDIS participants to manage their plans

    Ensure you understand your plan and how the funds are split between support categories and funding periods. It might be helpful to discuss this with a family member, friend or support coordinator.

    Remember, not everyone gets everything they ask for in their plan, so make sure you’re clear on the funding you received.

    If your plan seems insufficient for your needs, consider asking for a review.

    A good way to ensure your spending stays on track is to set budget goals for a plan. There are several different apps and software programs that can help with this.

    Finally, a range of websites offer advice and resources to help NDIS participants understand their budgets and spending. You can sometimes claim for these resources within your NDIS funding.

    Helen Dickinson receives funding from Australian Research Council., National Health and Medical Research Council. Medical Research Future Fund and Australian governments.

    Glenda Bishop receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund.

    – ref. What happens if I go over or under on my NDIS plan? And what do shorter funding periods mean for me? – https://theconversation.com/what-happens-if-i-go-over-or-under-on-my-ndis-plan-and-what-do-shorter-funding-periods-mean-for-me-259386

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Insights into the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia

    Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

    Insights into the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia

    Michelle Looi


    Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) have published the recording of the Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia webinar.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan’s ruling coalition certain to lose majority in upper house

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

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, also president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), meets the press at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The coalition led by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is certain to lose its majority in the House of Councillors following Sunday’s election, public broadcaster NHK reported.

    NHK said that the coalition of the LDP and Komeito is set to fall short of the 125 seats needed for a majority in the 248-seat upper house of parliament.

    The House of Councillors is made up of 248 members with fixed six-year terms. Elections are held every three years, with half the seats up for election each time. In Sunday’s vote, a total of 125 seats, including one to fill a vacancy, were up for grabs.

    Meanwhile, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is expected to expand its seat count, while the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito look set to make significant gains, NHK projected.

    Despite the defeat, Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intention to stay on as Japan’s prime minister, adding that the LDP must fulfill its responsibility as the ruling party.

    Ishiba told NHK that his party has so far secured enough seats to be the leading party in the upper house, and that he has to fulfill the pledges he made during the election campaign, such as wage hikes to counter rising prices.

    The embattled prime minister is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, while all major opposition parties have expressed reluctance to help the ruling bloc by forming an expanded coalition.

    In the October 2024 general election, the ruling coalition already lost its majority in the more powerful House of Representatives, or lower house, forcing Ishiba to form Japan’s first minority government in over three decades.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s railway freight volume reports stable growth in H1

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

    The China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) Middle Corridor Ultra-Express Block Train departs from Tuanjiecun Station in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s railway freight volume reported stable growth in the first half of 2025, with more efficient network operation and improved services, the national railway operator said Sunday.

    The national railway system transported a total of 1.98 billion tonnes of cargo in the period, marking a year-on-year increase of 3 percent, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The daily average number of loaded freight cars reached 182,400, up 4 percent from the same period last year.

    The company said it made full use of the integrated rail network and pushed forward market-oriented reforms in railway freight transport to boost logistics capacity, efficiency and service quality.

    During the January-June period, coal transport totaled 1.02 billion tonnes, and the freight volume for metallurgical goods and grain rose 8.6 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively.

    International freight also posted stable performance. The Central Asia freight train service operated 7,349 trains, a 25 percent increase from a year ago. The China-Laos Railway transported nearly 3.03 million tonnes of cross-border cargo, up 9 percent.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China cut down to size by Japan’s pacey run-and-gun game

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

    With its sizeable assets neutralized by Japan’s run-and-gun game, the Chinese women’s team has crashed out of its home Asia Cup earlier than expected, with alarm bells ringing for the future.

    A perennial continental power, proud of its talented supply of towering post players, the Chinese women’s basketball program has learned the hard way how the modern game has evolved into a competition of sheer speed, sharpness and an intensity delivered at a much faster pace.

    China’s towering center Zhang Ziyu seen during the third-place playoff against South Korea at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Sunday. The defending champion took a bronze with a big 101-66 win, one day after its loss to Japan in the semifinals on Saturday. XINHUA

    The lesson was a harsh one after Team China, as defending champion and a higher-ranked favorite, suffered a 90-81 semifinal loss to Japan on Saturday in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, missing out on the final of the FIBA continental showpiece for the first time in eight years.

    After overpowering the same opponent twice in warm-up games last month, Team China soon realized on Saturday that its size advantage wouldn’t help that much on a night when Japan felt a need for speed — and opened the game firing on all cylinders.

    In an incredible display, Japan’s teen star Kokoro Tanaka set the tone by scoring 21 of her 27 total points in the first quarter alone.

    She caught the host off guard by hitting five 3-pointers in a row, tearing China’s slow-rotating zone defense apart, while silencing the crowd at the Shenzhen Sports Center Gymnasium.

    China, though, came back strongly in the second quarter, relying on its towering combo of 6-foot-10 forward Han Xu and 7-foot-5 center Zhang Ziyu, to take a 51-49 lead into halftime.

    However, Japan’s sharp-shooting trio of Yuki Miyazawa, Norika Konno and Stephanie Mawuli all stepped up following the interval, connecting with a barrage of deep 3s and fast counterattacks to rebuild Japan’s early advantage.

    Captain Maki Takada then plunged the dagger in further, hitting one from near the rim with 32.3 seconds left to settle the eventual scoreline and help avenge Japan’s narrow 73-71 defeat to China in the 2023 Asia Cup final in Sydney.

    Leading China on a heartbreaking night for the national side was forward Yang Shuyu, who finished with 19 points.

    Former WNBA star Han contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while teen prodigy Zhang, who is making her senior international debut in Shenzhen, finished with 17 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes, the longest she’s played across four games.

    China’s head coach Gong Luming hailed his players’ efforts in trying to put up a fight, but admitted his team has a lot of catching-up to do.

    “We learned a tough lesson from today’s loss. We have to figure out how to adapt our game, particularly with our twin towers on court, to the fast-paced, sharp-shooting modern game,” Gong said at the post-match news conference.

    “We didn’t manage to guard them well enough on the perimeter, failing to contain their 3-pointers as well as we planned.

    “We are still in a building process, though. We are not going to make any radical changes in our plans for the future, or give up on our strength altogether. We will learn, adapt and improve to achieve the ultimate goal at the 2028 Olympic Games.”

    Citing the fast-evolving international game, Han suggests more young talent should seek opportunities to ply their trade overseas, despite lower average salaries, even in the WNBA, compared to China’s domestic league.

    “The world has moved far ahead of us, with the game changing in how it is supposed to be played and how to win,” said Han, who played with WNBA’s New York Liberty for two separate seasons in 2019 and 2021.

    “We saw that after a disappointing Olympic campaign last year in Paris, and today was another painful reminder.

    “I will try to make my way back into an overseas league to keep honing my individual game next season, and I hope more will follow me in order to improve in a more competitive environment.”

    Japan’s head coach Corey Gaines attributed the successful revenge mission to his players’ perfect execution of a tailored game plan against the host.

    “That was a game where the players followed the game plan,” Gaines said. We had a strategy going into the game, and they executed it. China countered, we changed to another game plan.”

    “And they really kept their heads during the game, and they executed what we talked about. That win is for the players,” continued Gaines. “The players won that game. They really did their job.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expo highlights global supply chain resilience amid tariff turbulence

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

    As tariff tensions and geopolitical uncertainties continue to rattle the global economy, the 2025 China International Supply Chain Expo is emerging as a promising platform to foster resilient, diversified and cooperative global supply chains.

    Running from Wednesday to Sunday in Beijing, the third edition of the supply chain-themed expo has drawn more than 600 exhibitors, notably those of carmakers, logistics providers and pharmaceutical firms, spanning 75 countries and regions.

    Against the backdrop of mounting trade protectionism and rising global fragmentation, the event showcases China’s bid to champion openness, innovation and international cooperation in the face of growing headwinds.

    PLATFORM FOR COOPERATION

    The event comes at a time of heightened trade friction and mounting uncertainty, which is expected to weigh heavily on global economic activity. In its April forecast, the International Monetary Fund projected global growth to slow to 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026, down from 3.3 percent for both years in its January outlook.

    “Geopolitical tensions have disrupted supply chains, harming not only others but also one’s own interests,” said Xu Jiabin, an economics professor at Renmin University of China. “That’s why we must adopt an inclusive mindset and work together to improve the global supply chain’s connectivity and coordination. This is the path to mutual benefit.”

    People visit the Green Agriculture Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2025. The 2025 CISCE, scheduled from July 16 to 20, opened to general public on Saturday. (Xinhua/Chang Nengjia)

    As the world’s first national-level platform focused on supply chains, the expo helps connect Chinese and international firms, promote technical alignment and support deeper economic cooperation, Zhou Xing, head of public affairs at PwC China, told Xinhua.

    “The expo offers a high-efficiency matchmaking platform,” she said. “It enables companies to align on technology, standards and markets, helping drive global collaboration.”

    For Chinese firms, the expo offers a window to expand their international footprint and connect directly with global supply chain nodes. For multinational firms, it provides an opportunity to gain access to China’s vast market, comprehensive industrial ecosystem and strong policy support.

    SIG Group, a Singapore-based accounting and tax firm, is participating in the expo for the second time. As a company dedicated to supporting Chinese enterprises in expanding into ASEAN markets, it engaged in in-depth exchanges with a wide range of partners at the event.

    Edward Liu, a senior director at SIG Group said the event offers a valuable opportunity to enhance the firm’s ability to serve its clients in the future.

    CHINA’S COMMITMENT

    China has consistently championed open, cooperative international trade as an anchor of stability, especially during times of worldwide economic volatility and geopolitical turbulence.

    In a congratulatory letter sent to the 20th Western China International Fair in May, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is willing to take the fair as an opportunity to further enhance mutual understanding, strengthen friendship, and deepen cooperation with friends from all countries.

    China will uphold the multilateral trading system and ensure the stable and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains together with the world, injecting new impetus into the prosperity and development of the world economy, Xi noted.

    During a March meeting in Beijing with more than 40 global CEOs and business leaders, Xi said, “China has been and will remain an ideal, secure, and promising destination for foreign investors.”

    “Embracing China is embracing opportunities, believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future,” he said.

    The Chinese president called on foreign firms to safeguard the multilateral trading system, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, protect the international environment for openness and cooperation, and advance economic globalization in the right direction.

    A visitor tries a smart product equipped with Snapdragon processor at the Qualcomm booth in the Digital Technology Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2025. The 2025 CISCE, scheduled from July 16 to 20, opened to general public on Saturday. (Xinhua/Chang Nengjia)

    CONFIDENCE IN CHINA

    China’s economy beat expectations with robust 5.3 percent GDP growth in the first half of 2025 and is actively taking steps to maintain stability and sustain growth momentum in the months ahead. Such economic resilience has strengthened public and investor confidence in the country’s long-term economic prospects, particularly its appeal as a strategic hub for multinational firms looking to restructure and diversify their supply chains.

    “China is no longer just a manufacturing base, but an innovation hub,” said Zhou. “By integrating digital tools and investing in strategic sectors like EVs, renewables and biotech, China is strengthening its position in global value chains.”

    This strategic pivot is already being recognized by global companies. “China has the world’s most complete EV supply chain, with top-tier local suppliers and highly responsive manufacturing capabilities,” a Tesla spokesperson told Xinhua.

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared a similar view on Thursday, describing China’s supply chain as a “miracle” and highlighting the country’s deep capabilities in artificial intelligence and computer science.

    As China continues to pursue high-quality opening-up, foreign firms are also gaining expanded access and greater policy support. “Foreign companies are expected to benefit from greater market access, a more level playing field and broader opportunities for cooperation,” said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China.

    FedEx applauds the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to optimize the business environment, and pledges to continue to strengthen its logistics network and digital capabilities to enhance connectivity between Chinese and global markets, she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Updates DOGE Cloud Mining Contract with $7 Bonus for New Participants Starting This Week

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Denver, Colorado, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA Miner today announced a revised cloud mining contract for Dogecoin (DOGE), introducing a limited-time $7 bonus for new participants. The update is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to enhance accessibility and responsiveness in its mining offerings as global interest in diversified crypto assets continues to grow.

    The revised DOGE contract becomes available this week and is designed to lower the barrier to entry for users exploring crypto mining as a passive income solution. In addition to the bonus, the updated plan features short-term durations, real-time performance tracking, and smart contract-based automation for daily rewards.

    The changes come as part of AIXA Miner’s broader initiative to recalibrate mining products for both emerging and experienced users, without compromising operational sustainability or security. Dogecoin was selected as a strategic focus due to its lightweight network demands and increasing relevance within everyday transactions and social crypto communities.

    “Our goal is to continue evolving with the needs of our global user base,” said a spokesperson from AIXA Miner’s Product Development Team. “The DOGE contract refresh provides a faster, more accessible entry point for users looking to engage with cloud mining, while still benefiting from reliable earnings and energy-efficient performance.”

    With demand for cloud mining platforms increasing alongside renewed optimism in the crypto sector, AIXA Miner is prioritizing offerings that can scale without placing undue strain on hardware infrastructure or the environment. The DOGE contract operates on a leaner proof-of-work network, making it especially suitable for deployment in renewable-powered facilities across North America, Southeast Asia, and South America.

    This alignment with green blockchain principles is a cornerstone of AIXA Miner’s infrastructure roadmap. The company continues to invest in operations backed by clean energy crypto sources, such as hydroelectric and solar, with the aim of improving energy return ratios and lowering emissions per kilowatt hour mined.

    In this update, the DOGE plan remains consistent with the company’s standards for transparency and performance: users will benefit from automated reward calculations, 24-hour payout intervals, and complete visibility into contract terms via the AIXA Miner dashboard. The new $7 bonus will be applied at the time of contract initiation and credited directly within the mining wallet interface.

    As a high profit platform, AIXA Miner maintains a flexible range of contracts tailored to different user profiles—from short-term miners testing market conditions to long-term participants seeking consistent digital asset accumulation. The DOGE contract, in particular, is engineered to respond to real-time network factors such as transaction volume, hash rate demand, and block rewards.

    With growing awareness around environmental impact and blockchain sustainability, AIXA Miner also emphasizes the role of efficient token networks in creating a more sustainable mining ecosystem. The updated DOGE plan reflects that focus by balancing accessibility with low energy consumption and adaptive smart contract frameworks.

    The company anticipates increased traction for this revised plan, particularly in regions with expanding digital currency adoption and limited access to high-end hardware. By pairing an approachable token like DOGE with short-term, bonus-backed contracts, AIXA Miner continues to position itself as a flexible solution in the evolving crypto infrastructure landscape.

    The updated DOGE Mining plan with bonus availability will roll out globally this week. New users can access the offer directly through AIXA Miner’s platform and begin mining within minutes—no hardware or technical configuration required.

    Media Contact:
    PR Division
    info@aixaminer.com
    https://aixaminer.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Updates DOGE Cloud Mining Contract with $7 Bonus for New Participants Starting This Week

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Denver, Colorado, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA Miner today announced a revised cloud mining contract for Dogecoin (DOGE), introducing a limited-time $7 bonus for new participants. The update is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to enhance accessibility and responsiveness in its mining offerings as global interest in diversified crypto assets continues to grow.

    The revised DOGE contract becomes available this week and is designed to lower the barrier to entry for users exploring crypto mining as a passive income solution. In addition to the bonus, the updated plan features short-term durations, real-time performance tracking, and smart contract-based automation for daily rewards.

    The changes come as part of AIXA Miner’s broader initiative to recalibrate mining products for both emerging and experienced users, without compromising operational sustainability or security. Dogecoin was selected as a strategic focus due to its lightweight network demands and increasing relevance within everyday transactions and social crypto communities.

    “Our goal is to continue evolving with the needs of our global user base,” said a spokesperson from AIXA Miner’s Product Development Team. “The DOGE contract refresh provides a faster, more accessible entry point for users looking to engage with cloud mining, while still benefiting from reliable earnings and energy-efficient performance.”

    With demand for cloud mining platforms increasing alongside renewed optimism in the crypto sector, AIXA Miner is prioritizing offerings that can scale without placing undue strain on hardware infrastructure or the environment. The DOGE contract operates on a leaner proof-of-work network, making it especially suitable for deployment in renewable-powered facilities across North America, Southeast Asia, and South America.

    This alignment with green blockchain principles is a cornerstone of AIXA Miner’s infrastructure roadmap. The company continues to invest in operations backed by clean energy crypto sources, such as hydroelectric and solar, with the aim of improving energy return ratios and lowering emissions per kilowatt hour mined.

    In this update, the DOGE plan remains consistent with the company’s standards for transparency and performance: users will benefit from automated reward calculations, 24-hour payout intervals, and complete visibility into contract terms via the AIXA Miner dashboard. The new $7 bonus will be applied at the time of contract initiation and credited directly within the mining wallet interface.

    As a high profit platform, AIXA Miner maintains a flexible range of contracts tailored to different user profiles—from short-term miners testing market conditions to long-term participants seeking consistent digital asset accumulation. The DOGE contract, in particular, is engineered to respond to real-time network factors such as transaction volume, hash rate demand, and block rewards.

    With growing awareness around environmental impact and blockchain sustainability, AIXA Miner also emphasizes the role of efficient token networks in creating a more sustainable mining ecosystem. The updated DOGE plan reflects that focus by balancing accessibility with low energy consumption and adaptive smart contract frameworks.

    The company anticipates increased traction for this revised plan, particularly in regions with expanding digital currency adoption and limited access to high-end hardware. By pairing an approachable token like DOGE with short-term, bonus-backed contracts, AIXA Miner continues to position itself as a flexible solution in the evolving crypto infrastructure landscape.

    The updated DOGE Mining plan with bonus availability will roll out globally this week. New users can access the offer directly through AIXA Miner’s platform and begin mining within minutes—no hardware or technical configuration required.

    Media Contact:
    PR Division
    info@aixaminer.com
    https://aixaminer.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mint Miner cloud mining fully upgrades new asset appreciation methods: free APP + stablecoin automatic income distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the context of global digital assets moving towards mainstream and institutionalization, Mint Miner is reshaping the definition of cloud mining with a revolutionary product structure and technology stack. Its newly upgraded smart mining platform integrates free application entry, stablecoin automatic income system, flexible contract mechanism and global incentive matrix to build a more transparent, smarter and global user-friendly asset appreciation solution.

    Free threshold, open a path for the steady growth of digital assets

    Different from the high threshold and heavy configuration of traditional mining platforms, Mint Miner launched a full-featured free App that allows users to “mine on the chain” with zero hardware and zero technical threshold. The application has a built-in multi-currency asset management module, supporting mainstream crypto assets such as BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, USDC, etc. Users can choose different mining contracts on demand, and daily income will be automatically issued through the on-chain stablecoin smart contract, without manual operation and waiting for confirmation cycle, realizing true “passive income automation”.

    Join Mint Miner to experience the stablecoin automatic income system

    In order to further improve transparency and user experience, Mint Miner fully connects to the on-chain stablecoin income settlement system. All mining returns are priced in real time in US dollar stablecoins and automatically collected to the user’s wallet to ensure that the income is not affected by the price fluctuations of the crypto market, achieving low risk and stable returns. Register now to get an exclusive novice reward-a cloud mining computing power worth $15, and you can log in every day to receive a $0.6 stable income benefit, without investing money, and start daily income immediately.

    Flexible contract matrix + continuous reward mechanism to release the financial value of computing power

    Mint Miner introduces the “cloud computing power assetization” model in the new version: users can not only freely choose flexible contracts with different terms, currencies, and yields.

    It can also continuously accumulate its own “computing power net value” through invitation mechanisms, renewal rewards and periodic computing power increase plans, which essentially builds an upgradeable and recyclable cloud mining ecological asset.

    Safe, green and compliant: building a digital income portal trusted by global users

    In the context of increasingly stringent global supervision, Mint Miner took the lead in completing multi-country compliance filings and established local nodes in countries such as the United Kingdom, Estonia, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, working closely with local governments to ensure that the platform has cross-border legitimacy in data processing, tax declaration, and anti-money laundering.

    At the same time, the green mines deployed by Mint Miner are mainly hydropower, wind power, and geothermal energy, with a carbon footprint close to zero, which meets the requirements of the United Nations’ “2030 Sustainable Development Goals” and also meets the new standards for ESG investment by large institutions.

    Conclusion:

    Mint Miner is breaking down the barriers between retail investors and the long-term appreciation of digital assets with its core architecture of “free entry + stable income + contract incentives + green compliance”, and promoting the transformation of cloud mining from a speculative tool to a truly inclusive financial infrastructure**.

    Download the Mint Miner app for free now, receive an exclusive mining contract, and start a new era of wealth growth in the stablecoin era with global users.
    Official website: https://mintminer.com
    Email:info@mintminer.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CommBank Next Chapter Innovation partners help to address financial abuse in First Nations communities

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    CommBank releases its FY26-28 Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) .

    CommBank has announced its 2025 Next Chapter Innovation partners, maintaining the program’s focus on supporting innovative, community-led programs that address financial abuse in First Nations communities.  

    This announcement coincides with the release of CommBank’s FY26-28 Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and reflects its ambition to be a trusted partner to First Nations peoples as they achieve their social, cultural and economic aspirations.

    Over the next 18 months two First Nations-led organisations, Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation(NSW) and Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan (QLD) will each receive access to grants of up to $200,000 plus tailored non-financial assistance, including, executive mentoring, and capability-building support from across CommBank.

    Supporting solutions designed by the community, for the community

    Now in its third year, CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program is part of the bank’s broader commitment to help address domestic and family violence (DFC) and financial abuse, to support victim-survivors on their path to long-term financial independence.  

    Recent research by the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN) highlights that financial abuse can affect First Nations peoples in unique ways. The ICAN report explores how financial control within relationships and the exploitation of cultural obligations can create financial stress. It also emphasises the importance of culturally safe, community-led solutions to overcome barriers to seeking support.

    The Next Chapter Innovation program is investing in First Nations-led place-based initiatives that provide culturally informed, practical responses to financial abuse – creating safer pathways to financial security.

    Introducing CommBank’s 2025 Next Chapter Innovation partners

    This year’s partners were nominated by members of CommBank’s First Nations Employee Network and have been selected for their innovative, community-based approaches to supporting recovery in First Nations communities.

    Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation (NSW) – Mudgin-gal – meaning “Women’s Place”, has stood at the heart of Redfern as a sanctuary for Aboriginal women and families. Entirely led by Aboriginal women, the organisation has become a beacon of community strength, cultural healing, and early intervention in the fight against family violence. Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation will deliver Sacred Circles – trauma-informed, healing-led sessions that blend cultural practice with practical financial education, supporting women’s recovery and financial empowerment.  
    Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan (QLD) – With more than 35 years of experience providing healthcare and accommodation services to women and children of Queensland’s Cape York, NPA, and Torres Strait regions, Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan is continuing the legacy of their Aunties by establishing the ‘Building Futures, Building Communities’ program. The initiative will create a social enterprise that supports victim-survivor recovery and generates income by harnessing traditional knowledge of plants, to make medicinal healing products, empowering women with both cultural and economic strength.

    CommBank will also continue to work with its 2024 Next Chapter Innovation partners, Strong Women Talking and the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA).

    Mitchell Heritage, CommBank Executive Manager looking after First Nations business banking and a member of CommBank’s Indigenous Leadership Team said: “CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program was established to help break the cycle of financial abuse and empower people to rebuild long-term financial independence. This year, we are pleased to support First Nations communities through the program by investing in innovative, culturally informed programs. We are proud to back community-led organisations that are delivering real change on the ground.”

    For further details on CommBank’s Next Chapter support, visit: commbank.com.au/nextchapter

    CommBank launches FY26-28 Elevate RAP

    This announcement aligns with the delivery of the Bank’s eighth Reconciliation Action Plan. Through the FY26-28 RAP, CommBank has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver 12 reconciliation priorities that will strengthen the Bank’s engagement with First Nations people across four key areas – reconciliation and community, education and careers, business success and growth, and financial inclusion.

    In endorsing the Bank’s latest RAP, Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia said: “Commonwealth Bank’s FY26-28 Elevate RAP sets out their priorities in further strengthening their engagement with First Nations peoples. It builds on the Bank’s previous reconciliation commitments; through listening to the voices and expertise of First Nations people and using that knowledge to continually expand their strategies, the Bank demonstrates a sustainable approach to their reconciliation program, now and into the future.”

     For further details on CommBank’s FY26-28 Elevate RAP, including the Bank’s FY26-28 RAP priorities, visit: commbank.com.au/reconciliation.

    Anyone worried about their finances because of domestic or family violence or coercive control can contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 for support – no matter who they bank with. 

    If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au or 13 YARN (13 92 76 or www.13yarn.org.au).

    In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.

    Further information: demonstrated impact of the Next Chapter Innovation program through independent evaluation

    An independent evaluation of CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program conducted by UNSW found that the first cohort of partners delivered significant outcomes, with broad reach across communities and the sector.  

    Key program results:  

    Engagement with nearly 600 clients and service users.
    Collaboration with more than 150 stakeholders through workshops and consultations.
    The development of two new practice models and guidelines to strengthen responses to financial abuse.

    Unique achievements of the individual partners include:

    • Afghan Women on the Move worked with 500 Afghan and multicultural women to build financial skills, improve digital literacy, recognise financial abuse and explore employment and small business opportunities  
    • YFS Ltd enhanced sector-wide knowledge of technology facilitated abuse, engaging 90 victims-survivors and 133 sector workers to improve safety, wellbeing and response capability. 
    • EACH engaged 35 national stakeholders to co-design a service model addressing financial abuse in small business, intended for future implementation through a National Centre for Financial Abuse in Small Business. 
    • Indian (Sub-Cont) Crisis Support Agency developed a framework for communities and practitioners to better identify and respond to dowry abuse in South Asian communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New study peers beneath the skin of iconic lizards to find ‘chainmail’ bone plates – and lots of them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roy Ebel, PhD Candidate in Evolutionary Biology, Museums Victoria Research Institute

    Radiodensity heatmap of emerald tree monitors. Roy Ebel

    Monitor lizards, also known in Australia as goannas, are some of the most iconic reptiles on the continent. Their lineage not only survived the mass extinction that ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs, but also gave rise to the largest living lizards on Earth.

    Today, these formidable creatures pace through forests and scrublands, flicking their tongues as they go.

    A new study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society looks beneath their skin. For the first time, it reveals hidden bone structures that may hold the key to the evolutionary success of goannas in Australia.

    An essential organ

    The skin is an organ essential for survival. In some animals, it includes a layer of bone plates embedded among the skin tissue. Think of the armour-like plates in crocodiles or armadillos: these are osteoderms.

    Their size ranges from microscopic to massive, with the back plates of the stegosaurus as the most impressive example.

    A mounted stegosaurus skeleton at the Natural History Museum, London.
    Jeremy Knight/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    We have only just started to understand these enigmatic structures. Osteoderms can be found in animal lineages that diverged up to 380 million years ago. This means these bone plates would have evolved independently, just like active flight did in birds, pterosaurs and bats.

    But what is their purpose? While the advantage of flight is undisputed, the case is not as clear for osteoderms.

    The most obvious potential would be for defence – protecting the animal from injuries. However, osteoderms may serve a far broader purpose.

    In crocodiles, for example, they help with heat regulation, play a part in movement, and even supply calcium during egg-laying. It is the interplay of these poorly understood functions that has long made it difficult to pinpoint how and why osteoderms evolved.

    Sand monitors, also known as sand goannas, are widespread through most of Australia.
    Ken Griffiths/Shutterstock

    A cutting-edge technique

    To help resolve this enigma, we had to go back to the beginning.

    Surprisingly, to date science has not even agreed on which species have osteoderms. Therefore, we assembled an international team of specialists to carry out the first large-scale study of osteoderms in lizards and snakes.

    We studied specimens from scientific collections at institutions such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum in Berlin, and Museums Victoria.

    However, we soon learnt that this came with challenges. Firstly, the presence of osteoderms can vary dramatically between individuals of the same species. Secondly, there is no guarantee that osteoderms are sufficiently preserved in all specimens.

    Most importantly, they are buried deep within skin tissue and invisible to the naked eye. Traditionally, finding them meant destroying the specimen.

    Instead, we turned to micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), an imaging technique similar to a medical CT scan, but with much higher resolution. This allowed us to study even the tiniest anatomical structures while keeping our specimens intact.

    Micro-CT-based, computer-generated 3D model of Rosenberg’s goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), with the left half showing osteoderms and endoskeleton.
    Roy Ebel

    Using computer-generated 3D models, we then digitally explored the bodies of lizards and snakes from all parts of the world. Incorporating data from prior literature, we processed almost 2,000 such samples in our search for osteoderms.

    To illustrate our results, we devised a technique called radiodensity heatmapping, which visually highlights the locations of bone structures in the body.

    For the first time, we now have a comprehensive catalogue showing where to find osteoderms in a large and diverse group; this will inform future studies.

    Radiodensity heatmapping shows newly discovered osteoderms (yellow to red) in the limbs and tail of the Mexican knob scaled lizard (Xenosaurus platyceps).
    Roy Ebel

    Not just anatomical curiosity

    What we found was unexpected. It was thought only a small number of lizard families had osteoderms. However, we encountered them nearly twice as often as anticipated.

    In fact, our results show nearly half of all lizards have osteoderms in one form or another.

    Our most astonishing finding concerned goannas. Scientists have been studying monitor lizards for more than 200 years. They were long thought to lack osteoderms, except in rare cases such as the Komodo dragon.

    So we were all the more surprised when we discovered previously undocumented osteoderms in 29 Australo-Papuan species, increasing their overall known prevalence five times.

    Examples of newly discovered osteoderms (magenta) in Australo-Papuan monitor lizards.
    Roy Ebel

    This isn’t just an anatomical curiosity. Now that we know Australian goannas have osteoderms, it opens up an exciting new avenue for further studies. This is because goannas have an interesting biogeographic history: when they first arrived in Australia about 20 million years ago, they had to adapt to a new, harsh environment.

    If osteoderms in goannas showed up around this time – possibly owing to new challenges from their environment – we’d gain crucial insights into the function and evolution of these enigmatic bone structures.

    Not only may we just have found the key to an untold chapter in the goanna story, our findings may also improve our understanding of the forces of evolution that shaped Australia’s unique reptiles as we know them today.

    Roy Ebel receives funding from the Australian Government’s Research Training Program.

    – ref. New study peers beneath the skin of iconic lizards to find ‘chainmail’ bone plates – and lots of them – https://theconversation.com/new-study-peers-beneath-the-skin-of-iconic-lizards-to-find-chainmail-bone-plates-and-lots-of-them-260700

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cost-of-living keeps rising for those who can least afford it

    Source: NZCTU

    Data released by Statistics New Zealand today shows that the cost-of-living crisis is getting worse as inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index rose annually to 2.7%, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

    “This marks the third straight quarter in which annual inflation has increased, up from 2.2% in December 2024. A key reason why inflation didn’t break out of the 1-3% target barrier is that petrol pricing was down. Excluding petrol, annual inflation was 3.2%,” said Renney.

    “The data shows that prices rose most in areas that are particularly hard to manage for middle- and low-income groups. Household energy rose 9.1%, with gas prices rising 15.4%. Dairy and eggs rose 9.9%. Dwelling and contents insurance rose 10%. Rates are up 12.2%.

    “This increase is likely to put further pressure on households, particularly those on the minimum wage – who received a pay rise of just 1.5% in April. When last measured, 48% of workers got a pay rise less than 2%, while 59% got a pay rise less of than 3%. It is these workers who are paying the price of the cost-of-living crisis.

    “The Government has made a mess of the economy. Rents are still rising faster than general inflation, despite billions in tax breaks. Food pricing is rising at 4.2% despite the governments claims to be focused on supermarket competition. Workers are paying the price for the Government’s inaction.

    “The economy is stumbling and is likely heading back to negative growth, and the Government has consistently cut investment. Trade tariffs and uncertainty are likely to add further concerns to growth. The cost of tertiary education rose significantly due to the removal of first year free – making it harder to access skills training during rising unemployment,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Contractor being sought for work on major Rolleston project

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    A major roading project at Rolleston, near Christchurch, has reached a fresh milestone with a call going out for a contractor to carry out physical work on Stage 1 of the project.

    The State Highway 1 Rolleston Access Improvements project – a Road of Regional Significance – will provide transport improvements through Rolleston that mean better connections for people and businesses.

    “Rolleston is at the heart of the Selwyn District, which has been the fastest growing district in New Zealand, which makes these transport improvements all the more important,” says regional manager for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Sean Walsh.

    Stage 1 involves a new roundabout at the Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road intersection with State Highway 1 that will make it easier and safer to enter and exit Rolleston and the industrial area from the south. This will provide efficiencies for freight as they will have a less congested connection into the industrial area.

    The project team has completed design, property acquisition and consenting to enable construction on Stage 1 to start in October this year (once a contractor has been appointed), with planned completion in December next year.

    Stage 2 includes a flyover connecting Rolleston township with business/industrial areas, improved safety at high-risk highway intersections, the removal of the two signalised intersections on SH1 (Hoskyns Rd and Rolleston Drive North), the extension of the two southbound lanes on the motorway to just south of the proposed bridge at Rolleston, a southbound service lane to access businesses and Rolleston town centre, and major safety improvements and upgrades to the rail level crossing at Hoskyns Rd.

    Work continues on design, property acquisition and consenting for Stage 2, with an anticipated construction start date of October 2026.

    Last week NZTA issued a Request for Tenders for the Stage 1 physical works contract for the construction of a roundabout at the SH1/ Dunns Crossing Rd/Walkers Rd intersection, realignment and widening of the SH1, Dunns Crossing Rd, and Walkers Rd carriageways; efficiency improvements at the Weedons interchange and the construction of a new – and the removal of the existing – rail level crossing on Walkers Rd.

    “The work will mean some disruption, but of course we will be doing everything we can to minimise that disruption for road users and the adjacent community,” Mr Walsh says.

    “It’s a positive sign to see progress on projects like this one, adding to a series of projects already underway or in planning on the state highway corridor between Timaru and Lyttelton ports. These include a second Ashburton bridge and the upgrade of SH76/Brougham Street which was formally launched last week.”

    The full Rolleston access improvements project is estimated for completion in late 2028, at a current estimated cost of between $180 to $200 million, including contingencies.

    SH1 Rolleston access improvements

    Later this month, the project team will be out and about in Rolleston to chat with people about the project.

    These drop-in sessions will be a great chance to ask questions, view plans, and learn more about what’s coming. The drop-in sessions are as follows:

    • Selwyn Sports Centre 70 Broadlands Drive | Saturday 26 July, 10.30am-12.30pm
    • Te Ara Ātea 56 Tennyson Street | Thursday 31 July, 2.30-5.30pm
    • West Rolleston School 327 Dunns Crossing Road | Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August, 2.30-3.30pm both days.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Failings around known and avoidable risks identified in Maritime NZ prosecution of stevedoring company

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    A strong reminder has been sent to a stevedoring company and others in the industry after a stevedore was badly injured while unloading cargo.

    Qube Ports NZ Limited was recently sentenced in the Tauranga District Court in relation to a 2022 incident onboard the bulk carrier, Daiwan Hero. It had previously pleaded guilty to breaching its duty as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), by exposing an individual to a risk of death or serious injury under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

    The incident resulted in a stevedore falling about six metres while removing cardboard and debris in the hold. They suffered numerous injuries to their legs, requiring surgery.

    When the incident occurred, large tissue pulp reels were being unloaded from the vessel. These were stacked up to nine metres on top of each other.  

    Maritime NZ Investigations Manager, John Maxwell, says while there were safety processes in place to reduce the potential for a fall from height, the operator did not meet all the safety standards required to protect its workers on this occasion.  

    “Despite the relevant safety documentation being in place, Qube failed to implement the identified safety measures within its operating procedures,” Mr Maxwell says.

    Working from heights is a known critical risk. The outcome is an important message for operators to properly ensure critical risks are appropriately controlled in order to keep people safe.

    In sentencing Judge Mason made orders totalling just over $300,000 against Qube Ports NZ Limited.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cutting the fat: Oat oil breakthrough paves way for industry growth

    Source:

    21 July 2025

    New University of South Australia research is providing evidence of biological triggers of oil production in oats, a discovery that will help processing and potentially drive further demand for Australian-grown oats.

    While Australia is the world’s second-largest exporter of oats, high oil content in oat grains creates challenges during milling, reducing processing efficiency and limiting product innovation – particularly in high-demand sectors like oat flour and plant-based proteins.

    Researchers from the University of South Australia, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), and the University of Adelaide are collaborating on research designed to better understand the biological processes responsible for oil synthesis in oat grains.

    In this study, two contemporary varieties of oats were examined using spatial imaging techniques to track oil build-up during grain development. Researchers then applied ‘omics’ technologies – lipidomics and proteomics – to analyse lipid and protein expression, which provided key insights into the biological mechanisms involved in the actual formation of the grain, including those relating to oil synthesis.

    The UniSA findings have provided further evidence of the mechanisms that underlie the amount of oil in an oat grain. These findings will help to guide future breeding efforts for naturally lower-oil oat varieties, improving milling yields and creating new value-added opportunities across the oat supply chain.

    UniSA PhD candidate, Darren Lau, says that current oil removal methods are inefficient and that low-oil breeding programs will aid industry growth.

    “While oil can be removed from partially milled oat flakes – using supercritical carbon dioxide prior to further milling – this approach is laborious and expensive,” he says.

    “Breeding low-oil oat varieties is a cost-effective approach but requires further understanding of oil production in oats. This is where our research is critical.

    “Our analysis has identified several key enzymes that are involved in oil synthesis which could be genetically manipulated to lower oil content of oat grains.

    “Reducing oil content could also unlock new opportunities in sectors like oat flour and alternative proteins, which could significantly strengthen Australia’s position in the market.”

    The economic potential of these opportunities is reflected in the quantity of oats exported globally. For example, in 2022 twenty-six million metric tonnes of oats were produced worldwide, ranking them seventh among cereals in production quantity.

    Lowering oil content in oat grains will enhance processing and product versatility, positioning them alongside traditional cereal staples like barley, maize, wheat, and rice, and further driving industry growth.

    The UniSA findings are being used by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) oat grain quality consortium to improve suitability for milling and food/beverage ingredient development. Additional research is continuing within the consortium that will build on the study’s findings to further inform breeding efforts aimed at reducing oil content in oats.

    “The consortia are currently working on a larger and more diverse oat cohort to further investigate molecular markers and nutrient partitioning of oil in oats,” Lau says.

    “The consortia are also investigating one of the key enzymes validated in this study to determine whether manipulating or removing it can lower oil content, and how that affects the growth of the plant.”

    SARDI Project Lead Dr Janine Croser, says the study’s findings provide further evidence of key pathways involved in oat oil biosynthesis.

    “This research provides important insights into the biological mechanisms underlying varietal differences of oil production in developing oat grains,” Dr Croser says.

    “We expect that the development of low-oil lines will improve efficiencies in the flour milling process and potentially lead to novel uses for oats.

    “With demand for plant-based foods on the rise, we anticipate the oat grain quality consortium research will help put Australia at the forefront of oat innovation – supporting growers, processors, and exporters alike.”

    The full paper, Proteomic and lipidomic analyses reveal novel molecular insights into oat (Avena sativa L.) lipid regulation and crosstalk with starch synthesis during grain development, is available online.

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

    Contact for interview:  Darren Lau E: Darren.Lau@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au
    Josh Owen-Thomas E: Josh.Owen-Thomas@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How the world’s nuclear watchdog monitors facilities around the world – and what it means that Iran kicked it out

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Anna Erickson, Professor of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    This travel case holds a toolkit containing equipment for inspecting nuclear facilities. Dean Calma/IAEA, CC BY

    What happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program? Every peaceful program starts with a promise not to build a nuclear weapon. Then, the global community verifies that stated intent via the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

    Once a country signs the treaty, the world’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, provides continuous and technical proof that the country’s nuclear program is peaceful.

    The IAEA ensures that countries operate their programs within the limits of nonproliferation agreements: low enrichment and no reactor misuse. Part of the agreement allows the IAEA to inspect nuclear-related sites, including unannounced surprise visits.

    These are not just log reviews. Inspectors know what should and should not be there. When the IAEA is not on site, cameras, tamper-revealing seals on equipment and real-time radiation monitors are working full-time to gather or verify inside information about the program’s activities.

    Safeguards toolkit

    The IAEA safeguards toolkit is designed to detect proliferation activities early. Much of the work is fairly technical. The safeguards toolkit combines physical surveillance, material tracking, data analytics and scientific sampling. Inspectors are chemists, physicists and nuclear engineers. They count spent fuel rods in a cooling pond. They check tamper seals on centrifuges. Often, the inspectors walk miles through hallways and corridors carrying heavy equipment.

    That’s how the world learned in April 2021 about Iran pushing uranium enrichment from reactor-fuel-grade to near-weapons-grade levels. IAEA inspectors were able to verify that Iran was feeding uranium into a series of centrifuges designed to enrich the uranium from 5%, used for energy programs, to 60%, which is a step toward the 90% level used in nuclear weapons.

    Around the facilities, whether for uranium enrichment or plutonium processing, closed-circuit surveillance cameras monitor for undeclared materials or post-work activities. Seals around the facilities provide evidence that uranium gas cylinders have not been tampered with or that centrifuges operate at the declared levels. Beyond seals, online enrichment monitors allow inspectors to look inside of centrifuges for any changes in the declared enrichment process.

    Seals verify whether nuclear equipment or materials have been used between onsite inspections.

    When the inspectors are on-site, they collect environmental swipes: samples of nuclear materials on surfaces, in dust or in the air. These can reveal if uranium has been enriched to levels beyond those allowed by the agreement. Or if plutonium, which is not used in nuclear power plants, is being produced in a reactor. Swipes are precise. They can identify enrichment levels from a particle smaller than a speck of dust. But they take time, days or weeks. Inspectors analyze the samples at the IAEA’s laboratories using sophisticated equipment called mass spectrometers.

    In addition to physical samples, IAEA inspectors look at the logs of material inventories. They look for diversion of uranium or plutonium from normal process lines, just like accountants trace the flow of finances, except that their verification is supported by the ever-watching online monitors and radiation sensors. They also count items of interest and weigh them for additional verification of the logs.

    Beyond accounting for materials, IAEA inspectors verify that the facility matches the declared design. For example, if a country is expanding centrifuge halls to increase its enrichment capabilities, that’s a red flag. Changes to the layout of material processing laboratories near nuclear reactors could be a sign that the program is preparing to produce unauthorized plutonium.

    Losing access

    Iran announced on June 28, 2025, that it has ended its cooperation with the IAEA. It removed the monitoring devices, including surveillance cameras, from centrifuge halls. This move followed the news by the IAEA that Iran’s enrichment activities are well outside of allowed levels. Iran now operates sophisticated uranium centrifuges, like models IR-6 and IR-9.

    Removing IAEA access means that the international community loses insight into how quickly Iran’s program can accumulate weapon-grade uranium, or how much it has produced. Also lost is information about whether the facility is undergoing changes for proliferation purposes. These processes are difficult to detect with external surveillance, like satellites, alone.

    A satellite view of Iran’s Arak Nuclear Complex, which has a reactor capable of producing plutonium.
    Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images

    An alternative to the uranium enrichment path for producing nuclear weapons material is plutonium. Plutonium can’t be mined, it has to be produced in a nuclear reactor. Iran built a reactor capable of producing plutonium, the IR-40 Heavy Water Research Reactor at the Arak Nuclear Complex.

    Iran modified the Arak reactor under the now-defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to make plutonium production less likely. During the June 2025 missile attacks, Israel targeted Arak’s facilities with the aim of eliminating the possibility of plutonium production.

    With IAEA access suspended, it won’t be possible to see what happens inside the facility. Can the reactor be used for plutonium production? Although a lengthier process than the uranium enrichment path, plutonium provides a parallel path to uranium enrichment for developing nuclear weapons.

    Continuity of knowledge

    North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in 2009. Within a few years, they restarted activities related to uranium enrichment and plutonium production in the Yongbyon reactor. The international community’s information about North Korea’s weapons program now relies solely on external methods: satellite images, radioactive particles like xenon – airborne fingerprints of nuclear activities – and seismic data.

    What is lost is the continuity of the knowledge, a chain of verification over time. Once the seals are broken or cameras are removed, that chain is lost, and so is confidence about what is happening at the facilities.

    When it comes to IAEA inspections, there is no single tool that paints the whole picture. Surveillance plus sampling plus accounting provide validation and confidence. Losing even one weakens the system in the long term.

    The existing safeguards regime is meant to detect violations. The countries that sign the nonproliferation treaty know that they are always watched, and that plays a deterrence role. The inspectors can’t just resume the verification activities after some time if access is lost. Future access won’t necessarily enable inspectors to clarify what happened during the gap.

    Anna Erickson receives funding from DOE National Nuclear Security Administration.

    – ref. How the world’s nuclear watchdog monitors facilities around the world – and what it means that Iran kicked it out – https://theconversation.com/how-the-worlds-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-facilities-around-the-world-and-what-it-means-that-iran-kicked-it-out-260689

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shi, An triumph at badminton Japan Open

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

    China’s Shi Yuqi claimed the men’s singles title at badminton’s Japan Open on Sunday, while Olympic champion An Se-young of South Korea secured the women’s crown in a dominant display.

    Facing defending champion Alex Lanier of France, Shi seized control when tied 17-17 in the first game, reeling off four straight points to claim it before clinching the second 21-15 for the victory.

    An Se-young of South Korea competes in the final. [photo:xinhua]

    An Se-young continued her remarkable season, overpowering China’s Wang Zhiyi in just 42 minutes. The Olympic champion triumphed 21-12, 21-10, capturing her sixth title from seven BWF World Tour tournaments entered this year.

    China emerged as the most successful team overall. Alongside Shi’s gold and Wang’s silver, they secured victories in two doubles events.

    Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning successfully defended their women’s doubles title, defeating Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan 21-15, 21-14. In the mixed doubles, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin overcame Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran in a 62-minute thriller, winning 21-19, 16-21, 21-15.

    The men’s doubles title went to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, who defeated Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin 21-16, 21-17.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rout S. Korea for third-place finish at Women’s Asia Cup

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

    China wrapped up its 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup campaign in dominant fashion, routing South Korea 101-66 in the third-place game on Sunday.

    Determined to finish on a high note after a semifinal loss to Japan, China came out firing from long range and pushed fast in transition. Luo Xinyu and Yang Shuyu each hit early 3-pointers as the host raced into a 13-2 lead.

    China continued to experiment with various lineups, alternating between a small-ball unit without a center and a twin-tower setup featuring Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu. The adjustments paid off, as China built a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

    Han Xu (R) of China competes during the 3rd place match between China and South Korea at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, July 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

    In the second quarter, guard Wang Siyu took over offensively, repeatedly slicing through South Korea’s defense for layups and drawing fouls. Under China’s high-pressure defense, South Korea struggled to score, relying heavily on mid-range jumpers and drives by Kang Yoo-lim. At halftime, China built a comfortable 58-29 lead.

    After the break, South Korea brought in veteran center Park Ji-su. While her presence helped stabilize South Korea’s offense, it was the 226cm-tall Zhang dominated the paint on both ends, and China extended its lead to 42 points, turning the final period into garbage time.

    Wang led all scorers with 19 points, while Zhang contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Luo added 15 points for China.

    For South Korea, Park Ji-su finished with a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds, and Choi I-saem added 10.

    China’s veteran forward Huang Sijing, who was seen in tears during the national anthem before tip-off, had some emotional moments after the game.

    “This might be my last time wearing the national team jersey,” said Huang. “Looking back on my 10 years representing China, there have been both joys and regrets, but as I reach the twilight of my career, what I feel most is pride.”

    Although she expressed disappointment with the team’s result at the Asia Cup, Huang acknowledged the broader context. “The team is undergoing a generational transition, and we’re also adapting to a new coaching philosophy. Given we’ve only had three months to work together, I think we’ve already made good progress.”

    At the post-game press conference, China head coach Gong Luming described the Asia Cup as a “quiz” within the broader preparation cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He also noted that he had picked up some tactical ideas from Japan, Australia and South Korea during the tournament – insights he said would be valuable for the development of China’s younger players.

    Discussing Zhang Ziyu’s debut with the senior national team, Gong noted that there is still much room for improvement. “She needs to get stronger in physical battles inside the paint,” he said. Gong added that he hoped Zhang would expand her range on the court and develop into a more versatile player who can also facilitate and pass the ball effectively.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global athletics talents descend on Bochum for University Games

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

    A star-studded athletics roster offers a taste of the Olympics, with Olympians and defending champions set to compete from July 21 to 27 at the FISU World University Games.

    The throwers’ showdown between Cierra Jackson of the United States and Antonia Kinzel of Germany in the women’s discus on July 24 will be a highlight on the field in the Lohrheidestadion in Bochum.

    Jackson, 22, set a championship record of 65.82 meters on her way to grabbing the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship title this summer. That prompted the former Fresno State student to turn professional and then, in her first outing as a full-time athlete, Jackson improved her personal best to 67.82m, just 1.68m short of her compatriot Valarie Allman’s gold-winning distance of 69.50m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Defending champion Kinzel, who set her own PB of 62.64m in May, can be counted as a potential challenger to Jackson while competing on home soil.

    “It’s a special feeling to compete in this internationally renowned event in your own country,” Kinzel said.

    “I want to build on my experiences from two years ago in Chengdu, defend my title in the discus throw, and I am really looking forward to the special atmosphere of the FISU Games, giving a little taste of the Olympics.”

    Bayanda Walaza of South Africa is a notable name on the track. He claimed silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at Paris 2024. Aged just 18, and originally a reserve, Walaza ran the leadoff leg in the final, as South Africa won its first ever medal in the event.

    Walaza, who also won the individual sprint double at the U20 World Championships last year, has kicked on this year too. After becoming just the ninth South African to clock under 10 seconds for the 100m, he improved his PB to 9.94 seconds in Zagreb in May. Weeks earlier, Walaza set a South African junior record of 20.08s in the 200m.

    Both PBs meet the qualification criteria for the senior World Athletics Championships, taking place in Tokyo in September.

    Walaza, along with teammate Lythe Pillay, will be looking to secure a 100m-200m-400m clean sweep. Pillay is the 2022 400m U20 world champion and a reigning World Athletics Relays 4x400m gold medalist.

    Fellow South African sprinter Marlie Viljoen is back as the defending champion after she set a PB of 51.42s in the 400m in March.

    Laura Pellicoro (front) of Italy crosses the finish line during the athletics women’s 1500m final at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

    The other returning champion is Laura Pellicoro of Italy. Now 24, she won the middle-distance double two years ago and is part of a stellar Italian lineup.

    Dalia Kaddari (Italy) is expected to add something to her long list of achievements which already includes being a two-time Olympian (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), European Championship bronze medal in 2022 (4x100m relay), European U23 champion in 2021 (200m) and Youth Olympic Games silver medal in 2018 (200m).

    Edoardo Scotti has been at the center of an impressive 12 months for Italian athletics. He helped his nation finish sixth in the 4x400m mixed relay and seventh in the men’s 4x400m relay at Paris 2024. Then he inspired the team to double silver in the 4x400m mixed and 4x400m men’s relays at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.

    China’s Shu Heng, who is the Asian men’s long jump champion, will try to improve on his PB of 8.22m achieved in May at the Asian Athletics Championships.

    India’s Pooja Singh, at just 1.70 meters tall, will compete as the newly crowned women’s Asian high jump champion. Singh grew up in rural India, with her father taking out loans to fund an athletics journey that began with bamboo poles as crossbars and landing mats fashioned from rice husk and hay.

    Bridget Mbwali from Uganda, a double sprint gold medal winner at last year’s East African University Games, is another decorated runner from Africa. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility reopened

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility reopened 
    Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
     
         As the Hong Kong Observatory has cancelled all typhoon warning signals, the Civil Engineering and Development Department today (July 21) announced that the Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility has been reopened at 9am for public use.
    Issued at HKT 9:08

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Inflation remains within target range

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New data released today shows inflation remains under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

    Stats NZ released the Consumers Price Index today, showing inflation increased slightly to 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter, remaining in the Reserve Bank’s target range.

    “It’s the fourth consecutive quarter inflation has remained within the target range – a stark contrast to under the previous government, where inflation raged on unchecked, reaching 7.3 per cent in 2022,” Nicola Willis says.

    “New Zealanders can be assured it now has a Government that is paying attention to forces that affect their cost of living.

    “It’s pleasing to see non-tradeables inflation – which paints a picture of domestic demand and supply conditions – continues to fall.

    “However, the effect of council rates on inflation is a concern.”

    Stats NZ noted the largest single contributor to annual inflation was local authority rates and payments, which rose 12.2 per cent in the year.

    “That’s why this Government has also been clear in its call to councils to focus on the basics and keep rates under control. We look forward to councils taking heed of this and playing their role as stewards of ratepayers’ money better in the future.

    “External pressures on inflation remain, and we must remain cautious – it’s a reminder that the economic recovery is not to be taken for granted.

    “That’s why this Government is focused on economic growth, because that is New Zealand’s pathway to more jobs, higher incomes and the money to pay for schools, hospitals and safer communities.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Cost-of-living keeps rising for those who can least afford it – CTU

    Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

    Data released by Statistics New Zealand today shows that the cost-of-living crisis is getting worse as inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index rose annually to 2.7%, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

    “This marks the third straight quarter in which annual inflation has increased, up from 2.2% in December 2024. A key reason why inflation didn’t break out of the 1-3% target barrier is that petrol pricing was down. Excluding petrol, annual inflation was 3.2%,” said Renney.

    “The data shows that prices rose most in areas that are particularly hard to manage for middle- and low-income groups. Household energy rose 9.1%, with gas prices rising 15.4%. Dairy and eggs rose 9.9%. Dwelling and contents insurance rose 10%. Rates are up 12.2%.

    “This increase is likely to put further pressure on households, particularly those on the minimum wage – who received a pay rise of just 1.5% in April. When last measured, 48% of workers got a pay rise less than 2%, while 59% got a pay rise less of than 3%. It is these workers who are paying the price of the cost-of-living crisis.

    “The Government has made a mess of the economy. Rents are still rising faster than general inflation, despite billions in tax breaks. Food pricing is rising at 4.2% despite the governments claims to be focused on supermarket competition. Workers are paying the price for the Government’s inaction.

    “The economy is stumbling and is likely heading back to negative growth, and the Government has consistently cut investment. Trade tariffs and uncertainty are likely to add further concerns to growth. The cost of tertiary education rose significantly due to the removal of first year free – making it harder to access skills training during rising unemployment,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Inflation will improve into 2026 – Kiwibank Senior Economist

    Source: Kiwibank Senior Economist, Mary Jo Vergara.
    Kiwi inflation likely lifted to 2.7%yoy from 2.5%yoy over the June quarter. But context is key. A reacceleration in imported inflation is driving the move higher. It was food and electricity that continues to bite at our back pockets. Domestic price pressures are cooling. 

    This is the first test for an August cash rate cut. It’s widely expected that headline will push towards the top end of the RBNZ’s target band. But more important to policy is underlying inflation, which continues to ease. Spare capacity within the Kiwi economy is keeping downward pressure on domestically generated inflation. 

    Downside risks to medium-term inflation remain. Whether that’s a consequence of a slowdown in global economic growth, or a diversion of trade marked at a discount. There is still a case for more accommodative interest rate settings.

    Kiwi inflation accelerated over the June quarter. Annual headline rose to 2.7% from 2.5%. It’s a move in the wrong direction. But context is key. A strengthening in imported inflation is driving headline higher. But domestic price pressures, on balance, continue to cool. And most importantly, the underlying trend in consumer prices is weak. Excluding the volatile movements in food and fuel, annual core inflation lifted to 2.7% from 2.6%. A move that was better than many had feared, and one that will improve into next year. For now, there’s little risk this bout of high inflation will persist. Especially given that there’s still significant spare capacity in the Kiwi economy. 

    Here’s a data dump. Non-tradables, domestically generated inflation, rose 0.7%qoq and 3.7% on the year. Excluding housing related stuff, it’s up 3.5%. And there’s good news for housing related stuff. Building costs fell 0.1%qoq (the lowest we’ve seen since 2021) and 0.8% over the year. That’s the weakness we’ve seen since 2009. Falling materials costs, like steel, match the anecdotes were hearing from developers. And wages within the industry have softened also. There’s less work. Renters face weaker rent rises as well. More good news. Rents rose 0.8%qoq and 3.2% over the year… down from 3.7% last quarter. So whilst we’re being hit with hefty food, electricity, insurance, and council rates… at least our rents aren’t rising as much… or if you own a property, interest rates are less painful (but at these levels, they still hurt, not help).

    Mary Jo Vergara
    Senior Economist

    Kiwibank.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Clear skies and frosty mornings sticking around this week – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Monday 21st – Thursday 24th July – Clear skies and frosty mornings sticking around this week

    •  Frosty mornings through the week
    •  Settled weather for most
    •  Showery first half of the week for eastern North Island
    •  Fog may hang around in inland South Island valleys through the week

    Settled weather is set to persist through the week over New Zealand as a high-pressure system sits over the country. After wetter conditions in some areas over the past few weeks, some may welcome the return of calmer, drier weather.

    MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “this week is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities, especially while some are still busy at school, as clear skies and light winds are expected for most regions”.

    Shiviti continued, “the fine weather this week does come with a downside of cold, frosty mornings”.
    The clear skies and calm conditions, as a result of the high-pressure system, allow for temperatures to drop overnight, particularly in inland areas.

    This morning (Monday) was especially chilly, “with Christchurch recording its coldest July temperature so far at -3.8°C, and Taumarunui reaching its lowest temperature of the year at -3.6°C” added Shiviti. These frosty starts are expected to continue throughout the week, especially in the Mackenzie District as well as in Otago, which may experience the coldest mornings, along with possible fog. Twizel drops to -5°C on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while inland parts of Dunedin wake up to a frosty -3°C.

    While the coldest temperatures will be found in the South Island, “frosty conditions are expected widely across the North Island too, even parts of the Auckland region could wake up to a touch of frost on Tuesday morning” Shiviti added.

    Although most of the country will stay dry, there are still a few areas that could see some wet weather. The east of the North Island, such as Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, sees cloudier and showery conditions through to Wednesday night due to southeasterly winds bringing moisture in from the ocean.

    Later in the week, a front is expected to approach from the Tasman Sea, meaning there is a chance of a shower or two in the southwest of the South Island for the second half of Thursday. Showers and rain should become more pronounced in Fiordland by Friday as the front arrives.

    For more on the weather keep an eye on the MetService website (www.metservice.com).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Is spinal cord stimulation safe? Does it work? Here’s what you need to know if you have back pain

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Caitlin Jones, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney

    AsiaVision/Getty

    Spinal cord stimulators are electrical devices that are surgically implanted in the body to treat long-term pain. They have a battery pack and leads that deliver electrical impulses directly to the spinal cord. The devices are thought to work by providing electrical impulses that interfere with how the brain senses pain.

    Spinal cord stimulators are mainly used to treat chronic back pain, especially when other less invasive treatments have not worked. They also aim to reduce people’s reliance on risky pain medicines. These include opioids, which research shows are ineffective and harmful for low-back pain.

    But research, including our own, shows spinal cord stimulators work no better than a placebo. And they can also carry risks.

    Do they work?

    In a 2023 Cochrane review, researchers reviewed data from 13 randomised controlled trials on low-back pain and found no benefits in the short and medium term. These international reviews draw together the most robust evidence to provide a detailed summary of what we know on a particular topic.

    Only one of the trials in the review tested efficacy in the longer term (six months). That trial found no benefits of spinal cord stimulation.

    An earlier Cochrane review looked at the evidence of spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain in general, including for neck pain. Reviewers looked at 15 randomised controlled trials and couldn’t be certain about its benefits, largely due to the quality and reliability of the available trials.

    Are there side effects?

    Aside from disappointing results for pain relief, there are risks and side effects to consider.

    We co-authored an analysis of 520 adverse events reported to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). We found 79% of reported events were rated as severe, with 13% life-threatening. The same research found 80% of events required surgery to correct.

    Our recent analysis in the Medical Journal of Australia looked at data from private health insurers. These cover 90% of spinal cord stimulation implants in Australia. Five major insurers, which covered 76% of privately insured people, contributed de-identified data.

    We found about one-quarter of people who had a spinal cord stimulator implanted needed corrective surgery afterwards. These surgeries occurred within a median of about 17 months. This indicates these surgeries are not routine or expected interventions, such as to replace batteries, which are meant to last five to ten years.

    Our previous research shows the sorts of reasons for corrective surgery. These include to replace a malfunctioning device, or the person was in more pain, had an infection, or a puncture of the delicate tissues covering the spinal cord.

    However, even our latest findings are likely to underestimate the risk of these devices.

    Sometimes the lead delivering the electrical current moves away from the spinal cord to elsewhere in the body. This requires surgery to reposition the lead, but does not necessarily require new hardware, such as a brand new lead. So this type of corrective surgery is not counted in the data from the private health insurance companies.

    How much does it cost?

    We found spinal cord stimulators cost about A$55,000 per patient, including the device, its insertion, and managing any associated additional surgeries.

    For people who only had a “trial” – where the leads are implanted temporarily but the battery pack remains outside the body – this cost was about $14,000 per patient.

    These figures do not include any out-of-pocket costs.

    What do regulators say about the devices?

    In 2022 the TGA began a review of spinal cord stimulators on the market because of safety and performance concerns.

    As a result, several devices were removed from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods – that is, they were banned from use in Australia, but existing stock could still be used.

    The rest of the devices had conditions imposed, such as the manufacturers being required to collect and report safety data to the TGA at regular time points.

    Should I do my own online research?

    Yes, but be careful. Unfortunately not all online information about spinal cord stimulators is correct.

    Look for sites independent of those who manufacture or implant these devices.

    Government agencies, health departments and universities that have no financial interests in this area may be a better option.

    The Cochrane Library is also a reliable and independent source for trustworthy health information.

    What shall I ask my doctor?

    The Australian health department provides useful advice for consumers about medical implants.

    It says medical implants “are considered higher-risk therapeutic goods, and the decision to get one should not be taken lightly”. It recommends asking your health professional these questions:

    • do I really need this medical implant?

    • what are the risks/benefits?

    • is the medical implant approved?

    • where can I get more information?

    • what happens if I experience an adverse event?

    What else could I do for my back pain?

    There are other treatment options that are effective and have fewer risks than spinal cord stimulation.

    For example, education about how to manage your pain yourself, exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy (a type of psychological therapy), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen) all have solid evidence to back them. All offer benefits that are not outweighed by their potential risks.

    Australian research has shown other types of therapy – such as sensorimotor retraining and cognitive functional therapy – are also effective. You can discuss these and other options with your health professional.

    Spinal cord stimulation is a good example of a treatment that got ahead of the evidence. Although the devices have been around since the 1960s, we’ve only had reliable trials to test whether they work in recent years.

    Everyone wants to find ways to help people with chronic pain, but we must ensure medical care is grounded in reliable science.

    Christopher Maher holds a research fellowship funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

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

    – ref. Is spinal cord stimulation safe? Does it work? Here’s what you need to know if you have back pain – https://theconversation.com/is-spinal-cord-stimulation-safe-does-it-work-heres-what-you-need-to-know-if-you-have-back-pain-261364

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The first video of Earth’s surface lurching sideways in an earthquake offers new insights into this force of nature

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jesse Kearse, Postdoctoral Researcher, Geophysics, Kyoto University

    Sai Aung MAIN/AFP via Getty Images

    During the devastating magnitude 7.7 Myanmar earthquake on March 28 this year, a CCTV camera captured the moment the plate boundary moved, providing the first direct visual evidence of plate tectonics in action.

    Tectonic plate boundaries are where chunks of Earth’s crust slide past each other – not smoothly, but in sudden, violent ruptures.

    The footage shows Earth’s surface lurching sideways, like a gigantic conveyor belt switched on for just a second, as the fault slips.

    What we’re seeing is the propagation of a large earthquake rupture – the primary mechanism that accommodates plate boundary motion at Earth’s surface. These shear fractures travel at several kilometres per second, making them notoriously difficult to observe.

    This video explains the moment Myanmar’s Sagaing Fault ruptured in a large earthquake, allowing the tectonic plate boundary to shift. Research: https://doi.org/10.1785/0320250024.

    These rare events, separated by centuries, have shaped our planet’s surface over millions of years, creating features such as Aotearoa New Zealand’s Alpine Fault and the Southern Alps.

    Until now, seismologists have relied on distant seismic instruments to infer how faults rupture during large earthquakes. This video sheds new light on the process that radiates seismic energy and causes the ground to shake.

    Analysis of the video

    In our new study, we analysed the video frame by frame. We used a technique called pixel cross-correlation to reveal that the fault slipped 2.5 metres sideways over a duration of just 1.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 3.2 metres per second.

    The total sideways movement in this earthquake is typical of strike-slip fault ruptures, which move the land sideways (in contrast to faults that move land up and down).

    But the short duration is a major discovery.

    The timing of when a fault starts and stops slipping is especially difficult to measure from distant recordings, because the seismic signal becomes smeared as it travels through Earth.

    In this case, the short duration of motion reveals a pulse-like rupture – a concentrated burst of slip that propagates along the fault like a ripple travels down a rug when it’s flicked from one end.

    Capturing this kind of detail is fundamental to understanding how earthquakes work, and it helps us better anticipate the ground shaking likely to occur in future large events.

    Validation of the ‘slickenline’ hypothesis

    Our analysis also revealed something more subtle about the way the fault moved.

    We found the slip didn’t follow a straight path. Instead it curved. This subtle curvature mirrors patterns we’ve observed previously at fault outcrops.

    Called “slickenlines”, these geological scratch marks on the fault record the direction of slip.

    Our work shows the slickenlines we see on outcrops are curved in a manner similar to the curvature seen in the CCTV footage. Based on our video analysis, we can be certain that curved slip occurs, giving credence to our interpretations based on geological observations.

    In our earlier research, we used computer models to show that curved slickenlines could emerge naturally when an earthquake propagates in a particular direction. The Myanmar rupture, which is known to have travelled north to south, matches the direction predicted by our models.

    This alignment is important. It gives us confidence in using geological evidence to determine the rupture direction of past earthquakes, such as the curved slickenlines left behind after the New Zealand Alpine Fault’s 1717 earthquake.

    This first glimpse of a fault in motion shows the potential for video to become a powerful new tool in seismology. With more strategic deployments, future earthquakes could be documented with similar detail, offering further insight into the dynamics of fault rupture, potentially revolutionising our understanding of earthquake physics.

    Jesse Kearse receives funding from Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Fund.

    – ref. The first video of Earth’s surface lurching sideways in an earthquake offers new insights into this force of nature – https://theconversation.com/the-first-video-of-earths-surface-lurching-sideways-in-an-earthquake-offers-new-insights-into-this-force-of-nature-261004

    MIL OSI Analysis –