NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Death of an inmate from Pacific Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 28, 2025, – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Correctional Service Canada

    On April 27, 2025, Darwin Heilman, an inmate from Pacific Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

    At the time of death, the inmate was 81 years old and had been serving an indeterminate sentence, which commenced on January 11, 1971.

    As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Making it easier for victim-survivors to leave

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New ACT laws aim to support tenants experiencing domestic or family violence.

    In brief:

    • New ACT rental laws aim to help victim-survivors leave abusive situations.
    • The laws allow tenants experiencing domestic or family violence to break their lease.
    • This article explains what the new laws mean for tenants.

    New ACT rental laws to help victim-survivors leave abusive situations are now in place.

    The new laws allow tenants who have experienced domestic and family violence to break a lease immediately.

    To give their landlord a family violence termination notice, tenants need to provide supporting evidence.

    This could include a declaration from a specified list of professionals or a relevant legal order.

    Relevant professionals include:

    • social workers
    • doctors
    • nurses
    • community support workers at family violence or child welfare services.

    The legislation also seeks to ensure victim-survivors’ confidentiality by preventing landlords or agents from sharing tenants’ sensitive information.

    Other reforms include new provisions to protect tenants by:

    • limiting rent increases
    • mandating break-lease fee caps
    • simplifying property condition reports for tenants signing on for a new tenancy at the same rental property.

    Further rental reforms to come

    From 9 January 2025 landlords will need to provide tenants with:

    • safety information about any swimming pools or spas at the rental property
    • a unit title rental certificate, if the property is a unit.

    The unit title rental certificate provides tenants with important information about the owner’s corporation and the common property of their unit’s complex.

    These reforms progress the ACT’s commitment to the ‘Better Deal for Renters’ agreed by the National Cabinet. It aims to strengthen renters’ rights across Australia.

    For more information about the changes to residential tenancy laws, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Improvements on the way at Narrabundah shops

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As the work takes place, access along shopfronts will be maintained at all times.

    In brief:

    • Work to improve public spaces at Narrabundah shops is underway.
    • These will improve safety, accessibility and the shops’ look and feel.
    • Several other local shops across the ACT are also receiving upgrades.

    Work is underway at Narrabundah shops on Iluka Street.

    Narrabundah is one of several local shopping areas across Canberra receiving important public space upgrades.

    The work will address access, safety and parking issues.

    Improvements will also be made to the centre’s overall look and feel, through the addition of new trees and landscaping.

    It’s hoped these improvements will encourage residents to shop local and spend more time in their suburbs.

    Narrabundah shops upgrades – key features

    • new seating and tables
    • a mural to brighten the area
    • new accessible parking bays
    • more trees and better landscaping
    • existing retaining walls to have seating elements and artistic additions, such as decorative features
    • signage for long-term and short-term parking areas
    • pavement repairs
    • upgraded paths and stairways to improve safety and access.

    Find out more about the improvements at Narrabundah shops.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 50 years after the ‘fall’ of Saigon – from triumph to Trump

    30 April 1975. Saigon Fell, Vietnam Rose. The story of Vietnam after the US fled the country is not a fairy tale, it is not a one-dimensional parable of resurrection, of liberation from oppression, of joy for all — but there is a great deal to celebrate.

    After over a century of brutal colonial oppression by the French, the Japanese, and the Americans and their various minions, the people of Vietnam won victory in one of the great liberation struggles of history.

    It became a source of inspiration and of hope for millions of people oppressed by imperial powers in Central & South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

    Civil war – a war among several
    The civil war in Vietnam, coterminous with the war against the Western powers, pitted communists and anti-communists in a long and pitiless struggle.

    Within that were various strands — North versus South, southern communists and nationalists against pro-Western forces, and so on. As various political economists have pointed out, all wars are in some way class wars too — pitting the elites against ordinary people.

    As has happened repeatedly throughout history, once one or more great power becomes involved in a civil war it is subsumed within that colonial war. The South’s President Ngô Đình Diệm, for example, was assassinated on orders of the Americans.

    By 1969, US aid accounted for 80 percent of South Vietnam’s government budget; they effectively owned the South and literally called the shots.

    Donald Trump declared April 2 “Liberation Day” and imposed some of the heaviest tariffs on Vietnam because they didn’t buy enough U.S. goods! Image: www.solidarity.co.nz

    US punishes its victims
    This month, 50 years after the Vietnamese achieved independence from their colonial overlords, US President Donald Trump declared April 2 “Liberation Day” and imposed some of the heaviest tariffs on Vietnam because they didn’t buy enough US goods!

    As economist Joseph Stiglitz pointed out, they don’t yet have enough aggregate demand for the kind of goods the US produces. That might have something to do with the decades it has taken to rebuild their lives and economy from the Armageddon inflicted on them by the US, Australia, New Zealand and other unindicted war criminals.

    Straight after they fled, the US declared themselves the victims of the Vietnamese and imposed punitive sanctions on liberated Vietnam for decades — punishing their victims.

    Under Gerald Ford (1974–1977), Jimmy Carter (1977–1981), Ronald Reagan (1981–1989), George H.W. Bush (1989–1993) right up to Bill Clinton (1993–2001), the US enforced the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) of 1917.

    The US froze the assets of Vietnam at the very time it was trying to recover from the wholesale devastation of the country.

    Tens of millions of much-needed dollars were captured in US banks, enforced by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The US also took advantage of its muscle to veto IMF and World Bank loans to Vietnam.

    Countries like Australia and New Zealand, to their eternal shame, took part in both the war, the war crimes, and imposing sanctions and other punitive measures subsequently.

    The ‘Boat People’ refugee crisis
     While millions celebrated the victory in 1975, millions of others were fearful. The period of national unification and economic recovery was painful, typically repressive — when one militarised regime replaces another.

    This triggered flight: firstly among urban elites — military officers, government workers, and professionals who were most closely-linked to the US-run regime.

    You can blame the Commies for the ensuing refugee crisis but by strangling the Vietnamese economy, refusing to return Vietnamese assets held in the US, imposing an effective blockade on the economy via sanctions, the US deepened the crisis, which saw over two million flee the country between 1975 and the 1980s.

    More than 250,000 desperate people died at sea.

    Đổi Mới: the move to a socialist-market economy
     In 1986, to energise the economy, the government moved away from a command economy and launched the đổi mới reforms which created a hybrid socialist-market economy.

    They had taken a leaf out of the Chinese playbook, which under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping (1978 –1989), had moved towards a market economy through its “Reform and Opening Up” policies.  Vietnam saw the “economic miracle” of its near neighbour and its leaders sought something similar.

    Vietnam’s economy boomed and GDP grew from $18.1 billion in 1984 to $469 billion by 2024, with a per capita GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) of $15,470 (up from about $300 per capita in the 1970s).

    After a sluggish start, literacy rates soared to 96.1 percent by 2023, and life expectancy reached 73.7 years, only a few short of the USA.  GDP growth is around 7 percent, according to the OECD.

    An unequal society
     Persistent inequality suggests the socialist vision has partially faded. A rural-urban divide and a rich-poor divide underlines ongoing injustices around quality of life and access to services but Vietnam’s Gini coefficient — a measure of income inequality — puts it only slightly more “unequal” as a society than New Zealand or Germany.

    Corruption is also an issue in the country.

    Press controls and political repression
     As in China, political power resides with the Party. Freedom of expression — highlighted by press repression — is severely limited in Vietnam and nothing to celebrate.

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rates Vietnam as 174th out of 180 countries for press freedom and regularly excoriates its strongmen as press “predators”.  In its country profile, RSF says of Vietnam: “Independent reporters and bloggers are often jailed, making Vietnam the world’s third largest jailer of journalists”.

    Vietnam is forging its own destiny
     What is well worth celebrating, however, is that Vietnam successfully got the imperial powers off its back and out of its country. It is well-placed to play an increasingly prosperous and positive role in the emerging multipolar world.

    It is part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the ASEAN network, and borders China, giving Vietnam the opportunity to weather any storms coming from the continent of America.

    Vietnam today is united and free and millions of ordinary people have achieved security, health, education and prosperity vastly better than their parents and grandparents’ generations were able to.

    In the end the honour and glory go to the Vietnamese people.

    Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese people who reached out to the United States, and sought alliance not conflict. Image: www.solidarity.co.nz

    I’ll give the last word to Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese people who reached out to the United States, and sought alliance not conflict. He was rebuffed by the super-power which had a different agenda.

    On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh square:

    “‘All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among them are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’

    “This immortal statement was made in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America in 1776. In a broader sense, this means: All the peoples on the earth are equal from birth, all the peoples have a right to live, to be happy and free.

    “… A people who have courageously opposed French domination for more than eight years, a people who have fought side by side with the Allies against the Fascists during these last years, such a people must be free and independent.

    “For these reasons, we, members of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, solemnly declare to the world that Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country — and in fact is so already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilise all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their independence and liberty.”

    And, my god, they did.

    To conclude, a short poem attributed to Ho Chi Minh:

    “After the rain, good weather.

    “In the wink of an eye,

    the universe throws off its muddy clothes.”

    Eugene Doyle is a community organiser and activist in Wellington, New Zealand. He received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award in 2023 for community service. His first demonstration was at the age of 12 against the Vietnam War. This article was first published at his public policy website Solidarity and is republished here with permission.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 187

    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
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 187
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    855 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Northern Arkansas
    Southwest Illinois
    Southern Missouri

    * Effective this Tuesday morning and afternoon from 855 AM until
    300 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…A fast-moving line of thunderstorms over southwest
    Missouri and northwest Arkansas will track eastward across the watch
    today. Locally damaging wind gusts and hail are possible with this
    activity.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 65
    statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of
    Harrison AR to 20 miles south of Carbondale IL. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    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 186…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    25035.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW7
    WW 187 SEVERE TSTM AR IL MO 291355Z – 292000Z
    AXIS..65 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    40NW HRO/HARRISON AR/ – 20S MDH/CARBONDALE IL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 55NM N/S /34NE RZC – 48ESE FAM/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25035.

    LAT…LON 37629366 38438925 36558925 35749366

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

    Watch 187 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

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

    Low ( 65 knots

    Mod (30%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (20%)

    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-OSI: Gevo to Report First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on May 13, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that it will host a conference call on May 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT) to report its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    To participate in the live call, please register through the following event weblink: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI14d4db26011d45b9871ce05b8b3c5a63  

    After registering, participants will be provided with a dial-in number and pin.

    To listen to the conference call (audio only), please register through the following event weblink: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xd9v2i3x  

    A webcast replay will be available two hours after the conference call ends on May 13, 2025. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Gevo’s website at www.gevo.com.

    About Gevo
    Gevo is a next-generation diversified energy company committed to fueling America’s future with cost-effective, drop-in fuels that contribute to energy security, abate carbon, and strengthen rural communities to drive economic growth. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of renewable products, including SAF, motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials that provide U.S.-made solutions. By investing in the backbone of rural America, Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities that create jobs and revitalize communities. Gevo owns and operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States, turning by-products into clean, reliable energy. We also operate an ethanol plant with an adjacent carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) facility, further solidifying America’s leadership in energy innovation. Additionally, Gevo owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo’s market-driven “pay for performance” approach regarding carbon and other sustainability attributes, helps ensure value is delivered to our local economy. Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tracking, measuring and verifying various attributes throughout the supply chain. By strengthening rural economies, Gevo is working to secure a self-sufficient future and to make sure value is brought to the market.

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT
    Heather Manuel
    VP of Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    INVESTOR CONTACT
    Eric Frey, PhD
    VP of Corporate Development
    IR@gevo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baddeck Inlet — Update: RCMP charge one man after fatal collision investigation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Victoria County District RCMP has charged a man after investigating a fatal collision in Baddeck Inlet.

    On October 7, 2024, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Victoria County District RCMP, fire services, EHS, and the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works responded to a collision near the 8000 block of Hwy. 105. Two vehicles, a Western Star tractor trailer and a Hyundai Tuscon, had collided before coming to rest in the ditch. The driver and passenger in the Hyundai, a 45-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman both of British Columbia, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

    Original news release.

    On April 24, Victoria County District RCMP arrested 36-year-old Matthew Seymour Creelman of Lower Truro. He faces two charges of Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance Causing Death. Creelman was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Wagmatcook Provincial Court on June 4.

    An RCMP collision reconstructionist and the Nova Scotia RCMP Interview Assist Team supported the investigation that led to these charges.

    Our thoughts continue to be with the victims’ loved ones.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council discussed youth policy issues

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The meeting of the Academic Council began, as per tradition, with a pleasant ceremony of honoring the Polytechnicians and the university’s partners.

    For her significant contribution to the development of the university, the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy awarded the commemorative badge “For Merit” to the federal inspector for St. Petersburg of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District Tatyana Kubrakova.

    Then Andrey Ivanovich congratulated the graduate and postgraduate student of the Polytechnic University, assistant of the Higher School of Sports Pedagogy of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Honored Master of Sports of the Russian Federation, World and European Champion in short water Kirill Prigoda with a recent victory at the Russian Swimming Championship. The Polytechnician was the best in five distances: 50, 100, 200 meters breaststroke, in the 4×100 relay medley swimming and broke the Russian record. Kirill is the pride of the Polytechnic University, and given his great contribution to strengthening the positive image of the university, the Rector of SPbPU presented him with the main award of the university – the “For Merit” badge with special feeling.

    Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences diplomas were awarded to Igor Rovnin, a graduate of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, deputy director of the private general education institution Gazprom School Saint Petersburg (academic supervisor – professor of the Higher School of Sports Pedagogy of SPbPU Alexander Bolotin) and senior lecturer of the Department of Foreign Languages Galina Borshchenko (academic supervisor – doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor Anna Rubtsova).

    Milana Zhavner received an associate professor’s certificate in the scientific specialty “Mechanical Science”.

    It’s time to honor the winners and prize winners of various competitions and contests. Winner of the Gazprom Neft League of Universities Award The SPbPU team won in the “Big Prospects” nomination, presenting an additional professional development program “Reverse Engineering of Oil Industry Enterprises”: Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov, Director of the Information Technology and Business Analysis Research Center “Gazprom Neft” Irina Rudskaya, Head of the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership, Head of the Program Ivan Kurta, and Leading Analyst of the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership Natalia Ivanova.

    The team of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the Humanitarian Institute, consisting of Adelina Borodina, Aya Klimacheva, Vladislava Smelova, and Taisiya Temirova (project mentor – Director of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Marina Arkannikova), won in two nominations of the All-Russian competition of student works “Archer of the Future”.

    And the volunteer project “Polytech Gives Good” by students of the Higher School of Microbiology and Social Sciences Sofia Ryabinina and Elina Avakova took 1st place in the All-Russian competition “School of Volunteers”.

    L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan) sent letters of gratitude to Polytechnic University teachers Natalia Chicherina, Maya Bernavskaya, Evgenia Tuchkevich and Evgenia Vorontsova for promoting fruitful educational and scientific cooperation, supporting scientific events and active participation in the international seminar “New paradigms of scientific research in the era of AI: opportunities and transformation of research practices”.

    The SPbPU Certificate of Honor for many years of conscientious work and high professionalism was awarded to the Head of the Quality Control Department, Maxim Dyuldin.

    For the first time in the history of the Polytechnic Military Training Center, for excellent academic performance, active civic position, initiative and diligence demonstrated in volunteer work and assistance to participants of the SVO, students of the communications department Grigory Aleksandrov (IMMiT) and Artem Tikhonravov (IEIT) received departmental awards of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation – the medal “Marshal of the Signal Troops Peresypkin”.

    Lecturer at the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education Tatiana Tsvetkova received two awards – gratitude from the Committee on Science and Higher Education “For conscientious work, great personal contribution to the development of the professional education system of St. Petersburg” and gratitude from the rector of SPbPU A. I. Rudskoy “For the successful organization and holding of the opening Museum of the History of the Development of Public Catering in St. Petersburg as part of the St. Petersburg government project “St. Petersburg cuisine”.

    At the international robot fighting championship RoboWars, which took place in the Indian city of Surat during the largest technology festival Mindbend and brought together more than 80 teams from different countries, the CML-team of the Student Design Bureau of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” won – engineer of the Experimental Design Bureau of the SPbPU PISh Vsevolod Bolshakov and laboratory assistant of the Experimental Design Bureau of the SPbPU PISh Daria Kuatkhina. The guys also became winners in the individual competition “Battle of Robots – KRASHILOVO”, in which more than 40 teams from different regions of Russia participated.

    As always, the athletes pleased us with their success. The Polytechnicians became the first in the St. Petersburg student cheerleading competitions (thanks to students Marat Gainutdinov, Victoria Nechaeva, Arina Rakhmatulina and Margarita Senina)

    According to the results of the student karate competitions (VKF) within the framework of the St. Petersburg Student Sports Games 2025, Polytech won 1st place in the overall team standings. This is the merit of the coach of the Student Sports Club “Black Bears-Polytech” Elizaveta Orlova, as well as students Anastasia Vasilenko, Maria Luganskaya and Valery Kazantsev.

    The SPbPU hockey team also won the All-Russian final of the Student Hockey League championship and earned special congratulations from the SPbPU Academic Council.

    After the official ceremony, the Academic Council moved on to the agenda. Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov spoke about the implementation of youth policy at the university.

    “It is important that students from their first year begin to understand the values our university lives by, accept these values and leave the Polytechnic as spiritually mature people with the right life guidelines,” emphasized Maxim Pasholikov. “Our communities have always been the main actor in our youth policy. It is impossible to reach all 30 thousand students given the limited resources. That is why trade union organizations, the headquarters of student teams, the adapter movement, patriotic and sports clubs, creative associations that attract a large number of young people are important to us, and, accordingly, through them, through their leaders, we work with young people.”

    Maxim Aleksandrovich noted that the leaders of student associations in many cases become mentors for their younger comrades, and even after graduating from university, they return here as members of the alumni association and ambassadors of the Polytechnic University.

    The Vice-Rector noted that the SPbPU History Museum, creative semesters and last year’s innovation – musical changes on the White Staircase of the Main Academic Building – play an important role in the education and formation of students’ personalities.

    The number of visitors, projects and grants is also growing in the Polytechnic Tower. Work continues within the framework of the “We are together” campaign – for this the vice-rector separately thanked the Humanitarian Institute and the “Harmony” Center.

    Maxim Aleksandrovich drew the attention of the institute directors to the fact that the relevance of social and psychological assistance at the university has grown significantly.

    This year we managed to expand the staff of the Psychological Support Center; people are asking for help, and these are not just people who want to talk, but those who are really experiencing difficulties and problems, emphasized Maxim Pasholikov.

    Maxim Aleksandrovich spoke in detail about the events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, talking about the festive decoration of the campus, exhibitions, the ongoing project “Scientific Regiment” and the new video project “Memory of Glory Lives”, the play “Engineers of Victory” and the upcoming press conference at TASS about the new book “Polytech. Fortitude. 1941-1945”. As always, the inter-university military-patriotic rally “Syandeba” and “Family Victory Day” will be held in the Polytech Park on May 17, including the traditional run named after Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Lyagin.

    The second issue on the agenda was the presentation of academic titles. By a majority of votes, the members of the SC voted to award the academic title of “professor” to Vladimir Sergeev (PhysMekh) and Alexey Flimonov (IEIT); the title of “associate professor” to Alexey Lukin (PhysMekh), Roman Burkovsky (IEIT), Alexey Grachev and Dmitry Masailo from IMMIT, Alexander Moskvichev (IBSS) and Elena Ladik (ISI).

    On the third issue, “On monitoring the implementation of decisions of the Academic Council,” the scientific secretary of SPbPU, Dmitry Karpov, made a report.

    Also, the members of the Academic Council unanimously supported the nomination of the assistant of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Albert Gilmutdinov for the award of the title of “Honorary Professor of SPbPU”.

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Latta’s ROUTERS Act and NTIA Reauthorization Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    House Passes Latta’s ROUTERS Act and NTIA Reauthorization Act

    Washington, April 28, 2026 | Ashley Juhn (202-225-6405)

    Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Bob Latta’s (R-OH5) ROUTERS Act and the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization Act, two bipartisan pieces of legislation that will safeguard and increase American taxpayer access to connectivity.

    The ROUTERS ACT will safeguard Americans’ communications networks from foreign-adversary controlled technology, including routers, modems, or devices that combine both. This legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives in the last Congress.

    TheNTIA Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the NTIA for the first time in 30 years and improve the management of spectrum as well as update the mission and functions of the agency. Similar legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives in the last Congress.

    “Routers and modems are critical components of our communications network—they serve as the gateway through which the public accesses the Internet. Today’s House passage of my bill, the ROUTERS Act, brings us one step closer to protecting American privacy by ensuring that bad actors cannot exploit vulnerabilities in routers to infect users’ computers, steal their information, or disrupt their networks,” Latta said. “The National Telecommunications and Information Administration plays a vital role in safeguarding and advancing our nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, and my resolution will reauthorize the NTIA for the first time in 30 years. I applaud my House colleagues for supporting this important resolution.”

    “The NTIA Reauthorization Act and the ROUTERS Act are critical pieces of legislation for securing our communications infrastructure and improving America’s economic competitiveness. I thank Rep. Latta for his work pushing these bills across the finish line, as they will set our country up for continued success in the digital age,” said Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    To read the bill text of the ROUTERS Act, click HERE.

    To read the bill text of the NTIA Resolution, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Vitus Marine, Greatland Fuel Sales, and Vitus Terminals Secure Combined $37M in USDA Funding to Expand Fuel Infrastructure and Strengthen Rural Alaskan Communities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAGRANGE, Ga., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vitus Marine LLC, Greatland Fuel Sales LLC (GFS), and Vitus Terminals LLC (VT), collectively (Vitus), announced today the group secured $37M in USDA Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Program funding to enhance fuel infrastructure and drive economic growth in rural Alaska. Phoenix Lender Services (Phoenix) facilitated the loan fundings with Community Bank & Trust. Phoenix is a subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc., which originated, underwrote, and closed the loans, while Community Bank & Trust funded the loans. This second series of loans follows a total of $25M in three B&I loans funded in June of 2024 for Vitus.

    These strategic investments support existing jobs, improve access to essential energy resources and bolster local economies in some of Alaska’s most remote regions.

    On a combined basis for the three companies, these two loan tranches secured over $62 million in total funding and made a significant positive impact to strengthen vital energy infrastructure in Alaska. The Vitus family of companies runs bulk fuel, freight lighterage and energy products to consumers in remote Alaskan communities and provides vital heat, electricity and logistics support to its customers.

    “These partnerships represent the impact we strive to achieve—empowering rural businesses to grow and continuing to serve communities with critical services,” said Chris Hurn, President/CEO of Phoenix Lender Services. “Vitus Marine, Greatland Fuel Sales, and Vitus Terminals are vital to Alaska’s energy infrastructure, and we’re proud to support them through the USDA B&I Program.”

    These loans offer favorable terms with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms, reducing financial burdens and demonstrating a commitment to the sustainability and growth of rural businesses. These investments highlight a powerful public-private partnership focused on preserving access, affordability, and economic opportunity for some of America’s most underserved regions.

    “Fuel and energy access is an essential service for all people. Energy access is not a luxury for the people we serve,” said Justin Charon, Owner and CEO of Vitus. “This collaboration ensures that our customers can continue to depend on us, no matter how remote their community or harsh the delivery season.”

    For more information on Phoenix and its lending solutions, visit https://phoenixlenderservices.com.

    About Phoenix Lender Services
    Based in Georgia and serving clients nationwide, Phoenix Lender Services offers a comprehensive suite of commercial lending solutions, including loan underwriting, closing, and servicing; participant lender matching; secondary market sales; portfolio management; risk analysis; and compliance reviews and regulatory support. Seasoned professionals at Phoenix combine extensive industry expertise in SBA, USDA, and commercial government-guaranteed lending with industry-leading technologies to deliver tailored solutions that align with each client’s unique strategic goals. Phoenix Lender Services is leading the way in SBA, USDA, and commercial lending.

    About Vitus Marine LLC [1]
    Vitus Marine LLC (VM) is one of two major fuel importers and distributors in Western Alaska with the ability to craft custom import solutions, offer hedging ideas and card-lock alternatives for its commercial and industrial buyers. Its customers have learned to depend on the team at Vitus Marine for creative approaches to solve the problems they face in the remote Arctic region the team serves.

    About Vitus Terminals LLC
    Vitus Terminals LLC (VT) is one of a few major fuel importers and distributors into the roadless regions in Western Alaska. They provide heating fuel deliveries to homes and businesses with convenience store access in Bethel and Dillingham, Alaska. All locations offer 24-hour card-lock access. They specialize in the storage, sale, hedging and distribution of fuel through their service hubs in Bethel, Kotzebue, Dillingham, St. Michael, Alaska.

    About Greatland Fuel Sales LLC
    Greatland Fuel Sales LLC continues Vitus Energy’s 15-year history of providing energy to Alaska with unique and timely solutions to create value for its customers through its growing energy supply network and clean convenience stores. Their mission is to deliver competitive energy alternatives for local road warriors and visitors to Alaska.

    About Community Bank & Trust
    Community Bank & Trust (CB&T), a subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc., is a trusted financial institution dedicated to serving individuals, families, and businesses across its service area and nationwide. Headquartered in LaGrange, GA, CB&T is committed to leveraging its rural roots to empower both local consumers and commercial entities, as well as underserved groups and communities with a broad slate of accessible, personalized banking solutions, while also reaching a diverse and growing nationwide audience.

    MEDIA CONTACT
    Hannah Conley
    Uproar by Moburst for Community Bankshares, Inc.
    hannah.conley@moburst.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Colin Biggers & Paisley selected Intapp Time to modernize timekeeping and compliance practices

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intapp (NASDAQ: INTA), a leading global provider of AI-powered solutions for professionals at advisory, capital markets, and legal firms, announces that Australian leading legal practice, Colin Biggers & Paisley, has chosen Intapp Time to modernize its timekeeping practices and enable more efficient work processes for its professionals.

    “We’re thrilled that Colin Biggers & Paisley has chosen to go to the cloud with Intapp Time,” said Laura Saklad, Legal Industry Principal at Intapp. “AI-powered data capture empowers the firm’s lawyers to focus on client delivery outcomes while ensuring full revenue realization by complying with client obligations.”

    Leading change
    Colin Biggers & Paisley’s decision to move to Intapp Time aligns with the firm’s strategy and commitment to leveraging innovative technology to enhance efficiency and compliance in today’s fast-paced legal market. During the evaluation process, firm leadership prioritized replacing their legacy solution with a new, cloud-based time system designed to enhance operational efficiency.

    “Our goal has always been to provide our lawyers with technology that saves time, fosters client satisfaction, and lets them focus their efforts on high-value client work,” said Sam Sofianos, CIO at Colin Biggers & Paisley. “Intapp Time, with its AI-powered time capture capabilities, enables our lawyers to record their time more accurately. This not only helps in improving our efficiency but also frees our IT team from the burden of managing on-premises infrastructure.”

    Modernizing timekeeping
    As a modern timekeeping solution, Intapp Time will help Colin Biggers & Paisley’s partners and professionals accurately record and submit detailed accounts of the time spent on each matter. The solution provides highly configurable templates and seamless integrations with financial and practice management systems to simplify timekeeping processes and increase timecard accuracy. Intapp Time also offers flexible timekeeping methods, native and integrated compliance capabilities, and Applied AI to help professionals easily recreate their days, adhere to client billing requirements, and minimize missed and under-recorded effort.

    Adopting a more modern, compliance-forward approach to timekeeping will help Colin Biggers & Paisley streamline its billing process, reduce billing disputes, and increase both client satisfaction and the firm’s topline revenue. Advanced reporting and dashboards will also help the firm’s leaders accurately evaluate engagement resources and track time against budget to optimize utilization and profitability.

    About Intapp 
    Intapp software helps professionals unlock their teams’ knowledge, relationships, and operational insights to increase value for their firms. Using the power of Applied AI, we make firm and market intelligence easy to find, understand, and use. With Intapp’s portfolio of vertical SaaS solutions, professionals can apply their collective expertise to make smarter decisions, manage risk, and increase competitive advantage. The world’s top firms — across accounting, consulting, investment banking, legal, private capital, and real assets — trust Intapp’s industry-specific platform and solutions to modernize and drive new growth. For more information, visit intapp.com and LinkedIn. 

    Contact
    Ali Robinson
    press@intapp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From shrinking bladders to severe stomach pain: survey reveals the painful realities of ketamine addiction

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rebecca Harding, PhD Candidate, Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, UCL

    Ketamine’s rising popularity has created a paradox. While it’s hailed by some doctors as a breakthrough psychiatric treatment, it’s also driving a surge in addiction and harming people’s health. To better understand people’s experience of ketamine and how it might be best used in medical treatment, we surveyed hundreds of people who self-identify as struggling with ketamine addiction.

    Ketamine is gaining recognition as a promising, rapid-acting intervention for mental health conditions for many. Phase three clinical trials are now underway for its use with people with alcohol problems. A ketamine-based nasal spray, Spravato, has also been approved as a standalone therapy for treatment-resistant depression,

    But for others, particularly recreational users in their 20s, ketamine use can lead to more harm than healing.

    Once seen as a fringe party drug, ketamine – also known as “K” – has now entered the mainstream, gaining popularity as a nightlife narcotic and reports of widespread use in Hollywood. But with its rise have come warnings: several high-profile deaths, including actor Matthew Perry and drag artist The Vivienne, have sparked public concern.

    Medical ketamine is a regulated drug used in hospitals and clinics under professional supervision. Illegal ketamine, often used recreationally, is unregulated, may be contaminated and carries higher risks of overdose, addiction and health complications due to unknown purity and unsafe use.

    To better understand the experience of ketamine addiction and to help inform improved treatments, our research team at the University of Exeter and University College London surveyed 274 people with self-identified ketamine addiction from Europe, North America and Australia**. We believe the results offer the most in-depth data of its kind to date.

    While ketamine is chemically distinct from opioids, some users described its emotional and social toll as equally devastating. One participant described it as “the heroin of a generation”.

    This stark characterisation underscores the growing number of people seeking treatment – not only for addiction, but also for physical health complications that can follow heavy, prolonged use.

    Sixty percent of respondents reported bladder problems – a side effect well known among long-term ketamine users, but rarely discussed outside specialist circles. Many also described intense psychological symptoms such as cravings, low mood, anxiety and irritability.

    While these experiences probably reflect heavier users than the average recreational consumer, they highlight the serious harms experienced by those who become dependent.

    Alarming statistics

    Alarmingly, over a third of our respondents had never sought treatment. Among those who had, only 36% were satisfied with the care they received. One person noted: “I think they need to research drugs or options that fight K bladder, K kidneys and K stomach cramps. Ketamine can make your lifespan much shorter.”

    A recurring theme throughout the survey responses was frustration at the lack of awareness – among peers, educators, healthcare providers and even addiction specialists – about ketamine’s risks.

    “No one even understands what ketamine is or what it does,” said one participant. They added: “It shouldn’t be our job to explain the science. It should be taught. People need to be educated. There’s so much less information out there compared to drugs like cocaine.”

    Most participants had first encountered ketamine in recreational settings. Only four participants first encountered it through prescription, primarily in the United States, where at-home ketamine therapy is becoming more common. In contrast, the UK restricts ketamine use to clinical supervision.

    Crucially, the doses reported by participants were far higher than those used in medical settings. Rapid tolerance development and escalating use were common concerns.

    New treatment strategies

    To support those struggling with ketamine addiction, our findings point to the urgent need for new treatment strategies. These include pharmacological options to address physical complications like “K cramps” (severe abdominal pain often described as excruciating) and improved understanding of how ketamine causes bladder and kidney damage.

    Equally vital is improving education – both for the public and for healthcare professionals – about the risks of ketamine use and the realities of addiction. We hope our survey offers a platform for those with experience to be heard and for their voices to shape future research, clinical care and public health messaging.



    Read more:
    Ketamine: what you need to know about the UK’s growing drug problem

    This survey comes at a crucial time in ketamine’s evolving story. In response to rising recreational use and recent fatalities, the UK government is reportedly considering reclassifying ketamine as a Class A drug. However, when ketamine was reclassified from Class C to Class B in 2014, use among 16–24-year-olds increased by 231%, suggesting that harsher penalties do little to curb demand.

    Instead of relying on punitive measures, we must focus on expanding treatment access, reducing stigma and investing in prevention. Our study shows the urgent need for more research into what makes ketamine addictive, how to prevent its physical harms and, most importantly, how to help people recover and reclaim their lives.

    Celia Morgan receives funding from National Institute of Health Research (UK), Medical Research Council (UK), Economic and Social Research Council UK; Medical Research Foundation; Wellcome Trust; Awakn Life Sciences.

    Rebecca Harding 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. From shrinking bladders to severe stomach pain: survey reveals the painful realities of ketamine addiction – https://theconversation.com/from-shrinking-bladders-to-severe-stomach-pain-survey-reveals-the-painful-realities-of-ketamine-addiction-255197

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: My Cypriot grandfather was one of millions of foreign servicemen who fought for Britain. Now I’m telling their stories

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Christiana Gregoriou, Professor in English Language and Stylistics, University of Leeds

    The second world war veteran community is far more ethnically diverse than many people realise, with over 3 million foreign servicemen serving with the British armed forces during the conflict.

    Second world war memoirs are vital records of how these servicemen remembered the war. They offer insights into their relationship to trauma and resilience and their search for meaning in life.

    May 8 2025 is the 80th anniversary of VE Day. As we mark it, it’s important that we celebrate this ethnic diversity and highlight how much this community’s memoirs can teach us about the joy of making sense and finding lessons, however challenging life may be.

    My research into second world war memoirs uses original archival materials including the memoir of my grandfather, Cypriot sergeant Phylactis Aristokleous (British Army). He was a prisoner of war (PoW) and one of the thousands of colonised Cypriots who volunteered to serve in the army’s Cyprus regiment at the time.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    My colleague George Rodosthenous is currently adapting my grandfather’s memoir into a theatrical monologue. It will form the basis of a lecture-performance which will tour Yorkshire heritage sites in May as part of a week commemorating VE Day. All are welcome to attend.

    Though his story is one of deprivation and difficulty, Aristokleous’ war experience was also one he took huge pride in. He believed his time had been beneficial and felt a strong need to share his story with others.

    Memoirists are narrators of the history they bore witness to. Though their stories appear to be individual and personal, they are in constant dialogue with their readers, and with each other, informed by experience that is rich, historic and detailed.

    The stories in these memoirs are part of a web of experiences shared with and influenced by others. Read collectively, a culturally dominant story emerges of survival and determination.

    The war experience

    My grandfather believed that serving in the allied forces and writing about his experiences in his memoir shaped the rest of his life. He claimed that his war experiences determined his outlook and prepared him for the life he led after service. All the while, he was aware that his time had also split his sense of self into parts – some of which he left “behind”.

    Even though this positivity might well be more of a feature of his character rather than the war experience itself, it is nevertheless telling. Aristokleous selected many individual incidents to write about, and my analysis of his memoir focuses on them. He acknowledged that only some of them were incidents he had witnessed firsthand; the rest were stories that others had shared with him.

    The authenticity of the stories he shared tended to be driven by his belief that collectively, and in the war specifically, groups of people from the same nations behaved in the same sort of way.

    In one instance, for example, he accepted the authenticity of a story about Australians being courageous only on the basis of him witnessing a random Australian being courageous at a different point in time entirely. The story concerned two Australians who – after killing a German guard – shot each other so they would not be arrested. He believed this story because of an incident he witnessed himself – an Australian PoW who avenged the killing of an innocent British PoW by killing the German guard responsible, only to then be killed himself.

    Even though my grandfather’s stories were compellingly told and retold over the course of several decades, writing them down helped him organise and conceptualise them into a narrative life-story. In so doing, he added unlikely connections between incidents across his life and PoW journey. He made sense of incidents that happened at one point in place and time by linking them to another place and time entirely.

    In one chapter, for example, he talked about winning bread in a raffle, a moment he linked back to having previously asked God for forgiveness for having given a hungry British sergeant dry biscuits that were not his to give away. He deemed his winning a response to prayer.

    He also drew on analogies for the prisoner experience found in the natural world, which speaks to his dehumanisation during that time. There’s the story of a prisoner’s pet-crow, Jack, for example, who hid cheese the PoWs gave him in the snow for when he needed it. From this, he suggested that the PoWs needed to do the same themselves. These connections helped him to construct sense and rationale around what he went through, and even find closure and catharsis.

    Analysis of his many anecdotes also reveals a tendency to dissociate, by using “we” instead of “I”, for instance. He also distanced himself from what was happening by using direct quotes from others in mostly foreign languages. This lends his stories an air of authenticity.

    The memoir also uses proverbs specific to his Greek Cypriot culture. This enabled him to find another purpose to his stories – to turn them into life lessons for others, particularly his own children and grandchildren.

    An enduring legacy

    Most of the second world war veteran community is no longer with us. But their experience in the form of memoirs is, and so is the enduring legacy they left behind.

    The most cynical of us may argue that life is chaotic, futile and devoid of meaning, but what these memoirs, and my grandfather, may teach us is that we can craft ourselves a narrative to help make sense of it.

    Perhaps most importantly, this multicultural veteran community serves as a powerful reminder that, despite the global conflict they endured, it was through diverse nations uniting across ethnic lines, that they were able to defend their freedom, lives and livelihoods from those who sought to destroy them.

    Christiana Gregoriou 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. My Cypriot grandfather was one of millions of foreign servicemen who fought for Britain. Now I’m telling their stories – https://theconversation.com/my-cypriot-grandfather-was-one-of-millions-of-foreign-servicemen-who-fought-for-britain-now-im-telling-their-stories-252697

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Almost Zion: Remembering a short-lived Jewish state in New York

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Adam L. Rovner, Director of the Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver

    Twin bridges spanning the Niagara River lead from Tonawanda to Grand Island, New York — the proposed site of ‘Ararat.’ Kevin Menschel/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    At dawn on Sept. 15, 1825, a burst of cannon fire shook the ramshackle buildings of Buffalo, New York. Families raced down the main street to witness a grand ceremony, following a parade of soldiers, clergymen, Freemasons, musicians and Seneca tribesmen, including their venerable chief, Red Jacket. All surged toward St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the frontier town’s only grand edifice.

    Inside, a crowd of Christians, Jews and Native Americans were already packed together to witness the founding of Ararat, a tract of land on nearby Grand Island that was intended to be the first autonomous Jewish city-state in almost 1,800 years.

    Ararat’s 400-pound cornerstone, engraved with a central Jewish tenet of faith from the Bible’s Book of Deuteronomy, rested inside the church. When the swell of the organ died down, former diplomat, political power broker and playwright Mordecai Manuel Noah – the man who had dreamed up Ararat – rose to his feet.

    Today, this marker is one of the few surviving signs of the proposed settlement.
    Adam Rovner

    Described as a “stout … gentleman, with sandy hair, a large Roman nose, and … red whiskers,” Noah had draped himself for the ceremony in fur-trimmed robes borrowed from a theater. He triumphantly announced the reestablishment of “the Government of the Jewish Nation … under the auspices and protection of the constitution and laws of the United States of America.”

    Noah also welcomed Native Americans, whom he – like many Americans at the time – mistakenly believed were “the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.” In addition, he granted equal “rights and religious privileges” to the “black Jews of India and Africa,” disclosing a rare-for-his-time sensitivity toward Jews of color.

    A portrait of Mordecai Noah by 19th-century painter John Wood Dodge.
    Smithsonian American Art Museum via Wikimedia Commons

    But Noah’s utopian ark sank with barely a trace. Not a single Jew heeded his call to settle Ararat. Noah himself abandoned ship when his calls for a Jewish republic were rebuffed by religious leaders. All that he left behind was the cornerstone.

    As a scholar who scours archives to trace connections between literature and history, I’ve seen how Noah’s efforts to found a Jewish statelet have fascinated students of both American and Zionist history.

    Noah was only the first of many modern thinkers to propose establishing Jewish territories far from the biblical land of Israel. In the 20th century, organizations seeking a humanitarian solution to Jewish persecution considered carving out enclaves the world over, including lands in today’s Kenya, Angola, Madagascar, Tasmania and Suriname.

    ‘City of refuge’

    Noah wielded considerable influence in early 19th-century America through his roles as a political party boss, helming various daily newspapers, and as a popular playwright. But he was also a marginalized outsider at a time when there were fewer than 500 Jews in Manhattan, the young republic’s largest city.

    Noah used his press pulpit to demand equality for Jews, even proposing himself as a presidential candidate. He remained one of few high-profile American Jews throughout his life, urging other citizens to acknowledge that one’s faith and patriotism need never be at odds. Yet antisemitic slurs dogged him throughout his career.

    After witnessing the persecution of Jews in Europe during his diplomatic travels, Noah hoped Ararat would be a territorial solution to religious oppression.

    ‘Noah’s Ark,’ by 19th-century American painter Edward Hicks.
    Philadelphia Museum of Art via Wikimedia Commons

    In some ways, his efforts hearkened back to the origins of America itself. Instead of the Mayflower, Noah invoked the symbolic ark of his biblical namesake – “Ararat” is the biblical name of the mountain where the ark came to a rest after the flood. In the role of the Puritans, he cast European Jewry. And instead of Plymouth Rock, he landed on Grand Island. As the cornerstone of Ararat proclaimed, the settlement was to be a “city of refuge for the Jews” – one that Noah hoped would grow to become a state and be admitted to the American republic.

    In his speeches, Noah imagined that Ararat would allow European Jews to escape persecution while simultaneously fulfilling America’s need for immigration, industry and financial capital. He also believed that his purchase of 2,555 acres of Grand Island would prove a lucrative personal investment: The recently completed Erie Canal, he reasoned, would make Buffalo a major port.

    Failure to launch

    At the time of Noah’s proposal, the Zionist movement – the modern political program for Jewish national self-determination – had not yet coalesced. Most Jews at the time believed that founding a Jewish state in the land of Israel was a pipe dream, or worse. God had expelled their ancestors from the Holy Land in 70 C.E., they believed, so taking matters into their own hands and rebuilding a Jewish state there would be blasphemy.

    Noah hoped to sidestep those theological objections by locating a Jewish polity in the promised land of America, not the biblical promised land. Nonetheless, Jewish leaders dismissed his vision as contrary to God’s will. The chief rabbis of England and France publicly condemned Noah’s plan, and the September 1825 ceremony in Buffalo proved Ararat’s high point.

    Though ridiculed in the press for Ararat’s failure, Noah took a philosophical view:

    I … stand as the pioneer of the great work, leaving others to complete it. … When sneers and mockery shall have had their day … then my motives and objects will have been duly estimated and rewarded.“

    The front page of one of Mordecai Noah’s books, published in 1819.
    Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons

    Birth of Zionism

    Noah quickly resumed his career as a journalist and emerged as a kind of ambassador, penning articles and delivering speeches that linked Jewish and Christian America. To Christians, he explained Jewish practices. To his brethren, he demonstrated the fundamental compatibility between the ideals of Judaism and the United States, assuring them that America “is the country which the Almighty has blessed,” a land in which Jews “may repose in safety and happiness.”

    Yet Noah never abandoned his plans for Jewish self-government and ultimately advocated national repatriation to areas of Palestine, then under Ottoman control. In 1845 he published a short book, “Discourse on the Restoration of the Jews.” A young journalist whom he had befriended, Edgar Allan Poe, praised Noah’s proposal for a Jewish return to the biblical land of Israel as “extraordinary [and] full of novel and cogent thought.”

    Noah did not live to see his dreams fulfilled. After his death in March 1851, nearly 50 years passed before another playwright and journalist resurrected the idea of Jewish political autonomy: Theodor Herzl.

    Herzl’s vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of the state of Israel. Today, he is considered the father of Zionism, with his image paraded on Israeli Independence Day.

    Paradoxically, Noah is remembered today thanks only to the spectacular failure of his American Zion.

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

    – ref. Almost Zion: Remembering a short-lived Jewish state in New York – https://theconversation.com/almost-zion-remembering-a-short-lived-jewish-state-in-new-york-253534

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 250 people wrote the “Victory Dictation” at SPbGASU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Dictation participants

    On April 25, the annual international historical dictation on the events of the Great Patriotic War, “Victory Dictation”, was held within the walls of SPbGASU. According to the organizers, more than 250 students and employees of the university took part in it. More than two million people wrote it in all regions of our country and in 84 countries of the world.

    “Victory Dictation” was held simultaneously at three SPbGASU sites. Within 45 minutes, participants completed 25 tasks developed by leading historians of the country.

    Volunteer assistance in conducting the dictation was provided by activists of the all-Russian student project of Rosmolodezh “Your Move”, second-year bachelor’s students of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy Victoria Marusey and Danil Ivanov. We asked them to share their opinions about the dictation, as well as to tell about their projects.

    “The dictation is our memory of the events of the war years. We must remember the feat of our ancestors,” Danil is sure.

    “Thanks to such events, young people learn more about history,” Victoria believes.

    Together with second-year undergraduate students of the Institute of Economics and Geophysics Alina Prikhodko and Anna Kozhina, Victoria is working on an environmental project within the framework of the “I Do” track, “Analysis of the state of soil and ground in St. Petersburg to assess the possibility of planting green spaces.” The result of the project will be an electronic map that visually displays the environmental state of various areas, as well as recommendations for planting plants. Information can be entered into the map by all interested city residents, and not only. “I have a special interest in ecology and strive to contribute to improving the environmental situation both in the city and in the country,” said the student, who is also the group leader.

    Danil Ivanov not only studies, but also works as a technologist in the company. As part of the “I Do” track, he is implementing the WaterTechnologies project, aimed at making the process of developing treatment facilities easier.

    “Any treatment facilities are very expensive and complicated. A lot of documents are created when implementing even simple water treatment plants for both drinking and technical purposes. The presence of such water treatment plants is the key to the development of any modern city. There are very few people who can and want to do such a complex task. They have a huge amount of work, and this overload causes burnout, inattention, which leads to errors. My project will help reduce the workload of each person, speed up the process of document development, reduce the influence of the human factor and make the water in our country a little cleaner,” the student said.

    One of the participants of the “Victory Dictation” was a fourth-year bachelor’s student of the construction faculty Zlata Zolotykh, who heads the “EcoTusa” project. The children collect waste paper and plastic caps, participate in city and all-Russian clean-up days.

    “This dictation is a very important event, and I am glad that so many of our students are here. The questions were interesting. I learned some things for the first time,” Zlata shared.

    “Victory Dictation”, aimed at increasing historical literacy and patriotic education of youth, is of particular importance in the year of the eightieth anniversary of the Great Victory and in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. At SPbGASU they do everything to instill in young people respect for the feat of our people during the Great Patriotic War.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Best No KYC Casinos: JACKBIT Is Ranked Top No Verification Casino With Exclusive Bonuses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    • Has a wide range of bonuses, including a rakeback VIP Club.

    Cons

    • Not all games offered by JACKBIT, the no KYC crypto casino, are available in every region.
    • Beginners might feel slight confusion and technical challenges, especially during crypto transactions.

    How To Join JACKBIT No KYC Casino

    As mentioned in the earlier section, the registration procedures of JACKBIT, the best no KYC casino, are easy, fast, and hassle-free. As the platform is free of KYC verifications, players can enter the casino straight away without providing sensitive and personal information. The complete guide to joining JACKBIT is as follows:

    1.   Visit the official website of JACKBIT

    As the first step, you have to visit the official website of JACKBIT. Go through the terms and conditions and rules provided by the casino and ensure that they suit your needs. Once you have finalized the platform, click on the “Log In” or “Register” option located in the top right corner of the screen.

    2.   Create your account

    Once you click the Register icon, you will be asked to provide certain details, including your email address, a secure password, the country you reside in, and your preferred currency. After providing these details, agree to the terms and conditions and proceed with account creation.

    3.   Make your first deposit

    After activating your account, you must make the first deposit to continue with the games. To do this, head to the “wallet” section and select the deposit method of your choice. JACKBIT offers multiple payment options, including cryptocurrencies, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.

    4.   Enjoy your games and win big

    Once the first deposit is completed, you can navigate to the casino or sportsbook section and choose the game of your choice. Start playing and earn big wins through safe and responsible gambling.

    Best No KYC Casino: Games Offered By JACKBIT

    JACKBIT offers a wide range of casino games and a crypto sportsbook for its players. With over 7000+ casino games, JACKBIT no verification casino ensures that all its players, whether beginners or experts, gain a premium gaming experience with safety and transparency. This platform makes iGaming engaging with a diverse category of games. Some of the popular ones include:

    Casino Slots
    Casino slots are one of the most engaging and exciting categories of games available at JACKBIT. In the 6,000+ casino games offered by this platform, diverse slots will be the most popular ones. Moreover, you will find different types of slot games including Gates of Olympus, Candy Rush, Sweet Bonanza, Fat Banker, and Wanted Dead or a Wild. So, with multiple options, the no KYC casino slots at JACKBIT make your gaming experience engaging and exciting.

    Live Casino Games
    A wide variety of live casino games is a standout feature of JACKBIT, making it an engaging platform. This best no KYC casino has an excellent collection of 248 live dealer games. With card and table games, the live dealers at JACKBIT offer a gaming experience that just makes the players feel like a real casino.

    Whether it be Bitcoin Baccarat, Online roulette, or Bitcoin Blackjack, JACKBIT has everything in store for you. With a wide variety of live casino games, this best no KYC casino ensures that every player, beginner as well as experts, enjoy this platform.

    Poker
    Poker games, whether it be video poker or table poker, JACKBIT has an extensive collection of these varieties. With instant and fast blockchain-based payments, the poker games can be enjoyed without delays or distractions. Some popularly chosen poker varieties at JACKBIT, the no verification casino, include Caribbean Stud Poker, Teen Patti, Caribbean Poker, Casino Holdem, Jacks or Better, Oasis Poker, and Texas Hold’em Poker 3D.

    Exclusive Mini Games
    Along with table games, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more, JACKBIT also offers a wide range of mini games. Most of these mini-games are fast, funny, and engaging crash games that offer instant results. The popular mini games offered by JACKBIT include Dino, Aero, SpeedX, Chicken, and so on.

    GRAB 30% RAKEBACK + 100 FREE SPINS—NO KYC, INSTANT PAYOUT!

    JACKBIT Bonuses And Promotions
    Gambling is gaining more and more importance these days. More than just entertainment, casino gambling has become a part of the everyday life of most gamblers. So, most of them search for the best benefits for the deposits they make. One of the leading and renowned no KYC casinos of 2025, JACKBIT has a diverse store of bonuses and promotions, elevating the gaming experience and winning possibilities of every player.

    • Welcome Casino Bonus

    Bonus of 30% Rakeback + 100 Free Spins + No KYC
    No wagering 100 free spins for every player who makes a first deposit of $50 or more. This bonus can be activated within 24 hours of the first deposit using a FreeSpin promo code, “WELCOME.”

    • Other Casino Bonuses
      • Tournaments
        Exclusive tournaments like Play Big, Win Bigger, offer tempting prize pools and free spins. These tournaments ensure 1000 free spins daily and an exciting prize pool of $10,000 weekly.
    • Drops & Wins
      This is a Network Promotion by Pragmatic Play. It includes 48 and 7-day tournaments. The expected prize pool of the entire Network Promotion is €24,000,000, and the total expected prize pool of each stage of the Network Promotion is €2,000,000.
    • JACKBIT Sports Bonuses
      • NBA Playoffs
        Place a minimum bet of $10 on the NBA playoffs and earn 10% cashback of a maximum of $100.
    • Sports Welcome Bonus
      This is a 100% no-risk bonus. The minimum stake to qualify for the bonus is $20, and the maximum bonus amount is $100.
    • 3+1 FreeBet
      In this bonus, the 4th ticket will be free and offered as a gift. So, to qualify, players have to place 3 bets and will get the 4th bet for free and unlimited.
    • Other JACKBIT bonuses
      • Rakeback VIP Club
        This bonus offers various benefits for VIP club members, including faster accumulation of points, instant rakeback, diverse and special games and sports, and so on.
    • Social Media Bonuses
      Special bonuses and rewards are offered to those who join the socials of JACKBIT.

    JOIN JACKBIT TODAY FOR 30% RAKEBACK & 100 SPINS—KYC-FREE!

    Payouts And Transactions At JACKBIT No KYC Casino

    JACKBIT ensures that all the transaction needs of its players are addressed without fail. So, this platform provides a multiple-currency system. Whether you are a crypto enthusiast who chooses fast flashing transactions or someone who seeks fiat options, JACKBIT has both options tailored for you.

    As JACKBIT accepts 17 cryptocurrencies, most players choose to deposit and withdraw money through this method. Almost all the major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Binance, Tether, Solana, Shiba, and others are accepted on this platform.

    As mentioned, JACKBIT has fiat payment options for those who do not opt for cryptocurrencies. This no KYC casino offers 24 different fiat deposit methods, including Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, Pix, bank transfer, and so on. However, remember, while crypto transactions offer a no KYC option, fiat payments ight need KYC verification. Moreover, fiat options cannot be used for withdrawals, as to take out the winnings, players have to choose between any cryptocurrencies.

    Self-Exclusion Tools Offered By JACKBIT
    A reputable no KYC casino, JACKBIT, values the safety of its players. So, the best no KYC casino offers multiple options that allow players to play safely and responsibly. Some of the self-exclusion methods offered by JACKBIT are:

    • Account limits: This is a method that helps players set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits for their accounts.
    • Time-out periods: JACKBIT allows players to take short breaks from gambling for 24 hours, 72 hours, or a couple of days to avoid addictions.
    • Self-Exclusion: If a player has more serious issues or addiction, JACKBIT helps those players exclude themselves from gambling for an extended period from 6 months to 5 years.

    Is JACKBIT A Trustworthy No KYC Casino In 2025?

    Wondering whether JACKBIT is a trustworthy platform or not? You are not alone. Although JACKBIT is a popular no KYC casino and one of the best casino platforms available in 2025, it is normal to have doubts about the reputation of the platform. Even though casinos come with certain inherent risks, JACKBIT casino without KYC, reduces them to a certain extent with its reputation, license, and fairness. In this section, let’s have a detailed look at how safe and reliable this no KYC casino is.

    License and reputation

    The first and foremost thing that ensures the reliability of JACKBIT, the best no KYC casino, is the license and certification it holds. According to official data, this casino without KYC is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. This anonymous casino is one of the most reputable and recognized organizations in the gambling landscape. So, as licensed by this organization, JACKBIT functions under a set of rules and laws recognized by it. So, we can ensure that JACKBIT is a reliable and trustworthy casino platform.

    Provably Fair Gameplay

    JACKBIT is a no KYC casino that includes over 2000+ renowned game providers. Some of the most popular ones include BGaming, AvatorUX, Apollo Play, Backseat Gaming, Booming Gaming, and more. Moreover, this anonymous casino platform follows the provably fair gameplay and works on a certified Random Number Generator (RNG) system, making things more transparent and fair.

    Transparent payment facilities

    The diverse cryptocurrency transaction facilities ensure that JACKBIT anonymous casino follows a transparent payment facility. Despite the instant deposits and withdrawals, the transaction speed and blockchain-based payment confirm that the transactions will be conducted within seconds or minutes without any unnecessary distractions.

    Players’ experience

    At JACKBIT, the experience of the players is the most valued. In order to ensure that all its players enjoy their gaming, the platform offers a minimal and easy-to-navigate interface with a clutter-free website. Moreover, JACKBIT no verification casino has a well-optimized website that works well on both desktop as well as mobile devices. Furthermore, this no KYC casino has a 24/7 live chat facility that works to address and rectify all the issues and concerns of its players.

    JACKBIT Casino Conclusion: The Best No KYC Casino In 2025

    As we reach the conclusion of this review about JACKBIT, it is clear that this no KYC casino is one of the best casinos available in 2025. This platform opens a wide array of exciting, fun, and engaging games along with noteworthy bonuses for its users. One of the best crypto sportsbooks is also available on JACKBIT.

    The total casino games, sports, and others offered by this platform exceeds 7000 in number. Among these, over 6000+ are casino games from different categories such as poker, table games, instant wins, slots, and so on. You have also come across the diverse and beneficial bonuses and promotions, ranging from welcome bonuses to tournaments and cashbacks.

    The safety and transparency maintained by JACKBIT also make it the best no KYC casino in 2025. With 17+ cryptocurrencies and other transaction methods, JACKBIT offers no KYC registration and payment facilities.

    So, the personal data collected by this platform is less compared to traditional casinos. Moreover, the games included in this casino are RNG-certified and follow provably fair gameplay. The Curacao license that JACKBIT owns also confirms that the casino is reliable and follows officially recognized laws and frameworks.

    So, altogether, JACKBIT had succeeded in proving its safety and reliability, making it one of the best and most trusted no KYC casinos of 2025. Now, the ball is in your court. It’s you, the players, who have to identify the potential benefits and bonuses of the platform and play ideally to earn significant rewards. So, responsibly and safely. Sometimes you might be a spin away from your jackpot.

    ACTIVATE YOUR 30% RAKEBACK + 100 FREE SPINS—START WINNING!

    FAQ’s About Best No KYC Casino 7Bit

    Does JACKBIT require KYC verification?

    JACKBIT allows players to engage in the diverse games offered on this platform without a KYC verification. However, the platform may ask for KYC verification while using fiat transactions.

    Is JACKBIT a legal no KYC casino?
    Yes. JACKBIT is a legal no KYC casino with a license from the Curacao Gaming Control Board. However, the legality and regulations of the casino differ depending on the region from which you access it.

    Does JACKBIT offer a mobile app?

    As JACKBIT has a well-optimized website that suits all devices, the casino does not need a separate mobile application.

    Is a VPN needed to use JACKBIT?

    A VPN is not mandatory to use JACKBIT. However, this casino is a VPN-friendly platform.

    How does JACKBIT handle players’ personal data?

    JACKBIT has advanced encryption methods and no KYC registration facilities, which help safeguard the user data easily and effectively.

    Email: support@jackbit.com

    Legal Disclaimer

    This content is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial, or gambling advice. Ensure compliance with local gambling laws. No warranties are made regarding accuracy. Readers are responsible for verifying information and ensuring legal compliance. Gambling may be restricted in some regions.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Some links may be affiliate links, earning a commission at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on objective evaluation, and partnerships do not influence conclusions.

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Jackbit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39a4bb9e-6ef6-487b-93b8-2fedae326e5e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Synchronoss Technologies Announces the Successful Completion of Debt Refinancing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies Inc. (“Synchronoss” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SNCR), a global leader and innovator in Personal Cloud platforms, announced that it has entered into an agreement with TP Birch Grove to refinance its existing senior notes and term loan facilities with a new $200 million, four-year term loan, extending the maturity of its debt and further enhancing the Company’s financial flexibility.

    Proceeds from the Term Loan will be used to repay the remaining $73.6 million principal of the original $75 million term loan facility and the $121 million remainder of the senior notes. The company will use approximately $8 million in funds off its balance sheet to complete the transaction, including fees, call protection payments, and accrued interest.

    The Term Loan carries a maturity date of April 24, 2029, and is priced at SOFR plus 700 basis points, with one 50bps leverage-based stepdown. TD Cowen served as Exclusive Financial Advisor for the term loan refinancing.

    “We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of our new term loan facility, which allows us to retire our senior notes and extend the maturity of our debt obligation until 2029. This eliminates the near-term overhang associated with the now-retired senior notes and adds to the financial stability of the Company,” said Lou Ferraro, Chief Financial Officer of Synchronoss. “This refinancing significantly improves our capital structure, which in turn provides Synchronoss with the ability to further invest in our Personal Cloud solution as well as provide greater operational flexibility moving forward. Considering the volatility surrounding the financial markets at this time, we’re pleased to provide shareholders with an additional level of certainty in our operations. We’re also once again grateful to TP Birch Grove, who also led our $75 million term loan refinancing in 2024, and TD Cowen for their outstanding partnership and support throughout the process.”

    TD Cowen acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Synchronoss. Kirkland & Ellis, LLP served as legal counsel to Synchronoss. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP served as legal counsel to TP Birch Grove.

    About Synchronoss
    Synchronoss Technologies (Nasdaq: SNCR), a global leader in personal Cloud solutions, empowers service providers to establish secure and meaningful connections with their subscribers. Our SaaS Cloud platform simplifies onboarding processes and fosters subscriber engagement, resulting in enhanced revenue streams, reduced expenses, and faster time-to-market. Millions of subscribers trust Synchronoss to safeguard their most cherished memories and important digital content. Explore how our Cloud-focused solutions redefine the way you connect with your digital world at www.synchronoss.com.

    Media Relations Contact:
    Domenick Cilea
    Springboard
    dcilea@springboardpr.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Ryan Gardella
    ICR for Synchronoss
    SNCRIR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: QuestionPro and PerformancePoint LLC Partner to Drive Business Transformation with Data-Driven Cultures, Leadership, and Engagement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — QuestionPro, a global leader in online survey and research services, is joining forces with PerformancePoint LLC, a premier consulting firm specializing in culture, leadership and engagement, to revolutionize the way organizations turn insights into action.

    This partnership goes beyond traditional employee engagement surveys and culture assessments—it provides real-time, actionable intelligence that fuels meaningful transformation. By integrating QuestionPro’s advanced employee experience and data management platform with PerformancePoint’s deep expertise in leadership and culture consulting, businesses gain a powerful, end-to-end solution to drive long-term success.

    What makes this partnership different?

    • Beyond Data, Towards Action: Most engagement surveys stop at data collection. This collaboration ensures that insights are not just gathered but translated into sustainable cultural change.
    • Real-Time Decision-Making: Organizations can access live dashboards and predictive analytics to make proactive decisions that improve employee and customer experiences.
    • A Science-Backed, Human-Centered Approach: Combining novel technology with hands-on consulting means companies don’t just react to problems—they prevent them.
    • True Culture Transformation: Instead of surface-level fixes, businesses get a proven methodology to build resilient, high-performing teams.

    “For companies committed to creating and sustaining high–performance cultures, our collaboration with PerformancePoint provides new tools,” said Arti Bedi Pullins, President at QuestionPro. “This partnership ensures organizations don’t just track engagement—they create workplaces where employees thrive and customers stay loyal.”

    “At PerformancePoint, we know that culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the backbone of successful businesses,” said Brad Federman, CEO of PerformancePoint LLC. “With QuestionPro’s technology and our consulting expertise, we help companies unlock the full potential of their people, transforming engagement into a competitive advantage.”

    This partnership is designed for organizations that want to maximize ROI on employee engagement and leadership development, reduce costly turnover, and build cultures that sustain business success in an ever-changing world.

    About QuestionPro
    Founded in 2006, QuestionPro is a global provider of online survey and research services that help companies make better decisions through data. Our fully integrated online platform includes surveys, research & insights, customer experience (CX) and workforce/employee experience software. We additionally offer polling, journey mapping, employee 360s, and data visualization. Our clientele ranges from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, who rely on us for insights about customers, employees, and the marketplace. With offices in the US, Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and India, we offer customers 24-7 access to highly trained support specialists and engineers. More information is available at https://www.questionpro.com/us/

    About PerformancePoint LLC
    PerformancePoint LLC is a top-tier consulting firm specializing in employee and customer experience. With expertise in culture transformation, leadership development, and engagement strategies, PerformancePoint helps organizations create environments where employees and businesses thrive.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06a2f5fe-b0f1-4e33-a5e3-5965a4690110

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Australia: 7Bit Casino Ranked Top Choice for Aussie Players in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Australia, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After trying out tons of online casinos in Australia, most just didn’t live up to the hype, especially when it came to bonuses. While chatting with a few local players, one name kept coming up: 7Bit casino. So, we decided to check it out. Right from the start, it felt like a different experience. The welcome offer was massive, that is up to 10,800 AUD plus 250 free spins. With thousands of slots, live dealer games, and smooth crypto payments, 7Bit stood out as something special.

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    7Bit Casino : Our Favourite Overall Casino

    7Bit Casino, licensed by Curacao eGaming, offers a modern, user-friendly interface with vibrant graphics and seamless navigation. Its game library exceeds 10,000 titles, including Australian online pokies, table games, and live dealer options with high RTPs. The casino supports both fiat and crypto payments, with fast withdrawals via PayID and Bitcoin, positioning it as a top PayID casino.

    The mobile platform mirrors the desktop experience, ensuring players can enjoy online pokies for real money on the go. 24/7 live chat provides prompt support, and SSL encryption with a provably fair system enhances security, though third-party audits like eCogra are absent. Responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, are available to promote safe play.

    7Bit Casino earns our top spot for its unmatched game variety, generous bonuses, and Aussie-friendly features. With thousands of online pokies real money options, a 10,800 AUD + 250 free spins welcome bonus, and fast PayID transactions, it’s a standout PayID casino. The platform’s mobile optimization, robust security, and 24/7 support make it ideal for players seeking online blackjack real money or real money pokies Australia.

    Regular promotions, tournaments, and a rewarding VIP program further elevate its appeal, ensuring a thrilling and reliable gaming experience.

    What Makes 7Bit Casino The Best Online Casino Australia

    7Bit Casino is a top choice for Australian players, offering a massive selection of over 10,000 games, including crowd-favorite pokies like Mega Moolah and Johnny Cash, plus table and live dealer options. High RTP slots and a generous welcome package – up to 10,800 AUD + 250 free spins make it especially appealing. Players also get 75 no-deposit free spins (code: 75BIT), weekly cashback, reload bonuses, and exclusive Telegram deals.

    With fast PayID and crypto withdrawals, 24/7 live chat, and a mobile-friendly design for iOS and Android, 7Bit makes playing on the go easy. Licensed in Curacao and active for over a decade, it offers a trusted, secure environment. The VIP program adds value with cashback, faster payouts, and exclusive rewards, while regular tournaments keep things exciting. For real money pokies in Australia, 7Bit blends variety, speed, and player perks perfectly.

    How to Join 7Bit Best Online Casino Australia

    Joining 7Bit Casino is straightforward and designed for quick access to the best online casinos in Australia:

    1. Visit 7Bit Casino. Click Here to Directly Visit 7Bit Casino’s Official Website
    2. Click “Sign Up” on the homepage.
    3. Enter your name, email, date of birth, and create a username/password.
    4. Verify your email if prompted.
    5. Log in, deposit using PayID or crypto, and claim the welcome bonus.

    The process takes about a minute, and players instantly join the VIP program, unlocking perks like cashback and exclusive bonuses for real money pokies in Australia.

    How We Selected 7Bit as the Best Online Casino in Australia

    We evaluated 7Bit Casino based on rigorous criteria to ensure it meets the needs of Aussie players:

    License and Security

    7Bit holds a Curacao eGaming license, ensuring regulatory oversight. SSL encryption protects player data, and a provably fair system allows game fairness verification. While no eCogra audits are noted, the license and security measures provide a solid foundation of trust for online pokies real money players.

    Bonuses and Promotions

    The welcome package offers 325% up to 10800 AUD + 250 FS

    • 1st Deposit Bonus: 100% up to 800 AUD + 100 FS
    • 2nd Deposit Bonus: 75% up to 1200 AUD + 100 FS
    • 3rd Deposit Bonus: 50% up to 800 AUD
    • 4th Deposit Bonus: 100% up to 8000 AUD + 50 FS

    A payid pokies Australia no deposit bonus of 75 free spins (code ‘75BIT’, x45 wagering, €50 max cashout) is available. Weekly cashback, reload bonuses, and Telegram-exclusive offers keep players engaged, making it a top choice for online pokies Australia payid enthusiasts.

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    Casino Games

    With over 10,000 games, 7Bit offers online pokies real money, table games, and live dealer options. High-RTP titles like Mega Moolah are favorites among the best online casino Australia players, ensuring diverse and rewarding gameplay.

    Casino Game ProvidersOur Favourite Overall Casino

    Partners include industry leaders like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and Evolution Gaming, ensuring high-quality, fair games for Australian online pokies and online blackjack players.

    Banking Methods

    Supports VISA, Mastercard, Neosurf, Skrill, PayID, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. PayID is ideal for Aussies, offering fast transactions for the best online casino in Australia.

    Customer Support

    24/7 live chat responds within seconds, email support is slower, and no phone support is available. A detailed FAQ section addresses common queries, enhancing the experience for best online casinos in Australia.

    The Selection Process: Defining Excellence in Online Gaming

    • Screening: Verify licensing and reputation to ensure trust.
    • Game Evaluation: Assess variety, quality, and provider reputation.
    • Bonus Analysis: Check value, terms, and wagering requirements.
    • Payment Review: Test speed, security, and options like PayID.
    • Support Testing: Evaluate response times and effectiveness.
    • Mobile Testing: Ensure compatibility for online pokies real money on smartphones.
    • Security Check: Confirm encryption and fairness systems.
    • Player Feedback: Analyze reviews for real-world insights.
    • Scoring: Rank based on weighted criteria to identify top PayID casino options.

    Pros and Cons of 7Bit Online Casino

    Pros Cons
    Over 10,000 games, including real money pokies High wagering requirements on bonuses
    Welcome bonus: 10,800 AUD + 250 FS No phone support
    Fast PayID and crypto withdrawals No third-party audits (e.g., eCogra)
    24/7 live chat support  
    Mobile-friendly platform  
    Curacao license and SSL encryption  
    Responsible gambling tools  


    Explore the Best Online Pokies and Casino Games at 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s 10,000+ games provide a thrilling experience for real money pokies Australia players and beyond:

    1. Pokies (Slots)

    7Bit is a haven for online pokies Australia players, offering thousands of titles from classic three-reel slots to modern video slots with immersive graphics and features. Popular titles include:

    • Mega Moolah: Renowned for its massive progressive jackpots, offering life-changing wins.
    • Johnny Cash: A music-themed slot with free spins and engaging bonus rounds.
    • Elvis Frog in Vegas: High-RTP slot with vibrant visuals and sticky wilds.
    • Wild Spin: Packed with wild features and big win potential.
    • Raging Lion: A safari-themed slot with dynamic gameplay and multipliers.
    • Book of Dead: An adventure-themed slot with expanding symbols and high volatility.

    These real money pokies are ideal for players seeking thrilling online pokies real money experiences, with demo modes available for practice.

    2. Table Games

    Traditional casino games offer strategic depth:

    • Blackjack: Variants like Classic, European, and Multi-Hand cater to all skill levels.
    • Roulette: European, American, and French options provide diverse betting opportunities.
    • Baccarat: A simple yet rewarding card game with a low house edge.
    • Poker: Video poker titles like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild for solo play.

    These games complement Australian online pokies for players seeking variety.

    3. Live Dealer Games

    Powered by Evolution Gaming, live dealer games deliver an authentic casino experience:

    • Live Blackjack: Real-time interaction with professional dealers, ideal for online blackjack in Australia.
    • Live Roulette: Authentic wheel-spinning action with multiple camera angles.
    • Live Baccarat: Play against the banker in a high-stakes environment.

    High-quality streaming ensures immersion for online blackjack real money players.

    4. Instant Win Games

    Quick-play options for fast entertainment:

    • Scratch Cards: Virtual lottery-style games with instant payouts.
    • Keno: Number-picking for quick wins, offering simplicity and excitement.

    These are perfect for players taking a break from real money pokies Australia.

    5. Virtual Sports

    Simulated events like football, horse racing, and greyhound racing offer betting opportunities with realistic graphics and outcomes, providing an alternative to online pokies Australia.

    6. Craps

    7Bit does not offer Craps, which may disappoint dice game enthusiasts. However, alternatives like Sic Bo provide similar dice-based excitement with varied betting options, fast-paced gameplay, and high payout potential. Players can also explore table games like roulette or online blackjack for real money for comparable thrills, ensuring a diverse gaming experience alongside real money pokies.

    7. Poker

    7Bit offers a robust poker selection for all skill levels:

    • Video Poker: Popular titles like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces and Faces, and Joker Poker for solo play with high RTPs.
    • Live Poker: Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker via live dealer, offering real-time competition against the dealer.
    • Virtual Poker: Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants for strategic gameplay, perfect for honing skills.

    These options cater to both casual players and seasoned pros seeking alternatives to online pokies real money.

    8. Roulette

    Roulette options provide diverse betting opportunities:

    • European Roulette: Single zero for better odds, popular among strategic players.
    • American Roulette: Double zero increases house edge, adding challenge.
    • French Roulette: Features La Partage and En Prison rules for reduced losses.
    • Live Roulette: Lightning Roulette adds random multipliers for bigger wins, enhancing excitement.

    These games are ideal for players who enjoy strategic betting alongside real money pokies in Australia.

    9. Blackjack

    Blackjack variants offer variety for online blackjack Australia fans:

    • Classic Blackjack: Standard rules for beginners, with a low house edge.
    • European Blackjack: Restricts doubling after splitting, adding strategy.
    • Multi-Hand Blackjack: Play up to five hands at once for higher stakes.
    • Live Blackjack: Real-time games with professional dealers, perfect for online blackjack real money enthusiasts.
    • Blackjack Switch: Allows swapping cards between hands for unique gameplay.

    These options ensure a thrilling experience for players seeking online blackjack real money.

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    Payment Options Available At The Best Online Casinos in Australia

    • Fiat Currency
    Method Deposit Withdrawal Processing Time
    VISA/Mastercard Yes No N/A
    Neosurf Yes No N/A
    Skrill Yes Yes Instant
    Interac Yes Yes Instant
    Neteller Yes Yes Instant
    Paysafe Card Yes No N/A
    PayID Yes Yes 1-24 hours
    Bank Transfer Yes Yes 3-7 days
    • Cryptocurrency
    		      
    Method Deposit Withdrawal Processing Time
    Bitcoin Yes Yes <1 hour
    Litecoin Yes Yes <1 hour
    Binance Coin Yes Yes <1 hour
    Ethereum Yes Yes <1 hour
    Dogecoin Yes Yes <1 hour

    PayID and crypto are the fastest, ideal for online pokies Australia payid users, while bank transfers are slower but reliable.

    The Most Popular Pay-out Methods at 7Bit Casino

    • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin for speed and anonymity.
    • PayID: Fast, Aussie-friendly for online pokies Australia payid users.
    • E-Wallets: Skrill and Neteller for instant withdrawals.
    • Bank Transfers: Slower but reliable for larger transactions.

    PayID and crypto are preferred for their speed, making them ideal for PayID casino players.

    VIP Program at 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s VIP program rewards loyal players with exclusive bonuses, personalized support, and up to 20% cashback. Higher levels offer faster withdrawals, special gifts, and dedicated account managers. Players earn points through wagering on real money pokies in Australia, unlocking perks like free spins and tournament entries. The program enhances the experience for PayID casino users, adding value to every bet.

    Final Thoughts About the Best Online Casino in Australia

    7Bit Casino is likely the top choice for Aussie players in 2025, offering a vast game selection, generous bonuses, and fast PayID withdrawals. Despite minor drawbacks like high wagering requirements and no phone support, its strengths in game variety, mobile compatibility, and player-focused features make it a standout PayID casino.

    Whether you’re spinning online pokies Australia or playing online blackjack real money, 7Bit delivers a thrilling and reliable experience.

    >>PLAY AT 7BIT CASINO – AUSTRALIA’S TOP PAY ID CHOICE FOR 2025!<<

    Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Online Casinos Australia

    1. Is 7Bit Casino legal in Australia?
      7Bit is licensed by Curacao, making it accessible to Australian players. However, online gambling laws vary by state, so players should verify local regulations to ensure compliance before playing real money pokies Australia or other games.
    2. What payment methods are accepted?
      7Bit supports VISA, Mastercard, Neosurf, Skrill, PayID, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more. PayID and cryptocurrencies are the fastest, ideal for online pokies Australia payid users, offering secure and efficient transactions for PayID casino players.
    3. How long do withdrawals take?
      Cryptocurrency withdrawals process in under an hour, PayID takes 1-24 hours, and e-wallets like Skrill are instant. Bank transfers can take 3-7 days, depending on the bank, making PayID and crypto preferred for real money pokies Australia players.
    4. What’s the welcome bonus?
      7Bit offers up to 10,800 AUD + 250 free spins across four deposits, plus a payid pokies australia no deposit bonus of 75 free spins (code ‘75BIT’, x45 wagering). This package is ideal for new players exploring online pokies with real money and other games.
    5. Is mobile gaming available?
      7Bit’s mobile platform is fully optimized for iOS and Android, mirroring the desktop experience. Players can enjoy online pokies Australia, online blackjack real money, and live dealer games on the go with seamless performance and intuitive navigation.

    EMAIL: Support@7bitCasino.com

    Disclaimers and Affiliate Disclosure

    General Disclaimer
    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of April 24, 2025. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer
    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t suitable for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products. Do your own research before signing up or playing real money pokies in Australia.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e955b95c-b051-4108-9d06-23bb3d13cbcd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Canada 2025: 7Bit Casino Recognized as the Best Overall Choice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Ore., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — We played through plenty of online casinos across Canada, hoping to find great bonuses and a good time, but most fell short. After talking to a few local players, one name kept popping up, so we decided to check it out. That’s how we ended up at 7Bit Casino, and right away, it felt different. We were greeted with a 325% bonus up to 5.25 BTC and 250 free spins. The site’s packed with thousands of slots, live games, and fast, crypto-friendly payments.

    ✅JOIN 7BIT CASINO – NO KYC, JUST INSTANT ACTION!

    Why 7Bit Casino Stands Out from Other Casinos in Canada

    7Bit Casino stands out among Canadian online casinos with its crypto-friendly, no KYC approach, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins like Tron and Cardano. It offers instant withdrawals via Pay ID and crypto, unlike many fiat-only competitors. With over 10,000 games from 100+ providers, including NetEnt and BGaming, 7Bit delivers a diverse, exclusive library. The platform also builds community through Telegram, shares exclusive offers, and promotes eco-friendly crypto use, appealing to modern, privacy-focused players.

    Our Favourite Overall Casino

    7Bit Casino is our top pick among the best online casinos in Canada for 2025. Its seamless integration of crypto gaming, a vast slot selection, and rapid payouts make it a standout. The Curacao license guarantees security, while its cryptocurrency focus positions it as a leading anonymous online casino. For players seeking the best online casinos in Canada, 7Bit’s innovative features, player-centric design, and commitment to fairness make it an unrivaled choice.

    How to Join 7Bit Casino

    Joining 7Bit Casino is a breeze, ensuring quick access to the best online casinos in Canada:

    1. Visit the Site: Navigate to 7Bit Casino. Click Here to Directly Visit 7Bit Casino
    2. Sign Up: Click “Sign Up” and provide your email, username, and password.
    3. Select Currency: Choose between fiat or crypto options for deposits and withdrawals.
    4. Verify Account: Confirm your email address via the link sent to your inbox.
    5. Deposit Funds: Fund your account using fiat or crypto payment methods.
    6. Claim Bonus: Activate the welcome bonus of up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins.

    This streamlined process gets you gaming in minutes, a hallmark of the best online casinos in Canada.

    7Bit Casino Features

    7Bit Casino stands out as one of the best online casinos in Canada, licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission for a secure, fair experience. Its mobile compatibility ensures seamless access to games, account management, and withdrawals on the go. With over 10,000 games from 100+ providers, it offers a diverse selection of slots, table games, and live dealers.

    Supporting both fiat and cryptocurrency payments, 7Bit provides flexibility for all players. Fast payouts, especially via Pay ID and crypto, make it a leader in quick transactions, while its VIP program rewards loyalty with cashback, free spins, and bonuses.

    Additional features include:

    • Provably Fair Games: Many crypto-based games allow players to verify outcomes, enhancing trust and transparency.
    • Multi-Language Support: Available in English, French, and other languages, catering to Canada’s multicultural audience.
    • Regular Tournaments: Slot and table game tournaments offer cash prizes and free spins, adding competitive excitement.
    • Advanced Game Filters: Players can sort games by provider, theme, or features like Megaways, Bonus Buy, or high volatility.
    • Customizable Interface: Options to adjust themes and layouts for a tailored gaming experience (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Pros and Cons of 7Bit Casino

    Pros Cons
    Over 10,000 games, including top slots and live dealer options High wagering requirements on some bonuses
    Instant withdrawals via crypto and Pay ID Occasional regional game restrictions
    Generous welcome bonus: 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins  
    Supports fiat and crypto payments  
    Robust VIP program with exclusive rewards  


    Pros Explained:

    • Game Variety: 7Bit’s extensive library offers endless entertainment, from the best online pokies to immersive live dealer experiences, catering to all player preferences.
    • Speedy Payouts: As a pay ID casino, 7Bit ensures instant withdrawals, particularly for crypto users, setting a high standard for efficiency.
    • Bonuses: The welcome package and frequent free spins promotions enhance player value, making every session rewarding.
    • Payment Flexibility: Support for multiple currencies ensures accessibility for diverse players.
    • VIP Program: Personalized rewards, including higher cashback and dedicated account managers, foster loyalty.

    Cons Explained:

    • Wagering Requirements: Some bonuses come with high playthrough conditions, which may challenge players aiming to withdraw winnings quickly.
    • Bank Transfers: While crypto and e-wallets are instant, bank transfers can take 3–5 days, lagging behind faster methods.
    • Regional Restrictions: Certain games may be unavailable in specific regions due to licensing or provider restrictions.

    ✅SIGN UP NOW AND START PLAYING WITH 7BIT CASINO TODAY!

    Regulation of the Best Online Casinos in Canada

    The best online casinos in Canada adhere to stringent regulations to ensure player safety and fairness. Key regulatory aspects include:

    • Licensing Requirements: Casinos like 7Bit must hold valid licenses, such as from the Curacao eGaming Commission, to operate legally. These licenses enforce oversight, fair play, and financial accountability.
    • Provincial Oversight: Ontario regulates online gambling through iGaming Ontario, requiring specific licensing for operators in the province. Offshore casinos, like 7Bit, serve other provinces under international licenses, offering broader access.
    • Age Restrictions: Players must be 19 or older to gamble online in Canada, aligning with federal and provincial laws to protect minors.
    • Responsible Gambling Measures: Licensed casinos provide tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and cooling-off periods to promote responsible play and prevent addiction.
    • Taxation Policies: Recreational gambling winnings are tax-free in Canada, but professional gamblers may face taxation on consistent profits, as per CRA guidelines.
    • Security Standards: Mandatory SSL encryption, TLS1.3 protocols, and fairness audits by organizations like eCOGRA protect player data and ensure game integrity.
    • Advertising Compliance: Casinos must follow strict advertising guidelines, avoiding promotions targeting vulnerable groups or minors, and ensuring ethical marketing practices.

    These regulations create a secure and transparent environment, making platforms like 7Bit trusted choices among the best online casinos in Canada.

    How We Selected 7Bit as the Best Online Casinos in Canada

    Our selection process for the best online casinos in Canada is meticulous, focusing on critical criteria to ensure quality and reliability:

    • License and Security

    A valid license, such as 7Bit’s Curacao eGaming certification, is non-negotiable, guaranteeing regulatory oversight and fair play. Advanced security measures like TLS 1.3, SSL encryption, and two-factor authentication safeguard player data and transactions, making 7Bit a secure choice (Zamsino).

    • Bonuses and Promotions

    We prioritize casinos offering fair and transparent bonuses. 7Bit’s generous welcome package and ongoing free spins promotions provide significant value, though players should note the wagering requirements.

    • Casino Games

    A diverse game library is essential, encompassing slots, table games, live dealer options, and instant-win games. 7Bit’s 10,000+ titles ensure variety for all players.

    • Casino Game Providers

    Partnerships with top providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming ensure high-quality, innovative games. 7Bit’s collaboration with over 100 providers sets it apart.

    • Banking Methods

    Support for multiple payment methods, including fiat and crypto, enhances accessibility. 7Bit’s instant crypto and Pay ID withdrawals are a major draw.

    • Customer Support

    Responsive 24/7 support via live chat, email, and comprehensive FAQs is crucial. 7Bit excels in this area, ensuring player satisfaction.

    How We Choose the Top-Rated Casino Sites

    Our evaluation criteria for top-rated casino sites like 7Bit include:

    • Reputation and Trustworthiness: Positive player reviews and valid licensing build credibility.
    • Game Quality and Variety: High-RTP games and a diverse library cater to all preferences.
    • Bonuses and Promotions: Fair, valuable offers enhance player experience.
    • Payment Options: Secure, varied methods with fast processing times ensure convenience.
    • Customer Support: Responsive, multi-channel assistance resolves issues quickly.
    • Mobile Compatibility: Seamless app or browser play is essential for modern gaming.
    • Security and Fairness: Advanced encryption and third-party audits guarantee safety and integrity.

    7Bit excels across these metrics, solidifying its place among the best online casinos Canada.

    The Selection Process: Defining Excellence in Online Gaming

    Excellence in online gaming, as demonstrated by 7Bit, involves a holistic approach:

    • Player-Centric Design: Intuitive interfaces, fast payouts, and generous bonuses prioritize user satisfaction.
    • Innovation and Updates: Regular game additions and crypto integration keep the platform cutting-edge.
    • Security and Transparency: Robust encryption, provably fair games, and clear terms build trust.
    • Accessibility Across Platforms: Seamless desktop and mobile experiences cater to diverse player needs.This comprehensive strategy positions 7Bit as a leader among the best online casinos in Canada for 2025.

    About Gaming in 7Bit Casino

    Gaming at 7Bit is immersive, intuitive, and endlessly engaging. The user-friendly interface simplifies navigation, allowing players to explore the vast library with ease. Frequent game additions ensure a fresh experience, while high-RTP titles maximize winning potential.

    Whether spinning the best online pokies, strategizing in live dealer games, or enjoying instant win thrills, players benefit from a platform designed for entertainment and fairness. The crypto focus makes 7Bit a best no KYC casino, offering anonymous play without sacrificing security.

    Additional 7Bit Features

    • Loyalty Program: A multi-tiered VIP system offers escalating rewards, including higher cashback percentages, free spins, and dedicated account managers for top-tier players.
    • Seasonal Promotions: Holiday-themed offers, such as Christmas or Halloween bonuses, provide exclusive free spins and deposit matches.
    • Community Engagement: Active Telegram and social media channels deliver real-time updates, exclusive free spins, and a sense of community among players.
    • Low Minimum Deposits: Starting at $10 for fiat and lower for crypto, 7Bit is accessible to players of all budgets.
    • Multi-Currency Accounts: Players can manage balances in multiple currencies, simplifying transactions across fiat and crypto.
    • Eco-Friendly Initiatives: By promoting low-energy crypto transactions, 7Bit appeals to environmentally conscious players, a unique selling point.
    • Cross-Platform Syncing: Progress syncs seamlessly across desktop and mobile, ensuring uninterrupted play.
    • Player Feedback Integration: 7Bit actively incorporates user suggestions, adding requested games and improving features.
    • Crypto Tutorials: Guides for new crypto users simplify deposits and withdrawals, enhancing accessibility.
    • Responsible Gambling Resources: Links to organizations like GamCare and tools like deposit limits promote safe play.
    • High RTP Focus: Many games boast RTPs above 96%, increasing player win potential (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Bonuses and Promotions of 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s welcome bonus is a standout among the best online casinos Canada, offering up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins across four deposits:

    • 1st Deposit: 100% match up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins
    • 2nd Deposit: 75% match up to 1.25 BTC + 100 free spins
    • 3rd Deposit: 50% match up to 1.5 BTC
    • 4th Deposit: 100% match up to 1 BTC + 50 free spins

    Ongoing promotions include:

    • Weekly Cashback: Up to 20% based on weekly losses, rewarding consistent play.
    • Monday Reload: 25% match up to 6.5 mBTC + 50 free spins, kicking off the week with a boost.
    • Wednesday Free Spins: Up to 100 free spins on Snoop Dogg Dollars, based on deposit size.
    • Friday Bonus: 111 free spins for a 0.52 mBTC deposit, perfect for weekend gaming.
    • Weekend Offer: 99 free spins
    • Telegram Offers: Exclusive bonuses, including 50–111 free spins for specific deposits.
    • Pre-Release Offers: 35 free spins on new titles like Gold Nugget Rush, giving early access to fresh games.
    • Spring Elite Offer: Up to 100 free spins, celebrating seasonal events.

    These promotions make 7Bit a top new online casino, keeping players engaged with frequent rewards (CasinoOnlineCA).

    ✅CLICK HERE TO CLAIM 325% UPTO 5.25BTC + 250 FS

    Payment Options

    7Bit offers a versatile range of payment methods, catering to all player preferences:

    • Fiat Options:
      • Visa: Secure card payments with quick deposits.
      • Mastercard: Widely accepted for deposits and withdrawals.
      • Interac: Popular in Canada for fast, local transactions.
      • Skrill: E-wallet for rapid transfers.
      • Neteller: Trusted e-wallet with global reach.
      • Paysafe Card: Prepaid option for secure deposits.
      • Bank Transfer: Reliable but slower for withdrawals.
      • Neosurf: Prepaid voucher for anonymous deposits.
      • EcoPayz: Eco-friendly e-wallet with low fees.
      • MuchBetter: Mobile-friendly payment app for quick transactions.
    • Cryptocurrencies:
      • Bitcoin (BTC): Industry-standard for fast, anonymous transactions.
      • Ethereum (ETH): Smart contract-based crypto for secure payments.
      • Litecoin (LTC): Lightweight crypto with low fees.
      • Dogecoin (DOGE): Popular altcoin for microtransactions.
      • Tether (USDT): Stablecoin for consistent value.
      • Binance Coin (BNB): Versatile crypto for fast transfers.
      • Cardano (ADA): An eco-friendly blockchain for secure payments.
      • Ripple (XRP): Low-cost, high-speed transactions.
      • Tron (TRX): Scalable crypto for efficient transfers.
      • Bitcoin Cash (BCH): An enhanced Bitcoin variant for quick transactions.

    Crypto transactions are instant and anonymous, reinforcing 7Bit’s status as a best no KYC casino. Fiat options like Interac and Skrill are also fast, with Pay ID withdrawals processed in under an hour, making 7Bit a leading Pay ID casino.

    Customer Support

    7Bit provides robust 24/7 support through:

    • Live Chat: Instant, multilingual assistance for real-time issue resolution.
    • Email: Detailed support for complex inquiries, with responses typically within 24 hours.
    • FAQ Section: Comprehensive self-help resources covering account management, payments, and bonuses.

    While phone support is absent, the responsive live chat and email systems ensure player satisfaction. The FAQ section is regularly updated based on player queries, reflecting 7Bit’s commitment to user experience, a key trait of the best online casinos Canada.

    Games Available in 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s expansive library of over 10,000 games includes:

    Slots

    Featuring the best online pokies, with high-RTP titles and diverse themes:

    • Mega Moolah: Progressive jackpot with life-changing payouts, ideal for jackpot hunters.
    • Starburst: Vibrant, fast-paced slot with frequent wins.
    • Book of Dead: Adventure-themed favorite with immersive storytelling.
    • Johnny Cash: Music-inspired slot with engaging features.
    • Raging Lion: Safari-themed game with big win potential.

    Table Games

    Classic and modern variants for strategic players:

    • Blackjack: Includes Classic, Multi-Hand, and European variants for varied gameplay.
    • Roulette: European, American, and French versions with distinct betting options.
    • Baccarat: Punto Banco and Speed Baccarat for quick, elegant play.
    • Craps: Fast-paced dice game with multiple betting strategies.
    • Poker: Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, and Video Poker (Jacks or Better) for skill-based fun.

    Live Dealer Games

    Powered by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play, offering immersive real-time experiences:

    • Live Blackjack: Multi-table options with interactive dealers.
    • Live Roulette: HD streaming for authentic spins, with European and American variants.
    • Live Baccarat: Elegant gameplay with professional croupiers.
    • Live Poker: Casino Hold’em and Three Card Poker for strategic battles.
    • Game Shows: Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, and Monopoly Live for entertainment-driven play.

    Instant Win Games

    Quick-play options for instant thrills:

    • Scratch Cards: Simple games with instant prize reveals.
    • Keno: Number-based game with customizable bets.
    • Bingo: Classic and themed variants for casual fun.

    This diverse selection makes 7Bit a top destination among the best online casinos Canada (Casino.org).

    The Most Popular Pay-out Methods at 7Bit Casino

    The most preferred payout methods at 7Bit include:

    • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin offer instant withdrawals with low fees, ideal for anonymous transactions.
    • E-wallets: Skrill, Neteller, and Interac provide quick processing, typically within 1–24 hours.
    • Pay ID: Near-instant withdrawals, highly popular among Canadian players for speed and convenience.
    • Bank Transfers: Reliable but slower, taking 3–5 days, suitable for larger withdrawals.

    Crypto’s speed and anonymity make it a favorite, aligning with 7Bit’s anonymous online casino appeal. Pay ID’s efficiency further enhances its status as a leading pay ID casino.

    Additional 7Bit Casino Highlights

    • Award Recognition: 7Bit has been nominated for “Best Crypto Casino” in recent industry awards, reflecting its excellence in the crypto gaming space.
    • Global Accessibility: Supports players from multiple countries, with region-specific promotions tailored to Canadian users.
    • High Volatility Options: A dedicated section for high-volatility slots caters to risk-takers seeking big wins.
    • Player-Driven Updates: Regular platform enhancements based on user feedback, such as improved navigation and new game categories.
    • Crypto Staking Rewards: Experimental feature allowing players to earn small rewards by holding certain cryptocurrencies in their 7Bit wallet.
    • Exclusive Game Releases: Early access to new titles from providers like BGaming, often paired with free spins promotions.
    • Social Responsibility: Partnerships with responsible gambling organizations and in-house tools to promote safe play (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Final Thoughts On Best Online Casinos Canada

    7Bit Casino, rated 4.8/5 for 2025, offers innovation, security, and entertainment with a vast game library, crypto-friendly platform, instant payouts, and player-focused features. Ideal for free spins, online pokies, or live dealer games, it excels as a leading pay ID and anonymous casino, delivering a secure, rewarding, and cutting-edge experience.

    ✅NO ID? NO PROBLEM! PLAY ANONYMOUSLY WITH JUST ONE CLICK!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Is 7Bit Casino legal in Canada?
      Yes, 7Bit Casino is licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission, making it legal for Canadian players outside Ontario, where iGaming Ontario regulates local operators. Always verify local laws before playing.
    2. What’s the welcome bonus?
      New players can claim up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins across four deposits. The bonus is structured to reward initial deposits, with free spins usable on select slots.
    3. How fast are withdrawals?
      Crypto and Pay ID withdrawals are processed instantly, often within minutes. E-wallets like Skrill take 1–24 hours, while bank transfers may require 3–5 days.
    4. Is there a mobile version?
      Yes, 7Bit offers a seamless mobile platform compatible with iOS and Android. Players can access the full game library and manage accounts without downloading an app.
    5. Are there no deposit bonuses?
      Yes, 7Bit occasionally offers no-deposit bonuses, such as free spins for new players or Telegram promotions. Check the promotions page or social channels for updates.
    6. Can I play anonymously?
      Yes, crypto transactions allow anonymous play, requiring minimal personal information. This makes 7Bit a top choice for privacy-conscious players.

    EMAIL: Support@7bitCasino.com

    Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure

    General Disclaimer
    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of writing. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer
    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee7b7996-5711-4ded-8c48-d7d20368a86a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: XenDex Soft Cap Almost Filled as Demand Explodes $XDX Tokens Selling Out Ahead of Exchange Listing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Australia, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The window is closing fast. XenDex, the revolutionary all-in-one decentralized exchange built on the XRP Ledger, is on the brink of selling out its presale and early buyers may never see these current prices again, keep reading.

    In a week dominated by XRP market milestones, including Brazil’s first XRP Spot ETF approval, the SEC’s lawsuit withdrawal, and the greenlight for ProShares’ XRP Futures ETF — XenDex has emerged as the go-to DeFi platform for XRP holders. Now, with its soft cap almost completely filled, the urgency to secure $XDX tokens has reached new heights.

    Buy $XDX Now!

    XDX Price Set to Increase After Today

    Currently, 1 XRP = 10 XDX, But once the soft cap is filled, 1.25 XRP will be required to purchase 10 XDX.

    That’s a 25% increase after the soft cap is raised, and with demand surging, this is the final opportunity to buy $XDX at its lowest possible rate.

    Join the Presale Now: https://xendex.net/presale

    High-Profile Listings Confirmed

    Once the presale concludes, $XDX is already lined up for listing on major exchanges, including:

    • Binance
    • Gate.io
    • BitMart
    • MEXC
    • FirstLedger
    • MagneticX

    These listings will open the doors to global liquidity, institutional access, and high-volume trading, making today’s entry price even more critical.

    Purchase XDX At Lowest Presale Price

    What Makes XenDex Different

    Unlike anything currently on XRPL, XenDex delivers:

    • AI-Powered Copy Trading – Mirror elite trader strategies in real-time
    • Non-Custodial Lending & Borrowing – Borrow and lend XRP and XDX tokens to earn rewards
    • Cross-Chain Trading – Swap XRP tokens across major blockchains like Solana and BNB
    • Staking and Yield Farming – Earn rewards by supplying liquidity to the platform
    • DAO Governance – $XDX holders vote on upgrades and future developments

    Thousands are already in and holding $XDX, what are you waiting for?

    The XenDex community is exploding across Telegram and Twitter, with whales and retail investors alike locking in their $XDX allocations before the price jump. Presale supply is shrinking by the hour and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

    Join XenDex Presale

    Final chance to buy at launch price is now! Do not miss it.

    This is your last chance to get in before $XDX becomes more expensive.

    Don’t wait until tomorrow to regret what you could have done today.

    Visit Official XenDex Links

    Website: https://xendex.net
    Presale: https://xendex.net/presale
    Telegram: https://t.me/xendexcommunity
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/xendex_xrp
    Docs: https://xdxdocs.gitbook.io

    Contact:
    Frank Richards
    Frank@xendex.net

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5fc1748f-4060-4d9b-a620-c57ff79a5e61

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor maintains clear lead in all polls and is likely to win election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Labor leads by between 52–48 and 53–47 in four new national polls from Resolve, Essential, Morgan and DemosAU. While Labor’s vote slumped from a high 55.5–44.5 in Morgan to 53–47, such a slide hasn’t been seen in any other poll. Labor remains the likely winner of the election this Saturday.

    A national Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted April 23–28 from a sample of 2,010 by online and telephone polling, gave Labor a 53–47 lead, a 0.5-point gain for the Coalition since the mid-April Resolve poll. Telephone polling by Resolve appears to only be used for their final polls before a federal election.

    Primary votes were 35% Coalition (up one), 31% Labor (steady), 14% Greens (up one), 7% One Nation (up one), 8% independents (down four) and 5% others (steady). The 53–47 two-party result was achieved whether preferences were allocated as at the 2022 election or by respondents.

    In this poll, Resolve is using seat-specific candidate lists, which Morgan and YouGov are now also doing. This resulted in a drop in the independent vote, as not all seats have viable independents.

    Here is the graph of Labor’s two-party share in national polls. There was a 2.5-point drop for Labor in Morgan, but no other poll this week has had such a large change. Although Labor is slightly down, they are likely to win Saturday’s election. This graph does not include the DemosAU poll.

    Anthony Albanese’s net approval in Resolve was steady at +1, with 45% saying he was doing a good job and 44% a poor job. Peter Dutton’s net approval slumped six points to -24. Albanese maintained a 47–31 lead over Dutton as preferred PM (46–30 previously).

    The change in voting intentions and leaders’ ratings since the late February Resolve poll is dramatic. The February poll had given the Coalition a 55–45 lead by respondent preferences. Albanese’s net approval was -22, Dutton’s was +5 and Dutton led Albanese as preferred PM by 39–35.

    The Liberals led Labor on economic management by 37–29 (36–31 previously). On keeping the cost of living low, the Liberals led by 31–28 (tied at 30–30 previously).

    Final Essential poll: Labor leads by 52.1–47.9

    The Guardian reported Tuesday that the final Essential poll, conducted April 23–27 from a sample of 2,241 gave Labor a 52.1–47.9 lead by respondent preferences with undecided removed, from primary votes of 34% Coalition, 32% Labor, 13% Greens, 10% One Nation, 2% Trumpet of Patriots and 9% for all Others,

    In Essential’s usual methods that include undecided, Labor led by 49.6–45.6 (50–45 in mid-April). Primary votes were 32% Coalition (steady), 31% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (down one), 9% One Nation (steady), 2% Trumpet of Patriots (steady), 9% for all Others (steady) and 5% undecided (up one). By 2022 election flows, Labor would lead by about 52.5–47.5.

    Albanese’s net approval was steady at -3, with 47% disapproving and 44% approving. Dutton’s net approval dropped three points to -12, a record low for him in this poll. By 52–31, voters thought Australia was on the wrong track (50–33 previously).

    A total of 81% rated cost of living one of the top three most important issues, including 49% who rated it the top issue. By 68–32, voters did not think the elected government would make a meaningful difference on cost of living.

    Morgan poll: Labor drops to a 53–47 lead

    A national Morgan poll, conducted April 21–27 from a sample of 1,524, gave Labor a 53–47 lead by headline respondent preferences, a 2.5-point gain for the Coalition since the April 14–20 Morgan poll.

    Primary votes were 34.5% Coalition (up 0.5), 34% Labor (down 0.5), 13% Greens (down 1.5), 7.5% One Nation (up 1.5), 1.5% Trumpet of Patriots (up one), 2% teal independents and 7.5% for all Others. By 2022 election flows, Labor led by 54–46, a 1.5-point gain for the Coalition.

    By 52.5–34, voters thought the country was going in the wrong direction (48–34 previously). Morgan’s consumer confidence index was down 2.1 points to 83.4, its lowest for more than six months.

    DemosAU poll 52–48 to Labor with low major party primary votes

    A national DemosAU poll, conducted April 22–23 from a sample of 1,073, gave Labor a 52–48 lead after a forced choice question for the 14% who were initially undecided.

    Primary votes after forcing were 31% Coalition, 29% Labor, 14% Greens, 9% One Nation, 7% independents and 10% others. DemosAU used seat-specific polls, reading the candidate list as it appears on the ballot paper. Other pollsters get higher primary votes for the major parties as those parties are listed first on seat-specific polls.

    Albanese led Dutton by 43–34 as preferred PM.

    DemosAU poll of outer metro Brisbane seats

    DemosAU collectively polled the five seats of Longman, Dickson, Petrie, Bonner and Forde on April 18–23 from a sample of 1,053 for The Financial Review. The Liberal National Party led Labor by 53–47 (53.4–46.6 to the LNP across these five seats at the 2022 election).

    Primary votes were 40% LNP, 27% Labor, 13% Greens, 7% One Nation, 2% Trumpet of Patriots and 11% for all Others.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Labor maintains clear lead in all polls and is likely to win election – https://theconversation.com/labor-maintains-clear-lead-in-all-polls-and-is-likely-to-win-election-255426

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Perth Museum shortlisted for Museum of the Year

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, annually shortlists five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year.

    The 2025 prize recognises inspiring projects and activity from autumn 2023 through to winter 2024. In addition to looking at the overall achievements of the organisation, the judges are tasked with identifying impactful projects that spotlight the wide range of remarkable people, including museum staff and volunteers, who bring museums to life by engaging with communities, families and younger visitors, artists and creatives.

    Helen Smout, Chief Executive Officer of Culture Perth and Kinross said: “We are thrilled to be in the running as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, and honoured to be the only Scottish museum on the shortlist.

    “This nomination belongs to the people of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and all our staff, volunteers, supporters, and contributors who have helped make Perth Museum a very special place since we opened just over a year ago. We are changing perspectives on what a small, regional museum can achieve. Regardless of who takes home the grand prize, we already feel like winners. Good luck to all of our fellow shortlistees.”

    Perth Museum, home of the Stone of Destiny, opened in March 2024 following a £27 million development at the former Perth City Hall, telling the story of over 10,000 years of Scottish and world history through a local lens.

    Alongside the stone, the Museum displays Perth & Kinross’s Recognised Collections of National Significance as well as iconic loans and exhibitions. Perth Museum has welcomed over 250,000 visitors since opening, exceeding its annual visitor target of 167,000 by 50%.

    Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, added: “Perth Museum has been a wonderful addition to the city and this nomination is extremely well-deserved.  I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make Perth Museum such a success and am delighted their efforts have been recognised by Art Fund.

    “Perth Museum brings our history to life in new and innovative ways with The Stone of Destiny at its heart, and this is complemented by fantastic and thought-provoking temporary exhibitions such as the new Macbeth exhibition which opened last week.

    “It has been a huge hit with visitors, attracting more than quarter of a million visitors since it opened, and I am sure it will only go from strength-to-strength going forward.”

    The four other shortlisted museums are Beamish, The Living Museum of the North (County Durham); Chapter (Cardiff); Compton Verney (Warwickshire); and Golden Thread Gallery (Belfast).

    The winning museum, recipient of £120,000, will be announced on 26 June at a ceremony at the Museum of Liverpool, the first time the event will be held outside London. £15,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists – bringing the total prize money to £180,000.

    The 2025 judging panel, chaired by Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, includes: Rana Begum (Artist), Dr David Dibosa (Director of Research and Interpretation, Tate), Jane Richardson (Chief Executive, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales) and Phil Wang (Comedian, Writer, Actor). The judges will visit each of the finalists to inform their decision-making, while each museum will make the most of being shortlisted over the summer through events and activities for new and current visitors.

    Art Fund director Jenny Waldman said: “Congratulations to Perth Museum on being shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. This year’s finalists are inspiring examples of museums at their best – deeply connected to their local communities, responsive to the world around them, and alive with energy and ideas. Each one offers a distinctive experience, showing the endless creativity and care that goes into making museums inspiring and exciting spaces for everyone. Art Fund is proud to celebrate their work and support their ambition through Art Fund Museum of the Year. We hope people across the UK will be inspired to visit these remarkable places and museums in their local area to discover the powerful role they can play in our lives.”

    The prize is funded thanks to the generosity of Art Fund’s members who buy a National Art Pass. During the shortlist celebration period (29 April to 26 June), Art Pass holders can enjoy free entry to the new Macbeth exhibition at Perth Museum, and 50% off all paid exhibitions at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery year-round.

    Macbeth: An Exhibition, 25 April – 31 August 2025, invites visitors to explore the real medieval King Macbeth, and the Shakespearean play that made him a household name. From Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Hill, to the Stone of Destiny used to crown the Kings of Scotland, the story of Macbeth is embedded in Perthshire. 

    Visitors can get up close to a never-before-displayed 11th century sword from the time of the real King Macbeth, a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio, and first editions of the key historical texts that inspired the play. Cinema fans will also be in for a treat with costumes worn by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard in the 2015 film Macbeth on display for the first time. From medieval royalty, to court intrigue, to witchcraft trials, to popular culture, this exhibition examines the enduring influence of Macbeth across the centuries.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Award winners impress with dedication and resilience

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Ms Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi is the 2024 Young Canberran Citizen of the Year.

    In brief:

    • The 2024 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recipients have been announced.
    • The Awards celebrate Canberrans aged 12 to 25 who have made a significant contribution to the community.
    • There are seven categories in this year’s Awards.

    A young African-Australian community leader has won the 2024 Young Canberran Citizen of the Year Award.

    Ms Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi is an Executive Youth Leader at the African Australian Council ACT. She uses her lived experience to be a role model for young people.

    In 2019, Ms Rabi emigrated from South Sudan, aged 15. She had lost both her parents at a young age.

    Today she encourages celebrating African culture in Canberra. She promotes social cohesion and engagement in the broader community.

    Her advocacy promotes inclusivity. It also fosters a greater understanding of the experiences and contributions of African Australians.

    Winners and commendations

    The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate Canberrans aged 12 to 25 who have made a significant contribution to the ACT community.

    The awards celebrate young people for achievements in fields such as sport, education, science, culture, the arts and the environment.

    There were seven categories in this year’s Awards.

    Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award

    Winner: Ms Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi

    Ms Rabi is an Executive Youth Leader at the African Australian Council ACT. She is a powerful advocate for African-Australian youth. She celebrates African culture and promotes social cohesion, helping to reduce isolation and the impact of racial abuse, while encouraging broader community engagement.

    Commendation: Ms Tahalianna Mahanga

    Young Achiever Award

    Winner: Mr Seth Burr

    Seth Burr is a Leadership group member at his school. He is also a mentor for younger students and a member of ACT Scouts. He participates in ANZAC Day marches, Gang Shows, peer monitoring, school musicals and fundraising events. 

    Commendation: Ms Emma Booth

    Personal Achievement Award

    Winner: Miss Jasmine Eldridge

    Jasmine Eldridge, a single mother, has overcome many personal challenges. She has gained a diploma in Educational Studies. Through lived experience she advocates for young people with disabilities.

    Commendation: Ms Jemma Rule

    Individual Community Service Award 

    Winner: Mx Madison (Casey) Barancewicz

    Mx Barancewicz is actively involved in Youth Advocacy Groups, projects. These include the ACT Youth Advisory Council, Disability Youth Reference Group, Unruly Girls Youth Ethics Advisory Group, Member and The ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance, the Youth Mental Health Youth Reference Group (YRG). 

    Commendation: Miss Sonali Varma

    Environment and Sustainability Award

    Winner: Ms Anjali Sharma

    Ms Sharma is a climate activist. She introduced a Bill with Senator David Pocock, called the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Equity) Bill. She did this to compel the Federal Government to take the health of young people into consideration when approving developments that may release greenhouse gases.

    Commendation: Ms Yuna Rougeaux

    Commendation: Ms Neve Larsen

    Arts and Multimedia Award 

    Winner: Ms Tahalianna Mahanga

    Ms Mahanga is a proud young Wiradjuri and Tongan woman. She performs as a solo vocalist. She is also a youth advocate, including the ACT Student Representative at the National School Reform Agreement Ministerial Reference Group. She was involved with The Mindyigari Centre for Excellence at Erindale College and the Gugan Gulwan Youth Association.

    Commendation: Ms Grace Flanagan

    Group Achievement Award

    Winner: St Mary MacKillop College

    The Year 12 cohort at St Mary MacKillop College designed the ‘Relay Your Way’ event. This local community initiative celebrates cancer survivorship, honours those we’ve lost, and spurs on the fight against cancer. They raised over $75,000 for the Relay for Life this year, the highest fundraising total for Relay for Life across Australia.

    Commendation: ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance Youth Reference Group

    Nomination and assessment

    Anyone can nominate a young person for an award. People can also self-nominate.

    The nominations are assessed by representatives from the:

    • ACT Youth Advisory Council
    • ACT Government
    • award category sponsor.

    View past award winners.

    Find out more about the Awards.

    Read more like this:

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Albanese will be encouraged by ‘Trump’ effect in helping Canadian Liberals to victory

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Labor will be encouraged by the Liberals’ victory in Canada’s election, undoubtedly much helped by US President Donald Trump.

    Trump’s extraordinary attack on the United States’ northern ally, with his repeated suggestion Canada should be the 51st American state, galvanised voters. Former banker Mark Carney, seen as best able to deal with Trump, won the internal race to succeed Justin Trudeau as PM, and now has clinched the election. The Conservatives, favourites a few months ago, couldn’t compete.

    The Trump factor is not so dramatic in our election, but it is present and working for Labor. In a time of instability, some potential swinging voters are more inclined to opt for the status quo.

    Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, “Mark Carney has stood for Canada’s national interests, just as I stand up for Australia’s national interest”.

    Australians don’t like Trump or his policies. A recent Lowy poll found people’s trust in the US to act responsibly in the world has dropped 20 points in a year, although they were nearly equally divided on whether Albanese or Peter Dutton would be better to handle the US and Trump.

    After initially thinking Trump’s election could assist the Coalition, Dutton has not been able to shake off the “Trump factor” since it became clear it was a drag.

    Meanwhile, Dutton was having another difficult day on the campaign trail on Tuesday. His electorate office had been vandalised (again) in the early hours. Then, when he visited a sporting ground in the highly marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast, three local unionists, outfitted in protective gear, turned up to play for the cameras at finding a spot for a nuclear reactor.

    In Gilmore former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance is making another run, after being narrowly pipped by Labor at the 2022 election.

    Dutton had planned to hold his news conference at the ground, but cancelled it and moved on. When the press conference finally happened, it was short but not sweet. Both leader and press pack were, by that stage, tetchy.

    Unlike his unfortunate experience on Sunday with the price of eggs, Dutton did pass the test when asked the inflation rate. He quickly answered 2.7%. This is not the headline rate, which is 2.4%, but it is the trimmed mean rate. That’s the rate preferred by the Reserve Bank, so he would get a tick from Governor Michele Bullock, even if his choice caused some confusion in the media. On Wednesday we get the March quarter CPI figures.

    How the leaders’ debates rated

    Nine won by a whisker the “ratings” contest among TV stations in the leaders’ debates, followed by the ABC. These are considered high figures for election debates. What we don’t know is how many viewers watched all four debates. Now that took some stamina!

    How voters rate former PMs

    Essential Research’s latest poll has an interesting table of people’s ratings of former prime ministers, with John Howard and Bob Hawke filling the first two spots.

    Howard, 85, remains in demand for Liberal campaigning. Speaking to The Conversation, he reels off quite a round of seats he’s visited, including Curtin, Tangey, Bullwinkel and Hasluck in Western Australia (all in a day and a half); Wentworth, Mackellar, Robertson, Warringhah and Bennelong (his old seat) in NSW, and Bruce in Melbourne. He agrees the campaign cycle is faster these days, but he obviously still relishes the smell of the political grease paint.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election Diary: Albanese will be encouraged by ‘Trump’ effect in helping Canadian Liberals to victory – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-albanese-will-be-encouraged-by-trump-effect-in-helping-canadian-liberals-to-victory-255387

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Call for witness – Aggravated robbery – Darwin CBD

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for a witness in relation to an aggravated robbery in Darwin CBD on Tuesday 15 April.

    Serious Crime detectives believe the man pictured could assist with enquiries and are requesting he contact police.

    Anyone with information on this man’s whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500038888.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets NBR delegation  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-04-28
    President Lai meets Japanese Diet Member and former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi Sanae
    On the afternoon of April 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi Sanae. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of Japan for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at important international venues. The president expressed hope that in the face of China’s continually expanding red supply chains, Taiwan and Japan can continue to cooperate closely in such fields as semiconductors, energy, and AI technology to create non-red supply chains that enhance economic resilience and industrial competitiveness for both sides, and jointly pave the way for further prosperity and growth in the Indo-Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Representative Takaichi as she returns for another visit to Taiwan. I am also very happy to have Members of the House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi and Ozaki Masanao, and Member of the House of Councillors Sato Kei all gathered together here to engage in these very important exchanges. Our visitors will be taking part in many exchange activities during this trip. Earlier today at the Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank’s International Political and Economic Forum, Representative Takaichi delivered a speech in which she clearly demonstrated the great importance she places upon the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. For this I want to express my deepest appreciation to each of our guests. The peoples of Taiwan and Japan have a deep friendship and mutual trust. We have a shared commitment to the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, but beyond that, we both have striven to contribute to regional peace and stability. I also want to thank the government of Japan for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at important international venues. Tomorrow you will all make a trip to Kaohsiung to visit a bronze statue of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who once said, “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” We will always remember the firm support and friendship he showed Taiwan. Since taking office last year, I have worked hard to improve Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience and implement our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. By strengthening our national defense capabilities, building up economic security, demonstrating stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and deepening partnerships with democratic countries including Japan, we can together maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and across the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, in the face of China’s continually expanding red supply chains, we hope that Taiwan and Japan, as important economic and trade partners, can continue to cooperate closely in such fields as semiconductors, energy, and AI technology to create non-red supply chains that further enhance economic resilience and industrial competitiveness for both sides. Going forward, Taiwan will work hard to play an important role in the international community and contribute its key strengths. I hope that, with the support of our guests, Taiwan can soon accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and sign an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan so that we can jointly pave the way for further prosperity and growth in the Indo-Pacific region. Lastly, I thank each of you once again for taking concrete action to support Taiwan. I am confident that your visit will help deepen Taiwan-Japan ties and create even greater opportunities for cooperation. Let us all strive together to keep propelling Taiwan-Japan relations forward.  Representative Takaichi then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai and Taiwanese political leaders for the warm hospitality they extended to the delegation, and mentioning that the visiting delegation members are all like-minded partners carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. July 8 this year will mark the third anniversary of the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, she said, and when the former prime minister unfortunately passed away, President Lai, then serving as vice president, was among the first to come offer condolences, for which she expressed sincere admiration and gratitude. Representative Takaichi stated that Taiwan and Japan are island nations that face the same circumstances and problems, and that Japan’s trade activities rely heavily on ocean transport, so once a problem arises nearby that threatens maritime shipping lanes, it will be a matter of life and death for Japan. Taiwan and Japan are similar, as once a problem arises, both will face food and energy security issues, and supply chains may even be threatened, she said. Regarding Taiwan-Japan cooperation, Representative Takaichi stated that both sides must first protect and strengthen supply chain resilience. President Lai has previously said that he wants to turn Taiwan into an AI island, she said, and in semiconductors, Taiwan has the world’s leading technology. Representative Takaichi went on to say that Taiwan and Japan can collaborate in the fields of AI and semiconductors, quantum computing, and dual-use industries, as well as in areas such as drones and new energy technologies to build more resilient supply chains, so that if problems arise, we can maintain our current standard of living with peace of mind. Representative Takaichi indicated that cooperation in the defense sector is also crucial, and that by uniting like-minded countries including Taiwan, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia, and even countries in Europe, we can build a stronger network to jointly maintain our security guarantees. Representative Takaichi expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will continue to strengthen substantive non-governmental relations, including personnel exchange visits and information sharing, so that we can jointly face and respond to crises when they arise. Regarding the hope to sign a Taiwan-Japan EPA that President Lai had mentioned earlier, she also expressed support and said she looks forward to upcoming exchanges and talks. The visiting delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai delivers remarks at International Holocaust Remembrance Day event
    On the afternoon of April 23, President Lai Ching-te attended an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event and delivered remarks, in which he emphasized that peace is priceless, and war has no winners, while morality, democracy, and respect for human rights are powerful forces against violence and tyranny. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to expand cooperation with democratic partners and safeguard regional and global peace and stability, defending democracy, freedom, and human rights. He said we must never forget history, and must overcome our differences and join in solidarity to ensure that the next generations live in a world that is more just and more peaceful. Upon arriving at the event, President Lai heard a testimony from the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, followed by a rabbi’s recitation of the prayer “El Maleh Rachamim.” He then joined other distinguished guests in lighting candles in memory of the victims. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to thank the Israel Economic and Cultural Office (ISECO) in Taipei, German Institute Taipei, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for co-organizing this deeply significant memorial ceremony again this year. I also want to thank everyone for attending. We are here today to remember the victims of the Holocaust, express sympathy for the survivors, honor the brave individuals who protected the victims, and acknowledge all who were impacted by this atrocity. It was deeply moving to hear Ms. [Orly] Sela share the story of how her grandmother, Yehudit Biksz, escaped the Nazi regime. I want to thank her specially for traveling so far to attend this event. From the 1930s through World War II, the Nazi regime sought to exclude Jewish people from society. In their campaign, they perpetrated systematic genocide driven by their ideology. Policies and directives under the authoritarian Nazi regime resulted in the deaths of approximately 6 million Jews. Millions of others were persecuted, including Romani people, persons with disabilities, the gay community, and anyone who disagreed with Nazi ideology. It is one of the darkest chapters in human history. Many countries, including Taiwan, have enacted anti-massacre legislation, and observe a remembrance day each year. Those occasions help us remember the victims, preserve historical memory, and most importantly, reinforce our resolve to fight against hatred and discrimination. Twenty-three years ago, Chelujan (車路墘) Church in Tainan founded the Taiwan Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is the first Jewish museum in Taiwan, and the second Holocaust museum in Asia. Its founding mission urges us to forget hatred and love one another; put an end to war and advocate peace. Many of the exhibition items come from Jewish people, connecting Taiwan closer with Israel and helping Taiwanese better understand the experiences of Jewish people. In this way, we grow to more deeply cherish peace. When I was mayor of Tainan, I took part in an exhibition event at Chelujan Church. I was also invited by the Israeli government to join the International Mayors Conference in Israel, where I visited the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. I will never forget how deeply that experience moved me, and as a result, peace and human rights became even more important issues for me. These issues are valued by Taiwan and our friends and allies. They are also important links connecting Taiwan with the world. Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. We will continue to expand cooperation with democratic partners and safeguard regional and global peace and stability. We will also continue to make greater contributions and work with the international community to defend democracy, freedom, and human rights. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. However, we still see wars raging around the world. We see a resurgence of authoritarian powers, which could severely impact global democracy, peace, and prosperous development. Today’s event allows for more than reflection on the past; it also serves as a warning for the future. We are reminded of the threats that hatred, prejudice, and extremism pose to humanity. But we are also reminded that morality, democracy, and respect for human rights are powerful forces against violence and tyranny. We must never forget history. We must overcome our differences and join in solidarity for a better future. Let’s work together to ensure that the next generations live in a world that is more just and more peaceful. Also in attendance at the event were Member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) and Taiwan friendship group Chair Boaz Toporovsky, ISECO Representative Maya Yaron, and German Institute Taipei Deputy Director General Andreas Hofem.

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai pays respects to Pope Francis  
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te visited the Taipei Archdiocesan Curia to pay respects in a memorial ceremony for His Holiness Pope Francis. As officiant of the ceremony, President Lai burned incense and presented flowers, fruits, and wine to pay his respects to Pope Francis. At the direction of the master of ceremonies, the president then bowed three times in front of Pope Francis’s memorial portrait, conveying his grief and deep respect for the late pope. After hearing of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21, President Lai promptly requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express sincere condolences from the people and government of Taiwan to the Vatican. The president also instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to convey condolences to the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan.  

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai meets US CNAS NextGen fellows
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te met with fellows from the Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Program (NextGen) run by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of the United States for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The president pointed out that we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, and form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment and bring about even closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, allowing us to reduce the trade deficit and generate development that benefits both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Ms. Michèle Flournoy, chair of the CNAS Board of Directors, is a good friend of Taiwan, and she has made major contributions to Taiwan-US relations through her long-time efforts on various aspects of our cooperation. I am happy to welcome Chair Flournoy, who is once again leading a NextGen Fellowship delegation to Taiwan. CNAS is a prominent think tank focusing on US national security and defense policy based in Washington, DC. Its NextGen Fellowship has fostered talented individuals in the fields of national security and foreign affairs. This year’s delegation is significantly larger than those of the past, demonstrating the increased importance that the next generation of US leaders attach to Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. The Taiwan Strait, an issue of importance for our guests, has become a global issue. There is a high degree of international consensus that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable elements in global security and prosperity. Facing military threats from China, Taiwan proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we are actively implementing military reforms, enhancing whole-of-society defense resilience, and working to increase our defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP. Second, we are strengthening our economic resilience. As Taiwan’s economy must keep advancing, we can no longer put all our eggs in one basket. We are taking action to remain firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence and marketing worldwide. In these efforts, we are already seeing results. Third, we are standing side-by-side with other democratic countries to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace through strength. And fourth, Taiwan is willing, under the principles of parity and dignity, to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China towards achieving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This April 10 marked the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act. We thank the US government for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to strengthen collaboration on the development of both our defense industries as well as the building of non-red supply chains. This will yield even more results and further deepen our economic and trade partnership. The US is now the main destination for outbound investment from Taiwan. Moving forward, we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. And our government will form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment. We hope this will bring Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation even closer and, through mutually beneficial assistance, allow us to generate development that benefits both our sides while reducing our trade deficit. In closing, thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. We hope your trip is fruitful and leaves you with a deep impression of Taiwan. We also hope that going forward you continue supporting Taiwan and advancing even greater development for Taiwan-US ties.  Chair Flournoy then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for making time to receive their delegation. Referring to President Lai’s earlier remarks, she said that it is quite an impressive group, as past members of this program have gone on to become members of the US Congress, leading government experts, and leaders in the think-tank world and in the private sector. She remarked that investing in this group is a wonderful privilege for her and that they appreciate President Lai’s agreeing to take the time to engage in exchange with them. Chair Flournoy emphasized that they are visiting Taiwan at a critical moment, when there is so much change and volatility in the geostrategic environment, a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of unpredictability. She stated that given our shared values, our shared passion for democracy and human rights, and our shared interests in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, this is an important time for dialogue, collaboration, and looking for additional opportunities where we can work together towards regional peace and stability.

    Details
    2025-04-18
    President Lai meets US delegation from Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific
    On the afternoon of April 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Senator Pete Ricketts, chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. In remarks, President Lai said we hope to promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation. The president said that by deepening cooperation, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. He said a more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome you all to Taiwan. I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Chairman Pete Ricketts and Ranking Member Chris Coons for their high regard and support for Taiwan. Chairman Ricketts has elected to visit Taiwan on his first overseas trip since taking up his new position in January. Ranking Member Coons made a dedicated trip to Taiwan in 2021 to announce a donation of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the US government. He also visited last May, soon after my inauguration, continuing to deepen Taiwan-US exchanges. Thanks to support from Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons, the US Congress has continued to introduce many concrete initiatives and resources to assist Taiwan through the National Defense Authorization Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, bringing the Taiwan-US partnership even closer. For this, I want to again express my gratitude. There has long been bipartisan support in the US Congress for maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait. Faced with China’s persistent political and military intimidation, Taiwan will endeavor to reform national defense and enhance whole-of-society defense resilience. We will also make special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP, up from the current 2.5 percent, so as to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. We will also promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. We hope to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation, jointly promoting prosperity and development. We believe that by deepening cooperation through the Taiwan plus one policy, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. A more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. In closing, I wish Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons a smooth and successful visit. Chairman Ricketts then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his hospitality. He said that he and his delegation have had a wonderful time meeting with government officials, industry representatives, and the team at the American Institute in Taiwan. Highlighting that Taiwan has long been a friend and partner of the US, he said their bipartisan delegation to Taiwan emphasizes long-time bipartisan support in the US Congress for Taiwan, and though administrations change, that bipartisan support remains. Chairman Ricketts stated that the US is committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and that they want to see peace across the Taiwan Strait. He also stated that the US opposes any unilateral change in the status of Taiwan and that they expect any differences between Taiwan and China to be resolved peacefully without coercion or the threat of force. To that end, he said, the US will continue to assist Taiwan in its self-defense and will also step up by bolstering its own defense capabilities, noting that there is broad consensus on this in the US Congress. Chairman Ricketts stated that they want to see Taiwan participate in international organizations and memberships where appropriate, and encourage Taiwan to reach out to current and past diplomatic allies to strengthen those bilateral relationships. He pointed out that the long economic relationship between the US and Taiwan is important for our as well as the entire world’s security and prosperity. He also noted that there are many opportunities for us to continue to grow the economic relationship that will help create more prosperity for our respective peoples and ensure that we are more secure in the world. Chairman Ricketts emphasized that they made this trip early on in the new US administration to work with Taiwan to develop three points: security, diplomatic relations, and the economy. He stated that in the face of rising aggression from communist China, the US will provide commensurate help to Taiwan in self-defense and that they will continue to provide the services and tools needed. In closing, Chairman Ricketts once again thanked President Lai for the hospitality and said he looks forward to dialogue on how we can continue these relationships. Ranking Member Coons then delivered remarks. Mentioning that their delegation also visited the Philippines on this trip, he said that there and in Taiwan, they have been focused on peace, stability, and security, and the ways for deepening and strengthening economic and security relations. He noted that 46 years ago, the US Senate passed the Taiwan Relations Act, adding that it was strongly bipartisan when enacted and that support for it is still strongly bipartisan today. Its core commitment, he said, is that the US will be engaged and will be a partner in ensuring that any dispute or challenge across the strait will be resolved peacefully, and that Taiwan will have the resources it needs for its self-defense. Ranking Member Coons said that between people, friendships are deepest and most enduring when they are based not just on interests but on values, and that the same is true between the US and Taiwan. Free press, free enterprise, free societies, democracy – these core shared values, he said, anchor our friendship and partnership, making them deeper. He remarked that they are grateful for the significant investment in the US being made by companies from Taiwan, but what anchors our partnership, in addition to these important investments and investments being made by Taiwan in its own security, are the values that mobilize our free-enterprise spirit and our commitment to free societies. In Europe in recent years, Ranking Member Coons said, an aggressive nation has tried to change boundaries and change history by force. He said that the US and dozens of countries committed to freedom have come to the aid of Ukraine to defend it, help it stabilize, and secure its future. So too in this region of the world, he added, the US and a bipartisan group in the US Senate are committed to stable, secure, peaceful relations and to deterring any unilateral effort to change the status quo by force. In closing, he said he is grateful for a chance to return to Taiwan after the pandemic and that he looks forward to our conversation, our partnership, and the important work we have in front of us. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-04-06
    President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
    On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Mapleton Falls tragedy

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 29 Apr 2025

    We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of a woman who died in tragic circumstances at Mapleton Falls on Friday.

    The incident has impacted on the local community, and we thank the emergency services for their efforts during this time of need.

    Visitors to our protected areas are reminded to pay attention to all warning signs and barriers as they are there to keep you safe.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Helping Queenslanders co-exist with flying-foxes

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 29 Apr 2025

    Queensland communities will continue to receive critical support to reduce the nuisance impacts of flying-fox roosts, while supporting the conservation of these protected species.

    Round 8 of the highly successful Flying-Fox Roost Management – Local Government Grant Program opens on 30 April.

    Originally a four-year $2 million initiative scheduled to end in 2024, the program has been extended for a further three years, with an additional $1.5 million funding boost.

    Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Acting Deputy Director-General Andrew Buckley said the program ensured councils could continue to take meaningful action to reduce the impacts flying-fox roosts on communities, while enabling these protected species to continue to play their important ecological role.

    “Flying-foxes play a crucial role in ecosystems by pollinating native plants and dispersing seeds over vast distances, helping forests regenerate and maintain biodiversity and supporting the health of entire habitats, including those that many other species rely on,” Mr Buckley said.

    “But we know that for communities living near flying-fox roosts, they can have profound impacts due to the noise, odour and mess on the ground they generate

    “This grant program recognises this and helps local governments manage flying-fox roosts with a focus on long-term planning, roost modification, habitat rehabilitation, and innovative community engagement.

    “Since its launch, 29 councils have delivered 76 successful projects, ranging from tree trimming and roost maintenance to covered walkways, education programs and community grants.

    “Flying-foxes are a vital part of Queensland’s ecosystems, and this program empowers councils to balance biodiversity conservation with community wellbeing,” Mr Buckley said.

    Stream 1: Immediate/High-Priority Actions – for urgent on-ground works near roosts.

    Stream 2: Development of Roost Management Plans – to support long-term planning, and

    Stream 3: Implementation of Roost Management Plans – to bring management strategies to life.

    Applications for funding under Round 8 of the program close on 28 May 2025, with further details available here.

    Media contact:                 DETSI Media Unit on (07) 3339 5831 or media@des.qld.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 134-2025: Scheduled Outage: Friday 02 May 2025 – AAMP

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    29 April 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Approved arrangements operators who will be required to view and/or update details of their Approved Arrangement via the Approved Arrangement Management Product (AAMP).

    Information

    Due to scheduled system maintenance, AAMP will be unavailable between 20:00 to 23:30 Friday 02 May 2025 (AEST).

    Action

    Clients are advised to await the completion of this maintenance period before attempting to access this service…

    MIL OSI News –