NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: MyMedicare promises better health care. But only 1 in 10 patients has signed up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jialing Lin, Research fellow, International Centre for Future Health Systems, UNSW Sydney

    Rose Marinelli/Shutterstock

    MyMedicare is a scheme that encourages patients to register with a regular GP practice to improve their health. But few patients have enrolled.

    Since its launch in October 2023, only about 10% of patients have signed up.

    The Albanese government’s 2023-24 budget allocated A$19.7 million over four years to implement MyMedicare. So if we are to get value for money from the scheme, we need to find out why patients are not signing up, and address any barriers to them doing so.

    Other countries have similar schemes, as we outline in recent research. Here’s what we can learn from these to boost uptake of MyMedicare in Australia.

    What is MyMedicare?

    MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration scheme. Patients nominate a GP or GP practice as their preferred provider and see the same GP or health-care team over time, a concept known as “continuity of care”.

    Continuity of care is linked to earlier detection of health issues, better management of chronic (long-term) conditions, fewer avoidable hospital visits, and improved patient satisfaction.

    Patients registered for MyMedicare have longer telehealth consultations. People living in residential aged care have more regular visits from their GP. From July this year, GP practices may offer patients more support for their chronic diseases.

    There are also benefits for GP clinics that sign up for MyMedicare. They receive incentives to offer certain patients longer telehealth consultations. Practices also receive incentives to manage the health of registered aged care patients.

    These incentives help practices invest in improved services and resources. From July, this may include better chronic disease management and enhanced team-based care (for instance, better liaison between GPs and allied health workers as part of someone’s health team).

    MyMedicare comes with an extra boost for telehealth.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    How many patients have signed up?

    Since MyMedicare’s launch in 2023 until March 19 this year, more than 2.6 million patients have registered for MyMedicare, according to Department of Health and Aged Care statistics provided to The Conversation.

    That’s about 10% of Australia’s population. This raises concerns about how aware patients are of the scheme, how engaged they are with it, and possible barriers to registration.

    GP practices that provide services to patients who would benefit from the new longer telehealth services or provide care to people in aged care were encouraged to register those patients in MyMedicare as a priority. So perhaps other patients have yet to sign up.

    GP practices have been quicker to sign up. Since its launch, health department statistics provided to The Conversation show 6,469 practices had registered for MyMedicare until March 19 this year.

    That’s about 80% of GP practices in Australia.

    Who’s most likely to register?

    We don’t know which patient groups sign up for MyMedicare. The health department told The Conversation patients can provide details of their sex, location (such as metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas), linguistic background, and disabilities when they sign up. But this is voluntary, and these data have only been available for collection since March 2024.

    However, here’s what we learned when we looked at other countries’ patient enrolment schemes:

    • men are less likely to enrol than women, and recent immigrants have significantly lower registration rates compared to long-term residents. These highlight potential barriers to access for certain populations

    • patients in suburban, rural or small urban areas have higher registration rates, whereas those in large metropolitan centres and lower socioeconomic groups register less

    • patients with mental illness or substance use disorders have lower registration rates, pointing to challenges in engaging vulnerable populations.

    Men are less likely to enrol than women.
    DC Studio/Shutterstock

    How do other countries do it?

    We also looked at how other countries set up their schemes to see what we can learn.

    New Zealand: high uptake through financial incentives

    New Zealand has successfully implemented a voluntary patient registration system by offering incentives to enrolled patients. These include lower co-payments for consultations and cheaper prescriptions.

    This approach encourages people to register with a general practice rather than a specific GP. Some 95% of the population was registered by January 2025.

    Quebec, Canada: tailored registration programs, but low uptake

    Quebec has several voluntary registration programs for different groups of patients. These include ones for family medicine, vulnerable patients and a general program.

    However, registration rate remains low, at 14.7-32.2%, depending on the program.

    British Columbia, Canada: incentive-driven registration

    British Columbia offers three voluntary registration programs – one for chronic diseases, another for complex care and a general program.

    These use “capitation funding”, where GPs receive payments based on the number of patients they care for.

    Participation rates vary widely across the three programs, with 45.5-79% of the population registered.

    The differences in registration rates across these systems highlight the importance of how schemes are designed and implemented.

    What can Australia learn?

    If MyMedicare is to improve access and continuity of care, targeted strategies – such as outreach for immigrants and lower-income groups, and better support for people with mental health issues – will be essential.

    Australia could also look to how countries with higher rates of patients signing up have designed their systems. This could include considering whether more financial incentives for patients to enrol is warranted, which has been successful in New Zealand.

    Jialing Lin 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. MyMedicare promises better health care. But only 1 in 10 patients has signed up – https://theconversation.com/mymedicare-promises-better-health-care-but-only-1-in-10-patients-has-signed-up-253335

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Reform clock is ticking – the big policy challenges the next government must urgently address

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aruna Sathanapally, Grattan Institute

    The 2025 federal election coincides with a period of profound global uncertainty, as the Trump administration wreaks havoc on the free trade system and longstanding alliances.

    The events of recent months have underscored how, at each election, the voters in a democracy set their country on a path. Here in Australia, voters will be choosing whom to trust with tackling our challenges and making the most of the opportunities before us.

    These turbulent times internationally only reinforce the need for us to be clear-eyed about the challenges facing Australia, and where our strengths lie in addressing them.

    The big five challenges

    We see five overlapping domestic policy challenges that must be tackled by whoever wins the next election, to ensure prosperity for current and future generations.

    First, we must plan and deliver over the next 25 years the economic transformation that accompanies decarbonisation.

    Addressing climate change is not a task we can delay or abandon, but it will be neither easy nor cheap. The next government can either work to build a credible plan, to orient long-term investment in a renewable energy future, or leave a legacy for the next generation of even greater costs and unreliability, and missed opportunities.

    Second, we must increase the availability and affordability of housing in Australia. Housing is a fundamental human need, and when the housing system fails to deliver enough homes in the places people need and want to live, the consequences are both social and economic. In particular, our broken housing system sits at the centre of growing inequality in Australia.

    Third, as the structure of our economy changes, becoming less reliant on routine and manual labour, Australia must deepen its talent pools and boost productivity to meet the needs of our society and lift economic dynamism. We must improve our school systems, expand access to high-quality early childhood education and care, dismantle barriers in the labour market that prevent people from making the most of their skills and experience, and be rapid adopters of the best global practices and technology.

    Fourth, we are in the midst of the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. An ageing population is placing increasing demands on public services, government budgets and our workforce. We need to get better at tackling chronic disease in our health system, and we need to shore-up our retirement and aged-care systems for the demographic change that we have long known is coming.

    Fifth, we cannot continue to have high expectations for public services and infrastructure, without raising the money to pay for them. Tax reform has sat in the too-hard basket for too long. In particular, income tax breaks for superannuation and housing have become too generous, and unfairly place the tax burden on younger, less wealthy taxpayers.

    And we need to implement sensible savings. Swingeing cuts may seem easy and appealing on the surface, but real savings will take more thinking than that: to make hospitals more efficient, to better target the NDIS, to get smarter in how we spend public money in procuring big infrastructure and defence projects.

    A position of strength

    None of these challenges is new: they were waiting for us as we emerged from the COVID crisis. Fortunately, we are not starting from scratch.

    In several areas, the federal government has made a start. But whoever forms government after the 2025 election must stay the course on difficult reforms while also finally confronting the reforms that neither side of politics has effectively tackled since the start of the century.

    Australia occupies a position of relative strength to tackle these challenges. We have a highly educated and skilled population, a more manageable fiscal position than many of our counterparts, stronger public institutions, and less polarisation in our politics.

    The reform clock is ticking

    Why, then, has reform proved so hard in Australia? Perhaps we have taken our strengths for granted, perhaps we have been content to leave problems for our future selves to solve. We cannot continue in this way.

    The fundamentals of Australia’s prosperity have been our success in opening our economy and society to the world, while maintaining a strong social safety net, and ensuring economic benefits are broadly shared and that each new generation sees opportunity to build a rewarding life. Failing to tackle the Big Five challenges above risks unpicking these foundations.

    Vested interests have been successful in thwarting reforms in the public interest for decades in Australia. Or perhaps the politics of opposition have proved so successful as to kill the prospect for bipartisan agreement on necessary, evidence-backed change.

    Equally, it falls to the media to hold politicians to account over the facts and evidence that support their claims. Politicians should be firmly tested on what they propose to do with the power they seek, and how they intend to advance the interests of all Australians. This is one of the most important safeguards against empty promises that will do nothing to make us better off, or even take us backwards.

    The reform clock is ticking. The winner of the 2025 election will have to get to work, quickly, on building a better Australia.

    The Grattan Institute began with contributions to its endowment of $15 million from each of the Federal and Victorian Governments, $4 million from BHP Billiton, and $1 million from NAB. In order to safeguard its independence, Grattan Institute’s board controls this endowment. The funds are invested and contribute to funding Grattan Institute’s activities. Grattan Institute also receives funding from corporates, foundations, and individuals to support its general activities as disclosed on its website

    – ref. Reform clock is ticking – the big policy challenges the next government must urgently address – https://theconversation.com/reform-clock-is-ticking-the-big-policy-challenges-the-next-government-must-urgently-address-251343

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shellebrating* groundbreaking turtle research |

    Source: Department of Conservation

    By Krysia Nowak and Karen Middlemiss

    *While leatherback turtles don’t actually have a shell, they have pretty thick skins, so we think they wouldn’t mind the pun.

    A leatherback turtle | Nathan Pettigrew

    What if we told you the largest sea turtles in the world visit Aotearoa New Zealand and that our waters are important to their survival? That they’re Critically Endangered, and that we know almost nothing about how they spend their time here? 

    You might say it’s about time we learn about them, and that’s exactly what we’re doing in our new research collaborating with USA-based Upwell Turtles.  

    Turtles crossing borders 

    Leatherback turtles aren’t worried about international boundaries.  

    The leatherbacks which visit New Zealand waters are part of the Western Pacific population that forage on the US West Coast and then migrate some 12,000km to nesting beaches in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands.  

    Leatherbacks have been tagged for monitoring when they come ashore at nesting beaches overseas, but there aren’t many known foraging areas where it’s possible to tag them in open water and study their movements. The Bay of Plenty is one of those known areas. 

    For the love of jelly(fish)

    We have the opportunity to tag turtles at sea during summer and early autumn when our waters are full of their favourite food – jellyfish! 

    Leatherbacks can weigh more than 350 kilograms and need to eat more than 1/2 their body weight in jellyfish to get enough energy for long trips. The jellyfish-rich waters off the Bay of Plenty are important to leatherback migration success.

    Human for scale: Upwell Executive Director George Shillinger tagging nesting leatherbacks in Playa Grande Costa Rica in 2007 | Upwell Turtles

    Running the gauntlet 

    Leatherbacks face many risks in various countries across the huge distances they travel between foraging grounds and nesting beaches. Threats can include unintentional capture by fisheries (bycatch), the harvesting of adult turtles and eggs, plastic pollution, nesting beach habitat loss, climate change, and vessel strike.

    Currently, the biggest threat to leatherback turtles, globally, is from commercial fishing. Most turtles accidentally caught by fisheries in New Zealand waters are released alive, but we need to learn how to reduce bycatch numbers to better protect them. 

    It’s a minefield for a turtle travelling across international boundaries, and we’ve seen a decline in this population of over 80% in the last 40 years. That’s why international collaboration is so important for their research and conservation if we are to have any chance of recovering the population. 

    Collaborating for conservation  

    We’re working with scientists who have been studying leatherbacks for decades. Being able to work together to study their habitat use in New Zealand waters will be another piece in the migration puzzle for these ancient turtles. 

    Dr George Shillinger, Executive Director of Upwell Turtles, says leatherbacks are among the most highly migratory and transboundary marine species on the planet.  

    “Effective conservation requires international collaboration from nesting beaches all the way to distant foraging habitats.” 

    Some of the leatherback researchers and partners out on the boat | DOC

    Taking to the air 

    Our turtle-team recently took to the air over the Bay of Plenty as a starting point to find out more about leatherbacks in New Zealand waters. We worked with Upwell Turtles, and with support and expertise from NIWA, Monash University (Australia), and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (USA).  

    While we had George and Scott here from Upwell Turtles, they graciously gave us some of their time and expertise, to help develop our own techniques to catch and tag leatherbacks. 

    The international research crew monitoring for leatherbacks from a plane | Sean Williamson

    Practice Makes Perfect 

    Along with our international experts, we assembled an array of technical equipment, and formed a team including Tauranga DOC staff, Tuhua Island kaitiaki, and a local marine conservationist, all eager to embrace the challenge of finding and netting such large animals. 

    Heading out on our DOC boat off the coast of Tauranga on calm, sunny weekend in March we focused our efforts on a large rubber fender co-opted as a ‘pretend’ turtle. Few fenders have had such an exciting couple of days! 

    The team has now honed the required skills and techniques to safely net actual turtles. In future, when we do this for real, we will have a spotter plane in the air and other boats on the water to help us find turtles – leatherbacks can be tricky to spot from sea level. 

    Practicing netting aboard a DOC vessel | DOC
    DOC Senior Marine Science Advisor Dr Karen Middlemiss practicing netting | DOC

    Where to from here? 

    Because leatherback turtles have historically visited the Bay of Plenty, we’re working to build partnerships with local iwi and hapū, and the Bay of Plenty community, as well as collaborating with our research partners. 

    We’re starting to plan our next steps into the world of tagging, aiming for next summer when the turtles and jellyfish have returned to the Bay.  

    Everything we learn from tagging studies of leatherback turtles in our waters will help inform future conservation efforts for this species, which is so ancient we call it the tuatara of our oceans. We’ll be doing our part in the international effort to protect a species on the brink of extinction.   

    How you can help leatherback turtles: 

    • No marine turtles nest on beaches in New Zealand, any turtle on the beach should be reported immediately to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
    • Spot a sea turtle in the water around New Zealand? You can report sightings to     turtles@doc.govt.nz 
    • You can help protect leatherbacks and other marine animals by preventing plastics and pollution from reaching our oceans. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 132

    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.
    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 132
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1000 AM CDT Sun Apr 6 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southern and Eastern Alabama
    Florida Panhandle
    Western and Northern Georgia
    Coastal Waters

    * Effective this Sunday morning and evening from 1000 AM until
    600 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Severe storm potential, including a few supercells ahead
    of a convective line, may increase into the afternoon across the
    region, with the strongest storms posing a tornado risk aside from
    damaging winds.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 75 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 25 miles north of Atlanta GA to 50
    miles east of Mobile AL. For a complete depiction of the watch see
    the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 131…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24030.

    …Guyer

    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 132
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1000 AM CDT Sun Apr 6 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southern and Eastern Alabama
    Florida Panhandle
    Western and Northern Georgia
    Coastal Waters

    * Effective this Sunday morning and evening from 1000 AM until
    600 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Severe storm potential, including a few supercells ahead
    of a convective line, may increase into the afternoon across the
    region, with the strongest storms posing a tornado risk aside from
    damaging winds.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 75 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 25 miles north of Atlanta GA to 50
    miles east of Mobile AL. For a complete depiction of the watch see
    the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 131…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24030.

    …Guyer

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW2
    WW 132 TORNADO AL FL GA CW 061500Z – 062300Z
    AXIS..75 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    25N ATL/ATLANTA GA/ – 50E MOB/MOBILE AL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 65NM E/W /22N ATL – 39WSW CEW/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

    LAT…LON 33988312 30678615 30678867 33988574

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU2.

    Watch 132 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

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

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Low ( 2 inches

    Low (

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Investments Sector – Consumer Demand for Ethical Investing Remains Strong Despite International Headwinds

    Source: Mindful Money

    New research shows New Zealanders are standing firm in their commitment to ethical investment, with three-quarters wanting their money invested according to their values, even as political movements in some countries attempt to undermine responsible investing frameworks.

    The Voices of Aotearoa: Demand for Ethical Investment in New Zealand 2025 report, released today by Mindful Money and the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), reveals the resilience in New Zealand investors’ ethical expectations. Despite high-profile political criticism of ESG investing internationally and at home, 75% of Kiwis continue to expect their KiwiSaver and managed funds to be invested ethically and responsibly, with their focus shifting from merely avoiding harm to actively creating positive impact.

    Key findings from the 2025 survey include:

    • Strong consumer support persists: 75% of New Zealanders want their KiwiSaver or investment fund to be invested ethically and responsibly. Only 5% disagree.
    • Expectations of better returns: 45% of respondents expect ethical and responsible investments to perform better in the long term, with only 11% disagreeing. This shows Kiwis don’t perceive a trade-off between investing ethically and earning good returns.
    • Increasing concern about greenwashing: Half of New Zealanders are concerned about misleading claims. 54% are more likely to choose funds with independent certification, and 66% want to know which companies are in their portfolio.
    • How companies behave matters: Investors prioritise avoiding companies that violate human rights (91%), abuse labour rights (91%), and damage the environment (89%) over traditional investment exclusions like tobacco and gambling.
    • Growing demand for positive impact: 76% would invest in a fund that creates positive benefits for society and the environment, with 60% seeking comparable returns and 16% willing to accept lower returns.
    • Strong climate action expectations: Three-quarters of respondents consider it important for fund managers to reduce financed emissions, set targets for further reductions, and commit to net zero emissions by 2050.

    Carey Church, Managing Director of Moneyworks Ethical Investing, and principal sponsor of the survey, pointed out: “These findings show that demand for ethical investing remains strong despite the headwinds of criticism from the US White House and some politicians. They have not convinced others. Investment sectors in the rest of the world are showing leadership, continuing to strengthen ethical investment standards. The New Zealand public agrees. This survey continues to show strong demand for ethical investment funds that reflect people’s personal values.”

    Barry Coates, Co-CEO of Mindful Money, commented: “New Zealanders continue to want their investments to avoid harm and contribute to addressing real-world challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and harm to people. They not only want to avoid harm, but they are also seeking investments that deliver positive outcomes for society and the environment.”

    Dean Hegarty, Co-CEO of RIAA, added: “Rising consumer concerns about greenwashing aligns with RIAA’s 2024 benchmark report, which found it has become the top barrier to growth for investment managers. Kiwis want confidence that their money is creating a positive impact, with over half more likely to choose ethical or responsible funds that have independent certification. This presents a significant opportunity for investment providers who can authentically demonstrate how they’re contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes.”

    The survey indicates substantial growth potential, with nearly half (49%) of respondents considering investing in an ethical fund within the next five years, and only 4% stating they would not consider ethical investing at all.

    “These findings reinforce what we’ve been seeing over the past seven years of this survey – New Zealanders want to know that their money is being invested in line with their values. Those values consistently prioritise issues such as human rights, environmental protection, animal welfare and weapons,” said Coates.

    Dean Hegarty concluded: “The message from Kiwis is clear, they expect their investments to align with their values and the demand for responsible products will continue to grow. Investment providers and financial advisers must take this seriously.”

    The 2025 report is a collaboration between RIAA and Mindful Money. It surveyed 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over via Dynata’s New Zealand panel from 6-17 February 2025.

    About RIAA The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) champions responsible investing and a sustainable financial system in Australia and New Zealand. With over 500 members representing NZ$83 trillion in assets under management, RIAA is the largest and most active network of people and organisations engaged in responsible, ethical and impact investing across Australia and New Zealand.

    About Mindful Money Mindful Money is a charity that aims to make money a force for good. We empower consumers, engage investment providers and advocate for change. The Mindful Money website provides transparency on KiwiSaver and retail investment funds, showing company holdings and relating them to key public concerns so userscan understand their investments and find funds that align with their values.

    Report Launch: The report will be launched at a free seminar at 3-4.30pm on Monday 7th April, at KPMG, Viaduct Harbour in Auckland CBD. Tickets for the in-person and online event are at https://events.humanitix.com/voices-of-aotearoa-2025?hxchl=hex-pfl

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Dutton backs down on working-from-home crackdown after outcry threatens to cost votes

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

    Peter Dutton has raised the white flag on his controversial attempt to force Canberra public servants back into the office, with the opposition now saying there will be no change in current arrangements.

    The shadow minister for the public service, Jane Hume, said: “We have listened, and understand that flexible work, including working from home, is part of getting the best out of any workforce”.

    The Coalition’s public service policy, released Sunday, says a Dutton government will “support flexible working arrangements for the public service, including working from home, by respecting existing flexible working arrangements, and enshrining them in future agreements.

    “There will be no mandated minimum number of days for public servants to work in the office.”

    Originally the Coalition wanted to get public servants back into the office five days a week, with Hume saying they had shown a “lack of respect for the work that went into earning the taxes the spend”.

    But on Sunday, Hume said, “Many professional men and women in the Commonwealth public service are benefiting from flexible working arrangements, including working from home, which allow them to make valuable contributions to serving Australians.

    “We know the importance of flexible work for many Australians, and have always supported the private sector making its own decisions on flexible work arrangements.”

    The move to try to return the public servants to the office has been a bugbear for the opposition from the start. Dutton landed in further trouble when he suggested women who were adversely affected by the policy could share jobs.

    Many voters feared if the return-to-the-office policy was introduced for public service workers, it could quickly lead to more pressure in the private sector. Many private employers have been trying to limit work-from-home arrangements.

    Working from home has become particularly entrenched since the pandemic, and the Liberals’ hard line threatened to lose them votes widely, especially among women.

    Dutton has progressively been qualifying and walking back the opposition’s proposal. Now, it’s been ditched completely.

    The Coalition’s public service policy would reduce the federal public service by 41,000 jobs over five years, while protecting frontline services and national security positions.

    Penny Wong paints Dutton as a ‘risk’ in an uncertain world

    The Liberals like to see national security issues as one of their strong suits. But Labor – thanks to US President Donald Trump’s global tariffs – is now boldly casting Dutton as posing a risk to Australia in a changing, uncertain world.

    Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday described the opposition leader as stubborn, arrogant and always believing he knows best.

    “That leads him to make bad calls,” Wong told the ABC. “You see that in his stubborn insistence on a deal with President Trump at whatever cost. You see that in a reckless and risky linking of defence into this trade dispute.

    “What this showed us was this was a man who makes bad calls and this is a man who is a risk to this country when we face these uncertain times.”

    Penny Wong on Insiders on Sunday.

    Dutton has insisted he would have more chance of winning an exemption from US tariffs than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

    Trying to make his point, he was loose in his language last week. Notably, he said one of the things he would invoke was our defence relationship with the US.

    This was immediately interpreted as a threat. Later it was clarified he meant offering something positive to the US. But in an election campaign, the clarification seldom catches up with the original statement.

    Meanwhile, former Prime Minister John Howard weighed in to say the Australian-American defence relationship should never be brought into such a negotiation.

    Albanese is also saying the government will try to change Trump’s mind about applying tariffs to Australia. Like Dutton, he would have Australia’s critical minerals in the negotiating mix, although exactly how is not clear.

    The Liberals say if Dutton became PM he’d visit Washington within 60 days. There’d be a lot of pressure on the new prime minister to get a deal.

    If Labor is returned, Albanese would no doubt make an effort. But one suspects when push came to shove, he’d be reluctant to cede much, given the direct hit from the 10% tariff on Australian exports is relatively mild.

    The 2025 Liberal Party is a narrow congregation

    Petro Georgiou, one of the Liberals’ high-profile backbench moderates during the Howard years, died last week. His death reminded people – if they needed reminding – that the Liberal Party is a very different beast these days.

    Howard talked about the party being a “broad church”, embracing both conservatives and moderates. Howard, himself, of course, was no moderate but there were a number of small-“l” liberals with strong voices in his government – among them Robert Hill, John Fahey (former NSW premier), and Michael Wooldridge.

    While some powerful moderates were in the tent, others were kicking up the sand around it from the backbench. Prominent among them was Georgiou, a former adviser to Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. He and colleagues took on Howard over various issues, especially on refugees.

    Fast forward to the Abbott government and, despite Tony Abbott’s conservatism, moderates were prominent: Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Malcolm Turnbull, George Brandis.

    One significant reason for the important place the moderates had in the past was the nature of the Liberal Party. Its strongholds were affluent, urban areas, where voters were above average in income and education.

    But from Howard’s time on, Liberal leaders increasingly turned their eyes elsewhere. Howard had his “battlers”, and pursued voters from the right in Queensland. Abbott went after his “tradies”. Dutton is looking to outer suburbia to make his gains.

    Turnbull, the only moderate among the last four Liberal leaders, has, ironically, undermined the moderates. His trenchant criticisms of subsequent leaders have given many small-“l” liberal voters permission to vote teal.

    Last election, the teals dispatched several moderate Liberals, including Josh Frydenberg, who lost to independent Monique Ryan in Georgiou’s old seat of Kooyong. (Frydenberg hadn’t started out as a moderate, but effectively became one.) Other moderates, most notably Simon Birmingham, have exited politics before or at this election.

    One of Georgiou’s strongest allies back in the day was Victorian MP Russell Broadbent. Broadbent, who was also close to Turnbull, lost preselection for his seat of Monash and defected to the crossbench in 2023. He’s now running in Monash as an independent against the new Liberal candidate Mary Aldred (whose father was in parliament).

    In Monash, the Liberals don’t just have Broadbent snapping at their heels, but a teal candidate, as well. Broadbent says his old party should be glad he’s in the contest.

    “The teal would have won it otherwise,” he claims. The Liberals consider the seat pretty safe, but they’ll be thankful he is giving them his preferences.

    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: Dutton backs down on working-from-home crackdown after outcry threatens to cost votes – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-dutton-backs-down-on-working-from-home-crackdown-after-outcry-threatens-to-cost-votes-253732

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Coalition has announced an even more radical plan to cut international students than Labor. Here’s how it would work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor of Higher Education Policy, Monash University

    Last year, the Coalition made the surprise decision to oppose Labor’s plans for new international student caps.

    On Sunday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposed an even more radical policy of his own to limit the number of international students in Australia.

    He announced a combination of tighter enrolment limits, increased visa application fees and changes to temporary graduate visas, which allow some former students to remain in Australia to work.

    This is aimed at either deterring potential students from applying or stopping them from going to their preferred university.

    What’s the Coalition’s policy?

    The Coalition and Labor similarly argue high numbers of international students are putting pressure on housing markets.

    But the opposition is also concerned there are too many international students in some courses. They say some courses can have international enrolments of up to 80%.

    To address both problems, the Coalition proposes a maximum international student enrolment share at public universities (which is almost all universities in Australia). This would be around 25% of all commencing (or new) enrolments. Other education providers, such as private colleges and TAFEs, would face separate caps.

    The Coalition estimates this would result in 30,000 fewer new international students per year than Labor’s policy.

    What is happening under Labor?

    Last year, Labor wanted to give the education minister wide powers to cap international student enrolments by education provider, campus and course.

    Apart from some exempt categories (such as postgraduate research students), vocational and higher education providers would have been allocated 270,000 commencing enrolments between them for 2025. This is compared to 323,000 commencing enrolments in 2023.

    But the bill was opposed by the Greens and the Coalition. So Labor had to move to plan B.

    Using its migration powers, in December 2024, the government issued a ministerial direction on how the Department of Home Affairs should process applications for student visas. This is arguably a de facto cap.

    Immigration officials have been instructed to prioritise student visa applications for all institutions until they near the individual caps that were blocked by the Senate last year.

    Once visa applications are at 80% of each provider’s cap, subsequent applications go into a slower visa processing stream.



    Read more:
    International student numbers in Australia will be controlled by a new informal cap. Here’s how it will work

    Signs applications are already down

    Prospective international students cannot apply for a visa unless an education provider gives them a “confirmation of enrolment”.

    We are seeing signs the ministerial direction is leading to fewer “confirmations of enrolment” and resulting applications.

    My analysis below shows student visa applications for January and February 2025 are well down on equivalent months in 2024, 2023 and 2019 (pre-Covid).

    In late 2024, demand was below the boom times of 2023 and early 2024, but still above 2019.

    What does the Coalition’s plan mean for unis?

    Labor’s policy for university caps uses a formula based on past international student enrolments. The Coalition’s caps would be a percentage of total new enrolments. They expect this to be around 25%, but will set the precise number after consultation and receiving the most recent data.

    Coalition education spokesperson Sarah Henderson has expressed concerns high concentrations of international students have “not been good for our country or for the education outcomes of Australian students”.

    Based on 2023 enrolment data – the latest that also includes domestic students – 35% of new university students in Australia were from overseas. But several universities had international student shares above 50%.

    On the Coalition’s estimates, their policy would see no more than 115,000 new international students in public universities each year, down from 139,000 under Labor’s approach.

    The Coalition acknowledges this will particularly affect the highly ranked Group of Eight universities, including The University of Melbourne and The University of Sydney. Dutton argues these universities have admitted “excessive numbers” of international students.

    Coalition caps for private providers

    One reason the Coalition gave for not supporting Labor’s legislation last year was the disproportionate effect on private education providers, which include both vocational and higher education colleges.

    Under the Coalition’s plan, private providers will still have caps, but they will be different than those for universities. Exactly how this will work is unclear. Their combined caps will be “at most 125,000”, according to the Coalition. Under Labor’s policy, their combined cap is a little higher, at about 132,000.

    A complicating factor here is the government’s existing migration policies have smashed demand for vocational education – as my analysis shows.

    This means many vocational education providers may not be able to fully use the places allocated under Labor’s indicative cap. These shortfalls may create space to increase caps for other private education providers.

    Visa application fees

    Last year, in a bid to cut international student numbers, Labor more than doubled the student visa application fee from A$710 to $1,600. They subsequently reversed this for Pacific Islander applicants.

    Under the Coalition, the visa application fee would more than triple to $5,000 for applicants to Group of Eight universities. For students seeking entry to other providers, the fee would be $2,500.

    Temporary graduate visas

    The Coalition also promises a “rapid review” of the temporary graduate visa program. This would be to prevent its “misuse” as a way to gain access to the Australian labour market and permanent migration.

    Labor has already reduced the number of years former students can stay on temporary graduate visas, reduced the age limit to be granted a visa from 50 to 35 years, and increased the minimum English requirements.

    Applications for temporary graduate visas are down on past levels.

    While Labor’s changes made some potential visa applicants ineligible, recent applications could be the calm before the storm. Large numbers of 2023 and 2024 international students will complete their courses in the coming years, with many of them eligible for temporary graduate visas under current policies.

    International education will take a hit regardless

    The Coalition’s international student election policy is less of a surprise than its refusal to back Labor’s caps last year. They have foreshadowed tough policies many times in recent months.

    But the proposed increased visa application fees and enrolment caps would be painful for both students and education providers.

    Universities have repeatedly argued international students are not major causes of the housing crisis. They have also argued international education is a valuable export and it is being undermined by policy changes out of Canberra. But this has had no impact on the stance of either Labor or the Coalition.

    So, the number of international students in Australia will fall regardless of the federal election result. The decline is set to be greater under a Coalition government. But regardless of the election result, the days of unlimited international student numbers are over.

    The Conversation

    Andrew Norton works for Monash University, which is a member of the Group of Eight and would be significantly affected by the policies discussed in this article.

    – ref. The Coalition has announced an even more radical plan to cut international students than Labor. Here’s how it would work – https://theconversation.com/the-coalition-has-announced-an-even-more-radical-plan-to-cut-international-students-than-labor-heres-how-it-would-work-253919

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Woman-to-woman marriage in west Africa: a vanishing tradition of power and agency

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bright Alozie, Assistant Professor, Portland State University

    Marriage in west Africa has played a central role in shaping aspects of society, and has evolved over time. While traditional heterosexual unions dominate discussions, a lesser-known but significant practice – woman-to-woman marriage – has existed for centuries.

    In my research, I examined this institution, which allows a woman to assume the role of a husband by marrying another woman. There’s evidence of woman-to-woman marriage in more than 40 societies across west Africa, including the Igbo of Nigeria, the Frafra of Ghana and the Dahomeans of present-day Benin.

    How it works is that a woman – often wealthy or of high status – pays a bride price and takes on a wife who is expected to bear children. A male relative or chosen partner, known as the genitor, fathers the children. The children will legally belong to the female husband and are considered part of her lineage. This reinforces kinship structures, or family ties within traditional communities and clans, vital to west African societies.

    Unlike romantic same-sex unions, these are social contracts. They aim to preserve lineage, secure inheritance, and enhance a woman’s economic and political agency.

    Female husbands gain significant control over property by assuming the role of head of household. This enables them to own and manage assets independently, a right typically reserved for men.

    Securing heirs through their wives ensures the continuation of their lineage and the inheritance of their property and status. It solidifies their long-term agency and influence within the community.

    The union also grants them more legal standing – they can enter into contracts, resolve disputes, and represent their family in legal matters, further empowering them in a patriarchal society.

    This all translates into considerable influence. Female husbands can hold positions of authority, and command respect. They challenge traditional gender roles.

    Colonial distortions and modern misconceptions have obscured the meaning and function of this historically prevalent practice. Despite its important role, it has declined over time. With growing stigma, the old customs have become less common.

    My research seeks to underscore the historical value of woman-to-woman marriage. It offers a lens for understanding the complexities of African gender systems, female agency and social structures.

    Tradition rooted in kinship and social stability

    Using a combination of oral interviews, archival research and literature reviews, I found that there are various scenarios in which woman-to-woman marriage is practised in west Africa.

    In Okrika, in Nigeria’s Rivers State, for example, I was told how a married woman who has no male child in her family is allowed to marry a woman so that a male child can be born into the family. If her marriage does not produce a male child and she has money, the culture allows her to marry more than one wife as long as she can take care of them and the union can produce a male child to carry the name of her family.

    In my interview with Chief Nkemjirika Njoku, of the Mbaise Igbo in Nigeria, he described another scenario. He explained that if a man died without male heirs, his daughters could pay a bride price for a woman to bear children in his name. This ensured his lineage did not disappear.

    Similarly, among the Frafra people of Ghana one study shows how:

    a wealthy woman may marry one or more women for her husband by providing the bridewealth. These women bear children in her name in the event of her being childless or to offer extra labour.

    These accounts illustrate how marriage and kinship complement each other and how this practice provided women with economic influence and social mobility, often rivalling men’s.

    Colonial disruptions and modern challenges

    Despite the tradition’s important role, during the 19th century European colonial officials and Christian missionaries misunderstood and condemned the practice.

    Viewing it through a Victorian moral framework – rigid and conservative values of 19th-century Britain which emphasised strict gender roles, sexual restraint and moral purity – they mistakenly equated it with homosexuality and sought to outlaw it. For instance, in 1882 British colonial authorities in Ghana criminalised same-sex relations. These laws included woman-to-woman marriages, despite their deeply rooted cultural significance.

    The practice persisted in various forms, however, but did become less prevalent.

    In some cases, the unions were subtly restructured to avoid colonial scrutiny. Participants framed them more as business partnerships or familial arrangements rather than marriages. For instance, many prominent traders would use the unions to expand their wealth and business networks. Among the Hausa-Fulani textile traders of the Sokoto Caliphate, for example, a wealthy widow could marry a woman to manage her trade. This ensured that children born within the union inherited her wealth.

    Subverting or reinforcing patriarchy?

    Today, woman-to-woman marriage remains misunderstood. Some argue it reinforces patriarchal structures, while others conflate it with lesbian relationships.

    The growing influence of Christianity and Islam has led to its stigmatisation. Meanwhile modern legal systems fail to recognise the unions, leaving female husbands and their children vulnerable in inheritance disputes.

    Advancements in reproductive technology provide alternative means for childbearing, reducing the need for these marriages.

    In my opinion, though, this tradition remains a valuable and powerful system. It highlights the ingenuity of African societies in creating alternative structures of power, kinship and economic security – especially for women.

    Based on my research I concluded that woman-to-woman marriage is an example of flexible African gender constructs. Gender is not strictly tied to biological sex but to social roles and responsibilities. African societies have creatively adapted marriage and kinship to meet economic and social needs.

    More than a marriage practice, woman-marriage has been an assertion of female agency, an economic strategy, and a means of preserving lineage.

    Bright Alozie 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. Woman-to-woman marriage in west Africa: a vanishing tradition of power and agency – https://theconversation.com/woman-to-woman-marriage-in-west-africa-a-vanishing-tradition-of-power-and-agency-251919

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 130

    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.
    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 130
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    135 AM EDT Sun Apr 6 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Far Western North Carolina
    Southeastern Tennessee

    * Effective this Sunday morning from 135 AM until 700 AM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Convective line currently moving through middle TN is
    expected to continue eastward into southeastern TN and eventually
    far western NC over the next several hours. Low-level shear across
    the region is expected to remain strong enough to support occasional
    bowing within this line, with an attendant threat for damaging gusts
    and a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 25 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 35 miles west northwest of
    Chattanooga TN to 30 miles southeast of Knoxville TN. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 128…WW 129…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Mosier

    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 130
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    135 AM EDT Sun Apr 6 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Far Western North Carolina
    Southeastern Tennessee

    * Effective this Sunday morning from 135 AM until 700 AM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Convective line currently moving through middle TN is
    expected to continue eastward into southeastern TN and eventually
    far western NC over the next several hours. Low-level shear across
    the region is expected to remain strong enough to support occasional
    bowing within this line, with an attendant threat for damaging gusts
    and a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 25 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 35 miles west northwest of
    Chattanooga TN to 30 miles southeast of Knoxville TN. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 128…WW 129…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Mosier

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW0
    WW 130 TORNADO NC TN 060535Z – 061100Z
    AXIS..25 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    35WNW CHA/CHATTANOOGA TN/ – 30SE TYS/KNOXVILLE TN/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 20NM N/S /34WNW GQO – 27SSE VXV/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 35588577 35878362 35158362 34868577

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU0.

    Watch 130 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (30%)

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

    Low (10%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Low (10%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    Mod (40%)

    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 Australia: Repeat drink driver caught by police in St Helens

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Repeat drink driver caught by police in St Helens

    Sunday, 6 April 2025 – 1:51 pm.

    A 29-year-old Warrane man has been apprehended and charged with drink driving and other serious traffic charges for the third time in Northern Tasmania.
    Just after midnight, police officers from St Helens apprehended the man after he allegedly attempted to evade officers conducting a random breath test.
    Inspector Luke Manhood said the man reportedly fled on foot before being caught by officers and subsequently returning a reading of 0.095.
    “He has been charged with evading police, exceeding 0.05, and driving whilst disqualified, and his vehicle has been clamped for 28 days.
    “This is the third time in recent months the man has been apprehended for similar offences on Tasmania’s East Coast.
    “On 31 December 2024, the man was apprehended by police on the Esk Highway, Fingal, where he returned a reading of 0.122 and was charged with evading police, stating a false name, speeding, driving with a suspended licence, and exceeding 0.05.
    “Then on 25 January 2025, he was intercepted by St Helens Police, where he returned a reading of 0.088, was charged with exceeding 0.05 and driving with a suspended licence.
    “This type of dangerous and repeat behaviour is unacceptable and places the community at serious risk.
    “This pattern of behaviour may result in significant legal consequences,” said Mr Manhood.
    “We remain committed to road safety and want everyone to get home safely.
    “Our message is simple – if you drink and drive, it’s only a matter of time before you get caught. We could be anywhere, at any time,” Mr Manhood added.
    Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving or suspects someone may be driving under the influence is urged to contact police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash at Mantung

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police and emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash at Mantung in the Riverland.

    Just after 12.30pm on Sunday 6 April, police and emergency services responded to a single vehicle crash on Evans Road.

    Evans Road is closed just north of Farr Road. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

    Major Crash Investigators will be attending the scene.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump funding cuts on media impacts on independent Asia Pacific outlet

    Pacific Media Watch

    One of the many casualties of the Trump administration’s crackdown on “soft power” that enabled many democratic media and truth to power global editorial initiatives has been BenarNews, a welcome contribution to the Asia-Pacific region.

    BenarNews had been producing a growing range of insightful on powerful articles on the region’s issues, articles that were amplified by other media such as Asia Pacific Report.

    Managing editor Kate Beddall and her deputy, Imran Vittachi, announced the suspension of the decade-old BenarNews editorial operation this week, stating in their “Letter from the editors”:

    “After 10 years of reporting from across the Asia-Pacific, BenarNews is pausing operations due to matters beyond its control.

    “The US administration has withheld the funding that we rely on to bring our readers and viewers the news from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines and island-states and territories in the Pacific.

    “We have always strived to offer clear and accurate news on security, politics and human rights, to shed light on news that others neglect or suppress, and to cover issues that will shape the future of Asia and the Pacific.

    “Only last month, we marked our 10th anniversary with a video showcasing some of the tremendous but risky work done by our journalists.

    “Amid uncertainty about the future, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our readers and viewers for their loyalty and trust in BenarNews.

    “And to Benar journalists, cartoonists and commentary writers in Washington, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, thank you for your hard work and passion in serving the public and helping make a difference.

    “We hope that our funding is restored and that we will be back online soon.”


    BenarNews: A decade of truth in democracies at risk.    Video: BenarNews

    One of the BenarNews who has contributed much to the expansion of Pacific coverage is Brisbane-based former SBS Pacific television journalist Stefan Ambruster.

    He has also been praising his team in a series of social media postings, such as Papua New Guinea correspondent Harlyne Joku — “from the old school with knowledge of the old ways”. Ambruster writes:

    “Way back in December 2022, Harlyne Joku joined Radio Free Asia/BenarNews and the first Pacific correspondent Stephen Wright as the PNG reporter to help kick this Pacific platform off.

    “Her first report was Prime Minister James Marape accusing the media of creating a bad perception of the country.

    “Almost 90 stories in just over two years carry Harlyne’s byline, covering politics, geopolitics, human and women’s rights, media freedom, police and tribal violence, corruption, Bougainville, and also PNG’s sheep.

    “Her contacts allowed BenarNews Pacific to break stories consistently. She travelled to be on-ground to cover massacre aftermaths, natural disasters and the Pope in Vanimo (where she broke another story).

    “Particularly, Harlyne — along with colleagues Victor Mambor in Jayapura and Ahmad Panthoni and Dandy Koswaraputra in Jakarta — allowed BenarNews, to cover West Papua like no other news service. From both sides of the border.

    “And it was noticed in Indonesia, PNG and the Pacific region.

    “Last year, she was barred from covering President Probowo Subianto’s visit to Moresby, a move condemned by the Media Council of Papua New Guinea.

    “At press conferences she questioned Marape about the failure to secure a UN human rights mission to West Papua, as a Melanesian Spearhead Group special envoy, which led to an eventual apology by fellow envoy, Fiji’s Prime Minister Rabuka, to Pacific leaders.”

    PNG correspondent Harlyne Joku (right) with Stefan Armbruster and Rado Free Asia president Bay Fang in Port Moresby in February 2025. Image: Stefan Armbruster/BN

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 129

    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.
    SEL9

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 129
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1025 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Central Louisiana
    Southern and Central Mississippi

    * Effective this Saturday night and Sunday morning from 1025 PM
    until 500 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 80 mph possible
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…An intensifying line of thunderstorms over western
    Mississippi will track eastward overnight across the watch area.
    Damaging winds will be the main concern, but a few of the storms
    along the line may also pose a risk of tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 20 miles east northeast of Tupelo MS to
    35 miles southwest of Mc Comb MS. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 125…WW 127…WW 128…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Hart

    SEL9

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 129
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1025 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Central Louisiana
    Southern and Central Mississippi

    * Effective this Saturday night and Sunday morning from 1025 PM
    until 500 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 80 mph possible
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…An intensifying line of thunderstorms over western
    Mississippi will track eastward overnight across the watch area.
    Damaging winds will be the main concern, but a few of the storms
    along the line may also pose a risk of tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 20 miles east northeast of Tupelo MS to
    35 miles southwest of Mc Comb MS. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 125…WW 127…WW 128…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW9
    WW 129 TORNADO LA MS 060325Z – 061000Z
    AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    20ENE TUP/TUPELO MS/ – 35SW MCB/MC COMB MS/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM E/W /51WSW MSL – 30NE BTR/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..70 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 34388757 30829004 30829173 34388932

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU9.

    Watch 129 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (60%)

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

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 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 USA: SPC Tornado Watch 128

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 128
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    830 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern Alabama
    Southern Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Saturday night and Sunday morning from 830 PM
    until 300 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A cluster of supercell thunderstorms over northeast
    Mississippi will track across the watch area with a continued risk
    of tornadoes and damaging winds. Other strong to severe storms will
    also move across the watch area through the early morning hours.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 55 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 35 miles west southwest of Muscle
    Shoals AL to 105 miles northeast of Huntsville AL. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 123…WW 124…WW
    125…WW 126…WW 127…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and 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 24035.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW8
    WW 128 TORNADO AL TN 060130Z – 060800Z
    AXIS..55 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    35WSW MSL/MUSCLE SHOALS AL/ – 105NE HSV/HUNTSVILLE AL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM N/S /36WSW MSL – 48NNW GQO/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 35348819 36508546 34918546 33758819

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

    Watch 128 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    High (70%)

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

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (30%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (30%)

    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 (80%)

    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 Australia: PLUMMERS ROAD, FOREST RANGE (Hazmat)

    Source: South Australia County Fire Service

    FOREST RANGE

    Forest Range Hazardous Material

    Issued for FOREST RANGE near Lenswood and Lobethal in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia.

    The CFS is responding to a hazardous materials (HazMat) incident at Plummer Road near Lenswood and Lobethal in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia.

    CFS volunteers, with support from SA Ambulance Service, are on scene with 6 trucks actively monitoring an ammonia gas leak with specialist equipment.

    CFS firefighters are working to bring the ammonia gas levels inside the building to a safe level.

    Crews, wearing specialist breathing apparatus, are using positive pressure fans to ventilate the building and will continue to monitor the atmospheric readings both inside and outside.

    This will help ensure the safety of all personnel at the scene and in the surrounding areas. Building management also has an ammonia technician on site, working to fix the source of the leak.

    Crews will remain on site for some time to keep monitoring the situation and ensure the community stays safe.

    Emergency services are working on and around roads in the area, and motorists are advised to stay away. If you need to travel on roads in the area, please take care and drive to the local conditions.

    Message ID 0008497

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 127

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 127
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    635 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Central and Western Louisiana
    Southeast Texas

    * Effective this Saturday night from 635 PM until Midnight CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will remain
    possible across the watch area through the evening, with the
    strongest cells capable of damaging winds and a tornado or two.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 5 miles north northwest of Monroe LA to
    70 miles southwest of Fort Polk LA. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW
    124…WW 125…WW 126…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Hart

    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 127
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    635 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Central and Western Louisiana
    Southeast Texas

    * Effective this Saturday night from 635 PM until Midnight CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will remain
    possible across the watch area through the evening, with the
    strongest cells capable of damaging winds and a tornado or two.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 5 miles north northwest of Monroe LA to
    70 miles southwest of Fort Polk LA. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW
    124…WW 125…WW 126…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …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 127 TORNADO LA TX 052335Z – 060500Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    5NNW MLU/MONROE LA/ – 70SW POE/FORT POLK LA/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /4NNW MLU – 48WNW LCH/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 32589103 30339300 30339502 32589309

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

    Watch 127 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

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

    Mod (30%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    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 USA: SPC Tornado Watch 126

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 126
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    715 PM EDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southeast Kentucky

    * Effective this Saturday evening from 715 PM until 1100 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…A small but fast-moving bow echo will track into southeast
    Kentucky this afternoon, posing a risk of damaging wind gusts and
    perhaps a tornado.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 30 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles west southwest of London KY
    to 25 miles east northeast of London KY. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU6).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW
    124…WW 125…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean
    storm motion vector 24045.

    …Hart

    SEL6

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 126
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    715 PM EDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southeast Kentucky

    * Effective this Saturday evening from 715 PM until 1100 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…A small but fast-moving bow echo will track into southeast
    Kentucky this afternoon, posing a risk of damaging wind gusts and
    perhaps a tornado.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 30 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles west southwest of London KY
    to 25 miles east northeast of London KY. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU6).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW
    124…WW 125…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean
    storm motion vector 24045.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW6
    WW 126 TORNADO KY 052315Z – 060300Z
    AXIS..30 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    65WSW LOZ/LONDON KY/ – 25ENE LOZ/LONDON KY/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 25NM N/S /54WSW LOZ – 25ENE LOZ/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 450. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24045.

    LAT…LON 37158516 37658366 36788366 36288516

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

    Watch 126 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (30%)

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

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (30%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Low (10%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    Mod (50%)

    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 Asia-Pac: MICE tourism gains momentum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Ballroom inspections and mahjong sessions may not be what automatically springs to mind when you consider Hong Kong’s appeal to visitors. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism – MICE tourism, for short – is not about being conventional, however.

    Recently, nine representatives from the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, hailing from Germany, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere, embarked on a five-day MICE tourism study mission in Hong Kong, at the invitation of the Tourism Board.

    Their first stop was a Wan Chai hotel that opened late last year. The delegation inspected its banquet halls, suites and facilities, and enjoyed an unexpected highlight – an impromptu mahjong session in the games room that gave them a taste of one of the most popular Chinese pastimes.

    The group then proceeded to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) where they were shown around several exhibition venues and meeting rooms, learning about their layout and design, as well as the centre’s transport connectivity, and took the opportunity to gaze out over Victoria Harbour.

    Multiple facets
    For MICE visitors – whether squeezing in sightseeing activities around conferences or enjoying company incentive trips – riding the 130-year-old Peak Tram remains an essential Hong Kong experience, of course.

    Having ascended Victoria Peak by tram, the delegation embarked on a nostalgic journey through 1970s–80s Hong Kong at the Peak Tower museum, before marvelling at magnificent panoramic views of the city’s famous skyline and Victoria Harbour from the Sky Terrace.

    The group then descended to Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan, where they performed the ritual of touching the holy deer statue with gold foil to seek blessings. All in all, they were able to immerse themselves fully in Hong Kong’s commercial, cultural and religious facets in a single day.

    The tour participants represented diverse clients across sectors ranging from government to technology and pharmaceuticals, and are responsible for planning events across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. They said their experiences in Hong Kong would inform future decisions about staging professional conferences and summits in the city.

    Lasting impressions
    Among the delegation was Jocelyne Mulli, managing director of a German organiser of professional conferences. Her firm has been using Hong Kong as its springboard into the Asia-Pacific region since 2012.

    Though a frequent visitor to Hong Kong and to the HKCEC, she said her latest trip had opened her eyes to ongoing upgrades and more flexible service offerings in the city. In particular, she praised Hong Kong’s fusion of heritage and modernity, applauding its sustained achievements in MICE tourism development over the years.

    “You are a hub, you are a base, and you are in the best place to welcome international delegates,” she said. “It is not everywhere that you have ballrooms, venue spaces of such size. You have a multilingual society and you have these historical aspects.”

    For his part, Alejandro Ramirez Tabche, the CEO of a Mexican event planning company, said that seeing specific venues for himself had made him realise Hong Kong is the perfect MICE destination. Describing the city as “gorgeous”, he said he would recommend it to his peers as a location for holding events without hesitation.

    “Hong Kong is always a top destination and people experience real fun and happiness,” he enthused. “And also, you have luxurious hotels, good food and good attractions. The people are so kind and they are very eager to help anytime.”

    While in Hong Kong, the group also explored the Old Town Central neighbourhood’s blend of modern and historic elements, visited the giant panda twins at Ocean Park, and toured the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park, gaining a full appreciation of the city’s diverse offerings.

    Robust revival
    MICE tourism has emerged as a key driver of high-value travel to Hong Kong, with the city welcoming over 1.42 million overnight MICE visitors in 2024, a year-on-year increase of about 10%. Their average spending per capita outperformed overall overnight visitor expenditure by about 40% and catalysed growth across sectors including convention services, retail, dining and entertainment.

    The Tourism Board is adopting a multipronged approach to developing MICE tourism, sparing no effort to secure major events for Hong Kong, while also inviting global conference organisers to experience the city’s MICE facilities and tourism assets first-hand.

    Tourism Board Director & Business Development Team Lead of MICE Phoebe Shing outlined that the organisation has been successful in bidding for and facilitating 56 large-scale MICE events in Hong Kong this year, including 16 which are debuting in the city. The events span sectors ranging from innovation and technology to fintech, medical science and aviation.

    “In June, Hong Kong will host the International Society for Stem Cell Research 2025 annual meeting for the first time,” she said. “For the aviation sector, we will welcome Routes World 2025 in September, and also Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 in December.”

    These events are projected to attract approximately 170,000 MICE visitors from the Mainland and overseas, with total participation reaching 260,000.

    Ms Shing added that with MICE tourism’s robust recovery, coupled with the ongoing restoration of international flight capacity, further growth in MICE visitors is expected.

    “The Hong Kong Tourism Board will continue to promote MICE tourism, striving to bring more MICE events to Hong Kong. We will also solidify Hong Kong as the world’s meeting place in order to attract more high-yield visitors to our city.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash at Cobdogla

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating a serious crash at Cobdogla earlier this morning.

    About 1.30am today (Sunday 6 April), police and emergency services were called to a private property on Spiller Road after reports a man had fallen from a Toyota Ute.

    Police arrived and found the front passenger a 20-year-old man from Golden Grove had sustained serious injuries.

    The man was air lifted to hospital with life threatening injuries.

    Major Crash are in attendance and the driver, a 21-year-old man from Waikerie is assisting with ongoing investigations.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 125

    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.
    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 125
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    450 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southeast Arkansas
    Northeast Louisiana
    Central and Northern Mississippi
    Southwest Tennessee

    * Effective this Saturday afternoon from 450 PM until Midnight
    CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will track northeastward across the watch
    area through the evening hours, as low-level wind profiles intensify
    in a very moist and unstable airmass. Tornadoes and locally
    damaging wind gusts are the primary threats.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 75 miles north northeast of Tupelo MS
    to 25 miles southeast of Monroe LA. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW 124…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Hart

    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 125
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    450 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southeast Arkansas
    Northeast Louisiana
    Central and Northern Mississippi
    Southwest Tennessee

    * Effective this Saturday afternoon from 450 PM until Midnight
    CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will track northeastward across the watch
    area through the evening hours, as low-level wind profiles intensify
    in a very moist and unstable airmass. Tornadoes and locally
    damaging wind gusts are the primary threats.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 75 miles north northeast of Tupelo MS
    to 25 miles southeast of Monroe LA. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…WW 124…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24035.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW5
    WW 125 TORNADO AR LA MS TN 052150Z – 060500Z
    AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    75NNE TUP/TUPELO MS/ – 25SE MLU/MONROE LA/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM E/W /52NW MSL – 22SE MLU/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 35278737 32259087 32259258 35278915

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU5.

    Watch 125 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    High (70%)

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

    Mod (60%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash, Mount Direction

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Fatal crash, Mount Direction

    Sunday, 6 April 2025 – 7:47 am.

    Sadly, a man in his 20s has died following a serious crash at Mount Direction.
    Police and emergency services were called to Old Bangor Tram Road, Mount Direction, just after 2:00am on Sunday 6 March, following reports of a single vehicle crash.
    The passenger in the vehicle sadly died at the scene. The driver was taken to the Launceston General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
    Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
    Police remain at the scene of the crash. Motorists should avoid the area until further notice.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OCEANIA – Debt crisis in the Pacific: Jubilee Year campaign aims to provide relief

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Port Moresby (Agenzia Fides) – “Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa are Pacific countries at risk of experiencing the worst consequences of internal and external debt. The Caritas Internationalis Jubilee campaign, ‘Transform Debt into Hope,’ should convince everyone to be vigilant about what political elites could do to avoid the dire circumstances of debt growth,” writes Father Giorgio Licini, missionary of PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions) and Caritas collaborator of the Episcopal Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, in a letter sent to Fides. “About fifty civil society and religious organizations around the world support the ‘Turn Debt into Hope’ petition and campaign. However, there are none from Oceania,” Father Licini points out, referring to the specific situation in Papua New Guinea, the country where he lives.”Papua New Guinea,” he points out, “owes creditors approximately 50 billion kina (approximately 11 billion euros, ed.), as the country prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its independence in September. The country’s solid financial position in the first two decades after independence from Australia, when the national currency was essentially equal to or more than the US dollar, is now a distant memory.” “The country,” he explains, “is classified as rich in resources but has poor human development indicators. About 75 percent of the population lives in poverty or has only the bare necessities of life, often in remote and inaccessible areas lacking basic services. The debt accumulated in recent years is more or less evenly distributed between domestic and foreign debt.”Corruption is a social challenge: “The perception that the country is at least partially determined by corruption and mismanagement is strong. Gaining government positions and jobs is widely perceived as an opportunity for personal enrichment, with family, clan, and allies benefiting in every way possible,” the missionary reports. “Yet,” he continues, “with clear political will, Papua New Guinea can curb corruption, keep its debt under control, and avoid the worst results seen in other developing countries, which are now unable even to pay the interest on their debts.”In light of this global concern, Caritas Internationalis has launched a campaign in the 2025 Jubilee Year entitled “Turn Debt into Hope,” which puts into practice the call for debt relief suggested by Pope Francis in the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year.There are concrete figures on the current “debt crisis,” which affects more than 100 countries: The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank estimate that 60 percent of low-income countries are in “debt distress” or are on the verge of defaulting on their repayment obligations. “As many as 48 developing countries,” says Father Licini, “spend more on debt interest payments than on health and education, further perpetuating inequality and poverty. More than 3.3 billion people live in these countries.”And while rich countries hold the majority of the debt, “the cost of borrowing for developing countries is two to twelve times higher, trapping many of them in a cycle of rising debt,” Father Licini notes. “In 2023, countries in the Global South spent 12.5 times more on debt repayment than on combating climate change, making them vulnerable to its devastating impacts. What we urgently need, then, is a bold commitment from governments and financial institutions to stop the debt crisis now: the cancellation of unjust and unsustainable debts to prevent debt crises from recurring by addressing their root causes.” They also call for “a reform of the global financial system to prioritize people and the planet” so that the same crisis cannot repeat itself cyclically.A particular goal of the Caritas Internationalis campaign, according to the missionary, “is the cancellation of ‘unsustainable debt,’ i.e., debt that cannot truly be repaid.” At the international level, the petition will be presented wherever world leaders gather to discuss politics and economics, for example at the G7 summit in Canada in June, the G20 summit in South Africa in November, and the COP30 summit in Brazil. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 124

    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.
    SEL4

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 124
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    145 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northwest Alabama
    Southern Kentucky
    Western and Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 145 PM until
    900 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A well-organized bow echo will continue east-northeastward
    this afternoon, while other semi-discrete supercells may develop
    ahead of it, and southward into the warm sector.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles north northwest of Muscle
    Shoals AL to 55 miles east of Nashville TN. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU4).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and 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 23040.

    …Guyer

    SEL4

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 124
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    145 PM CDT Sat Apr 5 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northwest Alabama
    Southern Kentucky
    Western and Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 145 PM until
    900 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A well-organized bow echo will continue east-northeastward
    this afternoon, while other semi-discrete supercells may develop
    ahead of it, and southward into the warm sector.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles north northwest of Muscle
    Shoals AL to 55 miles east of Nashville TN. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU4).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 122…WW 123…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and 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 23040.

    …Guyer

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW4
    WW 124 TORNADO AL KY TN 051845Z – 060200Z
    AXIS..80 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    65NNW MSL/MUSCLE SHOALS AL/ – 55E BNA/NASHVILLE TN/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 70NM N/S /62NNW MSL – 48E BNA/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23040.

    LAT…LON 36788806 37288569 34978569 34468806

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU4.

    Watch 124 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

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

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (50%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (30%)

    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 (>95%)

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: McCaul, Dr. Arthur Herman Highlight AUKUS as Key to Countering the CCP, Maintaining High-Tech Supremacy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Dr. Arthur Herman, a senior fellow and director of the Quantum Alliance Initiative at Hudson Institute, penned an op-ed in National Review highlighting how AUKUS — the security pact between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia — provides a strategic advantage against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), both at sea and in the high-tech realm. 

    National Review

    The U.S. Has a Game Changer in the Struggle for High-Tech Supremacy

    Congressman Michael McCaul and Dr. Arthur Herman 

    April 3, 2025 

    In the great-power competition with the United States’ adversaries, none is more formidable than the Chinese Communist Party.

    Emboldened by four years of appeasement policies, the CCP is on the march — escalating its military activities, conducting aggressive drills around Taiwan, and increasing its belligerence in the South China Sea.

    The tension in the Indo-Pacific is nearing a breaking point. Given China’s unholy alliance with Russia, Iran, and North Korea — and America’s friendship with Taiwan and defense treaty with the Philippines — any surge of CCP aggression in the region could catapult the world into a snowballing conflict.

    There is one key to avoiding this World War III scenario: deterrence. And as the future of warfare rapidly develops, high-tech supremacy will be the decisive key. That’s why — as President Trump has said — China’s recent DeepSeek challenge to American AI leadership serves as a wake-up call. We must commit greater focus and resources to high-tech supremacy — not only in AI, but in a range of technologies that will define military deterrence in peacetime and determine victory in a time of war.

    […]

    Instead of peace through strength, the Biden presidency brought instability and conflict through weakness. But in the midst of its abysmal foreign policy record was one bright spot: a security pact established in 2021 between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, to work together on a cluster of advanced technologies. 

    AUKUS will change the game when it comes to countering the generational threat posed by China.

    […]

    To ensure the program’s success, Congress passed an initiative, led by one of us (Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee), to exempt Australia and the U.K. from lengthy and burdensome licensing requirements. These requirements, while meant to protect our sensitive technology from falling into the wrong hands, also prohibited our trusted allies from using U.S. tech for our collective defense goals.

    Congress was explicit: The administration “shall provide” defense articles and technology to these allies, whose export control regimes are similar to our own. But when the Biden administration removed the licensing requirements, it quickly nullified that action by releasing a list of excluded technologies. The list was so lengthy that it swallowed up the exemption. In other words, the Biden administration undermined congressional intent and re-created lengthy burdens for technology sharing with our allies, inexplicably undercutting its one true foreign policy success in the process.

    The excluded-technologies list must be immediately trimmed if we want to keep up with China in the technology race that will determine the future balance of power.

    […]

    In our brave new age of great-power competition, our high-tech posture will be as important as our military force posture; in fact, one will determine the other. Just as in World War II the integration of mass production by commercial companies was the key to victory, so too will integration of advanced technologies like AI, quantum, and autonomous systems be key to deterrence — and to victory if war breaks out.

    Except this time, we won’t have to rely on American industry alone for needed breakthroughs and deployments. Instead, we can work with key allies to achieve our most important national security goals — including supremacy at sea — and prevent the next world war from breaking out.

    As Ronald Reagan told us, “We know only too well that conflict comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak.” For too long, the forces of freedom have been weak in the face of CCP aggression. AUKUS can change that.

    Click here to read the full op-ed in National Review.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: No-cost abortions now accessible at more Canberra locations

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Greater access to no-cost abortions will assist women and people who can become pregnant to be in control of and make informed decisions about their health care.

    The ACT’s accessible abortions scheme has expanded to include no-cost medical abortions at selected general practices in the ACT.

    The ACT Government is committed to removing the financial barrier to Canberrans in need of abortion services.

    Providing no-cost abortions at more locations will assist women and people who can become pregnant to be in control of, and make informed decisions about, their health care based on what is best for them and their circumstances.

    No-cost medical and surgical abortions have been available since April 2023 at MSI Australia in Civic. This is part of an investment to provide all ACT residents, including those without a Medicare card, access to free abortion services.

    The ACT Government has now partnered with Women’s Health Matters to support two general practices that offer no-cost medical abortions.

    Other providers may participate in the future, providing more options for Canberrans.

    People who access these general practice services will also be able to access pathology, imaging and pharmacy services at no cost from participating providers.

    This will ensure the entire abortion process can be provided at no cost to the client.

    “Providing additional no-cost medical abortion options, in different regions of Canberra and through different providers, gives women and gender-diverse people more choices over their reproductive health care,” Women’s Health Matters CEO Lauren Anthes said.

    “We have heard that it can be difficult to know where to go when you need a medical abortion in Canberra. Having a publicly available list of no-cost, non-judgmental and pro-choice providers will make it easier for women and gender-diverse people to find the care that they need.”

    Access to safe, timely and free abortion services allows Canberrans to obtain appropriate, safe and timely care, and avoid potential detrimental impacts to their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

    Medical abortions are available up to nine weeks gestation. MSI Australia will also continue to provide no-cost medical abortions up to nine weeks, and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks gestation.

    Free long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) will also be offered for free at the time of abortion at both MSI Australia and participating GPs.

    For more information on participating providers, visit www.womenshealthmatters.org.au/resources/no-cost-abortion-services.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reforms to boost ACT’s night-time economy

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Liquor Amendment Bill 2024 prioritises responsible, flexible regulation to benefit local businesses.

    The Liquor (Night-Time Economy) Amendment Bill 2024 has passed.

    Reforms to commence this month include allowing more businesses to supply complimentary liquor without a licence.

    The changes will help boost Canberra’s night-time economy through responsible, fit-for-purpose and flexible regulation.

    They will provide tangible benefits to ACT businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, and are designed to create greater flexibility for businesses and to legislate the ACT Government’s commitment to Canberra’s night-time economy.

    Reforms to commence in April 2024 include:

    • Allowing more businesses to supply complimentary liquor without a licence: This will provide flexibility for businesses wishing to provide a boutique service to their clients where the supply of complimentary alcohol is ancillary to the purpose of the business, allowing for new and inventive business models.
    • Enshrining in legislation the ACT Government’s commitment to the development of the ACT’s night-time economy: Amendments to the Objects of the Liquor Act 2010 will enshrine a legislative commitment to the responsible development of the ACT’s night-time economy.

    The reforms will also ensure that any decision under the Act considers the benefits to industry, community and local economy, while also observing harm minimisation and community safety principles.

    A strong, vibrant, and diverse night-time economy is essential to the continued growth of Canberra’s tourism and visitor economy.

    The amendments will help support small and medium-sized venues to diversify their business models and attract new clientele through a more flexible and responsive regulatory environment.

    Amendments to the Objects of the Liquor Act 2010 align the ACT with other Australian jurisdictions, including NSW, QLD, VIC and SA, who have enshrined support for the night-time economy, live music and tourism in their liquor licensing frameworks.

    The amendments were drafted to balance the creation of a more vibrant, responsive night-time economy with a risk-based approach, ensuring the safety of staff and patrons alike.

    Additional reforms relating to extended trading hours, interim liquor licences and a reduction in annual licence fees for eligible licensees for supporting live music and the arts are expected to commence in July 2024.

    Further information on the ACT Government’s night-time economy reforms can be found at www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/better-regulation-taskforce/canberras-night-time-economy.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Albanese promises 30% discount on household batteries in latest energy bill help

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

    In the government’s latest initiative on energy prices, Anthony Albanese on Sunday will promise that if re-elected, Labor will reduce the cost of installing a typical home battery by 30% from July 1.

    This would cut about $4,000 from the upfront cost of an 11.5 kWh battery, which is the typical household size.

    Small businesses and community facilities would be eligible for the discount, as well as households.

    The government says the discount would save a household with existing rooftop solar panels up to $1,100 off their power bill every year. For those with new solar panels and battery, the saving would be up to $2,300 annually – up to 90% of a typical power bill.

    More than one million installations would be expected by 2030 under the measure. The initiative would cost an estimated $2.3 billion over the forward estimates, including in the 2025-26 budget.

    The discount would be applied on installing virtual power plant-ready battery systems beside new or existing rooftop solar until 2030. The absolute value of the discount would decline over the five years in line with the expected fall in the cost of batteries.

    Albanese said the measure was “good for power bills and good for the environment”.

    Labor’s number one priority is delivering cost-of-living relief. That’s why we want to make sure Australians have access to cheaper, cleaner energy.

    Energy Minister Chris Bowen said:

    The contrast is clear – a re-elected Albanese government will take pressure off household energy bills, while Peter Dutton’s Liberals will spend $600 billion on a nuclear plan that drives power bills up.

    Mixing politics and sport can be risky on campaign trail

    For the second election campaign in a row, a Liberal leader has claimed a victim on the football field.

    At least, some relieved Liberals might be saying, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton felled a member of the media, not a child.

    Dutton, campaigning in Darwin on Saturday with a few million dollars in hand to promise for the local footy ground, was happy to have a kick with kids for the cameras.

    But the ball hit a TV camera, which went into the face of Channel Ten cameraman Ghaith Nadir. A federal policeman helped with a bandage for Nadir’s forehead. Dutton promised a compensatory beer.

    In the 2022 campaign, Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined some youngsters in their junior soccer training.

    Becoming rather too competitive, Morrison crashed into a boy, and they both ended on the ground. It made for plenty of jokes about the man who’d admitted in the campaign that “I can be a bit of a bulldozer”. The clip was replayed again and again.

    After Saturday’s incident, Dutton quipped, “If the prime minister kicked it, he would have told you that it didn’t hit anyone”.

    Last week, Albanese stepped back off a stage, appearing to fall, during an event. He later insisted he hadn’t fallen. “I stepped back onto a step, I didn’t fall off the stage,” he said. “Just one leg went down, and I was sweet.”

    Way back in 1984, there was another unfortunate incident on the sporting field during a campaign. That time, the perpetrator was a journalist and the victim was Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

    Hawke had called an election a few days before playing in a cricket match against the parliamentary press gallery. A ball from Gary O’Neill, a journalist with the Melbourne Herald, caught the edge of Hawke’s bat and smashed into his glasses.

    Hawke went to the Canberra Hospital, where (after he jumped the queue) a patch was put on his eye. He returned to the match, watching from the sidelines.

    At least he scored 27 before the incident. However, the accident set him back for the early days of what was an eight-week campaign.

    Over the years there are plenty of examples of leaders losing their (physical) footing.

    A few months before the 2007 election, Prime Minister John Howard tripped and fell on his hands on the way to a radio interview in Perth.

    Visiting India in 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard tumbled when her shoe got stuck in grass. She explained:

    For men who get to wear flat shoes all day every day, if you wear a heel it can get embedded in soft grass and when you pull your foot out the shoe doesn’t come.

    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 promises 30% discount on household batteries in latest energy bill help – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-albanese-promises-30-discount-on-household-batteries-in-latest-energy-bill-help-253736

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: What Makes a True Leader & 2024’s Extreme Weather Events | WEF | Top Stories Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:15 What makes a true leader? – Platon is known for his portraits of the world’s most powerful people. Over the past 30 years, he has photographed presidents and celebrities, as well as dictators. But despite his time spent in the world’s corridors of power, Platon’s own idea of leadership comes from a much humbler context. A hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    3:17 These cities gain wetland status – Urban wetlands perform critical jobs, from safeguarding against floods to filtering water, sequestering carbon, and enhancing biodiversity. But development and pollution can place wetlands under pressure. The Wetland Accreditation Scheme was created in 2015 to encourage cities to commit to protecting their wetlands through policy changes and conservation efforts.

    4:54 2024 extreme weather status – Floods, storms and heatwaves caused extraordinary destruction and disruption, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. The World Meteorological Organization lists 151 events that were worse than ever seen before. Temperatures soared to 49.9°C in Western Australia’s outback, record rains battered Spain, sparking floods and landslides, the Philippines saw 6 typhoons in a single month.

    6:34 How space affects human health – Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were meant to spend 8 days on the International Space Station, but a spacecraft malfunction left them in orbit for 9 months. Their time in space will have affected their bodies in many ways and medical scientists are taking note.

    _____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgSCBjY_Wjs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Albanese promises 30% discount on solar batteries, in latest energy bill help

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

    In the government’s latest initiative on energy prices, Anthony Albanese on Sunday will promise that if re-elected, Labor will reduce the cost of installing a typical home solar battery by 30% from July 1.

    This would cut about $4,000 from the upfront cost of an 11.5 kWh battery, which is the typical household size.

    Small businesses and community facilities would be eligible for the discount, as well as households.

    The government says the discount would save a household with existing rooftop solar panels up to $1,100 off their power bill every year. For those with new solar panels and battery, the saving would be up to $2,300 annually – up to 90% of a typical power bill.

    More than one million installations would be expected by 2030 under the measure. The initiative would cost an estimated $2.3 billion over the forward estimates, including in the 2025-26 budget.

    The discount would be applied on installing virtual power plant-ready battery systems beside new or existing rooftop solar until 2030. The absolute value of the discount would decline over the five years in line with the expected fall in the cost of batteries.

    Albanese said the measure was “good for power bills and good for the environment”.

    Labor’s number one priority is delivering cost-of-living relief. That’s why we want to make sure Australians have access to cheaper, cleaner energy.

    Energy Minister Chris Bowen said:

    The contrast is clear – a re-elected Albanese government will take pressure off household energy bills, while Peter Dutton’s Liberals will spend $600 billion on a nuclear plan that drives power bills up.

    Mixing politics and sport can be risky on campaign trail

    For the second election campaign in a row, a Liberal leader has claimed a victim on the football field.

    At least, some relieved Liberals might be saying, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton felled a member of the media, not a child.

    Dutton, campaigning in Darwin on Saturday with a few million dollars in hand to promise for the local footy ground, was happy to have a kick with kids for the cameras.

    But the ball hit a TV camera, which went into the face of Channel Ten cameraman Ghaith Nadir. A federal policeman helped with a bandage for Nadir’s forehead. Dutton promised a compensatory beer.

    In the 2022 campaign, Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined some youngsters in their junior soccer training.

    Becoming rather too competitive, Morrison crashed into a boy, and they both ended on the ground. It made for plenty of jokes about the man who’d admitted in the campaign that “I can be a bit of a bulldozer”. The clip was replayed again and again.

    After Saturday’s incident, Dutton quipped, “If the prime minister kicked it, he would have told you that it didn’t hit anyone”.

    Last week, Albanese stepped back off a stage, appearing to fall, during an event. He later insisted he hadn’t fallen. “I stepped back onto a step, I didn’t fall off the stage,” he said. “Just one leg went down, and I was sweet.”

    Way back in 1984, there was another unfortunate incident on the sporting field during a campaign. That time, the perpetrator was a journalist and the victim was Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

    Hawke had called an election a few days before playing in a cricket match against the parliamentary press gallery. A ball from Gary O’Neill, a journalist with the Melbourne Herald, caught the edge of Hawke’s bat and smashed into his glasses.

    Hawke went to the Canberra Hospital, where (after he jumped the queue) a patch was put on his eye. He returned to the match, watching from the sidelines.

    At least he scored 27 before the incident. However, the accident set him back for the early days of what was an eight-week campaign.

    Over the years there are plenty of examples of leaders losing their (physical) footing.

    A few months before the 2007 election, Prime Minister John Howard tripped and fell on his hands on the way to a radio interview in Perth.

    Visiting India in 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard tumbled when her shoe got stuck in grass. She explained:

    For men who get to wear flat shoes all day every day, if you wear a heel it can get embedded in soft grass and when you pull your foot out the shoe doesn’t come.

    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 promises 30% discount on solar batteries, in latest energy bill help – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-albanese-promises-30-discount-on-solar-batteries-in-latest-energy-bill-help-253736

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on March 27, 2025 2025-04-05 Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Wu Qian: Friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to this month’s regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense (MND). First of all, I would like to introduce a group of friends in red jackets. They are the faculty and student representatives from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), welcome!

    Today, I have one piece of information to announce on the top.

    The Chinese MND hosted the first meeting of International Military Cooperation Organs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States for 2025 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, from March 26 to 27. Over 30 representatives from defense ministries of the SCO member states and the SCO Secretariat attended the meeting. The participants had in-depth discussions on deepening defense and security cooperation within the SCO framework and expressed willingness to maintain close communication to prepare for the upcoming Defense Ministers’ Meeting of the SCO Member States to be held in China.

    Now the floor is open for questions.

    Journalist: President Xi attended the plenary meeting of the delegation of the PLA and the PAP during the third session of the 14th NPC and delivered an important speech, emphasizing the need to promote high-quality development and implement the 14th Five-Year Plan for military development. Could you provide an update on the progress of the military’s 14th Five-Year Plan? What are the key challenges going forward?

    Wu Qian: Over the past four years of implementing tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan, the military has made great efforts to achieve its centenary goal and strengthen combat effectiveness. A number of major outcomes have been reached, in particular on producing new quality combat capabilities. The strategic capabilities of the PLA in fulfilling its missions in the new era have been continuously strengthened. However, there are still many challenges and arduous tasks remained. We are now in a key stage of overcoming challenges and winning this uphill battle.

    Follow the guidance of President Xi’s important speech, the military will bolster confidence, address challenges, and redouble our efforts in implementing the plan. First, striking a balance between progress and quality. We will continue to improve strategic management and strengthen process control. While ensuring progress is made on time, we will strive to realize performance targets and prevent any compromise in quality for meeting deadlines.

    Second, striking a balance between cost and benefit. We will remain committed to a path of high-quality, high-effectiveness, low-cost and sustainable development. We will leverage civilian strengths and resources, properly allocate defense resources and investment, and make the use of defense budget more precise and efficient.

    Third, striking a balance between the overall plan and key priorities. We will strengthen general coordination and targeted adjustment, and concentrate efforts on major projects and key initiatives, so as to advance the implementation of the overall plan through breakthroughs in key areas.

    Fourth, striking a balance between development and supervision. We will put more emphasis on supervision and build a comprehensive and effective regulatory system to forge synergy and ensure development quality, timely formation of capabilities, and the red line of no corruption.

    Fifth, striking a balance between implementation of the plan and formation of capabilities. We will innovate models for generating combat power, establish a rapid response and conversion mechanism for advanced technologies, and accelerate the transition from project delivery to capability delivery, ensuring the timely formation of a strong and capable combat force.

    Journalist: The leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, recently made separatist remarks claiming that the two sides across the Taiwan Strait are “not subordinate to each other” and called the mainland a “foreign hostile force”. In mid-March, the PLA conducted a military exercise near Taiwan. Some said that the exercise was a countermeasure against Lai Ching-te’s separatist rhetoric and recent movements between Taiwan and the US. What’s your comment?

    Wu Qian: As the Chinese saying goes, “When the heaven is about to destroy someone, it first makes them having lunatic ideas.” Taiwan is a part of China. It has never been a nation. It wasn’t in the past. It is not at present, and it will never be in the future.

    Recently, naval and air troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted readiness patrols and joint exercises in areas around Taiwan to test and enhance their war-fighting capabilities. It serves as an effective punishment and deterrence against the “Taiwan independence” separatists and a stern warning against external interfering forces. It is fully legitimate and necessary.

    The people’s military will resolutely implement the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era. We will remain ready and able to fight and win at all times, and will take resolute measures to defeat any separatist attempt for “Taiwan independence”.

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist: The US Defense Secretary will visit the Philippines and the two sides may discuss responding to China’s activities in the South China Sea and US support to Philippine forces. Meanwhile, Philippine’s ambassador to the US said recently that this visit would show China the solid bond between the Philippines and the US and his country was confirmed that US security commitment would not change. Do you have any comment?

    Wu Qian: Military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not harm security interests of other countries or undermine regional peace and stability. By the way, if we look back into history, the US actually maintains an astonishing record in reneging on promises and betraying allies.

    Journalist: Will the Chinese and US militaries have high-level engagements soon? Please give us an update on the China-US military relationship.

    Wu Qian: On China-US mil-mil engagement, the two sides had some discussions and preliminary consensus. We will advance accordingly. Building a stable China-US mil-mil relationship serves the shared interests of both sides and is a common expectation of the international community. As the Latin proverb goes, set your course by the stars, not follow the waves. On growing the China-US mil-mil relationship, we should follow the principle of mutual-respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen communications and dialogues, and properly handle differences. We hope with efforts from both sides, the mil-mil relationship can grow on a sound and stable track.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first one. It is reported that China’s aircraft carrier Fujian has recently set sail for its seventh sea trial. Some analysts suggest that the focus of this trial is catapult launch and arrested landing. Can you confirm this?

    The second question. It is reported that in response to China’s increasing defense budget in 2025, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary said that China’s rapid military buildup, combined with a lack of transparency, is a “matter of serious concern for Japan and the international community.” Additionally, reports suggest that the Japan Self-Defense Forces recently established a Joint Operations Command, and due to concerns over a potential armed attack on Taiwan by the mainland, Japan plans to deploy long-range missiles in Kyushu by the end of 2025. What is your comment on this?

    Wu Qian: I have no information to release on your first question. The sea trial is a routine arrangement for the construction of PLANS Fujian. Please take it easy.

    As for your second question, regarding China’s 2025 defense budget, we have provided a detailed explanation. The size, structure, and usage of the budget is open, transparent and beyond reproach. In fact, Japan, as a country that launched aggressive wars during World War II, is the least qualified to criticize defense budgets of other nations. The international community should be alerted to Japan’s recent efforts in breaking its pacifist constitution and the “exclusively defense-oriented” policy. Japan has significantly increased its defense spending and developed long-range offensive capabilities, heading down the path of military expansion. Such behavior is exactly what peace-loving countries, particularly those once invaded by Japanese militarists, need to be vigilant against and opposed to.

    This year we will have the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge the Japan side to take lessons from history, adhere to the path of peaceful development, act prudently in the field of military security, and stop misinterpreting China’s defense policies and military strategies, so as to avoid further eroding its credibility among its Asian neighbors and the international community. It must be emphasized that the Taiwan question is none of Japan’s business, and we firmly oppose Japan’s attempts to exploit this matter for its own agenda. Only by upholding the one-China principle and resolutely opposing “Taiwan independence” can peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait be ensured.

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist: According to foreign media reports, the recent G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting issued a joint statement expressing concerns over China’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal, and the situation in the East and South China Seas. The statement emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and opposes any unilateral alteration of the status quo through force or coercion. What is your comment on this?

    Wu Qian: The G7 statement ignores facts and is a vicious slander on China and a brutal interference in China’s internal affairs. We strongly condemn and resolutely oppose it. China follows a policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons and a defensive nuclear strategy. We have been maintaining our nuclear arsenal at the minimum level required for national security. On the nuclear issue, the G7 should reflect on its own actions and has no qualification to criticize China.

    Regarding the East and South China Seas, China is engaging in peaceful dialogue and consultation with relevant countries to resolve disputes. At the same time, we remain steadfast in safeguarding our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China firmly opposes interference from external forces and any provocative acts that undermine regional peace and stability. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Taiwan question brooks no foreign interference. The one-China principle is a wide consensus of the international community and a fundamental norm in international relations. Any attempt to separate the island from its motherland will inevitably end in complete failure.

    We urge the G7 to break away from its Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice, stop the finger-pointing and preaching at others. This approach won’t work on the Chinese military.

    Journalist: It is reported that China, Iran, and Russia recently conducted “Security Belt 2025” joint exercise. Could you provide more details?

    Wu Qian: In accordance with the annual plan and the consensus reached by China, Iran and Russia, the three countries’ naval forces conducted “Security Belt 2025” joint exercise near Iran’s Chabahar Port from March 9 to 13. Following the theme of “Building Peace and Security Together”, the three sides sent over 10 vessels, as well as special operations and diving units, to the exercise. Focusing on counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations, the troops trained on subjects including maritime target striking, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), damage control, and joint search and rescue. The exercise tested tactical command coordination and interoperabilities of the participating forces, and deepened military trust and practical cooperation among the three countries. During the exercise, the troops also had on-board visits and cultural and sports exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. Since 2019, China, Iran, and Russia have successfully conducted five joint maritime exercises. China is willing to actively engage in maritime security cooperation with all parties, and make new contributions to world and regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: The pace of the China-India dialogue on many fronts has significantly increased. We’ve just seen the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) meeting was conducted a few days ago. What are the latest developments regarding the disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)?

    Wu Qian: On the 33rd meeting of the WMCC, the MFA has already released the information on it, and the two sides have agreed to continue to take effective measures to safeguard peace and tranquility along the China-India border.

    The Chinese Military is willing to work together with our Indian counterparts to implement a fair and just solution to the border issue. We are committed to contributing our wisdom and strength to the vision of a harmonious dance between the Chinese dragon and the Indian elephant, and to fostering a sound and stable military-to-military relationship.

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist: The Ministry of State Security has reportedly disclosed information about four members of the “Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command” of Taiwan. What is your comment on this?

    Wu Qian: Justice has long arms. Those who play with fire should have no illusion of escaping. No one who pushes for “Taiwan independence” or engages in seceding the motherland would be spared by justice.

    Journalist: It is reported that the first round of direct recruitment of military officers for 2025 has recently started, receiving wide attention among university graduates. Could you provide more details about this?

    Wu Qian: To attract great talent and college graduates to join the military, the CMC Political Work Department has recently launched the first round of direct recruitment of military officers for 2025. Currently, tens of thousands of college graduates from universities and disciplines included in the “Double World-Class Project” have registered through the official website (http://81rc.81.cn or http://www.81rc.mil.cn). Direct recruitment is an important channel for selecting and replenishing active-duty military (police) officers, and an effective means to optimize the structure and improve the quality of officers. The aim is to attract and leverage talents from across the nation.

    The path to a strong military lies in the personnel. A first-class military needs first-class talent. The Chinese military welcomes you to dedicate your youth and realize your dreams in the military. A brilliant life awaits you here.

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist: I have two questions. First, the US and the Philippines held a joint exercise before the visit of the US Defense Secretary to the Philippines. Some experts believe that the two countries are going to have more exercises in the South China Sea and other areas in the future. Will the PLA have any response? Second, recently, the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth initiated an opinion poll on social media, discussing whether to change the US Department of Defense to the Department of War. Pete has said previously that the US did not seek to have a war with China but would rebuild its military to prepare for war. What’s your comment on that?

    Wu Qian: On the military cooperation between the Philippines and the US, I have already commented. Here, I would like to emphasize one point on the South China Sea issue: China firmly opposes interference from outside countries. The Chinese military will take all necessary measures to protect our national sovereignty and interests and to safeguard regional peace and stability.

    On your second question, whether the US Department of Defense changes its name or not is an internal affair of the US, and we will not comment on that. However, we firmly oppose the US’s previous rhetoric which instigates China-US confrontation. We urge the US to abandon its zero-sum mentality and not to project its hegemonic mentality onto China. We hope that the US can refrain from provoking confrontation and take effective measures to safeguard a stable China-US military relationship. The Chinese military will firmly respond to any threat and provocation with a stronger will, stronger capabilities, and more reliable means.

    Journalist: It is reported that China and Thailand are conducting “Blue Strike-2025” joint naval training. Could you provide more details?

    Wu Qian: In accordance with the annual plan and the consensus reached between the navies of China and Thailand, the two sides started the “Blue Strike-2025” joint naval training near Zhanjiang of China’s Guangdong Province on March 26, which will last till April 2. A total of 11 vessels and two marine detachments will participate in the exercise. Starting from March 26, the training will cover subjects including joint maritime strike operations, air defense and missile defense, maritime search and rescue, as well as counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations. It is aimed to promote technical and tactical exchanges between the two navies and strengthen their capabilities of jointly addressing maritime security threats. This marks the sixth iteration of the “Blue Strike” joint naval training. By strengthening training collaboration, the two navies will further deepen cooperation, share experiences, and foster friendship and trust. This holds significant importance for maintaining regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: Foreign media reports say that the Ream Naval Base of Cambodia which is constructed with the assistance of China will start operating in early April this year. It is also said that government leaders from Cambodia and Chinese representatives will participate in the opening ceremony. Can you confirm that? And does this mean there will be new cooperation between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries?

    Wu Qian: In recent years, the military cooperation between China and Cambodia has been deepened and the two sides have had cooperation including joint training and personnel training in the Ream Naval Base. As for information on other activities, please follow up on our authoritative information release.

    Journalist: I have two questions. The first question is that media reports say that the PLA is currently building at least three barges that can be used in landing operations against Taiwan. These barges are equipped with springboards over 100 meters in length, allowing tanks to traverse sandy beaches and directly move to the shore. Can you confirm this? My second question is that the leader of the Taiwan region Lai Ching-te is set to raise the income of Taiwanese servicemen to address the problem of a lack of personnel and a high rate of departure. Taiwan’s military authorities also said this is a response to the decrease in its personnel. What’s your comment on that?

    Wu Qian: On your first question about the military equipment, I have no information to release.

    For your second question, any small trick pushed by the DPP authorities to seek independence and resist unification with force is futile and a dead-end. This will not stop the historical trend of reunification. The PLA has full capability to destroy any attempt to seek independence and resist unification

    Journalist: The US Indo-Pacific commander said recently that the PLA’s exercises around Taiwan are not only exercises but preparations for an invasion of Taiwan. The US military will put its priority in the Indo-Pacific theater. According to Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, the PLA’s exercises may one day turn into real battles. Taiwan recently held the first “Mini Han Kuang” drills to enhance its combat readiness and capabilities. Do you have any comment?

    Wu Qian: The exercises conducted by the PLA are targeted against “Taiwan independence” separatists and foreign interference. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China that allows no foreign interference. The activities conducted by the PLA Eastern Theater Command around Taiwan Island are aimed to improve the real combat capabilities against separatism and interference. They are necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and strong deterrence against joint retrogressive provocation made by the US and Taiwan.

    As for the comment from the DPP, I want to let them know that any attempt to seek independence by force is futile and cannot change its destiny of being a failure.

    Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of March 27, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist: According to reports, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Romeo Brawner recently said that the Philippines and its allies are trying to expand the Squad group to India and South Korea to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region. He also said that the Squad is an unofficial cooperation platform among the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia in terms of military affairs, intelligence sharing, as well as joint exercises and operations. Do you have any comment?

    Wu Qian: The remarks of the Philippine side are creating antagonism and confrontation. We firmly oppose that. China believes that military cooperation between relevant countries should not target any third party and should not undermine regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, in recent years, the mainland has conducted many joint military exercises around Taiwan. The Wall Street Journal recently published a report titled China is Ready to Blockade Taiwan. Some military experts from Western countries believe that the mainland is more likely to take an approach of isolation and pressure. What’s your comment on this? Second, the mainland has conducted many military exercises in recent years and the rhetoric of “reunification by force” has emerged. These have attracted international attention. Taiwan also announced its so-called 17 strategies in response. Many worry that the cross-strait relationship will move to another Taiwan Strait Crisis like what we had in 1996. What’s your comment on that?

    Wu Qian: On your first question, Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people to decide. The reports you mentioned are deliberately instigating confrontation across the Strait. The exercises taken by the PLA around Taiwan are targeted at “Taiwan independence” separatists and foreign interference. The aim is to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

    For your second question, I want to point out that the separatist act of “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference are the root cause of the tension across the Taiwan Strait. We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts, but we will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland. The higher the “Taiwan independence” supporters jump, the closer they will be to death.

    Wu Qian: Before I conclude, I’d like to introduce to you the faculty and student representatives from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT). We are glad to have them observing the press conference. The BIT was the first science and engineering university founded by the CPC and the first defense industry university in the PRC. Since its founding 85 years ago, the BIT has prioritized virtue and professionalism in cultivating talent, emphasized national defense and industries in serving the nation and the military, and championed openness, inclusiveness and excellence in achieving innovative development. A great number of leading scientists, trailblazers, and heavyweights have come out from the university.

    Living in this great era, today’s students of BIT shoulder great responsibilities. Wish all of you carry on BIT’s revolutionary traditions, work hard to scale the heights of science, and build and defend the nation with your iron will and scientific knowledge.

    If there are no other questions, here concludes today’s press conference. To conclude, I wish you every success in your work and good luck in everything in this bright season of spring.

    MIL OSI China News –