NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI China: Greater openness, diverse offerings attract global tourists to relish real China

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

    Tourists from Australia pose for photos at the Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, May 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

    From viral social media buzz to rising foot traffic at immigration counters, global enthusiasm for “China Travel” continued to soar this year as an increasing number of travelers head to China to savor the country’s diverse landscapes, rich heritage and modern dynamism.

    As China rolls out a wave of initiatives aimed at making travel to the country easier and more immersive for international visitors, a new era of inbound tourism is emerging — one that is unfiltered, inclusive and rich in cultural depth.

    In the first quarter of 2025, China recorded 17.44 million entries and exits by foreign nationals, marking a 33.4 percent year-on-year rise. From May 1 to 5, which coincided with China’s May Day holiday, foreign entries and exits reached 1.12 million, up 43.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

    So, what is fueling this growing appeal? What new trends are shaping travel in China? And what steps lie ahead as the country continues to enhance cross-border mobility to attract more global tourists?

    These questions were front and center in the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, where a panel of policymakers and a tourism industry insider shared their insights.

    Foreign tourists visit the Tianjin Ancient Culture Street in Tianjin, north China, May 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

    FRESH EXPERIENCES

    During the discussion, Shi Zeyi, deputy head of the international exchanges and cooperation bureau under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, pointed to a notable shift among inbound tourists toward independent travel and more diverse itineraries, highlighting how interest is expanding beyond traditional hotspots like Beijing and Shanghai to lesser-known regions across China.

    This trend is supported by data from major Chinese travel platforms. According to a report from Qunar, cities like Zhuhai, Qingdao, and Wuhan saw hotel bookings by foreign travelers surge by 70 percent, 60 percent, and 50 percent year on year, respectively, during the five-day May Day holiday. Meanwhile, smaller cities such as Suzhou, Huzhou and Foshan also made the list of the top 20 inbound destinations.

    Chiming in, Qin Jing, vice president of Ctrip, noted that booking patterns on the online travel platform during the same period suggest a broader shift from basic sightseeing and landmark visits to more immersive, hands-on cultural experiences.

    “Many foreign visitors are now engaging in activities like learning tea brewing in Wuyishan, watching face-changing performances in Chengdu, or crafting porcelain in Jingdezhen,” Qin said.

    These insights are consistent with a recent survey by the China Tourism Academy, which found that over 60 percent of respondents cited experiencing Chinese culture as their primary reason for visiting the country.

    Amid the travel boom, shopping has also taken center stage after China introduced new measures to optimize its departure tax refund policy in late April, including lowering the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, expanding the network of participating stores, and widening the range of products available.

    Ctrip data revealed that inbound travel bookings for popular shopping hubs like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Yiwu increased by 138 percent, 188 percent, and 60 percent year on year, respectively, during the May Day holiday.

    Speakers also highlighted the powerful role of social media in driving interest in China. Viral videos of high-speed trains, AI-powered hotel robots, and everyday scenes of modern Chinese life, posted by visiting foreign travel influencers and tourists, have offered unfiltered views of China, breaking down stereotypes.

    “Seeing is believing,” said Liu Jia, an official with the National Immigration Administration (NIA). “When people experience China firsthand, they are better positioned to overcome misunderstandings and appreciate the country for what it truly is — open, inclusive, prosperous, safe and well-ordered.”

    A border inspection officer guides foreign tourists at Sunan Shuofang International Airport in Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu Province, May 3, 2025. (Photo by Zhu Jipeng/Xinhua)

    EXPANDING ACCESS

    Despite the influence of social media and enhancements like the improved departure tax refund policy, guest speakers emphasized that China’s recent surge in inbound travel is primarily driven by its ongoing efforts to expand access for international visitors. And this momentum continues to build steadily.

    China’s visa policies have been continuously adjusted and optimized. Since late 2023, China has introduced an expanding suite of traveler-friendly policies. In its latest move, the country announced last week that nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay will be eligible for visa-free entry starting June 1. Currently, the country grants unilateral visa-free entry to 38 countries.

    China has also extended the transit visa-free period to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries.

    These measures have significantly boosted cross-border exchanges between China and other countries, leading to an immediate impact: in 2024, China recorded 20.12 million visa-free entries, marking an impressive 112.3 percent surge compared to the previous year. During this year’s May Day holiday, there were 380,000 visa-free entries, representing a 72.7 percent year-on-year growth.

    According to Tong Xuejun, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China will negotiate additional visa-waiver agreements and work to improve the online visa application system for foreigners.

    Liu, from the NIA, added that the immigration administration will continue coordinating with other departments to make it easier for foreigners to enter, stay, and travel in China.

    A staff member provides departure tax refund service for a tourist from Russia at a shopping center in Beijing, capital of China, April 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

    Acknowledging the diversity of global travelers, Shi noted that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is promoting tailored offerings to cater to different groups, ranging from young backpackers and business travelers to senior tourists. These include educational tours, wellness retreats, and seasonal products such as ski holidays and summer getaways.

    To stimulate inbound tourism spending, China will expand the number of duty-free shops and broaden the selection of products eligible for instant tax refunds, especially focusing on high-tech gadgets like smartphones, smartwatches and drones, Shi added.

    In 2024, 132 million inbound visits to China generated 94.2 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, recovering to over 97.2 percent and 93.5 percent, respectively, of pre-pandemic levels.

    Cities across China are enhancing services to facilitate inbound tourism. For example, Beijing has launched a free half-day tour for international transit passengers, offering a glimpse of traditional Chinese culture at landmarks such as Qianmen and the Temple of Heaven.

    Qin from Ctrip said the company is enhancing services for inbound tourists by training multilingual tour guides, partnering with foreign travel influencers for promotions, and introducing new offerings such as immersive cultural and dining experiences.

    Wrapping up the discussion, Tong emphasized the importance of collaborative feedback. He said the government welcomes suggestions from tourism businesses and is equally eager to hear from various international travelers. “So we can work together to further enhance the China travel experience.”

    “As China continues to open its doors wider, the ‘China Travel’ brand will only shine brighter on the world stage,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Three arrested for drug trafficking at Adelaide Airport

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Serious and Organised Crime Branch and Western District investigators have arrested three people after they were stopped at Adelaide Airport on Sunday night (18 May) in possession of methamphetamine.

    A 31-year-old woman, a 32 -year-old man from Paralowie and a 34-year-old man from Munno Para West were stopped after they disembarked a flight from Sydney.

    Concealed within their luggage police located approximately 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in bath salt containers.

    The trio were arrested and have been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

    They appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 19 May where they were remanded in custody to face court at a later date.

    CO2500020211

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tax professionals webcasts

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    What webcasts offer

    Tax professionals webcasts are free, one-hour live events for the tax profession. You can ask questions and hear about our current priorities. It’s a great way to engage with us.

    We cover topics relevant to you, your practice and your clients. These live interactive events feature a panel of experts which may include:

    • members of professional associations and industry coaches and mentors
    • registered tax and BAS agents
    • digital service providers (software developers)
    • senior ATO staff.

    Your participation may contribute towards your continuing professional education (CPE). For more information, contact your professional association, or visit the Tax Practitioners BoardExternal Link website.

    If you miss the webcast, the recording will be available.

    Current webcasts

    Tax professionals tax time webcast

    Date: Thursday 19 June 2025

    Time: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm AEST

    Session details

    Session details:

    • The future tax environment
    • Tax time 2025
      • What’s new for tax time
      • Small business tax time focus areas
      • Preparing your practice for tax time
    • Cyber security and counter fraud.

    RegisterExternal Link for our next webcast. By registering for the webcast, your calendar will automatically adjust to your local time and you’ll know when to tune in.

    Webcast recordings

    Watch recordings of previous webcasts:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can cats drink milk? Despite the stereotypes, it’s actually a bad idea

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Henning, PhD Candidate in Feline Behaviour, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide

    Shawn Rain/Unsplash

    Cats have a long history with humans, going back more than 9,000 years. Attracted to human settlements by the rodents that plagued (sometimes literally) our ancestors, cats ingratiated themselves as useful mousers and slowly domesticated themselves.

    Farmers began to employ them as pest controllers. It was through this arrangement that cats and milk first became acquainted.

    Before the commercialisation of pet food, cats were mostly fed scraps from the family table. Not much was known about their nutritional needs. In his 1877 book on cats, Scottish doctor Gordon Stables insisted cats need two bowls – “one for water and the other for milk” – and suggested porridge and milk as an excellent feline breakfast.

    From these origins, cats and milk became further embedded in the collective zeitgeist through depictions of milk-loving cats in art, books, movies and cartoons. There’s even the classic trope of the scruffy street cat being rescued from the rain to enjoy a saucer of milk from a kindly stranger.

    While it’s not surprising that cats and milk have persisted as an unquestioned combination, research now tells us cats shouldn’t be drinking milk at all.

    The cultural connection between cats and milk goes far back in history, as shown in this 1921 photo.
    University Historic Photograph Collection, Archives & Special Collections, Colorado State University.

    The vast majority of cats are lactose intolerant

    Like all mammals, cats begin life drinking milk from their mother. But past kittenhood, milk is a completely unnecessary part of a cat’s diet.

    After weaning (around 6–12 weeks of age), kittens stop producing the enzyme lactase, required to digest lactose in milk. For the vast majority of cats, this means they are lactose intolerant.

    However, just like in humans, the level of intolerance varies for each individual based on how much of the enzyme their body naturally produces.

    Don’t rush to give your kitten milk, though. Just because kittens can digest lactose doesn’t mean they should be drinking cow’s milk. Cats are much smaller animals than cows and, fittingly, the amount of lactose in the milk of mother cats is much lower than in cow’s milk. It’s best to let them drink from their mother or to get them a kitten-appropriate cat formula.

    Lactose intolerance isn’t the only reason not to give your cats milk. Though rare, cats can also develop an allergy to milk or dairy.

    Milk from mother cats is different to cow’s milk, which is not appropriate for kittens to drink.
    Hadifa Art/Shutterstock

    What happens to cats who drink milk?

    Lactose is a type of sugar. When it can’t be broken down to be absorbed into the bloodstream, lactose travels through the intestines to the colon where the bacteria inside the body ferment it.

    This fermentation breaks lactose down into acids and gases which cause unpleasant symptoms, including the passing of excessive gas, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and occasionally nausea and vomiting. In cats, the most common symptom observed is diarrhoea.

    Chronic or persistent diarrhoea can cause further complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition. In some cases, it can even be life threatening.

    Cats who consume milk or dairy regularly as part of their diet are at increased risk of these health complications.

    When farm mousers are ‘paid’ in milk, their lactose intolerance can cause diarrhoea and even serious health complications.
    Aleksandr Lupin/Shutterstock

    If milk is so bad for cats, why do they love it?

    We often like things that are bad for us. But to answer this question, we first have to remember cow’s milk is intended for feeding and growing a baby cow.

    To achieve this feat, it contains an assortment of proteins and fats that are highly palatable, especially to cats. Cats need high levels of protein and fat for optimal health and daily functioning.

    Cow’s milk, in particular, is also high in casein, a protein that is broken down by the body into alpha-casozepine. In some studies, it’s been associated with a calming effect in cats. While this wouldn’t initially make a cat want to drink milk, it may create a comforting association with milk over time.

    If you want to treat your cat, give them species appropriate foods, not cow’s milk or food meant for humans.
    Hamza Yaich/Pexels

    Can I give milk sometimes as a treat? What about milk alternatives?

    The short answer is: no.

    Dairy is not a natural part of cats’ diet. While they may like the taste, milk is likely to cause your furry friend discomfort and health issues, so it’s best to avoid entirely.

    And if you’re thinking your cat is one of the lucky few that isn’t lactose intolerant, think again. Cats are very good at hiding discomfort because, in the wild, showing weakness would make them a target for predators.

    If you absolutely must, opt for lactose-free milk or milk formulated specifically for cats, and keep it as a very occasional treat.

    While it won’t upset their stomachs in the same way as regular cow’s milk, it still won’t offer your cat any nutritional benefit.

    As for milk alternatives like oat, soy or almond milk? Any unusual additions to your cat’s diet are likely to cause digestive upset, so it’s best to avoid these as well.

    The bottom line? Don’t give your cat milk. They don’t need it, they probably can’t digest it and it’s likely to cause more pain than it’s worth.

    Julia Henning 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. Can cats drink milk? Despite the stereotypes, it’s actually a bad idea – https://theconversation.com/can-cats-drink-milk-despite-the-stereotypes-its-actually-a-bad-idea-255227

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 298

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL8

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 298
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    825 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    West-Central and Southern Illinois
    Southern into Central and Eastern Missouri

    * Effective this Monday night and Tuesday morning from 825 PM
    until 300 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 80 mph possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Multiple clusters and supercells will spread northeastward
    this evening and overnight while posing a threat for both tornadoes
    and severe/damaging winds. An intense/bowing line of thunderstorms
    will likely develop later this evening and pose a greater threat for
    widespread severe winds, with peak gusts potentially reaching up to
    70-80 mph on an isolated basis. Occasional large hail up to 1-2
    inches in diameter may also occur with any semi-discrete supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 45 miles north northwest of Saint Louis
    MO to 20 miles southeast of West Plains MO. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU8).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 294…WW 295…WW
    296…WW 297…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Gleason

    SEL8

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 298
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    825 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    West-Central and Southern Illinois
    Southern into Central and Eastern Missouri

    * Effective this Monday night and Tuesday morning from 825 PM
    until 300 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 80 mph possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Multiple clusters and supercells will spread northeastward
    this evening and overnight while posing a threat for both tornadoes
    and severe/damaging winds. An intense/bowing line of thunderstorms
    will likely develop later this evening and pose a greater threat for
    widespread severe winds, with peak gusts potentially reaching up to
    70-80 mph on an isolated basis. Occasional large hail up to 1-2
    inches in diameter may also occur with any semi-discrete supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 45 miles north northwest of Saint Louis
    MO to 20 miles southeast of West Plains MO. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU8).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 294…WW 295…WW
    296…WW 297…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Gleason

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW8
    WW 298 TORNADO IL MO 200125Z – 200800Z
    AXIS..110 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    45NNW STL/SAINT LOUIS MO/ – 20SE UNO/WEST PLAINS MO/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 95NM E/W /31NNW STL – 41NW ARG/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..70 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 550. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 39338863 36538963 36539360 39339275

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU8.

    Watch 298 Status Report Messages:

    STATUS REPORT #1 ON WW 298

    VALID 200130Z – 200240Z

    THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.

    ..BROYLES..05/20/25

    ATTN…WFO…PAH…LSX…SGF…

    &&

    STATUS REPORT FOR WT 298

    SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

    ILC003-005-013-027-051-055-061-077-081-083-087-117-119-121-133-
    135-145-153-157-163-181-189-199-200240-

    IL
    . ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

    ALEXANDER BOND CALHOUN
    CLINTON FAYETTE FRANKLIN
    GREENE JACKSON JEFFERSON
    JERSEY JOHNSON MACOUPIN
    MADISON MARION MONROE
    MONTGOMERY PERRY PULASKI
    RANDOLPH ST. CLAIR UNION
    WASHINGTON WILLIAMSON
    $$

    MOC007-009-017-019-023-027-029-031-035-043-051-055-059-065-067-
    071-073-077-091-093-099-105-113-123-125-131-133-135-137-139-141-
    143-149-151-153-157-161-163-169-173-179-181-183-186-187-189-201-
    203-207-209-213-215-219-221-223-225-229-510-200240-

    MO
    . MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

    AUDRAIN BARRY BOLLINGER
    BOONE BUTLER CALLAWAY
    CAMDEN CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER
    CHRISTIAN COLE CRAWFORD
    DALLAS DENT DOUGLAS
    FRANKLIN GASCONADE GREENE
    HOWELL IRON JEFFERSON
    LACLEDE LINCOLN MADISON
    MARIES MILLER MISSISSIPPI
    MONITEAU MONROE MONTGOMERY
    MORGAN NEW MADRID OREGON
    OSAGE OZARK PERRY
    PHELPS PIKE PULASKI
    RALLS REYNOLDS RIPLEY
    ST. CHARLES STE. GENEVIEVE ST. FRANCOIS
    ST. LOUIS SCOTT SHANNON
    STODDARD STONE TANEY
    TEXAS WARREN WASHINGTON
    WAYNE WEBSTER WRIGHT

    MISSOURI INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE

    ST. LOUIS CITY
    $$

    THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE
    REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL
    INFORMATION ON COUNTIES…INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES
    CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES.
    $$

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (50%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BUDGET 2025 – What Vote Health Needs Just to Stay Afloat

    Budget 2025 will need to include $2 billion in additional operational funding this year just for the public health system to stand still.

    “Year on year specialists in our public hospitals are being asked to do more and more,” says ASMS policy director Harriet Wild.

    “If we do not see this level of investment as a minimum it just means the Government is choosing to dig their own hole that much deeper. Again in 12-months’ time they will gamble on the future of our public health system again, knowing they have made the odds that much worse.”

    Two billion dollars is the increase required to meet health cost pressures (which run higher than general inflation) including changes in pricing, volumes, and inflation, as well as the increased need created by a growing and ageing population.

    New Zealand’s population is growing by 1.3% annually.

    New Zealand’s population is also ageing. Almost three-quarters of total life-long healthcare costs occur in the last three years of life. Census data shows 1 in 6 people were aged 65 and older in 2023, this is projected to be 1 in 5 by 2033.

    The need for hospital-based acute care is also increasing. Acute discharges in public hospital increased by 28% between 2014 and 2023. Almost 1.3 million people attended an Emergency Department in 2022/23, a 22.5% increase since 2013/14. Over the same period, the population increased by 16%.

    Two billion dollars will not remedy decades of underfunding of New Zealand’s health system. New Zealand’s total health expenditure (public and private) as a proportion of GDP has remained well below comparable countries for many years. Prior to Covid-19, New Zealand spent 9% of GDP on health, while countries including Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and Sweden spent an average 10.7%.

    The New Zealand Health Survey shows significant volume of unmet health need also remains in our community, with 1.86 million adults experiencing an unmet need for dental care due to cost. 464,000 adults have an unmet need for mental health or addiction services – an increase of 3.3% since 2023.

    While investing in primary care will make people healthier overall, it will also generate more cost for our hospitals as unmet need for secondary care is identified by those primary care providers.

    $1.43 billion was allocated to meet health sector cost pressures (demographic changes, price and wage increases) in the 2023-4 Budget. However, when appearing before health select committee during Scrutiny Week in March 2024, Te Whatu Ora officials acknowledged this fell short of what was required.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UK-EU ties reset with new bilateral deal

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

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) and European Council President Antonio Costa are seen ahead of the UK-EU summit in London, Britain, on May 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Britain and the European Union (EU) reached a wide-ranging agreement on Monday, which is expected to generate nearly 9 billion pounds (about 12.02 billion U.S. dollars) for the British economy by 2040, Downing Street announced.

    The deal was unveiled ahead of the first-ever UK-EU summit held in London, a meeting hailed by both sides as a “historic moment.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement a “new chapter” in the relationship, as the two sides seek to reset ties after years of post-Brexit friction.

    Major highlights

    Hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the summit brought together von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. All three praised the deal as a major step forward during a joint press conference.

    One major highlight is a youth mobility scheme, described by Downing Street as “capped and time-limited,” and modeled on similar agreements with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The UK and EU will also work toward restoring British participation in the Erasmus+ academic exchange program, from which the UK withdrew during the current 2021-2027 cycle.

    Von der Leyen stressed that the mobility initiative will help rebuild long-term academic and cultural connections between European and British youth.

    The agreement also includes a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal aimed at easing trade in food and agricultural goods. It will eliminate many routine checks on animal and plant products, cutting costs, reducing red tape, and reopening EU markets to British exports such as burgers and shellfish. It will also streamline goods movement between Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

    “This deal slashes red tape for exporters and will bring down food prices in British supermarkets,” Starmer said. “It directly impacts working people across the country.”

    In the fisheries sector, Britain and the EU agreed to a 12-year framework that preserves British access to EU waters and maintains current quotas for EU vessels. The British government will invest 360 million pounds to modernize its fleet and upgrade technology.

    “Under the old arrangement, we moved to year-by-year negotiations, which brought instability,” Starmer said. “This new deal offers predictability. Over 70 percent of our seafood is sold to the EU, so reducing red tape makes a material difference.”

    The agreement also lays the groundwork for defense and security cooperation, including a framework for UK participation in the EU’s SAFE defense program, which supports joint military procurement. Further negotiations will address financial contributions and supply chain arrangements.

    British holidaymakers also stand to benefit. The deal will expand access to Europol data and enhance cooperation on biometric and vehicle information. British travelers will once again be able to use eGates at EU border controls, streamlining passport checks.

    Surrender or step forward

    Despite broad support, the agreement has also faced criticism. Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch pledged to reverse it if her party returns to power, while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage called the move a “surrender” to Brussels.

    Fisheries groups also voiced discontent. The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations said the deal “gives away the best card we still had,” benefiting large exporters and supermarkets more than independent fishers.

    Still, analysts viewed the agreement as a pragmatic step forward.

    “Fishing is a tiny part of the British economy, but critics will latch onto it as symbolic,” said Iain Begg, a European politics expert at the London School of Economics and Political Science. “However, reducing barriers to UK exports carries much greater economic weight — especially for defense contractors who could benefit from EU military procurement.”

    On the mobility deal, Begg noted that relaxed passport controls will be welcomed by many Brits, especially as the holiday season approaches.

    While some critics view the deal as a British retreat, others argue it signals a more mature phase in UK-EU relations.

    “If you frame this as winners and losers, you miss the bigger picture,” said Steve Nolan, senior economics lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, who sees the move as a mutual recognition that “we are close neighbors and strategic partners.” In a fragmented world, this is a sign that “grown-up negotiation is back on the table,” he added.

    No timeline has been set for the agreement’s full implementation, but Starmer said remaining negotiations would continue “with the same pace and intensity.” (1 British pound = 1.34 U.S. dollar) 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Alchera X Strengthens Partnership with WatchTowers to Deliver Internationally Acclaimed AI-Powered Premium Wildfire Detection Across Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alchera X (“AX”), a leading AI SaaS company specializing in visual and facial recognition technologies, is proud to highlight the success of its strategic partnership with Australia-based WatchTowers Network, a pioneer in emergency response technology. At the heart of this collaboration is FireScout, Alchera X’s cutting-edge AI system for real-time wildfire smoke detection—now a trusted tool in emergency operations centers across multiple continents.

    What began three years ago as a promising integration effort to save property and lives in Australia, has matured into a fully operational, field-tested system that is transforming the way emergency services detect and respond to wildfires. Leveraging WatchTowers’ situational awareness platform, WatchTowers Command, FireScout has successfully been monitoring thousands of square miles 24/7, delivering automated wildfire detection alerts to first responders, that save precious minutes when every second counts.

    “We built FireScout with one goal in mind: to give emergency responders critical time and insight to act before wildfires escalate,” said Michael Plaksin, President & CEO of Alchera X. “Our partnership with WatchTowers proves that when advanced AI is combined with operational expertise, the result is smarter, faster, and more effective fire detection with 99.9% accuracy.”

    Real-World Impact

    Through rigorous real-world testing supported by the Minderoo Foundation, FireScout has been deployed in over 1,000 fire events, demonstrating exceptional accuracy in diverse conditions—including remote terrain, nighttime operations, and long-distance detection up to 37 miles (60 km) from a WatchTowers station. The system significantly reduces false positives by learning continuously from every confirmed or dismissed fire, increasing and improving the system’s accuracy over time.

    As an example, FireScout detected smoke 10 minutes before emergency services were alerted via 911 in Sonoma County, California —offering emergency responders a critical window (or what’s known as “Golden Minutes”) to quickly react and help save property and lives.

    Seamless Integration and Trusted Reliability

    FireScout was meticulously integrated into the WatchTowers Command platform, allowing AI-generated alerts to trigger automated workflows—such as hazard flagging, camera zoom-ins, and inter-agency coordination—without manual intervention. The result is a streamlined response system that empowers teams to focus on action rather than surveillance.

    As noted regarding WatchTowers’ recent press release:

    “FireScout’s performance speaks for itself, but what truly sets Alchera X apart is their hands-on, solution-focused approach. From day one, they collaborated with us to help us overcome integration challenges and streamline the user experience for frontline teams. Their commitment to partnership—not just their premium wildfire detection product—has been instrumental in delivering real-world impact. We’re proud to work alongside them as a trusted technology partner.”

    Global Reach, Expanding Impact

    AX has already deployed its FireScout technology in the United States & Canada, Australia & the APAC Region, as well as parts of Europe, and are working with several partners to expand globally. FireScout was recently showcased at the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Conference in Reno over the past few years to global acclaim. Its versatility and reliability make it a cornerstone technology for agencies seeking to modernize their wildfire detection strategies.

    FireScout leads the charge in real-time smoke detection, empowering emergency services with earlier, smarter alerts. Alchera X is an AI SaaS company based in Los Angeles, specializing in real-time visual and facial recognition solutions. One of its premier products, FireScout, leverages advanced machine learning to detect wildfires through live video analysis, helping emergency services act quickly and decisively. Alchera X is dedicated to safeguarding people, property, and ecosystems through innovation that makes a real-world difference protecting over 5 million square miles globally.

    As climate volatility drives more frequent and intense fire seasons, Alchera X is committed to advancing the capabilities of FireScout—making it faster, more adaptable, and easier to deploy across new regions and networks around the world.

    About WatchTowers
    WatchTowers Network builds real-time intelligence systems that help emergency agencies coordinate fast and effective responses. Its flagship platform, WatchTowers Command, brings together visual feeds, detection tools, and operational workflows into one seamless interface designed for high-stakes decision-making.

    About AX
    Founded in 2016, AX is an artificial intelligence Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that has developed award-winning proprietary technology in the areas of facial and visual artificial intelligence (AI) including facial recognition, wildfire detection, augmented reality, and more. AX develops and distributes innovative products that enhance safety and security across various industries worldwide.

    AX’s FireScout product provides artificial intelligence to utilize visual recognition in real time on a 24/7/365 basis for wildfire detection. Our technology seamlessly integrates into existing camera/monitor systems. We offer the most informative, effective, and supportive user interface system in the market today. Our AI has been used on over 1,000 cameras throughout the Western United States and is considered to be the de facto standard in AI.

    Join the Conversation: Follow us on LinkedIn – AX and FireScout, Twitter and YouTube.

    Media Contact:
    Palak Kapasi
    Head of Marketing & Public Relations, AX
    AXmedia@alcherainc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24a2e04f-8574-488c-8a71-751920111ae0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c2c22c9-3070-4486-a005-49b40eed5cf5

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce8dedbf-f95c-41c2-bf3f-bb82abca7c2c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does drawing on memory help us solve problems? Our experiment gave some surprising answers

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Macaskill, Senior Lecturer in Experimental Psychology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    Getty Images

    Conventional wisdom suggests memories of past experiences can help us navigate problems in the present.

    For example, if a friend told you they were having a disagreement with their partner, you might ask what they did last time they argued. If your child was anxious about a presentation, you might boost their confidence by saying “remember that great speech you did last year”.

    Indeed, memory researchers have found people report a key reason they remember the past is to solve problems in the present. But does this prove that drawing on experience is a good problem-solving strategy?

    How much insight do we have about whether these memories support us to solve current problems? And, objectively, does this strategy help people identify more and better solutions?

    To get more conclusive evidence, we ran two experimental studies (one with 170 students, one with 340 students). In each, we instructed some people to recall previous times they were successful (we call this the “memory group”). We instructed others to recall neutral personal memories such as what they had for breakfast that morning (we call this the “control group”).

    We then asked both groups to come up with as many solutions as they could to everyday problems, such as resolving a disagreement, or working in a team to complete a project.

    We expected the memory group to generate more solutions to these problems than the control group. But surprisingly, they did not. Both groups generated the same number of solutions.

    Does this mean drawing on the past is an ineffective problem-solving strategy, or perhaps only effective for some people?

    For some people, drawing on memories of positive past experiences can help with a task they find difficult, such as public speaking.
    Getty Images

    Unpacking the link between memory and problem solving

    To dig further, we asked all participants what was going on in their heads while they were coming up with solutions. Across both groups, some participants said they drew on past experiences we did not specifically instruct them to recall.

    This result hinted that recalling memories might be something some people are in the habit of doing anyway, and a possible reason why our memory instructions didn’t seem to make a difference.

    We therefore wondered if our instructions were only helpful for participants who do not typically use their memory to solve problems. Indeed, in a followup study with 237 student participants, we found our instruction to recall past successful experiences was useful, but only for a subset of people.

    Specifically, this applied to participants who reported they don’t typically use their memory of personal experiences for problem solving. These participants came up with more solutions than anyone else.

    We reasoned this was because they already had other good problem-solving strategies (for example, thinking about facts relevant to the problem or thinking laterally and creatively) and we had merely given them an additional strategy (recalling their past).

    However, we found no relationship between how often participants typically used their memory to solve problems, and how many solutions they came up with.

    Memories can help with difficult tasks

    What do our findings tell us? Recalling a memory may be helpful for generating solutions to problems, but it is not the only or best way to solve problems.

    However, recalling a memory might help more or be more important in other problem-solving steps, such as defining a problem or implementing a solution once you’ve thought of it.

    For instance, some experimental evidence suggests intentionally remembering past experiences could be helpful for doing hard things, such as public speaking, exercising or overcoming a fear of heights.

    One study found people who remembered a positive public speaking experience before giving a speech were less anxious, and actually did a better job. Another study found people who recalled a positive experience with exercise increased their exercise over a week, even when the researchers took into account their prior attitudes, motivation and exercise activity.

    A specific positive and related memory may therefore be helpful to following through on your intention to perform a specific behaviour. Conversely, as we have found, recalling a memory might not be the best or only approach for coming up with multiple solutions to a problem.

    People also report that they recall their experiences to shape their identity and to develop and maintain relationships through reminiscing. Memory of personal experiences therefore has the potential to influence many facets of our life.

    Overall, our research highlights the importance of context – when, how and who is drawing on memories of past experiences to solve problems – when we consider conventional wisdom about memory.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Does drawing on memory help us solve problems? Our experiment gave some surprising answers – https://theconversation.com/does-drawing-on-memory-help-us-solve-problems-our-experiment-gave-some-surprising-answers-255105

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 15 years ago, I urged the AFL to launch a mental health round. Now it’s time for action

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pat McGorry, Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne

    The death of former AFL footballer Adam Selwood, less than four months after the death by suicide of his twin Troy, is an unfathomable tragedy for the Selwood family.

    The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the AFL and wider Australian communities.

    The shock and grief have prompted many people, from current and former AFL players to fans and media commentators, to seek actions and solutions.

    The immediate priority is to ensure the Selwood family and anyone who is currently struggling with mental ill-health and may be adversely impacted by this latest tragedy, is supported and offered hope for the future.

    In addition, the AFL community and mental health advocates have implored the AFL to introduce a mental health round, similar to its other themed rounds such as its ANZAC commemorations or the current Sir Doug Nicholls round, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, cultures and communities.

    Better late than never?

    I first raised the idea of a mental health round for the AFL in 2010 with then-CEO Andrew Demetriou after I was fortunate enough to be named Australian of the Year.

    This allowed me gain access to prominent leaders to champion the fight against the alarming rise of mental ill-health in Australia – especially young people.

    The idea never materialised, but I strongly believe a mental health round can play a significant role in reimagining the national conversation on mental health.

    However, there are pros and cons to this, and it is critical it is approached in a strategic fashion that goes beyond just awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

    It must instead deliver real and meaningful reform to reduce the impact of mental ill-health and preventable deaths from suicide.

    The problem we face

    Mental ill-health affects all Australians directly or indirectly – suicide is the number one cause of death for people under 40.

    More than 3,000 families every year lose a loved one to suicide and these are largely preventable deaths.

    This growing public health crisis creates a huge burden that is social, emotional and economic.

    In 2021, the Productivity Commission estimated the cost to Australia of our neglect of mental ill-health and suicide: around A$200 billion per year.

    Up to 75% of all mental disorders begin before the age of 25.

    Suicide is the biggest killer of young people, and two in five young people now experience mental ill-health every year, a 50% increase since 2007.

    Athletes sit within the peak age of risk for mental ill-health, and elite sport can come with unique pressures that heightens risk.

    While the AFL and most clubs have engaged strongly around this issue and have sought to provide support for current and former players, the wider mental health crisis extends far beyond the boundaries of the sporting arena.

    Now the AFL has a unique opportunity to drive significant change.

    Benefits and risks of a mental health round

    A mental health round would build on key recommendations from The Lancet Psychiatry’s 2024 commission on youth mental health.

    Produced by a global consortium of world-leading psychiatrists, psychologists, academics and young people, it identified the need for “high-profile societal champions” to help sustain “high-quality media attention, which is crucial to any political campaign”.

    It highlights societal champions (such as sporting bodies and figures), alongside the unified voice of health and research experts “play a key role in ensuring a message is received by a wider audience and appeals to the public in order to gain support from policy makers”.

    This approach must be underpinned by powerful storytelling, which emphasises:

    Positive stories of effective care and innovation, combined with credible first-person accounts from service users and their families and carers.

    The AFL is uniquely positioned to deliver this by uniting athletes, fans, media platforms and grassroots programs.

    It has taken on this role before with positive results, improving awareness and raising money for our ANZACs, as well as the fight against motor neurone disease (MND) – a relatively rare condition compared to mental illness and suicide.

    However, it is imperative any such approach moves beyond the well-meaning but tired awareness campaigns that merely encourage people to “check on your mates”, “speak up if you’re struggling” or suggest the solution is simply a matter of improving “resilience”.

    That can be code for “just pull yourself together” or “toughen up” – language that is all too familiar in footy circles.

    Some elements of the sporting media may need to look in the mirror here.

    Anti-stigma campaigns are similarly ineffective in isolation.

    A key objective of a mental health round should also be to engage and empower grassroots Australian communities to demand investment the mental health crisis urgently requires.

    There is not much use urging people to seek help if expert mental health care is inaccessible or of poor quality. We can rely on world-class cancer care when we need it, but not so mental health care.

    In addition to rapid and free access to high quality care, we also need a major boost to scientific research to create new treatments and fuel prevention.

    The AFL is already a case study in how to galvanise medical research in another neglected area via its partnership with the FightMND campaign, an incredible initiative that has raised both public engagement and precious funds for scientific discovery.

    A step forward?

    To honour the tragic deaths of Adam and Troy Selwood and the tens of thousands of families who have been are devastated by suicide in recent years, Australia needs to do something about it.

    The AFL is uniquely positioned to take a decisive leadership role on this issue.

    But a mental health round must ensure public mental health experts are central to its design and delivery, so it drives not just conversation but real, lasting change.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Patrick McGorry receives funding from the NHRMC, NIH, Wellcome Trust and other research funders fro scientific research in mental health and suicide prevention. I am a member of the AFL’s mental health advisory committee.

    – ref. 15 years ago, I urged the AFL to launch a mental health round. Now it’s time for action – https://theconversation.com/15-years-ago-i-urged-the-afl-to-launch-a-mental-health-round-now-its-time-for-action-256995

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Boredom gets a bad rap. But science says it can actually be good for us

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Kennedy, Youth Mental Health Researcher, University of the Sunshine Coast

    We have all experienced boredom – that feeling of waning interest or decreased mental stimulation. Eventually we lose focus, we disengage. Time seems to pass slowly, and we may even start to feel restless. Whether it be watching a movie that disappoints, a child complaining that “there’s nothing to do”, or an adult zoning out during a meeting – boredom is a universal experience.

    Generally defined as difficulty maintaining attention or interest in a current activity, boredom is commonly viewed as a negative state that we should try to avoid or prevent ourselves from experiencing.

    But what if there’s another way to view boredom, as a positive state? Could learning to embrace boredom be of benefit?

    The brain on boredom

    The brain network is a system of interconnected regions that work together to support different functions. We can liken it to a city where suburbs (brain regions) are connected by roads (neural pathways), all working together to allow information to travel efficiently.

    When we experience boredom – say, while watching a movie – our brain engages specific networks. The attention network prioritises relevant stimuli while filtering out distractions and is active when we commence the movie.

    However, as our attention wanes, activity in the attention network decreases, reflecting our diminished ability to maintain focus on the unengaging content. Likewise, decreased activity occurs in the frontoparietal or executive control network due to the struggle to maintain engagement with the unengaging movie.

    Simultaneously, the default mode network activates, shifting our attention toward internal thoughts and self-reflection. This is a core function of the default mode network, referred to as introspection, and suggestive of a strategy for coping with boredom.

    This complex interplay of networks involves several key brain regions “working together” during the state of boredom. The insula is a key hub for sensory and emotional processing. This region shows increased activity when detecting internal body signals – such as thoughts of boredom – indicating the movie is no longer engaging. This is often referred to as “interoception”.

    The amygdala can be likened to an internal alarm system. It processes emotional information and plays a role in forming emotional memories. During boredom, this region processes associated negative emotions, and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex motivates us to seek alternative stimulating activities.

    The default mode network in our brains (highlighted here) shifts our attention towards internal thoughts and self-reflection when we’re bored.
    John Graner/Wikipedia

    Boredom versus overstimulation

    We live in a society that subjects us to information overload and high stress. Relatedly, many of us have adopted a fast-paced lifestyle, constantly scheduling ourselves to keep busy. As adults we juggle work and family. If we have kids, the habit of filling the day with schooling and after-school activities allows us to work longer hours.

    In between these activities, if we have time to pause, we may be on our screens constantly organising, updating, or scrolling to simply stay occupied. As a result, adults inadvertently model the need to be constantly “on” to younger generations.

    This constant stimulation can be costly – particularly for our nervous system. Our overscheduling can feed into overstimulation of the nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system which manages our fight-or-flight response is designed to deal with times of stress.

    However, when we are constantly stressed by taking in new information and juggling different activities, the sympathetic nervous system can stay activated for too long, due to the cumulative effects of repeated exposure to different stressors. This is sometimes referred to as “allostatic overload”. It is when our nervous system becomes overwhelmed, keeping us in a heightened state of arousal, which can increase our risk of anxiety.

    Eliminating the state of boredom deprives us of a simple and natural way to reset our sympathetic nervous system.

    Could boredom be good for us?

    In small doses, boredom is the necessary counterbalance to the overstimulated world in which we live. It can offer unique benefits for our nervous system and our mental health. This is opposed to long periods of boredom where increased default mode network activity may be associated with depression.

    There are several benefits of giving ourselves permission to be occasionally bored:

    • improvements in creativity, allowing us to build “flow” in our thoughts
    • develops independence in thinking and encourages finding other interests rather than relying on constant external input
    • supports self-esteem and emotional regulation, because unstructured times can help us sit with our feelings which are important for managing anxiety
    • encourages periods without device use and breaks the loop of instant gratification that contributes to compulsive device use
    • rebalances the nervous system and reduces sensory input to help calm anxiety.

    Embrace the pause

    Anxiety levels are on the rise worldwide, especially among our youth. Many factors contribute to this trend. We are constantly “on”, striving to ensure we are scheduling for every moment. But in doing so, we are potentially depriving our brains and bodies of the downtime they need to reset and recharge.

    We need to embrace the pause. It is a space where creativity can prosper, emotions can be regulated, and the nervous system can reset.

    Daniel Hermens receives funding from the Commonwealth government’s Prioritising Mental Health Initiative and the Queensland Mental Health Commission.

    Michelle Kennedy 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. Boredom gets a bad rap. But science says it can actually be good for us – https://theconversation.com/boredom-gets-a-bad-rap-but-science-says-it-can-actually-be-good-for-us-255767

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Enhanced Pro-Active Policing in Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Due to an increase in police demand, Katherine police have increased proactive measures in order to drive down crime and antisocial behaviour.

    Alcohol remains a primary catalyst for crime an anti-social behaviour across the region, and in response, police have significantly increased Banned Drinkers Orders (BDO) for problem drinkers.

    February to April saw a 354% increase in the number of BDO’s issued. For the month of April, 145 people were rejected from purchasing alcohol due to an active BDO.

    In addition to these measures, since March 2025, 280 SupportLink referrals have been made by Katherine Police. Support Link delivers targeted referral and diversion services to people who require social services assistance. These referrals can be made to address issues such as domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol dependence, drug and alcohol diversions and homelessness.

    Commander Terry Zhang said, “Our members have seen a noticeable increase in the demand for our services due to a sudden surge of people into the Katherine Region.

    “In response to this, we have shifted to proactively tackling the drivers of crime and antisocial behaviour through support services and alcohol restrictions. In addition to these changes, we will also welcome a further 15 new constables who will start in Katherine from mid-June to further enhance our targeted operations.

    “Police have also continued to work closely with other organisations in Katherine. This includes working with the local council on early morning patrols focused on rough sleepers, and a joint operation with Public Housing Officers targeting problem tenancies.

    “Police would like to thank the Katherine Community for their ongoing support and re-iterate our commitment to keeping the Katherine community safe.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar’s Bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that their bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act was signed into law.
     The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII, and requires social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim.
    “Passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law is a major victory for victims of online abuse – giving people legal protections and tools for when their intimate images, including deepfakes, are shared without their consent, and enabling law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This is also a landmark move towards establishing common-sense rules of the road around social media and AI. Thank you to the victims, advocates, and law enforcement officials who have banded together to work with Senator Cruz and me to pass this legislation. The support of the First Lady has been key to this effort, and I am glad the President is signing this historic bill into law.”
    “The TAKE IT DOWN ACT is an historic win for victims of revenge porn and deepfake image abuse. Predators who weaponize new technology to post this exploitative filth will now rightfully face criminal consequences, and Big Tech will no longer be allowed to turn a blind eye to the spread of this vile material,” said Sen. Cruz.  “This day stands as a powerful testament to the bravery and dedication of Elliston Berry, Francesca Mani, Breeze Liu, and Brandon Guffey, whose relentless advocacy made this law possible. I am deeply grateful to my legislative partners, particularly Sen. Amy Klobuchar and First Lady Melania Trump, for their collaboration in advancing this critical legislation to protect every American’s privacy and dignity online.”
    The TAKE IT DOWN Act protects and empowers victims of real and deepfake NCII while respecting speech by:
    Criminalizing the publication of NCII in interstate commerce. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish, or threaten to publish, NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication. 
    Protecting good-faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good-faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.  
    Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.  
    Protecting lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without chilling lawful speech. The bill conforms to current First Amendment jurisprudence by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test for appearing indistinguishable from an authentic image.
    The legislation was co-sponsored by Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Strong demand and reduced domestic competition have contributed to significant earnings for Qantas Group and Virgin Australia

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Australia’s two largest airline groups have both recorded strong financial results for the first half of 2024-25, reflecting a number of factors including strong ongoing demand for flying and limited domestic competition, the ACCC’s latest Domestic Airline Competition report has found.

    Qantas Group reported earnings before interest and taxes of $1.5 billion for the first half of 2024-25, with $916 million coming from its domestic operations across both Qantas and Jetstar.

    Of the Qantas Group’s total earnings, Qantas Domestic, including Qantaslink, contributed the highest share of the group’s earnings at $647 million. Much of this result can be attributed to the airline’s dominance in the corporate travel market – Qantas Group had an 80 per cent share of the corporate travel market over the reporting period, coinciding with a resurgence in demand.

    “The high half-yearly earnings reported by Qantas Group reflect its dominance of the domestic airline sector, with Qantas and Jetstar accounting for over 60 per cent of passengers,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    The domestic operations of Jetstar recorded the biggest increase in earnings across the Qantas Group, increasing by 53.7 per cent between the first half 2023-24 and 2024-25, to $269 million. Jetstar Domestic became the sole low-cost carrier in Australia after the exit of Tigerair in 2020, and again when Bonza collapsed in April 2024.

    “Jetstar has been able to capitalise on the continued absence of competitive pressure from another low-cost carrier in the domestic market to increase its market share and operating margin,” Ms Brakey said.

    While Virgin Australia does not publicly report half-year results, its then CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said in February that the airline group had achieved record profits in the first half of the current financial year, following its post-administration restructure under Bain Capital.

    After the withdrawal of Rex from routes connecting capital cities, Virgin Australia has increased its share of passengers to 34.4 per cent in March 2025, up from 31.3 per cent from a year prior. Virgin Australia also secured three of Rex’s Boeing 737 aircraft leases, which has facilitated its ability to add seat capacity and improve network resilience.

    Record passenger volumes in April following weather disruptions in March

    Although the data was not yet available for this report, airlines and airports were expecting a significant increase in travellers in April with school holidays, Easter and ANZAC day all condensed into a three-week period. Airservices Australia noted that 17 April 2025 (the Thursday before Good Friday) was the busiest day for domestic travel in the past five years.

    This follows disruptions to travel in March, when passenger levels declined by 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024, which can be attributed to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and associated severe weather events along the east coast of Australia.

    Flights operating between Brisbane-Sydney and Brisbane-Melbourne experienced a 9.9 per cent and 9 per cent reduction in passengers in March 2025 respectively. Meanwhile, Gold Coast and Maroochydore airports experienced the biggest decline in passengers over this period by 30.2 per cent and 25.1 per cent respectively.

    The weather disruptions also contributed to the average industry flight cancellation rate increasing significantly in March 2025 to 5 per cent, compared to the long-term industry average of 2.2 per cent.

    Despite the disruptions caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the on-time arrival rate has improved over the past six months to levels just below the long-term industry average of 80.7 per cent. The average industry on-time arrival rate was 80.2 per cent in March 2025, an improvement from 74.5 per cent in October 2024.

    “It is encouraging to see the on-time arrival rate improving as this means travellers can have more confidence that their flight will arrive at the time they booked,” Ms Brakey said.

    Seasonal patterns driving recent movements in airfares

    Following a peak in October 2024, the average airfare fell by 16.1 per cent in the three months to January 2025, before increasing again by 9.6 per cent by March 2025.

    “The trends observed in average airfares since January reflect seasonal factors and are broadly consistent with those observed in previous years,” Ms Brakey said.

    “Average airfares have come down from their peak in October 2024.”

    Demand for domestic air travel in the first quarter of 2025 was lower than 12 months prior. However, 2024 was a particularly unusual year by comparison due to significant events that led to unprecedented demand for flights to Melbourne and Sydney, such as the Taylor Swift concerts in February 2024, which in turn led to higher airfares as demand outstripped supply. The Easter long weekend also fell in March last year which contributed to the increase in demand for travel during this time.

    Background

    On 6 November 2023, the Treasurer directed the ACCC to recommence domestic air passenger transport monitoring. Under this direction the ACCC is to monitor prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of domestic air passenger transport services for a period of three years and to report on its monitoring at least once every quarter.

    The ACCC collects data from Jetstar, Qantas, Rex and Virgin Australia for monitoring purposes.

    Rex entered voluntary administration in July 2024 but continues to operate its regional services. The government is guaranteeing regional flight bookings for Rex customers throughout the voluntary administration process.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 297

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 297
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    650 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Western and Northern Arkansas
    Southeast and Eastern Oklahoma
    Far Northeast Texas

    * Effective this Monday night and Tuesday morning from 650 PM
    until 200 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Several tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
    Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to
    3.5 inches in diameter likely
    Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph likely

    SUMMARY…Multiple supercells and clusters will spread northeastward
    this evening and into the early overnight hours. Several tornadoes
    appear likely given a rather favorable environment for severe
    thunderstorms, and a couple of these should be strong to intense
    (EF2-3+). Some upscale growth is anticipated later this evening,
    with an increasing threat for numerous to widespread severe/damaging
    winds. Peak gusts may reach up to 70-80 mph. Large hail up to
    2.5-3.5 inches in diameter also appears likely with embedded
    supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 95 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 50 miles east southeast of Durant OK to
    20 miles northeast of Harrison AR. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 292…WW 293…WW
    294…WW 295…WW 296…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 3.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Gleason

    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 297
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    650 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Western and Northern Arkansas
    Southeast and Eastern Oklahoma
    Far Northeast Texas

    * Effective this Monday night and Tuesday morning from 650 PM
    until 200 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Several tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
    Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to
    3.5 inches in diameter likely
    Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph likely

    SUMMARY…Multiple supercells and clusters will spread northeastward
    this evening and into the early overnight hours. Several tornadoes
    appear likely given a rather favorable environment for severe
    thunderstorms, and a couple of these should be strong to intense
    (EF2-3+). Some upscale growth is anticipated later this evening,
    with an increasing threat for numerous to widespread severe/damaging
    winds. Peak gusts may reach up to 70-80 mph. Large hail up to
    2.5-3.5 inches in diameter also appears likely with embedded
    supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 95 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 50 miles east southeast of Durant OK to
    20 miles northeast of Harrison AR. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 292…WW 293…WW
    294…WW 295…WW 296…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 3.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Gleason

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW7
    WW 297 TORNADO AR OK TX 192350Z – 200700Z
    AXIS..95 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    50ESE DUA/DURANT OK/ – 20NE HRO/HARRISON AR/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 85NM E/W /71S MLC – 57SSE SGF/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..3.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..70 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 600. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 33669725 36469461 36469119 33669394

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU7.

    Watch 297 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (60%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (60%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    High (80%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Katherine Reilly Named SEC Acting Inspector General

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the appointment of Katherine Reilly as the agency’s Acting Inspector General. Ms. Reilly is currently serving as a Deputy Inspector General at the SEC. She replaces Deborah Jeffrey, who has served as the SEC’s Inspector General since 2023 and is retiring.

    “Our Inspector General’s office champions transparency and seeks to root out redundancy and overlap to ensure our agency is running as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “Katherine possesses the experience and expertise to continue these oversight efforts. We also thank Deb for her leadership and dedication in this area during these past two years.”

    Prior to her arrival at the SEC, Ms. Jeffrey served as inspector general at AmeriCorps for 11 years after working in the private practice of law for 25 years. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.

    Ms. Reilly joined the SEC’s Office of Inspector General in 2020 as Counsel to the Inspector General. She later served as Acting Inspector General in a rotating role prior to Ms. Jeffrey’s arrival and served as the Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations from December 2022 to March 2025.

    Ms. Reilly began her career as an antitrust lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission before transitioning to private practice in the field of antitrust and commercial litigation. She joined the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) in 2005 and ascended to become Director of Legal Services before leaving in 2013 to join the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review, where she served in the roles of Chief Counsel for Employee and Labor Relations as well as Deputy Director. In June 2019, Ms. Reilly returned to the USPS-OIG as Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Mission Support.

    Ms. Reilly is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees. Ms. Reilly also has a Master of Laws degree from The University of Melbourne, Australia.

    The SEC’s Office of Inspector General is an independent unit that promotes the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the SEC’s critical programs and operations through rigorous and objective oversight.

    Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, inspectors general have a dual and independent reporting relationship to the Commission and Congress. Appointments are made without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Residents invited to have a say on potential surplus City owned properties

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Greater Bendigo residents are invited to have their say on the potential sale of a number of City of Greater Bendigo owned properties.

    The City manages a portfolio of close to 1,500 property assets valued in excess of $577 million that provide for community, sports and arts infrastructure, public space to serve the community.

    The properties that have been identified as potentially surplus are located at:

    • Rear 158 Eaglehawk Road, Long Gully (carpark)
    • 519 Crusoe Road, Lockwood – Previous Lockwood Tennis Club
    • Crown Allotment 10, Huntly-Fosterville Road, Fosterville
    • Settlement Road, Elmore
    • CA 61C Houliston Road, Leichardt
    • Leichardt Hall and Tennis Courts, Cleary Road Leichardt
    • 3 Lona Close, Spring Gully
    • 6 The Strand, Kennington

    City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said following a detailed review of City owned property holdings, a number of properties have been identified that are not planned for future use, in line with any City strategies or plans.

    “The properties are potentially surplus to the City’s needs and if they are identified as surplus at a future Council meeting, the City may sell them by private treaty, public auction or other arrangement with the proceeds of any sale to be set aside and used for future building or land improvements or strategic land purchases,” Cr Metcalf said.

    “As the population grows and demographics of various areas change, there are different building and land needs.  In some areas where there is substantial population growth such as the outer urban areas of Bendigo there may be a requirement for new community or sporting facilities, or open space to meet needs. However, in other areas, due to a shift in demographics, buildings and open space may no longer be used or be fit for purpose, or in some instances are adequately provided elsewhere.

    “The City has a commitment to consult with the community in line with its Community Engagement Policy and the Local Government Act 2020 and residents are invited to make any comments on whether the properties should be identified as surplus by Friday June 20, 2025.

    “All comments and submissions we receive during the consultation period will be considered and a report will be prepared and presented to Council.

    “Council will not make any decision on the identification of the properties as surplus for sale until all community comments have been considered.”

    Comments and written submissions can be submitted by Friday June 20.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CLARKE ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT RULING STRIPPING 350,000 VENEZUELANS OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    May 19, 2025

    MEDIA CONTACT: 

    e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

    c: 202.913.0126

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

    “With a single shameful Supreme Court ruling, more than 350,000 Venezuelans who were promised and granted refuge from the brutal dictatorship they fled will find themselves in the grips of that regime again. Make no mistake: this is a humanitarian betrayal of unprecedented proportions. 

    “Weaponizing the suffering of the most vulnerable people on the planet just to appear tough on immigration to his base is a new level of despicable behavior from this president. To add insult to injury, while Trump shuffles Black and Brown people back to their countries, kidnaps legal residents, and condemns others to the most notorious prisons in the world, he chooses to offer asylum to South African Apartheid sympathizers. 

    “Trump’s cruel and xenophobic agenda has been built on misinformation, scapegoating, and labeling all those looking for a better life as criminals. Today, the judicial branch has given him a pass to continue politicizing the struggles of migrants and furthering his unconstitutional immigration policies, and that is truly disgraceful.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: DEMOCRATIC STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS REP. BARRAGÁN, WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, AND KELLY HOLD HEARING ON IMPACT OF TRUMP TARIFFS ON SMALL BUSINESSES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

    May 8, 2025 

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    DEMOCRATIC STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS REP. BARRAGÁN, WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, AND KELLY HOLD HEARING ON IMPACT OF TRUMP TARIFFS ON SMALL BUSINESSES

    Washington, DC – Today, the House Democratic Steering & Policy Co-Chairs, Congresswomen Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) led a hearing on the impacts of the Trump Administration’s policies and tariffs on U.S. small businesses. The committee heard from small business owners on how Republican schemes raise their costs and make it difficult to budget, plan, or make ends meet due to rampant federal instability, cutbacks, and tariff threats.

    House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar attended the hearing and said Democrats would marshal legislative, legal and community opposition to Republican policies that stifle Main Street merchants and strangle smaller entrepreneurs.

    “Small businesses are essential to our economy — they power our communities, create jobs, and make the American Dream possible. But Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs are punishing the very people who keep our economy running. They’re forcing small business owners across the country to make impossible choices — raise prices or shut their doors,” said Rep. Barragán. “When prices go up, working families pay the price. These destructive Republican economic policies do nothing to strengthen our economy, they only lead to job losses and businesses closing their doors.” 

    “Donald Trump and Republicans, who continue in this Congress to rubber stamp his extreme agenda, are crashing the economy in real time, driving us toward a recession. Why? So that they can provide tax breaks for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk, instead of supporting small businesses,” said Leader Jeffries. “They are knowingly inflicting economic pain on hard-working entrepreneurs and small business owners. It’s unconscionable, unacceptable, and un-American. House Democrats will not quietly stand by while working families, entrepreneurs, middle-class folks, small business owners and everyday Americans are being forced to suffer at the hands of the extreme policies that are being unleashed on the American people. We will continue to push back publicly and aggressively.”

    “Small business owners and entrepreneurs keep America’s economy thriving and make life better for their customers and workers,” said Wasserman Schultz. “But Trump’s extreme economic policies have created a chaotic, confusing landscape for small businesses, with huge price hikes and a horizon filled with uncertainty, higher costs and recessionary fears.”

    “Small businesses create good jobs and drive innovation — they are they backbone of local economies,” said Kelly. “We heard directly from small business owners who are telling President Trump that his short-sighted tariffs have raised costs and created uncertainty.  Simply put, Americans — small business owners, workers, and consumers alike — will pay the cost of President Trump’s trade war at the check-out counter.”

    This year, the Steering & Policy Committee has held hearings on Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security and Veterans. Each one shared personal stories of how everyday Americans are being harmed by this administration. To continue to collect and share more of their stories, the Steering & Policy Committee will execute a series of events across the nation in the months ahead to reach the American people where they live and hear from them directly.  

    The full video of today’s hearing can be found here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE #2: Charges – Aggravated robbery – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have charged a 21-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery in Sadadeen on 27 April.

    He was arrested yesterday afternoon by members of the Southern Investigations team and was subsequently charged with aggravated robbery. He is remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court today.

    The 24-year-old male arrested on 2 May 2025 was subsequently charged with Aggravated robbery and was remanded to re-appear in Alice Springs Local Court on 5 June 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Anti-Bullying Rapid Review open for public submissions

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    Parents, students and teachers are invited to make a submission to inform the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which has been launched by the Albanese Labor Government. 

    The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review is a key part of the Government’s plans to develop a national approach to addressing bullying in Australian schools. 

    The Review, being led by Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, is examining current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours.

    The Review will consult broadly with key stakeholders across metropolitan and regional Australia, including parents, teachers, students, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector. 

    Submissions will help in understanding the different approaches to responding to bullying in schools and the effectiveness of them.

    Bullying has no place in our schools. Students, teachers and staff should always feel safe in the classroom.

    That’s why we will listen to parents, students, teachers and staff to develop a national strategy that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.

    The final report of the Review will be presented to all Australian Education Ministers in coming months. 

    Submissions are now open and close on 20 June 2025. 

    Visit www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review to make a submission, which can be made anonymously if preferred.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.

    “All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.

    “That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools. 

    “Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country. 

    “We will listen to parents, teachers, students and work with the states and territories to get this right.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash at Kudla

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A man has died following a fatal crash at Kudla on Sunday.

    Just after 5.20pm on Sunday 18 May police were called to Angle Vale Road with the intersection of Stebonheath Road to reports of a crash between a Ford SUV and a Hyundai sedan.

    The occupants of the Hyundai, a 75-year-old woman and her 80-year-old male passenger from Waterloo Corner, together with the driver of the Ford, a 44-year-old Gawler West woman were taken to hospital for the treatment of injuries.

    Sadly last night the passenger of the Hyundia, died in hospital.

    The driver of the Hyundia remains in hospital in a serious condition.

    The driver of the Ford was treated for minor injuries.

    Major Crash Investigators will now examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

    The man’s death is the 33rd life lost of the roads this year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 May 2025 News release Member States approve WHO Pandemic Agreement in World Health Assembly Committee, paving way for its formal adoption

    Source: World Health Organisation

    World Health Organization Member States, meeting today in Committee A of the World Health Assembly, approved a resolution that calls for the adoption of an historic global compact to make the world safer from future pandemics. The WHO Pandemic Agreement will next be considered for final adoption by the Assembly on Tuesday during the plenary session.

    Monday’s approval of the Pandemic Agreement resolution follows a more than three-year process, launched by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, to negotiate the world’s first such accord to address the gaps and inequities in preventing, preparing for and responding to pandemics. This watershed agreement was adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. It aims to foster stronger collaboration and cooperation among countries, international organizations like WHO, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders to prevent pandemics occurring in the first place, and to better respond in the event of a future pandemic crisis.

    “Governments from all over the world are making their countries, and our interconnected global community, more equitable, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses of pandemic potential,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “I congratulate WHO‘s Member States for resolving to come together in the aftermath of COVID-19 to better protect the world from future pandemics. Their work to develop this global accord will ensure countries work better, faster and more equitably together to prevent and respond to the next pandemic threat.”

    The Pandemic Agreement and the resolution calling for its adoption will be taken up by the full plenary of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday, 20 May. Immediately after, there will be a High-Level segment featuring statements from Heads of States of multiple countries.

    “The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a demonstration of the shared desire by all people to be better prepared to prevent and respond to the next pandemic, with a commitment to the principles of respect for human dignity, equity, solidarity and sovereignty, and basing public health decisions to control pandemics on the best available science and evidence,” said the Honorable Dr Esperance Luvindao, Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia, and Chair of the Committee A meeting that adopted today’s resolution. “The costs that COVID inflicted on lives, livelihoods and economies were great and many, and we – as sovereign states – have resolved to join hands, as one world together, so we can protect our children, elders, frontline health workers and all others from the next pandemic. It is our duty and responsibility to humanity.”

    The resolution sets out several steps for taking the world forward and preparing for the Pandemic Agreement’s implementation. It includes the launch of a process to draft and negotiate an annex to the Agreement that would establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). The result of this process will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly. Once the Assembly adopts the PABS annex, the Pandemic Agreement will then be open for signature and consideration of ratification, including by national legislative bodies. After 60 ratifications, the Agreement will enter into force.

    In addition, Member States also directed the IGWG to initiate steps to enable setting up of the Coordinating Financial Mechanism for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to “enhance, facilitate, and work to remove barriers and ensure equitable, timely, rapid, safe, and affordable access to pandemic-related health products for countries in need during public health emergencies of international concern, including pandemic emergencies, and for prevention of such emergencies.”

    According to the Agreement, pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the PABS system will play a key role in equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products by making available to WHO “rapid access targeting 20% of their real time production of safe, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for the pathogen causing the pandemic emergency.”  The distribution of these products to countries will be carried out on the basis of public health risk and need, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries and those supported through the GSCL.

    The Pandemic Agreement aligns with the International Health Regulations, amendments to which were adopted by governments at last year’s World Health Assembly to bolster international rules to better detect, prevent and respond to outbreaks.

    Dr Tedros thanked the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) that coordinated and facilitated the process to draft and negotiate the Pandemic Agreement. The WHO Director-General also praised the tireless work and excellence of the WHO Secretariat team that supported the Bureau and Member States, led by Dr Michael Ryan and Dr Jaouad Mahjour.

    “An immensely talented, experienced and driven WHO team was assembled to support the vision of governments to develop this historic Pandemic Agreement,” Dr Tedros said. “This group of individuals, representing so many countries and regions of the world, deserve enormous credit and thanks from the international community for what they have done to help make the world safer for future generations.”

    The INB was established in December 2021, at a special session of the World Health Assembly. WHO Member States were tasked to develop a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the WHO Constitution to strengthen pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. Members of the INB Bureau that guided the process were Co-Chairs Ms Precious Matsoso (South Africa) and Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou (France), and Vice-Chairs Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes (Brazil), Ambassador Amr Ramadan (Egypt), Dr Viroj Tangcharoensathien (Thailand); and Ms Fleur Davies (Australia). Past members included former Co-Chair, Mr Roland Driece (the Netherlands), and former Vice-Chairs Ambassador Honsei Kozo (Japan), Mr Kazuho Taguchi (Japan), and Mr Ahmed Soliman (Egypt).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 296

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL6

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 296
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    345 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southern Iowa
    Northern Missouri

    * Effective this Monday afternoon and evening from 345 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Strong to severe thunderstorms over northern Missouri will
    spread northward across the watch this afternoon and evening. The
    strongest storms will pose a risk of large hail.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
    statute miles north and south of a line from 65 miles west northwest
    of Lamoni IA to 25 miles south of Ottumwa IA. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 292…WW 293…WW
    294…WW 295…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    22030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW6
    WW 296 SEVERE TSTM IA MO 192045Z – 200300Z
    AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    65WNW LWD/LAMONI IA/ – 25S OTM/OTTUMWA IA/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM N/S /32ESE OVR – 36N IRK/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 22030.

    LAT…LON 41699508 41469245 40009245 40249508

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU6.

    Watch 296 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (10%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The federal government wants to boost productivity. Science can help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna D’Alessandro, Professor & Director, Net Zero Institute, University of Sydney

    Daniel Sone/National Cancer Institute

    In the wake of Labor’s resounding victory in Australia’s federal election earlier this month, there has been much talk about flailing productivity in Australia.

    In fact, last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers made clear that the priority for the government’s second term will be to boost productivity. This crucial measure of how much we produce for every hour we work rises a little every year. But growth has slowed over the past decade.

    As part of this, the federal government has tasked the Productivity Commission with a new strategy to enhance productivity. A draft report is expected in July or August, with implementable ideas across five key pillars.

    So far, however, one part of the solution to the productivity slump has received little public attention: boosting support for scientific research.

    Productivity relies on science

    Science can help boost national economic productivity in many ways.

    For one, scientific innovation and creativity can create high value goods and services for both Australian and international markets. And translating this research into real-world economic benefits builds a workforce that combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills with business skills.

    This is important because it fosters technological innovation and supports evidence-based decision making. It also empowers individuals to solve complex problems in the face of technological change. This ultimately drives productivity growth.

    Australian scientific solutions will also need to be at the fore if the Future Made in Australia agenda is to realise its goal of stronger public-private sector relationships and a more resilient economy.

    The so-called fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, refers to the rapid digitisation and automation of manufacturing industry technologies and processes. It not only relies on science to realise the enormous opportunities of digital technologies, but also to ensure they are harnessed sustainably.

    For example, science can help address the serious concerns relating to the huge energy and resource cost of artificial intelligence.

    Recognising the role of science

    The government seems to recognise the role scientific research and innovation can play in boosting productivity.

    For example, in 2024 it fully launched the Australian Economic Accelerator, which was announced by the former Coalition government two years earlier. This scheme is designed to foster and build productivity by supporting university research in Australia that has the potential for commercialisation.

    Australia’s new national science and research priorities also highlight the crucial role of science in addressing Australia’s complex energy and environmental challenges.

    But there are still some fundamental problems in the world of science that are limiting productivity growth in Australia.

    A widening gap

    One of these problems relates to research and development – or R&D – funding.

    Australia’s investment in R&D as a percentage of gross domestic product has been declining for many years. It has dropped from 2.25% in 2008–9 to 1.68% in 2021–22. At the same time, other advanced economies have increased their R&D spending, leading to a widening gap. The OECD average is 2.7%.

    Multiple leading bodies have called out this decline as a threat to Australia’s long-term productivity. That’s because R&D spending in science fosters innovation and creativity – two major factors in productivity growth.

    Another problem is the declining support for fundamental science which isn’t done with any application in mind, but can be equally important in the long term to enhancing productivity.

    Consider the discovery of penicillin. Or of the double helix structure of DNA. These are just some scientific breakthroughs that were not initially focused on practical applications, but ultimately proved transformative.

    This kind of scientific research requires sustained support, allowing knowledge to grow. We have seen the results of this in action and its impact even more recently. Scientists had worked on mRNA vaccines for decades before the vaccine breakthrough achieved during the COVID pandemic.

    A nation at a crossroads

    Australia is at a crossroads. Simply increasing funding in the short term through measures such as Australia’s Economic Accelerator is, at best, a band-aid solution. What’s needed to properly tackle the problem is thoughtful reform and long-term, strategic planning to secure the nation’s prosperity for decades to come.

    There is some hope for this, thanks to the government’s comprehensive review of the R&D sector. This review aims to align R&D with national priorities, maximise the value of existing investments, harness public-private partnerships, and strengthen collaboration between research and industry.

    The review is engaging a wide range of stakeholders and is designed to deliver long-term transformation.

    Addressing productivity in these areas could yield substantial benefits. It could build Australia’s industrial and economic self-sufficiency. And it could broaden our field of view around productivity and how it can be boosted through long-term investment in science and R&D reforms.

    By implementing robust R&D reforms and driving productivity across all sectors, Australia can set itself up for sustained growth and international influence.

    Deanna D’Alessandro receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Kate Harrison Brennan was an Advisor to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

    – ref. The federal government wants to boost productivity. Science can help – https://theconversation.com/the-federal-government-wants-to-boost-productivity-science-can-help-256567

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From the Liver King to ultramarathons, fitness influencers are glorifying extreme masculinity where ‘pain is the point’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

    Netflix/Untold: The Liver King

    A new Netflix documentary about a shirtless supplement salesman who claimed to be “natural” and was exposed as a fraud might seem like a punchline.

    But Untold: The Liver King is more than just a character study of a well-known fitness influencer; it’s a case study of performative masculinity in the world of social media.

    Brian Johnson, better known as the Liver King, built a brand on extreme workouts, eating raw organ meat, and evangelising about masculinity. He preached “ancestral living” and radical self-control, all while secretly using steroids.

    And his rapid rise to popularity reveals how social media rewards the spectacle of hypermasculinity – especially when it leans into extreme behaviours.

    Extreme self-discipline, extreme exercise, extreme eating and extreme “wellness” have all become forms of public performance on social media.

    From influencers pushing steroids or “wellness” lifestyles, to the growing popularity of ultramarathons, a new model of masculinity is going viral: control your body, grit through pain, workout hard, and make sure everyone hears about it.

    The rise of ‘discipline content’

    Social media apps and websites such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, are flooded with content that frames pain and extreme physical effort as markers of masculine worth.

    One analysis of male fitness YouTubers found they established authority and discipline through a mix of visible physical strength and affiliations with commercial fitness brands. In some cases, the influencers explicitly listed their personal records or showcased their physique post-training as proof of their “masculinity” and discipline.



    Read more:
    Why banning gym selfies could do us all a lot of good

    Influencers also often frame extreme leanness and muscularity as indicators of moral virtue and discipline, even when achieving it has taken a negative physical or mental toll on them. The look of discipline has become more valuable than the outcome of it.

    Posts are often wrapped in the language of “resilience”, “discipline” and militaristic rhetoric. Men are told to “go to war” in the gym, to “stay hard”, and to generally treat life like a battlefield.

    What’s being sold isn’t stoicism: it’s pseudo-stoicism – a term researchers have coined to describe emotional suppression masquerading as strength and discipline.

    Pain is the point

    Strava’s 2023 Year in Sport report found Gen Z athletes are 31% less likely to exercise for health reasons compared to older generations. Instead, they are more likely to train with a focus on athletic performance – that is, to push their physical limits, improve metrics such as speed or distance, and outperform others.

    The same report shows a surge in extreme endurance activity. Compared to 2023 data, uploads (activities shared with others) of gravel bike rides grew 55%, trail runs grew 16%, and ultramarathon-style workouts grew by 9%.

    Take Nedd Brockmann, who ran across Australia in 2022, and last year ran 1,600 kilometres in ten days to raise money for charity – all while sharing his self-imposed physical torture.

    Or take the countless fitness content creators pushing themselves through punishing routines for the camera.

    These cases reflect a deeper shift of fitness being turned into spectacle, wherein suffering becomes a sign of legitimacy, and pain is “proof” that you’re serious.

    Such extreme content, which is often visually striking, can also be pushed by social media algorithms. Research shows how social media platforms systematically boost content that is intense, emotionally charged, and morally loaded.



    Read more:
    Get big or die trying: social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks

    In other words, posts that provoke a reaction are more likely to get promoted. And
    content relating to “wellness” extremism is designed to provoke, as it is visceral, performative, and packed with motivational and self-help anecdotes.

    Why this matters

    This is a potential public health issue.

    Social media platforms amplify and monetise these performances, often pushing the most extreme content to the top. And influencers make money, above the money made from directly these platforms, from selling supplements, gear and coaching plans. At the same time, they act in more and more extreme ways to get further amplified by algorithms.

    The risks of this dynamic, for both the viewers and creators, are very real. They range from hormone damage, to mental and physical decline, to injury, and even death.

    But there is also a deeper ideological harm, as young men are fed a narrow and punishing idea of what it means to be a man. They are taught pain equals purpose, and that if you’re not suffering, you’re not trying.

    Where to from here?

    Public health agencies need to reckon with this form of digital hypermasculinity.

    Extreme fitness influencers aren’t just poor role models; they’re the product of a system that profits from insecurity and spectacle. The goal shouldn’t be to ban or censor this content. But we do need to challenge its dominance, and offer alternatives.

    That means engaging young men in offline spaces, such as the Tomorrow Man project, where they have an outlet for community and relationship building.

    It means creating counter-narratives that don’t mock, but model, healthier versions of ambition and masculinity. For instance, the Movember campaign’s podcast Dad in Progress explores the various challenges and experiences faced by new dads.

    It also means holding platforms accountable for the way they amplify extreme content.

    In the absence of healthier narratives, self-flagellation is the only thing young men will have to aspire to.

    Samuel Cornell has received funding from Meta Platforms, Inc. His research is supported by a University of New South Wales Sydney, University Postgraduate Award.

    – ref. From the Liver King to ultramarathons, fitness influencers are glorifying extreme masculinity where ‘pain is the point’ – https://theconversation.com/from-the-liver-king-to-ultramarathons-fitness-influencers-are-glorifying-extreme-masculinity-where-pain-is-the-point-256817

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ Budget 2025: anything less than a 5% increase in health funding amounts to merely standing still

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Professor of Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Health Minister Simeon Brown. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

    Minister of Health Simeon Brown claimed earlier this year that health funding in New Zealand has never been higher and that suggestions of underfunding are “fake news”.

    On the bare statistics, Brown isn’t wrong. The allocation to Vote Health has indeed increased from NZ$18.2 billion in 2018-19 to $29.6 billion in the 2024-25 budget.

    Yet for many working in the publicly-funded health system things have never seemed so bad, with daily stories of under-staffing and increasing levels of stress.

    So, how much should the government be spending on health? Any answer needs to factor in the broader context of the health system, and where we sit historically and comparatively.

    The health system is subject to significant cost pressures, few of which are unique to New Zealand. People are generally living longer, but more of that longer life span is spent in ill health.

    At the same time, New Zealand’s population profile has changed significantly over the past 40 years. There is a lower proportion of working-age people paying income tax to support those who are older.

    Technological advances, on balance, drive up health expenditure – more is possible, so more is expected. And compared with other parts of the economy, health services are labour-intensive.

    Around two thirds of health expenditure is on staff, and health workforce shortages are a global problem (again, driven by demographic change). All these factors mean health costs rise faster than inflation.

    Taking all of this into account, a recent health economics analysis calculated that to continue to deliver the same level of service in the United Kingdom (which has very similar health system characteristics to New Zealand), public spending on health would need to increase by 2.8% in real terms (above inflation) each year.

    Then we need to factor in population growth, which has recently been between 1.5% and 2% per year in New Zealand. In this context, a 4-5% increase in Vote Health amounts to merely standing still.

    People are living longer, but more of that longer life is spent in ill health.
    Getty Images

    Long-term deterioration

    We also need to put our current situation in historical and international context.

    The most appropriate indicator for international comparison is “publicly mandated health expenditure” (PMHE) as a percentage of GDP, as this excludes private expenditure (private health insurance and “out of pocket” payments).

    Total health spending typically constitutes 10-12% of GDP in high-income countries, and PMHE is typically around 8%. In the 2010s, however, New Zealand’s PMHE dropped from 7.8% (2012) to 7% of GDP (2017). Meanwhile, Australia, Canada and the UK all remained at or above 8% during that time.

    This represents a significant long-term deterioration which heightened the stress on our health system before and after the COVID pandemic.

    Even when our PMHE as a percentage of GDP is comparable to Australia and other countries, our per-capita health expenditure is significantly less because our GDP per-capita is lower.

    The most significant budget boost in recent years was in 2022. But this was largely soaked up by pay rises for health professionals that resulted from underfunding during the 2010s.

    The current government finds itself in a very tight spot. This is partly because of international economic conditions and demographic trends, but also due to self-imposed constraints.

    Even in such a large budget, there’ll be little room for major initiatives in health unless savings are found from existing areas. That is rarely feasible in health. As is true in most years, there could be up to three big-ticket items. If so, what should they be?

    What Budget 2025 should include

    First, the government needs to boost capital expenditure in health. A recent analysis by the UK Institute for Government shows that public service productivity, including in the health sector, fell sharply during and after the COVID pandemic. The New Zealand treasury reported similar productivity declines.

    The UK report concluded these declines were primarily due to physical capacity constraints – clinical staff can’t be more productive when there is not enough physical space and diagnostic equipment.

    Earlier this month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a $400 million increase in the annual capital allowance across all of government. Let’s see how much of the total $4 billion capital allowance is channelled into health.

    A second priority should be primary healthcare. Here, the health minister has already announced a range of initiatives, headlined by $285 million of additional performance-based funding over three years. This is a welcome commitment, and the most significant boost in primary care funding since the mid-2000s.

    However, it’s unlikely this will redress erosion over the past 20 years of primary care “capitation” funding (the amount a GP practice receives per enrolled patient).

    This funding formula also needs to be modernised to better reflect where needs are highest and account for rising acuity and complexity of conditions in primary healthcare. This would relieve some pressures on hospital emergency departments and medical wards.

    Third, investment to retain and attract health workers across the whole sector is vital. Given the demographic and epidemiological changes, proactively preparing for a mid-21st-century health workforce will require funding to support emerging models of health services, particularly in primary and community settings, including programmes such as Access and Choice and comprehensive primary and community care teams.

    These priorities, and any government commitment to them in Budget 2025, must be understood against the backdrop of sustained historical underfunding.

    The government is likely to claim health is a big winner in Budget 2025. Unless increases are significantly greater than 5%, such a claim will bring little respite to the health sector.

    In any case, the race that counts is a marathon, not a sprint. New Zealand is well back in the field, struggling not to lose further ground.

    Tim Tenbensel receives funding from the New Zealand Health Research Council.

    – ref. NZ Budget 2025: anything less than a 5% increase in health funding amounts to merely standing still – https://theconversation.com/nz-budget-2025-anything-less-than-a-5-increase-in-health-funding-amounts-to-merely-standing-still-255593

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘No pain, no gain’: why some primary students are following intense study routines

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Ho, Associate professor in Social and Political Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    MNStudio/ Shutterstock

    Every year, thousands of New South Wales students sit a test to determine places for highly sought-after selective high schools. These are academically selective public schools often associated with high Year 12 scores.

    While there has long been a level of expectation around selective school entrance, the most recent round of testing has shone a fresh light on the pressures some young people are experiencing.

    Media reports have described some students studying for 18 months to prepare for the selective school test, with multiple sessions of tutoring each week.

    Earlier this month, police were called to control crowds at two testing centres as parents and students from one session overlapped with another. This is also the first year the tests have been done online and there were technical difficulties as students tried to complete exams.

    One exam invigilator told The Sydney Morning Herald about the stress they witnessed among students.

    We were dealing with kids who were freaking out and totally traumatised by what was going on. You could not make up a worse nightmare than what we went through that day.

    It’s not surprising children were upset. The pressure to perform well on test day is enormous. As my previous research has found, some families believe entry into a selective school will secure their child’s future.

    As my new research with colleagues suggests, this sees some families place huge pressure on students to study and prepare for academic tests in primary school.

    Not just a NSW thing

    Most (albeit not all) of Australia’s selective schools are in NSW.

    But there is pressure around other tests in the primary years. There are similar levels of competition for lucrative private school scholarships around Australia, which children sit as early as Year 3. Many of these are determined by centralised tests.

    Tutoring companies also offer programs for primary students preparing for NAPLAN tests in Year 3 and Year 5, as well as the “opportunity class” test in NSW (for an academically selective stream for Year 5 and 6).

    Our research

    In ongoing, as yet unpublished research on education cultures among migrant communities in Sydney, colleagues and I are focusing on 38 families with children in upper primary school.

    In 2022 and 2023, we interviewed students, parents and teachers at six schools in high and low income areas of Sydney. All schools included large numbers of Asian migrants, allowing us to compare different groups’ approaches to education.

    While not necessarily representative of all Asian migrant families, or all families with school-aged children in general, we found intensive preparation for the selective test was common in this group, especially among those students already enrolled in an opportunity class.

    The tutoring routine

    Many students preparing for the selective test told us they attended private tutoring three or more days per week, in addition to completing home based study. Some had begun this routine up to 12 months before to the test.

    One mother, whose son attended tutoring every day, at three different centres, on top of two hours of daily homework, told us,

    That’s how we prepare for selective […] You need to be methodical […] no pain, no gain.

    Other parents explained they resorted to private tutoring because schools did not teach what was needed to succeed in the selective tests.

    Not only do children spend afternoons, evenings and weekends in tutoring centres, they are also often giving up most if not all recreational, sporting and other extracurricular activities, narrowing their focus to acing the test.

    Families also postpone holidays, outings and other potential distractions. Many of our student participants aiming for a selective school told us they never socialised with their friends outside of school time.

    Sometimes they even neglected their school work so as to focus on the selective test. One teacher told us many of her students were absent from school in the week prior to the test, to ramp up their preparation.

    How does this impact students?

    This culture of extreme study and competitive schooling raises profound questions about the implications for student wellbeing. Some students spoke about their fatigue. As one student said:

    I work up to late at night. So sometimes I feel drowsy and I yawn a bit and have water in my eyes.

    Their teachers also expressed concern about insufficient sleep and heightened stress caused by the pressure to get into a selective school. They described students’ tears if they were not successful when the results came out.

    One teacher said he had a “blanket rule” of not talking about the tests in the classroom, because his students were so preoccupied with ensuring they were doing enough preparation.

    Other teachers reflected on students’ fear of taking risks because of the culture of perfectionism associated with scoring and ranking through tests.

    Some students stop doing other activites to prepare for the selective schools test.
    Maria Sbytova/ Shutterstock

    What does the research say?

    International research shows an association between high-stakes testing in primary years and issues with children’s mental health and academic confidence. There is also a negative association with students’ achievement in maths and literacy. That is, students who experience pressured exams were more likely to experience anxiety and depression, and not do as well in core subjects as those who did not experience this pressure.

    Some parents in our study expressed concern for their child’s wellbeing. But others saw stress a positive sign of engagement and commitment, and necessary for securing the all important place in a selective school.

    Given many are recent migrants, without established networks in Australia, and fearful of racial discrimination against their children, they believe education to be the most crucial foundation for future success.

    However, we need more research on the impacts of these parental aspirations and anxieties on the next generation. And a broader discussion about the benefits of selecting some students – who may have benefited from extensive and expensive private tutoring – to go to separate, high-performing government schools.

    Megan Watkins, Greg Noble and Alexandra Wong all contributed to the research on migrant families mentioned in this article, as part of a larger Australian Research Council-funded project.

    Christina Ho received funding from the Australian Research Council to conduct this research.

    – ref. ‘No pain, no gain’: why some primary students are following intense study routines – https://theconversation.com/no-pain-no-gain-why-some-primary-students-are-following-intense-study-routines-256815

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Surviving swamps on South Australia’s parched Fleurieu Peninsula are a lifeline to wildlife – and farmers

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Auricht, Visiting Research Fellow in Natural Resources Management, University of Adelaide

    Yundi Nature Conservancy, CC BY-NC-ND

    South Australia is famously the driest state on the driest inhabited continent.

    But even for South Australia, the current drought is extreme. Rainfall has been the lowest on record across large areas.

    When drought strikes and water sources dry up, life becomes hard for wildlife. In these conditions, perennial water sources become enormously valuable.

    Dotted across the drought-stricken Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide are more than 850 swampy wetlands. When the landscape dries out, these swamps act as refuges. Animals, birds, insects and reptiles come from far and wide, drawn by permanent spring-fed water, good habitat, diverse plant species and cooler, more humid micro-climates. These swamps are vital habitat for the critically endangered Mount Lofty Ranges southern emu-wren.

    Drainage channels were cut through many of these swamps in the early days of settlement, in an effort to turn them into pasture. The Fleurieu swamps are now considered an endangered ecological community. More than 90% of the remaining swamps are located on private property.

    Keeping these swamps intact and restoring dried out wetlands comes with real benefits for farmers. Birds and insects seek refuge in the swamps, but feed on pest species on nearby farmland.

    As drought tightens its grip on South Australia, these swamps will only become more important to wildlife. Restoring these swamps by bringing back the water and restoring plants and pollinators could go some way to help.

    Important for nature – and humans

    The swamps of the Fleurieu are some of the most diverse and productive habitats on Earth. Many species of plants, birds, frogs, fish, insects, mammals and reptiles rely on them to survive.

    Before colonisation, swamps and wetlands covered large areas of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Three First Nations language groups lived in these areas on the central and eastern peninsula. The importance of these wetlands is recorded in the shared story of Tjilbruki, a Kaurna ancestor whose tears at the death of his nephew gave rise to six freshwater springs.

    Over the last 200 years, most of this region has been cleared for pasture, crops and vineyards. Only 4% of the swamps are conserved. They are now listed as a critically endangered ecological community. These swamps are still declining due to threats such as more human settlement, land clearance, water extraction and invasive species such as blackberries.

    Many were drained to make way for agriculture. We don’t fully know how many remain, as many are not well captured in current maps.

    But we know these wetlands are vital, not just for nature but for farmers too. Farmers would miss them if they were gone.

    We can see this most clearly during droughts. As the land gets drier and ephemeral water sources evaporate, ibises, eastern great egrets, white-faced herons and masked lapwings move into these swamps, seeking water. During the days, though, they spread out and feed on pasture pests such as grasshoppers and cockchafer beetle grubs.

    Similarly, these wetlands act as a haven for important insect pollinators and predators. Hoverflies and native bees help farmers by pollinating pasture legumes such as clover, while predators keep down the numbers of pest species.

    As adults, parasitic wasps rely on the nectar from swamp plants such as woolly teatree. But they lay their eggs on common pasture pests such as caterpillars and grubs. When their larvae hatch, they eat these pests. Carnivorous insects such as ladybirds and assassin bugs eat other insects which can trouble farmers.

    Ibises and other bird species base themselves in the swamps during drought, but fan out to eat insects which can trouble farmers.
    Yundi Nature Conservancy, CC BY-NC-ND

    Restoration is possible

    Swamps don’t have a great reputation. Throughout human history, they have been seen as sources of foul air and a haven for insects and disease. A common response was to dig channels to drain them.

    We now know much more about how important swamps and other wetlands for the natural world – and for humans. Wetlands naturally store water and carbon, tame floods and offer refuges during drought. Correcting these historic mistakes will take time.

    Wetlands are home to many species of plants, insects and animals.
    Yundi Nature Conservancy, CC BY-NC-ND

    Peatlands like these store huge volumes of carbon in their waterlogged soils. Our research estimated the carbon storage of a peat swamp at Yundi at more than 2,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare. The depth of carbon-rich organic peat was up to three metres in places. By contrast, a healthy woodland stores around 650 tonnes per hectare.

    This natural carbon sink will remain as long as the peat remains moist and annual increments from plant growth and decay add to the stock.

    When an agricultural drain is cut through a swamp, water gradually leaches out of the peat profile. Over time, enough water leaves to dry out the peat, beginning with the surface layer. This means long-stored carbon and methane can be released back to the atmosphere.

    Conserving remaining peatlands and restoring those already drained is essential if the climate goals of the Paris Agreement are to be achieved, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

    On the Fleurieu Peninsula, there’s huge potential to return water to the soils and expand these once-thriving wetlands.

    The good news? Community groups and farmers have already embarked on several restoration projects. Around 50 farmers in the region have formed the Fleurieu Swamp Restoration Network. To date, in cooperation with Yundi Nature Conservancy, 25 swamp restoration plans have been developed and 15 are under way. If successful, these will restore more than 100 hectares of swamp.

    Christopher Auricht is a director of environmental consultancy Auricht Projects Pty Ltd. He receives funding from both state and federal governments for wetland related consulting and research.

    – ref. Surviving swamps on South Australia’s parched Fleurieu Peninsula are a lifeline to wildlife – and farmers – https://theconversation.com/surviving-swamps-on-south-australias-parched-fleurieu-peninsula-are-a-lifeline-to-wildlife-and-farmers-256238

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fish driving cars and chimps doing maths: what teaching animals ‘irrelevant’ skills reveals about our own minds

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scarlett Howard, Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University

    VixtorPhoto / Shutterstock

    Did you know goldfish can learn to drive cars? Have you heard bumblebees can learn to pull on a string? Would you believe some primates can perform calculations with Arabic numerals?

    These tasks seem completely irrelevant to these animals in their natural environment, so why are researchers interested in them?

    As someone who studies the intelligence of insects, much of my own research has been labelled as “ecologically irrelevant”.

    However, as I have argued in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, there are plenty of reasons to study this kind of animal intelligence.

    Finding relevance in irrelevance

    The study of animal intelligence often seeks to form a better understanding of the animal’s ecology. However, there are also many studies that aim to push the limits of animal cognition beyond what we would expect in their everyday life.

    This honeybee has been trained to find sugar water where there are an even number of shapes.

    Ecologically irrelevant research can help us understand the limits of animal intelligence and develop bio-inspired technology. It can also help us explore behavioural responses to environmental change, and advance our understanding of the evolution of intelligence.

    Understanding how animals respond to ecologically irrelevant tasks sheds light on how our own intelligence has evolved. We frequently use comparisons between humans and non-human primates to understand whether a cognitive capacity has evolved in modern humans, or if we observe similar abilities in other primates and animals.

    For example, children as young as 24 months old can find a hidden object in a room when its location is pointed out to them in a photograph. This ability is known as representational insight.

    Some chimpanzees can also pass this test. Do these results mean a chimpanzee has the same level of intelligence as a two-year-old child?

    Furthermore, this test may allow us to estimate when representational insight evolved. It may have been before humans and chimpanzees split into different lineages.

    Researchers trained goldfish to steer a tank on wheels.

    Imitating nature, comparing species

    Biologically inspired (bio-inspired) solutions to modern computing problems use technology based on biology. Some bio-inspired technologies can cope well with uncertainty by using brain-like computations to process and solve real-world problems. Many animals are considered models for bio-inspired technologies based on their vision, behaviour and movement.

    For example, the flight mechanics of dragonflies have been studied to build micro aerial vehicles. Since bio-inspired technology will undoubtedly be used in unnatural situations, it is useful to know how animals would respond in these same scenarios to build more accurate technology.

    Comparing the behaviour and intelligence of different species can pose a huge challenge to scientists. To enable accurate comparisons we need to have a task of equal difficulty for both species.

    If we use a task that animals perform regularly in their natural environments, we run the risk that one species may have an advantage from performing the task more frequently. However, if we use a task that neither animal is likely to ever need to perform, we can “level the playing field” for an accurate comparison.

    Animals must often adapt to new and unfamiliar situations. Environmental changes such as urbanisation, climate change, habitat loss and invasive species introductions cause animals to encounter new challenges that may have previously been ecologically irrelevant.

    A puzzle box may be seem irrelevant to many animals. However, cockatoos in Australia have learned how to open rubbish bins to forage. The cockatoos have then adapted to solve new puzzles as humans attempt to make bins harder to open.

    This “innovation arms race” between humans and cockatoos shows how an initially ecologically irrelevant task may become relevant to an animal.

    Does a true test of ecologically irrelevant intelligence exist?

    One major question is whether we have been able to create a truly ecologically irrelevant task for animals to complete.

    For example, bees have been trained to recognise images of human faces. This task may appear ecologically irrelevant to a bee.

    However, to the bee, an image of a human face may actually represent an unfamiliar but rewarding flower, particularly when the correct option is paired with a reward of sugar water, which imitates a flower’s nectar. Is this task relevant or irrelevant to a bee? The answer is: it depends.

    Many experiments provide food rewards. Therefore, animals may interpret these experiments as a foraging task, thus making even the most complex and arbitrary tasks during tests of intelligence still somewhat ecologically relevant to the animal. Other rewards for animals participating in experiments include shelter, social interactions, and play.

    While the task itself may appear ecologically irrelevant, the reward may be highly relevant to animals looking for food, mating opportunities, safety, or fun. This leads us to question if any task we give animals is completely bereft of ecological relevance.

    Scarlett Howard currently has funding from the Australian Research Council and the Hermon Slade Foundation.

    – ref. Fish driving cars and chimps doing maths: what teaching animals ‘irrelevant’ skills reveals about our own minds – https://theconversation.com/fish-driving-cars-and-chimps-doing-maths-what-teaching-animals-irrelevant-skills-reveals-about-our-own-minds-253938

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –