NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong accelerates integration into national development as CEPA enters new stage

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

    Hong Kong accelerates integration into national development as CEPA enters new stage

    HONG KONG, March 2 — The Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Agreement on Trade in Services (agreement II) was implemented on Saturday, allowing Hong Kong to accelerate its integration into the overall national development.

    The agreement II further opens up the services market of the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong businesses and professionals to enter the mainland market with more preferential treatments.

    This move was welcomed by various sectors in Hong Kong, and the industry is looking forward to making good use of the Central Government’s policies to support Hong Kong and promote high-quality economic development, further integrating into the national development.

    The agreement II introduces new liberalization measures across a number of service sectors where Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages, such as financial services, construction and related engineering services, testing and certification, telecommunications, motion pictures, television and tourism services.

    The liberalization measures take various forms, including removing or relaxing restrictions on equity shareholding and business scope in the establishment of enterprises; relaxing qualification requirements for Hong Kong professionals providing services; and easing restrictions on Hong Kong’s exports of services to the mainland market.

    Most of the liberalization measures apply to the whole mainland, while some of them are designated for pilot implementation in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said earlier that according to the agreement II, the restriction for the mainland branches of Hong Kong banks to conduct bank card business will be lifted starting from March, which will facilitate them in expanding their businesses in the mainland.

    Tommy Tam, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said that the new measures are expected to attract more foreign tourists to enter Hong Kong to explore the city and travel further to the mainland. The industry is preparing to promote these arrangements and believes that the demand from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) tourists is relatively large.

    Law Society of Hong Kong President Roden Tong Man-lung said that this is very good news for the entire Hong Kong legal sector. The legal industry hoped to seize the opportunity to expand their business.

    By the end of last year, the cumulative customs duty concessions under CEPA had exceeded 10.2 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars). Last year, the total trade in goods between the mainland and Hong Kong exceeded 4.8 trillion Hong Kong dollars (about 613.92 billion U.S. dollars), more than three times the amount before the implementation of CEPA, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6 percent.

    The number of sectors in which the mainland has fully or partially opened up to Hong Kong’s service industry has increased to 153, accounting for 96 percent of all 160 service trade sectors.

    The agreement II also brings along institutional innovation and collaboration enhancements. It includes the addition of “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law” and “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong” as facilitation measures for Hong Kong investors; and removal of the period requirement on Hong Kong service suppliers to engage in substantive business operations in Hong Kong for three years in most service sectors.

    Paul Lam, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said on the social media that qualified Hong Kong-invested enterprises can choose to use Hong Kong law as the governing law for their contracts. He encouraged the business community to take full advantage of this new opportunity.

    Jonathan Choi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, recently pointed out that the agreement II covers multiple important system innovations, not only providing convenience for Hong Kong businesses entering the mainland market, but also offering broader legal service options for investors in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    It encourages more foreign investors to use Hong Kong as a springboard to invest in the Greater Bay Area, further consolidating Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, Choi said.

    The mainland and Hong Kong signed CEPA in 2003. CEPA has now been upgraded to a comprehensive and modern free trade agreement and has brought significant economic benefits to Hong Kong.

    Since the implementation of CEPA, all products manufactured in Hong Kong that meet CEPA’s rules of origin can enjoy zero-tariff benefits when exported to the mainland. In addition, in terms of trade in services, the mainland and Hong Kong have essentially achieved trade liberalization.

    John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, mentioned on multiple occasions that the agreement II creates more favorable conditions for Hong Kong enterprises and professionals to enter the mainland market. He encouraged Hong Kong and global enterprises to make full use of the new preferential treatments under CEPA, to explore the continuous opportunities in the mainland market.

    On Feb. 19, the HKSAR government and the country’s Ministry of Commerce co-organized a forum on the agreement II to familiarize business sectors with the content and implementation arrangements of the relevant measures.

    Over 350 people, including representatives from local and foreign chambers of commerce, consulates, major trade associations and professional sectors, participated in the forum.

    Fan Shijie, director of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs under the Ministry of Commerce, said that through CEPA, the Central Government aims to strengthen open cooperation, supporting Hong Kong and global investors in their efforts to enter the mainland via Hong Kong.

    The Central Government also supports more Hong Kong enterprises in participating in major exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo, the Canton Fair, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, providing matchmaking services for Hong Kong businesses to tap into the mainland market and share development opportunities, Fan added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China signals stronger financial support for private enterprises

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

    China’s central bank, together with other top financial regulators, convened a high-level symposium on Friday to discuss measures for boosting private enterprise development, which analysts said signaled bigger steps in facilitating the financing of private enterprises as their role in innovation becomes increasingly significant.

    Jointly convened by the People’s Bank of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, National Financial Regulatory Administration, China Securities Regulatory Commission and State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the symposium stressed supporting private businesses as an inherent priority for financial services and a manifestation of upholding the political and people-centered nature of financial work.

    “We will proactively strengthen policy frameworks, enhance supervision and implementation and provide strong financial support for the healthy development of the private economy, helping private enterprises grow stronger, better and bigger,” said a meeting statement released by the PBOC on Sunday.

    Analysts said it is not the first time for the PBOC to convene symposiums on supporting private enterprises, with similar meetings in 2018 and 2023. However, Friday’s meeting features a wide participation by various financial authorities, indicating that all-out, coordinated efforts to strengthen financial support for private enterprises are underway.

    “The joint meeting reflects the central government’s strong commitment to fostering private sector growth,” said Yang Weiyong, an associate professor at the University of International Business and Economics, expecting significant financial measures, including expanded lending for private enterprises.

    The meeting called for a solid implementation of an accommodative monetary policy, a good use of structural monetary policy tools, increased credit access for private and small businesses and equal treatment of all ownership types by financial institutions.

    Specific measures stressed at the symposium include a full implementation a previously-launched 25-point plan to strengthen financial support for the private economy, improvements to credit enhancement systems for smaller businesses and accelerated rollout of supply chain finance regulations.

    The meeting also emphasized strengthening bond market innovation, reaffirming boosting private enterprise financing through capital markets, including support for tech-driven firms, mergers and acquisitions and industrial upgrades.

    Attendants of the meeting also included leaders from fashion and apparel company EVE Group, automotive company Geely Holding Group, artificial intelligence company SenseTime, express delivery company YTO Express and dairy company Yili Group.

    Lou Feipeng, a researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, emphasized the need for stronger financial support for the private sector, particularly as the latest wave of technological revolution continues to advance.

    “Private and small businesses, known for their flexible structures, play a crucial role in driving technological innovation,” Lou said.

    In terms of direct financing, eligible private enterprises should be supported in raising funds through bond issuance and IPOs, he said. On the indirect financing front, banks should improve first-time loan services for private bushiness, expand access to credit-based lending, implement loan renewals without principal repayment and develop supply chain finance.

    Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Saturday that the purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector — where private enterprises play a significant role — came in at 50.2, standing above the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction and up from 49.1 in January.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Launch of Greater Bendigo’s Cultural Diversity Month Celebrations

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    A month-long celebration of Greater Bendigo’s cultural diversity will kick off at a free Cultural Diversity Celebrations launch featuring multicultural food, dance, music and a panel discussion on Multicultural Women in Business to mark International Women’s Day at 11am Thursday March 6, in the Hargreaves Mall.

    Each year in March, Australia marks National Harmony Day (March 21) which coincides with the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

    City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Manager Andie West said the City takes this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Greater Bendigo’s multicultural communities and the significant contributions they make to the social and economic fabric of our society.

    “During March many local cultural groups are hosting festivals, events and activities in Greater Bendigo,” Ms West said.

    “Celebrations like this are an important part of the City’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion and to being a welcoming and inclusive City and local residents are encouraged to take advantage of all the culturally diverse activities taking place throughout March.

    “Celebrating our differences, as well as our common interests, helps unite and educate us to understand other’s perspectives, to broaden our own, and to fully experience and educate ourselves.”

    Some of the activities taking place include the Holi – Festival of Colours at Golden Square Swimming Pool and the Festival of Friendships at the Dahlia and Arts Festival on Saturday March 15 and the Bendigo Latin Festival at Garden for the Future on March 22.

    There is also multicultural storytime sessions, a local sacred sites tour, Interfaith Forum, Faith Exhibition and more.

    To view the program of events that details everything on offer during the month, please visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – RBNZ Stats Alert Business Expectations Survey: Concluding development update ahead of regular publication

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    3 March 2025 – We would like to thank all the businesses taking part in the development of the new Tara-ā-Umanga Business Expectations Survey as we build a representative sample survey of New Zealand businesses.

    Following a successful development phase, we plan to commence ongoing quarterly publication in mid-May 2025 (for the June quarter) in advance of the 28 May Monetary Policy Statement, in line with the timing of our other expectation surveys.

    This new survey includes several hundred businesses from different sectors around the country, from small to large firms. It is separate from the existing Survey of Expectations including expert forecasters and economists, and industry leaders (Table M14, 1987 – onwards), which will continue.

    Business Expectations Survey, final testing:

    We completed our development of Tara-ā-Umanga Business Expectations Survey with a fourth pilot survey in January 2025. The testing phase has allowed us to test the survey methodology over multiple waves, build the sample size over time, and creates a one-year span of quarterly data. A public consultation on the survey was undertaken during March 2024.

    Tara-ā-Umanga Business Expectations Survey: Concluding development update outlines our lessons learnt from the latest testing activities and resulting design decisions.

    The achieved sample size has built to 389 responding businesses in pilot 4 (383 in pilot 3, 251 in pilot 2 and 68 in pilot 1).
    We maintained consistent design decisions and survey weighting methods from pilot 3. Additional data analysis, using pilot 4 data, provides confidence that these choices are suitable for a high-quality ongoing survey. (ref. https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=1c3701d2d8&e=f3c68946f8 )

    While the pilot survey results are experimental, the new series are already demonstrating the value of a large representative sample survey. For example, by facilitating estimates of expectations broken down by business size and industry. It should be noted that while this survey represents a significant uplift in our expectations data, more observations are needed to enable us to estimate the relationship between these data and ultimate inflation outcomes.

    Background information

    Inflation expectations are important because households and businesses reflect their expectations in their price- and wage-setting decisions. Improving the quality of our expectation surveys is part of the wider response to our 2022 review of how we formulate and implement our monetary policy. In this review, we identified several areas where better data could support high quality monetary policy decision-making.

    For further information please see Tara-ā-Umanga Business Expectations Survey: Survey design and development: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=84645fcafe&e=f3c68946f8

    For the latest Monetary Policy Statement see Monetary Policy Statement February 2025: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=81002ac320&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Annual Plan open now for public feedback

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 is open for public consultation, as the council invites all Aucklanders to have their say on its investment and services for the year ahead.

    The consultation also includes an opportunity to give feedback on the funding of events and destination marketing, and the priorities of local boards.

    The proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 focuses on delivering the second year of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034. Consultation runs from 28 February-28 March 2025.

    Mayor Wayne Brown says it’s important Aucklanders have their say.

    “Council is here to serve Auckland ratepayers, and the Annual Plan is an opportunity for Aucklanders to speak up and have their say on what the council is focused on,” says Mayor Brown.  

    “We want the community’s thoughts on a bed night levy to fund major events like bringing the America’s Cup back to Auckland, hosting NRL rugby league matches, the ASB Classic and concerts like Coldplay and Taylor Swift.  None of these will happen without it, as I won’t rate struggling households to fill hotels.

    “This is also a chance to tell us what they want from their Local Boards and on the proposed rates for the next year. My message to Aucklanders is speak up, help inform our decision-making.”

    Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker says the Annual Plan focuses on getting on with strengthening the financial and physical resilience of Auckland, while investing where it is needed most to manage growth.

    “This Annual Plan is about delivering on our Long-term Plan commitments, at a time when we know the cost of living is high for our ratepayers. This year we are prioritising investment in transport, water and fair funding for local communities,” says Mr Tucker.

    The plan sets out the proposed way to pay for services and investments, including a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property, which is in line with the Long-term Plan.

    “We are also asking our communities for feedback on funding major events and destination marketing for the region. To help cover a shortfall in funding that was outlined in the Long-term Plan, the council would like to see the introduction of a bed night visitor levy,” says Mr Tucker.

    “The levy requires new legislation and, to inform the government, the council would like to hear Aucklanders’ views on a bed night visitor levy that could help raise $27 million and not just meet the shortfall, but fund even more destination management, marketing and major events activities in Auckland.”

    Local board agreements

    The final Annual Plan 2025/2026 will also set out local board agreements – with each of the 21 local boards setting out priorities for their community and where funds will be invested.

    A fairer funding approach will begin to be phased in for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 to enable local boards to better respond to the needs of their communities, by addressing funding imbalances between the 21 local boards.

    “Each local board’s priorities for the year are included in the Consultation Document,” says Mr Tucker. “Local boards provide a wide range of services such as local parks, libraries, pools, community facilities, and local art and environment activities, along with community events.

    “This makes their plans and priorities really relevant at a local level, and we encourage Aucklanders to take a look at what is planned by their local board, and provide feedback.”

    While the council is not proposing significant changes to services or investment levels compared with what is in the Long-term Plan, it is important to check in each year with all Aucklanders in our communities, to make sure plans are still on the right track.

    Additional proposals

    There are some proposed changes to targeted rates, fees and charges – including refuse collection being rolled out in North Shore, Waitākere and Papakura, and targeted rates for refuse in Franklin and Rodney. There are also some changes for fees relating to additional council services, such as dog adoption, cemetery and cremation, and bach fees.

    “We are also seeking input on the annual plan for Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which governs the 14 Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau. Public feedback is an important part of developing these plans.”

    The Annual Plan 2025/2026 Consultation Document for feedback is available online at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.

    Want to learn more?

    Join our online information session where you can hear more from the Auckland Council Finance team about the topics we are consulting on in this annual plan.

    You can also ask questions to subject matter experts.

    Wednesday 5 March 2025

    6pm to 7.30pm

    Register for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 Online Information Session via akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan (events).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Wellington Water review reinforces the need for change – Porirua City

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Porirua City Council says today’s reports into Wellington Water Limited’s operations reinforce the urgent need for change in water service delivery in the region.
    A series of reports were released today, with a particular focus on costs, and the value for money of the services delivered by the council-controlled organisation.
    Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker said the shareholding Councils had sought assurance that Wellington Water had an absolute focus on delivery, value for money and sustainable operational improvements.
    The need for this assurance became even more obvious when the company revealed a $51 million budget error in 2024.
    “In response to this requirement for assurance, and with the appointment of a new Chief Executive in September 2024, Wellington Water commenced a series of immediate changes to company structure, organisational culture and processes to lift capability and improve outcomes,” Mayor Baker said.
    “I would like to acknowledge the work of the board and new CE in finding and fixing these huge issues.
    “Today’s reports confirm our concern that Wellington Water is not operating efficiently. In particular, the report finds that when benchmarked against councils across the country, costs have been ‘consistently more expensive’, particularly for drinking water and wastewater assets”.
    The reports also found a lack of oversight, assurance and weak financial processes and controls in the management of consultant and contractor panels.
    Mayor Baker said the results showed that we need to fix water services “once and for all”.
    “The results are terrible, and I’m not surprised. This is the reason we need change, and why I have consistently been a supporter of water services reform.”
    She said the fact that Wellington Water had been relying on other organisations’ IT systems was symptomatic of the many structural issues with the current model.
    “The Wellington Water model is past its use by date. It has not worked as intended and we need to move to a more mature and accountable model that will serve us into the future ,” she said.
    “We’ve been on a five-year water reform path, and if we proceed with the preferred new model Wellington Water won’t exist after 1 July 2026”.
    Porirua City is working with Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington Regional Councils, alongside iwi partners, on a new model for water services delivery.
    The councils have agreed, subject to community feedback, that establishing a new multi-council-owned water organisation is the best way to deliver water services in the future. Each council will be consulting on this proposal starting on 20 March 2025.
    Mayor Baker says in the meantime, Council has asked Wellington Water to do two things:
    1. to concentrate on making their current operation as cost effective as possible
    2. to prepare the organisation to be disbanded in anticipation of establishing a new water company with clearer accountability and a stronger investment path.
    “What we do next is critical – we need to move as quickly as possible to a new delivery model.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney to host global superannuation summit

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Published: 3 March 2025

    Released by: Treasurer

    Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will host global superannuation leaders in Sydney in the second half of this year, following the success of an inaugural gathering of the Australian sector in the US last week.

    The Sydney Superannuation Summit will build on the NSW capital’s steadily growing position as the financial hub of the Asia Pacific.

    Last week’s landmark Australian Superannuation International Summit, hosted by US Ambassador Kevin Rudd in Washington and New York, brought together Australia’s biggest funds to showcase their potential on the world stage.

    Together the Australian funds invest $631.6 billion into the US economy.

    Financial leaders addressing the summit included US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

    NSW Treasury Corp chief executive David Deverall told the gathering how Sydney’s status as the financial services hub of the Asia Pacific had evolved.

    Mr Deverall said Sydney’s economic strength was underpinned by a strong investment pipeline, a large skilled workforce and advanced digital infrastructure.

    He said that Sydney is home to the country’s biggest banks, and that it dominates Australia’s venture capital and private equity activity in Australia.

    Nearly 60 per cent of Australian venture capital is in NSW. Mr Deverall told the summit Sydney’s advanced digital infrastructure and willingness to embrace innovation had made it an attractive place for businesses to start and grow.

    Sydney produces half of Australia’s business “unicorns”, or those valued above USD$1 billion, and almost three quarters of those on the way to reaching that threshold. 

    It is a world leader in research output per capita, a strength which plays into its financial and tech workforce and is reflected in a steady supply of qualified graduates from its universities.

    It is ranked fourth in the world as the most popular investment destination for foreign investors, after Dubai, London and Singapore, according to Investment Monitor.

    Australian superannuation funds manage a total $4 trillion in assets.

    Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

    “The Sydney Superannuation Summit will leverage our strength as the financial hub of the Asia Pacific.

    “Half of Australia’s businesses unicorns were born right here in NSW.  They’ve been able to grow because of the high value we place on innovation and technological development.

    “Sydney ranks in the top five of the most popular investment destinations around the world.  Our Summit is an opportunity to harness that momentum.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karrin Vasby Anderson, Professor of Communication Studies, Colorado State University

    U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    Journalists covering the Feb. 28, 2025, Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a “jaw-dropping” “spectacle” and a “striking breach of Oval Office comity.” Slate’s Fred Kaplan asserted, “Nobody has ever seen anything like it.”

    People shouldn’t have been surprised.

    The Oval Office encounter was expected to be an on-camera meeting between the president and the Ukrainian head of state before the signing of a crucial minerals deal between the two countries that was meant to be a key step toward ending war in Ukraine.

    But as reporters described it, the initially routine meeting devolved into a “fiery exchange” in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance “berated” and “harangued” Zelenskyy after he pushed back on Vance’s assertion that Trump’s diplomatic skills would ensure that Russian president Vladimir Putin would honor a cease fire agreement.

    Trump’s compulsion to dominate both allies and enemies seems to have caused him to jettison the negotiation the moment that Zelenskyy declined to perform subservient fealty. The meeting, which was ended by Trump with no agreement signed, illustrated why authoritarians are lousy dealmakers, particularly when autocratic instincts are exacerbated by what’s known as toxic masculinity.

    Toxic masculinity is a version of masculinity that discourages empathy, expresses strength through dominance, normalizes violence against women and associates leadership with white patriarchy. It devalues behaviors considered to be “feminine” and suggests that the way to earn others’ respect is to accrue power and status.

    As a communication scholar who studies gender and politics, I have written about Trump’s displays of toxic masculinity and authoritarian tendencies in a variety of situations, during and after his first presidential term.

    Trump’s reaction to Zelenskyy in the Oval Office illustrates how these inclinations stymie the president’s purported dealmaking abilities, undermine democratic values and make the world a more dangerous place.

    Excerpts from the Feb. 28 Oval Office meeting, featuring U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    Diplomat, dealmaker or mafia don?

    Trump staged the public Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy to showcase his ostensible prowess as – in his words – an “arbitrator” and “mediator.” Trump insisted during the first 40 minutes that “my whole life is deals” and asserted that he has what it takes to make Putin conform to a peace agreement with an embattled Ukraine.

    Apparently eager to project a persona as a successful diplomat and powerful dealmaker, Trump rejected a reporter’s suggestion that “you align yourself too much with Putin” and not with democratic values.

    Trump contended that in order to successfully negotiate, he couldn’t alienate either Putin or Zelenskyy. “If I didn’t align myself with both of them,” he said, “you’d never have a deal.” Instead, he claimed, “I’m aligned with the United States of America and for the good of the world. I’m aligned with the world.”

    Vance initially echoed Trump’s message, casting Trump as a consummate diplomat and arguing, “What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy.”

    But Vance’s tone shifted the moment Zelenskyy challenged Trump’s framing.

    Zelenskyy provided historical examples of U.S. diplomatic failures and observed that Trump and other presidents had been unable to contain Putin. Vance responded by castigating Zelenskyy for not “thanking the president” and repeatedly instructed him to “say thank you” as the exchange grew more volatile.

    Trump, seemingly angered after Vance pointed out Zelenskyy’s lack of deference, dropped his diplomatic tone and informed Zelenskyy, “You’ve got to be more thankful because let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any cards.”

    After the meeting, both the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and Slate’s Kaplan compared Trump to a mafia don. The Daily Beast writer David Rothkopf suggested he was more like “the Luca Brasi for mob boss Vladimir Putin,” invoking Don Corleone’s henchman in the movie “The Godfather.”

    The comparison to famous fictional mafiosos was apt. As a scholar who studies both film and politics, I have observed how fictionalized depictions of both the mafia and MAGA Republicanism are deeply patriarchal and autocratic cultures that demand loyalty, breed abuse and foster corruption.

    After Trump suspended negotiations, canceled lunch and expelled the Ukrainian delegation from the White House, Reuters reported that “most Republicans rallied behind Trump and Vance.”

    Democrats, a few Republican outliers and the majority of European leaders backed Zelenskyy.

    President Donald Trump, center, and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025.
    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    The art of the deal’s demise

    Donald Trump cemented his reputation as an accomplished dealmaker in the 1980s, when he published the largely ghostwritten New York Times bestseller “Trump: The Art of the Deal.”

    Many of his supporters voted for Trump in 2016 because they wanted a “dealmaker in chief,” as one poll characterized it, who could get things done in a fractured Congress.

    In his second term, despite having a Republican congressional majority, Trump has established himself as the nation’s sole authority, embracing toxic masculinity’s theory of power and respect. Doing an end run around Congress and flouting the law, Trump initiated scores of policy changes via executive order and asserted that neither lawmakers nor judges have the authority to challenge or constrain him.

    Trump’s blow-up at Zelenskyy is much more than a foreign policy snafu. It’s a preview of what will happen when toxic masculinity drives U.S. foreign policy.

    Toxic masculinity on the world stage

    A screenshot of various U.K. newspapers’ headlines about the Oval Office meeting.
    CBS Evening News

    In his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy modeled a version of masculine strength characterized by empathy, discipline and mutual respect. Focusing on the needs of his people, Zelenskyy showed Trump pictures of Ukrainian prisoners of war abused in Russian custody and advocated for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.

    Trump initially acknowledged that Russian abuses were “tough stuff,” but concern for Ukrainians seems to have vanished after Zelenskyy politely challenged Trump.

    Decrying Zelenskyy’s insufficient gratitude and escalating the conflict, Trump asserted, “You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

    Vance similarly shifted focus from the needs of Ukrainian civilians to paying homage to Trump, demanding that Zelenskyy “offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country.”

    A common tactic employed by abusers is to demand that the person they are bullying show them gratitude.

    In their berating, bullying and humiliation of Zelenskyy, the president and vice president of the United States used the language and rhetoric of abusers in an apparent attempt to try to force the proud and dignified leader of a country at war to grovel and get in line.

    Their lack of discipline and decorum also upended the negotiation, jeopardizing a deal aimed at halting the fighting in Ukraine and advancing U.S. interests.

    In my view, the toxic masculinity on display in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025, was a bald demonstration of something new and alarming to a public accustomed to decorum and diplomacy in that formal setting.

    For many, the enduring image of that meeting is an anxious Zelenskyy being hectored by a furious Trump.

    But there’s another image that captures equally well the dynamic unfolding in the room. Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova sat in a chair just in front of the assembled members of the press. Papers held steady in her lap with one hand, the normally unflappable member of the diplomatic corps buried her head in her other hand, unable to even look at what was happening.

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

    – ref. How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability – https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-compulsion-to-dominate-sabotages-dealmaking-undermines-democracy-and-threatens-global-stability-251210

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Going for growth in exports and aquaculture

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Coalition Government is going for growth by unlocking additional exports and creating jobs in the aquaculture industry Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Minister for Agriculture, and Trade and Investment Todd McClay announced today.

    The two ministers have confirmed support for salmon farming which is estimated to create an additional sector wide $500m of salmon exports by 2035. 

    “The Coalition Government will be co-investing $11.72 million over five years from the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund as part of a $29.3 million programme, led by New Zealand King Salmon to increase production and drive up exports, Minister McClay says. 

    The joint project will look at ways to expand salmon farming around New Zealand including in deep water while continuing to meet environmental obligations.”

    “The ‘Future Salmon Farming Programme’ will prove the viability of open ocean farming for the King Salmon species to make New Zealand a leading global supplier for this high value product.

    “It will also drive innovation, allowing fish farmers to maximise productivity and profitability and get a better return for their product.”  

    “We expect this investment to boost exports and produce more higher paying jobs in our regions,” Todd McClay said.  

    Minister Shane Jones says this is another example of the Coalition Government’s commitment to growing the aquaculture industry and supporting innovation in the sector, to the benefit of all New Zealanders.

    “We have a strong track record of supporting New Zealand aquaculture, including investing in projects to boost mussel spat availability, extending the resource consents for marine farms, and listing seven aquaculture projects in the Fast-Track Bill, which includes two new open ocean salmon farms.

    “It’s clear that open ocean aquaculture is going to be key for the industry’s growth. These farms will increase our capacity for farmed salmon by 40,000 tonnes annually in addition to the expected 10,000 tonnes from New Zealand King Salmon’s pilot open ocean farm.”

    “The Coalition Government has got big plans for the aquaculture sector, which I’ll be releasing in full soon. Open ocean salmon farming is a big part of these plans, as it directly supports our focus on delivering profitable, resilient, and sustainable marine farms around New Zealand, that work for the regions, Māori, our marine farmers, and the economy as a whole,” Mr Jones says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: Trump Administration Fighting for America First

    Source: The White House

    This morning, the Trump Administration was out in force across the TV networks as they updated the American people on President Trump’s agenda.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio on ABC This Week

    • On negotiations to end the war in Ukraine: “The sooner everyone grows up around here and figures out that this is a bad war that’s heading in a bad direction… the more progress we’re going to be able to make. But the president is crystal clear… he is going to be a president that tries to achieve peace.”
    • On President Trump’s desire for peace: “Shouldn’t we all be happy that we have a president who’s trying to stop wars and prevent them instead of start them? And I just don’t get it. I really don’t, other than the fact that it’s Donald J. Trump. If this was a Democrat that was doing this, everyone would be saying, well, he’s on his way to the Nobel Peace Prize. This is absurd. We are trying to end a war. You cannot end a war unless both sides come to the table, starting with the Russians. And – and that – that is the point the president has made.”

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on State of the Union

    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Sunday Morning Futures

    Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Fox News Sunday

    • On the danger of continuing the war in Ukraine: “The longer this goes on, not only are more Ukrainians losing their lives, but it increases the potential of this escalation towards World War III … That’s not a cost that President Trump is willing to accept.”

    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Face the Nation

    • On rebuilding the economy: “President Trump’s been in office five weeks… interest rates — the 10-year bond… have been down every week since President Trump was President. Mortgage rates have been down every week. So, that’s a pretty good start.”

    Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Media Buzz

    • On cameras being able to witness President Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Ukraine: “President Trump is the most transparent president in history. And as he said, it was great for the cameras to be in there because the American people — and the world — were able to see what the president and his team have seen behind the scenes in negotiating with President Zelenskyy’s team. They have continually denied the pragmatic reality of where their country stands today.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Belle Gibson, teenage lives and trying to find the traitors: what we’re streaming this March

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Isaacs, Associate Professor, Film Studies, University of Sydney

    Disney+/Netflix/Stan

    This month, as the weather stays high and you’re likely to want to stay under the air-conditioning, our experts have a cornucopia of shows and films they’re watching to suit every mood.

    There is Robert de Niro’s romp through politics which “stretches the bounds of credibility”, new seasons of The Traitors from both the United Kingdom and the United States, three new Aussie productions and a new comedy from Aotearoa New Zealand. There is a documentary about Cyclone Tracy for the history buffs – and to round it all out, the intriguingly titled Nightbitch.

    Zero Day

    Netflix

    It seems appropriate that Netflix’s attempt to create a show that captures the state of US politics should be as absurd and troubling as the first months of the Trump administration. Zero Day stretches the bounds of credibility, but, like Trump, it is hypnotic viewing.

    A former president, George Mullen (Robert de Niro) is called upon to track down the source of a cyber-attack which turns off all power for one minute, leading to multiple deaths.

    Mullen’s own family story becomes central to the plot, involving both his wife (Joan Allen) and daughter (Lizzy Caplan) – who conveniently happens to be a congresswoman, clearly inspired by left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

    Zero Day is full of such references, from the current president (Angela Bassett), a nod to Kamala Harris, to a populist radio host and a sinister tech tycoon.

    American reviews have complained the series tries too hard to appeal across partisan lines, to suggest woke calls from the left is equivalent to extremism on the right. Yes, there’s a fuzziness to the politics of Zero Day. But I saw it as a cry of despair at the state of American public life which is also highly entertaining television.

    – Dennis Altman

    Optics

    ABC iView

    What does it mean to tell the truth? And how do we, as consumers of media, differentiate truth from fabrication? Optics, a new comedy series from the ABC, asks these questions through the setting of a public relations firm.

    The show expertly balances humour with quick-wit, social media vernacular, and a level of marketing wordsmithing that makes you question if the news has ever told you a true story.

    The show is based in the PR firm Fritz & Randell and opens with the death of its aging CEO Frank Fritz (Peter Carroll), in a men-only board meeting no less.

    After Frank’s death, the son of the cofounder, Ian Randell (Charles Firth) makes a bid for top spot. But the owner of the firm, Bobby Bahl (Claude Jabbour) is concerned with “optics”, so he puts two young women in charge instead.

    Their young, spunky attitude and social media prowess is seen as a massive advantage. And it is. But it soon becomes apparent this move is much more than a feminist fresh-take for the firm – and is rather a bid to push some skeletons further back in the closet.

    With outrageous lines such as “is there an emoji for miscarriage”, you are guaranteed an entertaining watch. The show will have you questioning the stories you yourself are presented through news outlets. Further still, it will make you wonder how many hands those stories passed through before they hit the papers and screens.

    – Edith Jennifer Hill



    Read more:
    ABC’s Optics is a clever, believable comedy that will make you second-guess what you see in the media

    N00b

    Netflix (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)

    N00b is a coming-of-age story set in small town Gore, New Zealand, a proverbial “arse-end” of the world. Under show creator Victoria Boult, the series bristles with a vibrancy and edginess.

    It’s a familiar story of rugby jocks (“boys”) and popular kids, geeks, misfits, and their witless teachers. It’s something of a modest, reality snapshot of the teen dramas it so confidently riffs on, shows like Laguna Beach and The O.C.

    But what makes this a courageous entry in the genre is N00b’s willingness to be both uproariously funny and caustically cynical. This is a very funny teen comedy, and yet it is also dark and provocative in ways I found refreshing and quite surprising.

    Boult cut her teeth on film studies at the University of Sydney and then went on to work with Jane Campion on The Power of the Dog. The sureness of vision and the deftness of the way in which Boult understands genre is so impressive. The production is based on Boult’s viral TikTok series of the same name (which I can highly recommend).

    I sincerely hope that N00b finds a major audience and perhaps even garners a cult following. Highly recommend.

    – Bruce Isaacs

    The Traitors US and UK, seasons three

    TenPlay (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)

    The third seasons from The Traitors UK and US are fantastic companion pieces, with respective hosts Claudia Winkleman and Alan Cumming guiding the plucky contestants with their camp prowess.

    With their third seasons, the creative teams behind each version have realised that the more theatrical the better, with Winkleman and Cumming leading the charge with their sass and eccentric fashion choices. The setting of Ardross Castle (for both series) in the Scottish Highlands helps.

    The premise is simple: a cast of contestants must complete challenges to earn money for the kitty. Hidden among the faithful contestants are traitors. If a traitor makes it to the end, they keep the money for themselves.

    Each episode, the faithfuls must banish a contestant who they think is a traitor. That evening, the traitors also meet in their turret, wearing mysterious cloaks of course, to “murder” a contestant in their sleep.

    The British season has a diverse cast of everyday contestants, with standouts being one person who gives herself away as a traitor within seconds of being chosen, and another faking a Welsh accent to appear more down to earth.

    The US season is vastly different with a cast of former reality television show icons. Here, it’s fascinating to see how contestants from different franchises, such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Real Housewives, Survivor and Big Brother all approach the game differently.

    Both the American and British versions of The Traitors are fantastic viewing and it’s a genuine shame that the Australian version was let down with substandard casting choices and an aesthetic that was the antithesis of camp.

    – Stuart Richards

    Cyclone Tracy

    9 Now

    On Christmas Eve 2024, Australia remembered the 50th anniversary of the destruction of Darwin wrought by Cyclone Tracy. Fittingly, the 9 Now streaming service marked this anniversary by featuring the 1986 miniseries Cyclone Tracy, a vivid depiction of 1970s Darwin and the terrible impact of the cyclone.

    Cyclone Tracy stars Tracy Mann as Connie, a widow and mother of two who has just paid off the mortgage of her hotel, which serves as the central stage for the drama.

    The series captures the cultural diversity of Darwin (though some portrayals veer towards caricature at times), and the city itself is beautifully evoked through archival footage and great production design. The cyclone itself is frightening, and its destructive power is powerfully evoked (the series’ director of photography, Andrew Lesnie, would later win an Oscar for cinematography).

    In the mid-1980s, when this series first went to air, many viewers would have still been coming to terms with this terrible disaster: it was an act of storytelling for the nation. Watching it in 2025, Cyclone Tracy reminds us of the importance of these nation-making television programs that were once such an important part of Australian culture.

    – Michelle Arrow

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    Netflix

    Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson.

    For anyone who followed Gibson during her rise to fame in the 2010s – or her spectacular fall – the show feels eerily familiar.

    From the clothing, to the makeup, to the food, Apple Cider Vinegar excels in set design and staging. Every effort has been made to ensure this true story, based on a lie, looks like it did when it was unfolding on our phone screens in the 2010s.

    As someone who followed Gibson closely and spent months hunting down the recalled cookbook to see if the health claims were as outlandish as I’d heard (they were), this show was a treat to watch.

    The scenes are cut with recreations of Belle’s stylised Instagram pictures of green juices, beaches and food with “no nasties”. Belle’s account was removed from Instagram after the massive public ousting of her hoax.

    Apple Cider Vinegar has done an incredible job recreating this account and breathing life back into the deleted content.

    Whether or not you are already familiar with Gibson’s story, Apple Cider Vinegar is a compelling watch. You’ll especially love it if you enjoy non-fiction productions that play with ideas of truth such as iTonya, the Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna.

    – Edith Jennifer Hill



    Read more:
    Belle Gibson built a ‘wellness’ empire on a lie about cancer. Apple Cider Vinegar expertly unravels her con

    Invisible Boys

    Stan (Australia), TVNZ+ (New Zealand)

    Stan’s new series Invisible Boys follows four young gay men as they understand and explore their identities while living in Geraldton, a regional town in Western Australia.

    Charlie Roth (Joseph Zada), Zeke Calogero (Aydan Calafiore), Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith (Zach Blampied) and Matt Jones (Joe Klocek) represent four very different young men. Yet they share the experience of feeling invisible because of their sexuality.

    An adaptation of Holden Sheppard’s novel of the same name, the story challenges linear narratives of progress and typical ideals of queer life. It also shows how such mentalities can lead gay and bisexual men growing up in regional Australia to feel invisible, as they often don’t fit the neat narratives associated with “progress”.

    No previous teen drama has been quite as truthful in its representation of some young gay and bisexual men’s experiences.

    As someone who grew up gay in regional Australia, it feels like an authentic representation of my own experience. There’s something universal about Charlie, Zeke, Kade and Matt’s stories of not fitting in, and of being invisible to be safe.

    Most striking is the way the series captures the complicated mix of joy and fear – the clash of opportunity and consequence – that accompanies becoming visibly gay in these environments.

    – Damien O’Meara



    Read more:
    Stan’s Invisible Boys carries the tradition of real, gritty Aussie teen drama, while smashing it into something new

    Nightbitch

    Disney+

    “Motherhood,” the beleaguered stay-at-home mother of Nightbitch tells us in contemplative voice-over, “is probably the most violent experience a human can have aside from death itself”.

    The film sets out to show motherhood is also far more savage and feral than the anodyne images posted on social media by retrograde tradwives or mumfluencers would have us believe.

    As Nightbitch puts it, it’s “fucking brutal”.

    Mother (Amy Adams) is an unnamed installation artist who places her career on hold to raise her young son. Wrung out by the demands of motherhood and increasingly furious with the lack of support she receives from her incompetent and often absent Husband (Scoot McNairy), Mother starts to spiral out of control, morphing into a dog complete with tail, sharpened canines, extra nipples and a ravenous desire for raw meat.

    Nightbitch takes the fear of the reproductive woman literally, drawing on magic realism and horror tropes to show the visceral and psychological metamorphosis women undergo on becoming mothers. Unfortunately director Marielle Heller’s refusal to lean into the body horror results in a neutered narrative with more bark than bite.

    – Rachel Williamson



    Read more:
    A new wave of filmmakers are exploring motherhood’s discontents. Nightbitch makes this monstrous

    Michelle Arrow receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Bruce Isaacs, Damien O’Meara, Dennis Altman, Edith Jennifer Hill, Rachel Williamson, and Stuart Richards 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. Belle Gibson, teenage lives and trying to find the traitors: what we’re streaming this March – https://theconversation.com/belle-gibson-teenage-lives-and-trying-to-find-the-traitors-what-were-streaming-this-march-250759

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What can you do if you’ve started uni and you don’t like it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Stephen, Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Wollongong

    Neon Wang/Unsplash

    More than 260,000 students across Australia are going to university for the first time.

    Some come to university to pursue a passion, others to discover one, and some aren’t quite sure why they’re here. Whatever their reason, it can take time to adjust and feel comfortable at uni, and some students decide studying is not for them. In their first year, around 14% of Australian students will choose to leave.

    What do you do if you get to uni and it isn’t quite what you expect?

    Expectations versus reality

    The transition from high school to university can be a big adjustment, especially for Year 12 students who are used to structured learning and clear guidance. Suddenly, you’re managing a new timetable, deadlines, and navigating new places and possibly new subjects on your own.

    While university social clubs and campus activities can help you settle in, your first year at university can be a lonely time. You are away from familiar school friends and in classes full of people you don’t know.

    Mature-aged students (anyone over 21) face their own challenges when life experience does not always translate to confidence in academic skills.

    Juggling study, work and personal commitments isn’t easy. Fitting university in around other life pressures can feel overwhelming.

    University is often more independent than high school, which can be a big change for students.
    Neon Wang/Unsplash

    Seek out support

    Each university will have slightly different offerings around student support.

    If you are finding the academic work difficult, ask if there are academic writing supports or library research supports available.

    If you are worried about your funds, ask about financial counselling.

    Also seek out on-campus mental health or counselling supports if you you are feeling particularly stressed about your situation.



    Read more:
    Uni is not just about lectures. When choosing a degree, ask what supports are available to you

    Can you change your degree or subjects?

    If you’re not enjoying yourself, try to work out exactly what it is you don’t like: is it university itself? Is it your course? Or just a particular subject?

    If your current degree isn’t working, you could consider switching degrees or the mix of subjects you are studying. Switching to another degree or discipline may come with credit for prior study. Remember, no learning is ever wasted, and many skills are transferable. You can talk to your university admissions team to see what’s possible.

    Or perhaps part-time study would be a better option for you. This is very common among uni students. Only 40% complete their degree within four years.

    Universities often allow up to ten years for a bachelors’ degree, so you have time to rethink and adjust. Chat with an academic advisor or student services to understand your options.

    If university isn’t working at all, remember there are many other options post-school. This includes vocational education and training courses (some of which are free) that provide practical skills, geared towards a job. It is OK to change your mind.

    Key dates to know

    Timing is important. You need to be aware of the “census date” for your particular uni. This is the deadline when your fees are locked in.

    Before then, you can drop courses without financial or academic penalties.

    Think of the time before the census date as a “try-before-you-buy” period. While dates vary between universities, the first few weeks give you a chance to experience course content and decide if it’s the right fit for you.

    Remember you are going through a big change – so go easy on yourself. And speak to academic, career, and wellbeing supports at your university if you think you need to make a change.

    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. What can you do if you’ve started uni and you don’t like it? – https://theconversation.com/what-can-you-do-if-youve-started-uni-and-you-dont-like-it-251052

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leakage is a risk with carbon storage projects – NZ’s new framework must be clear on how to deal with this liability

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Dempsey, Associate Professor in Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

    Shutterstock/Oksana Bali

    The government recently announced a framework to regulate carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) by New Zealand companies.

    Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts outlined new rules that would allow emitters to capture their carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and inject them underground for permanent disposal. They would then avoid having to pay for those emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

    Globally, CCUS is currently used mostly by coal or gas-fired power stations, liquefied natural gas plants and petroleum refineries. There are 41 commercial operations around the world, and they capture about 40 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

    Our peers (Australia, the United States and the European Union) already have CCUS frameworks and storage projects. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change acknowledges CCUS’s role in curbing emissions, but highlights challenges in scaling and technology readiness.

    New Zealand faces the challenge of reducing emissions from strategic industries such as steel, concrete, fossil fuels and their derivatives (methanol, ammonia). CCUS has been tabled as an interim solution, strongly supported by the fossil fuel industry. However, critics warn it could reduce incentives to phase out fossil fuels.

    The government argues its CCUS framework aligns New Zealand with international standards. This claim has merit insofar as successful climate action is likely to require international collaboration and technology transfer.

    CCUS in New Zealand could enable reinjection of CO₂ produced from the Kapuni gas field in Taranaki, with “utilisation” involving diverting some of the gas for use in the food and beverage or horticulture industries.

    However, leakage of CO₂ from long-term disposal sites is a major technical risk and New Zealand’s framework must be clear on how it would deal with this liability.

    A bubbling sping near Lake Boehmer emits noxious fumes.
    Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

    Lake Boehmer and how things might go wrong

    Rules for CCUS projects generally require operators to monitor, report and remedy any leakage of CO₂. But because the industry is young, it is useful to take a broader look at geological leakage in the past to reveal how future challenges play out.

    Lake Boehmer, in the the Permian Basin of West Texas, wasn’t always there. But 20 years ago an old irrigation well started leaking saltwater and hasn’t stopped since.

    The well was drilled in 1951 by an oil and gas company. No oil was discovered so the well was handed over to the landowner for irrigation. The well produced water, but also poisonous hydrogen sulphide, enough to kill a farmhand in 1953.

    In the 1990s, the well started leaking. Water from a deep aquifer had pushed its way up alongside the well through geological layers of salt. The water dissolved the salt, worsening the leak, and emerged from underground three times saltier than seawater.

    The Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas, says they are not liable to plug the well because they only have jurisdiction over oil wells. The original operator, which is claimed to have promised to plug the well “any time it becomes polluted with mineral water”, is no longer in business. No one can find the landowner.

    After 20 years, Lake Boehmer has grown to 60 acres. Its shore is rimmed in salt crystals and the odd dead bird from hydrogen sulphide exposure. No one can agree who should fix it.

    Could something similar happen with CCUS? Exacerbating factors in the Boehmer case include deterioration of an aged well – it’s almost 50 years since leakage started – and the absence of a backstop party as the final holder of liability. Both could happen with CCUS under the wrong circumstances.

    Better ways of dealing with leakage

    The Decatur CCUS project in the US state of Illinois has been injecting CO₂ produced from corn ethanol two kilometres deep into sandstone. Over about a decade, 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ has been injected – emissions diverted from the atmosphere.

    The US government imposes strict monitoring rules on CCUS projects. Special monitoring wells are drilled into the disposal aquifer to measure pressure changes and how far the CO₂ has travelled.

    Unfortunately, one of these wells started to leak, possibly due to corrosion. It allowed about 8,000 tonnes of CO₂ to escape into overlying geological layers.

    This is rightly concerning, but to put it into perspective, the size of the leak is 0.2% of the injected CO₂ volume and none of it has escaped to the atmosphere or shallow groundwater. The leak was detected, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intervened, issuing a notice that the leak be remediated, and the company plugged the well.

    This illustrates a functioning CCUS framework. Monitoring requirements ensured the leak was discovered and the regulator was empowered to dictate remedial action.

    However, critics have questioned the timeliness of the operator’s disclosure. The site remains on hold but may resume operations if the EPA is satisfied with the fix.

    Lessons for New Zealand

    A proposal circulated last year suggests the government will model its legislation on Australia and the EU, with CCUS operators being responsible for leaks during disposal operations and for a time after site closure.

    This is like the Decatur situation. It makes sense for operators to fix leaks because they have the technical expertise and are the direct financial beneficiaries of emissions disposal.

    It gets trickier on generational time frames. Companies can go out of business or might leave the country. In these cases, the government is liable for long-term leakage and may seek financial security from the operator to cover future costs.

    A leak arising decades after closure could be more difficult to detect and costly to fix, especially if held up by a protracted fight around liability. This is the Lake Boehmer example.

    Some CCUS seems inevitable if the world is to meet climate targets. It is therefore important to prepare for the possibility of a leak by having robust practices and clear responsibility.

    Although it may seem unfair to burden future generations with looking after CO₂ disposal sites, we argue it is preferable to a legacy that has those same climate-warming gases in the atmosphere.

    David Dempsey receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.

    Andrew La Croix receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.

    – ref. Leakage is a risk with carbon storage projects – NZ’s new framework must be clear on how to deal with this liability – https://theconversation.com/leakage-is-a-risk-with-carbon-storage-projects-nzs-new-framework-must-be-clear-on-how-to-deal-with-this-liability-251006

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Alcohol and gambling firms donate to political parties multiple times. And new rules won’t stop them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Lacy-Nichols, Senior Research Fellow in Commercial Determinants of Health, The University of Melbourne

    Good quality information about when and how alcohol and gambling industries try to influence government decision making should be easily accessible. But in Australia, it’s not.

    When we mapped the network of alcohol and gambling interests in Australia in our recent study, we revealed a complex web of memberships and partnerships.

    We then used the latest data on political donations from the Australian Electoral Commission to show how these companies can “double donate”, or potentially donate more than twice. That’s once directly and via their often-multiple associations.

    However, recent political donation reforms will not stop these kinds of multiple donations.

    We’re concerned about the lack of transparency in these associations and political donations, and the potential for influencing public health policy on everything from gambling reform to alcohol labelling.



    Read more:
    Parliament has passed landmark election donation laws. They may be a ‘stitch up’ but they also improve Australia’s democracy

    Hidden webs of influence

    Understanding which companies are connected with alcohol and gambling associations can be challenging. This was immediately apparent when we mapped alcohol and gambling industry associations (such as Clubs Australia, which represents both community clubs and large pokies venues, or Alcohol Beverages Australia, which represents drinks manufacturers, distributors and retailers).

    Just 75 (59.5%) of the 126 industry associations we identified disclosed their members or corporate partners.

    When we documented the members and corporate sponsors of those 75 associations, we found a large and well-connected network.

    Unsurprisingly, major alcohol and gambling companies were among the members and corporate sponsors. But these were in the minority. More than three-quarters (78.3%) were from other industries such as health, finance, construction, law, entertainment and telecommunications. Some of these were among the most well-connected organisations in the network.

    The figure below shows the links between the most connected associations and corporate partners, using data from 2022.

    The larger circles indicate more connections in the network (for example, associations with more partners). Circles of alcohol interests are blue, gambling is pink, industry associations are orange, and other industries are shown in grey. The lines show a direct link (for instance, between a company and industry association).

    We revealed a large and well-connected network of alcohol and gambling associations.
    Author provided

    We also investigated how transparent these relationships were. We mapped disclosures about two prominent groups: the hotels associations (which represent pubs and hotels) and the clubs associations.

    Of the 658 relationships assessed, only 91 (13.8%) were transparently disclosed. Alcohol companies were the least transparent (disclosing none fully). Gambling companies fully disclosed only 19 relationships.

    The figure below compares the number of disclosures from alcohol, gambling and other companies about their relationships with hotels and clubs associations.

    On the left, we have industry sectors. On the right we have the clubs and hotels associations they partner with. In the middle we show how many of those relationships were fully, partially or not disclosed at all.

    Here’s what hotels and clubs assocations disclosed.
    Author provided

    Poor transparency is just the start

    Poor transparency in membership of hotels and clubs associations makes it even harder to keep track of which companies are making political donations to which parties, and how much they’re donating in total.

    Donations are often said to buy access to politicians, which can facilitate political influence. Companies who may not want to visibly support political parties can donate via intermediaries – in this case, associations that represent their interests. Depending on how many associations a company belongs to, companies can cultivate multiple access points to government.

    This gives them more opportunities to influence politics – and perhaps oppose public policies that threaten their commercial interests.

    These multiple access points are often opaque. The potential links between the thousands of donors in political donation data from the Australian Electoral Commission are not explicit. This makes it challenging for someone with limited time and resources to easily understand which company is giving money to which party, how much, and why. So much of the money in Australian politics is effectively hidden.

    It was only through extensive data collection, cleaning and linking that we could map links between alcohol and gambling sectors. We then linked our dataset to the new data published by the Australian Electoral Commission on February 1.

    If we look at just alcohol and gambling companies, we can see that several essentially “double donate”. They donate once directly and a second time (or more) indirectly via their associations.

    We put together a simple visual below to show the flow of funds for the largest alcohol and gambling donors and associations in our dataset.

    On the left we have the alcohol and gambling companies donating to political parties on the right. In the middle, we have have alcohol and gambling industry associations also donating to the political parties. The lines represent the financial connection between entities. The wider the lines, the more money we know is donated.

    Alcohol and gambling industry donations to political parties, 2023-24.
    Author provided

    Why aren’t recent reforms enough?

    The most recent donation reforms mean political donations over A$5,000 must be disclosed, and these must be disclosed monthly. However, these reforms are far weaker than originally proposed (real-time reporting, $1,000 disclosure cap). This potentially allows alcohol and gambling industries to influence government and hide it.

    Our current political integrity safeguards are failing us. That’s because the reforms do not compel industry groups to disclose their members or funders. This potentially allows companies to donate to political parties under the radar.

    This would be the case for the 51 organisations we found that did not have a list of members publicly available.

    Better transparency – about donations, lobbyists, conflicts of interest and more – can help ensure government decision-making is not unduly influenced by vested interests.

    With a federal election looming, it is important the public can trust policies from all sides of politics are free from undue influence.

    Cara Platts from the University of Melbourne coauthored the academic paper on which this article is based, and contributed to this article.

    Jennifer Lacy-Nichols receives funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Association and the National Health and Medical Research Council. She is a member of Transparency International Australia, the Public Health Association of Australia and Healthy Food Systems Australia.

    – ref. Alcohol and gambling firms donate to political parties multiple times. And new rules won’t stop them – https://theconversation.com/alcohol-and-gambling-firms-donate-to-political-parties-multiple-times-and-new-rules-wont-stop-them-250374

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The WA election campaign has been about big promises, but culture wars are inescapable in contemporary politics

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Broom, Lecturer in Politics and Policy, Murdoch University

    The Western Australian election is less than a week away, and two themes have dominated: big public spending and culture wars.

    The main parties are racking up a long and expensive list of policy promises. The ABC’s election promise tracker shows big spending in suburban road upgrades, improving school access and infrastructure, responding to domestic and family violence, and addressing undercapacity in WA’s health system. The combined promised spend of Labor, Liberals, Nationals and the Greens is estimated to exceed A$16 billion.

    Appeals to fiscal restraint have been quiet. Labor is trumpeting its responsible economic management, while the Liberals are promising to “set the right priorities”. There is little talk of slashing and saving.

    The combination of the cost-of-living crisis and WA’s strong economy has dampened the public’s appetite for austerity. It has also provided the parties with the cover to spend without seeming fiscally reckless.

    While the policy priorities between the parties are broadly similar, there remain significant differences.

    Policy debates on housing and climate

    In housing, for example, all parties promise to slash stamp duty for first home buyers, but their proposals otherwise differ:

    For climate policy, the differences are starker. Labor promises a coal-free grid by 2030 and a green energy future built in WA, driven by windfarms and WA-made home batteries. It stops short at reducing natural gas use, unlike the Greens.

    However, Labor has also pushed back against environmental regulation. Premier Roger Cook lobbied the federal government to abandon environmental protection legislation.

    The recent release of a long-withheld independent report that prompted sweeping changes to the WA Environmental Protection Agency was criticised by conservation organisations for its lack of consultation outside of the mining industry.

    The Liberals agree on the need for batteries and wind power. However, they also promise to extend the lifespan of WA’s coal power stations and lift the ban on uranium mining in WA.

    In her campaign launch speech, Liberal leader Libby Mettam pledged to cut “green tape” and defund the Environmental Defenders Office. This is on the grounds that “taxpayer money should not be spent propping up activists”.

    The culture wars cometh

    Mettam’s choice to target “activists” signals the Liberals’ flirtation with the culture wars. This term refers to conflict over social issues concerning identity and inclusion such as gender, race and sexuality. These issues are invoked by politicians to win votes from a polarised electorate.

    Centre-right parties around the world have embraced culture wars, including in Australia.

    Aligning herself with federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton, Mettam has stated she will refuse to stand in front of the First Nations flags.

    She’s also promised to “ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatments and surgical intervention for children under the age of 16 for the purpose of gender transition” and launch a comprehensive review of these treatments.

    There are incentives for the Liberals to engage in culture war tactics.

    Labor’s electoral position is stable. It also holds a dominant share of political donations. Public desire for big spending is limiting the effectiveness of traditional conservative attacks on Labor’s economic management.

    The Liberals may perceive culture-war signalling as their most viable strategy for winning government. And, if the results of recent elections around the world are anything to go by, then “anti-woke” politics is surging.

    Scandals involving various Liberal candidates further deepen the perception the Liberals are engaged in culture wars.

    Albany candidate Thomas Brough was ordered to take workplace training with the Australian Human Rights Commission after making comments falsely linking the LGBTQIA+ community with paedophilia. Brough (who is a doctor) was referred to the State Administrative Tribunal by the Medical Board for the comments.

    Brough also came under fire for suggesting a “posse” of regional doctors would help gun owners navigate new stricter gun laws introduced by Labor. Brough has not been asked by the party to resign.

    Similarly, a rising star for the Liberals and candidate for Churchlands, Basil Zempilas, made widely condemned comments about transgender people on his radio show in 2020, shortly after becoming Lord Mayor of Perth. Apologising after, he said he had “forgotten he was lord mayor”.

    The party also preselected candidates whose digital footprints revealed unpalatable views.

    During an awkward press conference, Darling Range candidate Paul Mansfield was confronted with what the ABC described as “a series of derogatory social media posts, including homophobic slurs and two lewd posts about women”.

    Kimberley candidate Darren Spackman was asked to leave the party after derogatory social media posts he made in 2022 about Indigenous people were republished.

    The preselection of these candidates could be written off as the reflection of a hollowed-out party struggling to attract strong candidates.

    But under Mettam, the WA Liberal Party is caught between signalling it is part of the anti-woke surge and being seen to resist discrimination.

    It is unclear whether the culture wars will secure votes for the Liberals. Recent research shows strong support for issues such as transgender rights among Australian voters.

    How WA voters respond to culture-war messaging will undoubtedly inform the Liberals’ position in the federal election.

    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 WA election campaign has been about big promises, but culture wars are inescapable in contemporary politics – https://theconversation.com/the-wa-election-campaign-has-been-about-big-promises-but-culture-wars-are-inescapable-in-contemporary-politics-249691

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Submarine cables keep the world connected. They can also help us study climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cynthia Mehboob, PhD Scholar in Department of International Relations, Australian National University

    Gail Johnson/Shutterstock

    Last month tech giant Meta announced plans to build the world’s longest submarine communication cable.

    Known as Project Waterworth, the 50,000-kilometre cable would link five continents. Meta says it would improve connectivity and technological development in countries including the United States, India and Brazil.

    Improving global connectivity has been the main purpose of submarine cables since the first one was laid across the Atlantic Ocean in 1858.

    Globally, there are currently around 1.4 million kilometres of these garden hose-sized, plastic-wrapped cables. The optical fibres inside can transmit data at speeds of up to 300 terabits per second.

    But submarine cables can do far more than just enhance telecommunications. In fact, a recent conference I attended in London highlighted how a relatively new generation of cables can also be used to keep us safe from threats such as climate change and natural disasters.

    Multipurpose cables

    SMART – short for Scientific Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications – cables are designed for environmental monitoring. They are a joint initiative by the International Telecommunications Union, the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

    The Transatlantic submarine cable, connecting British North America to Ireland, was laid in 1858.
    Rod Allday, CC BY-SA

    These cables are equipped with sensors that measure vital environmental data in the ocean. This data includes seismic activity, temperature fluctuations and pressure changes. It can be used to improve early-warning systems for tsunamis and earthquakes as well as tracking changes in the climate.

    OFS – short for optical fibre sensing – cables are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure. They use the fibre within to detect vibrations surrounding the cable. This allows cable operators to identify potential disruptions from fishing activity, ship anchors and other physical disturbances.

    A handful of countries, including France and Portugal, are actively investing in these cables. The European Commission is also supporting SMART cable projects within broader infrastructure strategies.

    A slow uptake

    The topic of sensing cables comes up at conferences, thanks to industry professionals who work on it pro bono. But the technology isn’t widely adopted by the broader industry and governments. For example, SMART cables have been around since 2010, but there are only two projects in development.

    The reasons for this slow uptake boil down to three major concerns, as discussed at the conference.

    1. Outdated regulation

    The legal framework governing undersea cables is outdated.

    While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regulates international waters, it doesn’t address cables equipped with environmental sensors.

    This legal ambiguity introduces additional complexities to already lengthy and complex processes for obtaining permits when sensing technologies are integrated into cables.

    2. No clear business model

    Industry executives question the financial feasibility of sensing cables. For example, during the conference in London, several industry executives suggested adding sensors raises costs by approximately 15%, with no clear revenue return.

    Unlike data traffic, environmental data doesn’t directly generate income. Unless governments intervene with funding, tax incentives or expedited permits, cable operators have little incentive to absorb these added costs and complexities.

    3. Security risks

    At the subsea cable conference in London, several industry insiders also warned embedding sensors in cables could create new security risks.

    Some governments might view sensing-equipped cables as surveillance tools rather than neutral scientific infrastructure.

    There is also concern such cables could become attractive targets for malicious actors.

    Large ships are used to deploy and repair submarine cables in the ocean.
    Korn Srirawan/Shutterstock

    A need for more ocean data

    But there are good reasons for more countries and industry to invest in SMART cables.

    For example, information on ocean depth, seabed composition and temperature fluctuations is valuable. A wide array of industries, from shipping and offshore energy to fisheries and insurance, could leverage this data to enhance their operations and mitigate risks.

    Scientists have also pointed out that in order to better understand climate change, we need more and better data about what’s happening in the ocean.

    Current subsea cable regulatory hurdles make investing in sensing technology challenging. But if regulation is updated, projects such as Meta’s Waterworth Project could more easily integrate sensors.

    With experts suggesting the Waterworth Project be viewed as multiple cables instead of one, sensors could just be deployed on less geopolitically sensitive cable branches.

    They could facilitate the creation of an open-access, publicly funded database for ocean observation data. Such a platform could consolidate real-time data from sensing cables, satellites and marine sensors. This would provide a transparent, shared resource for scientists, policymakers and industries alike.

    Of course, deploying sensing technology may not be feasible in volatile regions such as the Baltic or South China seas.

    But there is potential in areas especially vulnerable to climate change, such as the Pacific. Here, scientific data could be harnessed to model oceanic changes and explore solutions to rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.

    Data collected from submarine cables can help us better understand the effects of climate change on the ocean.
    somavarapu madhavi/Shutterstock

    A path forward

    Portugal demonstrates a path forward for SMART cables. Despite the regulatory challenges, it is actively investing in SMART cables in order to improve climate data.

    Other governments can learn from this if they wish to fulfil their moral duty to invest in infrastructure that serves as a public good.

    The idea of embedding sensors in cables may not be the perfect climate change fix. But it’s a step toward understanding the ocean’s invisible rhythms – a small but necessary gesture to stop pretending our planet’s breakdown will fix itself.

    Cynthia Mehboob 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. Submarine cables keep the world connected. They can also help us study climate change – https://theconversation.com/submarine-cables-keep-the-world-connected-they-can-also-help-us-study-climate-change-251046

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth

    Deal will create 200 jobs in Northern Ireland and provide 5000 air defence missiles missiles to Ukraine.

    200 new jobs will be created and hundreds more supported at one of the UK’s leading defence manufacturers, after a £1.6bn deal was announced by the Prime Minister today to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine.

    The latest measures in the UK’s support for Ukraine to achieve peace through strength, the deal will also provide a major boost to the UK economy and support 700 existing jobs at Thales in Belfast, which will manufacture more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles (LMM) for Ukraine’s defence. The deal will see production of LMMs at Thales’s factory treble and will also benefit companies in the Thales Supply Chain across the UK – putting more money in working people’s pockets.

    It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast and the second largest MOD has placed with Thales, building on a previous contract with Thales, signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. The first batch of missiles were delivered before Christmas, and this new contract will continue deliveries.

    The deal comes after the Prime Minister announced the Government’s commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and confirmed an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, in order to keep Britain safe and secure for generations to come. This investment will be an opportunity to translate defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British skills, and British innovation.

    The deal helps deliver on the Government’s pledge in its Plan for Change to improve the lives of people in every corner of the UK by growing the economy. By spending more on defence we will deliver the national security that underpins economic growth, and unlock new jobs, skills and opportunities across the country. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    My support for Ukraine is unwavering. I am determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.

    I am also clear that national security is economic security. As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.

    By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    Three years since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, we are now at a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and the security of us all in Europe. 

    We all want a secure and lasting peace. As today’s meeting has showed, the UK will continue to lead international efforts to support Ukraine in securing a ceasefire and durable peace. And we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. This new support will help protect Ukraine against drone and missile attacks but it will also help deter further Russian aggression following any end to the fighting.

    This new deal delivers on the UK’s ironclad commitment to step up military support for Ukraine, whilst boosting jobs and growth at home.

    ​Today’s deal marks a historic step for industrial relations between the UK and Ukraine, building on the 100 Year Partnership signed recently by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The contract will enable Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn of export finance to acquire military equipment from UK companies, boosting both the UK’s and Ukraine’s defence industrial bases and support investment in further military capabilities.

    Ukraine has already put the highly capable LMM missile to use as part of its air defences where it has proven to be incredibly effective in protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from Russia’s bombardment. A £162m contract announced in September last year saw 650 LMM missiles supplied to Ukraine as an initial order to ramp up production – deliveries started in December 2024.

    Thales Northern Ireland will deliver the contract – worth an initial £1.16bn with the potential for around a further £500m of work to be added – in collaboration with a Ukrainian industry partner, which will manufacture launchers and command and control vehicles for the missiles in Ukraine.

    The contract has been placed by the MOD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment & Support on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, to be funded by a loan underwritten by United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) after a deal signed last year to allow Ukraine to draw on £3.5bn worth of support from UKEF to spend with UK industry.

    As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the Government – and a strong economy is built on the bedrock of strong security. Increased defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK. Last year, defence spending supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60, and 68% of defence spending goes outside of London and the Southeast, benefitting every nation and region of the country.

    Andy Start, DE&S CEO and UK National Armaments Director said:

    The UK’s Defence Industry has supported Ukraine from the start of the war and this important contract underlines industry’s ability to scale up production at pace to deliver the world-class defence equipment Ukraine requires.

     This contract is a critical next step in the work of Task Force HIRST in developing lasting partnerships between the UK and Ukraine’s defence industries. The substantial increase in LMM production capacity will benefit both Ukraine’s fight tonight, as well as the longer-term security of the UK.

    The deal marks the next milestone in the work of the MOD’s Taskforce HIRST and the first of a series of “mega projects” to be delivered for Ukraine, with the HIRST team working to build long-term relationships with Ukrainian industry to restore and modernise their defence industrial base, support its future defence and economic growth.

    Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced a new £150m military support package to support Ukrainian troops fighting Russia on the frontline, part of the UK’s unprecedented £3 billion annual pledge to Ukraine.

    The UK has committed to spending £3bn next financial year to support Ukraine, with an additional £1.5bn from interest on seized assets through the Extraordinary Revenue Accelerator – taking the total to £4.5Bn. This will ensure Ukraine can achieve peace through strength and underscoring the new 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM remarks at international leaders’ summit press conference: 2 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    PM remarks at international leaders’ summit press conference: 2 March 2025

    The Prime Minister’s remarks at the International Leaders summit press conference in London.

    Good afternoon. 

    The first priority of this government – of any government…

    Is the security and safety of the British people…

    To defend the national interest…

    Particularly in these volatile times.

    That’s why, last week…

    I announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

    That’s also why I met President Trump last week…

    To strengthen our relationship with America –

    As indispensable partners in defence and security. 

    And it’s why, this weekend, I have been hosting European leaders here in London…

    To work together…

    For the security of the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

    Through my discussions over recent days…

    We have agreed that the UK, France and others…

    Will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting…

    Then we’ll discuss that plan with the United States…

    And take it forward together. 

    The purpose of today’s meeting was to unite our partners around this effort…

    To strengthen Ukraine…

    And to support a just and enduring peace… 

    For the good of all of us. 

    Our starting point must be…

    To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position now…

    So that they can negotiate from a position of strength. 

    And we are doubling down in our support.

    Yesterday evening…

    The UK signed a £2.2 billion loan…

    To provide more military aid to Ukraine –

    Backed, not by the British taxpayer…

    But by the profits from frozen Russian assets.

    And today, I am announcing a new deal…

    Which allows Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance…

    To buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles…

    Which will be made in Belfast…

    Creating jobs in our brilliant defence sector.

    This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now…

    And strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace, when it comes.

    Because we have to learn from the mistakes of the past. 

    We cannot accept a weak deal like Minsk – 

    Which Russia can breach with ease.

    Instead, any deal must be backed by strength. 

    Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can. 

    Bringing different capabilities and support to the table…

    But all taking responsibility to act…

    All stepping up to their own share of the burden. 

    So we agreed some important steps today. 

    First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia…

    To strengthen Ukraine now. 

    Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. 

    And Ukraine must be at the table. 

    Third, in the event of a peace deal…

    We will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities…

    To deter any future invasion. 

    Fourth, we will go further to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend a deal in Ukraine…

    And to guarantee the peace.

    Not every nation will feel able to contribute. 

    But that can’t mean we sit back. 

    Instead, those willing will intensify planning now – with real urgency.

    The UK is prepared to back this…

    With boots on the ground, and planes in the air…

    Together with others. 

    Europe must do the heavy lifting…

    But to support peace on our continent.

    And to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing.

    We’re working with the US on this point, after my meeting with President Trump last week. 

    And let me be clear – we agree with the President on the urgent need for a durable peace.

    Now we need to deliver, together. 

    Finally, we agreed that leaders will meet again very soon…

    To keep the pace behind these actions…

    And to keep working towards this shared plan.

    We are at a crossroads in history today. 

    This is not a moment for more talk – 

    It is time to act….

    Time to step up and lead…

    And to unite around a new plan…

    For a just and enduring peace.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kristina P. Brant, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State

    Parts of the North Fork of the Kentucky River flooded in July 2022, and again in February 2025. Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

    On Valentine’s Day 2025, heavy rains started to fall in parts of rural Appalachia. Over the course of a few days, residents in eastern Kentucky watched as river levels rose and surpassed flood levels. Emergency teams conducted over 1,000 water rescues. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were displaced from homes, and entire business districts filled with mud.

    For some, it was the third time in just four years that their homes had flooded, and the process of disposing of destroyed furniture, cleaning out the muck and starting anew is beginning again.

    Historic floods wiped out businesses and homes in eastern Kentucky in February 2021, July 2022 and now February 2025. An even greater scale of destruction hit eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina in September 2024, when Hurricane Helene’s rainfall and flooding decimated towns and washed out parts of major highways.

    Scenes of flooding from several locations across Appalachia in February 2025.

    Each of these events was considered to be a “thousand-year flood,” with a 1-in-1,000 chance of happening in a given year. Yet they’re happening more often.

    The floods have highlighted the resilience of local people to work together for collective survival in rural Appalachia. But they have also exposed the deep vulnerability of communities, many of which are located along creeks at the base of hills and mountains with poor emergency warning systems. As short-term cleanup leads to long-term recovery efforts, residents can face daunting barriers that leave many facing the same flood risks over and over again.

    Exposing a housing crisis

    For the past nine years, I have been conducting research on rural health and poverty in Appalachia. It’s a complex region often painted in broad brushstrokes that miss the geographic, socioeconomic and ideological diversity it holds.

    Appalachia is home to a vibrant culture, a fierce sense of pride and a strong sense of love. But it is also marked by the omnipresent backdrop of a declining coal industry.

    There is considerable local inequality that is often overlooked in a region portrayed as one-dimensional. Poverty levels are indeed high. In Perry County, Kentucky, where one of eastern Kentucky’s larger cities, Hazard, is located, nearly 30% of the population lives under the federal poverty line. But the average income of the top 1% of workers in Perry County is nearly US$470,000 – 17 times more than the average income of the remaining 99%.

    This income and wealth inequality translates to unequal land ownership – much of eastern Kentucky’s most desirable land remains in the hands of corporations and families with great generational wealth.

    When I first moved to eastern Kentucky in 2016, I was struck by the grave lack of affordable, quality housing. I met families paying $200-$300 a month for a small plot to put a mobile home. Others lived in “found housing” – often-distressed properties owned by family members. They had no lease, no equity and no insurance. They had a place to lay one’s head but lacked long-term stability in the event of disagreement or disaster. This reality was rarely acknowledged by local and state governments.

    Eastern Kentucky’s 2021 and 2022 floods turned this into a full-blown housing crisis, with 9,000 homes damaged or destroyed in the 2022 flood alone.

    “There was no empty housing or empty places for housing,” one resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me. “It just was complete disaster because people just didn’t have a place to go.”

    Most homeowners did not have flood insurance to assist with rebuilding costs. While many applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, the amounts they received often did not go far. The maximum aid for temporary housing assistance and repairs is $42,500, plus up to an additional $42,500 for other needs related to the disaster.

    The federal government often provides more aid for rebuilding through block grants directed to local and state governments, but that money requires congressional approval and can take months to years to arrive. Local community coalitions and organizations stepped in to fill these gaps, but they did not necessarily have sufficient donations or resources to help such large numbers of displaced people.

    Affordable rental housing is hard to find in much of Appalachia. When flooding wipes out homes, as Jackson, Ky., saw in July 2022 and again in February 2025, it becomes even more rare.
    Michael Swensen/Getty Images

    With a dearth of affordable rentals pre-flood, renters who lost their homes had no place to go. And those living in “found housing” that was destroyed were not eligible for federal support for rebuilding.

    The sheer level of devastation also posed challenges. One health care professional told me: “In Appalachia, the way it usually works is if you lose your house or something happens, then you go stay with your brother or your mom or your cousin. … But everybody’s mom and brother and cousin also lost their house. There was nowhere to stay.” From her point of view, “our homelessness just skyrocketed.”

    The cost of land – social and economic

    After the 2022 flood, the Kentucky Department for Local Government earmarked almost $300 million of federal funding to build new, flood-resilient homes in eastern Kentucky. Yet the question of where to build remained. As another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me, “You can give us all the money you want; we don’t have any place to build the house.”

    It has always been costly and time-intensive to develop land in Appalachia. Available higher ground tends to be located on former strip mines, and these reclaimed lands require careful geotechnical surveying and sometimes structural reinforcements.

    If these areas are remote, the costs of running electric, water and other infrastructure services can also be prohibitive. For this reason, for-profit developers have largely avoided many counties in the region. The head of a nonprofit agency explained to me that, because of this, “The markets have broken. … We have no [housing] market.”

    Eastern Kentucky’s mountains are beautiful, but there are few locations for building homes that aren’t near creeks or rivers. Strip-mined land, where mountaintops were flattened, often aren’t easily accessible and come with their own challenges.
    Posnov/Moment via Getty Images

    There is also some risk involved in attempting to build homes on new land that has not previously been developed. A local government could pay for undeveloped land to be surveyed and prepared for development, with the prospect of reimbursement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if housing is successfully built. But if, after the work to prepare the land, it is still too cost-prohibitive to build a profitable house there, the local government would not receive any reimbursement.

    Some counties have found success clearing land for large developments on former strip mine sites. But these former coal mining areas can be considerable distances from towns. Without robust public transportation systems, these distances are especially prohibitive for residents who lack reliable personal transportation.

    Another barrier is the high prices that both individual and corporate landowners are asking for properties on higher ground.

    The scarcity of desirable land available for sale, combined with increasingly urgent demand, has led to prices unaffordable for most. Another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts explained: “If you paid $5,000 for 30 acres 40 years ago, why won’t you sell that for $100,000? Nope, [they want] $1 million.” That makes it increasingly difficult for both individuals and housing developers to purchase land and build.

    One reason for this scarcity is the amount of land that is still owned by outside corporate interests. For example, Kentucky River Properties, formerly Kentucky River Coal Corporation, owns over 270,000 acres across seven counties in the region. While this landholding company leases land to coal, timber and gas companies, it and others like it rarely permit residential development.

    But not all unused land is owned by corporations. Some of this land is owned by families with deep roots in the region. People’s attachment to a place often makes them want to stay in their communities, even after disasters. But it can also limit the amount of land available for rebuilding. People are often hesitant to sell land that holds deep significance for their families, even if they are not living there themselves.

    Rural communities are often tight-knit. Many residents want to stay despite the risks.
    AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

    One health care professional expressed feeling torn between selling or keeping their own family property after the 2022 flood: “We have a significant amount of property on top of a mountain. I wouldn’t want to sell it because my papa came from nothing. … His generation thought owning land was the greatest thing. … And for him to provide his children and his grandchildren and their great-grandchildren a plot of land that he worked and sweat and ultimately died to give us – people want to hold onto that.”

    She recognized that land was in great demand but couldn’t bring herself to sell what she owned. In cases like hers, higher grounds are owned locally but still remain unused.

    Moving toward higher ground, slowly

    Two years after the 2022 flood, major government funding for rebuilding still has not resulted in a significant number of homes. The state has planned seven communities on higher ground in eastern Kentucky that aim to house 665 new homes. As of early 2025, 14 houses had been completed.

    Progress on providing housing on higher ground is slow, and the need is great.

    In the meantime, when I conducted interviews during the summer and fall of 2024, many of the mobile home communities that were decimated in the 2022 flood had begun to fill back up. These were flood-risk areas, but there was simply no other place to go.

    Last week, I watched on Facebook a friend’s live video footage showing the waters creeping up the sides of the mobile homes in one of those very communities that had flooded in 2022. Another of my friends mused: “I don’t know who constructed all this, but they did an unjustly favor by not thinking how close these towns was to the river. Can’t anyone in Frankfort help us, or has it gone too far?”

    With hundreds more people now displaced by the most recent flood, the need for homes on higher grounds has only expanded, and the wait continues.

    Kristina Brant has received funding from the National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture to support her past and ongoing research in rural Appalachia.

    – ref. In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations – https://theconversation.com/in-many-of-appalachias-flood-ravaged-areas-residents-have-little-choice-but-rebuild-in-risky-locations-240429

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Doorstep by President von der Leyen, following the Leaders’ meeting on Ukraine in London, UK

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
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    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHFpun9g2BE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mar 02, 2025 Capital Area Transit System Workers to Strike Tomorrow, Monday, March 3

    Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union

    Union Frustrated over CATS imposing Final Contract Offer, Serious Safety Issues, and Other Concerns

    Baton Rouge, LA – After months of stalled negotiations, frustrated Capital Area Transit System (CATS) workers, members of ATU Local 1546-Baton Rouge, LA., are set to go on strike on Monday, March 3 at 3AM after CATS imposed its final contract offer and refuses to address serious safety concerns.

    In hopes of avoiding a strike, the Union and CATS management met earlier this week. After the Union set a deadline to meet again on Thursday, CATS CEO Theo Richards never came back to the table, leading to the Union to decide to strike.

    “CATS has left us with no other choice but to walk off the job. We want the citizens of Baton Rouge to know we did not want to strike. We hope they stand with us. Our frontline bus operators who keep our city moving have been ignored for far too long by CATS management,” said Local President/Business Agent George DeCuir. “We have been willing to sit down and get a deal done. But it has become clear CATS has no interest in giving our members a fair contract and our riders the transit system that they deserve.”

    At the end of January, CATS refused to negotiate with the Union and instead implemented its own contract offer without Union approval, increasing tensions between the two sides. The contract failed to address the Union’s key concerns and made changes to disciplinary, grievance and overtime policies without input from the Union. Earlier in January, after CATS had gone back on their promises during ongoing negotiations, the almost 100 workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if necessary.

    “Our Union only uses a full strike as a last resort since we don’t want to abandon our riders who depend on us. But CATS has left us with no other option,” said ATU International President John Costa. “This isn’t just about a contract, it’s about ensuring a safe and reliable transit system. Public transit should not be treated like an afterthought. For the sake of our riders and community, it’s time for CATS management to come back to the table immediately to get a fair deal done for these frontline workers. But rest assured our members will stand together in solidarity until we win.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Triathlon test event staged

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A test event for the 15th National Games Triathlon was staged at Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour yesterday and today.

    Around 110 athletes from the Mainland, Macau and Hong Kong participated in the two-day event.

    In the first-ever mixed relay event held in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong team claimed the bronze medal.

    Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung said the race route, ending at the Central Harboufont Event Space, was varied.

    The athletes ran past a number of Hong Kong landmarks, including the Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Central Government Offices, the Legislative Council Complex, and the Observation Wheel.

    The cycling route was between Golden Bauhinia Square and the International Finance Centre, taking in the dramatic backdrop of Central and Victoria Harbour.

    A stand for spectators was in place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, giving audience members a close view of participants crossing the finish line.

    The event tested various operations and procedures, race arrangements, venue setup, information systems, security, medical services, accommodation, hospitality, food and beverage services, transportation, contingency plans, and more.

    Mr Yeung said the office will review the event procedures and other details with relevant organisations and government departments with a view to preparing for official events due to be held at the end of this year.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: How to easily earn USD at home: Cloud mining to easily earn cryptocurrencies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Monmouthshire, UK, March 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alr Miner, a leading AI cloud mining platform, is making waves in the cryptocurrency industry by offering a limited-time $12 login mining bonus to new users. The program is designed to lower the barrier to entry for cryptocurrency enthusiasts and provide a seamless, cost-effective way to start earning Bitcoin through cloud mining.

    What is Cloud Mining?

    Cloud mining is an effective method that makes cloud mining a remote mining of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin mining. With this method, you can make cloud mining profitable in the following ways: borrow the mining power of cloud mining companies to avoid personal investment in hardware and maintenance; use powerful computers to access large mining farms, tirelessly solve cryptographic puzzles and receive cryptocurrency rewards.

    Alr Miner: Where laziness meets profit

    Alr Miner takes cloud mining simplicity to the highest level, making it perfect for newbies. The platform’s user-friendly interface ensures that even cryptocurrency newbies can navigate it with ease.For Alr Miner, laziness is not a shortcoming; it is the path to success. As a pioneer in providing cloud mining services, Alr Miner has more than 100 mining farms around the world, with more than 100,000 mining equipment, all using new energy and renewable cycle power generation. With its stable income and security, it has won the recognition of more than 6.9 million users.

    Incredible earning opportunities

    What makes Alr Miner different is its extraordinary daily passive income. Offering the opportunity to earn $10,800 or more per day, Alr Miner enables users to realize their dream of getting rich online. Imagine earning a substantial income without constant effort or complicated setup – that’s what Alr Miner offers.

    Safety sustainability

    In the world of mining, trust and security are of paramount importance. Alr Miner understands this and puts user safety first. Alr Miner is committed to transparency and legality, ensuring that your investment is protected, allowing you to focus on gaining profits. All mines use clean energy electricity, making cloud mining carbon neutral. Renewable energy prevents environmental pollution and has super high returns, allowing every investor to enjoy opportunities and benefits.

    Alr Miner Platform Advantages:

    1: Cutting-edge equipment: We use mining equipment provided by top mining machine manufacturers such as Bitmain, Antminer, and JuNeng Combination Miner to ensure the stable operation and efficient production capacity of Bitcoin mining machines.

    2: Legality and global audience: The platform was legally established in the UK in 2018, protected and issued by the UK government, and has attracted more than 6.9 million real users worldwide with cutting-edge technology.

    3: Intuitive Interface: The platform’s user-friendly interface ensures that even crypto newbies can navigate with ease.

    4: Support a variety of popular cryptocurrencies: such as DOGE, BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, BCH, LTC, XRP, SOL, etc. for settlement.

    5: Stable income: The contracts launched by the platform generate income every 24 hours, and the principal will be automatically returned after the contract expires.

    6: Professional team: The platform has an experienced IT team and 24/7 real-time customer service team support to ensure that users can solve problems in a timely manner.

    7: Affiliate Program: Allows you to refer friends and get a referral bonus of up to $60,000.

    How to join Alr Miner:1: Sign up now to get a $12 bonus ($0.60 for daily check-ins).2: Choose a contract: After successfully registering, the next step is to choose a mining contract that suits your goals and budget. Alr Miner offers a variety of contracts to suit different needs, whether you are a beginner or an experienced miner. Take a close look at the available options, considering factors such as contract length, potential returns, and associated costs.3: Start Profiting: Once you have selected and activated your mining contract, you can sit back and let the system do the work for you. Alr Miner’s advanced technology ensures that your mining operation runs efficiently, maximizing your potential earnings.Choose the contract that suits your investment strategy:

    Affiliate Program

    Now, Alr Miner also launched an affiliate program, a platform where you can earn money by recommending the site to other people. You can start earning money even without investing. After inviting a certain number of active referrals, you will receive a one-time fixed bonus of up to $60,000. With unlimited referrals, your earning potential is unlimited too!

    In short

    If you are looking for ways to increase your passive income, cloud mining is a great way to do it. If used correctly, these opportunities can help you grow your cryptocurrency wealth in “autopilot” mode with minimal time investment.At the very least, they should take less time than any type of active trading. Passive income is the goal of every investor and trader, and with  Alr Miner, you can maximize your passive income potential easier than ever before.

    If you want to know more about Alr Miner, please visit its official website

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    Olivia Miller 
    Marketing Manager
    Alr Miner
    +44 7514 226545
    info(at)alrminer.com

    https://t.me/Alrminer

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Soaring U.S. egg prices and millions of dead chickens signal the deep problems and risks in modern poultry production

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tony Weis, Professor of Geography and Environment, Western University

    The recent volatility of egg prices in the United States has been a hot topic. Media coverage has consistently made the connection between supply problems and virulent strains of avian flu that has been afflicting poultry birds since 2022.

    Many articles have indicated that, in addition to millions of birds dying from avian flu, infected flocks have widely been killed en masse in an attempt to contain its spread. The livestock industry euphemistically calls this killing of infected animals “depopulation,” and around 150 million birds have been depopulated since the current crisis began.

    I have studied industrial livestock production for many years and have seen its myriad problems flash in and out of the media — such as greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, food-borne illnesses, labour exploitation, and animal suffering. But it’s rare for the sector to stay in the media for long.

    The unusually heavy media coverage of expensive eggs, depopulated chickens and avian flu has highlighted some of the deep problems and risks of modern poultry production. Unfortunately, however, important context and dynamics have been regularly omitted.

    Unpacking key omissions helps to better understand both the nature of these chronic risks of infectious disease and the perilous response of the Trump administration.

    The spotlight on avian flu

    Multiple strains of avian flu chronically circulate within populations of both wild and domesticated birds. Avian flu is prone to frequent mutations, and occasionally some strains become more virulent and spillover across species.

    In addition to the problems avian flu in poultry production, recent media coverage has also highlighted the virus’s broader dangers.

    Avian flu is currently ravaging many wild animal species around the world, reaching into extremely remote places and even zoos.

    In the U.S., avian flu recently spilled over into cattle — causing widespread illness after a mutation enabled intra-species transmission.

    Avian flu has also caused a small number of severe human illnesses in the U.S. (primarily workers in poultry operations). Although no human-to-human transmission is evident — a necessary condition for a pandemic — this potential remains a grave threat.

    Key issues underplayed

    Although the media coverage of egg prices, depopulated chickens and avian flu has cast a valuable spotlight on many aspects of modern poultry production, it has also tended to leave out some important elements.

    Mentions in the media of many millions of chickens being killed to contain the spread of avian flu will surely sound jarring to some. But such figures pale in comparison to the 9.5 billion chickens slaughtered annually in the U.S. and the 76 billion slaughtered annually worldwide.

    Poultry birds now comprise 70 per cent of the total biomass of all birds on earth. Most are produced in densely-packed operations where reproduction, life and death have been greatly accelerated.

    Modern chickens have been selectively bred to either put on weight (broilers) or produce eggs (layers) very quickly. Broilers reach slaughter weight in a mere six weeks. Layer hens produce nearly an egg a day for about a year or two, before being slaughtered. These short life-cycles are rarely mentioned in coverage of depopulations.

    The growing risk of avian flu mutations relate to both enormity of poultry bird populations — by far the biggest habitat for the virus — and the unhealthy conditions of life in large enclosures.

    According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, over 97 per cent of layers live in operations with at least 10,000 birds. Over 99 per cent of broilers are grown in operations with annual sales of at least 100,000 birds.

    This scale also relates to a question that has, with a few notable exceptions, received scant coverage: since infected populations cannot simply be shipped to the slaughterhouse, how are the birds actually killed?

    A leading approach to depopulation is ventilation shutdown. This involves turning off the powerful fans needed to make the ambient conditions in large enclosures bearable, and results in agonizing deaths.

    Researchers are investigating ways to augment ventilation shutdown as part of a broader research agenda seeking to develop systematic ways to depopulate large operations. This agenda clearly illustrates that the livestock industry is acutely aware of the great risks of infectious disease evolution within these spaces.

    Undermining infectious disease surveillance

    In the 2024 election campaign, Republicans regularly pointed to high egg prices in efforts to highlight rising inflation. In early 2025, the continuing rise of egg prices has cast a glare on U.S. President Donald Trump’s failed promise to immediately solve inflation.

    In response to scrutiny, the Trump administration initially tried to blame Biden for the depopulation of chickens. While such deflection might work for a time, Trump and his advisors realize they need a strategy to increase egg supplies.

    This emerging strategy must be viewed in relation to Trump’s sweeping assault on state institutions and regulations — which includes undermining crucial capacity for infectious disease surveillance. Trump made immediate cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and forced it to disengage with the World Health Organization. He has also promised big cuts to the National Institutes of Health.

    In this context, it’s unsurprising that Trump is laying out a simple plan to increase the egg supply: rebuilding layer populations, reducing depopulations and trusting the livestock and pharmaceutical industries to find ways of containing avian flu — likely through vaccines and strengthened biosecurity.

    It’s profoundly irrational to be weakening infectious disease surveillance in the midst of the current avian flu crisis (and amid mounting infectious disease risks more generally).
    It’s also hard to fathom how further empowering the leading actors in poultry production can be expected to resolve the risks of avian flu that are so bound up in the nature of modern production.

    Pursuing this course might temporarily bring egg prices down, but it also inevitably means passing untold risks into the future.

    Tony Weis 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. Soaring U.S. egg prices and millions of dead chickens signal the deep problems and risks in modern poultry production – https://theconversation.com/soaring-u-s-egg-prices-and-millions-of-dead-chickens-signal-the-deep-problems-and-risks-in-modern-poultry-production-249679

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ruolz Ariste, Adjunct Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University

    As Canada’s federal parties gear up for the upcoming federal election, one of the key issues on the campaign trail will be how Canada will meet its climate policy targets.

    Several strategies exist to meet these targets, including: a border charge on imports, a border rebate for exports, a domestic output-based subsidy or a consumer-based carbon rebate like the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR).

    The CCR, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration to curb carbon emissions, is designed to offset the costs of carbon pricing by providing rebates to households.



    Read more:
    The upcoming election is a critical juncture for Canada’s carbon tax and climate policies

    However, both leading candidates for Liberal Party leadership, Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, have said they will drop the CCR if elected. Carney has proposed replacing it with a green incentive program, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vocal opponent of the CCR altogether.

    The debate surrounding the CCR is crucial, as carbon pricing is the most effective measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when paired with accompanying measures. Yet, despite its effectiveness, Canada’s major political parties are willing to scrap it because it’s not politically rewarding.

    CCR is widely misunderstood

    The CCR is widely misunderstood in Canada, leading to misleading narratives about its economic and environmental impacts.

    A recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) argues that industries facing pollution charges could become less competitive because of the CCR, potentially increasing Canada’s federal budget deficit by $4 billion by 2030, and making Canadians worse off.

    Similarly, a Fraser Institute report argues Canada’s global emission footprint is too small for the CCR to make a difference, even if environmental benefits are accounted for.

    However, these reports fail to fully assess the impacts of carbon pricing and risk distorting the debate and influencing policy in ways that could weaken Canada’s climate strategy.

    Yet an overlooked crucial fact in the debate on the CCR is that 80 per cent of Canadian families received more in rebates than they paid in pollution pricing in 2024 because major polluters bear the highest costs under the system.

    The missing perspective in assessments

    While the PBO’s report may be valid from a business standpoint, the report didn’t run a full cost-benefit analysis, which would have weighed both the economic costs and the social benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    In climate policy, the social perspective is much more important than the business one. Without this context, reports like the PBO’s risk being misinterpreted, particularly by politicians opposed to climate action. This could have significant negative consequences for environmental policy in Canada.



    Read more:
    The carbon tax needs fixing, not axing — Canada needs a progressive carbon tax

    A major issue in economic assessments is that the benefits of greenhouse gas reduction are typically excluded because they extend beyond national borders. As a result, emissions reduction can appear to be a poor investment, when in reality, its global and long-term benefits far outweigh the initial expenses.

    The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s cost-benefit guide acknowledges this issue. Under normal circumstances, global benefits should be excluded in cost-benefit analysis. However, given the nature of climate change, the guide states that the costs and benefits of greenhouse gas reductions — calculated using the social cost of greenhouse gas — are appropriate to include in cost-benefit analysis.

    A recent UN report supports this approach, estimating that while global carbon policy measures could cost more than US$1 trillion annually, the economic benefits will be far greater. Shifting to a green economy could yield US$26 trillion by 2030, compared to maintaining business as usual.

    Carbon leakage challenge

    A major challenge for Canada’s carbon pricing strategy is that many of its key trading partners don’t impose similar emissions pricing on consumers.

    For example, the United States and China don’t, even though they are the world’s two biggest polluters. While some jurisdictions, like California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and China’s national emissions trading system, have introduced emissions regulations, these programs are not as widespread as Canada’s.

    This imbalance puts Canadian producers at a competitive disadvantage. In response, some businesses may choose to move their production operations to countries with weaker environmental regulations to avoid higher carbon pricing in Canada — a phenomenon known as “carbon leakage.”

    Instead of reducing emissions, this carbon leakage simply shifts emissions elsewhere, undermining global efforts to address climate change. To counter this, there has been a growing interest in policies designed to prevent this from happening, such as border carbon adjustments.

    This issue is critical to Canada’s ability to meet its climate policy targets. Without effective measures to prevent carbon leakage, the country could face higher costs and less impact on global emissions reduction efforts.

    Can Canada still compete?

    Given the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord, one might wonder whether Canada should continue pursuing the CCR program.

    Ideally, Canada would not have to choose between strong climate policy and economic competitiveness. However, without a co-ordinated global approach to carbon policy, Canada faces difficult trade-offs.

    International organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) could step up by actively promoting carbon tariffs similar to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

    At the heart of this debate is the “polluter-pays principle,” which holds that those who pollute must bear the costs of their actions. This principle is central to climate justice.



    Read more:
    Carbon pricing works: the largest-ever study puts it beyond doubt

    Carbon pricing is the only abatement instrument that can implement the polluter-pays principle, but additional policies — such as border charges on imports, border rebates for exports or domestic output-based subsidies — are required to make it more efficient and politically viable.

    Currently, 75 carbon taxes and emissions trading systems are in operation worldwide, covering approximately 24 per cent of global emissions.

    Canada is considering its own CBAM, but challenges remain. Implementing such a policy could lead to heightened trade tensions with the U.S. or even provoke retaliatory actions.

    Need for international co-operation

    To make carbon pricing and border adjustments work, international organizations must help close the knowledge and information gaps. One way to do this is by providing more accurate data on embedded carbon prices to improve the calculation of carbon prices down the road.

    Further research is also needed to understand how domestic climate policies impact other nations and how to ensure CBAM’s interoperability with other climate measures. Such work will contribute to the optimization of climate policies for the benefit of all.

    In the meantime, Canada’s climate policy must strive to integrate CBAM in a way that aligns with global trade systems like the WTO. Some trade law experts have expressed concerns that CBAM may not be compatible with the WTO General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and this must be addressed.

    If Canada were to keep the CCR, this integration would be especially important as Canada navigates future trade relations with the U.S. under Trump’s unpredictable administration. Canada doesn’t want to fall behind in its climate action efforts.

    Canadians would like the country to lead on climate action while staying competitive. A public consultation on this matter would be a good move from any elected political leader.

    Ruolz Ariste is currently affiliated with Carleton University and Université du Québec en Outaouais.

    – ref. The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why – https://theconversation.com/the-canada-carbon-rebate-is-still-widely-misunderstood-heres-why-249097

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why bike lanes should remain on Ontario’s roads

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mahtot Gebresselassie, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    In late 2024, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 212 giving the provincial government significant control over municipal bike lanes. The law requires municipalities to ask the province for its approval to install bike lanes if they would remove a lane for other vehicular traffic. The legislation also allows for the removal of three major bike lanes in Toronto.

    Supporters of such moves argue that bike lanes worsen traffic congestion, negatively impact local businesses and delay emergency vehicles from getting where they need to go. However, research shows that bike lanes improve transportation infrastructure, including preventing injuries.

    One of the main values of bike lanes is that they promote safety for all road users. Many cities around the world install bike lanes to wholly or partially separate cyclists from larger vehicles. This separation limits the interaction with cars and makes cycling safer.

    Bike lanes can also be more efficient at moving more people per unit width of the road compared to car lanes. They are also much more inexpensive to build than roads for cars. Protected bike lanes cost an average of a few hundred thousand per mile compared to vehicular roads in millions of dollars per lane mile.

    Reduced injuries

    Bicycles are classified as vehicles under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, and cyclists are rightful users of all roads except controlled access highways.

    When people cycle on infrastructure that supports biking (bike lanes, cycle tracks, low-speed zones, etc.), the risk of injury is reduced significantly. Bike lanes increase the visibility of cyclists to motorists and reduce interaction between cars and bikes.

    A 2016 paper that looked at data on bike networks and injuries in 10 Canadian and U.S. cities between 2000 and 2015 showed that an increase in bike networks led to a decrease in fatal and serious injuries.

    The safety associated with bike lanes can also encourage more people to take up cycling. A 2020 poll from the Canadian Automobile Association indicates that 40 per cent of Canadians reported they would feel encouraged to cycle on bike lanes physically separated from other vehicles.

    More inclusive roads

    Bike lanes can make cycling more inclusive for women, children, older adults, people with disabilities and those with limited transportation options.

    For them, bike lanes can bridge the equity gap and affirm cycling as something “inherently democratic, inclusive, and affordable.”

    Fewer women bike compared to men. A 2014 study that surveyed cyclists in five U.S. cities found that more women than men strongly agreed that protected bike lanes made them feel safe and new ones increased how often they cycled.

    Child cyclists benefit a great deal from bike lanes. They are often smaller and less visible to people driving cars. They are also less able to assess risk and navigate shared roads, so a separate lane can reduce those risks.

    Older adults and people with disabilities also benefit from bike lanes, as they provide a more suitable cycling environment for riding with limited physical acuity and slower speeds.

    Low-income and racialized people are significant bike users and are more likely to rely on biking to get around due to their limited access to transportation options. Yet, without bike lanes, they may have no choice but to risk cycling in a dangerous environment. For them, bike lanes are crucial infrastructure.

    Cycling is also much cheaper than having a car. Cycling costs about $0.06/km and driving a car $0.58/km, and switching from driving to cycling can reduce transportation spending from 30 per cent to 10 per cent of household income.

    Consumer spending and congestion

    Some argue that bike lanes reduce street parking, which can lead to lower economic activity. However, a 2012 study showed that people who cycle, walk and use transit frequent local businesses more and spend the same or more than those who use private cars.

    In Toronto, when bike lanes were installed on Bloor Street West, there was an average increase in monthly consumer spending from $186 to $245. A similar trend was observed in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bern, Dublin and Copenhagen.

    When it comes to congestion, a 2018 study on the impact of installing bike lanes on arterial roads in Toronto found that the most affected street segments would only result in an estimated one-minute delay.

    A 2022 study from Melbourne showed a minor effect on traffic when bike lanes were added to residential streets with low speed limits. It also found the “selective inclusion” of safe cycling lanes, in the worst cases, leads to a delay of less than 10 seconds per kilometre for drivers.

    In New York, a 2016 study found that adding bike lanes reduced the average time for car travel on major thoroughfares from an average of 4.5 minutes to 3 minutes.

    Examples from elsewhere indicate that removing bike lanes would not bode well for Toronto. A well-used bike lane in London, England was removed in December 2020 following residents’ complaints that they caused traffic congestion. A study found that the removal resulted in longer travel time on the street compounded by cars illegally parking in the space previously reserved for the bike lane.

    Emergency response

    Immediately after the bike lanes were installed on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, paramedics response time within 500 metres of the bike lane corridor rose by 42 seconds compared to 45 seconds city-wide.

    Toronto Fire Services (TFS) response time increased by 30 seconds within the same corridor compared to a two-second increase for the entire city. However, these evaluations were for two months in 2023. In October 2024, TFS Chief Jim Jessop said the Bloor Street West bike lanes did not lead to an increase in response time.

    If these bike lanes are removed and replaced with others elsewhere, it could create a poorly connected bike network. The safety and convenience associated with connected bike networks will be lost as a result.

    Based on what research tells us, Toronto’s bike lanes should stay. Bike lanes provide various benefits, including making our streets more inclusive of more people.

    Bike lanes offer safety on the roads by reducing the risk of fatal or non-life-threatening injuries on roads, and are a tremendous gain for transportation infrastructure.

    Even in cases where a bike lane causes a few seconds of delay, politicians and city planners must consider the trade-off — especially if it means saving a person’s life.

    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. Why bike lanes should remain on Ontario’s roads – https://theconversation.com/why-bike-lanes-should-remain-on-ontarios-roads-249150

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hossein Bonakdari, Associate professor, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Wildfire season in Canada has historically spanned from late April to August — with the most damaging of these fires typically burning in June and July. But in recent years, we’ve seen a significant change in when wildfires burning; they are no longer a seasonal phenomenon.

    For example, in 2024, Alberta’s wildfire season started in February due to the province’s warm and dry conditions. Québec recorded its forth earliest wildfire since 1973 in mid-march of the same year. British Columbia then reported their first wildfires of the season shortly after.

    In 2023, Canada had one of its most catastrophic wildfire years — with over 18.4 hectares of forest burned. These wildfires caused approximately 232,000 people to be evacuated from their homes in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Québec.

    The huge number of wildfires that burned in 2023 released more than three times the total CO2 emissions of Canada’s entire transportation sector produces in a year. This catastrophic wildfire season also started burning far earlier than normal.

    Changing wildfire patterns represent a growing danger to Canadians and our nation’s communities, ecosystems and air quality.

    Recipe for a wildfire

    The recipe for wildfire is simple and needs only three ingredients: fuel (combustible vegetation), ignition (either from human or natural causes — such as lightning) and favourable weather conditions (hot, dry and windy weather).

    But drought can act as a key accelerating factor. As a professor who specializes in sustainable land and water management, I have spent over 15 years researching the impacts of climate change on natural disasters. My most recent research has highlighted the role that droughts play in wildfire vulnerability in Canada.

    Droughts not only dry vegetation — which gives wildfires more fuel — they also prolong hot, dry and windy weather. This further creates a high-risk environment for wildfires to ignite and spread.

    Canada may appear to be a water-rich country, with vast networks of lakes, rivers and considerable amounts of annual precipitation. But these rich resources suffer from significant seasonal and regional variations.

    For example, even British Columbia, where many towns average more than a 1,000mm of precipitation a year, experiences severe drought conditions — particularly during the summer months.

    At the end of 2024, 43 per cent of Canada was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to extreme drought. Around 35 per cent of the country’s agricultural land was directly impacted. These conditions highlight the growing vulnerability of even water-rich regions to long, dry seasons.

    During 2023, there was a strong link between soil moisture levels measured between May and October and wildfire activity. Areas with the lowest soil moisture levels experienced heightened wildfire activity. This underscores the critical role of drought conditions in amplifying wildfire risks.

    Wildland and urban development

    In January 2025, California experienced one of the most catastrophic wildfire crises in the state’s history.

    At least 29 people tragically lost their lives. Over 16,000 structures have been destroyed or severely damaged, and approximately 200,000 residents were forced to evacuate from their own homes.

    The total economic damage and losses are estimated to be more than $250 billion. This catastrophic crisis has clearly highlighted the growing impacts of climate change on densely populated areas at the interface of wildland and urban zones.

    Drought was a major factor that exacerbated these wildfires.

    But another important factor that significantly contributed to the damage caused by these wildfires in California was the wildland-urban interface (WUI). These are areas where natural, undeveloped vegetation meets human development. This creates a high-risk zone where flammable plants and structures combine — increasing the chance of wildfires spreading from wildlands to communities.

    In Canada, the WUI is rapidly expanding as large cities contend with population growth. But this is putting even more Canadians at risk from potentially detrimental wildfires. The recent, severe wildfires in California’s WUI areas offer a clear warning for Canada, highlighting an urgent need to address the risks associated with these rapidly growing zones.

    Safeguarding strategies

    One way of safeguarding Canada’s expanding WUI zones is by using the leaf area index (LAI). This is a measure of vegetation density.

    The more dense the vegetation in a particular region (which means it has a higher LAI value), the greater that area’s risk of wildfire. This is because densely wooded areas contain significant fuel sources for wildfires, making them capable of sustaining and intensifying fire spread.

    British Columbia’s coastline, Eastern Canada, Southern Ontario and parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (including Halifax and Saint John) are all densely vegetated, highly populated areas that are highly susceptible to wildfire threats — especially during periods of drought and high temperatures.

    By pinpointing Canada’s most vulnerable regions, targeted wildfire prevention strategies can be carried out to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience in the face of escalating wildfire threats. This might include reducing the amount of dry vegetation, carrying out controlled burns and building fire-resistant infrastructure.

    Canada announced a new goal to build nearly 3.9 million houses by 2031. For these houses to be built, parts of WUI zones will need to be used. It will be important for planning and development policies to ensure resilience against wildfires.

    Canada stands at a pivotal moment in wildfire risk management because of expanding WUI zones, prolonged drought conditions and intensifying fire weather converge. Without a multi-pronged strategy, wildfires will only continue to be a growing threat to ecosystems, infrastructure and public safety.

    Hossein Bonakdari 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. Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems – https://theconversation.com/wildfire-season-is-changing-in-canada-posing-even-greater-risks-to-the-nations-communities-and-ecosystems-248323

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hamas accuses Israel of ‘blackmail’ over aid, demands end of US support for Netanyahu

    Asia Pacific Report

    The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has accused Israel of “blackmail” over aid and urged the US government to act more like a neutral mediator in the ceasefire process.

    “We call on the US administration to stop its bias and alignment with the fascist plans of the war criminal Netanyahu, which target our people and their existence on their land,” Hamas said in a statement.

    “We affirm that all projects and plans that bypass our people and their established rights on their land, self-determination, and liberation from occupation are destined for failure and defeat.

    “We reaffirm our commitment to implementing the signed agreement in its three stages, and we have repeatedly announced our readiness to start negotiations on the second stage of the agreement,” it said.

    Al Jazeera Arabic reports that Israel sought a dramatic change to the terms of the ceasefire agreement with a demand that Hamas release five living captives and 10 bodies of dead captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased aid to the Gaza Strip.

    It also sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire by a week.

    Hamas informed the mediators that it rejected the Israeli proposal and considered it a violation of what was agreed upon in the ceasefire.

    Israel suspends humanitarian aid
    In response, Israel suspended the entry of humanitarian aid until further notice and Hamas claimed Tel Aviv “bears responsibility” for the fate of the 59 Israelis still held in the Gaza Strip.

    Reports said Israeli attacks in Gaza on Sunday have killed at least four people and injured five people, according to medical sources.

    “The occupation [Israel] bears responsibility for the consequences of its decision on the population of the Strip and for the fate of its prisoners,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

    Hamas denounces blackmail headline on Al Jazeera news. Image: AJ screenshot APR

    Under the agreed ceasefire, the second phase of the truce was intended to see the release of the remaining captives, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a final end to the war.

    However, the talks on how to carry out the second phase never began, and Israel said all its captives must be returned for fighting to stop.

    In an interview with Al Jazeera, an analyst said that although the fragile ceasefire seemed on the brink of collapse, it was unlikely that US President Donald Trump would allow it to fail.

    “I think the larger picture here is Trump is not interested in the resumption of war,” said Sami al-Arian, professor of public affairs at Istanbul Zaim University.

    “He has a very long agenda domestically and internationally and if it is going to be dragged by Netanyahu and his fascist partners into another war of genocide with no strategic end, he knows this is going to be a no-win for him.

    “And for one thing, Trump hates to lose.”

    No game plan
    In another interview, Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg told Al Jazeera that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was caught between seeing the Gaza ceasefire through and resorting to a costly all-out war that may prove unpopular at home.

    “I’m not sure Netanyahu has a game plan,” Goldberg said.

    “The reason he hasn’t made a decision is because . . . Israel is not equipped to go to war right now. Resilience is at an all-time low. Resources are at an all-time low.”

    War crimes . . . a poster at a New Zealand pro-Palestinian rally in Auckland on Saturday. Image: Asia Pacific Report

    In December, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees reported that more than 19,000 children had been hospitalised for acute malnutrition in four months.

    In the first full year of the war — ending in October 2024 — 37 children died from malnutrition or dehydration.

    Last September 21, The International Criminal Court (ICC) said there was reason to believe Israel was using “starvation as a method of warfare” when it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said all efforts must be made to prevent a return to hostilities, which would be catastrophic.

    He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and find a way forward on the next phase.

    Guterres also called for an urgent de-escalation of the violence in the occupied West Bank.

    Almost 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli war on Gaza since 7 October 2023.

    New Zealand protesters warn against a “nuclear winter” in a pro-Palestinian rally in Auckland on Saturday. Image: Asia Pacific Report

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia and industry partners accelerate AI-RAN development #MWC25

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia and industry partners accelerate AI-RAN development #MWC25 

    • Nokia’s ecosystem of industry partnerships is driving advancements in AI-RAN architecture and the deployment and optimization of AI-powered Radio Access Networks.
    • Collaboration helps lay the foundations for platform-as-a-service business models for operators offering scalable computing infrastructure and capabilities for AI and other services in addition to connectivity.
    • Nokia opens AI-RAN Center in Dallas, U.S to accelerate development of AI-RAN with partners.
    • AI-RAN will have a transformative impact on the future of telecommunications infrastructure and services.

    2 March 2025
    Espoo, Finland – At Mobile World Congress 2025, Nokia and its ecosystem of industry partners, KDDI, SoftBank Corp., T-Mobile US, and NVIDIA today outlined the advances made in the deployment and optimization of revolutionary AI-powered Radio Access Networks (RAN) as well as the future architecture for AI-RAN. These joint efforts will lay the foundations for developing platform-as-a-service (PaaS) business models for CSPs, which helps them unlock new monetization opportunities by offering scalable computing infrastructure and capabilities for processing AI and other services. Under its anyRAN approach, Nokia is evolving Cloud RAN solutions to include AI computing in the shared infrastructure to maximize resource efficiency for operators.

    Nokia has taken a leadership role in exploring how AI will transform the future of telecommunications infrastructure and services. To accelerate the innovation and development of AI-RAN, Nokia is establishing an AI-RAN Center at its offices in Dallas, U.S. The center will enable Nokia’s partners to develop and test AI-RAN solutions in real-world network conditions with a focus on creating innovative use cases, prototypes, and to validate AI-RAN reference architecture. Nokia is also working with its industry partners across a range of initiatives including:

    Nokia and NVIDIA
    Over the past year, Nokia has worked closely with NVIDIA to assess and evaluate multi-purpose NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure to enable the transformative power of AI-RAN.

    Nokia and KDDI
    Nokia has also formed a strategic partnership with KDDI to research the practical applications of AI-RAN, including use cases and architectures, to make it commercially viable in the future. The companies will explore how AI applications can enhance the user experience, enhance network quality, reduce 5G network-related costs and power consumption through automation, and create monetization opportunities that leverage GPUs and Generative AI. The companies will conduct a commercial trial using AI-enabled RAN hardware and research AI utilization to optimize network performance.

    Nokia and SoftBank
    Nokia and SoftBank’s innovative partnership has successfully showcased the powerful integration of multi-purpose, optimized AI workloads within the AI and RAN platform based on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. This is managed through Nokia’s MantaRay NM solution for network management and SoftBank’s AITRAS Orchestrator. This collaboration illustrates how both RAN and non-RAN AI workloads can efficiently share the computing resources, significantly enhancing resource utilization. This not only leads to improved operational efficiencies but also accelerates the return on investment for network operators.

    Nokia and T-Mobile U.S.
    Nokia and T-Mobile are redefining the future of network connectivity by exploring innovative architectures for a multi-purpose cloud infrastructure. Since the announcement of the AI-RAN collaboration last year, both companies are working together to evaluate AI-RAN network architecture, the feasibility of using accelerated computing for L1, and to understand the co-existence of AI and RAN on the shared infrastructure using Nokia Cloud RAN and NVIDIA platforms. The companies are also exploring monetization opportunities and techno-economics of the AI-RAN multi-purpose cloud infrastructure.

    “To fully harness the transformative power of AI-RAN, Nokia is working hand-in-hand with an ecosystem of leading industry partners. We enable the evolution of 5G networks toward a multi-purpose cloud platform that unlocks new revenue models and infrastructure synergies for AI and RAN while already today enhancing RAN performance and efficiency with AI-powered products and services,” commented Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

    “Alongside AI-RAN Alliance co-founders Softbank and T-Mobile US, it is encouraging to see new operators such as KDDI collaborating with Nokia to explore AI-RAN technologies, use cases and business models. This growing industry participation shows the strong appetite for AI integration with radio access networks,” said Rémy Pascal, Senior Research Manager for Mobile Infrastructure at Omdia.

    “We are thrilled to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nokia to collaborate on the research and development of AI-RAN. This collaboration will accelerate the path to commercial viability by exploring practical applications of AI-powered networks. We anticipate that AI-RAN will unlock significant network optimization, enhance user experiences, reduce costs, and generating new services and revenue, leading to a more efficient and intelligent 5G ecosystem,” noted Kazuhiro Furuhata, Executive Officer & General Manager, Network Node Technical Development Division Core Technology Sector at KDDI.

    “Through the monitoring of hardware resources by the AITRAS Orchestrator, we have successfully enabled the coexistence of vRAN and AI applications. This advancement facilitates the more efficient utilization of base station equipment,” said Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President & CTO, SoftBank Corp

    “T-Mobile’s collaboration with Nokia on AI-RAN is driving the future of network innovation. By exploring AI-driven architectures and leveraging multi-purpose cloud infrastructure, we’re evaluating how accelerated compute for Layer 1 (L1) and the seamless integration of AI and RAN on shared platforms with our industry partners will enhance network performance and efficiency. Beyond technical advancements, we’re also exploring new monetization opportunities and the broader techno-economics of AI-RAN, paving the way for smarter, intent-based networks,” added John Saw, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, T-Mobile.

    AI-RAN at Mobile World Congress 2025
    Nokia will demonstrate its innovative AI-powered solutions at its stand in Hall 3 Stand #3B20 at this year’s Mobile World Congress 2025. Visitors will experience a range of demonstrations including how networks can manage RAN and AI workloads on the same infrastructure as well as how AI is built into Nokia’s AirScale base stations to optimize RAN performance by intelligently adapting to varying radio conditions. Nokia will also demonstrate MantaRay AutoPilot, an AI-powered solution for autonomous RAN operations and optimization including the results of a live customer deployment. Nokia will also showcase the breadth of its AI-based services portfolio, including the new extended reality visualization for the AI-powered Digital Network Twin, and other extensive AI capabilities.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news
    Web Page: Nokia at MWC25
    Web Page: Nokia AI-RAN
    Web Page: Nokia Cloud RAN
    Product Page: Nokia anyRAN
    Product Page: Nokia AirScale Baseband
    Product Page: MantaRay NM
    Whitepaper: AI for Radio Access Networks
    Solution Brief: MantaRay AutoPilot: Powering AI-driven Autonomous RAN Operations

    About Nokia 
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. 

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. 

    Media inquiries 
    Nokia Press Office 
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com  

    Follow us on social media 
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Central Bank of Bahrain grants license to Mena Industrial Bank

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    Published on 2 March 2025

    Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 2 March 2025 – The Central Bank of Bahrain (“CBB”) has granted “Mena Industrial Bank B.S.C. (c)” a Conventional Wholesale Bank license to operate in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

    Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Abdulla Haji, Director of Licensing Directorate at CBB, said “We are pleased to announce the issuance of a license to a new wholesale bank in Bahrain. This reflects the Kingdom’s continued appeal as a regional and international financial hub in attracting direct investments in the financial services sector. It also reflects CBB’s commitment to maintain a robust and progressive financial regulatory framework that supports economic growth, financial stability, and innovation”.

    The Bank will provide wholesale banking and trade finance solutions to corporations, government entities, and high-net-worth individuals, locally and regionally.

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    MIL OSI Economics –