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Category: Education

  • MIL-Evening Report: Productivity reform has been put in the too-hard basket for years. Here’s why leaders leave it alone

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lachlan Vass, Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

    National licensing of electricians has been one of the few productivity reforms of recent years. Shutterstock

    The federal election leaders’ and treasurers’ debates last week covered many topics: from Trump’s tariffs to the cost of living, energy supply and excise tax.

    But one of the most consequential things for Australia’s future prosperity was not mentioned – what either a Labor or Coalition government plans to do to kick-start productivity growth.

    It’s usually at this point – seeing the word “productivity” – that people switch off. So bear with me a minute.

    Productivity is a much-maligned term, often thought to mean people working harder or longer. But that’s not what it means.

    Being more productive means getting more for the same amount of work – working smarter, not longer. For example, in 1901 it took 18 minutes of an average worker’s time to be able to afford a loaf of bread.

    Thanks to improvements in efficiency (think using a dough hook rather than hand-kneading) and rising wages, today it takes around four minutes of work to afford a loaf.

    Why it matters to you

    Productivity growth matters. Increasing output and decreasing prices is the main driver of increasing real incomes in the long term. It means you’re able to purchase more (or better quality) goods and services as their relative costs go down and incomes increase.

    But Australia’s productivity growth is languishing. Reserve Bank analysis highlights that labour productivity grew only 0.2% per year over the six years to June 2024. The escalating global tariff war, and associated uncertainty, will threaten this further.

    Poor productivity growth also has significant implications for the federal budget. The budget papers showed that a forecast return to a balanced budget in a decade’s time is premised on a productivity growth assumption of 1.2% per year – which is optimistic.

    Recent analysis from the e61 Institute shows even a slightly more realistic assumption of 1% would increase the budget deficit by 0.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and push out the return to budget balance.

    What about all the inquiries?

    So what can we do about it? Fortunately, the Productivity Commission has delivered several reports that deep dive into the problems and potential solutions.

    The most recent report, Advancing Prosperity, was delivered to the government in 2023. It provided 29 reform directions and 71 individual recommendations, across over 1,000 pages of analysis.

    While a small number of these have been picked up by governments, such as reforms to the temporary skilled migration system, the vast majority remain on the shelf.

    There have been some initiatives aimed at stimulating productivity pursued by government outside of the Productivity Commission recommendations, such as the banning of non-compete clauses and nationally consistent licensing for electricians.



    Read more:
    Non-compete clauses make it too hard to change jobs. Banning them for millions of Australians is a good move

    These are steps in the right direction, but relatively small ones. We need policies to tilt our economy towards being more flexible and adaptable, allowing us to take advantage of whatever the next world-changing idea or technology is.

    Lots of talk, not much action

    So why have we seen so little action on productivity reforms, and why is neither side of politics talking about our productivity problem?

    There are a few likely reasons.

    Firstly, as economists often like to remind people, incentives matter. Politicians are no different to the rest of us in that they respond to the incentives they face. And often productivity-enhancing reforms come with short-term costs (political, economic or social), while the benefits don’t tend to materialise until the longer term.

    With politicians (understandably) focused on re-election every three years, the prospect of incurring a clear short-term cost for a longer-term benefit isn’t always a tempting one.

    Secondly, the impact of productivity-enhancing reforms tend to be more uncertain than other policies.

    For example, if we increase the level of JobSeeker payments, we can be fairly certain that those on JobSeeker will be able to consume more. While we may be confident about the direction of the impact of productivity reforms – such as improving the ability of the workers to find the firms that they best match with – it is harder to be certain about the size of this impact.

    This makes it more difficult to concretely claim an individual policy reform will have benefits that clearly and significantly outweigh the costs.

    No silver bullet on reform

    Finally, when it comes to productivity-enhancing reform, there is no single silver bullet. Modern productivity reform requires a collection of policies enacted together, which may be politically more difficult due to the larger number of potentially negatively affected groups.

    So what can we do to fix this? As constituents if you’re door-knocked or approached by politicians in the election campaign over the coming weeks, then make sure to ask them what their plans for reviving productivity growth are.

    Longer term, it is incumbent upon researchers and policymakers to create the burning platform for why productivity-improving change is needed, and what this means.

    There are many issues Australia faces, and politicians and citizens have limited bandwidth. We should work to better highlight and communicate the benefits and trade-offs, rather than bemoan the lack of action from politicians simply responding to incentives.

    The author thanks Aaron Wong, senior economist at the e61 Institute, for their contribution to this article.

    Lachlan Vass is affiliated with the e61 Institute.

    – ref. Productivity reform has been put in the too-hard basket for years. Here’s why leaders leave it alone – https://theconversation.com/productivity-reform-has-been-put-in-the-too-hard-basket-for-years-heres-why-leaders-leave-it-alone-253749

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 200 attendees join major psychology conference hosted at the University

    Source: University of Abertay

    More than 200 attendees join major psychology conference hosted at the University

    Abertay University welcomed more than 200 delegates to its campus for the annual British Psychological Society (BPS) Scottish Branch Undergraduate Conference, held on Saturday 29 March 2025.  

    The event provided a platform for psychology students from across Scotland to showcase their research, enabling them to present their work and findings through engaging conference talks.  

    More than 100 student presenters covered a variety of topics from counselling to clinical, educational and neuro-psychology; with students from more than 10 Scottish universities taking part. 

    In addition to student presentations, the event featured a Futures Fair, where attendees connected with representatives from many divisions of the BPS – including Clinical, Health, and Educational Psychology. These professional representatives provided invaluable career advice and insights into their respective fields, helping students navigate their future paths. 

    Dr Lynn Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Abertay’s Department of Sociological and Psychological Sciences, was part of the organising committee for the event. 

    She said:

    The BPS Scottish Branch Undergraduate Conference was a huge success, and it was such an honour to host the event at Abertay. It was incredible to see such a broad array of topics covered by the students presenting at the conference – and to give them this opportunity to showcase their research. Events like these are crucial for psychology undergraduates – allowing them to build on presentation skills, share their experiences, garner invaluable feedback, and network with other students and peers in the field of psychology. It was brilliant to see so many people in attendance  engaging with the work of students, including the research of our own psychology undergraduates. 

    The keynote address was delivered by Sheila Cunningham, Professor of Social Cognition at Abertay University. Her talk addressed important issues surrounding gender biases and the social factors that shape educational choices, offering attendees a thought-provoking perspective on current challenges in psychology. 

    The BPS serves as the UK’s representative body for psychology and psychologists, dedicated to promoting excellence in the field and advocating for the discipline’s impact on individuals and society.  

    BPS President Dr Roman Raczka said:

    The Scottish Undergraduate Conference is a really important event for the BPS. This year’s conference at Abertay University was a fantastic display of the psychology research being undertaken by students across Scotland. Presenting at a conference like this is hugely important for the career development of undergraduate students. Additionally, the opportunity to network with other students and psychology professionals is invaluable. I was really impressed by the range of different topics that were covered at the conference. It shows the incredible diversity of study and research that is being undertaken by psychology students across all of Scotland’s universities. It was great having the event hosted at Abertay University. The staff did a fantastic job of pulling together all the different presentations from universities across Scotland.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Newspoll steady but Albanese’s ratings jump; swing to Labor in marginal seats

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    A national Newspoll, conducted April 7–10 from a sample of 1,271, gave Labor a 52–48 lead, unchanged since the March 31 to April 4 Newspoll. Primary votes were 35% Coalition (down one), 33% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (steady), 8% One Nation (up one) and 12% for all Others (steady).

    Anthony Albanese’s net approval jumped seven points to -4, his best net approval since May 2024. Peter Dutton’s net approval dropped two points to -19, his worst since September 2023. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 49–38 (48–40 previously).

    Leaders’ ratings changes may imply that future Newspolls will be better for Labor on voting intentions, but this doesn’t always happen. Here is the graph of Albanese’s net approval in Newspoll this term. The plus signs are data points and a trend line has been fitted. Albanese’s ratings have surged from a low of -21 net approval in mid-February.

    This Newspoll is the only new national poll since Friday’s article, but a Redbridge poll of marginal seats had a 1.5-point swing to Labor since the 2022 election, implying that Labor is gaining seats. Here is the national poll graph.

    I believe Donald Trump is most responsible for Labor’s surge in the polls to a clear lead and a probable majority government (they won a majority in 2022 on the same primary vote Newspoll gives them). Albanese’s ratings have probably lifted owing to a favourable comparison between Albanese and Trump.

    Coalition senator Jacinta Price’s use of “Make Australia Great Again” on Saturday, an echo of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, will damage efforts by the Coalition to distance itself from Trump.

    Asked what type of government they wanted after the election in Newspoll, 32% wanted a Labor majority, 32% a Coalition majority, 21% a Labor minority government and 15% a Coalition minority government. This means 64% wanted a Labor or Coalition majority, while 36% wanted a minority government. The overall 53–47 split for a Labor government nearly matches the 52–48 two-party estimate.

    Redbridge marginal seats poll has swing to Labor

    A poll of 20 marginal seats by Redbridge and Accent Research for the News Corp tabloids was conducted April 4–9 from a sample of 1,003. It gave Labor a 52.5–47.5 lead, a three-point gain for Labor since the late February marginal seats poll. Primary votes were 36% Coalition (down five), 35% Labor (up one), 12% Greens (steady) and 17% for all Others (up four).

    The overall 2022 vote in these 20 seats was 51–49 to Labor, so this poll implies a 1.5-point swing to Labor from the 2022 election. If applied to the national 2022 result of 52.1–47.9 to Labor, Labor would lead by about 53.5–46.5.

    Albanese’s net favourability improved three points since late February to -8, while Dutton’s was down five points to -16. Dutton led Albanese by 27–23 on best to manage the relationship with the US and Trump (31–22 previously). But if people really thought Dutton would be able to prevent Trump’s tariff chaos, voting intentions would not have shifted towards Labor.

    On whether the US is a reliable partner and friend for Australia, 61% said it had been a reliable partner and friend, but less so now than it was, 18% said the US is still a reliable partner and friend, and 12% said it was never a reliable partner or friend.

    Dutton may be trailing in Dickson, and other seat polls

    Dutton won the Queensland seat of Dickson by 51.7–48.3 against Labor in 2022. The Poll Bludger reported Saturday that a uComms poll of Dickson for the Queensland Conservation Council, conducted April 9–10 from a sample of 854, gave Labor a 52–48 lead over Dutton.

    In other Dickson seat polls, the Coalition said their own polling by Freshwater gave Dutton a 57–43 lead, a uComms poll for Climate 200 gave Labor a 51.7–48.3 lead and Labor’s polling had it tied 50–50. Seat polls are unreliable.

    In the Western Australian Liberal-held seat of Forrest, a poll for Climate 200 gave a teal candidate a 51–49 lead over the Liberals. In the Tasmanian Labor-held seat of Lyons (50.9–49.1 to Labor in 2022), a uComms poll for the Australian Forest Products Association gave Labor a 50.9–49.1 lead over the Liberals.

    In other seat-specific news, in the Victorian seat of Macnamara, Labor incumbent Josh Burns won’t recommend preferences on how to vote material between the Liberals and Greens. Previously Labor has recommended preferences to the Greens. It will be more difficult for the Greens to win Macnamara if the final two candidates are the Liberals and Greens.

    Candidate nominations declared

    Candidate nominations were declared on Friday. The Poll Bludger said there were 1,126 total candidates for the 150 House of Representatives seats, an average of 7.5 candidates per seat. That’s down from 1,203 total candidates in 2022, an average of 8.0 per seat.

    Labor, the Greens and the Coalition will contest all 150 seats, One Nation 147 (all except the three ACT seats), Trumpet of Patriots 100 (down from contesting all seats under UAP in 2022), Family First 92, Libertarians 46 and Legalise Cannabis 42. There are a total of 132 independent candidates, up from 98 in 2022.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Newspoll steady but Albanese’s ratings jump; swing to Labor in marginal seats – https://theconversation.com/newspoll-steady-but-albaneses-ratings-jump-swing-to-labor-in-marginal-seats-254445

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Terminations at U.S. government agencies that monitor extreme weather events will have negative effects

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Gordon McBean, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography and Environment, Western University

    A weather station in Santa Cruz, Calif. Cuts to government agencies monitoring the weather will increase the impacts of extreme weather events. (Shutterstock)

    In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report confirmed that the climate is warming and the impacts will be widespread and more intense than anticipated.

    In 2023, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the Weather, Water, and Climate Strategy (2023-27) for the United States and around the world.

    The strategy addresses the risks to lives, property, economies and ecosystems that are increasing at an alarming rate due to the warming planet. It highlights that U.S. citizens are in harm’s way, infrastructure is increasingly outdated and at risk and, in many places, not designed for new environmental realities and extreme weather events.

    In February 2025, Donald Trump’s administration reduced the government’s size. The NOAA was severely affected, experiencing budget cuts and the termination of about 800 employees’ positions. NOAA is a critically important government organization, and includes the National Weather Service (NWS).

    Recent developments regarding science and scholarship in the U.S., including major reductions in federal research funding and censorship around topics such as climate change and gender, are forcing many U.S. science agencies and research organizations to abruptly suspend normal operations.

    As former assistant deputy minister of the Meteorological Service of Environment Canada between 1994 and 2000, I regularly met with my colleagues at the NWS and other weather agencies. We worked together to share information to provide the best weather services possible in our countries.

    Climate and misinformation

    In January of this year, the World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report. This ranked the global risks that could have major impacts on the global population, GDP or natural resources in the short term (two years) and long term (10 years).

    For the short term, the top risk identified is “misinformation and disinformation,” with “extreme weather events” being the second-highest risk. Extreme weather events include storms, floods, wildfires, heat and others, with a warming climate leading to more severity and impacts. By geography, extreme weather events is ranked as the highest risk for Northern America and most other regions.

    The risks due to misinformation and extreme weather events are interconnected. If an extreme weather event is about to occur and people are not informed, or are misinformed, about the occurrence and risks, they do not take actions to reduce exposure and vulnerability, resulting in higher impacts.

    Impacts of layoffs

    Because of the importance of the NOAA, NWS and other climate research bodies, many have spoken out about the negative impacts of these job terminations and budget reductions.

    The NWS has developed leading weather forecast models by working with the academic and global science communities, and partners with others beyond national borders to share their data. The multi-year development and implementation of these weather systems has led to high quality and reliable information for weather, climate and ocean situations.

    One example is science journalist Andy Revkin, who referred to Trump’s actions as “The Dangerous Trump Purge of Weather and Climate Expertise.” In his Substack, Revkin writes:

    “There’s an enormous, and justified surge of criticism from private-sector and academic meteorologists from across the political spectrum over the purge of expertise and supporting staff under way at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service.”

    Meteorologists Jeff Masters and Bob Henson wrote that “cuts to U.S. weather and climate research could put public safety at risk… and slow emergency disaster response and weaken resilience efforts.”

    Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at University College London, stated that the “mass job termination” will have major negative impacts across the U.S. and nearby countries, such as Canada. This will be due to reduced aviation and shipping safety; lack of information for communities to respond to severe weather; safety assessments for search-and-rescue; and other concerns.

    Alarming increases

    With a warming climate, the impacts of extreme weather events are rising around most of the world. The year 2024, the warmest on record, was also the single-most expensive year on record in terms of Canadian insurance payouts of C$8.5 billion, with the number of catastrophe claims exceeding 273,000. Disaster costs in the U.S. also increased with many billion-dollar events.

    On Oct. 17, 2024, NOAA shared initial imagery from the GOES-19 lightning mapper showing lightning activity in two extremely hazardous hurricanes – Helene and Milton — on Sept. 24.
    (GOES-19/NOAA)

    In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused 228 deaths and economic losses assessed at US$78.7 billion. In advance of Helene’s landfall, states of emergency in Florida and Georgia were declared by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

    The U.S. Air Force Weather Reconnaissance Squadron provided information for the NHC to upgrade the storm to Tropical Storm Helene. Follow-up research by the World Weather Attribution concluded with “high confidence” that Helene was made worse by climate change.

    Reliance on observation and collaboration

    Forecasting extreme weather events relies on observational systems that provide weather information over a significant area which extends beyond a country. In North America, the U.S. weather forecasts rely on information from Canada, Mexico and countries across the Gulf of Mexico, and vice versa.

    The World Meteorological Organization, the UN’s lead agency on weather and climate, co-ordinates international co-operation for the free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services in real time. This is critical for the safety and security of society, economic welfare and protection of the environment.

    With the NOAA’s reductions in resources, there will be negative impacts across all services in the U.S. and on the effective sharing of data between internationally collaborating weather services.

    These cuts to NOAA also relate to broad concern about impacts on science. The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities has expressed grave concern over the escalating threats to academic freedom, both in the U.S. and beyond.

    Gordon McBean receives funding from Western University and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction to undertake research on building climate resilient communities. None of my affliations are relevant to this paper.

    – ref. Terminations at U.S. government agencies that monitor extreme weather events will have negative effects – https://theconversation.com/terminations-at-u-s-government-agencies-that-monitor-extreme-weather-events-will-have-negative-effects-251314

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: U.S. tariffs are about to trigger the greatest trade diversion the world has ever seen

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Wolfgang Alschner, Hyman Soloway Chair in Business and Trade Law, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs have shaken the global trading system. Canadians have rightly been preoccupied by the tariff’s devastating impact on U.S.-Canada relations, but the wider ripple effects could prove just as damaging.

    The tariffs have redirected billions of dollars in exports originally bound for the U.S., which are now poised to flood global markets — including Canada’s. This will trigger a historic trade diversion that will put even the most free trade-minded nations to the test.

    Around 15 per cent of global imports went to the U.S. in 2024. The country has long been the world’s biggest consumer market, in part, due to its low average tariffs of just 3.3 per cent.

    These days are now over. On April 2, the U.S. increased its average tariff rate seven-fold to a staggering 22 per cent — by far the highest among countries with a major economy.



    Read more:
    Canada was mostly spared from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, but it must not grow complacent

    Even though the U.S.’s “reciprocal” tariffs have since been suspended for all countries except China and Trump has now exempted smartphones, computers and microchips, a 10 per cent baseline rate and several sectoral duties remain in place.

    Together, they form a tariff wall around the U.S. unlike anything seen in generations.

    The Great Trade Diversion

    Much of the trade disruption stems from China. In 2024, China exported US$438.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S. Millions of parcels, sent via e-commerce platforms like Shein, entered the U.S. duty-free because they fell below the US$800 “de minimis” threshold.

    On April 2, Trump eliminated this exemption for low-value Chinese exports and imposed a reciprocal tariff on all Chinese imports of 34 per cent.

    This rate was increased further after China vowed to retaliate on April 4, and is now stacked on top of a 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariff. The result is an effective tariff rate exceeding 100 per cent, making it prohibitively costly for China to export to the U.S.

    Last time U.S.-China trade tensions escalated, China rerouted many of its exports through Southeast Asia. This time, however, Southeast Asian countries were hit hard, too.

    Vietnam, a major destination of Chinese export-oriented foreign investment, exported US$137 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024. While the 46 per cent reciprocal tariff against Vietnam has since been suspended, the U.S. is unlikely to tolerate such circumvention this time around.

    The U.S. has also imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all imported automobiles. South Korea, Japan and Germany all export cars to the U.S. market. While some of these exports may continue as tariff costs are absorbed or passed on to customers, others will divert their vehicles to alternative markets.

    All told, billions of dollars in trade are being rerouted, with a tidal wave of diverted goods now headed for markets around the world.

    A repeat of the Great Depression

    The world has been here before. In the 1930s, the U.S. enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods in an effort to shield American industries during the Great Depression. The result was a rapid contraction of global trade.

    What ultimately tipped the world over the edge wasn’t direct retaliation against the U.S. Instead, global trade collapsed as U.S. trading partners turned on each other. Faced with a flood of diverted goods, they rushed to protect their own manufacturing by enacting trade restrictions of their own.

    Similarly, today, we face a similar risk. The greater concern is not Trump’s tariffs themselves or even the retaliation they provoke, but rather the resulting trade diversion and wave of protectionism it can trigger.

    Old fears, new pressures

    In some respects, the world may be in a more precarious position today than it was in the early 1930s.

    For close to a decade, western policymakers, including G7 members, have sounded alarm bells over “Chinese overcapacity.” China consumes too little at home and exports too much abroad, often using unfair non-market practices such as covert subsidization to undercut local prices.

    Fears of deindustrialization have already led some governments to put new trade barriers in place. Canada, for example, placed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles to protect its own nascent industry in 2024. A flood of diverted Chinese imports will only heighten these pre-existing concerns.

    At the same time, global trade rules meant to safeguard against protectionism have become brittle. The U.S. has blocked the appointment of judges to the World Trade Organization’s highest court, which is tasked with enforcing trade rules.

    The resulting impunity has emboldened countries beyond the U.S. to openly flout WTO rules. Indonesia, for example, continues to maintain a WTO-inconsistent export ban on nickel. Canada’s electric vehicle tariff will likely be judged illegal under trade rules as well.

    Global trade system at a crossroads

    The Great Trade Diversion is set to put an already strained system to the test. There is still time for countries to reaffirm their commitment to international trade rules. Those same rules also allow countries to temporarily restrict trade when faced with a flood of imports.

    The Canadian government can proactively identify sectors at risk of disruption and call on the Canada Border Services Agency to self-initiate investigations into vulnerable sectors to swiftly clear the procedural hurdles for imposing temporary import restrictions.

    If countries stick to these rules, the global trading system can weather the storm. Just as possible, though, is a slide toward protectionism. Faced with a deluge of goods coming from China, the temptation to erect illegal trade barriers like the U.S. already has will be high.

    The global economy stands at a crossroads: one path leads to a reassertion of international co-operation and global rules; the other to a cascade of protectionist measures and a weakening of the very system that has enabled decades of economic growth and stability.

    Wolfgang Alschner receives funding from the SSHRC.

    – ref. U.S. tariffs are about to trigger the greatest trade diversion the world has ever seen – https://theconversation.com/u-s-tariffs-are-about-to-trigger-the-greatest-trade-diversion-the-world-has-ever-seen-254049

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record-breaking contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is a win-win deal for both sides

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ryan Clutterbuck, Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Brock University

    After missing out on the Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto sweepstakes in 2023 and 2024, the Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have reportedly agreed to a record-breaking 14-year US$500 million extension to his contract with the team.

    The deal will likely prove to be a win-win for both sides.

    For the Blue Jays, the win, as articulated by current Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer, means “you just solidified your organization, and you know who’s playing first for the next 14 years.”

    One of Guerrero Jr.’s wins (that doesn’t include a dollar sign), according to teammate Bo Bichette, is that he gets to remain at a team he wants to keep playing for.

    In terms of lessons learned, this contract offers future sport managers and negotiators from across disciplines several reminders to reflect on and incorporate into future deals.

    Dealing with time pressures

    Time pressure arises in auctions or negotiations when people feel like they are running out of time.

    It can lead to people making unwise decisions, such as the winner’s curse, where someone ends up overpaying for something because they overestimated its value. However, in negotiations, there are real time pressures and imagined time pressures, and recognizing each is important.

    For example, we can imagine an alternate universe in which the Blue Jays accepted and then acted upon Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline to negotiate a contract extension.

    In that universe, there’s no win-win potential. Instead, negotiations between the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. end and the conversation turns to possible trading partners and timelines to secure the greatest possible return.

    The Blue Jays recognized Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline represented an imagined rather than a real time pressure. Faced with an imagined time pressure, the Blue Jays executed a clever act of negotiation jiu-jitsu.

    Over a month after Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline had passed, Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro said: “I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him. The reason I feel that way is because we have such a clear alignment on the desired outcome.”

    Whereas other, perhaps less experienced negotiators may have been tempted to meet Guerrero Jr.’s demands with reciprocal force, for example, by issuing their own counter-ultimatum (as in: take it or leave it!), Shapiro simply ignored the demand and reinforced the team’s desire to make Guerrero Jr. a Blue Jay for life.

    Even experienced negotiators can fall into repetitive action-reaction cycles in which every demand, ask and ultimatum is met with equal or increased resistance from the other side. Of course, in every negotiation, either side will have to stand up for their interests and push back at times. But sometimes it can be more useful to simply step aside than it is to push back.

    Time value of money

    There were also financial issues that had to be resolved via negotiation. Notable, as well, is the time-value-of-money concept that entered into the sport lexicon with hitter Shohei Ohtani’s uniquely structured contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers (US$700 million over 10 years with US$680 million deferred until 2034). This may have been a major factor for Guerrero Jr. too.

    To understand how the time-value-of-money concept can impact negotiations, it may be helpful to reflect on how far $50 used to go 10 years ago and far it does today. Just as $50 in 2015 was more valuable then than it is today, the same will be true for hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Much has been made of Guerrero Jr.’s reported contact and its compensation structure that, similar to outfielder Juan Soto’s deal with the New York Mets, does not include such team/ownership-friendly deferrals.

    Ohtani may be more comfortable and uniquely positioned, by virtue of his lucrative off-the-field endorsements in North America and Japan, to defer a large chunk of his US$700 million deal with the LA Dodgers. However, the message from Soto and Guerrero Jr.’s camps seems to have been: show me the present value.

    What is interesting from a negotiation standpoint and worth reflecting on here and for the future is how showing Guerrero Jr. the present-value-of-money facilitated the deal.

    Despite challenges to securing a long-term win-win, that included an arbitration hearing in February 2024, the application of time pressure by Guerrero Jr. a year later and a reported deadlock over $50 million in the late stages of the negotiation, the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. can now each claim victory. It’s a classic win-win.

    Ryan Clutterbuck 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. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record-breaking contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is a win-win deal for both sides – https://theconversation.com/vladimir-guerrero-jr-s-record-breaking-contract-with-the-toronto-blue-jays-is-a-win-win-deal-for-both-sides-254055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Regan Lipes, Extended Sessional Instructor, English and Comparative Literature, MacEwan University

    As university students encounter hate speech, like statements perpetrated by music industry personalities they may have once enjoyed, they have questions about antisemitism — and what it really is.

    I research and teach Jewish literature with a focus on Holocaust narratives. With rising tensions on both sides of the Israel-Hamas War, and 24 hostages still in captivity, Canadian communities feel the continued conflict domestically.

    In December 2024, the House of Commons’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights released a comprehensive document: Heightened Anisemitism in Canada and How to Combat It.

    Since Oct. 7, 2023, societal tolerance for blatant acts of antisemitism has risen. This makes this document all the more timely, especially as it reports: “Many witnesses noted that the rise in antisemitism has been particularly acute on university campuses.”

    Among the document’s 19 recommendations is guidance around Holocaust education and remembrance. While there is longstanding scholarly discussion around best practices and ethics pertaining to teaching the Holocaust and remembrance, educators must also be responsive to our current — and evolving — contexts.

    Here, I share ways I have sought to adapt my own approach to teaching Holocaust literature. For educators wondering how to begin approaching the integration of Holocaust topics, a 2020 collection of articles on the subject, Understanding and Teaching the Holocaust, edited by Laura Hilton (professor of history) and Avinoam Patt (professor of Holocaust studies), could be a launching point.

    Modern-day antisemitism, trajectories

    The committee’s sixth recommendation is that the government of Canada work with provinces and territories to “ensure that Holocaust education in public schools and other institutions includes explanations of modern-day antisemitism and integrates a Jewish community-centered lens.”

    For a course teaching film adaptations of the Holocaust, I solicited the assistance of a colleague, historian Carson Phillips, at the Azrieli Foundation, a charity whose eight funding areas include Holocaust education and legacy, to tackle this recommendation.

    Working with Phillips brought an additional voice to the discussion of how Holocaust denial and Holocaust distortion are connected to antisemitism. Holocaust denial is a form of antisemitism with all its malignant intentions.



    Read more:
    How Hitler conspiracies and other Holocaust disinformation undermine democratic institutions

    Phillips suggested I try to additionally focus on survivor memoirs that explore life prior to the Holocaust to illustrate the trajectory of antisemitic agendas. He noted I should concentrate on memoirs with a connection to Canada so this message would be more relevant for my students.

    He provided me with A Cry in Unison by Judy Cohen,
    Flights of Spirit by Elly Gotz and Memories in Focus by Pinchas Gutter. I also applied his advice in the fiction I taught and incorporated the 1970 novel, Crackpot, by Adele Wiseman, to show that between the First and Second World Wars in Canada, there was societal antisemitism and social isolation of Jews.

    To further connect this to a Canadian context, and to consider trajectories of hate, in the future I may include content around how there were plans to export the “final solution” from Europe to North America. This illustrates that tolerance of antisemitism can quickly threaten societal stability.

    Antisemitism far predates Nazism

    I wanted my students to see that although the Holocaust was caused by antisemitism, antisemitism long predated the rise of Nazism and survives today because of a lack of shared awareness.

    The Art Gallery of Alberta recently hosted an exhibit Here to Tell of photograph portraits of Holocaust survivors and their recorded testimonies.



    Read more:
    Holocaust survivor stories are reminders of why we need to educate against antisemitism

    In three of my courses, I gave the extra credit option to visit the exhibition and reflect on ideas, themes and concepts that resonated. Similar engagement is being implemented in high school classes to address Alberta’s curricular requirements.

    This has the aim of better informing learners about what can occur when xenophobia and hate are allowed to proliferate.

    The documentary connected to the exhibit vividly illustrates why antisemitism is dangerous when left to fester and breed, or if misinformation masquerades as fact.

    ‘Here to Tell: Faces of Holocaust Survivors’ project.

    As recent events in a suburb of Edmonton suggest, not combating antisemitism allows the tentacles of white supremacy and xenophobia to affect other communities too. There, masked demonstrators stood with an apparent anti-immigration sign while one gave a Nazi salute.

    Addressing Holocaust remembrance

    The eighth recommendation of Heightened Antisemitism calls for the government of Canada, “in line with its commitment to build strong communities and celebrate multiculturalism,” to “provide funding to develop a five-year program to enhance the literacy of post-secondary students regarding the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.”

    For me as an educator, this made the marking of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD) especially meaningful in the context of classroom learning in Alberta.

    After all, Alberta was the province where James Keegstra first began teaching Holocaust denial to high school students in the 1980s. After Prof. Anthony Hall of the University of Lethbridge finally retired in 2018, it seemed like Holocaust denial and baseless vilification of Zionism was on the decline in Alberta. As reported by CBC, in 2016 Hall was suspended without pay for “allegedly promoting conspiracy theories and denying the Holocaust in online articles and videos.”

    This year was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and to to mark IHRD, I organized two guest speakers to present their research to students. Speakers helped contextualize the immediate legacy of the Holocaust and how this contributes to contemporary antisemitism.

    With Yom HaShoah (Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day) soon approaching, these discussions should be at the forefront of Canadian human rights awareness.



    Read more:
    How Jan. 27 came to be International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

    Wider implications

    Although my students are likely not familiar with the report’s broader recommendations for how to combat antisemitism, a sizeable portion of the report’s advice does focus on university campuses. There are implications far beyond teaching the Holocaust or Jewish subject matters which may potentially impact students.

    Recommendations include:

    • Calls for more robust and effective strategies to combat antisemitism and safeguard Jewish communities across Canada;

    • For action to address antisemitic incidents;

    • That the “full diversity of the Jewish identity be acknowledged within Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) frameworks, including Jewish peoplehood, ethnicity, nationality, multi-denominational religion, cultural diversity, and language, as well as Zionist and Indigenous aspects of Jewish identity.” This point notes that “this includes the recognition of Zionism as the self-determination of Jewish people in their ancestral homeland of Israel.”

    It has yet to be seen how a change in federal Canadian leadership will uphold the values articulated in this important committee report, but the document does provide hope for Holocaust educators and broader Canadian communities isolated by a rise in hate.

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

    – ref. How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism – https://theconversation.com/how-im-teaching-holocaust-literature-in-light-of-canadian-recommendations-around-combatting-antisemitism-247747

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Humanity depends on the ocean — Here is what we need to prioritize for immediate ocean science research

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brad deYoung, Robert Bartlett Professor of Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland

    Humankind is inextricably dependent on the ocean. Many of our greatest civilizations have thrived on the rim of the ocean. Today, we are more reliant than ever on the ocean for our economic, social and physical well-being.

    Maritime activities, from global trade to tourism, exceed US$3 trillion annually. The “ocean economy” is the fourth largest in the world. Furthermore, our global economic vitality is largely due to the cost-effective nature of ocean transportation, which contributes to the reduced price per ton of shipped goods.

    From submarine cables to shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, we are increasingly reliant on the blue economy. Roughly 20 per cent of the animal protein that we eat comes from marine fish.

    The ocean has changed dramatically in the past century, and we expect more change to come. Collapses of fisheries, coral reefs, shark populations and other species — along with increased dead zones, red tide blooms and invasive species — have followed increased human development, industrial use of the sea, climate change and pollution.

    Humanity is at a social, political, environmental and scientific nexus point.

    We are a group of researchers and experts who served on a committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to advise the National Science Foundation on forward-looking approaches to investing in ocean science research, infrastructure and workforce development.

    We considered the question: What vital research must we pursue now, and what investments must we make to achieve ambitious research goals?

    Our scientific efforts must focus on the key gaps in our predictive knowledge, and on the critical pathways and thresholds for ocean change. We should support ocean science to prepare for the future.

    Readying ocean science

    Given limited resources and rapid changes, we need to consider how to set priorities. Our committee offered a distinction between urgent and vital research: urgent research is time-sensitive, with immediate relevance to emerging regional and global issues, while vital research transforms our ability to grapple with rapid changes in the ocean and the Earth system.

    Our ability to observe, model and understand the ocean has greatly increased in recent years.

    For example, Argo — an ocean weather observing system — provides a global view of water properties around the planet. Argo has expanded our understanding of the global ocean and has significantly improved weather forecasts.

    In addition, research on the impact of climate shifts on ocean species is more accurate, helping us to understand the impact of these shifts on carbon sequestration, shoreline protection from storms and tipping points in interconnected ocean systems.

    The growing focus on links between the chemical, physical, geological and biological states of the ocean, and planetary climate states, provides a much-improved structure for forecasting the state of the ocean.

    Healthy oceans, healthy people

    A focus on human well-being and its dependence on ocean processes can provide an important connection that places ocean sciences in key conversations related to human health.

    When it comes to understanding the importance of ocean and climate, we need to determine how the ocean’s ability to absorb heat and carbon dioxide will change. While the ocean presently absorbs 90 per cent of global heat and roughly 30 per cent of carbon dioxide, changes in the physical and biological ocean will likely slow these rates, leading to accelerated atmospheric warming.

    Related to this climate question, how will marine ecosystems respond to changes in the Earth system? Declining ecosystem resilience will likely have strong negative impacts on food supplies and livelihoods.

    Can we develop new understanding that will support model forecasts to determine the effects of warming, acidification and de-oxygenation on marine life?

    Another challenge is to improve our ability to forecast extreme events driven by ocean and seafloor processes. Marine earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and storm surges are natural processes that pose serious risks to human well-being. Societal vulnerability to these extreme events can be profound.

    As our built coastal infrastructure expands, and climate change shifts patterns of such extreme events, it is critical to improve our ability to observe, understand and forecast extreme events.

    Investing in ocean futures

    Ocean research depends on continued funding of basic studies and investment in key ocean science infrastructure. We must integrate emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and expanded use of existing ocean infrastructure such as globally ranging research vessels, global drifters that float on the ocean surface and gather information, underwater communication cables and coastal marine laboratories.

    International co-operation is needed since few of these challenges are truly local. A move towards more collaborative, transdisciplinary research is necessary, alongside an expanded ocean science workforce with training and knowledge well beyond those of traditional disciplines.

    Our assessment of the state of ocean science in the United States identified key infrastructure required to address these challenges.

    For example, while advances in autonomous vehicle technology offer many opportunities, there will remain a need for specialized research ships that can operate in coastal and deep-sea waters and ice-covered regions to drill for** seafloor samples. Globally, there has been a decline in available ships to support ocean research.

    Likewise, nearly 100 marine laboratories dot U.S. coastlines, providing training, access and research for thousands of students each year. The development of this infrastructure offers opportunities for international collaboration and cooperation with private sector partners. It may also be that some of the existing infrastructure, such as the Ocean Observatories Initiative, needs to be reconsidered in light of shifting priorities and developing technologies.

    An ocean glider deployed at sea.
    (B. DeYoung), CC BY-ND

    Collective action

    We differentiate between urgent and vital ocean science research priorities.

    While the urgent will continue to demand our attention — the next coral bleaching event, the latest fisheries collapse — it is our commitment to the vital research priorities identified in the report that will ultimately determine our ability to steward rather than merely react to complex changes in the oceans.

    Our work offers a compass, but navigation requires collective action. Research institutions must transform their approach: restructuring tenure and promotion criteria to reward transdisciplinary investigations, supporting reskilling and upskilling of faculty, and preparing an innovative, adept workforce.

    Policymakers must create frameworks that value long-term investigation. And citizens must advocate for sustained investments in ocean science that transcend political cycles. The ocean’s future — and our own — depends on our willingness to pursue what is vital.

    Kristen St John receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. She is the author of a lab book Reconstructing Earth’s Climate History: Inquiry-Based Exercises for the Lab and Class, and an in press textbook Earth’s Climate: A Geoscience Perspective.

    Mona Behl receives funding from U.S. National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautic and Space Agency, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is affiliated with the American Meteorological Society, and the Oceanography Society.

    Peter Girguis receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Schmidt Sciences, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He is affiliated with Harvard University, Schmidt Sciences, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution .

    Richard W Murray has received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and other U.S. federal agencies.

    Stephen Palumbi receives funding from NSF, The Pew Charitable Trusts among other sources. He is affiliated with The Ocean Conservancy as a Board member, and is a member of the National Academies of Sciences. He has been vocal about the value and fun of bringing ocean science to the general public in book like The Extreme Life of the Sea and the upcoming book Born Predators.

    Brad deYoung 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. Humanity depends on the ocean — Here is what we need to prioritize for immediate ocean science research – https://theconversation.com/humanity-depends-on-the-ocean-here-is-what-we-need-to-prioritize-for-immediate-ocean-science-research-252247

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh

    Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.

    Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.

    In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.

    More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.

    In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.

    The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.

    Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.

    As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.

    Read more: City streets: why South Africa should design more people-friendly spaces

    The study

    The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.

    We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.

    Findings

    Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.

    One resident commented:

    The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.

    Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.

    One municipal official said:

    Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.

    Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.

    A community leader complained:

    Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.

    Read more: New forms of urban planning are emerging in Africa

    Towards cities that are walkable

    The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.

    We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.

    Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.

    – Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem
    – https://theconversation.com/accra-is-a-tough-city-to-walk-in-how-city-planners-can-fix-the-problem-253636

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Power drives global affairs today, not rules – what Africa’s strategies should be

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kennedy Mbeva, Research Associate, University of Cambridge

    A new world order is emerging. The United States is no longer the sole force shaping global events; countries like China, Russia, India and the Gulf states are growing in influence.

    This shift has intensified global competition and made international cooperation more challenging. In today’s world, power, not rules, is the key driver of global affairs.

    What is Africa’s role? Drawing on our research, we argue that the continent should adopt a pragmatic strategy involving two elements. First, identifying issues suitable for collective action, like climate diplomacy and a seat at the UN security council. Second, recognising those that require regional or domestic policy, such as regional conflicts and trade agreements.

    We propose this approach because Africa is not a single state or supranational entity. A grand strategy is therefore impractical. Instead, our proposal accepts that some issues are best tackled collectively, while others may require regional or unilateral action.

    New doctrines are needed

    Countries could collectively adopt something like a “doctrine”, such as the Lagos Plan of Action (1980-2000). The plan outlines an ambitious goal of boosting Africa’s self-reliance through development and economic integration. Also, the Declaration of Monrovia of 1973, which emphasises the need for collective self-reliance. This was Africa’s contribution to the calls for a new international economic order at the end of the second world war. While these documents were developed to reflect the world at that time, they may serve as an inspiration for a new strategy that reflects the emerging new world order.

    The Monroe and Truman doctrines outlined how the US could secure its global dominance. Both highlight the power of well-defined principles in guiding strategy.

    African countries could adopt a new doctrine on how the continent can enhance its position in the emerging global order. The doctrine would present an opportunity for African countries to develop a clear and coherent strategy for effective engagement, appreciating the opportunities and limitations of the new world order. It should also appreciate the difficulty of coordinating diverse countries in the continent. This is possible by building on the spirit and legacy of Lagos and Monrovia strategies.

    Read more: African Union’s new chair has a long list of tough tasks – what it will take to get them done

    Seismic changes

    Geoeconomics, where security and economics influence geopolitics, is reshaping Africa.

    Concerns have been raised about the possible termination of the African Growth and Opportunity Act by the US administration. This legislation grants African countries preferential access to the US market.

    For their part, African countries established the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement in 2018 to create a continental common market and reduce dependence on the global economic system.

    Yet Africa’s ambitious trade plans face threats from global shifts as well as internal dynamics. For example, the Trump administration has slammed high tariffs on virtually all trade partners, including African countries. Lesotho received the highest tariffs (50%) of all US trading partners. This might affect preferential access agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

    Other major economies such as the EU and China are also exploring opportunities to conclude bilateral trade deals with African countries. These developments could undermine the goal of creating an exclusive continental market.

    Internal dynamics within the continent are also not stable. When Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form the Alliance of Sahel States in 2024, commentators blamed regional instability. We argue, however, that the breakup of Ecowas is a warning about the limits of integration.

    The fact that the Alliance for Sahel States is based on a security pact rather than economic integration highlights how extreme risks can reconfigure continental unity. For fragile states, securing political stability is necessary for economic integration. Security rather than economics is the primary policy concern for such states.

    Similar challenges arise in climate diplomacy. African countries, which have contributed least to global climate change, are pressured to assume greater responsibility with little international support. Yet they continue suffering its worsening impacts. At the same time, African states have received little of the international support necessary to support them to address climate action. Such support includes climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

    African policymakers have responded creatively by making their national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement conditional on international support in finance, technology transfer and capacity-building. And they say initiatives to address climate change should also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.

    As we argue in a recently published book, this approach ensures that Africa can pursue sustainable development while contributing to the global climate effort. It also aligns with the continent’s long-standing emphasis on the development aspects of environmental politics.

    The solution

    Our suggestion is a simple, pragmatic concept: African countries should work together on some issues and act alone on others.

    Unlike the common African positions adopted through the African Union, this approach clearly lays out when cooperation is best and when countries should follow their own path. It offers a clear set of guiding principles such as the need for flexibility for cooperation and unilateral actions when consensus is unattainable. This can serve as a blueprint for future policies and help coordinate Africa’s diplomacy.

    This has several advantages. It’s simple and straightforward, recognises national differences while encouraging cooperation, and strengthens Africa’s voice and role on the global stage.

    A major challenge is getting all countries to agree on how flexibility should balance between consensus and unilateral action by African countries.

    But the strategy would acknowledge the need for flexibility to balance Africa’s ambition for greater global leadership. This must also be within the limits set by global and domestic realities.

    Read more: The African Union is weak because its members want it that way – experts call for action on its powers

    Looking forward

    As the world adjusts to a new global order where multilateralism is in decline and power politics dominate, Africa can take advantage of opportunities to shape global affairs and secure its collective policy goals. This can be done through its seat at the G20.

    But it requires a clear and coherent strategy.

    – Power drives global affairs today, not rules – what Africa’s strategies should be
    – https://theconversation.com/power-drives-global-affairs-today-not-rules-what-africas-strategies-should-be-251078

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS attends FSD open day

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Fire Services Department today held an open day at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy (FASA) in support of National Security Education Day, which will be held on Tuesday.

     

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki attended a flag-raising ceremony and spoke at the event, which attracted more than 9,000 participants.

     

    He praised the 41 departmental staff who recently took part in search-and-rescue operations in earthquake-stricken areas of Myanmar, commending the team’s swift response and professionalism. He added that their efforts demonstrated China’s commitment to global humanitarian efforts and support for the spirit of international security, which he said is an essential element of a holistic approach to national security.

     

    The Chief Secretary then toured an exhibition on national security, and also the National Security Education & Resource Centre at the FASA. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung visited game booths set up as part of the open day.

     

    As part of the event, facilities such as the simulated Pak Shing Kok railway station, training simulations, and the fire and ambulance services education centre, were also open to the public.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor and Coalition support for new home buyers welcome but other Australians also struggling with housing affordability

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Cull, Associate Professor, Western Sydney University

    doublelee/Shutterstock

    There is no denying housing reform is urgently needed in Australia to make housing more affordable and accessible to everyday Australians.

    Both major parties have now announced the incentives they are offering to help first-home buyers. While both Labor and the Coalition are hopeful their newly announced policies will win the most votes, how easy will it be to implement and how will it help first-home buyers?

    What new housing incentives are being offered?

    Refreshingly, both major parties are offering more novel policies than have previously been announced. In addition, both policies offer welcome relief to first-home buyers.

    As part of their $43 billion housing plan that already includes delivering 55,000 social and affordable homes, a Labor government will spend $10 billion to help more Australians purchase their first home.

    The first part of this plan includes increasing housing supply by building 100,000 new homes over eight years – just for first home buyers. The government would work with the states to identify where these homes will be built, beginning next financial year.

    The second part of Labor’s plan involves expanding the 5% deposit Home Guarantee Scheme to remove the annual cap of 50,000 places and removing income thresholds.

    It will also increase property price caps to better reflect local markets so that buyers can look to purchase a property where they currently work and/or live. For example, the current cap in Sydney will increase from $900,000 to $1.5 million.

    The Home Guarantee Scheme, which has already been used by more than 150,000 Australians, allows eligible first-home buyers to purchase a property with a 5% deposit and without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. The government guarantees part of the home loan. This will speed up the time that it will take for first-home buyers to save for a deposit, as they will be able to use a smaller deposit to secure a home.

    The 100,000 homes that would be built as part of Labor’s plans would only be available to first time home owners.
    Go My Media

    The Coalition have announced they will permit first-time buyers of newly built properties to deduct interest on up to $650,000 of their mortgage against their income for up to five years. The first home buyers, however, have to remain in their home for this time period.

    This will be available to singles on incomes up to $175,000 and couples with a combined income of up to $250,000. This is similar to the mortgage interest tax deduction currently permitted through negative gearing to property investors with rental properties.

    How easy are these housing policies to implement?

    While Labor’s Home Guarantee policy is already in operation, it should be relatively easy to expand this policy.

    However, in terms of building 100,000 homes, we know Labor is already well behind on its plan to build new housing stock, even though the number of dwellings increased by 53,200 to 11,294,300 for the quarter ended December 2024.

    This is where Labor’s policy of increasing subsidies to apprentices in the construction industry, as well plans to invest in prefabricated and modular homes and introduce a national certification system will help. While welcomed by housing advocates, the detail surrounding exactly where the houses will be built is an important part of this new housing policy.

    The Coalition’s proposal is more radical and will require changes to legislation before it can be implemented.

    It may also need to form part of more holistic taxation reform to have the intended effect. Details are still needed as to how this reform may affect the current capital gains tax exemption and other property tax concessions for one’s principal place of residence.

    Whether the Coalition have other taxation reforms planned is yet to be revealed.

    Could these policies work?

    The latest housing policies announced by both major parties are a step in the right direction.

    However, the details are missing and concerns remain around how these policies will interact with other policy proposals and whether there will be an unintended effect of pushing up housing prices.

    Peter Dutton says the deduction scheme would save the average family about $11,000 a year.
    Andrey Popov/Shutterstock

    While increasing the supply of housing is the answer to the housing crisis, whether these houses can be built quickly is still questionable. The 5% deposit for first home buyers will go a long way in enabling first home buyers to save a deposit. However, this means the remaining 95% still needs to be repaid and first home buyers will still need to prove they can service the loan. It will also increase pressure on first home buyers if interest rates increase early in their home ownership journey.

    First home owners who want to claim a tax deduction on their mortgage interest will still need to construct a new home, which will take some time to build.

    The tax deduction will help first-home buyers in the early years of their mortgage when mortgage interest is highest. However, it does tend to favour higher income earners who receive larger tax deductions due to their higher tax brackets.

    While it does little to put downward pressure on housing prices, the Coalition has combined this with an aggressive immigration policy aimed at increasing supply of established homes.

    Given the tight and expensive market in Australia, the latest housing incentives announced by the major parties may come as welcome news to first home buyers. But any new policy must be viewed as part of the larger package of policies being offered. First home buyers are not the only ones experiencing problems with housing affordability and accessibility.

    If anything, the contest for the federal election has forced both major parties to seriously consider their housing policies and share these with the public. However, the hardest part is yet to come: whether the incoming government’s housing policy is actually effective.

    Michelle Cull is a member of CPA Australia, the Financial Advice Association Australia and President Elect of the Academy of Financial Services in the United States. Michelle is an academic member of UniSuper’s Consultative Committee. Michelle co-founded the Western Sydney University Tax Clinic which has received funding from the Australian Taxation Office as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. Michelle has previously volunteered as Chair of the Macarthur Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Australia.

    – ref. Labor and Coalition support for new home buyers welcome but other Australians also struggling with housing affordability – https://theconversation.com/labor-and-coalition-support-for-new-home-buyers-welcome-but-other-australians-also-struggling-with-housing-affordability-254451

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Celebrations as EIT Hawke’s Bay students graduate | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    1 day ago

    There was a strong sense of celebration in Napier today as 300 EIT students marked the end of their study journey.

    Two ceremonies were held at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday (April 11), with whānau, friends and supporters gathering to mark the occasion. In total, EIT awarded 2,241 diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications to Hawke’s Bay-based learners who finished their studies last year.

    The morning ceremony recognised graduates from the Centre for Veterinary Nursing, IDEAschool, Te Ūranga Waka, and the Schools of Education and Social Sciences, Primary Industries, Tourism and Hospitality, Trades and Technology, and Viticulture and Wine Science.

    A graduation parade through Napier’s city centre followed, with students, staff, and supporters cheered on by the community.

    In the afternoon, students from the Schools of Business, Computing, Health and Sport Science, and Nursing were celebrated.

    Valedictorians Elijah Rogers and Kayla Hughes delivered heartfelt speeches reflecting on their time at EIT. Olympian Nigel Avery was the special guest speaker, and Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd was also in attendance.

    EIT Interim Operations Lead Glen Harkness congratulated all those who graduated.

    “It’s always a proud moment to see our students cross the stage. Graduation is the result of hard work, focus, and a real commitment to learning. Each of our graduates can feel proud of what they’ve achieved.”

    He also acknowledged the role of EIT staff.

    “Our lecturers and tutors are passionate about supporting student success. These ceremonies are a reflection of their dedication and the high-quality programmes we continue to offer across the board. We have no doubt that these graduates’ futures look bright.”

    Graduation ceremonies were also held in March for EIT’s Tairāwhiti and Auckland students.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Voters have a clear choice. Labor’s long term and equitable tax reform or the Coalition’s big but one-off tax cuts

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University

    Tang Yan Song

    The election campaign has erupted into a economic battleground as Labor and the Coalition unveiled major new tax policies at their campaign launches.

    Each policy package is aimed at addressing the mounting cost-of-living pressures facing millions of Australians.

    Labor’s flagship announcement is a new standard tax deduction of $1000 per year for work-related expenses. It represents a permanent reform designed to simplify the tax system and provide consistent, predictable relief.

    Economically, it reduces compliance costs and inefficiencies by eliminating paperwork and receipt-keeping for millions of Australians.

    According to a Blueprint Institute report, simplifying tax deductions through a standard deduction can significantly reduce compliance costs and increase economic efficiency. It potentially saves taxpayers and the government millions annually by streamlining the tax filing process.

    This change reduces errors, improves efficiency and saves both individuals and the government significant time and resources.

    A standard deduction can lead to increased compliance and fewer disputes. The Australian Taxation Office will not need to audit taxpayers who take the standard deduction. This will lower administrative costs and reduce the need for costly tax advice from accountants.

    Additionally, a simpler tax system can enhance labour market participation. It does this by removing complexity that disproportionately affects lower-income workers and those without professional tax advice.

    It also preserves the option for Australians with an unusually high number of deductions to keep deducting item by item as they currently do.

    In contrast, the Coalition’s big-ticket announcement is a one-off Cost of Living Tax Offset. It offers a refund of up to $1200 to workers earning up to $144,000 annually.

    Similar in structure to the previous Morrison government’s Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO), this measure provides short-term relief rather than systemic reform.

    Economically, the Coalition’s approach injects rapid fiscal stimulus into the economy, targeting households under significant financial strain from rising living costs.

    By providing direct rebates after the lodgment of the 2025-26 tax return, the Coalition aims to boost disposable incomes and encourage consumer spending without permanently altering tax scales.

    The temporary nature of the Coalition’s offset, priced at $10 billion, allows fiscal flexibility. It mitigates potential inflationary pressures by avoiding permanent spending increases, thereby providing immediate relief without structurally embedding costs into the budget.

    Coupled with the Coalition’s pledge to cut the fuel excise by 25¢ per litre immediately after the election, the tax offset represents a significant short-term fiscal injection. It offers immediate political advantage but limited longer-term economic reform.

    The economic debate between Labor and the Coalition has now crystallised around differing perspectives on fiscal management and economic intervention.

    Labor prioritises systemic reforms aimed at simplification and equity. The Coalition emphasises immediate, substantial cash injections to households through temporary relief measures. Both policies entail substantial fiscal commitments, yet differ markedly in their timing, permanence and structural impact on the Australian economy.

    Voters face a clear economic choice: Labor’s systemic tax simplification versus the Coalition’s aggressive short-term tax relief.

    Isaac Gross 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. Voters have a clear choice. Labor’s long term and equitable tax reform or the Coalition’s big but one-off tax cuts – https://theconversation.com/voters-have-a-clear-choice-labors-long-term-and-equitable-tax-reform-or-the-coalitions-big-but-one-off-tax-cuts-254452

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh

    Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.

    Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.

    In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.

    More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.

    In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.

    The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.

    Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.

    As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.



    Read more:
    City streets: why South Africa should design more people-friendly spaces

    The study

    The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.

    We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.

    Findings

    Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.

    One resident commented:

    The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.

    Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.

    One municipal official said:

    Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.

    Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.

    A community leader complained:

    Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.



    Read more:
    New forms of urban planning are emerging in Africa

    Towards cities that are walkable

    The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.

    We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.

    Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.

    Seth Asare Okyere receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.

    Daniel Oviedo receives funding from University College London and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.

    Louis Kusi Frimpong receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) funding program

    Mariajose Nieto receives funding from Volvo Research and Educational Foundation

    Matthew Abunyewah and Stephen Leonard Mensah 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. Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem – https://theconversation.com/accra-is-a-tough-city-to-walk-in-how-city-planners-can-fix-the-problem-253636

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Power drives global affairs today, not rules – what Africa’s strategies should be

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kennedy Mbeva, Research Associate, University of Cambridge

    A new world order is emerging. The United States is no longer the sole force shaping global events; countries like China, Russia, India and the Gulf states are growing in influence.

    This shift has intensified global competition and made international cooperation more challenging. In today’s world, power, not rules, is the key driver of global affairs.

    What is Africa’s role? Drawing on our research, we argue that the continent should adopt a pragmatic strategy involving two elements. First, identifying issues suitable for collective action, like climate diplomacy and a seat at the UN security council. Second, recognising those that require regional or domestic policy, such as regional conflicts and trade agreements.

    We propose this approach because Africa is not a single state or supranational entity. A grand strategy is therefore impractical. Instead, our proposal accepts that some issues are best tackled collectively, while others may require regional or unilateral action.

    New doctrines are needed

    Countries could collectively adopt something like a “doctrine”, such as the Lagos Plan of Action (1980-2000). The plan outlines an ambitious goal of boosting Africa’s self-reliance through development and economic integration. Also, the Declaration of Monrovia of 1973, which emphasises the need for collective self-reliance. This was Africa’s contribution to the calls for a new international economic order at the end of the second world war. While these documents were developed to reflect the world at that time, they may serve as an inspiration for a new strategy that reflects the emerging new world order.

    The Monroe and Truman doctrines outlined how the US could secure its global dominance. Both highlight the power of well-defined principles in guiding strategy.

    African countries could adopt a new doctrine on how the continent can enhance its position in the emerging global order. The doctrine would present an opportunity for African countries to develop a clear and coherent strategy for effective engagement, appreciating the opportunities and limitations of the new world order. It should also appreciate the difficulty of coordinating diverse countries in the continent. This is possible by building on the spirit and legacy of Lagos and Monrovia strategies.



    Read more:
    African Union’s new chair has a long list of tough tasks – what it will take to get them done

    Seismic changes

    Geoeconomics, where security and economics influence geopolitics, is reshaping Africa.

    Concerns have been raised about the possible termination of the African Growth and Opportunity Act by the US administration. This legislation grants African countries preferential access to the US market.

    For their part, African countries established the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement in 2018 to create a continental common market and reduce dependence on the global economic system.

    Yet Africa’s ambitious trade plans face threats from global shifts as well as internal dynamics. For example, the Trump administration has slammed high tariffs on virtually all trade partners, including African countries. Lesotho received the highest tariffs (50%) of all US trading partners. This might affect preferential access agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

    Other major economies such as the EU and China are also exploring opportunities to conclude bilateral trade deals with African countries. These developments could undermine the goal of creating an exclusive continental market.

    Internal dynamics within the continent are also not stable. When Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form the Alliance of Sahel States in 2024, commentators blamed regional instability. We argue, however, that the breakup of Ecowas is a warning about the limits of integration.

    The fact that the Alliance for Sahel States is based on a security pact rather than economic integration highlights how extreme risks can reconfigure continental unity. For fragile states, securing political stability is necessary for economic integration. Security rather than economics is the primary policy concern for such states.

    Similar challenges arise in climate diplomacy. African countries, which have contributed least to global climate change, are pressured to assume greater responsibility with little international support. Yet they continue suffering its worsening impacts. At the same time, African states have received little of the international support necessary to support them to address climate action. Such support includes climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

    African policymakers have responded creatively by making their national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement conditional on international support in finance, technology transfer and capacity-building. And they say initiatives to address climate change should also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.

    As we argue in a recently published book, this approach ensures that Africa can pursue sustainable development while contributing to the global climate effort. It also aligns with the continent’s long-standing emphasis on the development aspects of environmental politics.

    The solution

    Our suggestion is a simple, pragmatic concept: African countries should work together on some issues and act alone on others.

    Unlike the common African positions adopted through the African Union, this approach clearly lays out when cooperation is best and when countries should follow their own path. It offers a clear set of guiding principles such as the need for flexibility for cooperation and unilateral actions when consensus is unattainable. This can serve as a blueprint for future policies and help coordinate Africa’s diplomacy.

    This has several advantages. It’s simple and straightforward, recognises national differences while encouraging cooperation, and strengthens Africa’s voice and role on the global stage.

    A major challenge is getting all countries to agree on how flexibility should balance between consensus and unilateral action by African countries.

    But the strategy would acknowledge the need for flexibility to balance Africa’s ambition for greater global leadership. This must also be within the limits set by global and domestic realities.



    Read more:
    The African Union is weak because its members want it that way – experts call for action on its powers

    Looking forward

    As the world adjusts to a new global order where multilateralism is in decline and power politics dominate, Africa can take advantage of opportunities to shape global affairs and secure its collective policy goals. This can be done through its seat at the G20.

    But it requires a clear and coherent strategy.

    Dr Kennedy Mbeva receives funding from the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment

    Reuben Makomere receives funding from University of Cambridge – Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CESR)

    – ref. Power drives global affairs today, not rules – what Africa’s strategies should be – https://theconversation.com/power-drives-global-affairs-today-not-rules-what-africas-strategies-should-be-251078

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Liberal and Labor launches focus on housing, but who thinks either side can fix that crisis any time soon?

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

    If anyone had any doubts before, Sunday’s Liberal and Labor launches highlighted that this election is an auction for votes, in particular those of the under 40s and people in the outer suburbs.

    Amid the usual launch hoopla – the Liberals choosing western Sydney and Labor returning to Perth – both parties announced major fresh housing initiatives. They were making a deep bow to what’s a central issue for younger Australians who still aspire to the so-called “Australian dream” but can’t see themselves affording it.

    Significantly, Peter Dutton also produced a tax handout – a tax offset of up to $1200 targeted to lower and middle income earners. This was despite his signalling earlier in the campaign he wouldn’t be able to afford to do so. On tax, Anthony Albanese promised people would be able to claim a $1000 automatic tax deduction for work expenses (at a cost of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates).

    The Liberal campaign has been flagging. Labor has appeared headed for victory, at least in a comfortable minority. The Liberals might say they’ve been working on the policies produced on Sunday for some time, but they do have a “break glass” feel about them, as the opposition seeks to reinvigorate its campaign.

    The Liberals’ proposal for the interest on a mortgage to be tax deductible has strict limits. It only applies to first home buyers, to new homes and (for the house buyer) for five years, and provided the buyer remains living in the home. There is a means test, and the interest deductibility only applies on the first $650,000 of the loan. This is why the plan is costed at a modest $1.25 billion over the forward estimates.

    The plan will come under some tough criticism in the final three weeks of the campaign. Independent economist Saul Eslake said on Sunday the policy would put upward pressure on house prices. “We have 60 years of evidence going back to the Menzies government’s initial first home owners’ grant scheme that anything allowing people to spend more on housing than they otherwise would results in more expensive housing and a smaller proportion of the population owning it.”

    Eslake argues that when this policy is combined with the Liberals’ policy to give people access to their superannuation for a deposit, “they make a candidate for the worst policy decision of the 21st century so far.”

    In its new housing offer, Labor is promising to invest $10 billion for the construction of up to 100,000 new homes to be sold only to first home owners. Also, the present scheme under which the government guarantees a 5% home deposit would have the means test removed (the Liberals would also tweak some detail of this measure).

    Labor in its first term committed to spending $33 billion and set a target of 1.2 million new homes over five years. Progress to the target is off course. The latest initiatives could be seen by some voters as more of the same.

    The Liberals hope the interest deductibility policy might be a show stopper. But there is a salutary lesson from the 2022 campaign. The Liberals also came out at that campaign launch with a big housing initiative – to allow people access to their super for the purchase of their first home.

    It wasn’t the “game changer” Scott Morrison labelled it. It was too late, for one thing. For another, policy auction or not, many voters make decisions on wider criteria, including what they think of the leaders and the context in which the contest is taking place.

    The latter is especially important this election, when the vagaries of the Trump administration are driving some voters towards staying with “the devil you know”.

    While the Liberals’ tax offset announcement came as a surprise, perhaps it was inevitable the Coalition would have to offer something on taxation. It seemed at the time crazy brave for the opposition to reject the government’s $17 billion budget package of tax cuts.

    The opposition rationalises the money involved in its election carrots. The earlier-announced cuts in petrol and diesel fuel excise (costing $6 billion) would last a year (although open to extension). Then the $10 billion tax offset would cut in. The Liberals argue this sequencing balances immediate cost-of-living relief with economic responsibility.

    Nevertheless, the opposition’s giveaways don’t sit easily with its mantra about the need to cut spending. We have yet to see the circle squared, and that will only come (if it does) at the end of the campaign when the accounting numbers are all submitted.

    Meanwhile, Labor is making the most of the threat of Dutton’s unknown spending cuts. Albanese said in his speech: “If Peter Dutton won’t tell you what cuts he will make before you vote, if he refuses to say where the $600 billion for his nuclear reactors will come from, then every other promise is worthless.”

    The figure of Donald Trump continues to hang over the campaign, with Albanese declaring “the Liberals want to copy from overseas”.

    In an own goal on Saturday Jacinta Price, who is shadow minister for government efficiency, referred to the opposition’s commitment to “make Australia great again” at an appearance with Dutton.

    Dutton’s launch speech ran for the best part of an hour, with three former prime ministers, John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, in the audience. Predictably, there was no sign of Malcolm Turnbull.

    Julia Gillard was there for Albanese’s launch. Paul Keating didn’t make the trek to Perth; Kevin Rudd, as ambassador in Washington, has other responsibilities these days.

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

    – ref. Election Diary: Liberal and Labor launches focus on housing, but who thinks either side can fix that crisis any time soon? – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-liberal-and-labor-launches-focus-on-housing-but-who-thinks-either-side-can-fix-that-crisis-any-time-soon-254206

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBB Welcomes Delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Dhiyafa” Program

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    CBB Welcomes Delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Dhiyafa” Program

    Published on 13 April 2025

    Manama, Bahrain – 13 April 2025: The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) hosted a delegation of participants from the fifth International Diplomats Program “Dhiyafa” on Thursday, 10th April 2025 at its headquarters. The initiative is organised by the Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy (MBMA) for Diplomatic Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Mr. Yousef Rashid Al Fadhel, Executive Director of Corporate Services at CBB, received the delegation which consisted of 23 diplomats. In his opening address, he highlighted the importance of these initiatives in enhancing communication and the exchange of expertise between Bahrain and other nations.

    During the visit, Mr. Mohammed Al Sadiq, Head of Financial Stability at CBB, presented an overview of the institution’s mandate and its commitment to maintaining regulatory oversight in the sector. He also outlined the key objectives of the Financial Services Sector Development Strategy 2022 – 2026. Following his session, Ms. Sarah Ehsan Faraj, Director of the Currency Issue Directorate, delivered a presentation on the issuance of the commemorative silver coin minted on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, marking 25 years of His Majesty’s reign. The visit concluded with a tour of the Currency Museum housed within the CBB’s premises.

    On the occasion, Mr. Yousef Rashid Al Fadhel, commented: “In line with our commitment to contributing towards meaningful national initiatives, we were pleased to offer the delegates an in-depth perspective into the CBB’s pioneering role in supporting the Kingdom’s financial sector. We also commend this vital endeavour, which serves to stimulate the interflow of ideas and build stronger connections with diplomats from different backgrounds as they explore Bahrain’s rich history and cultural legacy.”

    Launched in 2019, “Dhiyafa” was the recipient of the inaugural Government Innovation Competition (Fikra) award in 2018. Since then, it has welcomed 91 officials from 47 nations. Designed as a comprehensive experience that combines academic learning with practical engagement, the program seeks to enhance bilateral relations between Bahrain and the participating countries by showcasing the Kingdom’s progress across diverse fields.

    Share this

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Seth Asare Okyere, Visiting lecturer, University of Pittsburg and Adjunct Associate Professor, Osaka University, University of Pittsburgh

    Humans are walking beings. Walking is intrinsically linked to our physical development from childhood and enables our connections with people and places. We can say it is essential to our physical and mental well-being.

    Walking can also help create inclusive and sustainable cities. Most western cities incorporate this need in their spatial planning.

    In African countries like Ghana, however, the fact that most people walk doesn’t always mean they prefer to. They need to walk because it’s cheaper than using motor vehicles. But many African cities are not friendly to pedestrians.

    More than 70% of the urban population in Africa walk daily for various purposes. To deal with the challenges pedestrians encounter, some African cities have incorporated policies and strategies for walking into their motorised transport policies. For instance, in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has developed a policy that aims to create a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, greenways and other facilities that serve everyone in the city.

    In Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), a similar policy was developed. Its objective is to increase the number of people who walk by investing in walking facilities and improving connectivity to public transport.

    The strategies in these documents are commendable, but they have met practical challenges like funding, public perception and technical capacity.

    Ghana also has several transport and local development planning policies. Yet most urban areas in Ghana don’t have walking infrastructure and a safe walking environment.

    As scholars interested in sustainable urban development planning and policy, we reviewed some of these policies to explore how they treat walking as a way of getting around. The research also assessed institutional perspectives and residents’ everyday lived experiences of walkability in Accra, the capital city. We found that both policies and urban plans paid little attention to making the walking experience enjoyable.



    Read more:
    City streets: why South Africa should design more people-friendly spaces

    The study

    The Ghana Transport Survey Report indicates that over three-quarters (75.3%) of the country’s population make up to ten daily trips on foot, and most urban areas lack walking infrastructure. Pedestrians account for about 42% of road deaths in Ghana.

    We chose two study sites in Accra, the capital, where many come to find work. The sites represented inner-city and suburban areas. The research used in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 80 people to capture the perspectives of institutional representatives and community residents. We explored walking experiences in terms of accessibility, safety and enjoyment.

    Findings

    Accessibility: The national transport policy seeks to provide dedicated, safe, reliable and appropriate facilities for users across all transport modes. What we found, however, was an absence of infrastructure to enhance pedestrian access to facilities and services.

    One resident commented:

    The roads are not only in poor condition but they have no sidewalks. It is not hard to assume that these were built for car owners, not pedestrians’ everyday use.

    Safety: The research revealed a chasm between policy ambitions for walking and realities at the community level. Municipal development plans don’t say how they will address the frequent crashes that result from commuters, vendors and motorists competing for space. The most at risk are pedestrians, who represent 42% of transport-related fatalities. This is because of noncompliance with bylaws that regulate activities on the roads and pedestrian pathways.

    One municipal official said:

    Look at the streets: Motorists, street vendors, school children on the same street space. There is encroachment, reckless driving, illegally parked cars on road shoulders. School children and the disabled face constant risks. But the plan aims to make the neighborhoods walkable. Just words as always.

    Enjoyment: Enjoyment was the least considered aspect of walkability in both national policy and municipal development plans. The absence of facilities and infrastructure that offer comfort, aesthetics and other pleasures for pedestrians provides a clear indication of this.

    A community leader complained:

    Flooding and poor sanitation create an unpleasant walking environment. Clogged waste, poor drains, and rubbish along streets and alleyways are a problem. There is nothing pleasant about walking: the smell, the dust, the noise and the heat. You walk because you have no choice.



    Read more:
    New forms of urban planning are emerging in Africa

    Towards cities that are walkable

    The deep gulf between what the policies say and everyday experiences in our study calls for new ways of thinking and implementation within the urban transport in Ghana’s development planning regime.

    We suggest that there is a need for transport planners, urban and development planners, and policymakers to consider coproduction strategies in identifying, framing, developing, and implementing interventions. This will help harness the potential for walking as a social equaliser and its contribution to healthy, safe, equitable cities and communities.

    Here, action-oriented collaborative strategies like workshops that consider communities as partners can transition African urban residents from captive walkers to walkers who enjoy it.

    Seth Asare Okyere receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.

    Daniel Oviedo receives funding from University College London and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.

    Louis Kusi Frimpong receives funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) funding program

    Mariajose Nieto receives funding from Volvo Research and Educational Foundation

    Matthew Abunyewah and Stephen Leonard Mensah 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. Accra is a tough city to walk in: how city planners can fix the problem – https://theconversation.com/accra-is-a-tough-city-to-walk-in-how-city-planners-can-fix-the-problem-253636

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Strong Foundations literacy and numeracy resources grants launch

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The teaching materials will include decodable readers.

    In brief:

    • The ACT Government’s Strong Foundations program is in Phase 1 of implementation.
    • There is extra funding for early years classroom resources in all ACT P-2 classrooms.
    • Resources will support evidence-informed literacy and numeracy education.

    The ACT Government’s new Strong Foundations program is in Phase 1 of implementation.

    This week all ACT public schools with preschool to year 2 students will receive a grant.

    This extra funding will support them to buy additional evidence-informed literacy and numeracy resources for early years students.

    These resources will be in place for preschool to year 2 classrooms for the start of the 2025 school year.

    System-approved resources

    The teaching materials and equipment will include decodable readers and maths resources.

    Resources will support both students and teachers.

    Teachers will be trained on how to use these resources in the classroom.

    Setting kids up for success

    High-quality teaching in the early years helps prepare students for long-term success at school.

    These additional resources will enhance and improve early years education in ACT public schools.

    It will also give parents more confidence their school is sufficiently resourced to provide evidence-informed literacy and numeracy education.

    These resources come in addition to the rollout of the Year 1 Phonics Check across ACT public schools in 2025.

    Read the Strong Foundations Phase 1 Implementation Plan.

    Read more like this:

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


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Introducing the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year winners

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    From left: Daniel Bartholomaeus, Hannah Costello, Vanessa Brettell, Megan Gilmour, Marilyn Ralston, Peter Ralston OAM.

    In brief:

    • The winners of the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year Awards have been announced.
    • The four categories recognise people who go above and beyond for their communities.
    • They are now finalists in the national awards, to be announced on 25 January 2025.

    The winners of the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year Awards have been announced.

    They will join the other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025.

    Read on to find out more about the winners.

    2025 ACT Australian of the Year recipient – Megan Gilmour

    Social innovator Megan Gilmour wants to create a world where all children are seen and heard.

    In Australia, 1.2 million children are at risk of missing school due to complex medical and mental health challenges.

    Megan advocates for change in education systems for these vulnerable children.

    She drew on her lived experience to co-found MissingSchool. The organisation develops school solutions that help students continue learning alongside their peers.

    MissingSchool launched the world’s first national telepresence service, allowing children in hospital or at home to join lessons in real time.

    It has restored school connections for some 6,900 students since 2018.

    2025 ACT Senior Australian of The Year recipients – Marilyn and Peter Ralston OAM

    Peter and Marilyn Ralston support people with vision impairment or other disabilities to run, walk and be active.

    They began Achilles Running Club Canberra in 2013. Peter is President of the club.

    Through Achilles Canberra, volunteer guides team up with people with disability. Together, they join fun runs, club training and the weekly Parkrun.

    In the past three years, Peter has guided blind athletes 120 times at Parkrun. Achilles Canberra has enabled several blind members to each achieve hundreds of Parkruns.

    Peter and Marilyn also serve the community through other charity work.

    2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year recipient – Daniel Bartholomaeus

    Daniel Bartholomaeus is an artist and neurodiversity advocate.

    Daniel, who has autism and ADHD, inspires and motivates others. This is especially the case within the neurodiverse community.

    He not only uses his art to express himself, but also to forge common pathways for people with mental ill-health and those of different abilities.

    His art and lived experience help bridge the gap between neurotypical and neurodiverse people.

    Daniel is a mentor with The With Friends Initiative, a social group for neurodivergent young people.

    2025 ACT Local Hero recipients – Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello

    Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello use hospitality to empower vulnerable women.

    Their business, Cafe Stepping Stone, operates as a social enterprise. It employs women who experience significant barriers to employment. These women are mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

    The café’s two locations offer culturally and linguistically diverse women employment pathways, on-the-job training and qualifications. These help them enter or return to the workforce.

    Hannah and Vanessa’s inclusive employment practices assist female workers who:

    • are the sole income earners in their household
    • are new arrivals to Australia
    • have limited English or minimal employment history
    • are experiencing homelessness.

    Find out more about the awards and other ACT nominees on the Australian of the Year website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Five great Canberra bike rides

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    • There is an option for families, mountain biking, road biking, people new to cycling, and nature lovers.

    Canberra is an excellent city for cyclists. Across the capital, you’ll find a network of shared use paths, on-road cycling lanes and free bicycle parking facilities. There are also plenty of bike trails that showcase our beautiful bushland.

    Here are a few bike rides to check out.

    For families: Lake Tuggeranong District Park

    Lake Tuggeranong District Park was designed for lakeside recreation. About 6.77kms of shared use path encircles the lake. Most of the route is flat, making for a fun ride for families. Several sections have recently been upgraded, including path widening and line marking.

    There is plenty of parking, plus public toilets and drinking water.

    If the kids need to stop and rest, there are plenty of picnic tables, including some with shade. There are also a number of playgrounds around the lake. This includes the recently upgraded Tuggeranong Town Park Playground.

    A big drawcard for families with young children is the learn to ride centre. It is designed to teach children from preschool to year 4 how to safely ride a bicycle or scooter.

    Feeling adventurous? Tuggeranong Skate Park is near the western boundary of the park and has a section for beginners.

    For mountain biking: University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park

    UC Stromlo Forest Park has more than 50km of mountain bike trails. They are professionally built and maintained, and suitable for all levels.

    If 50km sounds a bit overwhelming, there are six suggested loops designed for different levels of ability.

    There are almost 500 parking spaces at UC Stromlo Forest Park. Next to the main car park, you’ll find Handlebar. This undercover bar and café is a great spot to refuel and soak up the amazing views. Public barbecues and picnic tables are also available.

    Before you visit, make sure you’re familiar with the rules and guidelines for the park. This is especially important if it’s your first visit or you’re new to mountain biking. Read the Park Rules and Guidelines.

    For road biking: Lake Burley Griffin Eastern loop

    This 9km route around the eastern portion of Lake Burley Griffin. It includes the Kingston Foreshore, Bowen Park, the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, the Molonglo River and Grevillea Park.

    You’ll be treated to a nice mix of restaurants and cafes, parks and bushland. The Jerrabomberra Wetland is a waterbird wonderland with more than 170 different bird species.

    From there, you can pop into Dairy Road where you’ll find a collection of places to eat and drink.

    The shared paths of Eastern Loop are flat, making for a leisurely ride. There are beautiful views of the city, the lake and the surrounding bushland. There are also public toilets scattered along the loop.

    For newbies: Lake Burley Griffin Central loop

    The 5km ‘bridge to bridge’ loop is one of Canberra’s most well-known walking and cycling routes. If you’re new to bike riding, it’s an excellent route because it’s so familiar. It’s also quite flat with a short climb up to both Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue bridges.

    The loop will take you past some iconic Canberra destinations. You’ll pass the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Carillon and the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre. You’ll also ride along the Australians of the Year Walk and catch views of the Captain Cook Memorial jet and Black Mountain Tower.

    There are plenty of spots to grab a coffee or something to eat on either side of the lake.

    For nature lovers: the Canberra Centenary Trail

    This trail is 145 kilometres long and is divided into seven sections. The entire trail is a 3-day ride, averaging just over 45 kilometres per day. You can also explore each section individually.

    The trail is a blend of urban and rural settings and includes nature forests, nature reserves and bushland hills.

    You’ll see plenty of native flora and fauna along the way, including birds.

    The trail is mostly flat, with some hilly sections which may require you to dismount. It’s designed to be accessible for cyclists with moderate ability.

    • A journey planner for cycling and walking routes
    • A guide to cycling in Canberra
    • A map of all cycling routes across Canberra
    • Regional walking and cycling guides.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tunisian students celebrate Chinese Language Day

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis (ISLT) and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University held a series of activities on Friday to celebrate UN Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20.

    Local Chinese language teachers, students, and enthusiasts of Chinese culture organized talent shows featuring activities such as singing Chinese songs, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, cultural lectures, and Chinese knowledge competitions.

    Solmin Tera, a first-year Chinese language student at ISLT, said she chose to study Chinese due to her love for Chinese culture, adding that proficiency in the language could enhance her career prospects.

    Hichem Messaoudi, director of ISLT and the Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute at Carthage University, told Xinhua that approximately 300 Tunisian students are currently enrolled in Chinese language programs at ISLT. He emphasized that the Chinese language is increasingly serving as a gateway for Tunisians to broaden their expertise across diverse fields.

    Ru Xin, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, noted that learning Chinese has enabled more Tunisian youth to deepen their understanding of China and global affairs. She highlighted that some students have secured opportunities to study in China or work for Chinese companies, while others have cultivated a passion for Chinese culture through their language studies, becoming ambassadors of cultural exchange between China and Tunisia. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 13, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 13, 2025.

    ‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merja Myllylahti, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director Research Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The news media is doing its best to keep everyone up to speed with the pace of Donald Trump’s radical changes to the world order. But in Aotearoa New

    Health workers call for NZ government to join global demands for ambulance massacre inquiry
    Asia Pacific Report Health workers spoke out at a rally condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the latest atrocity against Palestinian aid workers today, calling on the New Zealand government to join global demands for an independent investigation. They were protesting over last month’s massacre of 15 Palestinian rescue workers and the destruction of their

    Albanese pitches to aspiring home buyers with $10 billion plan and removal of means test on deposit guarantee
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese will promise a $10 billion scheme to facilitate the building of up to 100,000 homes that would be earmarked for sale to first home buyers. To be unveiled at Labor’s formal campaign launch in Perth on Sunday, the

    Dutton to offer targeted income tax offset of up to $1,200
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton at his party launch on Sunday will offer a “cost of living tax offset” of up to $1,200 to more than 10 million taxpayers. The one-off offset would go to taxpayers earning up to $144,000 when they lodged

    Caitlin Johnstone: Israel’s innocent oopsie-poopsie medical massacre mistake
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The Israeli military changed its story many times about why its forces killed 15 medical workers and then buried them and their vehicles to hide the evidence. After their initial claim that the medical vehicles were approaching “suspiciously” without their emergency lights

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merja Myllylahti, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director Research Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy, Auckland University of Technology

    Getty Images

    The news media is doing its best to keep everyone up to speed with the pace of Donald Trump’s radical changes to the world order.

    But in Aotearoa New Zealand, where avoiding news is more common than in other countries, many of us are blocking our ears to it all.

    In 2025, “Trump fatigue” is now one of the key reasons 73% of New Zealanders say they actively avoid the news to some extent. For context, in Finland (where trust in news is highest), avoidance sits at only 21%.

    For our 2025 Trust in News report, we asked New Zealanders why they were avoiding the news and analysed 749 responses. A couple of quotes give a sense of what we found:

    “Trump, Trump, Trump and no real investigative news.” – Female, European/Pākehā, aged 55-64, party vote Labour in 2023.

    “I actively avoid any news of Donald Trump. If I hear any extreme right-wing views on the news […] I will turn it off. There is no place for that.” – Female, European/Pākehā, aged 35-44, party vote National in 2023.

    This fatigue appears to cross age, gender and even political boundaries. Incessant news about the unpredictable United States president had similar effects on a middle-aged Pākehā woman who voted National, an elderly Māori woman who voted Labour, and a middle-aged Pākehā who identified as “another gender” and voted Te Pāti Māori.

    Many said Trump-related reporting encouraged them to disengage from news entirely, or at least selectively avoid US politics.

    Other reasons for avoiding the news were familiar to us from earlier research: the overwhelming negativity, perceived political bias from journalists, sensationalism and the repetitive nature of the news cycle.

    The trust puzzle

    To measure general trust in news, we asked respondents to what extent they feel they can “trust most news most of the time”. The numbers agreeing with that statement have plummeted in New Zealand faster than in comparable countries, from 53% in 2020 to 33% in 2024.

    The slide has slowed, however, with general trust levels falling just one percentage point to 32% in 2025.

    We also asked respondents how much they agreed with this statement: “I think I can trust most of the news I consume most of the time.” Those who agreed stayed steady at 45%.

    And trust in all the New Zealand news brands we asked about had improved. Overall, trust in news appears to be stabilising, albeit at low levels.

    That may be better news for a functioning democracy, but our latest report also shows the number of New Zealanders “interested” or “very interested” in the news has dropped, from 72% in 2024 to 69% in 2025.

    At the same time, New Zealand has among the highest overall levels of interest in the news (92% at least “somewhat interested”) when compared internationally.

    This is something of a paradox, given the high numbers of news avoiders, with one-third (34%) of those surveyed saying they are “worn out by the amount of news these days”.

    Similarly, sizeable majorities say they are “highly interested” in international news (70%) and political news (60%). Yet many feel overwhelmed by the number of stories dealing with Trump, Gaza and Ukraine.

    One male respondent, 55-64 years old, said: “I try to Trumptox as much as is possible. He’s hard to escape currently, so I find myself [going] near news generally less and less to avoid the creep.”

    Politics and the news

    We also wanted to better understand the links between trust in news and politics, so this year we asked for respondents’ political leanings.

    Going by 2023 party vote, approximately 64% of those on the right and 54% on the centre-right believe you can’t trust the news. Those who trust the news most tend to be centre-left (46%) and left (40%).

    Those who voted ACT or NZ First in 2023 were more likely to avoid the news often. Those who distrust publicly-owned broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ tended to be on the right of the political spectrum, while those who distrust Newstalk ZB tended to be on the left.

    Social media as a news source

    The latest Reuters Institute survey of 47 countries found the use of Facebook for news had declined four percentage points in a year, with 26% of respondents now using it as a source.

    In New Zealand, the trend is the opposite. Facebook continues to be the main social media news source, rising from 53% in 2024 to 58% in our 2025 survey.

    But YouTube is growing fastest as a news platform in New Zealand: 43% of people in 2025 use the video-sharing platform as a news source, rising from 33% in 2024.

    Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are now among the seven most-used news sources in Aotearoa New Zealand. In order, according to our survey, these are Stuff, TVNZ, the New Zealand Herald, Facebook, YouTube, RNZ and Instagram.

    AI in the newsroom

    New Zealand newsrooms have rapidly adopted artificial intelligence (AI) tools in news gathering and production. One recent report suggested most story selection and placement on a major local news site is managed by AI.

    It remains to be seen how far into news production this trend will continue. But when we asked our survey respondents if they were comfortable with news mostly produced by AI with some human oversight, approximately 60% said no. Only 8% were comfortable with news mainly produced by AI.

    Conversely, when we asked about news produced mainly by human journalists with assistance from AI, 26% were comfortable and 35% felt uncomfortable. At the moment, then, New Zealanders seem to be generally wary of news produced or assisted by AI.

    Change is the only constant in New Zealand’s turbulent news media sector. As new complexities like AI emerge, the trust puzzle will become more complex too. Next year’s survey will give us a better sense of where these trends and attitudes are heading.

    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. ‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report – https://theconversation.com/trump-fatigue-is-putting-kiwis-off-the-news-with-trust-in-media-still-low-new-report-252714

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Murray, Rep. Brown Lead Members in Letter Urging Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to Abandon Plans to Dismantle OFCCP Amid Reports DOL Plans to Slash Staff By 90 Percent, Shutter Local Offices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    40 Members call on Trump admin to reverse course on plans to dismantle agency charged with combating illegal employment discrimination ahead of April 14th “fork in the road” deadline

    OFCCP recovered $22.5 million for 12,756 affected workers in FY24 alone

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Presses Deputy Labor Secretary Nominee on Trump Dismantling OFCCP And Enabling Illegal Discrimination

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Representative Shontel Brown (D, OH-11) led 38 of their Senate and House colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer expressing concerns over reports of the Department’s plans to slash the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) capacity by 90 percent and close over 50 local offices. Last Friday, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer sent an email to OFCCP employees saying they have until Monday, April 14th, to take the “fork in the road” deferred resignation offer or be fired.

    For decades, OFCCP has investigated complaints from workers and reviewed federal contractors’ employment practices—safeguarding federal contract workers from various forms of discrimination, recovering back pay, negotiating job opportunities, and more. In Fiscal Year 2024, OFCCP recovered $22.5 million for 12,756 affected workers and negotiated 407 job opportunities for workers.

    In January, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173, which revoked Executive Order 11246—signed in 1965—which gave the Department of Labor the authority to investigate and remedy prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and national origin by federal contractors, the agency remains responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws and equal employment requirements for workers with disabilities and veterans. Federal contract workers make up more than 20 percent of the entire U.S. labor force, making OFCCP a powerful force to prevent and remedy discrimination across the country.

    “Drastic cuts to staff and shuttered offices in our communities would leave workers vulnerable to discrimination. While Executive Order 11246 was revoked, the agency remains responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws and equal employment requirements for workers with disabilities and veterans. As of mid-February, the agency had 317 investigators. These investigators remain responsible for investigating thousands of contractor establishments that employ millions of workers. The estimated 36 million federal workers dispersed across the United States make investigators in regional and district offices critical for effective enforcement,” the 40 Members wrote in their letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer.

    “The Department cannot abdicate its responsibility to workers. We urge you to abandon plans to dismantle OFCCP and reaffirm the Department’s commitment to protecting equal employment opportunities for federal contract workers,” the Members concluded.

    Joining Senator Murray and Representative Brown in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) as well as U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Danny Davis (IL-07), Cleo Fields (LA-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

    The letter was endorsed by the American Association of University Women, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the National Partnership for Women and Families.

    Senator Murray has loudly spoken out against the Trump administration’s plans to shutter OFCCP, slamming Trump’s Executive Order 14173 in a statement and pressing Keith Sonderling, President Trump’s then-nominee for Deputy Labor Secretary, about the consequences of the administration’s efforts to shutter OFCCP at his confirmation hearing. Throughout her career, Senator Murray has championed workers’ rights and fought to combat employment discrimination, including as the top Democrat on the Senate labor committee from 2015-2022—among other things, Senator Murray fought back against a proposed DOL rule by the Trump administration that would allow federal contractors and subcontractors to justify discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ people, and members of certain religious groups on ideological grounds. Senator Murray first introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces—in the 116th Congress, and also leads the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act, comprehensive legislation to prevent workplace harassment, strengthen and expand key protections for workers, and support workers in seeking accountability and justice.

    The text of the Members’ letter is available below and a PDF is HERE.

    Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer:

    We are deeply concerned by recent reports that the U.S. Department of Labor (The Department) plans to slash capacity at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) by 90 percent and shut down its more than 50 local offices.  Federal contract workers make up more than 20 percent of our nation’s workers and are spread across the country, making OFCCP a powerful force to prevent and remedy discrimination. We urge you to abandon these plans and instead uphold the Department’s responsibility to protect equal employment opportunities for federal contract workers.

    For decades, OFCCP has worked effectively to prevent and address unlawful discrimination by investigating individual complaints from workers and by proactively reviewing federal contractors’ employment practices. This unique power to proactively review whether employers were complying with the law allowed OFCCP to identify discrimination that might have otherwise gone unreported or undiscovered. Federal contract workers have benefited from OFCCP’s efforts to recover back pay, salary adjustments, and retroactive seniority on their behalf. In FY 2024, OFCCP recovered $22.5 million for 12,756 affected workers and negotiated 407 job opportunities for workers. 

    Drastic cuts to staff and shuttered offices in our communities would leave workers vulnerable to discrimination. While Executive Order 11246 was revoked, the agency remains responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws and equal employment requirements for workers with disabilities and veterans. As of mid-February, the agency had 317 investigators.  These investigators remain responsible for investigating thousands of contractor establishments that employ millions of workers.  The estimated 36 million federal workers dispersed across the United States make investigators in regional and district offices critical for effective enforcement.

    Workers deserve to be treated fairly in all aspects of employment and cannot afford to miss out on pay, a promotion or the chance to be considered for a good paying job because of discrimination. Workers cannot afford to lose their anti-discrimination enforcers.

    The Department cannot abdicate its responsibility to workers. We urge you to abandon plans to dismantle OFCCP and reaffirm the Department’s commitment to protecting equal employment opportunities for federal contract workers.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS FIGHT BACK AGAINST TRUMP’S ATTACKS ON INDEPENDENT WORKER PROTECTION AGENCIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, House and Senate Democratic Leadership filed an amicus brief opposing President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempts to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The individuals cited in this matter were duly appointed, congressionally confirmed board members at independent federal agencies. Illegal attempts to terminate them threaten the integrity of these institutions and their ability to protect American workers and uphold workplace democracy.
     
    The NLRB and MSPB play a critical role in protecting workers, both in public service and the private sector, in their right to seek better working conditions and in safeguarding a non-political, merit-based federal workforce.
     
    The brief was led by House Ranking Members Jamie Raskin, Gerry Connolly, and Bobby Scott, alongside House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse, as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker – and was joined by 253 Congressional Democrats. 
     
    “Trump wants to dismantle the work of independent agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. These agencies have existed for more than a half-century. They protect American workers, the integrity of our merit-based federal workforce, and the rights of whistleblowers. Trump is not a King, and he has no power to violate the law to target and fire excellent civil servants just because they don’t support his pet causes and the agenda of his billionaire friends,” said Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, House Judiciary Committee. “Democrats must stand up for a century of jurisprudence upholding administrative law because we are the party that fights for the rights of our workforce, unions, and American families.”
     
    “President Trump and Elon Musk were never on the side of workers and now that they’re in power, they’re doing everything they can to reward billionaire bosses like themselves at the expense of hardworking Americans. Their concerted efforts to silence and disband the NLRB and MSPB are not only unconstitutional, they are part of their strategy to strip workers of their rights and dignity,” said Ranking Member Gerry Connolly, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. 
     
    “The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA), which created the NLRB, expressly precludes any President from removing Board Members without good cause and due process to insulate the agency from political interference. Congress explicitly limited the Executive Branch’s ability to remove NLRB Members by requiring notice and a hearing, and that any removal is based on a ‘neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause[,]’ to protect it ‘from being subject to immediate political reactions at elections.’ Furthermore, the NLRB’s independence ensures it can fairly adjudicate labor disputes, hold law-breaking employers accountable, and issue rules to ensure that employees have the freedom to join or form a union,” said Ranking Member Bobby Scott, House Education and Workforce Committee. 
     
    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk are committed to breaking down protections for consumers and everyday Americans by any means necessary. That includes the blatantly illegal attempted firing of independent National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board leaders. House Democrats will not stand for it. Congress created these independent agencies by statute and clearing the decks of current leaders in order to appoint hacks who will bend the knee to Donald Trump is illegal. I am grateful to Rep. Raskin, Rep. Connolly, Rep. Scott and Assistant Leader Neguse of the Litigation/Rapid Response Task Force for their leadership as House Democrats join with Senate Democrats to push back against illegal attempts by Trump and Republicans to leave American workers and consumers vulnerable to fraud and abuse,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. 
     
    “No president, Democrat or Republican, has the authority to fire employees at independent federal agencies simply for disagreeing with them politically. House Democrats will continue to vindicate our constitution and the rule of law, and to speak up for workers, consumers, families, and the American people,” said House Assistant Democratic Leader Neguse. 
     
    “Donald Trump has ushered in an era of lawlessness and corruption,” said Leader Schumer. “Not only is he systematically dismantling our government, he is purging those who would help to hold him accountable in this endeavor. It is crucial that agencies like the NLRB and MSPB are able to operate within their full capacity to protect whistleblowers and workers. This flagrant disrespect for the law – and for the process of Senates confirmation – is something that has become a hallmark of Trump’s presidency. But Congressional Democrats are using every avenue to fight back.”  
     
    “Donald Trump’s ‘rich-as-hell’ donors expect a return on their investment in his campaign. Now, he’s giving it to them by kneecapping the agencies that stop billionaires and giant corporations from abusing workers and discriminating against employees,” said Senator Warren. “Democrats are united in fighting back against these illegal firings.”
     
    “President Trump is attacking independent agencies that Congress created to provide essential services to Americans,” said Senator Booker. “The illegal attempts to fire duly appointed and Senate-confirmed board members of the NLRB and MSPB are a direct threat to the protections that American workers and whistleblowers depend on. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate with Democratic Leader Schumer and Senator Warren and join over 200 of my congressional colleagues to defend our independent agencies and ensure that workers’ rights and our nation’s tradition of a merit-based federal workforce remain protected from partisan interference.” 
     
    The amici curiae file their argument in the cases involving the attempted unlawful firings of Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the NLRB and Cathy Harris, a member of the MSPB. 
     
    The full brief is available HERE. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Open days promote national security

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    In support of National Security Education Day on April 15, the Immigration Department, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Civil Aid Service (CAS) today held open days to promote national security education and showcase departmental achievements.

     

    In booth games and a thematic exhibition, the Immigration Service Institute of Training & Development showcased the technology it uses in its counter-terrorism work, detention centre management and identification of suspicious documents. Visitors were given the chance to try out facilities such as a mock immigration clearance hall and court room.

     

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, accompanied by Immigration Department directorate officers, toured the exhibition booths and interacted with the open day participants.

     

    The CSD’s open day activities were staged at the Correctional Services Museum and the Community Education Experience Centre. Interactive games and multimedia exhibits at the centre conveyed messages on offender rehabilitation and in support of law-abiding and drug-free lifestyles.

     

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan and security chief Tang Ping-keung were accompanied by Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development) Leung Ka-lun in attending the event.

     

    At its headquarters, the CAS staged an exhibition and displayed the winning entries from a patriotic essay competition. Service members also presented a mountain search-and-rescue demonstration and a bicycle show.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Resignation and appointment of bishop of Simla and Chandigarh

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 12 April 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Simla and Chandigarh, India, presented by Bishop Ignatius Loyola Ivan Mascarenhas.The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, until now rector of the Holy Trinity Major Seminary in Jullundur, as bishop of the diocese of Simla and Chandigarh, India.Msgr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas was born on 6 November 1971 in Chinnavilai, in the diocese of Kottar, Tamil Nadu. After his formation at Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary, Lucknow, he studied philosophy and theology at the Holy Trinity Major Seminary in Jullundur. He obtained a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in sacred scripture at the Universität Wien, Austria. He was also awarded a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Punjab, in Patiala, and a master’s degree in human rights from the Indian Institute of Human RIghts in New Delhi.He was ordained a priest on 13 May 2001.He has held the following offices: parish assistant of Little Flower, in Panchkula (2001-2004), vice rector of the diocesan major seminary in Kauli (2004-2009), director of the Diocesan Commission for the Media and the Diocesan Bible Enquiry Centre (2004-2009), deputy parish priest in Schwechat, Austria (2010-2013), deputy parish priest in Retz in the metropolitan archdiocese of Vienna (2013-2016), and parish priest of Little Flower in Sangrur, Punjab (2017-2019). Since 2019 he has served as rector of the Holy Trinity Major Seminary in Jullundur. (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Dumka

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 12 April 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Sonatan Kisku, until now vicar general of the diocese of Dumka and parish priest of Saint Mary’s, as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Dumka, India, assigning him the titular see of Zarna.Msgr. Sonatan Kisku was born on 15 May 1969 in Kaudia, in the diocese of Dumka. He was ordained a priest for the same diocese on 15 April 2002. After attending Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary in Lucknow, he carried out his studies in philosophy at the Morning Star College in Calcutta, and in theology at the Papal Seminary in Pune. He was awarded a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome.He has held the following offices: deputy parish priest of Torai (2002-2004), director of the Diocesan Vocation Centre (2007-2008), diocesan bursar (2008-2013), diocesan chancellor (2008-2021), chargé for legal affairs (since 2008), chargé for the pastoral care of the Christian communities of Gopikandar (2012-2014), chargé for young priests (since 2013), chargé for elderly and sick priests (since 2014), vicar general (since 2015), director of the Social Development Centre (2015-2023), secretary of Saint Joseph’s English Medium School (since 2015), regional director of the Basic Ecclesial Communities of the region of Jharkhand and the Andaman Islands (since 2021). Since 2023 he has served as parish priest of Saint Mary’s in Dumka. (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2025)
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