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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Is sleeping a lot actually bad for your health? A sleep scientist explains

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Charlotte Gupta, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia

    Walstrom, Susanne/Getty

    We’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough is bad for your brain, heart and overall health, not to mention your skin and sex drive.

    But what about sleeping “too much”? Recent reports that sleeping more than nine hours could be worse for your health than sleeping too little may have you throwing up your hands in despair.

    It can be hard not to feel confused and worried. But how much sleep do we need? And what can sleeping a lot really tell us about our health? Let’s unpack the evidence.

    Sleep is essential for our health

    Along with nutrition and physical activity, sleep is an essential pillar of health.

    During sleep, physiological processes occur that allow our bodies to function effectively when we are awake. These include processes involved in muscle recovery, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.

    The Sleep Health Foundation – Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation that provides evidence-based information on sleep health – recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

    Some people are naturally short sleepers and can function well with less than seven hours.

    However, for most of us, sleeping less than seven hours will have negative effects. These may be short term; for example, the day after a poor night’s sleep you might have less energy, worse mood, feel more stressed and find it harder to concentrate at work.

    In the long term, not getting enough good quality sleep is a major risk factor for health problems. It’s linked to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease – such as heart attacks and stroke – metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety, cancer and death.

    So, it’s clear that not getting enough sleep is bad for us. But what about too much sleep?

    Could too much sleep be bad?

    In a recent study, researchers reviewed the results of 79 other studies that followed people for at least one year and measured how sleep duration impacts the risk of poor health or dying to see if there was an overall trend.

    They found people who slept for short durations – less than seven hours a night – had a 14% higher risk of dying in the study period, compared to those who slept between seven and eight hours. This is not surprising given the established health risks of poor sleep.

    However, the researchers also found those who slept a lot – which they defined as more than nine hours a night – had a greater risk of dying: 34% higher than people who slept seven to eight hours.

    This supports similar research from 2018, which combined results from 74 previous studies that followed the sleep and health of participants across time, ranging from one to 30 years. It found sleeping more than nine hours was associated with a 14% increased risk of dying in the study period.

    Research has also shown sleeping too long (meaning more than required for your age) is linked to health problems such as depression, chronic pain, weight gain and metabolic disorders.

    This may sound alarming. But it’s crucial to remember these studies have only found a link between sleeping too long and poor health – this doesn’t mean sleeping too long is the cause of health problems or death.



    Read more:
    If ‘correlation doesn’t imply causation’, how do scientists figure out why things happen?

    So, what’s the link?

    Multiple factors may influence the relationship between sleeping a lot and having poor health.

    It’s common for people with chronic health problems to consistently sleep for long periods. Their bodies may need additional rest to support recovery, or they may spend more time in bed due to symptoms or medication side effects.

    People with chronic health problems may also not be getting high quality sleep, and may stay in bed for longer to try and get some extra sleep.

    Additionally, we know risk factors for poor health, such as smoking and being overweight, are also associated with poor sleep.

    This means people may be sleeping more because of existing health problems or lifestyle behaviours, not that sleeping more is causing the poor health.

    Put simply, sleeping may be a symptom of poor health, not the cause.

    What’s the ideal amount?

    The reasons some people sleep a little and others sleep a lot depend on individual differences – and we don’t yet fully understand these.

    Our sleep needs can be related to age. Teenagers often want to sleep more and may physically need to, with sleep recommendations for teens being slightly higher than adults at eight to ten hours. Teens may also go to bed and wake up later.

    Older adults may want to spend more time in bed. However, unless they have a sleep disorder, the amount they need to sleep will be the same as when they were younger.

    But most adults will require seven to nine hours, so this is the healthy window to aim for.

    It’s not just about how much sleep you get. Good quality sleep and a consistent bed time and wake time are just as important – if not more so – for your overall health.

    The bottom line

    Given many Australian adults are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep, we should focus on how to make sure we get enough sleep, rather than worrying we are getting too much.

    To give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep, get sunlight and stay active during the day, and try to keep a regular sleep and wake time. In the hour before bed, avoid screens, do something relaxing, and make sure your sleep space is quiet, dark, and comfortable.

    If you notice you are regularly sleeping much longer than usual, it could be your body’s way of telling you something else is going on. If you’re struggling with sleep or are concerned, speak with your GP. You can also explore the resources on the Sleep Health Foundation website.

    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. Is sleeping a lot actually bad for your health? A sleep scientist explains – https://theconversation.com/is-sleeping-a-lot-actually-bad-for-your-health-a-sleep-scientist-explains-259991

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Kazuo Ishiguro said he won the Nobel Prize for making people cry – 20 years later, Never Let Me Go should make us angry

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Matthew Taft, Course Coordinator in English and Theatre Studies, The University of Melbourne

    Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield in the film adaptation of Never Let Me Go (2010) IMDB

    Our cultural touchstone series looks at works that have had a lasting influence.

    Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go was published 20 years ago. Since then, the Japanese-born English writer has been awarded the Nobel Prize in 2017 and knighted for services to literature in 2018.

    Never Let Me Go has been translated into over 50 languages. It has been adapted into a film, two stage plays, and a ten-part Japanese television series. A critical and commercial success, the novel has been reissued in an anniversary edition with a fresh introduction from the author.


    A spate of reappraisals has accompanied this anniversary: “An impossibly sad novel […] it made me cry several times […] sadness spilled off every page.” “No matter how many times I read it,” one critic wrote, “Never Let Me Go breaks my heart all over again.”

    These brief excerpts are clear: the novel pulls us into a morass of sadness that never lets us go. “I’ve usually been praised for producing stuff that makes people cry,” Ishiguro has said. “They gave me a Nobel prize for it.”

    Strange and familiar

    I want to reconsider the emotional charge of Never Let Me Go.

    The deluge of tears attested to by critics hinges on the relationship Ishiguro meticulously crafts between narrator and reader. This is initiated in the novel’s first lines. Ishiguro places us in an alternative 1990s England. His opening gambit will be familiar to novel readers:

    My name is Kathy H. I’m thirty-one years old, and I’ve been a carer now for over eleven years. That sounds long enough, I know, but actually they want me to go on for another eight months […] My donors have always tended to do much better than expected.

    Within a few pages, the narration slips into Kathy’s recollections of her idyllic 1970s youth at a boarding school called Hailsham. We are immersed in a childhood world of friendship and exclusion, jealousy and love. This is a recognisable world. Ishiguro’s first-person narration affords the reader vicarious access to Kathy’s interior tangle of emotion, desire and reflection, such that we can recognise something of ourselves in her.

    Yet something is amiss in her narration. Flat and rather affectless, it is a decidedly less curious, less passionate and more tempered mode of narration than we might expect. The threadbare texture frays the narrative world. What are we to make of the opaque references to “carer”, “they” and “donors”?

    This uncanny tension between the strange and the familiar simmers until a third of the way through the novel, when a “guardian” at Hailsham reveals the students’ futures:

    Your lives are set out for you. You’ll become adults, then before you’re old, before you’re even middle-aged, you’ll start to donate your vital organs. That’s what each of you was created to do.

    Good liberals

    Kathy is a clone, condemned to death so her organs can be harvested for “normals”. That this heartless system “reduces the most hardened critics to tears” comes as no surprise. After all, Ishiguro has evoked the familiar genre of the 19th-century boarding-school bildungsroman to encourage us to believe that this is a form of subjectivity we can share. This bildung – the German word for “formation” – is not an integration into society but rather a dismemberment by society.

    That this does not provoke anger, in readers and characters alike, does come as a surprise. For if the proclamation of the students’ fates is not distressing enough, Ishiguro forces us to confront the clones’ response or, rather, the lack thereof. There are no incandescent flashes of fury or even mild expressions of dismay.

    Instead, the clones are “pretty relieved” when the speech stops. Knowledge of their impending death passes them like a ship in the night, inciting “surprisingly little discussion”. In this disconcerting silence, the relation between reader and clone is mediated through another genre: science fiction.

    The bildungsroman and science fiction, identification and misidentification, intimacy and estrangement – these are the tools of Ishiguro’s trade. He manipulates them, and us, with precision. There is intimacy as we recognise that the students’ everyday lives – reading novels, creating art, playing sport – are much like our own. There is estrangement as we realise that the clones are willingly cooperating in their own deaths. They will “donate” and “complete” in the narrative’s chilling terms.

    In other words, we cry because the clones are just like us, but our anger towards the machinery of donation is blunted because the clones are not yet us, in that their complicity eerily lacks our instinct for self-preservation.

    Confident that we will take ourselves as the measuring stick, Ishiguro compels us to adopt a position of superiority characterised by a paternalistic ethos of sympathy and care. In this way, he persuades us to read as good liberals. We acknowledge the humanity of the clones and embrace the diversity of our common condition. At the same time, we are complacent in the knowledge that we are almost the same, but not quite. We are insulated by a disavowed difference.

    An abstract formal equality, evacuated of concrete historical content, is precisely what is expressed when the same critics who praise the novel’s melancholic tone claim that Ishiguro shows us “what it is to be human” or that he enlivens this otherwise “meaningless cliche”.

    Kazuo Ishiguro in Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, December 2017.
    Frankie Fouganthin, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Beyond liberal sentiments

    Is Ishiguro doing anything more than offering a banal endorsement of common humanity? It seems to me that he is, and in doing so he is summoning our liberal sentiments only to turn them against us.

    The mechanism he uses is as old as the novel form itself: the romance plot. Romance leads to the happily-ever-after of marriage: a perfect union in which each person completes the other.

    Not long after we learn that Kathy and her friends are clones destined to die, we become privy to a rumour: students who can prove they are “properly in love” are eligible for a “deferral” of their donations. To fast-forward through the novel’s tangled romance plot to the denouement, Kathy and Tommy – a fellow clone – track down Hailsham’s former administrator to plead their case. Not only is their request for deferral rejected, but the possibility of deferral is dispelled as a pernicious rumour.

    The allure of romance has been a lure, a cold steel trap in the guise of a warm embrace. Ishiguro dangles the promise of romance only to expose its sinister echoes in the donation system.

    The “completion” of romance is macabrely inverted. Completion through matrimonial union with an ideal other is transformed into the “donation” of organs, which completes an unknown “normal”, whose life can continue as a result of the clone’s death.

    Cover of the first edition of Never Let Me Go (2005)

    Ishiguro positions us so that we are unwittingly aligned with the “normal” population, whose “overwhelming concern was that their own children, their spouses, their parents, their friends, did not die from cancer, motor neuron disease, heart disease”.

    What we want the clones to do (resist their fates) and the means of doing so (romance) are revealed as responsible for the donation system. If we want Kathy and Tommy to live because they love each other – and we do because Ishiguro has compelled us to care for them – then we are endorsing the logic that designates them as disposable in the first place.

    The anger Ishiguro has deliberately blunted returns, redoubled. Our care is transformed into complicity. We, rather than the clones, are the targets of Ishiguro’s ire.

    Translating this into political terms, Ishiguro is giving aesthetic form to neoliberalism’s eclipse of liberalism. It is no coincidence that Never Let Me Go takes place in England between the 1970s and 1990s, the exact period of neoliberalism’s emergence and consolidation.

    But this is no simple transition. Never Let Me Go implies that liberalism is the ghost in the neoliberal machine. The novel is a representation of a vicious neoliberal class system, where those who can afford replacement parts can substantiate the fantasy of liberal individualism, while those who can’t serve as replacement parts.

    In this sense, Ishiguro can be read as posing a series of incisive questions, not simply offering the platitude that we are all human. What are the costs of love? Why is there a trade-off between caring for those close to us and caring for those who are distant? How do our claims of shared humanity pave the way for domination? Why do we assume that our way of life is superior because it is predicated on liberal principles? How do we break from a callous system in which we too are complicit?

    Twenty years on, these questions are as relevant as ever. To begin answering them, perhaps we have to wipe the tears from our eyes and turn to anger.

    Matthew Taft 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. Kazuo Ishiguro said he won the Nobel Prize for making people cry – 20 years later, Never Let Me Go should make us angry – https://theconversation.com/kazuo-ishiguro-said-he-won-the-nobel-prize-for-making-people-cry-20-years-later-never-let-me-go-should-make-us-angry-259282

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: 3 reasons young people are more likely to believe conspiracy theories – and how we can help them discover the truth

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau, Research Fellow, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University

    Conspiracy theories are a widespread occurrence in today’s hyper connected and polarised world.

    Events such as Brexit, the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections, and the COVID pandemic serve as potent reminders of how easily these narratives can infiltrate public discourse.

    The consequences for society are significant, given a devotion to conspiracy theories can undermine key democratic norms and weaken citizens’ trust in critical institutions. As we know from the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, it can also motivate political violence.

    But who is most likely to believe these conspiracies?

    My new study with Daniel Stockemer of the University of Ottawa provides a clear and perhaps surprising answer. Published in Political Psychology, our research shows age is one of the most significant predictors of conspiracy beliefs, but not in the way many might assume.

    People under 35 are consistently more likely to endorse conspiratorial ideas.

    This conclusion is built on a solid foundation of evidence. First, we conducted a meta analysis, a “study of studies”, which synthesised the results of 191 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024.

    This massive dataset, which included over 374,000 participants, revealed a robust association between young age and belief in conspiracies.

    To confirm this, we ran our own original multinational survey of more than 6,000 people across six diverse countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the US and South Africa.

    The results were the same. In fact, age proved to be a more powerful predictor of conspiracy beliefs than any other demographic factor we measured, including a person’s gender, income, or level of education.

    Why are young people more conspiratorial?

    Having established conspiracy beliefs are more prevalent among younger people, we set out to understand why.

    Our project tested several potential factors and found three key reasons why younger generations are more susceptible to conspiracy theories.

    1. Political alienation

    One of the most powerful drivers we identified is a deep sense of political disaffection among young people.

    A majority of young people feel alienated from political systems run by politicians who are two or three generations older than them.

    This under representation can lead to frustration and the feeling democracy isn’t working for them. In this context, conspiracy theories provide a simple, compelling explanation for this disconnect: the system isn’t just failing, it’s being secretly controlled and manipulated by nefarious actors.

    2. Activist style of participation

    The way young people choose to take part in politics also plays a significant role.

    While they may be less likely to engage in traditional practices such as voting, they are often highly engaged in unconventional forms of participation, such as protests, boycotts and online campaigns.

    These activist environments, particularly online, can become fertile ground for conspiracy theories to germinate and spread. They often rely on similar “us versus them” narratives that pit a “righteous” in-group against a “corrupt” establishment.

    3. Low self-esteem

    Finally, our research confirmed a crucial psychological link to self-esteem.

    For individuals with lower perceptions of self worth, believing in a conspiracy theory – blaming external, hidden forces for their problems – can be a way of coping with feelings of powerlessness.

    This is particularly relevant for young people. Research has long shown self esteem tends to be lower in youth, before steadily increasing with age.

    What can be done?

    Understanding these root causes is essential because it shows simply debunking false claims is not a sufficient solution.

    To truly address the rise of conspiracy theories and limit their consequences, we must tackle the underlying issues that make these narratives so appealing in the first place.

    Given the role played by political alienation, a critical step forward is to make our democracies more representative. This is best illustrated by the recent election of Labor Senator Charlotte Walker, who is barely 21.

    By actively working to increase the presence of young people in our political institutions, we can help give them faith that the system can work for them, reducing the appeal of theories which claim it is hopelessly corrupt.

    More inclusive democracy

    This does not mean discouraging the passion of youth activism. Rather, it is about empowering young people with the tools to navigate today’s complex information landscape.

    Promoting robust media and digital literacy education could help individuals critically evaluate the information they encounter in all circles, including online activist spaces.

    The link to self-esteem also points to a broader societal responsibility.

    By investing in the mental health and wellbeing of young people, we can help boost the psychological resilience and sense of agency that makes them less vulnerable to the simplistic blame games offered by conspiracy theories.

    Ultimately, building a society that is resistant to misinformation is not about finding fault with a particular generation.

    It is about creating a stronger, more inclusive democracy where all citizens, especially the young, feel represented, empowered, and secure.

    Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. 3 reasons young people are more likely to believe conspiracy theories – and how we can help them discover the truth – https://theconversation.com/3-reasons-young-people-are-more-likely-to-believe-conspiracy-theories-and-how-we-can-help-them-discover-the-truth-261074

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.

    Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

    US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:

    While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza

    State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.

    The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

    French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:

    True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine

    What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?

    ‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

    The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.

    Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:

    Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.

    According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.

    Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are

    neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.

    The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.

    Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

    Proposed ceasefire deal

    The latest ceasefire proposal was reportedly close to being agreed by both parties.

    It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.

    During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.

    While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.

    Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.

    A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.

    From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.

    However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.

    Support for a Palestinian state

    Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

    In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.

    Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.

    France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.

    While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.

    However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and

    risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.

    Annexing Gaza?

    A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.

    Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.

    Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.

    Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.

    Ali Mamouri 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. Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? – https://theconversation.com/ceasefire-talks-collapse-what-does-that-mean-for-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-gaza-261942

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Result of Underwriting Auction conducted on July 25, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In the underwriting auction conducted on July 25, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:

    Nomenclature of the Security Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Additional Competitive Underwriting Amount Accepted
    (₹ crore)    		 Total Amount underwritten
    (₹ crore)    		 ACU Commission Cut-off rate
    (Paise per ₹100)
    5.91% GS 2028 6,000 3,003 2,997 6,000 0.05
    6.33% GS 2035 30,000 15,015 14,985 30,000 0.12
    Auction for the sale of securities will be held on July 25, 2025.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/779

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UN chief urges Thailand, Cambodia to exercise utmost restraint

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    UNITED NATIONS, July 24 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint, his deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a daily briefing on Thursday.

    “The Secretary-General follows with concern reports of armed clashes along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to resolve any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute,” he said.

    The situation on the Thai-Cambodian border escalated after skirmishes on Thursday. Following the escalation, the two sides traded accusations, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet calling on the UN Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to discuss the issue. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A report by a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency highlights China’s approaches to preserving cultural heritage

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    ZHENGZHOU, July 25 (Xinhua) — The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency, on Friday released a report on China’s concept and practice of cultural heritage preservation.

    The report, titled “Jointly Protecting the Treasures of Human Civilization: China’s Concept and Practice of Cultural Heritage Preservation in the New Era,” provides a detailed explanation of China’s vibrant and colorful practice of cultural heritage protection and inheritance. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Sexual assault – Nightcliff

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an alleged sexual assault that occurred this morning in Nightcliff.

    Around 5:45am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted by a male who was unknown to her on Boetdoemba Street, near the intersection with Progress Drive.

    The male fled the scene prior to police arrival and investigations are ongoing to identify and locate him. He is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, green camouflage print shorts and high-cut white socks.

    Police are calling for any witnesses who may have information that can assist police in their enquiries to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500074948. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Monsoon session: Lok Sabha to discuss report on ‘countering global terrorism at regional & international levels’ today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Several key legislations and reports are likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Friday, including statements from the Standing Committee on External Affairs on countering global terrorism.

    As per the Business List of the Lower House, Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Arun Govil are scheduled to submit the statements of the Standing Committee on External Affairs.

    These include – Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Contours of Cooperation”; Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India’s Engagement with G20 Countries”; and Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels”.

    The Lower House will also see the tabling of various reports of the Public Accounts Committee (2025-26) by Dharmendra Yadav and Jai Parkash.

    These include reports on “Failure of the CMPFO Management to take timely decision to redeem debentures of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) resulting in avoidable loss of Rs 315.35 crore; “Loss due to indecision of Railway Administration in the matter of Land Acquisition: East Central Railway”; “Grant of Concession without the support of Declaration in Form – F”; and “Evasion of Tax due to Suppression of Sales”.

    Additionally, “The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024”, the motion for which was moved by Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024, will be presented for consideration and passing.

    The Bill enables “reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes”. It provides for the “readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by the inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa”.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Monsoon session: Lok Sabha to discuss report on ‘countering global terrorism at regional & international levels’ today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Several key legislations and reports are likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Friday, including statements from the Standing Committee on External Affairs on countering global terrorism.

    As per the Business List of the Lower House, Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Arun Govil are scheduled to submit the statements of the Standing Committee on External Affairs.

    These include – Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Contours of Cooperation”; Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “India’s Engagement with G20 Countries”; and Statement showing action taken by the government on the observations/recommendations on the subject “Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels”.

    The Lower House will also see the tabling of various reports of the Public Accounts Committee (2025-26) by Dharmendra Yadav and Jai Parkash.

    These include reports on “Failure of the CMPFO Management to take timely decision to redeem debentures of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) resulting in avoidable loss of Rs 315.35 crore; “Loss due to indecision of Railway Administration in the matter of Land Acquisition: East Central Railway”; “Grant of Concession without the support of Declaration in Form – F”; and “Evasion of Tax due to Suppression of Sales”.

    Additionally, “The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024”, the motion for which was moved by Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024, will be presented for consideration and passing.

    The Bill enables “reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes”. It provides for the “readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by the inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa”.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Yoga may cut risk of type 2 diabetes by 40%, new report finds

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Regular practice of yoga may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 40% among individuals at high risk, according to a new report titled ‘Yoga and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes’. The findings were presented on Thursday to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, in the presence of Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh.

    The report, based on evidence-backed research, was prepared by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), one of India’s largest organizations of diabetes researchers and healthcare professionals. It was led by Dr. S.V. Madhu, former President of RSSDI and current head of the Department of Endocrinology at the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

    Unlike earlier studies that mainly focused on managing diabetes through yoga, this study emphasizes prevention. It assessed the impact of yoga on individuals with a predisposition to Type 2 diabetes—such as those with a family history or other risk factors—and found a significant 40% reduction in their risk when yoga was practiced regularly.

    “This is one of the first scientific attempts to document yoga’s role in preventing Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a noted diabetologist. He emphasized that the study provides a much-needed focus on preventive healthcare, aligning with India’s broader wellness goals.

    The report also identified specific yoga asanas (postures) that may be particularly effective in lowering diabetes risk, although details on these asanas are yet to be elaborated for clinical recommendations.

    While the current findings are based on non-clinical observations, further scrutiny and validation are underway. Additionally, the Department of Biotechnology is supporting similar studies to explore how traditional wellness practices like yoga can be integrated into modern preventive and therapeutic health strategies.

    Calling the findings a “reaffirmation of India’s wellness heritage grounded in modern science,” Dr. Singh said, “This study shows how ancient practices like yoga, when subjected to scientific investigation, can yield real-world solutions for public health.”

  • Over 3.5 lakh pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra in 21 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 3.52 lakh devotees have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra till Thursday, as another batch of pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley on Friday, officials said.

    “Another batch of 2,896 yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Friday in two escorted convoys, heading towards the two designated base camps,” officials stated.

    The first convoy, comprising 42 vehicles and carrying 790 pilgrims, departed at 3:30 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 75 vehicles and carrying 2,106 pilgrims, left at 4:18 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp.

    On Thursday, ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar for the customary puja, performed on the occasion of ‘Haryali Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri. This ritual is a part of the age-old tradition associated with the annual pilgrimage.

    Today, the Chhari Mubarak will be carried to the Sharika Bhawani Temple atop the Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar for another round of traditional worship.

    The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled to begin its final journey towards the Amarnath cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara Temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave on August 9, marking the official conclusion of this year’s Yatra.

    (with inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: John Wesley Powell Center Summer 2025 Update

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The Powell Center continues to host synthesis working groups this summer, with six groups scheduled over the next two months.  

    The number of required steps for setting up a working group have recently significantly increased.  Approvals and travel arrangements are happening in parallel, and working groups may not hear about approval until the week before their meeting.  We realize this is challenging for planning ahead, and we thank PIs and participants for their timely responses and flexibility.  

    Important synthesis science continues, recent publications can be viewed on our Publications page.  

    Working groups hosted in June and July: 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Make Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Signed Into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Cornyn Joined Pres. Trump at the White House for Signing Ceremony

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge, was signed into law by President Trump. Sen. Cornyn joined him in the Oval Office for today’s signing ceremony.

    “Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”

    “I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act,” said Sen. Cruz. “This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”

    Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    Background:

    On June 17, 2024, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two illegal aliens who were allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn loved animals and, given the close proximity of her hometown of Houston, it is fitting that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge be renamed in her honor.

    Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the 39,000-acre refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and plays a vital role in coastal conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Now, it will also stand as a solemn tribute to Jocelyn’s memory and a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American communities. On March 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 to officially change the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. On March 7, 2025, the refuge was officially renamed after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order was signed. This law will ensure that this renaming cannot be overturned by a future administration by codifying the refuge’s new name into law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would not destroy Elon Musk’s companies by taking away federal subsidies and that he wants the billionaire tech entrepreneur’s businesses to thrive.

    The remarks follow a public clash with his former close ally over his tax bill. In July, the space and automotive billionaire announced the formation of a new political party, saying Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax bill would bankrupt America.

    “Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon’s companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so!” Trump said in a social media post.

    “I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE.”

    In a post on X, Musk said the “subsidies” Trump was talking about simply do not exist.

    SpaceX won the NASA contracts by doing a better job for less money, he added. “Moving those contracts to other aerospace companies would leave astronauts stranded and taxpayers on the hook for twice as much!”

    The president’s social media post came on the heels of Musk’s warningto Tesla TSLA.O investors on Wednesday that U.S. government cuts in support for electric vehicle makers could lead to a “few rough quarters” for the company.

    Though Musk has often said government subsidies should be eliminated, Tesla has historically benefited from billions of dollars in tax credits and other policy benefits because of its business in clean transportation and renewable energy.

    Sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress, and signed by Trump, will halt$7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles on September 30, as well as a $4,000 used EV credit, that have helped spur their sales in recent years.

    Before the relationship soured, Musk had spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win November’s presidential election and led the Department of Government Efficiency’s chaotic effort to slash the budget and cut the federal workforce.

    The Tesla CEO left the administration in late May to refocus on his tech empire.

    Trump and Musk fell out shortly afterward when Musk openly denounced the Republican president’s tax-cut and spending bill, leading to threats by Trump to cancel billions of dollars worth of federal government contracts with Musk’s companies.

    A week after the June spat, Reuters reported the White House had directed the Defense Department and NASA to gather details on billions of dollars in SpaceX contracts to ready possible retaliation against the businessman and his companies.

    Musk’s SpaceX had been considered a frontrunner to build out Trump’s $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and remains a natural choice for key elements of the project.

    But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters this week that the administration is expanding its search for partners to build Golden Dome as tension with Musk threatens SpaceX’s dominance in the program.

    (Reuters)

  • French plan to recognise Palestinian state draws fire from Israel, US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

    Macron, who unveiled the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France’s intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.

    “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine,” Macron said.

    “I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”

    Home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities, France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially fuelling a movement so far dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.

    The news sparked anger in Israel and Washington.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by one of Israel’s closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.”

    In a post on X, he added, “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.

    “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”

    Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a “Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence.”

    In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States “strongly rejects (Macron’s) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly.”

    In a post on X, he said, “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”

    Earlier, Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its “failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza” and reiterating support for a two-state solution.

    Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

    “Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith,” he added.

    “We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza.”

    In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, even saying it could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences.

    In June, Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a U.S. foreign policy goal.

    President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a U.S. takeover of Gaza in February, that was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the U.N. as a proposal of “ethnic cleansing”.

    Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive, despite the pressure not to do so.

    French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel’s security.

    The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which the closure of regional airspace made it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend.

    It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28 and July 29, with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

    CREATING MOMENTUM

    The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week’s conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or have misgivings in doing so.

    Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.

    Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called “a nuclear bomb” for bilateral ties.

    Sources familiar with the matter say Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

    Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas.

    Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority’s Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron’s decision reflected “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”

    (Reuters)

  • Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond for an immediate ceasefire in an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 16 people.

    Thailand’s military reported clashes from before dawn in the Ubon Ratchathani and Surin provinces and said Cambodia had used artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. Authorities said 100,000 people had been evacuated from conflict areas on the Thai side.

    “Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery and BM-21 rocket systems,” the Thai military said in a statement.

    “Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.”

    Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict on Thursday at a disputed border area, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

    Reuters journalists in Surin province reported hearing intermittent bursts of explosions on Friday, amid a heavy presence of armed Thai soldiers along roads and gas stations in the largely agrarian area.

    A Thai military convoy, including around a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks, cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields and moved toward the border.

    The fighting erupted on Thursday just hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh the previous night and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless.

    DEATH TOLL RISES

    The Thai death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of them civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers.

    Cambodia’s national government has not provided details of any casualties or evacuations of civilians. A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest clashes.

    Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration of Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, said one civilian had been killed and five were wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated.

    Thailand had positioned six F-16 fighter jets on Thursday in a rare combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called “reckless and brutal military aggression”.

    Thailand’s use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies

    The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution.”

    Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out.

    “I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility,” he said in a social media post late on Thursday.

    -REUTERS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pacific scholars applaud international ruling on climate change

    Source: Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling welcomed by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health.

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that countries can be held legally accountable for greenhouse gas emissions has been welcomed by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health.

    Co-Director Li’amanaia Dr Roannie Ng Shiu commended Pacific youth and Pacific communities for their leadership and perseverance over six years of advocacy. She says their leadership demonstrated the power of young Pacific voices to shape international systems and call the world to account.

    “We extend our congratulations to the Pacific youth, student leaders and our Pacific communities in the region whose courageous advocacy and strategic vision led to this moment.”
    “Their tireless efforts – supported by a coalition of Pacific governments, civil society, and legal experts – have resulted in a global legal affirmation that states have clear obligations to act on climate change.”

    The legal campaign, led by Vanuatu, was initiated by the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). Its president, Cynthia Houniuhi, visited the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika two years ago as a guest panelist for Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa’s Pacific Transnational Leadership Panel, where she joined regional leaders in discussing the future of Pacific cooperation.

    Dr Ng Shiu praised the leadership of Houniuhi and the cultural integrity of the campaign.

    “This opinion stems from a journey led by Pacific students and communities, speaking from lived experience – rising sea levels, disrupted ecosystems, and the health and social impacts already affecting their families.”

    That journey has now yielded a decision that will influence global climate action for years to come, says Ng Shiu.

    “As a young Pacific female and student, she epitomizes what it means to make the impossible possible and to redefine leadership. She’s quiet and humble, but when she speaks, it’s deeply impactful. In a world that often celebrates loud and assertive voices, Cynthia’s thoughtful approach stands out.

    “Her leadership, and the way the ICJ campaign was conducted, reflects not just climate justice but also cultural ethics. The integration of storytelling and community engagement ensures that people hear, understand, and embrace the message. This is promising for Indigenous and Pacific peoples – our ways of knowing and being are being valued by institutions like the ICJ.

    “This ruling is not just about empowerment, but also accountability. It s

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Care urged after spate of fatal house fires

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand is asking everyone to put fire safety at the front of their minds following a spike in the number of fatal house fires.
    Risk Reduction and Investigations Manager Peter Gallagher says that in the last 12 months there have been 17 people who have died in avoidable residential house fires.
    “This is our worst year in 10 years. With the cooler weather, we see more house fires. It is so important that people take some simple steps to ensure whanau and fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As oceans warm, tropical fish are moving south. New friendships may be helping them survive

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angus Mitchell, Postdoctoral Researcher in Marine Ecology, University of Adelaide

    Angus Mitchell

    When you think about climate change in our oceans, you may picture coral bleaching, melting sea ice, or extreme weather events. But beneath the ocean’s surface, another quiet shift is underway. Australia’s tropical fish are heading south into cooler waters.

    These fish are not just visiting. They are settling into the milder “temperate” reefs that used to be too cold for them. As they do, they encounter new environments, new challenges and new neighbours.

    In our new research we studied the behaviour of these new migrants. We found some tropical fish are not just surviving in their new homes, they’re thriving. And, surprisingly, much of that success comes down to who they’re hanging out with.

    A slow-motion invasion

    Tropical fish travel poleward via ocean currents.

    On Australia’s east coast, the fish typically hitch a ride on the strengthening East Australian Current as it pushes warm water and the tropical species further south.

    Some species are showing up hundreds of kilometres beyond their usual home range. Many tropical fish arrive on temperate reefs during summer, and used to die over winter when the water grew colder. Now, as winter water temperatures increase, some tropical fish survive year-round in temperate reefs.

    But life at the edge of your range is risky. These fish encounter colder water temperatures, unfamiliar predators and a reef full of competitors. So, how do they cope?

    As waters warm, temperate reefs of kelp and seaweed are becoming home to tropical fish as they venture southward.
    Angus Mitchell

    Risky business: but some fish can adapt

    We studied five tropical fish species and two temperate species across a 2,000km stretch of Australia’s east coast, from the tropics to the cold temperate south. We observed how these fish fed, sheltered and reacted to threats, using underwater video cameras.

    Analysis of the footage revealed tropical fish behaved differently in the colder waters. They spent more time hiding and less time feeding. They were also more wary of predators, displaying a cognitive shift in “lateralisation” — a preference to consistently turn left or right, which can help fish make faster escape decisions when threatened.

    Such risk-averse behaviour is likely to help fish stay alive in unfamiliar reefs by avoiding predators. But it also reduces food intake and growth, unless these fish find new friends.

    New school mates, better outcomes

    Previous research has shown when tropical fish gather or “shoal” with temperate fish, they grow bigger and survive longer into winter than fish in tropical-only shoals.

    We wanted to understand the mechanism for this phenomenon. Could tropical fish be learning from temperate shoal mates? And how might their behaviour change when shoaling with temperate fishes?

    Using underwater videos, we found three tropical damselfish species spent more time feeding and less time sheltering when they formed mixed shoals with temperate fish. They also appeared bolder and were more successful at finding food.

    We think these mixed shoals offer key advantages: safety in numbers, more eyes watching for predators, and perhaps most importantly, social learning. By shoaling with local temperate species such as the Australian Mado, tropical fish may learn where and when it’s safe to feed, and how to behave in these foreign temperate ecosystems.

    This kind of behavioural “plasticity” is a powerful tool in a changing climate. Fish that can adjust their behaviours in ways that boost their fitness are more likely to survive as climatic conditions rapidly shift in our oceans.

    Tropical and temperate fish species form a mixed-species group or shoal at Little Manly in southeastern Australia.
    Angus Mitchell

    Not all fish benefit

    These interactions were not always beneficial. Two herbivorous tropical fish species, the convict tang and brown tang, did not show the same benefits, likely because their specialised diets made it harder to learn from omnivorous temperate species.

    And for the temperate fish, the presence of tropical fish in shoals were often problematic. At the northern, warmer edge of their range, temperate fish fled more often and fed less when tropical fish were present. That’s worrying, because warming alone is already pushing many temperate species toward their biological limits. Adding new competitors might push them over the edge.

    Herbivorous convict tangs (Acanthurus triostegus) shoal tightly near shelter on a temperate oyster reef. At the edge of their range, these tropical fish adopt more cautious behaviours, seeking refuge and foraging less.
    Angus Mitchell

    A changing reef community

    All this comes amid dire news of the Earth’s oceans. Research published today shows 2023 set new records for the duration, extent and intensity of marine heatwaves.

    Fish migration to temperate reefs is a glimpse of the future: even warmer waters, shifting species ranges and new species interactions.

    Our results suggest these new species interactions and relationships, particularly mixed-species shoaling, can help tropical fish survive longer in temperate ecosystems. But they may also disrupt existing ecosystems and place extra stress on local temperate species.

    In this way, climate-driven range shifts are more than just a temperature driven story. They’re stories about behaviour, relationships, and resilience.

    Understanding how fish respond to their new neighbours and how those responses shape who stays and who goes, will be key to managing reefs in a rapidly warming ocean.

    Ivan Nagelkerken receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

    Angus Mitchell and Chloe Hayes 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. As oceans warm, tropical fish are moving south. New friendships may be helping them survive – https://theconversation.com/as-oceans-warm-tropical-fish-are-moving-south-new-friendships-may-be-helping-them-survive-258405

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Israel and US recall teams from Gaza truce talks, US says Hamas not showing good faith

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel and the United States recalled their delegations from Gaza ceasefire talks for consultations on Thursday, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accusing the Palestinian militant group Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the talks.

    It marked the latest setback in efforts to secure a deal that would bring a ceasefire to Gaza, secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and bring respite to Palestinians suffering a sharply worsening humanitarian crisis.

    Witkoff said mediators had made a great effort but “Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith”. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,” he wrote on X.

    Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff’s remarks, adding that the group’s position had been welcomed by mediators and had opened the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement.

    “The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement,” Hamas added in a statement early on Friday.

    An Israeli official with knowledge of the talks said Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal “does not allow for progress without a concession” by the group but that Israel intended to continue discussions.

    Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal following almost two years of war, with the humanitarian situation inside Gaza deteriorating and Israelis worried about the conditions in which hostages are being held.

    Dozens of people have starved to death in Gaza the last few weeks as a wave of hunger crashes on the enclave, according to local health authorities.

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suffering and starvation in Gaza was an “unspeakable and indefensible” humanitarian catastrophe and called on Israel to urgently let in aid.

    “While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Starmer said in a statement.

    He will hold an emergency call with French and German partners on Friday to discuss what could be done to “stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need,” he said.

    The Gaza health ministry said two more people had died of malnutrition. The head of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the two were patients suffering from other illnesses who died after going without food for several days.

    Earlier in the day, there had been some apparent signs of progress in the mediation.

    A senior Hamas official told Reuters that there was still a chance of reaching a ceasefire deal but it would take a few days because of what he called Israeli stalling.

    A senior Israeli official had been quoted by local media as saying the new text was something Israel could work with.

    But, Israel’s Channel 12 said a rapid deal was not within reach, with gaps remaining between the two sides, including over where the Israeli military should withdraw to during any truce.

    Witkoff’s team did not immediately respond to a request to explain the Hamas demands that led to his withdrawal of the U.S. negotiators.

    The Hostages Families Forum, representing the family members of those held in Gaza, expressed concern at the recall of the Israeli team. “Each day that passes endangers the hostages’ chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them,” it said.

    PEPPER SPRAY FIRED AT AID SITE

    Women going to fetch aid for their families on Thursday said U.S. contractors organising distribution asked them to come to pick up goods and then fired tear gas and pepper spray at them.

    “The Americans said ‘go, go’, and then said no, get back. They sprayed us with pepper spray so we went away. Five minutes later they shot tear gas at us … is this American humanitarian aid?” said Mervat al-Sakani.

    Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the aid organisation – the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – said a limited amount of pepper spray was used “to prevent civilian injury due to overcrowding”, adding that GHF “didn’t want people to get hurt.” The spokesperson said women-only aid distribution had been “a major success” overall.

    GHF, a U.S.-and Israeli-backed organization, began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May.

    The U.N. has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards, which GHF denies.

    The U.N. rights office said on July 15 it had recorded at least 875 killings within the preceding six weeks in the vicinity of aid sites and food convoys in Gaza – the majority of them close to GHF distribution points.

    Most of those deaths were caused by gunfire that locals have blamed on the Israeli military. The military has acknowledged that civilians were harmed, saying that Israeli forces had been issued new instructions with “lessons learned”.

    Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent Hamas diverting it.

    Israel says it has let in enough food for Gazans, and blames the United Nations for being slow to deliver it; the U.N. says it is operating as effectively as possible under conditions imposed by Israel.

    The war began when Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in its October 7 attacks on Israel, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has since killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza health authorities.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: ECB keeps rates on hold

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

    European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde attends a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 24, 2025. [ECB/Handout via Xinhua]

    The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that it will keep key interest rates unchanged at its latest rate-setting meeting.

    The deposit facility rate, through which the central bank steers the monetary policy stance, remains unchanged at two percent.

    Inflation in the euro area inched up to two percent in June from 1.9 percent in May, according to data released by the statistical office of the European Union (EU). The ECB said in a statement that domestic price pressures continue to ease and wages grow at a slower pace.

    While short-term consumer inflation expectations declined for two consecutive months in a row, most measures of longer-term inflation expectations continue to stand at around two percent, explained the central bank.

    As inflation in the euro area hovers around the targeted level of two percent, the ECB reaffirmed that it is determined to make sure the inflation stabilises in the medium term.

    “The Governing Council stands ready to adjust all of its instruments within its mandate to ensure that inflation stabilises at its two percent target in the medium term and to preserve the smooth functioning of monetary policy transmission,” it said.

    Data indicate that the euro area economy has turned out to be resilient. The gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter this year rose by 0.6 percent, stronger than expected.

    The ECB cut the interest rate of the deposit facility by two percentage points from June 2024 to June this year.

    While the ECB insists in its press release that the governing council is not pre-committing to a particular rate path, Isabel Schnabel, member of the Executive Board of the ECB, was quoted as saying that the interest rates are in a good place and the bar for another rate cut is very high.

    According to Schnabel, the euro area economy is navigating uncertainties better than expected and “a large fiscal impulse” will further support the economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Low-altitude economy attracts more aero firms

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

    Visitors learn about a flying vehicle at the International Advanced Air Mobility Expo in east China’s Shanghai on July 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Eyeing China’s booming low-altitude mobility sector, a number of companies unveiled their latest cutting-edge products and solutions at the first International Advanced Air Mobility Expo, which kicked off on Wednesday in Shanghai and will run through Saturday.

    With participation of nearly 300 exhibitors from around the globe, the event is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors, event organizers said.

    A variety of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are on display. For example, Vector5 — the world’s first large payload eVTOL aircraft designed by Vision Aero Ltd for emergency medical service and search and rescue — was unveiled at the event.

    With a maximum payload of 680 kilograms and takeoff weight of 3,180 kg, the seven-seat eVTOL aircraft developed by the Xi’an, Shaanxi province-based company is equipped with sufficient medical devices and fixation systems for stretchers. Compared with existing medevac helicopters, the eco-friendly aircraft can greatly reduce costs and improve efficiency when dealing with emergency rescue demands.

    “We expect to roll out a more cost-effective model compared to traditional helicopters with Vector5, by cutting the purchase cost by about 50 percent, thanks to the complete supply chain in China,” said Hu Yiqiang, general manager of the company.

    “The low-altitude economy is booming in China, and we see potential market demand for eVTOL aircraft in the medical service sector.”

    Also eyeing overseas markets, Vision Aeronautics is expanding its layout worldwide in regions such as Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

    During the expo, unmanned aircraft designed for logistics and transportation also attracted large crowds. Among them, the “Air Jeep” AI-101 — a super short take-off and landing (SuperSTOL) intelligent aircraft developed by McLean (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co Ltd — made its world debut at the expo.

    With a take-off and landing distance shorter than 40 meters and a minimum takeoff distance of 7 meters, the large fixed-wing unmanned aircraft is tailored for courier services within 600 kilometers, said the company.

    “The number of deliveries soared over 160-fold from 2010 to 2024 in China. Our aircraft can carry 500 kg of goods, and require no general aviation airports or long runways to take off or land. Logistics firms are in urgent need of such aircraft, which has been rushing us forward,” said Ma Liqi, co-founder and CEO of McLean.

    Big names from overseas are also at the expo. Sky Enterprises Inc from the United States is displaying its amphibious aircraft RC-3 Seabee for the first time in China.

    The model can adapt to complex take-off and landing scenarios such as water surfaces, grasslands, snowy fields and sandy areas. Its first version was produced in 1946, and since then, it has been widely applied in over 30 countries in fields such as tourism, transportation, emergency rescue, logistics and express delivery, forest fire fighting and border patrols.

    The aircraft has been through comprehensive upgrades to improve its load and endurance performance so as to tap into the Chinese market. Planning to obtain Chinese certificates within 10 months, the company said it is looking to launch a manufacturing base in the country, and deliver its upgraded aircraft around the end of next year.

    Celia Chen, CEO of the company, said: “We believe this is the best time for us to enter China as we see the nation’s great efforts in promoting the low-altitude economy, which gives us full confidence and solid support. The nation has a well-developed supply chain and advanced artificial intelligence technologies, and we hope to take such advantages to carry the classic aircraft forward.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Local SOEs generate 3.7 trillion yuan added value in H1

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

    China’s locally-administrated state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have operated steadily this year despite various challenges, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, the country’s top state assets regulator.

    In the first half of this year, China’s local SOEs achieved added value of 3.7 trillion yuan (about 518.32 billion U. S. dollars). Their combined fixed-asset investment reached 2.7 trillion yuan, official data showed.

    During the period, research and development spending by local SOEs kept stable growth to reach 265.55 billion yuan. The increased spending came amid efforts by SOEs to accelerate scientific and technological innovation.

    During a meeting earlier this year, the SASAC urged all local SOEs to strengthen the scientific and technological innovation capabilities and put in place effective mechanisms to drive innovation as a key task for this year.

    In 2024, China’s local SOEs achieved combined added value of 7.7 trillion yuan.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sets up state-owned fusion energy company

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

    This photo taken on March 9, 2025 shows the one-eighth vacuum chamber and overall installation system, one of the key subsystems of the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT), in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has set up a state-owned fusion energy company in its latest drive to commercialize fusion power, aiming to harness an almost inexhaustible source of clean energy.

    China Fusion Energy Co. Ltd (CFEC), a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), was unveiled in Shanghai this week with a registered capital of 15 billion yuan (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars).

    The newly-founded firm, positioned as an innovation driver for advancing China’s fusion engineering and commercialization, is tasked with developing platforms for technological research and capital operations, the CFEC said.

    China announced prioritized support for core future energy technologies in 2024, with a focus on nuclear fusion, in a bid to fast-track the transition of this cutting-edge technology from the lab to practical application.

    Shanghai is doubling down on its nuclear ambitions, striving to build a world-class hub for nuclear equipment manufacturing and advanced fusion research and development, while securing double-digit annual growth for its nuclear power sector through 2025.

    China Fusion Energy signed a cooperation agreement for a fusion innovation consortium with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Electrical Equipment Group, Shanghai Electric and Shenergy Group. Many of these local heavyweights in the traditional power generation sector are poised to secure market share in upstream and downstream fusion-related equipment.

    CITIC Securities estimates that the global nuclear fusion device market could reach a scale of 2.26 trillion yuan between 2030 and 2035.

    In March, a team from Energy Singularity in Shanghai achieved a breakthrough in high-temperature superconducting tokamak technology, with their magnet surpassing the previous record set by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Commonwealth Fusion Systems in the United States.

    This Shanghai startup has announced a plan to complete its next-generation tokamak by 2027, targeting a 10-fold energy gain, a critical milestone for commercial fusion viability.

    In addition to the eastern Chinese manufacturing hub, two inland provinces in China have significantly expanded scientific research and investment in the fusion energy sector.

    East China’s Anhui Province is actively constructing the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) in its capital Hefei, which is expected to demonstrate fusion electricity generation for the first time in history.

    The massive facility, an upgraded version of the record-breaking Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak currently operational at a research institute in the city, is also expected to be completed by 2027.

    Fusion Energy Tech., the Hefei-based company building the BEST, is another large firm with majority state-owned capital stakes and a registered capital of 14.5 billion yuan. Chinese automaker NIO is one of its major shareholders.

    Engineers there are aiming to construct a fusion engineering demonstration reactor, based on the BEST project. Commercial operations are projected to start somewhere between 2040 and 2050.

    Separately, research and commercial entities in southwest China’s Sichuan Province are exploring various technical routes to harvesting fusion energy, including tokamak, linear field-reversed configuration (FRC), inertial confinement and magnetically driven fusion.

    Last Friday, a Chengdu-based fusion startup achieved plasma ignition in its FRC device, the HHMAX-901, marking a significant milestone toward scaling the technology for commercial use. Similarly, U.S.-based Helion Energy plans to adopt this approach and is expected to begin supplying power to Microsoft by 2028.

    Earlier this month, the Sichuan provincial government released its plan to support the development of “controlled nuclear fusion” as a future industry.

    A recent analysis by MIT Technology Review suggests that China’s robust industrial base could allow its emerging fusion energy sector to “climb the learning curve much faster and more effectively” than its global competitors.

    China’s industrial might in thin-film processing, large metal-alloy structures and power electronics provides a strong foundation to establish the upstream supply chain for fusion, according to the article.

    The journal specifically highlighted China’s strengths in large-scale power electronics, which are also used in similar systems such as high-speed rail and renewable microgrids.

    Zhou Lisha, a researcher at the China Enterprise Reform and Development Society, noted that the establishment of CFEC will boost the sector’s technical and innovation capabilities, and propel the rapid development of the “artificial sun” industry.

    Despite its promising prospects, CNNC, CFEC’s parent company, has cautioned that controlled nuclear fusion is still in the developmental stage, with uncertainties and even risks of commercial failure.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Insurance Appeals Tribunal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Insurance Appeals Tribunal 
    The panel membership of the IAT for the new term is as follows:
     
    New appointees
    ——————
    Professor Hui Kai-wai
    Ms Janet Li Tze-yan
    Professor Rita Li Yi-man
    Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin
    Ms Wong Yuen-chi

    Reappointed members
    ————————–
    Mr Au Lut-chi
    Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
    Mr Anthony Chan Kwok-tung
    Mr Chan Pui-leung
    Mr Arthur Chan Sung-lai
    Mr Brian Chau
    Professor Chen Nan
    Mr Ian Chu Pak-ning
    Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming
    Mr Benson Hung Kin-ho
    Mr Jiang Tao
    Mr Mark Norman Reginald Johnson
    Ms Nixie Lam Lam
    Mr Lee Pak-kee
    Mr Peter Li Po-ting
    Mr Ken Lin
    Mr Tommy So Chung
    Professor Tam Kar-yan
    Mr Kevin Wong Ho
    Mr Harry Wong Wing-tai
    Mr James Wong Yuk-loi
    Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling
     
    A Government spokesman said, “The IAT provides an effective safeguard to ensure that the relevant regulatory decisions made by the Insurance Authority (IA) are reasonable and fair.”
     
    The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members. They are Professor Chan Koon-hung, Ms Kerry Ching Kim-wai, Dr Gladie Lui Man-ching, Professor Phyllis Mo Lai-lan and Mr Simon Tang Shu-pui.
     
    The IAT is a statutory tribunal established under the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41) to review specified decisions made by the IA. The IAT consists of the chairperson and two ordinary members appointed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury from a pool of panel members on the recommendation of the chairperson. The current chairperson of the IAT is Mr Johnny Ma Ka-chun, SC.
    Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Insurance Appeals Tribunal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Insurance Appeals Tribunal 
    The panel membership of the IAT for the new term is as follows:
     
    New appointees
    ——————
    Professor Hui Kai-wai
    Ms Janet Li Tze-yan
    Professor Rita Li Yi-man
    Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin
    Ms Wong Yuen-chi

    Reappointed members
    ————————–
    Mr Au Lut-chi
    Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
    Mr Anthony Chan Kwok-tung
    Mr Chan Pui-leung
    Mr Arthur Chan Sung-lai
    Mr Brian Chau
    Professor Chen Nan
    Mr Ian Chu Pak-ning
    Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming
    Mr Benson Hung Kin-ho
    Mr Jiang Tao
    Mr Mark Norman Reginald Johnson
    Ms Nixie Lam Lam
    Mr Lee Pak-kee
    Mr Peter Li Po-ting
    Mr Ken Lin
    Mr Tommy So Chung
    Professor Tam Kar-yan
    Mr Kevin Wong Ho
    Mr Harry Wong Wing-tai
    Mr James Wong Yuk-loi
    Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling
     
    A Government spokesman said, “The IAT provides an effective safeguard to ensure that the relevant regulatory decisions made by the Insurance Authority (IA) are reasonable and fair.”
     
    The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members. They are Professor Chan Koon-hung, Ms Kerry Ching Kim-wai, Dr Gladie Lui Man-ching, Professor Phyllis Mo Lai-lan and Mr Simon Tang Shu-pui.
     
    The IAT is a statutory tribunal established under the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41) to review specified decisions made by the IA. The IAT consists of the chairperson and two ordinary members appointed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury from a pool of panel members on the recommendation of the chairperson. The current chairperson of the IAT is Mr Johnny Ma Ka-chun, SC.
    Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Green transit system plan gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today published the scheme for the Smart & Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak in the Gazette, in accordance with the Railways Ordinance.

     

    The Government’s target is to award the contract in 2026 with a view to commissioning the system in 2031.

     

    The system is designated to be about 3.5 km long with six stations. The termini will be connected to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and MTR Kai Tak Station respectively, with intermediate stations at Shing King Street, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Shing Fung Road Park and Kai Tak Sports Park, serving a population and visitors of around 50,000 residing and working in the area.

     

    The Government explained that the system will connect the former runway area of Kai Tak to the existing MTR Kai Tak Station, strengthening the connectivity among residential and commercial developments as well as tourism, cultural and recreational, sports and community facilities within the area, while connecting with the existing railway network.

     

    It added that the system will not be affected by road traffic conditions because it will be operated in an elevated mode and separated from at-grade traffic.

     

    Depending on the system to be adopted eventually, the estimated journey time from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to the MTR Kai Tak Station will be about 10 minutes.

     

    The Government has collected public views on the system earlier through multiple channels, including consultations with the Kowloon City District Council and the Harbourfront Commission’s Task Force on Kai Tak Harbourfront Development, and exchanging views with relevant Legislative Council members and stakeholders.

     

    Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public may object to the scheme from today until September 23. Additionally, those with compensable interests can claim compensation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is chikungunya virus, and should we be worried about it in Australia?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Stephens, Associate Professor in Public Health, Flinders University

    Noppharat05081977/Getty Images

    This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised concerns about a surge in the number of cases of a mosquito-borne viral infection called chikungunya.

    Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, highlighted an outbreak occurring across La Réunion and Mayotte. These small islands in the Indian Ocean were previously hit during an epidemic of the virus in 2004–05.

    Between August 2024 and May 2025, more than 47,500 confirmed cases and 12 deaths from chikungunya were reported in La Réunion. Some 116 cases were reported in Mayotte between March and May this year.

    But more than 100 countries have seen local transmission of this virus to date, and the WHO has also flagged recent cases in Africa, Asia and Europe.

    So, what is chikungunya, how does it spread, and should we be worried here in Australia?

    What are the symptoms?

    The main symptoms of chikungunya include fever, joint pain and joint swelling. However, other symptoms may include headache, rash, muscle pain, nausea and tiredness. On rare occasions, chikungunya can be fatal.

    Some people are more prone to having worse symptoms, including infants, older adults, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

    Symptoms can take up to 12 days to appear, but most people start to experience symptoms three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

    There’s no specific treatment for chikungunya other than managing the pain with medications, such as paracetamol.

    Most people recover after a few weeks, but some people can experience ongoing tiredness and joint pains for many months, or even years.

    How does it spread?

    Infected female mosquitoes spread chikungunya. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person carrying the virus in their blood. Once infected, the virus reproduces in the mosquito, and then they can transmit it to other people when the mosquitoes bite them.

    There are more than 3,000 different types of mosquitoes on Earth, but only two are commonly involved in transmitting chikungunya: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

    A. aegypti and A. albopictus look similar and can be easily confused. Both are about 4–7 millimetres in size and have similar black and white markings on their thorax and legs.

    Both are day-time biters, unlike other mosquitoes that typically bite at dawn or dusk. They’re known as “ankle biters” because they mainly bite exposed legs and ankles. These aggressive mosquitoes bite multiple times and are known to follow people indoors to get their meal of human blood.

    These species also transmit dengue virus, yellow fever virus and Zika virus.

    Where does chikungunya occur?

    Chikungunya was first documented in Tanzania in 1952. While outbreaks initially occurred across Africa and Asia, over time the virus has spread around the world. As of December 2024, local transmission of chikungunya had been reported in 119 countries and territories.

    The 2004–05 epidemic was the largest so far, with hundreds of thousands of people infected. The epidemic started in the Indian Ocean islands, but eventually spread across to India. Since then, outbreaks have become more frequent and widespread.

    A key contributor to the proliferation of chikungunya is climate change. Warmer temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increased humidity are creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. This allows the mosquitoes to adapt to new environments and therefore expand into new habitats.

    The increase is also partly because chikungunya has evolved and been introduced into new populations, whose immune systems have not previously been exposed to the virus.

    So, should we be worried?

    While evidence suggests A. aegypti has been present in northern Queensland since the 1800s (outbreaks of dengue occurred in Townsville in 1879 and Rockhampton in 1885), A. albopictus is a more recent arrival, first documented in the Torres Strait in 2005.

    A. aegypti mosquitoes are now found in areas across north, central and southern Queensland, while A. albopictus is currently still only found in the Torres Strait.

    Nonetheless, to date, there have been no recorded cases of chikungunya transmission within Australia.

    But cases do occur in people who have recently travelled overseas, most often to South and Southeast Asia, or the Pacific Islands.

    In 2023 there were 42 cases of chikungunya recorded in Australia, 70 in 2024, and 90 so far in 2025. Previous years have seen figures above 100, however numbers in recent years may have been lower due to COVID impacting travel.

    As climate change continues to support the spread of A. aegypti and A. albopictus, the risk of transmission within Australia increases.

    That said, there is some evidence we might be lucky in Australia, with potential immune protection from a related local virus, Ross River virus.

    I’m travelling, what should I do?

    Two vaccines are approved for use in the United States against chikungunya, but there’s currently no vaccine approved in Australia. The only way to reduce your risk of infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

    People travelling to places where chikungunya is known to occur should wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing with enclosed shoes, use insect repellent, close windows and consider using mosquito bed nets. Taking these steps also reduces the risk of other mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue fever.

    If you travel to a place where chikungunya occurs and you get bitten by mosquitoes, monitor yourself for signs and symptoms.

    If you become unwell, see a doctor immediately.

    Jacqueline Stephens is affiliated with the Australasian Epidemiological Association and the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy.

    Jill Carr is affiliated with the Australasian Virology Society and receives funding from The National Health and Medical Research Council to study viral diseases.

    – ref. What is chikungunya virus, and should we be worried about it in Australia? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-chikungunya-virus-and-should-we-be-worried-about-it-in-australia-261847

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Excitement builds among Indian diaspora in Maldives ahead of PM Modi’s visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a state visit to the Maldives starting Friday, members of the Indian diaspora in the island nation have expressed overwhelming joy and pride ahead of his arrival.

    The visit, taking place at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, coincides with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.

    “We are very happy about his arrival. I came here in Maldives two years ago – the situation was not the same. The way they admire India here today is so great,” said a member of the Indian community in Male.

    Another member remarked on PM Modi’s global diplomatic outreach, saying, “The way PM Modi is visiting different nations and making India famous and proud on the global stage is a proud thing.”

    For many Indians living in the Maldives, the visit is not only symbolic but also personal. “It is a matter of great pride that PM Modi is coming. I am part of the management team where the meeting will take place. Hope to meet him – definitely going to see him,” shared one excited individual.

    “Our PM coming to the Maldives is very exciting. Preparations are at their peak to welcome him, and people here are very happy with his visit, especially the Indian community,” added another.

    During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will serve as the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations. The visit also aims to reinforce bilateral ties and showcase India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy.

    Before departing for the Maldives, PM Modi concluded a “landmark” visit to the United Kingdom, where he signed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and engaged in high-level talks to strengthen economic and trade ties.

    Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media: “A landmark visit to UK concludes, elevating the India-Great Britain trade and economic ties to new heights. PM @narendramodi emplanes for the second leg of his tour – Maldives.” (IANS)