NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Research – NZ’s Elite Athlete Breaking Point Research to be Shared with Five Eyes Nations

    Source: Impact PR for Vantaset

    A world-first performance transformation framework developed in New Zealand from research into the psychological breaking point of elite athletes has caught the attention of police forces in North America and the United Kingdom, with a number of trials in discussion.

    The move follows the inking of long-term contracts with global law enforcement advisory organisation World Policing in the UK, which provides governance and technical advice to thousands of police forces around the world, and a specialist consulting firm that supports Government security and law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and North America, including the FBI.

    Vantaset, founded by performance expert Craig Steel, whose team includes a former All Blacks manager and two Olympians, has unveiled a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model designed to optimise workplace performance using a scientifically engineered system to help athletes deliver personal bests on demand.

    The global interest from global law enforcement and defence agencies in the company’s platform, which took seven years and $7 million to develop, follows the success of an earlier iteration of the framework with the New Zealand Police under former commissioner Mike Bush.

    The process, which was credited by Bush as helping him achieve what was described as one of the most successful Government sector transformations in history, not only lifted staff engagement and public trust in the organisation, it helped him reduce crime by over 20%.1

    Steel says discussions are underway with a number of North American police chiefs and defence experts who have identified their process as a potential solution to address plummeting engagement and retention issues they are facing.

    “They told us this was the most promising process they’ve seen to address what they describe as a leadership and engagement crisis affecting critical agencies globally, so piloting the process is the logical next step in demonstrating its effectiveness in this environment.”

    Bernard Rix, chairman of World Policing says, “Given the demonstrable impact Vantaset’s technology had on New Zealand Police, we’re confident it can be implemented in other law enforcement agencies around the world to help them improve the performance of their respective forces, which is why we’ve partnered with them.”

    Steel’s work began three decades ago as a study into ‘athlete capitulation’, the moment top athletes psychologically collapse under pressure. By reverse engineering the process he identified that caused it, Steel developed a repeatable framework that helped New Zealand athletes amass over 20 World Cup and World Championship equivalent titles.

    Described as ‘one of the single greatest breakthroughs in human performance,’ the framework delivered unparalleled results, enabling athletes to achieve personal bests 87% of the time they competed in Tier 1 events compared to the international average of 8-10%.

    “What began as a system for world-class athletes is now changing the way organisations develop and engage their workforce,” says Steel.

    “We’re focused on helping organisations, including the Police, improve the impact and effectiveness of their staff as their personal performance is vital to the nations they represent.

    Kiwi Olympians Moss Burmester and advisor Anthony Moss are part of the team looking to take the same high-performance principles that helped them succeed on the world stage into boardrooms, government agencies and frontline services.

    Steel says too many organisations default to a risk-averse mindset, building internal frameworks focused on controlling resources which stifles ingenuity.

    “Our work began with high-performance sport. But when we were invited to trial it in business, the results were just as transformative.

    Steel’s system codifies elite performance enabling leaders to support every level of their organisation. “It’s about unlocking the potential that already exists in their business as opposed to just trying to mitigate its risks, which crushes innovation,” he says.

    “In elite sport, the goal is never to avoid failure, it’s to produce something exceptional. But in the business world, most performance management systems are built to manage issues when they occur rather than amplifying the organisation’s capacity to perform. Steel says Vantaset’s platform ‘flips the script’ by embedding performance principles drawn from decades of helping top-tier athletes win on the world stage.

    “What we’ve done is build a high-performance operating system that organisations can scale across their entire workforce so they can embed a proven way of working that brings out the best in everyone. The focus isn’t on minimising mistakes, it’s on helping people be the most effective versions of themselves, as that’s what drives growth and improvement.”

    Over 100 organisations and around 30,000 employees have benefited from Steel’s process to date, although their new digital platform will enable Vantaset to scale globally. The firm has assisted both public and private sector clients across New Zealand and Australia for over a decade but plans to expand into other Five Eyes nations in the years ahead.

    “We’ve chosen to focus on the Five Eyes nations because we recognise that when it comes to working with defence forces and critical government agencies, trust and national security considerations are paramount.

    “If we were to work with non-aligned or competing jurisdictions, it could close doors to the agencies in the nations we’re best positioned to support. This strategic alignment should ensure our eligibility to work with the most sensitive public sector environments, where human performance is most vital.”

    Vantaset is also engaging with international consulting firms to act as distribution partners to accelerate its global expansion, given its applicability to Government agencies and the private sector.

    1 International consulting group McKinsey and Co’s Centre for Government focuses on helping the public sector tackle complex challenges, modernise organisations and improve services. This group identified NZ Police’s change process as “one of the most successful Government sector transformations in history”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Will Invercargill Join Councils Taking Ethical Stand on Illegal Israeli Settlements? – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    Invercargill City Council is set to vote on Tuesday on a change to its procurement policy to exclude companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

    The proposal was brought by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. If adopted, Invercargill would become the latest in a growing wave of local councils – including Christchurch, Nelson, and Environment Canterbury – aligning spending in this way.

    “This is about responsible stewardship” said the group, “making sure ratepayer money isn’t used in ways that contradict New Zealand’s foreign policy or international law.”

    A staff report released ahead of the vote supports adopting the change into the Council’s Supplier Code of Conduct. It confirms the move aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2334 – co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2016 under a National government — which called the settlements a “flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle” to peace.

    “Western governments have failed for decades to hold Israel to account,” said the group. “Last year the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s 57 year long occupation breaches international law on apartheid and racial segregation. No council wants to fund companies complicit in that — this is the moment to act.”

    The staff report noted that the proposal, which targets a narrow list of companies named by the UN as involved in illegal settlements, would add weight to government rules which allow companies to be excluded on human rights grounds. Councils, while not legally required, are encouraged by the Auditor-General to follow these to avoid stakeholder challenge.

    “International law protects all of us – especially New Zealand as a small country,” the group added. “When we let powerful countries violate the rules with impunity, we all become more vulnerable.”

    The initiative has drawn support from a wide range of national and local organisations, including trade unions, faith leaders, and businesses.

    The group will present the same proposal to Environment Southland the following day.

    S Palliser
    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard, partner agencies search for 2 missing people at Lake Tahoe

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/22/2025 06:30 PM EDT

     

    06/22/2025 01:59 AM EDT

    The Coast Guard and local partner agencies responded to a capsized vessel in the vicinity of D.L. Bliss State Park at Lake Tahoe Saturday afternoon.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing people at Lake Tahoe

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    06/22/2025 05:58 PM EDT

    The Coast Guard suspended its search at 10:55 a.m., Sunday, pending further developments, for two missing people in the vicinity of D.L. Bliss State Park at Lake Tahoe after their boat capsized Saturday afternoon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up

    Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business

    • Electricity costs for thousands of businesses to be slashed by up to 25%.
    • New Industrial Strategy to unlock billions in investment and support 1.1 million new well-paid jobs over the next decade.
    • Strategy developed in partnership with business, marking a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries.
    • Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business, delivering on the Plan for Change.

    More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveils its bold new Industrial Strategy today [Monday 23 June].

    The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business by tackling two of the biggest barriers facing UK industry – high electricity prices and long waits for grid connections.

    British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world while businesses looking to expand or modernise have faced delays when it comes to connecting to the grid.

    For too long these challenges have held back growth and made it harder for British firms to compete. Today’s announcement marks a decisive shift — with government stepping in to support industry and unlock the UK’s economic potential.

    From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace and chemicals.

    These firms, which support over 300,000 skilled jobs, will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market — helping level the playing field and make them more internationally competitive. Eligibility and further details on the exemptions will be determined following consultation, which will be launched shortly.

    The government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms — like steel, chemicals, and glass — by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. These businesses currently get a 60% discount on those charges, but from 2026, that will increase to 90%. This means their electricity bills will go down, helping them stay competitive, protect jobs, and invest in the future.

    This will help around 500 eligible businesses in sectors such as steel, ceramics and glass reduce their costs and protect jobs in industries that are the backbone of our economy and will be delivered at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

    These reforms complement the government’s long-term mission for clean power, which is the only way to bring down bills for good by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets.

    To ensure businesses can grow and hire without delay, the government will also deliver a new Connections Accelerator Service to streamline grid access for major investment projects — including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and deliver significant economic benefits.

    We will work closely with the energy sector, local authorities, Welsh and Scottish Governments, trade unions, and industry to design this service, which we expect to begin operating at the end of 2025. New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.

    The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create 1.1 million good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.

    In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.

    This is how we power Britain’s future – by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear – Britain is back and open for business.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

     The UK has some of the most innovative businesses in the world and our Plan for Change has provided them with the stability they need to grow and for more to be created.

    Today’s Industrial Strategy builds on that progress with a ten-year plan to slash barriers to investment. It’ll see billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation. It will ensure the industries that make Britain great can thrive. It will boost our economy and create jobs that put more money in people’s pockets.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We’ve said from day one Britain is back in business under this government, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military.

    Not only does this Strategy prioritise investment to attract billions for new business sites, cutting-edge research, and better transport links, it will also make our industrial electricity prices more competitive.

    Tackling energy costs and fixing skills has been the single biggest ask of us from businesses and the greatest challenge they’ve faced – this government has listened, and now we’re taking the bold action needed. Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better of is what this Government promised and what we will deliver.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.

    As part of our modern industrial strategy we’re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electricity prices in key sectors.

    We’re also doubling down on our clean power strengths with increased investment in growth industries from offshore wind to nuclear. This will deliver on our clean power mission and Plan for Change to bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

    The Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded through reforms to the energy system. The government is reducing costs within the system to free up funding without raising household bills or taxes and intends to also use additional funds from the strengthening of UK carbon pricing, including as a result of linking with the EU carbon market.

    We have set out an intention to link emissions trading systems, as part of our new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses. Without an agreement to do this, British industry would have to pay the EU’s carbon tax.

    We intend to link our carbon pricing system with the EU’s, we will ensure that money stays in the UK—which allows us to support British companies and British jobs through these schemes.

    Building on the Spending Review and the recently announced 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the Industrial Strategy is the latest step forward in our plans to deliver national renewal. It will include targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.

    The Strategy’s bold plan of action includes:

    • Slash electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for electricity-intensive manufacturers in our growth sectors and foundational industries in their supply chain, bringing costs more closely in line with other major economies in Europe.
    • Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs by increasing British Business Bank financial capacity to £25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital. The includes an additional £4bn for Industrial Strategy Sectors, crowding in billions more in private capital. By investing largely through venture funds, the BBB will back the UK’s most high-growth potential companies.
    • Upskilling the nation with an extra £1.2 billion each year for skills by 2028-29, and delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors including new short courses in relevant skills funded by the Growth and Skills Levy and skills packages targeted at defence digital and engineering.
    • Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators. 
    • Supporting 5,500 more SMEs to adopt new technology through the Made Smarter programme while centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service.
    • Boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8, with more than £2bn for AI over the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors. Regulatory changes will further clear the path for fast-growing industries and innovative products such as biotechnology, AI, and autonomous vehicles.
    • Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migration reforms and the new Global Talent Taskforce.
    • Deepening economic and industrial collaboration with our partners, building on our Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan and recent deals with the US, India, and the EU.
    • Reducing planning timelines and cutting costs for developers, by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations, removing burdens on businesses as well as accelerating house building. 
    • Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.
    • Supporting the UK’s city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, and more.

    The plan focuses on 8 sectors where the UK is already strong and there’s potential for faster growth: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Each growth sector has a bespoke 10-year plan that will attract investment, enable growth and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.

    Dame Clare Barclay DBE, Chair of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and President of Enterprise & Industry EMEA at Microsoft said:

    I welcome today’s Industrial Strategy, which sets out a clear plan to back the UK’s growth driving sectors. It is particularly positive to see the strong focus on skills in areas such as engineering, technology and defence. Commitments such as £187 million for the TechFirst programme will ensure the UK has the skills it needs to support our growth industries and seize transformative opportunities like AI.

    Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive, CBI said:

    Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement is a significant leap forward in the partnership between government and business that sets us on the path to our shared goal of raising living standards across the country.  

    It sends an unambiguous, positive signal about the nation’s global calling card as well as the direction of travel for the wider economy for the next decade and beyond.

    The CBI has long been advocating for a comprehensive industrial strategy, based on the UK’s USP – the sectors and markets where we can compete to win on the global stage.

    More competitive energy prices, fast-tracked planning decisions and backing innovation will provide a bedrock for growth. But the global race to attract investment will require a laser-like and unwavering focus on the UK’s overall competitiveness. 

    Today marks the beginning of delivering this strategy in close partnership, at pace, and with a shared purpose.

    Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO at Make UK said:

    British industry has been in desperate need for a government who understands our sector and had the strategic vision for a plan for growth. Today’s Industrial Strategy is a giant and much needed step forward taken by the Secretary of State who has seen the potential and provided the keys to help unlock it.

    Make UK has led the campaign for a new industrial strategy for many years, highlighting the three major challenges that were diminishing our competitiveness, hampering growth and frustrating productivity gains: a skills crisis, crippling energy costs and, an inability to access capital for new British innovators.

    The strategy announced today sets out plans to address all three of these structural failings. Clearly there is much to do as we move towards implementation but, this will send a message across the Country and around the world that Britain is back in business.

    Tufan Erginbilgic, Rolls-Royce CEO, said:

    The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy commitment to support our world-leading aerospace and nuclear industries shows long-term strategic foresight. Rolls-Royce’s highly differentiated technologies in gas turbines and nuclear capabilities- including SMRs and AMRs- are uniquely placed to deliver economic growth, skilled jobs and attract investment into the UK.

    Mike Hawes OBE, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    The publication of an Industrial Strategy – one with automotive at its heart – is the policy framework the sector has long-sought and Government has now addressed. Such a strategy – long-term, aligned to a trade strategy and supported by all of Government – is the basis on which the UK automotive sector can regain its global competitiveness. Making the UK the best place to invest now depends on implementation, and implementation at pace, because investment decisions are being made now against a backdrop of fierce competition and geopolitical uncertainty. The number one priority must be addressing the UK’s high cost of energy, enabling the sector to invest in the technologies, the products and the people that will give the UK its competitive edge.

    Five sector plans have been published today:

    • Advanced Manufacturing – Backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years, with the aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK – from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.
    • Clean Energy Industries – Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035, with Great British Energy helping to build the clean power revolution in Britain with a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains, taking the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to £1 billion.
    • Creative Industries – Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.
    • Digital and Technologies – Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses, with more than £2 billion to drive the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme, £187 million for training one million young people in tech skills and targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies such as cyber security in Northern Ireland, semiconductors in Wales and quantum technologies in Scotland. 
    • Professional and Business Services – Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the world’s most trusted adviser to global industry, revolutionising the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI and working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas.  

    Notes to editors

    • The Industrial Strategy will be published on Gov.UK tomorrow.
    • The Defence, Financial Services and Life Sciences sector plans will be published shortly.
    • The 7000 businesses are an indicative estimate of how many businesses could be in scope of the scheme. The full scope and eligibility of the scheme will be determined following consultation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kelly statement on U.S. military operations in Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) released this statement following military operations in Iran on the evening of Saturday, June 21.

    “President Trump is leading with peace through strength. Let’s be clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. May God protect our brave service members who carried out this operation, and may God bless America,” said Rep. Kelly. “This is the most significant show of American strength, commitment and resolve by any sitting American President in our recent history. God Bless the men and women of our American Military for their courage, dedication, commitment and the Leadership of President Trump. You are all in our prayers!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Safer Boating Forum “Maintaining unity”

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    More than 50 members – the largest turnout to date – gathered to reflect on the progress made in implementing the Recreational Craft Strategy 2023–25 and to plan for the months ahead.

    Maritime NZ’s Harm Prevention Lead – Recreational Craft, Victoria Slade, says one of the standouts of the day for her was a deep dive into one particular risk area: dinghies.

    “Following powerboats, dinghies are the second most common type of recreational craft involved in fatal accidents. Dinghies represent 12% of all recreational craft, yet are responsible for 26% of fatalities (more than 45 fatalities in the past 11 years),” she says. “So it’s really concerning that there are currently no safety interventions focussed on using dinghies safely.”

    As part of the discussion, forum members worked together to develop possible strategies to encourage safe behaviour for dinghy users.

    Other topics explored include:

    • how best to promote the wearing of lifejackets, including through the potential introduction of legislation
    • given the overrepresentation of Māori and Pacific men in fatality statistics, how we can build meaningful relationships with Māori communities to ensure that initiatives are developed on a foundation of mutual trust and respect
    • close-to-shore forecasting – the weather services available and their coverage, strengths and limitations, and how weather predictions differ in close-to-shore areas
    • the Kia Mataara winter campaign – Better your odds – which focuses on encouraging 40–60-year-old males to increase their odds of coming home safely.

    The forum was organised and chaired by Maritime NZ and included presentations from partners ACC, Drowning Prevention Auckland, and MetService.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with Prime Minister Carney of Canada: 22 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM call with Prime Minister Carney of Canada: 22 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney this evening. 

    The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney this evening. 

    They discussed the grave situation in the Middle East and last night’s action by the United States to tackle the severe threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme.

    Both reiterated their support for a diplomatic solution and agreed that Iran must come back to the negotiating table with the United States as soon as possible.

    They looked forward to continuing their discussions at NATO this week.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More tāmariki Māori to learn in safe, warm & dry classrooms

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is enabling more tāmariki access to full immersion learning in safe, warm and dry classrooms.

    A $28 million investment will deliver 20 new classrooms across four Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education kura and the commencement of a permanent site for a kura north of Auckland – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki. The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. 

    “This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

    The new classrooms will be built at the following kura:

    • 8 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt
    • 6 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill
    • 4 classrooms at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga in Kaikohe
    • 2 classrooms at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton

    The investment includes the first stage of a long-awaited new school for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka. Once complete, it will have 19 classrooms and be designed to support future Wharekura expansion.

    Construction on these projects is expected to begin within the next 12 months, using modular building methods to accelerate delivery and ensure cost-efficiency.

    “Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.”

    This Government committed $50 million through Budget 2025 to deliver up to 50 classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education for approximately 1,100 ākonga. This is part of a wider programme of investment in Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.

    This includes:

    • $10 million to launch a new Virtual Learning Network (VLN) for STEM education (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics).
    • $4.5 million to develop comprehensive new te reo matatini and STEM curriculum resources and teacher supports.
    • $2.1 million to develop a new Māori Studies subject for Years 11–13.
    • $14 million into training and support for up to 51,000 teachers/kaiako.
    • $4.8 million to appoint seven new curriculum advisors for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.
    • $4.1 million to support the sustainability and data capability of the Kōhanga Reo Network.
    • $3.5 million to support WAI 3310 Waitangi Tribunal Education Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry.

    “We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,” Ms Stanford says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 453

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 453
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    400 PM CDT Sun Jun 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Central Nebraska
    Southeast South Dakota

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 400 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

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

    SUMMARY…Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop rapidly and
    move northeast across the watch area through this evening with a
    risk for damaging wind gusts and large hail. The potential for
    corridors of more concentrated wind damage may increase towards this
    evening.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northeast of
    Mitchell SD to 60 miles south southeast of North Platte NE. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 451…WW 452…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean storm motion vector
    23030.

    …Bunting

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW3
    WW 453 SEVERE TSTM NE SD 222100Z – 230400Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    45NE MHE/MITCHELL SD/ – 60SSE LBF/NORTH PLATTE NE/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /44NW FSD – 18ENE MCK/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 550. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23030.

    LAT…LON 44229618 40329911 40320138 44229860

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU3.

    Watch 453 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

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

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (80%)

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious assault at Devon Park

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating an assault at Devon Park this morning.

    About 4.30am this morning (Monday 23 June) emergency services were called to Belford Avenue after reports a man had been assaulted.

    When police arrived, they located a 28-year-old man who had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

    It is early in the Investigation anyone with further information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum and 3rd Silk Road International Communication Conference Held in Astana

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum and the 3rd Silk Road International Communication Conference are being held at the Presidential Center of Kazakhstan on Sunday.

    At the opening ceremony of the forum, a congratulatory message from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was read out.

    “I congratulate you on the visit of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan and the beginning of the collegial meetings held on the occasion of the 2nd Central Asia-China Summit. Such events contribute to the establishment of humanitarian dialogue between Kazakhstan, the countries of Central Asia and China, and the intensification of cultural cooperation. Kazakh-Chinese relations, based on the principles of good-neighborliness, friendship and eternal comprehensive strategic partnership, are strengthening every year,” says the address, which was read by the assistant to the President of Kazakhstan Arman Kyrykbayev.

    The address notes that in 2025, declared the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan, events will be held aimed at deepening mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. “I am convinced that important proposals and valuable opinions will be expressed at this meeting, which will improve communication between the media of our countries. I wish the participants fruitful work, prosperity and success,” added K.-Zh. Tokayev.

    In his speech at the opening of the forum, Fu Hua, Director General of the Chinese news agency Xinhua, noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently paid special attention to the development of cooperation between China and Central Asia. According to the Director General, a stable, prosperous, harmonious and interconnected Central Asia is of great importance to the entire world.

    Fu Hua said that Xinhua is willing to work with its counterparts in media and think tanks in Central Asian countries to strengthen media exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields such as news journalism, technological development, personnel exchanges, focus on the actual situation and development needs of China and Central Asia, conduct joint research on issues of common concern, strengthen field research, analysis and evaluation, information exchange and sharing of results, issue more meaningful and practical analytical reports, and put forward proposals for developing China-Central Asia cooperation.

    As Qiu Xiaoqi, deputy head of the China Society for Public Diplomacy, noted, the official launch of the China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum marks a new stage of exchanges and cooperation between the journalistic, analytical and cultural circles of the six countries, which will provide stronger and more effective intellectual support and public opinion support for the process of building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. According to Qiu Xiaoqi, all parties should make every effort to better tell the stories of China-Central Asia cooperation and the modernization of the Global South.

    First Deputy Director of the Agency for Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan Tursunali Kuziev emphasized that the Uzbek side fully agrees with the proverb “A close neighbor is better than a distant relative” and makes constant efforts to build good-neighborly, friendly, mutually beneficial and win-win relations between Central Asia and China. He expressed hope that the current conference will become another highly effective platform for the Central Asian states and China to exchange views, stimulate innovative ideas and plan areas for future cooperation.

    In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin pointed out that the “China-Central Asian spirit” demonstrates the six countries’ firm aspiration for good-neighborliness, friendship, solidarity and mutual assistance. According to him, the media is an important bridge and link that promotes mutual understanding and rapprochement between peoples. The ambassador called for joint efforts for common development, proper interpretation of the “China-Central Asian spirit” and the creation of a favorable public opinion environment to promote high-quality development of relations between China and Central Asia.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary-General of the China-Central Asia Format Sun Weidong stated that think tanks and media outlets of the six countries bear an important responsibility in strengthening the social foundation of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future. He assured that the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Format is willing to work closely with all parties to actively serve the cooperation mechanisms and platforms in all areas and contribute to building an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    In his speech, Zu Bin, a board member of China Huadian Corporation, pointed out that China Huadian, as one of the world’s largest energy enterprises, intends to comprehensively implement the initiative to jointly build the “Belt and Road” and the agreement of the “China-Central Asia” summit, adhere to the concept of mutual benefit and common gain, help Central Asian countries convert their resource advantages into development advantages, and promote the rapid development of green cooperation within the framework of the “Belt and Road”.

    During the forum, the analytical center’s report “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation” was published in Chinese, Russian and English.

    The theme of the forum is “Media Integration and Accumulation of Wisdom to Create a New Chapter of China-Central Asia Cooperation.” Participants of the event discuss ways to expand regional information exchanges, launch joint projects and strengthen humanitarian ties. The organizers are the Xinhua News Agency and the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan. The forum is attended by about 140 representatives of the media industry of China and five Central Asian countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xinhua Publishes Report “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities, and Prospects for Regional Cooperation”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) — The state-run Xinhua Analytical Center on Sunday released a report in the Kazakh capital Astana titled “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Possibilities and Prospects of Regional Cooperation.”

    The report describes the fruitful results of cooperation between China and Central Asia, highlights existing opportunities and challenges, and analyzes the prospects for regional cooperation.

    According to the report, since the beginning of the new era, China-Central Asia cooperation has achieved fruitful results in seven key areas: trade and economic exchanges, infrastructure, energy cooperation, emerging economic sectors, enhancing development potential, mutual learning among civilizations, and safeguarding peace and tranquility.

    As the authors point out, China and the five Central Asian countries have become good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers sharing a common destiny. Together, the six countries have created a new landscape of friendly, stable, and prosperous neighborhood in Eurasia.

    China and Central Asian countries have formed a “China-Central Asian spirit” of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance and promoting joint modernization through high-quality development, setting a standard for regional cooperation for the world.

    The report notes that China’s high-quality development and its high-level opening up to the outside world, together with a new wave of scientific, technological and industrial transformation, have provided significant opportunities for cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. However, their interaction faces risks and challenges such as unilateralism, protectionism, geopolitical risks and non-traditional security threats.

    The authors emphasize that further cooperation between China and Central Asia should be guided by the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as three major global initiatives – the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

    The report calls for the principle of mutual support, common development, common security and friendship passed down from generation to generation to be firmly upheld. The parties should make joint efforts to consolidate the foundation of a regional community with a shared future, open a new chapter in the history of regional prosperity, build a common shield of security and stability, and compose a new symphony of people-to-people ties. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada deepens bilateral and trade ties with United Arab Emirates

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 22, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    From June 18 to 20, 2025, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed to Canada His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), for a high-level visit of the U.A.E.’s delegation that he led, where they discussed key areas of cooperation and reinforced the strong ties between Canada and the UAE.

    The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario also met the delegation and discussed opportunities for Canada and the U.A.E. to collaborate on AI, through research and development, commercialization, and capital investments. 

    As part of this visit, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met with members of the delegation to advance economic opportunities as part of Canada’s commitment to trade diversification. Minister Sidhu also spoke with his counterpart H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, U.A.E. Minister of State for Foreign Trade, about the importance of strengthening the trade and investment relationship between the two countries.

    At a business roundtable hosted by the Canada-UAE Business Council, Minister Sidhu spoke about how Canada and the UAE can continue to expand their trade relationship. He noted, for example, the recent opening of the Dubai Chambers office in Toronto, which will help unlock new opportunities for Canadian and Emirati businesses.

    The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), also took this opportunity to meet with Reem Al Hashimy, the U.A.E.’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, to discuss relief efforts in Gaza and potential development cooperation between Canada and UAE.

    Through a joint statement between Canada and the U.A.E., both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, people-to-people ties, international development and regional peace and security. Growing Canada’s commercial ties with countries like the U.A.E. builds on Canada’s trade diversification strategy, creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand announces further aid for Ukraine

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week’s NATO Summit in the Hague.   
    “New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” Mr Luxon says.
    New Zealand will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine.
    “The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.  
    “We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.”
    New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries.  
    “The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,” Mr Luxon says.
    This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and other enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine. 
    “It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.  
    More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin Amid Israel-Iran Conflict

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    There are currently no specific credible threats against the homeland 

    WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding a heightened threat environment across the United States due to the direct involvement of the United States in the ongoing conflict between the nations of Israel and Iran. There are currently no specific credible threats against the homeland.   

    “It is our duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes.”

    This NTAS Bulletin will expire on September 22, 2025.  The public should report any suspicious activity or threats of violence to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or a local Fusion Center.  

    Read the NTAS Bulletin here.   

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University

    Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock

    One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.

    Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family – have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.

    Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture-book series The Monsters, Labubu gained mass popularity when toy company Pop Mart began releasing it as blind-box collectables in 2019. The toys are often sold in these blind-boxes, where people don’t know what make they’ve bought until after opening the box.

    The niche designer toy has since spiralled into a multi billion-dollar obsession. Plushies sell out within minutes, fans queue for hours, and rare editions like the human-sized mint-green-coloured Labubu have fetched over A$230,000 at auction.

    Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a glimpse of how China’s long-awaited soft power is beginning to take shape in unexpected ways.

    China’s accidental soft power icon?

    For years, the Chinese government has tried to cultivate a positive image abroad through the Belt and Road Initiative, introducing visa-free entry to boost tourism, and promoting homegrown brands.

    None of these efforts have matched the spontaneous global appeal of this small plush creature. Unlike Japan’s government-funded “Cool Japan” initiative launched in 2010, or South Korea’s highly coordinated export of creative industries, Labubu succeeded without central planning. It went viral organically: fanned by fandoms, fuelled by TikTok and amplified by celebrity endorsements.

    Now, China is starting to look “cool” to the outside world.

    Pop Mart’s blind-box sales model taps into the same reward mechanisms as online gaming. More than buying a toy, it’s about the thrill of unboxing the rarest edition, the social status of ownership, and the resale value of a seemingly childish product. This cultural product is emotionally charged and economically strategic.

    Labubu uses ‘blind boxes’ – where buyers don’t know what model they’ll get – to emotionally hook collectors.
    Tatiana Diuvbanova/Shutterstock

    For China, Labubu represents an unintentional yet potent form of soft power: a quirky figure that makes the country feel playful, creative and emotionally accessible.

    In an era when global perceptions of China are often shaped by geopolitics, surveillance, and authoritarianism, Labubu seems to offer something different – something disarming.

    How Japan and Korea use cultural exports

    Japan, long celebrated for its exports of anime, fashion, and food culture, launched its “Cool Japan” strategy in 2010 to formalise and promote its creative industries abroad.

    The initiative helped amplify global interest in sectors such as anime and cuisine but it often struggled with bureaucratic inefficiency, market misjudgements and unclear performance metrics.

    Many of the country’s cultural successes – from Pokémon and Studio Ghibli to ramen and izakaya – were largely driven by market forces and fan communities, rather than by the government.

    South Korea provides a more recent, effective model. The Korean Wave, or hallyu, has been heavily supported by state investment and infrastructure.

    From the film Parasite to global icons such as K-Pop band BTS, South Korea’s cultural output has earned international acclaim and helped rebrand the nation on the world stage.

    Importantly, it was a case of soft power being harnessed intentionally and strategically, with entertainment at the forefront of foreign policy.

    Labubu represents a third model: accidental soft power born from a commercial ecosystem in China increasingly focused on intellectual property (IP), lifestyle branding and consumer-driven trends.

    The emotional politics of toys

    Beyond its political implications, the Labubu craze reflects wider shifts in global consumer culture. Today’s toy market is no longer just for children.

    The adult “kidult” sector, driven by nostalgia, comfort-seeking, and collectability, is rising.

    The frenzy over Labubu is part of this trend, where millennials and Gen Z buyers invest in emotionally charged objects as expressions of identity, status and belonging.

    The popularity of labubu has seen long lines at PopMart shops around the world, like this one in South Jakarta.
    petanicupu/Shutterstock

    At the same time, Labubu represents a growing intersection between play and finance. The resale market treats plushies like speculative assets. Their scarcity creates value; their emotional resonance creates demand.

    It’s capitalism with a fuzzy face.

    Not everything is cuddly. In cities like London or Seoul, Pop Mart was forced to suspend sales after scuffles broke out among fans competing to buy the toys. And a surge in global counterfeits has raised growing concerns over IP protection and consumer trust.

    The rise of China’s soft power

    Labubu may look like a mischievous little elf, but it carries serious cultural weight.

    It reflects a China that is no longer just a producer of goods, but a producer of desire.

    It’s tempting to see Labubu as a fad like fidget spinners, Beanie Babies, or Tamagotchis. But it signals something deeper: a shift in how Chinese cultural products can evoke emotion, status and aspiration on a global scale.

    This tiny plush toy took nearly a decade to become a global sensation. China’s hopes of fully realising its soft power potential may take even longer. But if Labubu is any indication, the way forward may depend less on state-led campaigns and more on organic, bottom-up cultural momentum.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power – https://theconversation.com/labubu-plushies-arent-just-toys-theyre-a-brand-new-frontier-for-chinese-soft-power-259146

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University

    Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock

    One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.

    Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family – have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.

    Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture-book series The Monsters, Labubu gained mass popularity when toy company Pop Mart began releasing it as blind-box collectables in 2019. The toys are often sold in these blind-boxes, where people don’t know what make they’ve bought until after opening the box.

    The niche designer toy has since spiralled into a multi billion-dollar obsession. Plushies sell out within minutes, fans queue for hours, and rare editions like the human-sized mint-green-coloured Labubu have fetched over A$230,000 at auction.

    Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a glimpse of how China’s long-awaited soft power is beginning to take shape in unexpected ways.

    China’s accidental soft power icon?

    For years, the Chinese government has tried to cultivate a positive image abroad through the Belt and Road Initiative, introducing visa-free entry to boost tourism, and promoting homegrown brands.

    None of these efforts have matched the spontaneous global appeal of this small plush creature. Unlike Japan’s government-funded “Cool Japan” initiative launched in 2010, or South Korea’s highly coordinated export of creative industries, Labubu succeeded without central planning. It went viral organically: fanned by fandoms, fuelled by TikTok and amplified by celebrity endorsements.

    Now, China is starting to look “cool” to the outside world.

    Pop Mart’s blind-box sales model taps into the same reward mechanisms as online gaming. More than buying a toy, it’s about the thrill of unboxing the rarest edition, the social status of ownership, and the resale value of a seemingly childish product. This cultural product is emotionally charged and economically strategic.

    Labubu uses ‘blind boxes’ – where buyers don’t know what model they’ll get – to emotionally hook collectors.
    Tatiana Diuvbanova/Shutterstock

    For China, Labubu represents an unintentional yet potent form of soft power: a quirky figure that makes the country feel playful, creative and emotionally accessible.

    In an era when global perceptions of China are often shaped by geopolitics, surveillance, and authoritarianism, Labubu seems to offer something different – something disarming.

    How Japan and Korea use cultural exports

    Japan, long celebrated for its exports of anime, fashion, and food culture, launched its “Cool Japan” strategy in 2010 to formalise and promote its creative industries abroad.

    The initiative helped amplify global interest in sectors such as anime and cuisine but it often struggled with bureaucratic inefficiency, market misjudgements and unclear performance metrics.

    Many of the country’s cultural successes – from Pokémon and Studio Ghibli to ramen and izakaya – were largely driven by market forces and fan communities, rather than by the government.

    South Korea provides a more recent, effective model. The Korean Wave, or hallyu, has been heavily supported by state investment and infrastructure.

    From the film Parasite to global icons such as K-Pop band BTS, South Korea’s cultural output has earned international acclaim and helped rebrand the nation on the world stage.

    Importantly, it was a case of soft power being harnessed intentionally and strategically, with entertainment at the forefront of foreign policy.

    Labubu represents a third model: accidental soft power born from a commercial ecosystem in China increasingly focused on intellectual property (IP), lifestyle branding and consumer-driven trends.

    The emotional politics of toys

    Beyond its political implications, the Labubu craze reflects wider shifts in global consumer culture. Today’s toy market is no longer just for children.

    The adult “kidult” sector, driven by nostalgia, comfort-seeking, and collectability, is rising.

    The frenzy over Labubu is part of this trend, where millennials and Gen Z buyers invest in emotionally charged objects as expressions of identity, status and belonging.

    The popularity of labubu has seen long lines at PopMart shops around the world, like this one in South Jakarta.
    petanicupu/Shutterstock

    At the same time, Labubu represents a growing intersection between play and finance. The resale market treats plushies like speculative assets. Their scarcity creates value; their emotional resonance creates demand.

    It’s capitalism with a fuzzy face.

    Not everything is cuddly. In cities like London or Seoul, Pop Mart was forced to suspend sales after scuffles broke out among fans competing to buy the toys. And a surge in global counterfeits has raised growing concerns over IP protection and consumer trust.

    The rise of China’s soft power

    Labubu may look like a mischievous little elf, but it carries serious cultural weight.

    It reflects a China that is no longer just a producer of goods, but a producer of desire.

    It’s tempting to see Labubu as a fad like fidget spinners, Beanie Babies, or Tamagotchis. But it signals something deeper: a shift in how Chinese cultural products can evoke emotion, status and aspiration on a global scale.

    This tiny plush toy took nearly a decade to become a global sensation. China’s hopes of fully realising its soft power potential may take even longer. But if Labubu is any indication, the way forward may depend less on state-led campaigns and more on organic, bottom-up cultural momentum.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power – https://theconversation.com/labubu-plushies-arent-just-toys-theyre-a-brand-new-frontier-for-chinese-soft-power-259146

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.

    This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.

    Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.

    We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.

    The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.

    The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence.
    Qantas, annotated by the ATSB

    Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes

    Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.

    The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.

    Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia

    For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.

    Small yet powerful

    Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.

    Microburst wind gusts can be extremely strong. Brisbane airport recorded a microburst wind gust at 157km per hour in November 2016. Three planes on the tarmac were extensively damaged.

    On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidents in the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.

    Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

    Microburst analysis and prediction

    Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.

    We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.

    Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.

    We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.

    We investigated a microburst outbreak from a storm front in 2018. It produced severe surface wind gusts at six regional airports in New South Wales: Bourke, Walgett, Coonamble, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.

    Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.

    Widespread consequences

    Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.

    High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.

    A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground.
    Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY

    These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.

    Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.

    Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.

    Beware of heightened microburst activity

    Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.

    However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.

    Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.

    Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.

    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. Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety – https://theconversation.com/freak-wind-gusts-made-worse-by-climate-change-threaten-airline-passenger-safety-258823

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.

    This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.

    Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.

    We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.

    The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.

    The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence.
    Qantas, annotated by the ATSB

    Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes

    Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.

    The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.

    Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia

    For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.

    Small yet powerful

    Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.

    Microburst wind gusts can be extremely strong. Brisbane airport recorded a microburst wind gust at 157km per hour in November 2016. Three planes on the tarmac were extensively damaged.

    On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidents in the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.

    Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

    Microburst analysis and prediction

    Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.

    We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.

    Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.

    We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.

    We investigated a microburst outbreak from a storm front in 2018. It produced severe surface wind gusts at six regional airports in New South Wales: Bourke, Walgett, Coonamble, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.

    Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.

    Widespread consequences

    Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.

    High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.

    A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground.
    Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY

    These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.

    Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.

    Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.

    Beware of heightened microburst activity

    Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.

    However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.

    Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.

    Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.

    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. Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety – https://theconversation.com/freak-wind-gusts-made-worse-by-climate-change-threaten-airline-passenger-safety-258823

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Shub, Obstetrician & Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, The University of Melbourne

    How Australian pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is set to change, with new national guidelines released today.

    Changes are expected to lead to fewer diagnoses in women at lower risk, reducing the burden of extra monitoring and intervention. Meanwhile the changes focus care and support towards women and babies who will benefit most.

    These latest recommendations form the first update in screening for gestational diabetes in more than a decade, and potentially affect more than 280,000 pregnant women a year across Australia.

    The new guidelines, which we have been involved in writing, are released today by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    What is gestational diabetes? Why do we test for it?

    Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects nearly one in five pregnancies in Australia.

    It is defined by abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood that are first picked up during pregnancy.

    Most of the time gestational diabetes goes away after the birth. But women with gestational diabetes are at least seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

    In Australia, routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended for all pregnant women. This will continue.

    That’s because treatment reduces the risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes. This includes
    babies being born very large – a condition called macrosomia – which can lead to difficult births, and a caesarean. Treatment also reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, when women have high blood pressure and protein in their urine, and other serious pregnancy complications.

    Screening for gestational diabetes is also an opportunity to identify women who may benefit from diabetes prevention programs and ways to support their long-term health, including support with nutrition and physical activity.

    Why is testing changing?

    Most women benefit from detection and treatment. However, for some women, a diagnosis can have negative impacts. This often relates to how care is delivered.

    Women have described feeling shame and stigma after the diagnosis. Others report challenges accessing the care and support they need during pregnancy. This may include access to specialist doctors, allied health professionals and clinics. Some women have restricted their diet in an unhealthy way, without appropriate supervision by a health professional. Some have had to change their preferred maternity care provider or location of birth because their pregnancy is now considered higher risk.

    So we must diagnose the condition in women when the benefits outweigh the potential costs.

    Which pregnant women need a blood test and when? And when are other types of testing warranted?
    Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

    When are blood sugar levels too high?

    Diagnosing gestational diabetes is based on having blood glucose levels above a certain threshold.

    However, there is no clear level above which the risk of complications starts to increase. And determining the best thresholds to identify who does, and who does not, have gestational diabetes has been subject to much research and debate.

    Globally, screening approaches and diagnostic criteria vary substantially. There are differences in who is recommended to be screened, when in pregnancy screening should occur, which tests should be used, and what the diagnostic glucose levels should be.

    So, what changes?

    The new recommendations are the result of reviewing up-to-date evidence with input from a wide range of professional and consumer groups.

    Screening will continue

    All pregnant women who don’t already have a diagnosis of pre-pregnancy diabetes, or gestational diabetes, will still be recommended screening at between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation. They’ll still have an oral glucose tolerance test, a measure of how the body processes sugar. The test involves fasting overnight, and having a blood test in the morning before drinking a sugary drink. Then there are two more blood tests over two hours. However, fewer women will have this test twice in their pregnancy.

    Changes mean more targeted care

    The following changes mean health services should be able to reorient resources to ensure women have access to the care they need to support healthier pregnancies, including early support for women who need it most:

    • women with risk factors of existing, undiagnosed diabetes (such as a higher body-mass index or BMI, or a previous large baby) will be screened in the first trimester, with a single, non-fasting blood test (known as HbA1c)

    • fewer women will have an oral glucose tolerance test early in the pregnancy, ideally between ten and 14 weeks gestation. This early testing will be reserved for women with specific risk factors, such as gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, or a high level on the HbA1c test

    • women will only be diagnosed if their blood glucose level is above new, higher cut-off points for the oral glucose tolerance test, for tests conducted early or later in the pregnancy.

    Which tests do I need?

    These changes will be implemented over coming months. So women are encouraged to speak to their maternity care provider about how the changes apply to them.

    Alexis Shub is a board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society. She has received research funding from ADIPS.

    Matthew Hare has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Viertel Charitable Foundation and Australian government Department of Health. He has received honoraria for consultancies, steering committees and invited talks from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca. He is president and board chair of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and a member of the Australian Diabetes Society and Endocrine Society of Australia.

    Susan de Jersey has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Metro North Health. She is a member of Dietitians Australia, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and is vice chair and board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society.

    – ref. How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you – https://theconversation.com/how-pregnant-women-are-tested-for-gestational-diabetes-is-changing-heres-what-this-means-for-you-259260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Shub, Obstetrician & Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, The University of Melbourne

    How Australian pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is set to change, with new national guidelines released today.

    Changes are expected to lead to fewer diagnoses in women at lower risk, reducing the burden of extra monitoring and intervention. Meanwhile the changes focus care and support towards women and babies who will benefit most.

    These latest recommendations form the first update in screening for gestational diabetes in more than a decade, and potentially affect more than 280,000 pregnant women a year across Australia.

    The new guidelines, which we have been involved in writing, are released today by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    What is gestational diabetes? Why do we test for it?

    Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects nearly one in five pregnancies in Australia.

    It is defined by abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood that are first picked up during pregnancy.

    Most of the time gestational diabetes goes away after the birth. But women with gestational diabetes are at least seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

    In Australia, routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended for all pregnant women. This will continue.

    That’s because treatment reduces the risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes. This includes
    babies being born very large – a condition called macrosomia – which can lead to difficult births, and a caesarean. Treatment also reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, when women have high blood pressure and protein in their urine, and other serious pregnancy complications.

    Screening for gestational diabetes is also an opportunity to identify women who may benefit from diabetes prevention programs and ways to support their long-term health, including support with nutrition and physical activity.

    Why is testing changing?

    Most women benefit from detection and treatment. However, for some women, a diagnosis can have negative impacts. This often relates to how care is delivered.

    Women have described feeling shame and stigma after the diagnosis. Others report challenges accessing the care and support they need during pregnancy. This may include access to specialist doctors, allied health professionals and clinics. Some women have restricted their diet in an unhealthy way, without appropriate supervision by a health professional. Some have had to change their preferred maternity care provider or location of birth because their pregnancy is now considered higher risk.

    So we must diagnose the condition in women when the benefits outweigh the potential costs.

    Which pregnant women need a blood test and when? And when are other types of testing warranted?
    Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

    When are blood sugar levels too high?

    Diagnosing gestational diabetes is based on having blood glucose levels above a certain threshold.

    However, there is no clear level above which the risk of complications starts to increase. And determining the best thresholds to identify who does, and who does not, have gestational diabetes has been subject to much research and debate.

    Globally, screening approaches and diagnostic criteria vary substantially. There are differences in who is recommended to be screened, when in pregnancy screening should occur, which tests should be used, and what the diagnostic glucose levels should be.

    So, what changes?

    The new recommendations are the result of reviewing up-to-date evidence with input from a wide range of professional and consumer groups.

    Screening will continue

    All pregnant women who don’t already have a diagnosis of pre-pregnancy diabetes, or gestational diabetes, will still be recommended screening at between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation. They’ll still have an oral glucose tolerance test, a measure of how the body processes sugar. The test involves fasting overnight, and having a blood test in the morning before drinking a sugary drink. Then there are two more blood tests over two hours. However, fewer women will have this test twice in their pregnancy.

    Changes mean more targeted care

    The following changes mean health services should be able to reorient resources to ensure women have access to the care they need to support healthier pregnancies, including early support for women who need it most:

    • women with risk factors of existing, undiagnosed diabetes (such as a higher body-mass index or BMI, or a previous large baby) will be screened in the first trimester, with a single, non-fasting blood test (known as HbA1c)

    • fewer women will have an oral glucose tolerance test early in the pregnancy, ideally between ten and 14 weeks gestation. This early testing will be reserved for women with specific risk factors, such as gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, or a high level on the HbA1c test

    • women will only be diagnosed if their blood glucose level is above new, higher cut-off points for the oral glucose tolerance test, for tests conducted early or later in the pregnancy.

    Which tests do I need?

    These changes will be implemented over coming months. So women are encouraged to speak to their maternity care provider about how the changes apply to them.

    Alexis Shub is a board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society. She has received research funding from ADIPS.

    Matthew Hare has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Viertel Charitable Foundation and Australian government Department of Health. He has received honoraria for consultancies, steering committees and invited talks from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca. He is president and board chair of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and a member of the Australian Diabetes Society and Endocrine Society of Australia.

    Susan de Jersey has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Metro North Health. She is a member of Dietitians Australia, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and is vice chair and board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society.

    – ref. How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you – https://theconversation.com/how-pregnant-women-are-tested-for-gestational-diabetes-is-changing-heres-what-this-means-for-you-259260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Shutterstock/Alesia Bierliezova

    The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.

    For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.

    As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:

    • traditional Māori foods such as rēwena

    • ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans

    • high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.

    New Zealanders’ changing food habits

    New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.

    At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.

    For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.

    Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads.
    Shutterstock/EQRoy

    The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.

    Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).

    Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.

    Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet

    With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.

    Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.

    The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.

    The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.

    The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.

    Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.

    Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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. NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database – https://theconversation.com/nzs-changing-diet-maori-bread-and-jackfruit-join-other-new-foods-in-the-countrys-nutritional-database-257791

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Shutterstock/Alesia Bierliezova

    The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.

    For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.

    As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:

    • traditional Māori foods such as rēwena

    • ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans

    • high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.

    New Zealanders’ changing food habits

    New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.

    At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.

    For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.

    Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads.
    Shutterstock/EQRoy

    The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.

    Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).

    Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.

    Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet

    With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.

    Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.

    The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.

    The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.

    The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.

    Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.

    Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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. NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database – https://theconversation.com/nzs-changing-diet-maori-bread-and-jackfruit-join-other-new-foods-in-the-countrys-nutritional-database-257791

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Jakob, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, Monash University

    Caleb Weiner / Unsplash

    At any given time, about two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds. Overall, they make the planet much cooler than it would be without them.

    But as Earth gets warmer, mostly due to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from humans burning fossil fuels, clouds are changing too. And that might already be causing more warming – adding to the greenhouse heat boost, and changing clouds even more.

    Over the past few years, the world’s average temperature has increased more than climate scientists were expecting. In our latest research, led by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, we show that changes in clouds have made a significant contribution to turning up the thermostat.

    Clouds and climate

    Clouds help to keep Earth cool by reflecting sunlight back out to space before it can reach the ground. But not all clouds are equal.

    Shiny, white clouds reflect away more sunlight – especially when they are closer to the equator, in the parts of Earth that receive the most sun. Grey, broken clouds reflect less sunlight, as do clouds closer to the poles where less light falls.

    Research published last year showed that Earth has been absorbing more sunlight than the greenhouse effect alone can explain. Clouds were involved, but it wasn’t clear exactly how.

    Bright cloud zones are shrinking

    Our new study shows what is happening. The areas covered by highly reflective clouds are shrinking. At the same time, the areas containing broken, less reflective clouds are growing.

    The net effect is that additional energy from sunlight is reaching Earth’s surface. Here it is absorbed, leading to extra heating.

    We also looked at the effect of changes in the properties of the highly reflective clouds, caused by things such as changes in the amount of aerosol pollution in the atmosphere. However, we found these effects are much smaller than the effect of the change in area.

    The global picture

    In the big picture, Earth’s wind patterns are driven by hot air rising near the equator and the rotation of the planet. This creates huge, looping currents of atmospheric circulation around the globe.

    Local weather systems – the kind that determine the location and type of clouds – depend on these major, large-scale wind systems. The major circulation patterns in the atmosphere are changing as a result of global warming.

    We found much of the cloud action is taking place at the edges of these major wind systems.

    Cloud cover is changing in several parts of Earth.
    NASA Earth Observatory

    Highly reflective clouds are on the decline in a region near the equator called the intertropical convergence zone, and also two other bands called the storm tracks, which lie between 30 and 40 degrees of latitude.

    At the same time the subtropical trade-wind regions, home to ever-present but less reflective broken clouds, are expanding.

    A feedback loop

    In short, the global warming induced by increased greenhouse gases changes the major wind systems on Earth. This in turn reduces the area of highly reflective clouds, leading to additional warming.

    Warming changes wind patterns, which changes cloud patterns, which results in more warming. This is what we call a “positive feedback” in the climate system: warming leads to more warming.

    We still have a lot to learn about the details of this feedback loop. Our research will use ongoing satellite-based observations of clouds and how much energy Earth receives and radiates back out to space.

    Christian Jakob receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming – https://theconversation.com/global-warming-is-changing-cloud-patterns-that-means-more-global-warming-259376

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Jakob, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, Monash University

    Caleb Weiner / Unsplash

    At any given time, about two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds. Overall, they make the planet much cooler than it would be without them.

    But as Earth gets warmer, mostly due to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from humans burning fossil fuels, clouds are changing too. And that might already be causing more warming – adding to the greenhouse heat boost, and changing clouds even more.

    Over the past few years, the world’s average temperature has increased more than climate scientists were expecting. In our latest research, led by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, we show that changes in clouds have made a significant contribution to turning up the thermostat.

    Clouds and climate

    Clouds help to keep Earth cool by reflecting sunlight back out to space before it can reach the ground. But not all clouds are equal.

    Shiny, white clouds reflect away more sunlight – especially when they are closer to the equator, in the parts of Earth that receive the most sun. Grey, broken clouds reflect less sunlight, as do clouds closer to the poles where less light falls.

    Research published last year showed that Earth has been absorbing more sunlight than the greenhouse effect alone can explain. Clouds were involved, but it wasn’t clear exactly how.

    Bright cloud zones are shrinking

    Our new study shows what is happening. The areas covered by highly reflective clouds are shrinking. At the same time, the areas containing broken, less reflective clouds are growing.

    The net effect is that additional energy from sunlight is reaching Earth’s surface. Here it is absorbed, leading to extra heating.

    We also looked at the effect of changes in the properties of the highly reflective clouds, caused by things such as changes in the amount of aerosol pollution in the atmosphere. However, we found these effects are much smaller than the effect of the change in area.

    The global picture

    In the big picture, Earth’s wind patterns are driven by hot air rising near the equator and the rotation of the planet. This creates huge, looping currents of atmospheric circulation around the globe.

    Local weather systems – the kind that determine the location and type of clouds – depend on these major, large-scale wind systems. The major circulation patterns in the atmosphere are changing as a result of global warming.

    We found much of the cloud action is taking place at the edges of these major wind systems.

    Cloud cover is changing in several parts of Earth.
    NASA Earth Observatory

    Highly reflective clouds are on the decline in a region near the equator called the intertropical convergence zone, and also two other bands called the storm tracks, which lie between 30 and 40 degrees of latitude.

    At the same time the subtropical trade-wind regions, home to ever-present but less reflective broken clouds, are expanding.

    A feedback loop

    In short, the global warming induced by increased greenhouse gases changes the major wind systems on Earth. This in turn reduces the area of highly reflective clouds, leading to additional warming.

    Warming changes wind patterns, which changes cloud patterns, which results in more warming. This is what we call a “positive feedback” in the climate system: warming leads to more warming.

    We still have a lot to learn about the details of this feedback loop. Our research will use ongoing satellite-based observations of clouds and how much energy Earth receives and radiates back out to space.

    Christian Jakob receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming – https://theconversation.com/global-warming-is-changing-cloud-patterns-that-means-more-global-warming-259376

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Trump of the United States: 22 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM call with President Trump of the United States: 22 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump this evening.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump this evening.

    The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran’s nuclear programme to international security. They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 

    They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement.

    They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State of Emergency Declared Following Severe Weather

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today declared a State of Emergency in 32 counties in response to severe weather and extreme heat impacting communities across New York. A cluster of severe thunderstorms impacted parts of the North Country, Central New York, Southern Tier, and the Capital District early this morning causing downed trees and power lines, structural damage and numerous power outages. Rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour will continue with additional two to four inches totals likely. The heaviest rain will likely continue to fall over areas in Central New York and Southern Tier that have already seen heavy rain. Flash flooding may extend into the Southern Tier and Mid-Hudson regions, especially from Broome to Ulster/Sullivan Counties. Numerous power outages exist from the North Country to the Southern Tier Regions. In addition, a multi-day heatwave will begin today statewide, with a combination of high temperatures and humidity resulting in feels-like temperatures between 90 to over 100 degrees through Wednesday.

    “Our hearts break for the tragic loss of life during last night’s storms, and my administration has been in touch with local elected officials offering support,” Governor Hochul said. “State emergency response personnel are already on the ground providing resources and support as we work to recover from this severe weather and restore power quickly. I urge all New Yorkers to stay weather aware and take precautions to stay vigilant and safe as extreme heat and severe weather are expected to continue impacting the State over the next couple of days.”

    The State of Emergency includes Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Madison, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and contiguous counties.

    At Governor Hochul’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Enhanced Monitoring Mode to track the storms and damage. They are working closely with local emergency managers and governments to support requests and provide assistance as requested. State agencies stand ready to respond with equipment and personnel. Light towers have been provided to Oneida County and other materials stored in the State’s nine stockpiles including generators and pumps are also available to support local needs.

    The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has activated its Fire Operations Center and can deploy teams, including canine units to provide support. The State’s swift water rescue teams are also prepared to respond.

    New Yorkers can sign up for text weather and emergency alerts by texting their county or borough to 333111.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Strongly Condemns Attack on Church in Damascus

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 22, 2025 

    The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack on St. Elias Church in Damascus, the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic, which resulted in  deaths and injuries.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the State of Qatar’s firm position of all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or causes. It strongly condemns any targeting of places of worship and acts that terrorize civilians. The Ministry also expresses Qatar’s full solidarity with the Syrian government in all measures it undertakes to preserve security and stability.

    The Ministry extends the State of Qatar’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Syria , and  wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran.

    This is a pivotal moment for the region.

    A further spiral of conflict poses serious risks to regional and international peace and stability. Our foremost priority must now be to support de-escalation.

    We have long made clear that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon and their nuclear programme represents a serious threat to international peace and security.

    The United States took action last night to alleviate that threat. 

    The United Kingdom did not participate in US or Israeli strikes.

    But military action alone cannot bring a durable solution to concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme.

    My Prime Minister has been clear. We urge Iran  now to show restraint, and we urge all parties to return to the negotiating table and find a diplomatic solution, which stops further escalation and brings this crisis to an end.

    It is in the interests of all parties to pursue such a deal.

    This was the joint call made by my Prime Minister, with his French and German counterparts earlier today. Together with our E3 partners, the UK has long pursued a diplomatic solution to address Iran’s nuclear escalation. On Friday, alongside E3 and EU colleagues, my Foreign Secretary met Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Geneva to press directly for a return to diplomacy. My Foreign Minister spoke to Foreign Minister Araghchi again today and stressed the urgency of this and we continue to engage partners across the region.

    President, the UK reiterates its full support for the IAEA and Director General Grossi for their critical work, professionalism and impartiality. The IAEA and the Non-Proliferation Treaty are key pillars of international security. Threats against IAEA staff and the DG are unacceptable. We urge Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA. Failure to do so will only further fuel escalation.

    President, now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. It is essential Iran chooses this path.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –