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  • MIL-Evening Report: Misinformation on refugees and migrants is rife during elections. We found 6 ways it spreads – and how to stop it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Professor and Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    Misinformation is a significant threat to our society. It undermines public discussion, erodes social cohesion, leads to bad policy and weakens democracy.

    Misinformation on refugee and migrant issues is particularly pervasive – especially in the lead up to elections, as bad-faith actors try to promote fear, distrust and simplistic solutions.

    And sometimes, misinformation is specifically targeted at migrant communities themselves, sowing division in an effort to influence elections.

    So, what’s the best way to counter misinformation about refugees and migrants? And given the risk that publicly addressing lies and rumours can sometimes end up spreading them, when is misinformation best ignored?

    A new report by the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law and the Behavioural Insights Team (a behavioural science research company) uses science to answer these questions.

    Behavioural science explains why and how misinformation works. Understanding some of that science can empower all of us to stop its spread.

    Misinformation increases during elections

    The recent US presidential race provides a stark example of how misinformation on refugees and migrants soars during elections.

    During one presidential debate, Donald Trump falsely claimed migrants in Ohio were “eating the pets”. Though entirely untrue, this baseless claim spread rapidly across social media.

    Australia is not immune to such deception. While refugees and migrants make significant positive economic, social and cultural contributions to their host societies, politicians across the spectrum have falsely blamed them for issues ranging from rising house prices to crime.

    This is not new. Back in the 2001 election campaign, government ministers made false claims that people seeking asylum had thrown their children overboard from a boat. These are widely regarded as having contributed to turning around the fortunes of the Howard government, which was then trailing in the polls.

    Instead of addressing challenges with real solutions, these strategies scapegoat refugees and migrants, and ignore their immense positive contributions.

    Misinformation leads to a more divided and polarised society. So, how does it spread?

    6 ways misinformation spreads

    Online platforms create the perfect breeding ground for misinformation to spread.

    The rise of AI-generated misinformation – such as highly convincing deepfake images and videos – only exacerbates the problem.

    Combating misinformation begins with understanding the psychological factors that drive its spread and influence.

    Our new report identifies six key behavioural science principles that explain how misinformation takes hold:

    1. Hot states: Heightened emotions, such as fear, outrage or anxiety, make people more reactive and less critical of misleading claims.

    2. The messenger effect: People judge a message’s truth based on who shares it, often trusting friends and family over experts.

    3. The mere-exposure effect: Seeing misinformation multiple times makes it seem more true, making people more likely to share it.

    4. Confirmation bias: People are more likely to believe false information that aligns with their values and reject facts that challenge them.

    5. Cognitive load: When overwhelmed by information, people are less likely to question what they see, making them more vulnerable to falsehoods.

    6. Continued influence effect: Misinformation has a lasting effect on our attitudes and decisions, even after it has been corrected.

    Building on these principles and an extensive review of research literature, we developed an evidence-based framework for countering misinformation about refugees and migrants.

    It provides a step-by-step guide on what to do when faced with falsehoods, starting with recognising whether the misinformation is anticipated or already circulating.

    Think before you like or share.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    When misinformation is anticipated

    When you expect a particular false claim, but it’s not yet out there, then prebunk. Alert people to manipulation tactics before they become widespread.

    This helps people recognise and resist misinformation before it takes hold.

    When misinformation is already circulating

    If false claims are already out there, first ask three questions before acting:

    1. is the claim prominent (visible and gaining traction)?
    2. is it persuasive (able to change people’s minds)?
    3. is it proximate (relevant to your audience and cause)?

    If the answer to any of these questions is no, then reframe the agenda. Instead of amplifying falsehoods, shift your resources to sharing stories that reinforce accurate information and resonate with your audience’s values.

    If misinformation is indeed prominent, persuasive and proximate, debunk it.

    Use the fact, myth, fallacy, fact – or “fact sandwich” – method. Make the correction clear, credible and effective by stating the truth, then presenting the myth, explaining its flaws, and reinforcing the correct fact.

    Here’s an example that leads with a fact, warns about the myth, explains the fallacy and then ends with a fact:

    When Australia’s borders were closed during COVID, migration was at its lowest in a century — yet house prices still went up. The idea that cutting migration will magically solve the housing crisis doesn’t hold up against the evidence.

    But some political actors are blaming migrants, as if they’re the main reason housing has become unaffordable.

    In fact, this oversimplifies the problem. The housing crisis has been a long time in the making, and it’s now this severe because of past policy choices piling up.

    There are many drivers of Australia’s housing crisis, including a lack of housing, rising construction costs, and tax breaks that distort the market. Migration is only a small piece of the puzzle.

    How to engage audiences

    The report also details seven strategies that drive reach and impact. These include publicly communicating in a way that’s:

    One part of a broader approach

    These strategies can be used by anyone seeking to push back against misinformation in our public debate, not just about refugees and migrants.

    However, communication approaches are only one lever.

    To turn the tide on misinformation, society needs systemic solutions. These include media literacy education and regulatory reform of online platforms.

    As we approach Australia’s next federal election, addressing misinformation about refugees and migrants is more crucial than ever to protect refugees and migrants from harm, strengthen our democratic processes, and foster a more inclusive society.

    Daniel Ghezelbash receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the NSW government and the Robert Bosch Foundation. He is a board member of Refugee Advice and Casework Services, Wallumatta Legal, and the Access to Justice and Technology Network. He is also a Special Counsel at the National Justice Project.

    Saul Wodak is affiliated with the Behavioural Insights Team.

    – ref. Misinformation on refugees and migrants is rife during elections. We found 6 ways it spreads – and how to stop it – https://theconversation.com/misinformation-on-refugees-and-migrants-is-rife-during-elections-we-found-6-ways-it-spreads-and-how-to-stop-it-251035

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Democracy’s bad eggs: corruption, pork-barrelling and abuses of power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University

    The question of how best to eliminate corruption has exercised the minds of philosophers as much as the practical drafters of legislation from Ancient Greek and Roman times.

    Within the political sphere, the notion of “corruption” has fluctuated between broad and narrow conceptions.

    The broad conception relates to the decay of institutions or of the stature of the individuals who comprise them. On the other hand, the narrow conception focuses on the abuse of public office for private gain.

    There is also “grey corruption” – which involves questionable behaviour involving a breach of integrity standards that does not necessarily amount to criminal conduct.

    This could include where a person has undue influence over a politician, such as by essentially buying that power through making large donations or hiring expensive lobbyists, particularly where it causes public officials to behave in corrupt ways.

    However the notion is defined, it is clear the fight against corruption is one of the basic tasks of a liberal democracy, perhaps even of an effectively functioning civil society.

    Corruption control is a pressing issue worldwide: the United Nations estimated the economic cost of corruption at 5% of global domestic product or $3.6 trillion annually.

    Australia has had a number of major corruption scandals throughout its history. Corruption was rife in the colonial era, where wealthy landholders sought to influence parliamentarians with monetary bribes.

    This has been followed by several major corruption scandals, such as the Fitzgerald inquiry, which revealed widespread police corruption involving illegal gambling and prostitution.

    What are anti-corruption commissions?

    Anti-corruption commissions are arguably the most significant tool developed in liberal democracies to fight corruption in recent times.

    The first anti-corruption commission in Australia, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), was established in New South Wales in 1988 by then premier Nick Greiner.

    Infamously, a few years later, Greiner became the first premier to resign due to an ICAC investigation.

    Over the next few decades, all states and territories have set up their own anti-corruption or integrity commissions.

    In 2023, the Commonwealth followed suit with the introduction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), a promise made by Anthony Albanese in the lead-up to the 2022 election after considerable pressure from the public and from within parliament.

    As a result, Australia now has a comprehensive network of broad-based public sector anti-corruption agencies covering all levels of government – a significant development nationally and internationally.

    Anti-corruption commissions are tasked with investigating serious and systemic corrupt conduct in government. This includes not just members of the House and Senate, but their staff and public servants.

    In performing their functions, these commissions have strong coercive powers, equivalent to the powers of a royal commission. This includes the power to compel documents and witnesses.

    Some anti-corruption commissions such as the NACC and NSW’s ICAC have the power to conduct public hearings if they believe it’s in the public interest. This increases transparency in government. But concerns have been expressed about reputational damage for those subject to investigations.

    Anti-corruption commissions also have corruption prevention functions. They are tasked with educating the public about the detrimental effects of corruption on public administration.

    Reports of anti-corruption commissions are often attended by significant media publicity, leading to public awareness of corruption in government.

    Why are anti-corruption commissions needed?

    It has become well accepted that effective anti-corruption institutions play an important role as institutions supporting constitutional democracy.

    The state anti-corruption bodies have brought to light many indiscretions by politicians that would have otherwise remained hidden.

    Without these commissions, corruption in the public sector can take root without us knowing about it. An anti-corruption agency is a powerful deterrent against improper behaviour.

    Yet anti-corruption commissions tend to be unpopular within governments because they scrutinise government action. This means the a commission may expose improper conduct or corruption within their ranks.

    It is common for governments hostile to anti-corruption commissions to attack them, including by reducing their powers or funding.

    This is despite their integral role in our democracy. Alongside other oversight bodies such as the ombudsman (who investigates maladministration within government) and auditor-general (who performs audits of government expenditure), anti-corruption commissions form part of an intricate, interlocking integrity framework that monitors executive action.

    Who watches the watchdogs?

    A big question is about how we ensure anti-corruption commissions do not overstep their bounds. Given their broad coercive powers, how do we hold them to account?

    From their inception, concerns have been expressed about the potential for anti-corruption bodies to infringe on civil liberties, and the possibility they may exceed or abuse their powers.

    In Australia, anti-corruption commissions are subject to a strong system of accountability through parliaments and the courts. They report to dedicated parliamentary committees who scrutinise their actions and decisions. Complaints against anti-corruption commissions can be made to a dedicated inspectorate – an independent statutory officer who oversees their actions.

    Anti-corruption commissions are also subject to judicial review by the courts to ensure they don’t exceed their legal boundaries. Court scrutiny occurs when a person investigated by an anti-corruption commission takes their grievance to court.

    To be effective, anti-corruption commissions require strong powers and institutional independence. But this needs to be balanced with accountability and the protection of individual rights.

    What is pork barrelling and what are some recent examples?

    Pork barrelling involves governments channelling public funds to seats they hold or seats they would like to win from an opponent, as a way of winning voters’ favour. This means the money is used for political purposes, rather than proper allocation according to merit.

    We have been inundated with pork barrelling scandals in recent years. This includes the car park rorts scandal, where 77% of the commuter car park sites selected were in electorates held by the then Coalition government, rather than in areas of real need with congestion issues.

    This followed close on the heels of the “sports rorts” scandal. Minister Bridget McKenzie resigned from cabinet following allegations she had intervened in the sport grants program to benefit the Coalition government while in a position of conflict of interest.

    My research has shown that pork barrelling is an intractable problem across multiple governments over many decades. It takes different forms based on electoral systems.

    Australia has a single member electorate parliamentary system, which makes it more susceptible to pork barrelling than multi-member electorates such as Norway or Spain. The belief is that politicians who “bring home the bacon” for their constituents are electorally rewarded for doing so.

    This means there are incentives for the central cabinet to strategically apportion benefits to marginal electorates to increase prospects of electoral success. There is also an incentive to bias the apportionment of funds towards the party in power.

    In short, rorts scandals keep happening because governments believe that channelling money to marginal and government electorates will win them elections.

    Potentially the NACC could investigate rorts scandals, but only where it amounts to serious or systemic corrupt conduct.

    How do we fix the grants system?

    At the federal level, we have sophisticated financial management legislation that provides a framework for grant rules. The Commonwealth grant rules provide a detailed set of guidelines that ministers and government officials must follow on grant application and selection processes.

    However, there are significant loopholes in the rules. For example, the “car park rorts” scandal is not covered by these rules because it involves money being channelled through the states.

    Also, there are no sanctions for breaching the rules. So ministers and government officials can break the rules without any repercussions.

    To fix the system, we need to reform the rules about grants allocation and close the loopholes. We also need to impose punishment for breaching the rules.

    It is imperative our grants administration system be reformed to ensure that taxpayer funds are protected from governmental abuse. If the ministerial discretion available in grants processes is improperly used, this can give rise to political favouritism and corruption.

    How corrupt is Australia compared to other countries?

    There is a public perception that a small elite is reaping large benefits in Australian society in terms of political influence and its flow-on dividends.

    In Australia, the “game of mates” is flourishing. There’s now a revolving door in politics with many politicians, advisers and senior government officials leaving the public sector to become well-paid lobbyists.

    Add to that the appointments of political “mates” to commissions, tribunals and cushy ambassadorships and the blatant misuse of parliamentary entitlements such as helicopter trips on taxpayer funds.

    Political parties are also accepting millions of dollars in donations from lobbyists and others interested in influencing policy outcomes.

    All of this adds to the perception that the system is rigged – and not in favour of the person on the street.

    Australia has fallen steadily in Transparency International’s global corruption index, from 8th place in 2012 to 14th in 2024. But even so, Australia is the 14th-least corrupt country in the world, which is still a respectable ranking.

    More alarming is the fact that one in 30 Australian public servants said in a survey last year they had seen a colleague acting in a corrupt manner.

    The types of corruption witnessed included cronyism or nepotism (favourable treatment of friends or family members without proper regard to merit). Fraud, forgery, embezzlement and conflicts of interest were also reported.

    In the 1980s, there were incidences of large-scale corruption that rocked the country, culminating in the Fitzgerald Inquiry in Queensland and the WA Inc Royal Commission in Western Australia. These scandals led to the resignations and imprisonments of various former ministers and officials.

    Although we have not sunk to such depths since then, state anti-corruption commissions, such as the NSW ICAC, have uncovered various instances of corruption in recent years. The NSW ICAC’s inquiries have led to the resignations of several politicians, as well as the conviction of former Labor MP Eric Obeid.

    Another classic case of corruption exposed by the ICAC led to the downfall of former Newcastle lord mayor, Jeff McCloy. McCloy famously bragged that politicians treated him like a “walking ATM” and admitted to giving two MPs envelopes of cash amounting to $10,000.

    In Victoria, the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission’s (IBAC) revealed that a lobbyist funnelled suitcases of cash totalling more than $100,000 from a property developer to a councillor, under the guise of sham transactions.

    These explosive scandals involving corrupt conduct by public officials have eroded public trust in politicians. But the exposure of these scandals by anti-corruption commissions have an important deterrent and educative effect on public officials and the broader public.

    Our faith in government has been eroded by a lack of transparency and the perception that those in power are enjoying unfair benefits. The active investigations by robust institutions such as anti-corruption commissions will act as checks and balances on governmental power – and are key to a vibrant democracy.

    This is an edited extract from How Australian Democracy Works, a new book from leading authors at The Conversation on all aspects of our political system and its history, out March 4.

    Yee-Fui Ng 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. Democracy’s bad eggs: corruption, pork-barrelling and abuses of power – https://theconversation.com/democracys-bad-eggs-corruption-pork-barrelling-and-abuses-of-power-229888

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Ghosts of the radio universe’: astronomers have discovered a slew of faint circular objects

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Miroslav Filipovic, Professor, Western Sydney University

    Some of the objects captured by ASKAP. Author provided

    Radio astronomers see what the naked eye can’t. As we study the sky with telescopes that record radio signals rather than light, we end up seeing a lot of circles.

    The newest generation of radio telescopes – including the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and MeerKAT, a telescope in South Africa – is revealing incredibly faint cosmic objects, never before seen.

    In astronomy, surface brightness is a measure that tells us how easily visible an object is. The extraordinary sensitivity of MeerKAT and ASKAP is now revealing a new “low surface brightness universe” to radio astronomers. It’s comprised of radio sources so faint they have never been seen before, each with their own unique physical properties.

    Many of the ASKAP results presented here were obtained with one of its major observing programs called EMU (Evolutionary Map of the Universe). EMU is mapping the entire southern sky with an unprecedented sensitivity and will deliver the most detailed map of the southern hemisphere sky to date – a spectacular new radio atlas that will be used for decades to come.

    EMU’s all-hemisphere coverage paired with ASKAP’s exceptional sensitivity, especially within the Milky Way, is what’s yielded so many recent discoveries.

    Here’s what they’re teaching us.

    Unstable stars

    Kyklos (left) and WR16 (r).
    Author provided

    The ghostly ring Kýklos (from the Greek κύκλος, circle or ring) and the object WR16 both show the environment of rare and unusual celestial objects known as Wolf-Rayet stars.

    When big stars are close to running out of fuel, they become unstable as they enter one of the last stages of the stellar life cycle, becoming a Wolf-Rayet star. They begin surging and pulsing, shedding their outer layers which can form bright nebulous structures around the star.

    In these objects, a previous outflow of material has cleared the space around the star, allowing the current outburst to expand symmetrically in all directions. This sphere of stellar detritus shows itself as a circle.

    Exploded stars

    Left to right clocwise: the supernova remnants Stingray 1, Perun, Ancora and Unicycle.
    Author provided

    Stingray 1, Perun, Ancora and Unicycle are supernova remnants. When a big star finally runs out of fuel, it can no longer hold back the crush of gravity. The matter falling inwards causes one final explosion, and the remains of these violent star deaths are known as supernovas.

    Their expanding shockwaves sweep up material into an expanding sphere, forming beautiful circular features.

    The supernova remnant will be deformed by its environment over time. If one side of the explosion slams into an interstellar cloud, we’ll see a squashed shape. So, a near-perfect circle in a messy universe is a special find.

    Teleios – named from the Greek Τελεɩοσ (“perfect”) for its near-perfectly circular shape – is shown below. This unique object has never been seen in any wavelength, including visible light, demonstrating ASKAP’s incredible ability to discover new objects.

    The shape indicates Teleios has remained relatively untouched by its environment. This presents us with an opportunity to make inferences about the initial supernova explosion, providing rare insight into one of the most energetic events in the universe.

    ASKAP EMU radio image of the Teleios supernova remnant.
    Author provided

    At the other extreme, we can take an object and discover something entirely new about it. The Diprotodon supernova remnant is shown below.

    This remnant is one of the largest objects in the sky, appearing approximately six times larger than the Moon. Hence the name: the animal Diprotodon, one of Australia’s most famous megafauna, a giant wombat that lived about 25,000 years ago.

    ASKAP’s sensitivity has uncovered the object’s full extent. This discovery led to further analysis, uncovering more of the history and the physics behind this object. The messy internal structure can be seen as different parts of the expanding shell slam into a busy interstellar environment.

    ASKAP radio image of Diprotodon, a supernova remnant. Green circle shows the previous measured size, and the yellow circle shows the new ASKAP measured size. Earth’s Moon size is shown in the top right for scale, and Diprotodon’s namesake is shown in the top left.
    Author provided

    A cosmic mirror

    Lagotis is another object that can show how new telescope data can reclassify previously discovered objects. The reflection nebula VdB-80 has been seen before, within the plane of our Milky Way galaxy. The light we see was emitted by nearby stars, and then reflected off a nearby cloud of gas and dust.

    Lagotis, with its cloud of ionised hydrogen or HII region seen on the right.
    Author provided

    However, with newly available ASKAP EMU data, we were able to discover an associated cloud of ionised hydrogen (known as an HII region, pronounced “aitch two”), where stellar energy has caused the gaseous matter to lose its electrons.

    This HII region is seen to coexist with the reflection nebula, sharing the same stellar centre, and is created from the star pushing into a molecular cloud. This movement is akin to burrowing, so the object earned the name Lagotis after Macrotis lagotis, the Australian greater bilby.

    Outside the galaxy

    ASKAP and MeerKAT are also illuminating objects from outside our Milky Way galaxy – for example, “radio ring” galaxies. When we use visible light to look at the stars in this galaxy, we see a rather plain disk.

    But in radio light, we see a ring. Why is there a hole in the middle? Perhaps the combined force of many exploding supernovas has pushed all the radio-emitting clouds out of the centre. We’re not sure – we’re looking for more examples to test our ideas.

    Finally, LMC-ORC is an Odd Radio Circle (ORC), a prominent new class of objects with unfamiliar origins. Only being visible in radio light, they are perhaps the most mysterious of all.

    A radio ring galaxy (left) and LMC-ORC (r).
    Author provided

    The next generation

    MeerKAT and ASKAP are revealing incredible insights into the low surface brightness universe. However, they are precursors for the Square Kilometre Array, an international collaborative endeavour that will increase the abilities of radio astronomers and reveal even more unique features of the universe.

    The low-surface brightness universe presents many mysteries. These discoveries push our understanding further. Currently, the EMU survey using ASKAP is only 25% complete.

    As more of this survey becomes available, we will discover many more unique and exciting objects, both new to astrophysics and extensions on previously known objects.

    Acknowledgements: Aaron Bradley and Zachary Smeaton, Masters Research Students at Western Sydney University, made valuable contributions to this article.

    Nicholas Tothill receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

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

    – ref. ‘Ghosts of the radio universe’: astronomers have discovered a slew of faint circular objects – https://theconversation.com/ghosts-of-the-radio-universe-astronomers-have-discovered-a-slew-of-faint-circular-objects-249141

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Digital Luddites are rising. They want to democratise tech, not destroy it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Raffaele F Ciriello, Senior Lecturer in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney

    Have you ever been called a Luddite? We have – usually as an insult, rooted in a popular misconception that Luddites are anti-progress fanatics.

    Nothing could be further from the truth. The original 19th century Luddites weren’t against technology. Rather, they resisted its oppressive use.

    Their rebellion was violently suppressed. But their core critique lives on: technology should benefit all of humanity, not a privileged few.

    Today, as Silicon Valley billionaires and United States president Donald Trump turbocharge corporate control of public digital infrastructure, this critique rings truer than ever.

    In response, we are a seeing a growing surge of attempts to wrest back control of technology for democratic ends. This is a kind of “digital Luddism” which echoes past struggles against high-tech injustice.

    The original Luddites

    The Luddites were 19th century English textile workers who destroyed machinery threatening their craft and livelihoods. Historians call their tactics “collective bargaining by riot”. They were fighting against technologies that centralised power and stripped workers of dignity.

    Luddite resistance was part of broader struggles for labour rights and socioeconomic justice.

    For example, in 18th century France, silk weavers similarly revolted against mechanisation that devalued their craft.

    Earlier, England’s Diggers and Levellers resisted the privatisation of communal lands. This foreshadowed today’s battles over corporate control of digital infrastructure.

    The Luddites faced severe punishment, including imprisonment and even execution. Despite this, their legacy endures. Today, dismissing critics of Big Tech as “Luddites” repeats the mistake of conflating resistance to exploitation with fear of progress.

    The Luddite resistance in the 19th century was part of broader struggles for labour rights and socioeconomic justice.
    Working Class Movement Library catalogue

    In the most extreme scenario, unchecked corporate power allied with monstrous government polices can lead to atrocities. In Nazi Germany, for example, Dehomag, a former subsidiary of computer giant IBM, provided data systems to the Nazis to track victims. Chemical company IG Farben also supplied Zyklon B gas for extermination camps. Many other companies profited from forced labour and funded the regime. This shows how complicity can make oppression more efficient.

    Today, digital technologies are deepening inequality, eroding democracy, undermining privacy, and concentrating power.

    Digital technologies are also fuelling surveillance capitalism, the displacement of human workers by AI algorithms and the growth of monopolistic platforms.

    Platforms and AI systems governed by “broligarchs” such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are also shaping politics, culture, and beliefs globally.

    Digital Luddism, also known as neo-Luddism, tackles these issues through three strategies: resistance, removal and replacement.

    Resistance: blocking harmful systems

    Technology is not inevitable — it’s a choice. Sustained collective action can counter corporate dominance and align tech with democratic values.

    In 2018, more than 3,000 Google workers protested the company’s military AI contract, forcing it to adopt ethical guidelines. However, in February this year, Google expanded defence deals, showing how resistance must be sustained.

    Three years later, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen exposed the harmful algorithms at the heart of the social media platform.

    Then, in 2024, Amazon and Google staff also staged walkouts over a US$1.2 billion AI contract linked to Israeli military operations.

    Creative industries are also fighting back. For example, in 2023 screenwriters and actors in Hollywood protested against AI replacing their roles. Similarly, Australia’s “right to disconnect” law reflects Luddite principles of reclaiming autonomy.

    Non-profit organisations such as the Algorithmic Justice League and the Electronic Frontier Foundation empower digital rights advocates to take back control over digital spaces by exposing AI bias and through legal litigation.

    Digital Luddism doesn’t reject innovation. It demands technology serve stakeholders, not shareholders.

    Removal: dismantling entrenched power

    Some systems are beyond reform, requiring direct intervention. Removal involves political action and legal regulation. It also involves public pressure to break monopolies or impose penalties on unethical corporations.

    For example, the TraffickingHub petition has garnered more than two million signatories to hold adult website PornHub accountable for unethical or unlawful content. This has led financial institutions, such as Visa and Mastercard, to cut ties to the website. For more than 20 years, hacker collective Anonymous has carried out cyber-attacks on authoritarian regimes, extremists and corporations.

    Digital Luddites can also lend a hand to the long arm of the law.

    The European Union’s 2023 Digital Markets Act broke Apple’s app store monopoly. This sparked a surge in small EU developers.

    Big Tech has also repeatedly faced huge fines and antitrust lawsuits. However, breaking up or nationalising these corporations remains rhetoric for now.

    Replacement: building ethical alternatives

    Proprietary corporate systems have long been challenged by free, open-source alternatives.

    But digital Luddism isn’t just about using different tools. It’s about systemic change towards sustainable, transparent and user-controlled infrastructure.

    After Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, decentralised alternatives that let users control content flourished. For example, Bluesky grew from 1 million to more than 27 million users in one year.

    The Australian government is also responding to a broader public demand for platform independence. For example, it has introduced policies aimed at enhancing people’s data rights. Its Digital Transformation Agency is also advocating for improved open data standards.

    Open-source AI projects such as China’s DeepSeek and HuggingFace’s Deep Research now rival corporate models, proving open tech is a force to reckon with.

    The original Luddites smashed machines. But the global nature of today’s digital infrastructure makes physical sabotage impractical. That’s why digital Luddism isn’t about smashing screens. Instead, it’s about smashing oppressive systems.

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

    – ref. Digital Luddites are rising. They want to democratise tech, not destroy it – https://theconversation.com/digital-luddites-are-rising-they-want-to-democratise-tech-not-destroy-it-251155

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message on the launch of the Berlin Initiative: for a Diplomatic Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

    Source: United Nations – English

    commend the launch of The Berlin Initiative and its commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    Since the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, the ensuing Israeli military operations have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza.  Meanwhile, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank is fueling further instability and suffering.

    The ceasefire in Gaza must hold and be implemented in full.  All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally, and in a dignified manner.  And humanitarian aid must be maintained, funded, protected, and reach people in dire need without restrictions.

    But beyond ending this terrible war, we must lay the foundations for lasting peace – one that ensures security for Israel, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, and stability for the entire region.

    That requires a clear political framework for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.  It requires immediate and irreversible steps towards a two-State solution – with Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, unified under a legitimate Palestinian authority, accepted and supported by the Palestinian people.  And it requires putting an end to occupation, settlement expansion and threats of annexation.

    Efforts like The Berlin Initiative help forge a diplomatic path.  I urge everyone to seize this moment to build a future where Israel and Palestine live side by side, in peace and security, in line with international law and UN resolutions.  It is the only way.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements Under Oath in a Bankruptcy Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Travis Lee Harry, 40, of Kernersville, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy case.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Harry had owned and lived in a house in Princeton, West Virginia, which he sold on December 23, 2019. On February 5, 2020, Harry filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. On the Statement of Financial Affairs he submitted as part of the bankruptcy filing, and which he signed under penalty of perjury, Harry falsely stated that he and his spouse co-owned the house and sold it together. At a March 6, 2020, meeting of creditors as part of the bankruptcy proceeding, Harry falsely testified under oath that he had co-owned the house with his spouse. Harry admitted as part of his guilty plea that he solely owned the house, and that his spouse was never a co-owner. Harry further admitted that he falsely indicated during the creditors’ meeting that all of the proceeds from selling the house went to pay taxes.

    Harry is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public.

    Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-143.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Paul W. Brown Named Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation has named Paul W. Brown as the special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Office. Mr. Brown most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Mobile Field Office.

    Mr. Brown joined the FBI as a special agent in 2006 and was first assigned to the Bedford Resident Agency in New Hampshire.

    In 2012, Mr. Brown was promoted to supervisory special agent and moved to the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. He was promoted to unit chief in 2013 and served as a program manager over U.S.-based international terrorism investigations.

    Mr. Brown transferred in 2015 to the Jacksonville Field Office, where he led the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force.

    In 2018, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the assistant special agent in charge of cyber, counterintelligence, and crisis response programs of the Phoenix Field Office. He left in 2019 when he was promoted to section chief and appointed director of the FBI’s High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group.

    Mr. Brown was promoted again in 2020 to deputy assistant director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. In 2022, he moved to Alabama to serve as the special agent in charge of the Mobile Field Office.

    Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Brown served as an officer in the U.S. Army and worked as a business consultant for a multinational professional services company.  He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and an MBA from Tarleton State University in Texas.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Woodbridge International Closes Sale of Manzanos Wines S.L. to Domaines Michel Boutin

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Woodbridge International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a majority stake of its client, Manzanos Wines S.L. by Domaines Michel Boutin.

    Manzanos Wines is a wine producer and exporter with a 132-year history of providing high-quality wines from the Navarra and Rioja regions of Spain. The Company owns 10 wineries, with a total of 3,770 acres of vineyards under its management. Manzanos is the only Spanish wine producer with U.S. importers license, with an office in Miami and warehouses in Miami, New jersey and California.

    A passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist, Michel Boutin worked for 19 years in securities management and is now focusing on the acquisition and development of real estate companies in the funeral and wine sectors. He seeks to serve people by offering them an experience that exceeds their expectations and creates a Wow effect. A humanist, collaborator and unifier, he knows how to surround himself with professionals and experts to implement improvement processes to increase the quality of services and the performance of companies. A popularizer, motivator and coach, he is involved in his community to use his experience and skills in human resources, business development and finance.

    Woodbridge International’s ground-breaking approach to marketing a company globally has transformed the way the sell-side M&A industry does business. Woodbridge is a Mariner Company.

    For more information, contact Don Krier, dkrier@woodbridgegrp.com, or call 203-389-8400 x 201.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General Urges All Efforts to Prevent Renewed Hostilities as Gaza Ceasefire’s First Phase Ends

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

    The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory as the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal reaches its conclusion.  The past six weeks have provided a fragile but vital reprieve, offering a measure of relief to both Palestinians and Israelis. Thousands of trucks carrying life-saving assistance entered Gaza, with aid having reached nearly every person in the Strip.  It is imperative that all efforts be made to prevent a return to hostilities, which would be catastrophic.

    The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and find a way forward on the next phase.  A permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing escalation and averting more devastating consequences for civilians.  The Secretary-General continues to call for the dignified, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.  The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power.  Humanitarian aid must continue to flow, without impediment, be adequately funded, and occur in an environment ensuring the safety and security of civilians and other protected persons, including humanitarian workers.

    The Secretary-General also calls for an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the occupied West Bank.

    As Ramadan — a time of peace and reflection — begins, the Secretary-General calls on all sides to spare no efforts to end all violence.  The United Nations stands ready to support all such endeavours.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: The GraniteShares YieldBoost TSLA ETF (TSYY) Yielded a February Annualized Distribution of Approximately 160.59% Generating a -8.38% Total Return. TSYY Went Ex-Dividend on February 28, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, New York, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldBOOST is an innovative strategy that aims to combine high income potential by selling options on leveraged ETFs which generally command a higher premium than options on stocks, while focusing on NAV preservation by writing options which have a lower chance of being exercised (“out of the money” options). GraniteShares believes that this holistic approach is an improvement over existing option income strategies mainly known as “covered call” strategies.

    The main problem with covered call strategies is that they prioritize income or yield over total return. With a covered call, the options seller typically sells “at the money” which enables the seller to generate the maximum amount of premium at the point of sale. An option is considered at-the-money when the strike price is very close to the current market price of the underlying asset.

    This approach encompasses the problem that the option has a much higher chance of being exercised if the value of the underlying asset goes up, hence capping the upside. If the underlying asset falls in value, the strategy is fully exposed to the downside. The main design flaw with covered call strategies can be a nice yield but poor total return and therefore a poor investment long term.

    TSYY is the first ETF in GraniteShares’ YieldBOOST lineup, and additional YieldBOOST products are expected to come to market over the coming months. The fund’s primary investment objective is to seek current income. The fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek exposure to the performance of one or more exchange-traded funds whose shares trade on a U.S.-regulated securities exchange and that seek daily leverage investment results of 2 times (200%) the daily percentage of the common stock of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) (the “Underlying Stock”) subject to a limit on potential investment gains.

    About GraniteShares:

    GraniteShares is an award-winning global investment firm dedicated to creating and managing ETFs. Headquartered in New York City, GraniteShares provides products on U.S., U.K, German, French & Italian stock exchanges. The firm is a market leader in leveraged single-stock ETFs and provides innovative, cutting-edge investment solutions for the high conviction investor.

    Founded in 2016, GraniteShares is an ETF provider focused on providing innovative, cutting-edge alternative investment solutions. Its U.S. ETF offerings include a broad-based commodity index fund, physically backed gold and platinum funds and a high-income pass-through securities index fund.

    GraniteShares also offers a suite of leveraged single stock ETFs, including those targeting NVIDIA, Coinbase and Tesla. The company has $8.9 billion in assets under management as of January 24, 2025.

    For complete information about the GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSLA ETF (TSYY), please visit:
    https://graniteshares.com/institutional/us/en-us/

    Link to Prospectus: https://graniteshares.com/institutional/us/en-us/etfs/tsyy/

    *January 30-Day SEC Yield: -3.03%

    Media Contact:

    GraniteShares Inc.
    Attn: Media Relations
    222 Broadway, 21 Floor,
    New York, NY, 10038
    844-476-8747
    info@graniteshares.com

    Disclaimer 

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by a Prospectus. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. Please read the prospectus before investing.

    Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns. 

    An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as option contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate over time. Risks of the Fund include Risk of the Underlying ETF, Derivatives Risk, Affiliate Fund Risk, Counterparty Risk, Price Participation Risk, Distribution Risk, NAV Erosion Risk, Put Writing Strategy Risk, Option Market Liquidity Risk. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NewHold Investment Corp III Announces Closing of $201,250,000 Initial Public Offering, Including Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, New York, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NewHold Investment Corp III (the “Company”), a newly organized special purpose acquisition company formed as a Cayman Islands exempted company, today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 20,125,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. This includes the exercise in full by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 2,625,000 units. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant, which becomes exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share. The units are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “NHICU”. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and the warrants are expected to be traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “NHIC” and “NHICW,” respectively. 

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, and the simultaneous private placement of units, to consummate the Company’s initial business combination.

    BTIG, LLC acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from: BTIG, LLC, 65 East 55th Street New York, New York 10022, or by email at ProspectusDelivery@btig.com, or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    A registration statement relating to the securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About NewHold Investment Corp III

    NewHold Investment Corp III is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue a business combination in any sector, the Company will primarily focus on growing industrial and business services companies. The Company is led by an experienced management team with Kevin Charlton as Chief Executive Officer, Samy Hammad as President and Chief Operating Officer and Polly Schneck as Chief Financial Officer. For more information visit https://nhicspac.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”), the anticipated use of the net proceeds thereof and the Company’s search for an initial business combination. No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of NewHold Investment Corp III, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of NewHold Investment Corp III’s registration statement and prospectus for the IPO filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. NewHold Investment Corp III undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Contacts:

    Polly Schneck
    Chief Financial Officer
    pschneck@newholdllc.com

    Investor & Media Contact:

    Amanda Tarplin
    amanda@tarplinconsulting.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why you should check for ‘Irish pinky toe’ – and what to do if you have one

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lauren Connell, Podiatrist & Doctoral Researcher, University of Galway

    staras/Shutterstock

    Does your small toe hide beneath the next its next-door neighbour? Although there isn’t scientific evidence this condition known as “Irish pinky toe” is more common in Ireland, it’s a popular idea that it’s a genetic trait among some people with Celtic heritage. And as podiatrists in Ireland, it is certainly something we see every day.

    An Irish pinky toe may look unusual, cause pain or increase your chances of losing it altogether. Added pressure on the toe or toenail can also cause corns, calluses, thickened toenails and even ulcers that may lead to amputation.

    If you’ve ever thought, “What is wrong with that little toe?” or “Why don’t I have a nail on that toe?” then here’s why you might need to take extra care to avoid potential wounds – and even amputation – in future. Fortunately, toe amputations are a relatively rare occurrence but can be offered if the toe continues to cause pain after all other treatments have been tried or if there is infection or gangrene.

    Because an Irish pinky toe sits under the one beside it and often rotates, this can cause pressure on the neighbouring toe. If two bones or joints are pressed close together, this may cause the skin to thicken and result in a corn.

    This might also happen if the little toenail irritates the skin and, if the nail is long or sharp, this might pierce the skin and cause a wound or an infection.

    The little toe and toenail may also rub up against the lining of your shoes, leading to painful friction blisters or shoes that wear out quickly. Wellington boots may be ideal for music festivals and the rainy Irish weather but don’t tend to fit very well, causing the foot to slide about inside.

    Repeated friction or trauma may even damage the nail matrix, the part that makes nail, attached to the bone. This could lead to permanent thickening of the nail, that may become unsightly and cause pain.

    The “Irish pinky toenail” is similar. This is when the toenail may split in two or an extra nail-like skin lesion develops. Sometimes, it may look like you have two nails, a condition described by podiatrists as a petaloid nail or a Lister’s or Durlacher corn. It’s difficult to determine how common petaloid nails are because they’re underdiagnosed and rarely reported.

    What can I do?

    Whatever your heritage, show your pinky toes some love and avoid future problems by trying to avoid tight footwear, especially boots with a firm toe, such as steel toe caps, court shoes, or any shoe with an unforgiving fabric such as a patent finish.

    Some people might throw on any old socks in the morning but ill-fitting socks can contribute to problem foot health – socks that do not stretch, or have heavy seams, may increase the pressure on your pinky toes. Pain or problems may be caused by the toe itself or, perhaps, a sock seam, rigid fabric or the style of shoe. It’s worth investing in high quality, breathable fabrics for socks, such as cotton or bamboo.

    If you have to wear specific safety footwear for your job, such as in farming and construction, you may find higher quality, thicker socks are better than boots with thick fabrics in the toe, that will wear down over time. Perhaps also consider investing in a silicone-lined toe sleeve, which acts like a hat for your toes and protects them from the pressure of footwear.

    Alternatively, it’s possible “prop the toe” by making custom supports. We do this by creating a silicone device which lifts the toe off the ground, separates tight toes or improves the toes position, to avoid future problems. For existing corns, callus or wounds, it’s best to get a trained specialist who can remove excess nail or skin painlessly with a blade to reduce discomfort.

    Irish pinky toes don’t always always cause pain, but if they do, there are ways to reduce it, one step at a time.

    Lauren Connell is the owner of L.A Podiatry.

    Benjamin Bullen 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. Why you should check for ‘Irish pinky toe’ – and what to do if you have one – https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-check-for-irish-pinky-toe-and-what-to-do-if-you-have-one-250800

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI could supercharge human collective intelligence in everything from disaster relief to medical research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hao Cui, Research Fellow in AI-Enhanced Collective Intelligence, Trinity College Dublin

    Top tech team: surgeons operating with help frm artificial intelligence. Have a nice day Photo

    Imagine a large city recovering from a devastating hurricane. Roads are flooded, the power is down, and local authorities are overwhelmed. Emergency responders are doing their best, but the chaos is massive.

    AI-controlled drones survey the damage from above, while intelligent systems process satellite images and data from sensors on the ground and air to identify which neighbourhoods are most vulnerable.

    Meanwhile, AI-equipped robots are deployed to deliver food, water and medical supplies into areas that human responders can’t reach. Emergency teams, guided and coordinated by AI and the insights it produces, are able to prioritise their efforts, sending rescue squads where they’re needed most.

    This is no longer the realm of science fiction. In a recent paper published in the journal Patterns, we argue that it’s an emerging and inevitable reality.

    Collective intelligence is the shared intelligence of a group or groups of people working together. Different groups of people with diverse skills, such as firefighters and drone operators, for instance, work together to generate better ideas and solutions. AI can enhance this human collective intelligence, and transform how we approach large-scale crises. It’s a form of what’s called hybrid collective intelligence.

    Instead of simply relying on human intuition or traditional tools, experts can use AI to process vast amounts of data, identify patterns and make predictions. By enhancing human decision-making, AI systems offer faster and more accurate insights – whether in medical research, disaster response, or environmental protection.

    AI can do this, by for example, processing large datasets and uncovering insights that would take much longer for humans to identify. AI can also get involved in physical tasks. In manufacturing, AI-powered robots can automate assembly lines, helping improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

    Equally crucial is information exchange, where AI enhances the flow of information, helping human teams coordinate more effectively and make data-driven decisions faster. Finally, AI can act as social catalysts to facilitate more effective collaboration within human teams or even help build hybrid teams of humans and machines working alongside one another.

    AI-driven improvements to all these different aspects can make the entire, interconnected system more adaptive and intelligent.

    We’re already seeing the impact of AI-enhanced collective intelligence. In disaster response, AI systems already analyse satellite imagery and sensor data, generating risk assessments that help human responders to prioritise rescue efforts and allocate resources efficiently.

    In healthcare, AI already helps doctors make faster and more accurate diagnoses by analysing large patient datasets. Medical teams refine AI recommendations with their expertise, ensuring the best possible treatment plans. Robots equipped with AI can assist surgeons in performing delicate tasks, allowing for greater precision.

    In media, AI curates and verifies news from global sources, assisting journalists in fact-checking and uncovering misinformation. This collaboration can strengthen the accuracy and reliability of information in an era of digital media. However, AI can also drive the dissemination of fake news and disinformation. These include deep fake videos of, for example, politicians, which have the potential to affect elections.

    In the public sector, AI-powered policy simulations help governments anticipate the impacts of regulations. Crowd-sourced citizen feedback, combined with AI analysis, can give a sense of the public mood.

    Environmental protection is another area benefiting from AI-enhanced collective intelligence. AI systems can analyse patterns data on pollution, deforestation, and wildlife movements, guiding human efforts to address environmental challenges more effectively.

    As we can see, AI-enhanced collective intelligence is already here, transforming how we approach some of the world’s toughest problems. The key is to recognise that AI is a collaborator, not a competitor. When we combine human creativity, intuition, and ethics with AI’s data processing power, the possibilities for what we can be achieved are substantial.

    As we look towards the future, AI’s potential becomes even more exciting. From addressing global health challenges like pandemic prevention to developing solutions to the climate crisis, AI will be at the forefront of tackling issues once thought insurmountable. But this potential comes with responsibility.

    It’s up to us to guide how this collaboration evolves, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically in ways that enhance human capabilities rather than diminish them. We must engage in shaping policies and frameworks that promote transparency, fairness and inclusivity through a new sociology of humans and machines.

    Collaboration across industries, governments, and communities will be crucial to unlocking AI’s full potential. Together, we can build a future where AI not only augments human intelligence but also helps solve the challenges of tomorrow, creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for all.

    Hao Cui receives funding from the Research Ireland.

    Taha Yasseri 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. AI could supercharge human collective intelligence in everything from disaster relief to medical research – https://theconversation.com/ai-could-supercharge-human-collective-intelligence-in-everything-from-disaster-relief-to-medical-research-249437

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest: 50 years on Jack Nicholson’s greatest performance is as fresh as ever

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel O’Brien, Lecturer, Department of Literature Film and Theatre Studies, University of Essex

    Director Miloš Forman’s masterpiece, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, turns 50 this year. Despite this milestone, it remains a fresh and timeless piece of cinema from the New Hollywood movement.

    Combining iconic performances and universal themes of individualism versus the establishment, Forman’s film is perhaps Jack Nicholson’s greatest performance. He plays Randle Patrick McMurphy, a charismatic convict feigning mental illness in order to serve his sentence at a psychiatric hospital and avoid prison labour.

    Here, he becomes an unlikely leader to the ward’s patients, helping them to discover self-belief and confidence. He also attempts to steer them away from the regime of the cold and oppressive nurse, Mildred Ratched, brilliantly played by Louise Fletcher. Fletcher’s performance earned her an Oscar for best actress (along with best actor for Nicholson, and three other wins for best picture, director and adapted screenplay).

    The trailer for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

    Forman’s film achieves the seemingly impossible by having the audience root for a morally corrupt character (McMurphy’s convictions include statutory rape). This detail is mentioned just once, early in the film, and is seemingly forgotten in order to reorient him as an unlikely saviour, rather than unsavoury character. Nicholson’s magnetism certainly helps.

    Scenes of the anti-hero warmly bonding with his fellow male patients are in stark contrast to the bureaucratic iciness of Ratched, who coldly controls the men of the asylum.

    The hospital ward becomes the metaphorical arena for a battle between individual and establishment. The timeliness of this story – and of the problematic treatment of mental health patients – is one of the reasons the film remains so timeless.

    Another is the significant role that games play in bringing the group of outsiders together.

    The magic circle

    Johan Huizinga was one of the first cultural theorists to analytically consider the role of games, describing play as a type of “magic circle”.

    This was because it marked out a separate space from the rest of the world. Examples of this term can range from the football pitch to the card table or even a stage, where an audience gather to watch a play, rarely crossing the invisible line.

    Huizinga’s term carved out a separate area purely for those players involved in the act of play. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, McMurphy galvanises his fellow patients through play, teaching them a range of games from blackjack to basketball. He introduces some of them to baseball through his endeavour to watch the World Series on television, forbidden by Ratchet’s ward policy.

    Games and play in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. By Daniel O’Brien.

    As he opens these magical circles to his ward-mates, so the confidence of his peers grows, animated with joy and camaraderie. The strict bureaucratic rules from Ratched are filtered with rules from games. McMurphy becomes a reluctant leader, initialling conning the men, but then desperately trying to help them live.

    Another moment of play occurs when McMurphy dupes his way into taking the patients out on a fishing trip. He impersonates a doctor and passes the patients off as his colleagues.

    In the fishing boat scene, one of the most optimistic within the film (and the only one that takes place away from the hospital grounds), the patients come together like a family. McMurphy is the metaphorical father, teaching them how to bait a hook.

    The film circumvents this obvious opportunity for McMurphy’s escape. He instead chooses to offer a form of escape to his companions, enabling them to see what freedom and independence looks like, if only for an afternoon.

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

    Play of course is also a central factor in McMurphy’s presence at the hospital from the beginning. It’s left uncertain whether or not he is simulating mental illness in order to avoid a tougher sentence.

    Viewers are reminded of this pretence after McMurphy is forced to undergo electroshock therapy. He returns to the ward acting as though he is now cognitively impaired, before flashing the classic Nicholson grin, which lights him up (to paraphrase McMurphy himself) like a pinball machine.

    His play is often weaponised as an attack on Ratched and her rules – or perhaps even on her entire gender. McMurphy’s deck of erotic playing cards is often presented at moments of play to remind us of his unbridled sexuality and ambiguous morality.

    But of course, this film isn’t just about McMurphy or Ratched. It’s an ensemble film, beautifully performed by outstanding actors, including Will Sampson, Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif and Danny DeVito.

    The film has been parodied many times, from The Simpsons to British sitcom Spaced, reminding viewers over many years of its cultural significance. In 2008 one of its original stars, DeVito, parodied the film in his sitcom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

    Fifty years on, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has lost none of its power. So find a copy and hit play for a rewatch; its still as fresh as a new pack of Juicy Fruit.

    Daniel O’Brien 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. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest: 50 years on Jack Nicholson’s greatest performance is as fresh as ever – https://theconversation.com/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest-50-years-on-jack-nicholsons-greatest-performance-is-as-fresh-as-ever-250306

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How gas keeps the UK’s electricity bills so high – despite lots of cheap wind power

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Tamvakis, Professor of Commodity Economics and Finance, City St George’s, University of London

    The UK has become a world leader in offshore wind power. iweta0077 / shutterstock

    Gas and electricity bills will rise again for millions of UK households on April 1, when the latest energy price cap takes effect. A typical household will pay £111 more per year.

    Though prices have fallen somewhat since their peak in 2022, bills are still considerably higher than they have been historically. That’s despite the construction over the past decade of vast wind farms in the North Sea – which, once built, provide electricity for very little extra cost.

    So what explains the UK’s pricey gas and electricity?

    Since the 1990s, the UK has been dependent on natural gas in more ways than one. In 2023 (the most recent year for which we have full statistics), gas accounted for 33% of the UK’s energy and almost as much of the electricity it generated. That year, wind contributed 29% to generation and solar an additional 5%, which is of some significance.

    As nearly all households are connected to mains gas, most energy bills reflect the global price of gas.

    The UK has to compete with demand for gas from other markets, especially, but not exclusively, the EU. The higher the demand, the higher the price. Before the Ukrainian crisis, many EU economies, especially Germany, were able to source abundant gas through pipelines from Russia.

    The UK, like other big European countries such as Spain, Italy and France, was able to meet some of its gas supply via pipelines (from Norway in the case of the UK), but also in the form of more expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from as far afield as Qatar, Algeria, West Africa and, more recently, the US.

    Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the flow of pipeline gas has almost entirely stopped. Germany and western EU countries have to compete with everyone else to source their gas from Norway or international LNG markets. A few countries on the eastern side of the EU, such as Austria and Hungary, are still sourcing their gas from Russia but face western criticism for that continued dependence.

    This all matters to UK consumers because most of a household’s average energy bill reflects the vagaries of the international gas market. A relatively harsh winter in Europe means they have purchased more gas and paid more for it. In a global market the UK consumer will have to pay this price as well. Even a harsh winter in Japan means that more LNG is directed there, increasing prices for UK and EU consumers.

    We can’t suddenly turn on the wind

    Even the growth in renewables, especially wind power, does not offer protection against the vagaries of the global gas markets. It is well known that wind energy is intermittent and therefore difficult to forecast and base generation plans on.

    Wind energy is what people in the electricity industry call “non-dispatchable”. Because electricity is a universal good, which we expect to have whenever we ask for it, the national grid needs to be able to balance the randomness of wind generation with the immediate response of a reliable, quick-start, “dispatchable” source of generation. Gas fits the bill.

    As a result, expensive gas which is called on to make up for the loss of wind or solar generation, ends up setting the electricity price (called the “system price”) most days. Other countries experience something similar. Germany, for instance, generates just 15% of its electricity from gas (albeit with a further 25% from coal) and gets a higher proportion from renewables (28% wind and 12% solar). Yet it still has to use gas frequently to balance the electrical system, with the same effect as in the UK.

    Ultimately, the more variable renewable electricity we inject into the system, the more we need to plan for, and invest in, infrastructure that can support it. That means a smarter grid, fewer grid bottlenecks within the UK, more and bigger interconnections to other European countries and battery solutions which can store electricity both for short periods (minutes and hours) and for days and even weeks.

    Putting all these elements in place is a Herculean task. Gas fills the gap, but in a way which is more expensive (for now) and continues emitting greenhouse gases, albeit at half the rate that coal did.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Michael Tamvakis 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. How gas keeps the UK’s electricity bills so high – despite lots of cheap wind power – https://theconversation.com/how-gas-keeps-the-uks-electricity-bills-so-high-despite-lots-of-cheap-wind-power-251136

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HuffPost: Elizabeth Warren Presses X To Find 25,000 Tweets Deleted By Trump Nominee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 27, 2025

    Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wants to know what happened to 25,000 tweets that a key Donald Trump nominee deleted soon after the 2024 election, and she on Wednesday wrote a letter to X CEO Linda Yaccarino requesting those records.

    Bill Pulte, an investor whose grandfather founded PulteGroup and made it a housing construction empire, is President Trump’s nominee to serve as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates trillions of dollars in the housing finance system. 

    The self-proclaimed “inventor of Twitter philanthropy” also deleted about 25,000 tweets a few days after the 2024 presidential election. 

    “My staff discovered that virtually all of Mr. Pulte’s tweets are missing and appear to have been deleted,” Warren, the ranking member of the Senate banking committee, wrote to Yaccarino, according to a copy of the letter shared with HuffPost. “Mr. Pulte’s account appears to have been purged of virtually all of his social media activity on your platform.” 

    Warren told Yaccarino that she was writing “to seek your assistance in gathering previously public information about Mr. Pulte that he appears to have deleted and is now hidden from the public.” 

    …

    Read the full article here.

    By:  Matt Shuham
    Source: HuffPost

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reuters: Exclusive: Senators ask Trump’s Air Force nominee to respond to allegations of favoring Musk’s SpaceX

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 27, 2025

    Two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked President Donald Trump’s Air Force secretary nominee whether he unfairly favored Elon Musk in a classified, multibillion-dollar spy satellite contract.

    In a letter sent Thursday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats, asked nominee Troy Meink how his role in the contract solicitation may have favored SpaceX, Musk’s rocket and satellite company.

    The Massachusetts and Illinois lawmakers cited a recent Reuters report that Meink, a top official at the National Reconnaissance Office, changed the contract requirements in a way that made SpaceX the company best suited to fulfill it.

    Complaints about Meink’s role, Reuters reported, prompted the inspector general of the agency, which controls the country’s spy satellite programs, to investigate whether Meink had improperly directed the transaction toward SpaceX. Musk’s space venture ultimately won the classified contract in 2021.

    It isn’t clear whether the inspector general concluded a report or if any investigation remains underway.

    Reuters was unable to reach Meink for comment on the letter.

    …

    Read the full article here.

    By:  Marisa Taylor, Alexandra Ulmer
    Source: Reuters

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Armada Way trees

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Centre Company and Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of the Council

    The first of 169 new trees destined for Armada Way have been planted in the ground as the regeneration continues to progress at pace.

    Three silver limes have been anchored today and six cockspur hawthorns and 10 double crimson hawthorns will be arriving in the next few weeks to be planted between existing single rows of trees on both sides of Zone 1a – near the Copthorne Hotel.

    A second row is being created on each side to create the avenue of trees that will line either side of this important city centre street.

    Tree pits, a metre deep, had already been dug in readiness and ground workers will backfill the planted trees with soil that’s good for tree root growth and topsoil.

    Council leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “We wanted to mark this moment – it is a big deal. “Anyone who has been in the city centre recently will know that the scheme is cracking on at an incredible pace. There’s a lot still to do but this marks the start of the re-greening of Armada Way.”

    City Centre manager Steve Hughes added: “We know that companies are in conversation about sites in the city centre as a direct result of the recently completed work on Old Town Street.

    “We also know that investors are keeping a watching eye on this scheme. We are aware there’s a bit of pain for some traders – but long term there’s a lot to be gained. This project will be transformational.”

    Trees are semi mature on arrival and because of their height, will be put into position by mechanical excavators for planting.

    A bit more about the trees:

    • Silver limes – very suitable for inner city planting near surface infrastructure – 6.5 metres on arrival
    • Cockspur hawthorns – good for urban and coastal planting, tolerant of air pollution and does well in very wet and dry soil. Measuring around 4.5 metres when planted
    • Double crimson hawthorns – resilient and thrive in nearly all locations, a fantastic flower display in May. Measuring five metres when planted.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on the launch of the Berlin Initiative “For a Diplomatic Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    I commend the launch of The Berlin Initiative and its commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    Since the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, the ensuing Israeli military operations have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza.  Meanwhile, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank is fueling further instability and suffering.

    The ceasefire in Gaza must hold and be implemented in full.  All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally, and in a dignified manner.  And humanitarian aid must be maintained, funded, protected, and reach people in dire need without restrictions.

    But beyond ending this terrible war, we must lay the foundations for lasting peace – one that ensures security for Israel, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, and stability for the entire region.

    That requires a clear political framework for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.  It requires immediate and irreversible steps towards a two-State solution – with Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, unified under a legitimate Palestinian authority, accepted and supported by the Palestinian people.  And it requires putting an end to occupation, settlement expansion and threats of annexation.

    Efforts like The Berlin Initiative help forge a diplomatic path.  I urge everyone to seize this moment to build a future where Israel and Palestine live side by side, in peace and security, in line with international law and UN resolutions.  It is the only way.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Ecobank Group expands its gender-financing offer to facilitate access to financing for Africa’s women entrepreneurs

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LOMÉ, Togo, March 3, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • Ellevate by Ecobank expands to become bigger, better and more inclusive.
    • From supporting corporate businesswomen, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to individual entrepreneurs, and those in the informal sector.

    ​To bridge the gender financing gap for Africa’s women entrepreneurs, Ecobank (www.Ecobank.com), the leading pan-African financial services group, announces significant enhancements to its multi-award-winning gender-financing solution – ‘Ellevate by Ecobank’. These improvements strengthen Ecobank’s commitment to women-owned, women-led, and women-focused businesses, while reinforcing its market competitiveness.

    The World Bank estimates that closing the gender gap in Africa could add $2.5 trillion to the continent’s GDP by 2025, underscoring the urgency of investing in women – not just for social justice, but for a more prosperous and equitable future for all Africans. In response, Ecobank’s enhanced Ellevate programme is now more ambitious and inclusive, designed to address the diverse challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. The programme is being extended from new and existing Commercial Banking customers to include new and existing Consumer Banking and Corporate Banking customers, as well as female business leaders, with Corporate Banking customers serving as a pool of mentors. With this expansion, individual entrepreneurs – including those in the formal and informal sectors – can now fully benefit from its enhanced financial and non-financial solutions.

    Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, said: “We recognise and applaud the role that women entrepreneurs play in driving socio-economic impact across Africa and are committed to supporting them at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Since the launch of the Ellevate programme we have made significant progress, disbursing over US$200 million in loans, providing business networking opportunities, and offering leadership and capacity-building training for businesswomen.”

    “Today, Ellevate 2.0 heralds in a new era for gender financing. It is bigger, better and more inclusive, delivering exceptional value to female entrepreneurs and women business leaders. Enhancing our products and solutions for women entrepreneurs to position Ecobank as their bank of choice is an integral component in accelerating the success of our Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy’s objectives. It also supports our Group-wide objective of promoting gender equality and contributing to sustainable development.”

    The enhanced Ellevate’s value propositions now include:

    • Increasing access to finance with unsecured loans of up to US$50,000
    • Competitive interest rates and favourable collateral requirements
    • Accommodating customers with a two-year track record instead of the industry-standard three years
    • Helping them to find new customers and access new markets across Africa through our innovative online matchmaking MyTradeHub platform
    • Training, knowledge sharing webinars, support and other initiatives to enhance customers’ business and leadership skills
    • Customised wealth management services
    • A one-stop shop to meet insurance needs.
    • A loyalty programme providing exclusive offers and discounts at select retail stores and recreation centres

    To coincide with the celebrations of the International Women’s Day, our enhanced Ellevate program will be launched by nine of our affiliates (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Senegal, Togo and Zimbabwe) by the end of March 2025. It will then be rolled-out in phases across all our other sub-Saharan African affiliates throughout the year.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov held a meeting on the development of the automotive industry

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov held a meeting on the development of the automotive industry.

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held a meeting on the prospects for the development of the automotive industry until 2035. Currently, interested departments, on behalf of the First Deputy Prime Minister, are already preparing their proposals to update the Strategy for the Development of the Automotive Industry of the Russian Federation until 2035, approved at the end of 2022. Let us recall that the possibility of updating is provided for by the document itself.

    “It is important to conduct joint work of all departments and ensure the interrelation of the developed updates to the industry strategy for the development of the automotive industry with both the Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation – in terms of infrastructure development and balance with other types of transport, and with the Energy Strategy – in terms of the use of traditional and alternative types of fuel,” noted Denis Manturov.

    The event, which took place at the Government Coordination Centre, was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak and Vitaly Savelyev, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other federal and regional executive bodies, as well as leading companies in the industry.

    Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Albert Karimov spoke about the factors and prerequisites that, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, could have the greatest impact on the development of the domestic automobile industry in the period 2035–2050. Among the key factors is the expansion of the use of alternative fuels in the industry.

    “In the strategic aspect of the development of the domestic auto industry, the further introduction of transport on environmentally friendly fuel is a priority for us. We already have state support measures in place for the conversion of equipment to gas motor fuel, as well as measures stimulating the production of electric transport. The development of commercial transport on liquefied natural gas and hydrogen is currently being discussed. The use of these types of fuel improves the environment, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and meets the climate goals of achieving carbon neutrality by the Russian Federation by 2060,” said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade identified the further development of the sharing economy, an increase in the share of electric transport and driverless cars as other factors that will influence the appearance of the Russian auto industry.

    The meeting participants also agreed to work out options for fine-tuning government support measures, thanks to which the promising image of the domestic auto industry will be formed.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Bonta Releases California’s Top 10 Consumer Complaints

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today released 2024’s Top 10 Consumer Complaints and highlighted ongoing efforts to protect California consumers. The list released today includes the top consumer complaint categories the California Department of Justice (DOJ) has received in the last calendar year. Attorney General Bonta urges Californians to report misconduct or violations of state consumer protection laws to DOJ at oag.ca.gov/report. Complaints submitted by the public provide DOJ and sister agencies with important information about potential misconduct to help determine whether to investigate a business or individual.

    “California is a pillar of strong state consumer protection laws and an outspoken advocate for robust federal protections,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This National Consumer Protection Week, I urge Californians to help us further this work. If you see misconduct or are the victim of a scam, my office wants to know about it: I encourage consumers to immediately file a complaint online at oag.ca.gov/report. Whether protecting our kids online, stopping egregious bank fees, or cracking down on illegal price gouging, as the People’s Attorney, I am committed to going to the mat for California consumers.” 

    Top 10 Consumer Complaint Categories from 2024:

    1.    Social Media Platforms 
    2.    Online Retailers
    3.    Banks
    4.    Contractors
    5.    Landlord/Tenant Issues
    6.    Online Scams 
    7.    Debt Collection 
    8.    Credit Reporting 
    9.    Telephonic Scams
    10.  Brick and Mortar Retail Sales

    Fighting to Keep More Money in the Pockets of Californians:

    Attorney General Bonta took on bad actors and archaic policies that hurt Californians pocketbooks. Last year, DOJ announced a $700 million multistate settlement with Johnson & Johnson for failing to disclose if asbestos was present in its talc products; secured a settlement with ticket reseller StubHub, Inc. for failing to pay timely refunds to Californians for canceled events during the COVID-19 pandemic; and sponsored successful legislation to protect Californians’ financial future by banning the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports.

    Last month, Attorney General Bonta supported lawsuits challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Since its creation, the CFPB has actively worked to make the lives of everyday people better and has returned over $20 billion to Americans nationwide. The shuttering of the CFPB would cause catastrophic harm to consumer protections, leaving no federal oversight over large banks, and saddling state agencies with the sole responsibility to protect consumers from conduct regulated by the CFPB.

    Putting Social Media Companies on Notice:

    In response to a dramatic uptick of consumer complaints, last March, Attorney General Bonta sent a letter to Meta expressing deep concern regarding the increase in account takeovers and lockouts on Facebook and Instagram and the inadequacy of the company’s response to prevent and address consumer harm from these takeovers. The letter asked Meta to take immediate action to increase mitigation tactics and respond to users whose accounts have been taken over.

    Sticking up for Students: 

    In the last year, Attorney General Bonta continued to protect students by securing a decision that upheld a judgment against Ashford University for giving students false or misleading information about career outcomes, cost and financial aid, and transfer credits, as well as a $4.5 million settlement with University of Phoenix for aggressive and unlawful military student recruitment tactics. 

    Protecting Children Online:

    Attorney General Bonta continued to take action to create a safer internet for children and teens. In October 2024, DOJ filed a lawsuit against TikTok for harming young users and deceiving the public about the social media platform’s dangers; and secured a decision in his lawsuit against Meta that largely denies Meta’s attempt to evade responsibility for their role in the children’s mental health crisis. DOJ proudly supported legislation that would put consumers in control of their relationship with social media, like SB 976 (Skinner), recently enacted legislation which interrupts the ability of social media companies to use addictive design features, and AB 56 (Bauer-Kahan), newly proposed legislation that would require warning labels on social media platforms. 

    Advancing Your Data Privacy Rights: 

    In January, Attorney General Bonta reminded Californians of their right to stop or “opt-out” of the sale and sharing of their personal information under the California law, and encouraged consumers to consider familiarizing themselves with the Global Privacy Control (GPC), an easy-to-use browser setting or extension that allows consumers to take back control of their personal data. 

    Last year, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with DoorDash for violating California privacy laws by selling its customers’ personal information; and worked with local partners to secure a settlement with a video game developer for illegally collecting and sharing children’s data. 

    Scram, Scams! 

    Attorney General Bonta continued educating and warning consumers about financially harmful and widespread AI-generated scams, toll booth scams, romance scams, and package delivery text-based scams; and continued the fight against annoying and illegal robocalls, which are often a vehicle for scams.

    Setting the Record Straight on AI:

    In January, Attorney General Bonta issued two legal advisories, reminding consumers of their rights, and advising businesses and healthcare entities who develop, sell, or use artificial intelligence (AI) about their obligations under California law. Many consumers and patients are not aware of when and how AI systems are used in their lives or by institutions that they rely on.

    Businesses use AI systems to evaluate consumers’ credit risk and guide loan decisions, screen tenants for rentals, and target consumers with ads and offers, as such, must comply with California consumer protection laws.

    Tackling Price Gouging During a Natural Disaster: 

    In the wake of Los Angeles Fires, Californians should be coming together to help our neighbors, not attempting to profit off their pain. DOJ takes its duty to protect the public from price gouging, rental bidding, and unsolicited property offers by predatory buyers extremely seriously. In addition to sending over 700 warning letters to hotels and landlords, DOJ has several active investigations into price gouging and has announced price gouging charges against three Los Angeles real estate agents and a landlord (January 22, January 28, and February 18). These investigations are often the result of review of complaints received by DOJ.

    DOJ established the Disaster Relief Task Force to work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory partners; last month, DOJ collaborated with, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto on misdemeanor price gouging charges against a homeowner and real estate agent who allegedly engaged in price gouging in violation of the law.

    For more tips and information on consumer protection, please visit https://oag.ca.gov/consumers. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Consumer Protection Week: Attorney General’s Office empowers Washingtonians through action, education

    Source: Washington State News

    OLYMPIA — Today marks the start of Consumer Protection Week in Washington. Which allows the Attorney General’s Office to highlight the successful work of our consumer protection division, and help Washingtonians protect themselves.

    Consumers can do more to protect themselves against fraud, identity theft and scams through what they can learn at a series of in-person and virtual events next week supported by the Attorney General’s Office and employees from select state agencies.

    “There are sophisticated ways companies and individuals try to deceive and steal from Washingtonians,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “Our consumer protection events will give people the tools and knowledge to empowered and protect themselves.”

    The Consumer Protection Division is largely funded through money recovered from businesses who have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act and similar laws. not by taxpayers. Specifically, a portion of Consumer Protection recoveries go into the Attorney General’s Civil Justice Operating Fund, which supports the Consumer Protection, Antitrust, Wing Luke Civil Rights, and Environmental Protection divisions. It also funds Medicaid Fraud Control and the Complex Litigation divisions.

    Here are some recent key consumer protection victories:

    • $1.3 billion in recoveries dedicated to combatting the opioid epidemic at the state and local level.
    • Blocking the Kroger and Albertson’s anticompetitive grocery store merger.
    • Up to $40.6 million will be distributed to Washingtonians who overpaid for chicken and tuna products that were part of a price-fixing conspiracy.
    • A nationwide agreement requiring Dollar Tree to monitor its testing labs to ensure they follow appropriate testing methods for lead and cadmium that are audited and verified through independent experts.
    • Over $43 million in direct refunds and debt forgiveness to student loan borrowers.
    • More than $158 million in debt relief to patients who Washington hospitals failed to screen for charity care.
    • Our Consumer Protection Division has  successfully challenged consumer “non-disclosure” agreements to make sure online reviews are honest.
    • Returning funds to consumers who signed illegal contracts.
    • The Manufactured Housing Landlord Tenant Act, recouping millions of dollars for tenants subjected to illegal rent hikes and other misconduct.
    • The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division addresses discrimination in housing, employment, insurance, credit, and in government services and businesses open to the public. Recent wins illustrating the breadth of that work include wins against Allianz ($1.5 million, insurance discrimination), Greenridge Farming ($470,000, farmworker sexual harassment and retaliation) and Operation Veterans Assistance & Humanitarian Aid (more than $2.15 million, sexual harassment and retaliation at a chain of thrift stores).

    Our Consumer Resource Center, which answers between 25,000-30,000 calls annually, returns over $10M to consumers every year via its informal dispute resolution efforts. Assistant attorneys general also take calls and complaints throughout the year that result in additional consumer protection actions.

    A full list of public Consumer Protection Week events is available below:

    In-person only events

    Come to your local library for National Consumer Protection Week 2025! The Office of the Attorney General, Secretary of State’s Office, and Department of Financial Institutions will host your questions and a table of information on how you can protect yourself and your families from scams, stay safe online, and how to file a consumer complaint. Please join us!

    Monday, March 3:

    National Consumer Protection Informational Event (Public)

    1 PM-3 PM

    Puyallup Municipal Library: 324 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371

    Tuesday, March 4:

    National Consumer Protection Informational Event (Public)

    10 AM – Noon

    Edmonds Library: 650 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020

    Friday, March 7:

    National Consumer Protection Informational Event (Public)

    2 PM – 4 PM

    Des Moines Library: 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

    Virtual only

    Monday, March 3:

    Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Presentation (Zoom) (Public)

    10 AM-11:30 AM

    https://atg-wa.zoom.us/j/87327455542?pwd=cY5nba4bbw1N3LtPPtsjOI8aEq5cch.1

    Are you an owner of a manufactured/mobile home that rents space from a park or community? Are you the owner, landlord, or manager of a manufactured/mobile home park? Come learn about the Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program with Public Programs Director, Cynthia Lockridge, and Assistant Attorney General Sebastian Miller for National Consumer Protection Week 2025!

    Presentación del Programa de Resolución de Disputas de Casas Móviles (Zoom) (Español) (Publico)

    6 PM-7:30 PM

    https://atg-wa.zoom.us/j/89656449126?pwd=Hz4Duw1HeFXt82HEXVRv5Jmaha040t.1

    ¿Es usted propietario de una casa móvil o manufacturada que alquila espacio en un parque o comunidad? ¿Es usted propietario, arrendador o administrador de un parque de casas móviles o manufacturadas? ¡Venga a conocer el Programa de Resolución de Disputas de Casa Móviles con la Oficina del Procurador General del Estado de Washington durante la Semana Nacional de Protección al Consumidor 2025!

    Hybrid events (English)

    Ready to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Want to stay on top of your credit, shop smart for a used car, or keep yourself and your family safe online? Then don’t miss these chances to meet with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General! Join us for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)  — and stay informed year-round at www.atg.wa.gov. NCPW is your time to connect with government agencies, consumer protection experts, and our team as we share vital tips to help you spot, report, and avoid scams. Let’s make smart choices together and stay one step ahead!

    Tuesday, March 4:

    Fort Vancouver Library Series: Three Creeks (Public) (Virtual)

    3 PM – 4 PM

    https://meet.google.com/utx-pubt-asx?hs=122&authuser=0

    Wednesday, March 5:

    Fort Vancouver Library Series: Vancouver (Public) (Virtual)

    11 AM – Noon

    https://meet.google.com/gba-ankm-pks?hs=122&authuser=0

    Thursday, March 6:

    Fort Vancouver Regional Library: Woodland (Virtual) (Public)

    2 PM – 3 PM

    https://meet.google.com/wsk-jevd-bsc?hs=122&authuser=0

    Saturday, March 8:

    Walla Walla Library (Zoom) (Public)

    1 PM – 2 PM

    https://atg-wa.zoom.us/j/86149303444?pwd=mxU5BKPx0mGlLEfcpEuBz6QwApgksu.1

    Hybrid events (Español)

    ¿Listo para protegerse del fraude, el robo de identidad y las estafas? ¿Quiere estar al tanto de su crédito, comprar un automóvil usado de manera inteligente o mantener a usted y a su familia seguros en línea? ¡Entonces no pierda la oportunidad de reunirse con la División de Protección al Consumidor de la Procuraduría General del Estado de Washington! Únase a nosotros durante la Semana Nacional de Protección al Consumidor (NCPW, sus iniciales en inglés) y manténgase informado durante todo el año en www.atg.wa.gov. NCPW es su momento para conectarse con agencias gubernamentales, expertos en protección al consumidor y nuestro equipo mientras compartimos consejos vitales para ayudarlo a detectar, denunciar y evitar estafas. ¡Tomemos decisiones inteligentes juntos y así sobresaltamos a los estafadores!

    Thursday, March 6:

    Fort Vancouver Regional Library: Vancouver (Español) (Virtual) (Publico)

    11 AM – Mediodía

    https://meet.google.com/mjy-dgbk-drq?hs=122&authuser=0

     -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the State of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BlackSwan Cyber Announces Complimentary M&A Cyber Screening Initiative During M&A Cybersecurity Awareness Month

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackSwan Cyber is offering complimentary Cyber Screening™ throughout March to support M&A Cybersecurity Awareness Month, providing lower middle-market deal teams with a fast and efficient way to assess cyber risks before closing.

    Cyber risk has become a material concern in M&A, with 40% of R&W claims now tied to cybersecurity issues – just behind financial misstatements, the #1 driver of R&W claims at 42%. Despite this, many deals move forward without evaluating cyber risk, potentially leaving buyers exposed to hidden financial and legal liabilities.

    “Investors don’t skip cyber due diligence because they’re unaware of the risk. They skip traditional cyber due diligence because it was never designed for middle market deals – it’s slow, invasive, and priced for billion-dollar transactions. M&A moves fast and most deal teams don’t have time for security audits that add friction,” said Paul Theobald, Partner at BlackSwan Cyber. “We built our Cyber Screening process from the ground up to be fast, practical, and aligned with how M&A actually works. Buyers shouldn’t have to close a deal blind to cyber risks, so we’re making Cyber Screening accessible to the lower middle-market.”

    Raising the Standard for Cyber Risk Awareness in M&A
    BlackSwan Cyber’s complimentary Cyber Screening for deals under $100M gives M&A professionals a practical way to evaluate cyber risk before closing – without delays, extra costs, or seller friction.

    • Spot Red Flags Early: Avoid costly post-close surprises by identifying critical cyber risks before they impact the deal.
    • Quantify Cyber Exposures: Assess the financial impact of cyber risks on deal value and remediation costs.
    • Benchmark Against Market Standards: Strengthen negotiations by comparing the target’s cybersecurity posture to similar transactions.
    • Frictionless Assessments: Keep deals moving with minimal seller cooperation, no complex audits, and no disruption to diligence timelines.

    Raising Awareness & Partnering with Industry Leaders
    To maximize the impact of M&A Cybersecurity Awareness Month, BlackSwan Cyber is partnering with M&A advisors, law firms, and insurers to raise awareness about cyber risk’s financial impact on deals. Through co-branded thought leadership, joint educational initiatives, and industry discussions, we are working with key industry stakeholders to help deal teams better assess and manage cyber risk in transactions.

    Organizations interested in collaborating on deals, insights, events, or industry initiatives are encouraged to contact partnerships@blackswancyber.com.

    About BlackSwan Cyber
    BlackSwan Cyber is a boutique M&A Cyber Advisor, exclusively focused on helping private equity firms, M&A advisors, and deal teams assess cyber risk in transactions. Our foundation rests on the deep-rooted expertise of industry veterans, whose understanding of cybersecurity is integrated with the complex strategies and fast pace of M&A deals.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b2e4ef0-377d-4947-b368-b07add5fd315

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A website is not enough: businesses that use digital tools without a strategic plan will struggle in a tough economy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rod McNaughton, Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Mr.paripat niyantang/Shutterstock

    Small businesses across Australia and New Zealand are facing one of their toughest periods in decades.

    A flat economy and shifting consumer behaviour have put pressure on already thin operating margins. A 2024 survey by business finance company ScotPac found 29% of Australian small businesses say they could face insolvency if they lose a major client.

    Accounting organisation CPA Australia’s latest small business survey shows only 48% of New Zealand’s small businesses grew in 2023. This is significantly down from 60% in 2022. There have also been a record number of business liquidations in both New Zealand and Australia.

    Yet some small and medium-sized businesses are thriving. Part of the reason for this is because they have embraced the concept of “digital leadership”.

    This is the ability to strategically integrate digital technologies – such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics and automation – into a business’s operations, decision-making and long-term vision.

    Digital leaders use emerging technologies to improve efficiency, redesign business models, scale operations and reach new customers in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

    Our review of the research on digital leadership, recently published in Digital Leadership and Contemporary Entrepreneurship, found that firms treating digital leadership as a core business strategy, rather than just using technology for isolated tasks, are the ones that successfully scale, grow and future-proof their organisations.

    Without this change in mindset, firms risk stagnation and missed opportunities. That difference is critical in an economic environment where small margins separate thriving businesses from struggling ones.

    Why some small businesses fall behind

    It’s easy to assume small businesses lag in digital adoption because of costs or technical complexity. However, most of the studies we reviewed suggest the real issue is hesitancy at the leadership level.

    Some business owners are risk-averse and take a “wait and see” approach. Others believe their current solutions are sufficient even when new technology could improve efficiency.

    A 2021 survey commissioned by cloud accounting software company Xero, found fear of change, overconfidence in existing processes and decision paralysis are among the biggest barriers preventing small businesses from embracing digital solutions.

    Even businesses that already use digital tools – for example, to manage their social media – often fail to go further and integrate technology into core operations such as supply chain management and automation.

    Embracing digital leadership

    The lesson is that simply adopting digital tools without a strategic plan doesn’t lead to growth. True digital leadership requires businesses to rethink how they operate, compete and scale.

    The firms making the most of digital transformation embed technology in their core strategy. They use data-driven decision-making to refine products, forecast demand and identify new opportunities.

    They streamline operations by automating routine tasks, such as using AI-powered invoicing, chatbots for customer inquiries and predictive analytics for inventory management. This frees up time for strategic initiatives such as product development and market expansion.

    At the same time, they invest in training employees to effectively use and adapt to new technologies. Perhaps most importantly, they take an experimental approach – testing, learning and adapting in real time.

    Learning to thrive in digital economy

    Businesses that have successfully grown through digital leadership illustrate this approach in action.

    Set up in 2016, New Zealand-based investing company Sharesies fundamentally changed how everyday people access financial markets.

    Traditional investment firms required large deposits and complex paperwork, excluding many potential investors. Sharesies took a different approach. The company designed a mobile-first platform where users could start with as little as $5. The company now has more than 650,000 users and NZ$3 billion in investments.

    In Australia, The Very Good Bra, a sustainable bra company, used digital leadership to create a global, sustainable fashion brand without traditional retail infrastructure.

    Founder Stephanie Devine developed a direct-to-consumer model through e-commerce, bypassing wholesalers and physical stores. She utilised digital tools such as social media platforms for community engagement, online surveys to collaborate with customers to design products, and data analytics software for demand forecasting, ensuring every product had a market before it was manufactured.

    Both companies succeeded by leveraging digital technologies to disrupt traditional business models. Sharesies democratised investing by making it accessible to individuals with minimal capital, while The Very Good Bra utilised e-commerce and customer collaboration to create sustainable fashion products.

    Their digital-first approaches enabled them to identify and fill market gaps effectively.

    To thrive in the tougher economic climate, businesses need to think beyond software tools. The question is no longer whether to go digital, but how fast a business can rethink their work for the digital future.

    Guy Bate is affiliated with The Education Technology Association of New Zealand (EdTechNZ). He serves as Chair of their AI in Education Technology Stewardship Group.

    Rod McNaughton 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. A website is not enough: businesses that use digital tools without a strategic plan will struggle in a tough economy – https://theconversation.com/a-website-is-not-enough-businesses-that-use-digital-tools-without-a-strategic-plan-will-struggle-in-a-tough-economy-250633

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Trump’s spat with Zelensky threatens the security of the world – including the US

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    After the catastrophic press conference on February 28 between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US president Donald Trump, it is clear that there has been a global realignment.

    What the press conference revealed was that Trump’s position is a lot closer to Russian president Vladmir Putin than long-time US ally Ukraine, and also that other US allies cannot count on Washington to promote the global world order.

    The extraordinary spectacle ended with Trump and vice-president J.D. Vance shouting at Zelensky, telling him he wasn’t thankful for US aid. Since then, the expected mineral deal between Ukraine and the US has been called off – at least for now.

    There was already a wake-up call for European allies about how reliable the US might be during Trump’s first term when he launched his “American first” policy. This included chastising Nato member countries for not paying enough, and characterising Europe as free-riding on US security guarantees.

    While this sparked alarm among some European leaders over how to ensure that the continent becomes less dependent on the US, Europeans are now scrambling to respond to Trump 2.0’s much more extreme version of America first. After the press conference, European Union foreign minister Kaja Kallas declared: “Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”

    Trump’s relationship with Russia

    To some extent Europe was caught off guard because it was hard to imagine that a US president would swing US support behind Russia, especially after Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Trump has turned the page on challenging Russian aggression, and does not seem to see Putin’s ambitions as a threat to global security.

    Instead in the press conference – as in previous statements – Trump has echoed some of Putin’s talking points, such as Ukraine not having any cards to play, being unwilling to do a peace deal, and having to give up land to Russia.

    Trump also refused to say that Putin started the war, and even claimed that peace could have been possible early on in the war had Zelensky wanted peace. Trump even repeatedly opined that both Putin and Trump were brothers of sorts — victims of the same investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

    The press conference also revealed that the security guarantees that Zelensky pushed Trump to confirm were secondary at best. Trump remained vague and offered no details, possibly because he has no intention of the US providing any security to Ukraine.

    The aim may have been to goad Zelensky – just weeks ago on Fox News Trump stated that he did not know if Ukrainians would one day become Russian. Meanwhile, Trump’s claim that Ukraine did not have any cards to play is unhelpful to highlight if you are trying to negotiate a great deal for one of your allies.

    What Trump seemed to forget is that Ukraine once had a lot of cards — holding the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world with 1,900 strategic warheads, 176 intercontinental ballistic missiles and 44 strategic bombers. Ukraine was coaxed into returning all of its nuclear warheads in exchange for security assurances from Russia and the west, in a 1994 agreement known as the Budapest Memorandum.

    But while this memorandum might mean little to the current US president, allies around the world can see how quickly a US leader can forget their country’s commitments. The message that Trump is sending now is that every country must fight for themselves. All interactions are transactional, and economic interests trump the genuine security needs of allies.



    Read more:
    Raised voices and angry scenes at the White House as Trump clashes with Zelensky over the ‘minerals deal’

    This plays perfectly into China’s hands. To China, Trump has signalled that he primarily cares about the tariff issue. In addition, he could implement higher tariffs on the US’s biggest trading partners (and allies), Canada, the EU and Mexico, than on China.

    The symbolism of the unsigned mineral deal with Ukraine and the capitulation to Russia’s territorial interests in Ukraine should be music to the ears of China’s president, Xi Jinping.

    What it means for China

    China has inundated Taiwan with a propaganda campaign that says the self-governing island is part of China. Part of the campaign focuses on the notion that if China were to invade, the US would abandon Taiwan, citing the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 as evidence of this.

    The US’s abrupt abandonment of Ukraine adds fuel to this fire. Xi could be emboldened to execute his plan of uniting Taiwan by 2049, if not earlier, which could have disastrous consequences for the global economy.

    European leaders met with President Zelensky after the Trump press conference.

    Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors needed for artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and has a market share of 68%.

    An invasion could lead to a block on global access to semiconductors, causing shortages of all sorts of tech, a possible stock market crash and a fall in trade between Taiwan and western economies. This could cost around US$10 trillion (£7.9 trillion), equal to 10% of global GDP.

    Additionally, for countries such as South Korea and Japan that have been persuaded to not embark on nuclear programmes, the US U-turn sows doubt about its commitment to provide a nuclear shield to its Pacific allies. This could prompt these countries to reverse policies of nonproliferation.

    What happens to Nato?

    Nato has been traditionally led by a US general, but it’s not even clear that the US will remain in the alliance. In the past few weeks Europe has been forced to hold a series of emergency meetings to try to rise to the various global challenges – with or without the US as a key partner.

    All of this makes the US more vulnerable as well. The US is more secure and prosperous when it is part of a long-term alliance, working in partnership with its allies to ensure security, stability, free trade and investment. If the US were to even reduce its security commitments to Nato by 50%, estimates suggest trade with members would fall by US$450 billion.

    The alliance system has been a backbone of US security since 1949. The cost to Nato’s credibility and to defending its borders if Ukraine loses the war would be trillions, not billions, of dollars.

    With Trump appearing desperate to do a deal on Putin’s terms with no concessions, Russia will become much stronger as a result. In spite of the fact that more than 95,000 Russians have died, it’s likely that Russia will act even more boldly, becoming a more attractive ally to US adversaries.

    Trump’s support for Putin not only encourages a hostile nuclear power on the doorstep of the US’s top Nato allies, but also suggests that the US cannot be counted on in future.

    Natasha Lindstaedt 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. How Trump’s spat with Zelensky threatens the security of the world – including the US – https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-spat-with-zelensky-threatens-the-security-of-the-world-including-the-us-251229

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The overlooked bond: Why mental health professionals should ask questions about pets

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Renata Roma, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Saskatchewan

    Pets increasingly play a central role in people’s lives. Mental health professionals who overlook this may be missing an opportunity to understand an important aspect of their clients’experience. (Shutterstock)

    Pets have become an integral part of people’s lives, with some having stronger bonds with their pets than with their siblings and other family members. Some feel more empathy toward animals than toward humans.

    According to a survey, for nearly 90 per cent of Canadians, pets are considered not only family members, but also an essential source of emotional support.

    As researchers interested in the psychology of human-animal relationships, we believe that given these findings, it is imperative to understand how the relationship with pets shapes people’s routines, their self-perceptions, emotional states and ability to cope.

    Asking pet-related questions can be particularly relevant for mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of clients’ family dynamics. Exploring the role of pets in a client’s life can offer valuable insights into factors shaping their well-being.

    Client-centred approach: What if pets are part of the story?

    Using a client-centred approach, mental health professionals should understand and validate clients’ perspectives. The goal is to work with clients to understand what shapes their experiences, worldview, strengths and support systems.

    Asking pet-related questions can be particularly relevant for mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of clients’ family dynamics.
    (Shutterstock)

    More specifically, during intake sessions and assessments, the focus should be on being attuned to the client’s needs. Professionals who overlook the central role pets play in people’s lives risk missing an opportunity to understand an important aspect of their clients’ experience. Shifting this perspective can lead to deeper insight into clients’ emotional states and behaviours, ultimately leading to more tailored and effective treatment.

    The benefits of such holistic framework can be invaluable. Researchers have found pet-related questions can not only reduce anxiety, but also improve communication and rapport. These questions also allow professionals to access clinically relevant information that can guide their therapeutic approach.

    Unlocking deeper insights in therapy

    There are several specific ways that pet-related questions can influence the direction of therapeutic interventions.

    1) Help clients feel more comfortable:

    Asking pet-related questions can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. This, in turn, strengthens the therapeutic alliance and creates an inviting atmosphere. For example, many couples treat their pets as children. Among younger generations, there is often a preference for pets over children.

    For these clients, neglecting this important aspect of their lives may negatively impact the therapeutic relationship. By asking pet-related questions, professionals can help clients to feel valued and seen. This inclusive approach acknowledges an essential part of their social system and open space for them to talk about how their pets shape their identity.

    Among younger generations there is often a preference for pets over children.
    (Shutterstock)

    2) Create trust:

    In general, building rapport with clients can create a foundation of trust. This makes it easier for them to share difficult and personal information. Discussing the dynamic between a client and their pet can help them feel more comfortable addressing sensitive topics. Nearly 90 per cent of women experiencing domestic violence report mistreatment of their pets.

    Children who are victims of domestic violence often share stories of their pets being mistreated. These clients usually feel more comfortable addressing violence against their pets before they address violence against themselves.

    3) Offer insights on the client’s strengths and resources:

    Pets can provide support in several ways. For some people, spending time with their pets during moments of stress can alleviate feelings of anxiety and loneliness.

    For others, the presence of a pet facilitates engaging in social and physical activities. Also, the bond with the pet can increase feelings of belonging and reduce self-harm behaviours. By understanding the role pets play in the client’s life, clinicians gain insight into their coping strategies and available resources. This helps inform more tailored clinical interventions.

    4) Offer insight into a client’s broader challenges:

    Pets can have a positive impact on emotional attachment. However, strong attachment to pets may sometimes be associated with increased psychological stress and trust issues. Others may experience worry and guilt when their health issues affect their ability to provide care for their pets, which can worsen their psychological distress.

    Additionally, the ways clients approach and resolve issues related to their pets can provide insight into their problem-solving abilities. Exploring these areas with clients can highlight target areas for therapy.

    5) Help to identify sources of stress:

    The relationship with pets is complex, and can fluctuate. Pets with behavioural or health issues may create significant social barriers, reducing social interactions and heightening negative emotions in owners. Also, the inability to afford veterinary care can undermine a person’s well-being. These situations can be associated with anxiety and caregiver burden. Therefore, the dynamics they share with their pets can directly influence the issues presented in therapy.

    In such scenarios, not asking about clients’ relationship with their pets may cause professionals to overlook crucial aspects of clients’ overall well-being. This can result in missing important insights into clients’ strengths and challenges.

    Not asking about clients’ relationship with their pets, may cause professionals to overlook crucial aspects of clients’ overall well-being.
    (Shutterstock)

    The missing piece

    Pet-related questions are not just a trivial detail. The structure of families has evolved. As we work toward more holistic and empathetic therapeutic approaches, exploring the presence of pets in people’s lives is a critical step to fostering an environment of acceptance, openness and trust.

    By exploring this bond, mental health professionals can strengthen therapeutic alliances. They would also learn about essential aspects of a client’s emotional life, their strengths and challenges.

    Simple questions like: “do you have a pet at home?” and “how would you describe the role of your pet in your life?” can help strengthen connections with clients. These questions create opportunities for deeper engagement. They also promote a practice that is client-centred, inclusive and aligned with the evolving configurations of families.

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

    – ref. The overlooked bond: Why mental health professionals should ask questions about pets – https://theconversation.com/the-overlooked-bond-why-mental-health-professionals-should-ask-questions-about-pets-250702

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How businesses and consumers can protect themselves against digital supply chain disruptions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Raymond A. Patterson, Professor, Area Chair, Business Technology Management, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

    Digital supply chain disruptions are particularly problematic because they can have immediate global effects and can’t rely on inventory as a buffer. (Shutterstock)

    Digital supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly common, with a recent notable increase in cyberattacks and supplier errors.

    A significant incident in July 2024 saw a flawed security upgrade by CrowdStrike impact 8.5 million Windows computers. The fallout impacted various industries, including airlines, hospitals and 911 services. This led to the cancellation of 2,800 flights and delays for 11,000 more.

    Threats surrounding the looming trade war between Canada and the United States are also threatening the digital supply chain. The digital supply chain encompasses many goods and services, including video streaming platforms, software, digital content, video games, e-books, online storage, education and training content, and food delivery services.

    According to a McKinsey report from October 2024, companies seem to be easing up on efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, even as disruptions continue to occur. The survey found “considerable gaps in the ability of organizations to identify and mitigate supply chain risks, with few new initiatives aimed at addressing those weaknesses.”

    Digital supply chain disruptions are particularly problematic because they can have immediate global effects. Unlike physical supply chains, digital suppliers can’t rely on inventory as a buffer. As is clear from major industry disruptions to the digital supply chain, organizations often lack feasible alternatives for their digital suppliers — there is no plan B.

    However, the resilience of digital supply chains is given little attention, despite its critical role in the global economy.

    Risks of sharing digital suppliers

    Our recent research explored how businesses’ choice of digital supplier — either the same as their competitors or different ones — impacts competition and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

    Using an economic model, we analyzed how disruptions at a service provider impacted a firm’s customer demand and, in turn, how the firm managed service provider risks.

    We found that when companies rely on the same digital suppliers, they also share risks. In contrast, choosing alternative suppliers can help mitigate those risks. However, businesses often mimic their competitors and share suppliers — a strategy that is not always wise.

    Disruptions to digital supply chains are inevitable, and the effects of these disruptions, particularly on consumer demand, are often underestimated. These disruptions can spread rapidly, without giving companies enough time to react. Cyberattacks or service losses at a single supplier can take multiple businesses offline at once.

    Issues like privacy breaches and service disruptions can even cause customers to change their buying habits. While a disruption at one firm may lead consumers to switch to competitors, broader industry disruptions can diminish overall trust and demand.

    Companies with complementary products should consider using different digital suppliers to mitigate the compounded negative effects of any disruption.

    Additionally, advanced technologies like AI are transforming industries such as customer support and health care, meaning digital supply chain disruptions are also more likely. Automation can also exacerbate this risk.

    Addressing supply chain risks

    Canadians have many concerns about online privacy and security, and business leaders face challenges addressing these concerns moving forward.

    Addressing these concerns is difficult due to several factors, including rapidly changing technology, expanding opportunities for attacks, high costs to address privacy and security, and lack of employee awareness, among others.

    Our research leads to a number of suggestions for companies, industry coalitions, governmental regulators and consumers. For businesses, building resilience against digital supply chain disruptions and supplier outages requires strategic partnerships. Companies must consider how inevitable disruptions will affect not only their customer demand, but also how competitors’ disruptions could affect them, and vice versa.

    For industry coalitions and governmental regulators, understanding the ripple effects of shared digital supply chain risks can help determine whether supply chains should be shared or separated. Industry-specific needs may differ and change over time, which could justify breaking up digital service monopolies to increase supplier diversity or, in some cases, maintaining them.

    Consumers should also be aware of the potential for a digital supply chain disruptions. If an industry-wide outage occurs, having a workaround plan can be essential. For example, when purchasing services that can’t be physically stored, like airline tickets, it’s wise to plan for unexpected disruptions. Booking a flight a day earlier than necessary or allowing extra time to return home can provide a buffer against system-wide failures.

    Breaches of online privacy and service disruptions caused by unforeseen events, bad actors and foreign governments can cause customers to alter their buying habits and negatively impact Canadian competitiveness.

    With Canadians expressing grave concerns over online privacy and security, everyone must recognize the importance of preparing for and mitigating these risks.

    Raymond A. Patterson currently receives funding from the Haskayne School of Business and the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC). Previous funding has been obtained from a variety of private and public sources.

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

    – ref. How businesses and consumers can protect themselves against digital supply chain disruptions – https://theconversation.com/how-businesses-and-consumers-can-protect-themselves-against-digital-supply-chain-disruptions-250009

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump tariffs have sparked a ‘Buy Canadian’ surge, but keeping the trend alive faces hurdles

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Melise Panetta, Lecturer of Marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University

    Escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States have ignited a new wave of Canadian patriotism, with consumers consciously choosing made-in-Canada products as an act of economic self-preservation and national pride.

    U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to impose tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican goods on March 4, after a month-long delay. This, along with Trump’s calls to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, has prompted Canadians to rally around the so-called “Buy Canadian” movement.

    Recent research indicates a significant number of Canadians are now showing a strong preference for domestic products, with many willing to modify their purchasing behaviours. One recent poll revealed 42 per cent of Canadians polled will “absolutely do everything” to avoid purchasing U.S. products. Eighty-eight per cent said they would buy a product promoted as “made in Canada.”

    Another poll found that 56 per cent of Canadians said they would stop buying a certain product altogether if there is no Canadian-made alternative.

    While the “buy local” movement has deeper roots, often resurfacing during periods of economic tensions, the current surge stems from a desire to support homegrown brands and manufacturers they see as reflecting their values.

    Buy Canadian movement challenges

    While the Buy Canadian movement is gaining traction, actually sustaining it comes with notable challenges. Some experts caution that reducing reliance on U.S. imports is a gradual process contingent on consistent consumer commitment.

    Two primary barriers stand in the way of this sustained change: the higher costs of Canadian-made goods, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and the difficulty consumers face in identifying domestically produced items.

    Addressing these two issues is crucial for the long-term viability of the Buy Canadian movement.

    CBC News segment about the Buy Canadian movement.

    Buying Canadian can be pricey

    The first primary obstacle facing the Buy Canadian movement is the price disparity between domestic goods and their imported counterparts.

    Canadian domestic goods often come with a higher price tag due to production costs, economies of scale, transportation and other economic factors. These factors make it difficult for local manufacturers to compete with cheaper foreign alternatives.

    The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which is driving up prices for goods and services across various sectors, is further intensifying the challenge. One of the biggest household expenses, the cost of groceries, remain particularly high, having jumped by 7.8 per cent in 2023 — its highest level in nearly 40 years.

    Higher prices across almost all sectors has resulted in 71 per cent of Canadians naming the cost of living as a top domestic concern, making it the leading news story in the country in 2024.

    While many consumers express a desire to support local businesses even if they are pricier, the reality of higher costs could make it difficult for consumers to consistently choose domestic products over more affordable foreign alternatives.

    Is it really ‘Made in Canada’?

    The second major obstacle for the Buy Canadian movement lies in confusion over product labels. For many Canadians, identifying which products are truly Canadian versus imported alternatives can be a challenging task.

    A recent poll found that 42 per cent of Canadians believe grocery food products are made in Canada, while the actual number of products fully made in Canada is closer to 10 per cent.

    Compounding matters further, understanding country of origin labelling can also be challenging. Labels such as “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada” have specific definitions.

    “Made in Canada” means the last substantial transformation of the good or service occurs in Canada but may contain up to 49 per cent imported ingredients, while “Product of Canada” means all, or nearly all, significant parts and processing are Canadian.

    This nuanced labelling and similarity in wording can lead to confusion, making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.

    Building on the Buy Canadian momentum

    Canadian businesses and retailers have been responding to growing consumer demand for domestic products with concrete marketing strategies. For instance, Loblaw Companies, Canada’s largest food retailer, has committed to “doubling down on securing food grown and made” locally.

    Grocery stores are also making it easier for consumers to identify local products. Several grocery chains have revamped their in-store displays by using shelf tags, stickers and end-of-aisle signage to clearly identify Canadian-made food items.

    Retailers and brands are increasingly spotlighting domestic brands by rolling out targeted pricing deals. Major grocery chains have begun offering significant price reductions and exclusive promotions on items branded as “Made in Canada.”

    Additionally, Canadians are flocking to websites such as Madeinca.ca, which aim to demystify country of origin and labelling so shoppers can distinguish domestic products from imports.

    Although maintaining this momentum may be challenging, consumers are eager to showcase their patriotism at the check-out. With businesses and policymakers actively improving product transparency and addressing cost concerns, the Buy Canadian movement is poised to gain further traction. After all, nothing embodies unity quite like a little patriotic shopping, the Canadian way.

    Melise Panetta 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. Trump tariffs have sparked a ‘Buy Canadian’ surge, but keeping the trend alive faces hurdles – https://theconversation.com/trump-tariffs-have-sparked-a-buy-canadian-surge-but-keeping-the-trend-alive-faces-hurdles-250245

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How rebellion against moralizing has become a surprising rallying point for the political right

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Alexis Shotwell, Professor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Carleton University

    A couple of weeks before the astonishing Feb. 28 White House Oval Office meeting that saw United States President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance scold Ukraine’s leader, Vance told European leaders at the Munich Security Conference: “If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg’s scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.”

    Vance was responding — with humour, he said — to pushback over Elon Musk’s vocal support for Germany’s far-right parties, expressed on X in a livestream event and in a December 2024 German newspaper op-ed.

    Newsweek reported that the administration of Germany’s lower house of parliament “is investigating whether Musk’s support for the AfD on the platform where he has 210 million followers could constitute an illegal party donation.”

    Are Musk’s actions, which some allege are interference, comparable to a young woman’s moralizing?

    It might seem odd to equate the richest person in the world supporting far-right political parties with an eco-activist saying politicians should address climate change. However, there is a long history of people seeing scolding as one of the worst things we can do.

    Our research has been concerned with how “purity politics” shape people’s attempts to live ethical lives, and what it means to reason about ecological catastrophe. We are writing a book about how rebellion against moralizing has become a surprising rallying point for the political right, and how to think about moralizing more broadly.



    Read more:
    How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability

    Rage against moralizing

    Whereas conservatives used to be defenders of morals, they now rage against moralizing, seeing “wokism” as a threat to freedom. Religious conservatives used to position themselves as bastions of morality. But research shows secular societies do not behave less morally as a whole than religious ones.

    Philosopher Judith Butler argues that while Trump displays a “shameless sadism”
    we are seeing his supporters revel in his rejection of moral repression.

    The rejection of moralizing seems to be creating a terrain in which many on the right feel liberated by the current turn against “wokism.” But even on the left, some now worry about too much moralism in what is called “cancel culture.”



    Read more:
    Cancel culture looks a lot like old-fashioned church discipline

    How did moralizing come to this? Could understanding this help us navigate political deadlocks? The history of philosophy has some surprising suggestions here.

    Traditionalism, scolding

    First: there are some dangers in moralizing. One is a kind of traditionalism, which shows up in the creation of moral panics about transgender people, street gangs, abortion, immigrants and so on.

    Another is if someone scolds: “you should take the bus rather than driving” — but the bus doesn’t run to your neighbourhood. Moralizing like this is just posturing. Maybe it makes the driver feel bad, but it doesn’t create more public transit.

    Still, many of us have strong ethical convictions, and we try to live according to what we believe is right or wrong. Even if we judge someone else for the way they are living or behaving, we might hesitate to say something directly. Having personal ethics is socially acceptable; telling others what to do turns us into a scold. Why?

    Our stance

    The word “ethos” in ancient Greek means something like “posture” or “standing.” Aristotle saw ethos as marking our credibility, our character; we enact our ethics only in a shared world. Contemporary ethical approaches often focus on the personal side of this, setting an example without pushing values on others.

    Aristotle saw ‘ethos’ as marking our character.
    (Shutterstock)

    The related word “moral” comes from the Latin mores, usually understood as naming shared customs. Ancient Roman philosopher Cicero used the term moralis to translate ethos, (ἠθική) from Greek. “Morals” were regarded as “the common consent of all living together, constituted from shared traditions,” to quote the influential definition of Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro.

    This “common consent” did not claim to apply to everyone. As late as the 16th century, philosophers such as Michel de Montaigne, Cardano or Agrippa of Nettesheim developed a comparative study of various customs and value systems known as “scienta moralis.”

    Moral philosophers discussed different inclinations and life-ways of people without postulating one superior norm that would govern everyone. There was a Christian strand of moral theology that saw morality as a universal principle, but even after the era of 16th-century Reformation in the western church, it was not primarily about condemnation and judgement. Rather, this branch of “humanist” moral inquiry examined how people create and maintain shared norms in a pluralistic society.

    This changed with ideas that we could have a universally applicable moral science, governed by reason. Philosophers like Immanuel Kant helped formulate this idea. If we think of morality as a law everyone can be subjected to, it makes sense that people rebel against it.

    Channeling opponents of moralizing

    When Vance characterised Thunberg as “scolding,” he unwittingly channelled opponents of moralizing, such as philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

    Nietzsche once defined his philosophical project as a “declaration of war against morals and moralists.” For him and the thinkers he inspired, moralizing is conceived as a negative emotion motivated by resentment and envy.



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    Nietzsche’s almost total rejection of morals can be understood as one of the many roots of the contemporary hesitation (though this idea is debated). No one wants to be denigrated by being seen as one of the sheep who unquestioningly embraces a herd mentality.

    In this context, paradoxically, moralizing — scolding — has come to mean that anyone who says they think something is bad, or should be otherwise, is oppressing the people they criticize.

    ‘Scolding’ people in power

    When we look at the extraordinary difference in power between Musk and Thunberg, this definition of moralizing begins to seem a little weird. Is scolding so dangerous to people in power?

    For people interested in pushing back against authoritarianism, maybe we should hope that it is. We can look to the earlier ideal of morality as forging “common consent” for direction here.

    In the philosophical sense, addressing our “mores” suggests moving towards a collective re-evaluation of how people want to live. Saying “no, I do not agree with this” can perhaps express our character in a way that shapes our shared world.

    Moralizing could then be the process of building new customs. It would be about building morale and seeing hope and agency in these admittedly dire times. Moralizing with others, rather than at them, could help people move beyond feeling immobilized and cynical.

    Studies about “bystander intervention” usually focus on the ways that people go along with things they think are wrong. Research does suggest our moral actions are shaped by the people around us, but this also means moral courage is contagious.

    Standing up for something allows other people to also express their moral convictions. It can be a testament about hope or agency and could be more powerful than we think.

    It is perhaps the fear of this powerful potential that is the core of truth in Vance’s otherwise absurd equation.

    Perhaps this signals the true threat moralizing poses to the status quo — the possibility that there is a better way to live together in a shared world.

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

    – ref. How rebellion against moralizing has become a surprising rallying point for the political right – https://theconversation.com/how-rebellion-against-moralizing-has-become-a-surprising-rallying-point-for-the-political-right-250549

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