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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Hack the Future” Hackathon at IIT Gandhinagar organized by NSO, India successfully concluded

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 8:52AM by PIB Delhi

    NSO. India in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), successfully concluded its 36-hour hackathon titled “Hack the Future” today at the IITGN campus.

    The event witnessed participation from 18 teams representing prestigious academic institutions across India which included IITs, NITs, IIITs etc. Participants tackled three innovative challenges presented to them with guidance given by mentors from the Ministry and the institute. A five jury members comprising experts from industry, academia, and the Ministry evaluated the final solutions.

    The valedictory session was graced by Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI & Head NSO; Shri P.R. Meshram, Director General, NSO India and Dr. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar.

    In his address, Shri P.R. Meshram congratulated all participants and highlighted that the hackathon represents an extension of the Ministry’s ongoing modernization initiatives. Dr. Moona encouraged participants to continue their work in data science and statistics beyond the hackathon, leveraging the extensive datasets made available by MoSPI. He also commended the Ministry for its innovative initiatives.

    Dr. Garg expressed satisfaction with the nationwide participation and congratulated all finalist teams. He encouraged participants to continue working in this field to contribute to nation-building efforts.

    Prizes were awarded to the top three solutions across three categories. Plaksha University, Chandigarh claimed the top spot in two categories, while Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology won in the remaining category. The second-place winners were IIT Jammu, VIT Vellore, and NIT Goa in their respective categories, while NMIMS Mumbai, IIIT Vadodara, and IIT Kharagpur secured third place in their respective categories.

    The event concluded with a collective commitment to continue fostering innovation through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

    ***

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2114242) Visitor Counter : 92

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SED to attend International Summit on the Teaching Profession and Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SED to attend International Summit on the Teaching Profession and Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition 
         On March 25 (Reykjavík time), Dr Choi will lead a delegation of Hong Kong principals and education experts to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, to discuss the latest trends in global education development with education ministers from around the world. She will also visit local schools and meet education experts there.
     
         On March 27 (Delhi time), she will depart for Delhi, India, and lead a delegation of representatives of the University Grants Committee (UGC) and UGC-funded universities to attend the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2025 Conference and Exhibition, during which she will deliver a speech on “Study in Hong Kong”. The Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang, will join part of the visit.
     
         Dr Choi will conclude her visit on March 28 (Delhi time) and return to Hong Kong. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
    Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why isn’t there an opposition leader to unite Democrats in the US?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Garrett, Research Associate, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    In just two months back in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump has tested the limits of the US Constitution, from overhauling immigration to drastically reducing the federal workforce and dismantling government agencies.

    With Republicans now in control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, Congress has so far shown little sign it will stand in Trump’s way.

    The judiciary is the other branch of government that can check the power of the president. However, the Trump administration has appeared increasingly willing to simply ignore decisions handed down by judges.

    There has also been a notable lack of unified opposition from the Democratic Party.

    Congressional Democrats are demoralised and deeply divided over how to respond to Trump. They face criticism, too, over their apparent lack of strategy.

    This has led some to ask why the United States lacks a formal political opposition leader.

    How opposition leaders operate in other countries

    In the American political system, the loser of the presidential election doesn’t retain a position as leader of the party in opposition. Instead, they tend to disappear from view.

    Kamala Harris is considering a run for governor of California — and could well attempt another run for president in 2028 or beyond. But she hasn’t remained a vocal counterpoint to Trump since he took office.

    By contrast, in countries with Westminster-style parliamentary systems, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and India, the main party not in power selects an opposition leader from among their ranks. In most countries, this position is defined by convention, not law.

    The opposition leader in many countries serves as the main face — and voice — of the party not in power. They work to keep the government accountable and are seen as the leader of an alternative government-in-waiting.

    What it takes to lead the opposition in the US

    During Trump’s first term, the Democratic speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, was widely recognised as the de facto Democratic opposition leader.

    A skilled negotiator, Pelosi was largely able to unite the Democrats behind her to lead the opposition to Trump’s legislative agenda — famously ripping up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union address on the House podium in 2020.

    As Senate majority and minority leader, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell successfully blocked swathes of legislation during Barack Obama’s presidency. He even thwarted a US Supreme Court nomination.

    In the 1980s, then-Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill led the Democratic opposition to Republican President Ronald Reagan’s domestic agenda, without resorting to obstructionism.

    However, for an opposition figure to have this level of influence, they usually need decades of experience, political skill, and a party in control of the House or Senate.

    The Democrats no longer have a majority in either chamber and are no longer led by Pelosi. Hakeem Jeffries has been the House minority leader since 2023, but without the speaker’s gavel or control of any committees, he has limited influence.

    Party discipline is typically far more unwieldy in the United States compared to other countries. In Australia, for instance, crossing the floor to vote against your own party is very rare.

    Unruly party caucuses make it significantly more difficult for a single party figurehead to emerge unless they command near-universal party loyalty and respect among their members in both chambers.

    Will Democratic cracks shatter the party?

    The Democratic caucus, already strained by Joe Biden’s late withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, is now even more fractured.

    The Democrats continue to grapple with their resounding defeat in November, which saw the party lose ground with almost every demographic across the country. Polling shows public support for the Democrats has slumped to unprecedented lows, with just over a quarter of voters holding a positive view of the party.

    Most dramatically, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defied fellow Democrats (including Jeffries) by voting in favour of a resolution in recent weeks to avoid a government shutdown. His decision sparked an uproar from his party colleagues.

    Visual images of the party’s disarray were also on clear display during Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier this month. While some representatives protested loudly, others followed leadership instruction to remain silent.

    Democrats were in near lock-step on almost all issues during Trump’s first term, as well as Biden’s presidency. Now, some are calling on Schumer to step aside as minority leader — and for the Democrats to coalesce behind a younger, more outspoken leader such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

    Where next for the party?

    In the fractious debates now consuming the party, some see parallels with the emergence of the Tea Party movement within the Republican Party during Barack Obama’s first term in office.

    The current Democratic division could result in the emergence of a stronger dissident faction within the party. And this could push a harder line in opposition to Trump, no longer toeing the line from party leadership.

    Yet, while the political outlook for Democrats may appear bleak, electoral turnarounds can happen quickly in the United States.

    Few expected a demoralised Democratic party to turn John Kerry’s heavy defeat to George W Bush in 2004 into a generational victory just four years later. Similarly, after Obama decisively won reelection against Mitt Romney in 2012, few Republicans could have predicted they’d soon be back in power with Trump.

    But, as was the case 20 years ago, the soul-searching process will be painful for the Democrats. Whether it’s Ocasio-Cortez or another figure, the 2026 midterm elections are likely to be the best opportunity for a new central leader to emerge on the national stage.

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

    – ref. Why isn’t there an opposition leader to unite Democrats in the US? – https://theconversation.com/why-isnt-there-an-opposition-leader-to-unite-democrats-in-the-us-252384

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mystery solved: our tests reveal the tiny algae killing fish and harming surfers on SA beaches

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Murray, Professor; Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney

    Anthony Rowland

    Confronting images of dead seadragons, fish and octopuses washed up on South Australian beaches – and disturbing reports of “more than 100” surfers and beachgoers suffering flu-like symptoms after swimming or merely breathing in sea spray – attracted international concern last week.

    Speculation about the likely cause ranged from pollution and algae to unusual bacterial infections or viruses. Today we can reveal the culprit was a tiny – but harmful – type of planktonic algae called Karenia mikimotoi.

    The SA government sent us water samples from Waitpinga Beach, Petrel Cove Beach, Encounter Bay Boat Ramp and Parsons Headland on Tuesday. We studied the water under the microscope and extracted DNA for genetic analysis.

    Our results revealed high numbers of the tiny harmful algal species – each just 20 microns in diameter (where one micron is one thousandth of a millimetre). While relatively common in Australian coastal waters, blooms of K. mikimotoi occur only sporadically. But similar harmful algal blooms and fish kills due to K. mikimotoi have happened in the past, such as the 2014 bloom in Coffin Bay, SA. And this latest one won’t be the last.

    Sick surfers and dead marine life from strange sea foam (ABC News)

    Harmful algal blooms

    Single-celled, microbial algae occur naturally in seawater all over the world.

    They are also called phytoplankton, because they float in the water column and photosynthesise like plants. “Phyto” comes from the Greek word for plant and “plankton” comes from the Greek word for wanderer, which relates to their floating movement with ocean currents and tides.

    Like plants on land, the microalgae or phytoplankton in the ocean capture sunlight and produce up to half the oxygen in our atmosphere. There are more than 100,000 different species of microalgae. Every litre of seawater will normally contain a mixed group of these different microalgae species.

    But under certain conditions, just a single species of microalgae can accumulate in one area and dominate over the others. If we are unlucky, the dominant species may be one that produces a toxin or has a harmful effect.

    This so-called “harmful algal bloom” can cause problems for people and for marine life such as fish, invertebrates such as crabs, and even marine mammals such as whales and seals.

    There are hundreds of different species of harmful algae. Each produces its own type of toxin with a particular toxic effect.

    Most of these toxic chemical compounds produced by harmful algae are quite well known, including neurotoxins that affect the brain. But others are more complicated, and the mechanisms of toxicity are poorly understood. This can make it more difficult to understand the factors leading to the deaths of fish and other marine life. Unfortunately, the toxins from K. mikimotoi fall into this latter category.

    Introducing Karenia mikimotoi

    Karenia mikimotoi under the microscope.
    Shauna Murray

    The species responsible for recent events in SA beaches, K. mikimotoi, causes harmful algal blooms in Asia, Europe, South Africa and South America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. These blooms all caused fish deaths, and some also caused breathing difficulties among local beachgoers.

    The most drastic of these K. mikimotoi blooms have occurred in China over the past two decades. In 2012, more than 300 square kilometres of abalone farms were affected, causing about A$525 million in lost production.

    Explaining the toxic effects

    Microalgae can damage the gills of fish and shellfish, preventing them from breathing. This is the main cause of death. But some studies have also found damage to the gastrointestinal tracts and livers of fish.

    Tests using fish gill cells clearly show the dramatic toxic effect of K. mikimotoi. When the fish gill cells were exposed to intact K. mikimotoi cells, after 3.5 hours more than 80% of the fish cells had died.

    Fortunately, the toxin does not persist in the environment after the K. mikimotoi cells are dead. So once the bloom is over, the marine environment can recover relatively quickly.

    Its toxicity is partly due to the algae’s production of “reactive oxygen species”, reactive forms of oxygen molecules which can cause the deaths of cells in high doses. K. mikimotoi cells may also produce lipid (fat) molecules that cause some toxic effects.

    Finally, a very dense bloom of microalgae can sometimes reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water column, which means there is less oxygen for other marine life.

    The human health effects are not very well known but probably relate to the reactive oxygen species being an irritant.

    K. mikimitoi cells can also produce “mucilage”, a type of thick, gluey substance made of complex sugars, which can accumulate bacteria inside it. This can cause “sea foam”, which was evident on beaches last week.

    South Australia’s marine emblem, the leafy seadragon, washed up dead on the beach.
    Anthony Rowland

    Unanswered questions remain

    A question for many people is whether increasing water temperatures make blooms of K. mikimotoi more likely.

    Another concern is whether nutrient runoff from farms, cities and aquaculture could cause more harmful algal blooms.

    Unfortunately, for Australia at least, the answer to these questions is we don’t know yet. While we know some harmful algal blooms do increase when nutrient runoff is higher, others actually prefer fewer nutrients or colder temperatures.

    We do know warmer water species seem to be moving further south along the Australian coastline, changing phytoplankton species abundance and distribution.

    While some microalgal blooms can cause bioluminescence that is beautiful to watch, others such as K. mikimotoi can cause skin and respiratory irritations.

    If you notice discoloured water, fish deaths or excessive sea foam along the coast or in an estuary, avoid fishing or swimming in the area and notify local primary industry or environmental authorities in your state.

    Shauna Murray receives funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the New South Wales Recreational Fisheries Trust, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program. She is President of the Austalasian Society of Phycology and Aquatic Botany and past chair of the NSW Shellfish Committee.

    Greta Gaiani 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. Mystery solved: our tests reveal the tiny algae killing fish and harming surfers on SA beaches – https://theconversation.com/mystery-solved-our-tests-reveal-the-tiny-algae-killing-fish-and-harming-surfers-on-sa-beaches-252810

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Synchronised bleaching: Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef are bleaching in unison for the first time

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoe Richards, Senior Research Fellow in Marine Biology, Curtin University

    Ningaloo Reef from the air. Violeta Brosig/Shutterstock

    This summer, an intense marine heatwave struck off northwestern Australia, driving sea surface temperatures up to 4°C above the summer average. The large mass of warm water has slowly moved south from the Kimberley region and through the Pilbara, leaving a wave of underwater destruction behind. Now Ningaloo Reef is bleaching in earnest.

    The Great Barrier Reef is bleaching too in the waters from Cape York down to Townsville.

    This appears to be the first time these two World Heritage-listed reefs have bleached in unison. Bleaching may also hit the World Heritage reef at Shark Bay in Western Australia.

    How bad is it? I have just returned from Ningaloo Reef, where I saw widespread bleaching and the first signs of coral mortality. Up to 90% of the coral found in shallow areas of the northern lagoon had bleached. Bleaching doesn’t automatically mean death, but it severely weakens the coral and jeopardises survival.

    At Ningaloo and further south, the heatwave is still unfolding. In coming months, we can expect to see some coral mortality, while other corals will survive the bleaching in poor health only to succumb to disease or other threats such as Drupella (coral-eating snails). Other corals may survive but struggle to reproduce, but some particularly hardy corals with the right combination of genes for surviving this event are expected to live on.

    Why is this happening? No surprises here: our greenhouse gas emissions trap more heat in the atmosphere. Over 90% of the heat pours into the oceans, pushing surface and deep water temperatures higher for longer periods of time.

    How bad has the heat been?

    Coral can tolerate brief periods of higher temperatures. But in response to prolonged heat stress, coral polyps expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae algae. They appear to do this to avoid further tissue damage from toxic reactive oxygen molecules which build up as the coral begins to stress. But these microalgae supply sugary food to the coral polyps in exchange for a home. Without these nutrients, the coral can starve.

    Heat stress is tracked using a measure called “degree heating weeks” (DHW) – essentially, how much above-average heat has built up in an area over the previous three months. Bleaching can begin at four DWH, while eight DHW can kill some corals.

    At Ningaloo, the heat has been off the charts – levels of up to 16 DHW have been recorded, the highest on record for this location.

    On the Great Barrier Reef, bleaching is underway in the northernmost section. This is the sixth bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this decade. Early data suggests there is severe heat in places, ranging from six to 13 DHW in intensity and alerts remain for more heat and bleaching to come.

    Bleaching is usually worst for corals growing in shallow water, such as the calm lagoons created by fringing or barrier reefs. Lagoons often have clear waters with high light penetration and limited flushing of water.

    Ningaloo in hot water

    Over ten days, we recorded the health and type of every coral we saw at 21 sites along Ningaloo Reef, from Coral Bay to the northern tip of North West Cape and into Exmouth Gulf.

    The worst affected area that we observed was a 30 km stretch at the northern end of the North West Cape, the peninsula along which Ningaloo Reef runs. Here, we saw mass bleaching – up to 90% of corals partly or fully bleaching and some corals were already dying.

    Fast-growing corals from the Acroporid and Pocilloporid families were hard hit, as often seen in other bleaching events. But we also saw slower-growing and normally hardy corals bleaching, such Lobophyllia, Favites and Goniastrea.

    Even the massive Porites corals in the lagoons were suffering. These giant boulder-like corals are the old growth and sentinels of the reef. Many of these ordinarily resilient corals are hundreds of years old and have survived past smaller bleaching events. But this time, they too are severely suffering.

    Not even ocean-facing corals exposed to more water flow were safe. We found 30 to 50% of the corals on the reef slope were bleached to some degree. Coral diseases such as white band disease were already affecting many flat plate corals. These diseases often follow marine heatwaves, as they take advantage of coral’s weakened immune systems and the disruption of the symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and their algae.

    The timing is especially bad for Ningaloo’s corals, which usually spawn around five days after the March full moon, which fell on March 19 this year. By contrast, corals on the Great Barrier Reef tend to spawn between October and December.

    For the reef to recover quickly, it needs yearly influxes of new coral recruits. But if corals are struggling to survive, there is a risk they will not be fit enough to reproduce. Corals take three to six years to become reproductively viable and if bleaching impedes reproduction, it could greatly reduce the number of larvae available to replenish the reef. In addition to that, if immature corals bleach and die, there’s a risk several generations of corals could be lost before reaching maturity.

    Fortunately we did observe healthy and reproductive corals along the outer rim of the lagoon at Coral Bay, and locals have recently reported seeing spawning near Coral Bay. This suggests some coral were indeed healthy enough to spawn.

    What will happen next?

    As the southern hemisphere heads towards winter, the oceans will begin to cool off. That doesn’t mean the threat is over – oceans are only getting hotter.

    If we continue on our current path, simultaneous east and west coast bleaching events could become the new normal – and that would be devastating for our reefs, marine biodiversity, the blue economy and the wellbeing of Australians.

    Zoe Richards receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation. This work was undertaken by the Coral Conservation and Research Group at Curtin University in partnership with the Minderoo Exmouth Research Laboratory.

    – ref. Synchronised bleaching: Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef are bleaching in unison for the first time – https://theconversation.com/synchronised-bleaching-ningaloo-and-the-great-barrier-reef-are-bleaching-in-unison-for-the-first-time-252906

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cash, confidence, consumption: How China’s policy kit fuels consumers’ wallets?

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China unveiled a comprehensive policy package recently to boost consumer spending, reinforcing its commitment to making consumption a key driver of economic growth.

    The 30-point plan aims to strengthen consumer confidence by a whole set of measures including promoting income growth and reducing financial burden.

    Analysts described the pro-consumption push as an innovative move that underscores the government’s commitment to a people-oriented approach and its focus on investing in human capital.

    The holistic initiative, which combines fiscal, financial and regulatory tools, aligns with priorities outlined in this year’s government work report, which positioned “expanding domestic demand” as a top priority.

    A key aspect of the plan is its focus on tackling prominent constraints on consumption through three main measures: boosting spending power by increasing incomes and easing financial burdens, delivering high-quality supply, and fostering a consumption environment.

    As the world’s second-largest economy navigates domestic and external headwinds, policymakers are counting on the spending power of its 1.4 billion consumers to drive economic growth.

    Greater capacity, willingness to spend 

    Central to the plan is an unprecedented emphasis on demand-side support to bolster household consumption capacity through measures that foster reasonable wage increases, expand property income channels, and boost farmers’ earnings.

    For the first time in a policy document on boosting consumption, the plan explicitly highlights the importance of stabilizing both the stock and property markets, outlining targeted measures in a bid to “enhance spending power, stabilize expectations, and strengthen consumer confidence.”

    “There’s considerable focus on increasing both the capacity and willingness of households to consume,” Lynn Song, ING Chief Economist for Greater China, said in a note.

    The plan integrates consumption growth with improving livelihoods, introducing measures to ease household burdens in areas such as childcare, education, healthcare and old-age insurance, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at a press conference following the release of the initiative.

    Accordingly, China plans to explore a childcare subsidy system, increase fiscal subsidies for basic old-age benefits and basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents in 2025, and appropriately raise basic pension benefits for retirees.

    The plan’s increased focus on tackling livelihood problems aligns with this year’s government work report, which pledges to “direct more funds and resources toward investing in people to meet their needs.”

    Increasing fiscal spending on human development and social safeguards not only helps create a sustainable consumption expansion mechanism but also reflects an approach where economic growth and the improvement of people’s well-being mutually reinforce each other, according to Jin Li, vice president of Southern University of Science and Technology.

    Expansion of trade-in program to boost demand 

    In a broader push to bolster domestic demand, China renewed its consumer goods trade-in program, increasing funding from last year’s 150 billion yuan to 300 billion yuan through ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    This year’s initiative also extends subsidies to more electric gadgets and home appliances including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

    The push builds on the success of 2024, where 150 billion yuan in subsidies generated over 1.3 trillion yuan in sales across autos, home goods, and electronics, highlighting the program’s role as a near-term economic stabilizer.

    Amid strong policy support, e-commerce giant JD.com reported a 13.4 percent year-on-year revenue increase in Q4 2024, marking its highest quarterly growth in nearly two years, while its operating profit skyrocketed to 8.5 billion yuan, compared to 2 billion yuan recorded in the same period the previous year, the company’s latest performance report showed.

    This growth aligns with broader consumer optimism. Some 54 percent of Chinese consumers feel financially better off than a year ago, a 10-percentage point leap from the average in 2024, according to a report released by the German bank on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported.

    The upbeat findings suggest China is increasingly reaping the benefits of the government’s efforts to boost household confidence and consumption.

    Beyond immediate stimulus, policymakers are aiming for “bigger-picture themes” that will take time to unfold. The plan stressed the need to implement a paid annual leave system, ensuring that workers’ rights to rest and vacation are legally protected.

    “More flexible leave policies could encourage the more crowd-averse consumers to travel and spend,” Song said, noting that reform in the holiday system will result in “more aggregate demand.”

    Furthermore, the policy bets big on tech-driven consumption, prioritizing “AI+” innovations like self-driving vehicles, brain-computer interfaces, and robotics, underscoring China’s vision to integrate high-tech advancement with premium consumer experiences.

    Sustainable consumption growth 

    China’s intensified focus on domestic demand not only emerges as a necessity but also creates a wealth of opportunities.

    The urgency is evident as external shocks coincide with challenges in old growth engines, yet within these challenges lies unparalleled potential. China’s 1.4 billion consumers, bolstered by an expanding middle class of 400 million, the world’s largest, form a powerhouse with vast purchasing potential.

    Effective implementation of the pro-consumption action plan is of utmost importance, said Li, noting that challenges such as subdued consumer confidence and unmet consumer demands remain, requiring “significant” efforts to address them.

    The synergy between dozens of central departments will be strengthened to roll out specific policies, while local governments are encouraged to put forward nuanced measures in light of local conditions, the NDRC deputy director noted.

    “This year’s attention to boosting consumption, combined with last year’s relatively low base, will help consumption growth recover to mid-single-digit growth in 2025,” Song said. “Any further growth would likely hinge on a sustainable recovery of consumption.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tennis pros rally for better pay and less punishing schedules, amid wider power struggles in world sport

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Windholz, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University

    Last week, the Novak Djokovic-led Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) announced it was suing the sport’s governing bodies – the men’s (ATP) and women’s (WTA) tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

    The lawsuit:

    • seeks to change the prize money formula designed by the men’s and women’s tours (the PTPA says too little of the sport’s revenue goes to players)
    • aims to improve the “unsustainable” 11-month calendar and match schedules that often keep players on court well past midnight
    • alleges a “heavy-handed approach” by the ITIA
    • criticises the sport’s rankings system
    • wants to boost the number of combined men’s-women’s events.

    The union, cofounded by Djokovic five years ago, also alleges “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare”.

    The lawsuit is just one example of a battle for control of international sport – the outcome of which will shape sport for years to come.

    The power of sport governing bodies

    Sport’s international governing bodies – such the International Olympic Committee, soccer’s governing body the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and, in the case of tennis, the ATP, WTA and ITF – are masters of their domains.

    These bodies exercise great power and autonomy over the competitions they administer. They determine who competes in their competitions, when and where, as well as rules and policies.

    These rules cover tournament schedules, player eligibility and anti-doping policies. Players, teams and even countries that breach these rules are subject to penalties including expulsion from competitions.

    Governments have largely been willing partners in this. They have respected the autonomy of these governing bodies and assisted them where necessary by, for example, hosting their mega-events such as the Olympics, World Cups and Grand Slam tournaments.

    However, this is changing.

    A changing landscape

    As shown by the PTPA lawsuit, players are seeking a greater share of sports’ economic pie, better working conditions, more freedom in selecting where and when they play, and a greater say in how their sports are run.

    Private investors also are seeking to share in the money being made from sport by establishing rival competitions.

    These include the Wall Street-backed, but ultimately ill-fated, European Super League (soccer); the International Swimming League, funded by billionaire swimming fan Konstantin Grigorishin; and the Saudi-Arabia backed LIV Golf tour.

    In response, some fans and lower-level teams are organising to protect their clubs from the influx of private money.

    In the United Kingdom, this has resulted in proposed legislation to establish an independent regulator of football.

    And all of this is occurring in the shadow of a broader geopolitical restructuring in which the West’s traditional hegemony over sport is being challenged by the wealth of the Gulf states, the assertiveness of authoritarian regimes, and the emerging economies of the Global South.

    The result is a contest for control between actors and forces, both powerful and passionate.

    The outcome of this contest is important because sport is a generator of significant economic activity (a recent study estimated the global sport industry to be the ninth largest industry on earth) and an important vehicle for driving social change – both of which also make it politically important.

    What does the future hold?

    When confronted with forces for change, sport governing bodies generally go through a three-stage process of denial (rejecting the need for change), resistance (fighting the change), and adaptation (conceding some autonomy while retaining ultimate control).

    The tennis dispute is travelling this well-worn path. Tennis’s governing bodies have denied the PTPA a seat at the table, so the PTPA is now taking the matter to court (early indications are tennis’s governing bodies will fight it vigorously).

    Predicting the outcome of litigation is fraught. However, sport governing bodies do not have a strong record defending the use of their power before the courts.

    Courts are more independent and less deferential towards sport governing bodies than the political arms of government.

    Recent decisions from the Court of Justice of the European Union offer evidence of this. It applied EU competition law to constrain the power of sport governing bodies to:

    Another example comes from the United States, where the Supreme Court struck down as an antitrust (competition) law violation, rules that limited the benefits student-athletes can receive for playing.

    This litigation led the governing body of collegiate sport, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, to propose a US$2.8 billion (A$4.45 billion) settlement that will allow colleges to pay their student-athletes.

    As for tennis, settlement of the PTPA litigation is possible, notwithstanding the current rhetoric.

    Indeed, some form of adaptation of sports’ governing bodies to accommodate the various forces and interests at play is the most likely outcome.

    Eric Windholz 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. Tennis pros rally for better pay and less punishing schedules, amid wider power struggles in world sport – https://theconversation.com/tennis-pros-rally-for-better-pay-and-less-punishing-schedules-amid-wider-power-struggles-in-world-sport-252721

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following crash, Taupō

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Fane Troy

    Taupo Police investigating a serious crash in Rangitaiki, Taupō are seeking information from members of the public about events leading up to the crash.

    At around 10:30am on Sunday 23 March, Police were called to a two-vehicle crash involving a van and a car on State Highway 5 near Rangitaiki School Road.

    Eleven people were transported to hospital as a result of the crash. None of these injuries are thought to be life threatening.

    The driver of the van appeared in the Tauranga District Court today and is set to reappear on Wednesday 26 March.

    Police would like to speak to the driver of a vehicle that was overtaken by a White Toyota Hiace van moments before the crash.

    Anybody else who witnessed the crash, or has any dashcam footage of the van, is encouraged to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.

    Please reference the file number 250323/1172.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Employment – Primary Health Care wage agreement reached but pay parity still needed to retain nurses – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) primary health care members have agreed to an 8% wage increase over 12 months but pay parity with their hospital counterparts is still needed to retain nurses in the sector.
    NZNO’s College of Primary Health Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says there was overwhelming support for the Multi Employment Collective Agreement offer for an immediate increase of 5% followed by a further 3% in July.
    “This is good news for primary and community care nurses. However, their base hourly rate remains on average about 10% below Te Whatu Ora nurses despite having the same skills and qualifications.
    “Until primary and community care nurses are paid the same, they will continue to leave GPs and iwi and community clinics for better paid hospital jobs here and overseas.”
    A recent Victoria University of Wellington study found 36% of New Zealand’s general practices didn’t take new enrolments last year, with workforce shortages cited as the major reason people were being turned away.
    “If people can’t get the health care they need in their communities, they end up at hospital even sicker. This puts more pressure on our already stretched hospitals,” Tracey Morgan says.
    “NZNO urges the Government to fulfil its pre-election commitment to pay primary care nurses the same as their hospital counterparts and introduce a sustainable funding model for the primary care sector.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – New hi-tech buoys improve south coast scientific monitoring – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    The introduction of new Spotter buoys to measure wave height and direction, and temperature in the sea off Victor Harbor in South Australia, provides a timely new resource to monitor fluctuating sea conditions and their effect on coastal environments.

    As unusually warm ocean temperatures for this time of year have triggered peculiar and destructive brown foam (believed to be triggered by microalgal blooms) to be washed up along the southern coastline, the new buoys will provide crucial data to inform stakeholders and the public on changing ocean conditions.

    The buoys, released into Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean in early March by Flinders University’s Associate Professor Graziela Miot da Silva and new PhD student Maya Lambert, working in conjunction with the South Australian Research and Development (SARDI) Oceanography team and Victor Harbor Council Coastal Surveillance Officer Bronson Symmonds, gather critical information on wave and ocean temperature changes driven by climate change.

    The deployed buoys are Sofar Spotter metocean buoys, that collect and transmit accurate ocean data such as wave height, period and direction, estimates in wind speed and direction, plus sea surface temperature and barometric pressure in real-time via cellular data transfer.

    “This will provide good baseline data about coastal waters that has been lacking, and there has never been a better time to have more information about this stretch of ocean,” says Associate Professor Miot da Silva, part of Flinders University’s Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab.

    “There has been a significant gap in wave information available to researchers, managers, developers and policy makers. These buoys will make a huge difference.”

    The real-time wave data collected by this project will allow for the development of validated data-assimilating wave- and morphodynamic models to predict future changes in South Australia’s coastline, including climate change and sea level rise.

    “The intent of the research is to find better ways to manage this coast and to mitigate the risk to private and public assets on the coastline,” says Professor Patrick Hesp, head of Flinders University’s Beach and Dune Systems (BEADS) Lab.

    “The provision of accurate wave data is critical to improve understanding of variations in the hydrodynamic processes that shape coastlines, to inform best coastal management practices, drive the development of marine industries, and to promote and support tourism.”

    Data from the Spotter buoys – which will be maintained and processed thanks to a three-and-a-half-year Enterprise Industry scholarship funded by Victor Harbor Council and Flinders University to Flinders student Maya Lambert – will help local governments to forge better solutions for coastal protection.

    Access to real-time wave data aids research and provides valuable information necessary for informing daily marine operations, such as dredging, navigation and sea conditions for commercial and recreational fishermen, plus search and rescue operations, and water-based research and monitoring programs.

    This work in Encounter Bay is a collaboration between Flinders University, SARDI (the research arm of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions), and several district councils will provide long-term monitoring with real-time wave and sea surface temperature data to better understand coastal processes in the region, and help predict the future of the state’s coastlines.

    The project builds on existing coastal research being done by Flinders University, SARDI, the Department of Environment and Water, and the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) national Coastal Wave BuoysFacility with data being gathered from an extended network of wave buoys extending across the state from Robe to Ceduna.

    Access to this data is also freely available to the public through the www.sawaves.org website – a site that has quickly become popular with commercial and recreational marine users to check accurate wave conditions across the state.

    • The Coast Protection Board co-funds the Flinders PhD scholarship and contributed cash to the Council of Victor Harbor to purchase the wave buoy and maintain it via a Coast Protection Grant.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rector of NSU presented unique documents about the work of academician Gury Marchuk at the university

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The House of Scientists hosted the next meeting of the Akademgorodok Interscientific Contacts Club, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding mathematician, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Gury Ivanovich Marchuk.

    Guriy Ivanovich was the author of almost 1,400 scientific papers and 46 books on computational and applied mathematics. His scientific achievements include methods for calculating nuclear reactors, forecasting weather and tsunami risks based on mathematical modeling, and he was one of the authors of a new scientific field — mathematical modeling in immunology and medicine. And this is only part of his contribution to world and domestic science. In recent years, he devoted much time to global problems of climate change, pollution of the planet, and preserving the planet’s gene pool.

    G.I. Marchuk devoted a lot of time and effort to scientific and organizational activities, heading the State Committee on Science and Technology in the rank of Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1975-1980) and becoming the last President of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

    When talking about the legacy of Gury Ivanovich, his teaching activities, to which he also devoted a lot of time, are less often remembered. And in his speech at the meeting of the Club, the rector of the Novosibirsk State University, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk partially filled this gap, presenting a number of rare archival documents and photographs related to the work of G.I. Marchuk at the university.

    — Gury Ivanovich came to work at NSU almost immediately after moving to Akademgorodok in 1962 as a half-time professor in the Department of Computational Mathematics. In subsequent years, he worked in various departments and, despite the enormous workload in scientific and management work, he always treated teaching activities very carefully and responsibly, — said Mikhail Fedoruk.

    Students also noted Gury Ivanovich’s very polite and friendly attitude towards everyone at the university, whether a teacher or a student. They even came up with a humorous unit of measurement for politeness – “guryi”, claiming that the average person’s politeness level is measured in “microguryi”.

    — It is impossible to overestimate the opportunity to study not just from textbooks, but from those whose work later becomes the basis for writing these textbooks. Thanks to the traditional cooperation between NSU and the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences, our students have always had such an opportunity to study from the best, starting with the founding fathers of Akademgorodok, which was reflected in the quality of their education. And Marchuk’s example clearly shows that the scientists themselves paid great attention to the training of new generations of researchers, finding time for this even with the busiest work schedule, — summed up Mikhail Fedoruk.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New appointments to arts institutions

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese Labor Government has made a range of appointments to arts bodies and cultural institutions to ensure they remain under strong leadership.

    • Mr Tony Ayers has been appointed as a member of the Council of the National Museum of Australia for a three-year term.
    • Ms Sue Hampel OAM has been reappointed to the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council for a three-year term.
    • Mr John Barrington AM has been reappointed as Deputy Chair to the National Portrait Gallery Board for a three-year term. 

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the appointees would lend a deep well of expertise to guide the administration of these important organisations.

    “Each appointee brings years of dedication and experience across the arts and public sectors that positions them well for these roles.

    “Protecting our beloved cultural institutions for future generations means having the best leadership in place to safeguard them.”

    Mr Tony Ayres is an award-winning Australian director, producer, showrunner, screenwriter, and editor with more than 33 years’ experience in film and television. Mr Ayres’ feature films and television shows have been nominated for over 100 Australian and international awards, and have won more than 60 of these awards – including an International Emmy, a BAFTA, a Golden Horse, six AACTA awards, and six Logies. Mr Ayres is Executive Producer at Tony Ayres Productions, a Member of the Advisory Board of Australians in Film, and a Company Director at Big and Little Films.

    —-

    Ms Sue Hampel OAM has been a member of the National Archives Advisory Council since 2019. Ms Hampel is working as a teaching associate and research assistant at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University and is a well-known public speaker and lecturer. She holds a Masters degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and is the co-President of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. Ms Hampel has been recognised for her teaching and community service by receiving numerous awards including a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2014, for Service to the community through the promotion of understanding and tolerance. 

    Ms Hampel is a representative of the Australian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). She is an expert in Holocaust education and served as the International Chair of the Education Working Group in 2021.

    —-

    Mr John Barrington AM has served as Deputy Chair on the National Portrait Gallery of Australia Board since May 2022. He is co-founder and previously Managing Director of Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Artrya Ltd, developing AI solutions to improve the diagnosis of heart disease and is Managing Director of Barrington Consulting Group. He is Chair of John Curtin Gallery and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and a Director of Health Translation Group Ltd. He was previously Chair of Perth International Arts Festival, Deputy Chair of Creative Partnerships Australia, Deputy Chair on the Federal Government’s Creative Economy Taskforce and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Curtain University in 2022. In 2019 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community of Western Australia

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press Conference – Parliament House, Canberra

    Source: Historic Cooma Gaol listed on the NSW State Heritage Register

    ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you very much for joining us. And I begin by giving a shout out to all those mums and dads and carers who are dropping their young ones off at school this morning for the school drop off right around the country and indeed for them, but most importantly for the young Australians to come, this is a historic day. Today we reach the point for the first time in Australian history where every student, public and private, will be delivered the school funding that they deserve. The School Resourcing Standard that was identified by David Gonski more than a decade ago. By Queensland agreeing to sign up with the agreement put in today, will change lives because public education changes lives. Public education is what is accessible and available to all Australians. And from today we can announce that every little Queenslander will have a better chance to reach their potential. Nothing is more important in the role of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments than delivering opportunity for young Australians. And it is education that opens the doors of opportunity and today we are widening them. This historic agreement means that every Australian child who goes to a public school will now receive a fully funded education. The private school students had reached the SRS standard previously. But what the agreements between the Commonwealth and our eight state and territory governments have delivered is that every student, regardless of which school they go to, will receive this funding. This agreement with Queensland will deliver an estimated $2.8 billion in additional funding for Queensland public schools over the next decade. This represents the biggest ever investment in Queensland public schools by an Australian government ever. In Queensland, we expect this to support some 560,000 public school students. It isn’t a blank cheque. This money is tied to real reforms like evidence based teaching practises, phonics and numeracy checks, catch up tutoring and more mental health support. Today’s announcement contributes to an estimated $16.5 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to public schools across the nation from 2025-2026, for the decade ahead to 2034. It represents the biggest new investment in public schools by an Australian government ever. And I do want to thank Premier Crisafulli for the constructive engagement that we have had to deliver this agreement. Constructive engagement that’s now reflected with agreements between every government right across this country, every state, every territory, combining with the Commonwealth. On election night in 2022, I spoke about education as being the key to widening those doors of opportunity. What my Government is doing in early childhood education, now in school education, with our higher ed agreements and with Free TAFE, is delivering across the board so that every child will have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. That’s what aspiration is about. That’s what people want for their young sons and daughters. And indeed, the beneficiaries of this agreement today include obviously people who haven’t been born yet. This is intergenerational reform that will make an incredible difference. And I do want to thank the Premier, we’ve engaged constructively in this over a period of months and today we’ve reached what is a historic agreement.
     
    DAVID CRISAFULLI, PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND: Thanks, PM. It is a historic agreement and today I can confirm that Queensland has secured the biggest investment in schools in our nation’s history. And we are delighted to be standing here with you Prime Minister, thank you very much for the way that you’ve negotiated with us. This means a lot to Queensland and it means a lot because we’ve got some challenges in our schooling systems that other states don’t have. We are the most decentralised state. We’ve got a large portion of rural and regional and Indigenous schools. We have challenges because of that, not just geographically, but challenges that are historically been baked in. As a result, our NAPLAN results aren’t what we have wanted to see in recent years. What this does is give us a decade long commitment to be able to turn the funding shortfall around and with that will come the ability to turn those results around. And what excites me about this deal is it’s not just about a financial injection. It’s also about making sure that we meet standards. It’s also about making sure that we give every child the opportunity to be their best. And we want that and we want them to be their best, whether they’re in the capital or in the smallest of rural or remote schools. It’s important that that money does flow. This is a 10 year deal that will see an immediate investment, but also will deliver long term generational reform that’s important for Queensland, for what we want to achieve. We want to make sure that we have well educated children who become great performing members of our state. And we’ve got a lot ahead as a state. And making sure that we could sign this education deal means a lot to us. And we are delighted with the agreement that’s been struck and we are determined to make sure that the education standards for Queensland kids continue on an upward trajectory. And with that comes the best for our state. Thanks very much.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: We’ll hear from Jason and JP and then we’re happy to take questions.
     
    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: First, I want to thank the Prime Minister. This is real leadership in action. This is a Prime Minister who gets it and who knows how to get things done. Who knows how to work with the states and work with different political parties. A Prime Minister who gets how important this is for our kids and for our future. I also want to thank you, Premier, for all of the work that we’ve done together to get this deal across the line. Bringing forward funding, just extraordinary, sir. And I take my hat off to you and to JP. Absolute legend, mate. It’s been wonderful working with you and looking forward to working with you in the future. This is the last piece in the puzzle. With the agreement that we’ve just signed, it means that every public school in the country will now be fully funded. And that has never ever happened before. It should have, but it hasn’t. Now it will be and it will change kids’ lives. This is the biggest investment by the Commonwealth Government in public schools ever. As the Prime Minister said, it’s worth about $16.5 billion over the next decade. But it’s not a blank cheque. This money is tied to real and practical reforms to help children who fall behind to catch up and keep up. Ultimately help more young people finish high school. It’s bigger than that. It’s about helping to make sure that every child gets a great start in life. It’s what every mum and dad wants for their child and it’s what every Australian child deserves. You know, we know that a good education can change a life and a good education system can change a country. If you think back to the 1980s, to the 1990s, when some of us were at school, the number of kids finishing high school skyrocketed. It went from about 40% of kids to almost 80%. That changed us as a country. Now, in the last 10 years, that percentage has gone backwards. It’s dropped from about 83% to 73%. And that’s happening in public schools. We’ve got to turn that around. Fundamentally, that’s what this is all about, making sure that more young people finish school. It’s more important today than it was when we were at school. This is building Australia’s future in action. This is real microeconomic reform. If we’re going to build the country of our imagination, then we need people to build it. We’ve got to build the skills of the workforce today and tomorrow. We’ve got to make sure that more young people finish school and then go on to TAFE or to university and can build the career of their dreams. And that’s what this is about. And Albo, as a kid from public school I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is going to change the lives of kids at school today, kids that go to school tomorrow, children that aren’t even born yet. It’s going to make our education system better and it’s going to make us an even better and fairer country.
     
    JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK, QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks, Jason. Well, can I also say as a returning education minister, hopefully this marks the end of the education wars because over a decade ago when I was Minister for Education, Training and Employment in a former government, was when we had the Gonski report and we had this constant debate about special needs in terms of what the states had. And as the Premier has mentioned, Queensland does have more of those areas of needs, whether it’s disability, Indigenous, socioeconomic status, small, regional, remote. Queensland has more than any other. And if we’re going to have league tables about schools, then no wonder Queensland’s had trouble competing. But this agreement today really does mean a big change for Queensland. It’s something I’m personally very appreciative of. I want to thank Jason as well for, he and I have had numerous conversations over the last four to five months. First of all we had to do a one year deal and after 10 years of declining investment or the former government in Queensland not putting enough funding in it means that now as a result of this agreement we’re reaching 75% in Queensland, four years ahead of the previous agreement or what the intended time was going to be. So, I want to thank the Premier and the Prime Minister as well. It’s been protracted negotiations but importantly for Queensland schools and I’m also state school educated, something I’m very proud of for in my family that’s made a big difference to my life and I know it will continue for other Queensland students. This is going to have a real impact in Queensland in education and across the country.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Thanks JP. Happy to take questions.
     
    JOURNALIST: Has there been deals, arrangements locked in for how fast the states, all the states are going to lift their funding amounts and this announcement today that you said $2.8 billion just for Queensland, your Finance Minister’s announced $2.1 billion of savings in the budget. Is this baking in more spending?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: No, because we accounted for most of this investment is already in MYEFO. There will be some additional investment given to Queensland that will be accounted for in the pre-election fiscal outlook. This is an investment in our young Australians. I can’t think of anything that is more worthwhile than investing in the opportunity of a young Australian and this will make an enormous difference. It has been spoken about for a long period of time, as JP said, people spoke about, the Gonski review occurred under the former Labor government. We then had in 2014 budget $30 billion ripped out of education. Since then we’ve seen school completions decline from 83% to 73%. We need to, in public schools overwhelmingly, we need to make sure that we compete not on the basis of driving down wages but we compete on the basis of how smart we are. And what this is is seizing opportunities. And Queensland does have particular challenges because it is the most regional of states and we’ve worked through all of these issues constructively but we have fully funded all of these agreements will be there. We’ve gone through our ERC processes, the Premier has been through his. But I’ll ask the Premier to comment.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: That’s a very good question. As part of this deal we have had to bring forward some funding at a Queensland level as well to secure the deal. But so we should. We’ve under invested in public education as a state for too long and this was an opportunity too good to miss. It was an opportunity to bring two levels of government together. But ultimately it’s about kids, ultimately it’s about can we get an outcome for children. And at the moment, when I look at Queensland’s education standards over many years it hasn’t been what it should be. And that’s not because of the kids, it’s not because of the teachers, it’s because of the broken system. And today we start putting together that broken system and outlining a funding pathway but also driving results. And that’s good news for everyone.
     
    JOURNALIST: Just on the schools funding now that all the states and territories have kind of signed on, what will this mean for the educational divide going forward? Because for every public school that still has demountables with air conditioning that doesn’t work, there’s private schools that are spending millions of dollars for performing arts venues with orchestra pits or multi-million dollar swimming pool centres like how will this lessen that educational divide that will be going on?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: What we want to make sure is that every parent, when they make a decision which is up to them of where their child goes to school, that they can have confidence that that child will receive the level of support that they deserve. It also is about making sure that children don’t get left behind. What we know from the testing that occurs is that if you wait until a child reaches the middle of primary school, it’s too late. Part of this agreement and the tying of this funding is for Year One testing, is making sure that if a young person needs that one on one help or small group help to make sure they’re not left behind, they get that really early on, they get to catch up, they don’t get to fall behind and then have issues later on. And so this is an investment that will pay off because we know that when people do fall behind, students, they can take forever or sometimes just don’t catch up. That’s what those figures of the decline in Year 12 completion shows. You know, the Hawke Government made the decision to lift very consciously the level of Year 12 completions from three out of ten to eight out of ten. What we’re doing as a Commonwealth, in partnership with Queensland and other states and territories, is making a conscious decision that children will not be left behind.
     
    JOURNALIST: A couple of years before you got the job, the Prime Minister and the premiers did a deal on the NDIS to try and bring it back under control. They offered the states, they extended the GST deal for another two years and guaranteed hospital funding, etc. Are you, is your state any closer to holding up your end of the deal and taking responsibility for foundational support?
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: Well, of course we’ll continue to negotiate in good faith and I hope what today proves is that we will always negotiate in good faith, but we’ll always look for the best deal for Queensland. I don’t think that’s any surprise to the Prime Minister with, we negotiated hard, but in the end I think we’ve got a good outcome. Good outcome for Queensland and a good outcome for Australia.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Just here and then, Paul.
     
    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you’ve committed to legislate to protect salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Have we got anything else on the biggest schools announcement? Can we stick to if there are schools questions, if not happy to move on?
     
    JOURNALIST: A school of fish.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Paul is always focused on the micro.
     
    JOURNALIST: So, salmon fishing, you’ve committed to legislate to protect it in Macquarie Harbour. How will that work and will that legislation have implications for environmental considerations in other industries?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Well, what we know is that the environmental science tells us that the skate is at the same levels that it was back a decade ago. We responded to the science to provide certainty. My Government makes no apologies for supporting jobs. That’s what the Labor Party does. We support jobs, but we also support sustainability, which is why we’ve invested $37 million for sustainability, for oxygenation. That’s why we’re engaged as well in what has been a very successful breeding program as well.
     
    JOURNALIST: Some of your colleagues believe that you’ve got a sense of momentum, that you might call the election as soon as you can after this sitting period’s over, they want to head back to their electorates very quickly. Do you want to seize the moment you’re in and call the election as soon as you can after Thursday? And Premier, you’ve had some time to speak to Peter Dutton now that you’re in the job. Do you have any more confidence in his nuclear plan now that you’ve had a chance to look at it?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Well, on the first, I’m told by my office that when we called this press conference, some thought we were about to call the election the day before the Budget. So, I say consistently, as I have said privately and publicly, three years is too short. I can now confirm the election will be in May. I’ve been saying that for a year. I was advised this time last year, in order to stop tax cuts going forward, that we should call an election. And I ignored that call by Mr Dutton and I continued to govern. We’ve got a Budget to hand down tomorrow night. It’s an important Budget that will set Australia up on the path to a better future. And I look forward to that. I look forward to some policy besides the three that have been announced. The nuclear plans, the $20,000 lunches and the cuts that we don’t know about, coming out sometime between now and May. But we’re very clear about what our agenda is. And it’s an agenda of governing. And what I’m doing today is governing, putting in place these important reforms.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: You won’t get running commentary from me about policies in Canberra, that’s for this guy and Peter to do. I don’t think Australians or Queenslanders or any of you will be too surprised with who I’m backing in the Federal Election. Of course I’m backing Peter – 

    JOURNALIST: It’s not contrary though, Premier (inaudible) reverse the ban on nuclear –
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: But it is, it is because I’m – no, it is because I’m here signing the biggest education deal in my state’s history and that’s pretty bloody important to me. And, you know, I’ll let others run political commentary. I’m here to talk about something that matters to parents in my state.
     
    JOURNALIST: On the Olympics stadiums there have been some major changes announced – thanks, Prime Minister – today, or major changes are due. Do you have a Plan B if you can’t renegotiate with the Prime Minister on moving funding away from Brisbane Live Arena to other venues?
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: Well, firstly, it’s been 1430 days since Queensland was awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I reckon if I told you and didn’t wait until tomorrow, I’d probably be in strife from my gallery. But look, we’ve got a plan and it’s a plan to make sure that we do deliver generational infrastructure. And it’s a plan to make sure that we do host great Games when the eyes of the world are on us. And I want people to understand that we – yes, there’s been a long time since we were awarded the Games, but I do believe we’ve got a plan that can get the show back on the road.
     
    JOURNALIST: Premier, have you raised the Olympics in discussions with the Prime Minister?
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: I reckon we’ve spoken a lot about it, but we’ve negotiated well together. I think that’s fair. We’ve worked together well and that’s always my style. I’m on Team Queensland. Of course, there’s been some strong negotiations. Two people of Italian descent, you’d expect that. But there’s nothing that can’t be solved over a bit of common sense and a cannoli. Two cannolis, and I bought both of them.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: And I can confirm that the Premier has, on two occasions, given me cannolis and I haven’t declared them. So, I declare them now just in case I get into some trouble.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: They were good cannolis.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: We regard that as a cultural thing rather than anything else. And they’re fine cannolis, I’ve got to say. We’re going to go: 1, 2, 3, 4, and then we’re done. Oh, 5 – just got in.
     
    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister a question for you and one for the Premier. Peter Dutton yesterday described your energy rebate extension as a Ponzi scheme. His Shadow Treasurer said it was putting a band aid on a bullet wound, yet they’re supporting it. I’m just wondering what your view is of that. And, Premier, can you tell us, are you going to break your election promise tomorrow about no new venues?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: On the first, it says something about the Coalition – I’m trying not to be too partisan here, standing next to the Premier –
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: I’m out of the shot.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: But whether it’s our Medicare tripling of the bulk billing incentive for all 21 million Australians, the 50 new Urgent Care Clinics, the $25 for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the freezing of the beer excise for two years, or a range of other measures – including the extension of Energy Bill Relief – the Opposition, having opposed all of these things for almost three years, have just said yes. I guess they’ve got to have something to say about policy and they don’t have any of their own. So, that has been their fallback position. But I think that Australians will have a look at their rhetoric and show that their heart isn’t in it. And in the rhetoric that they use, attacking this means that it can’t be secure. The last time round there was an election where the Coalition formed government was in 2013. They said there’d be no cuts to education, no cuts to health. The 2014 Budget had $50 billion cut from hospitals and $30 billion cut from education. And we’ve been playing catch up ever since. And in part, that’s what today’s announcement is about.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: Well, one day to go, Mark, one day to go. One thing’s for certain, though, is we set about a process to make sure that we could get that show back on the road. And I think even the most, even the most objective person – even the most partisan person – looking at where we are at the moment, would acknowledge that it’s been three years of chaos and crisis since we were awarded the Games. And I’m a big believer when you make decisions, you put the information out. I’ve done that throughout my career and I’ve certainly done it in recent times dealing with the disasters. I have this view that if you provide the information and the reasons behind your decision, whatever those decisions are, I think overwhelmingly people will respect where we’re going. And tomorrow we will outline a plan to make sure that we can deliver generational infrastructure for every square inch of the state. And I think it’s an exciting time and I want Queenslanders to believe that we can deliver something when the eyes of the world are on us that makes us feel proud to be Queenslanders.
     
    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, yesterday your Treasurer said it remains to be seen when the next surplus will be delivered. Do you hope another surplus will be delivered during your Prime Ministership? And Premier, when the GST cover was recently announced by the Commonwealth Grants Commission, your Treasurer, David Janetzki, was quite critical of the funding that had been announced for Queensland under that deal. Was the GST arrangements subject to discussions today?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: You’ll see the Budget and all the figures tomorrow night. Not long to wait now. One more sleep.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: We don’t believe it was a good decision. We acknowledge how it was made, we acknowledge the framework behind it. But we, you know, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you all today that we’re going to continue to work pretty hard to make sure that some of that infrastructure funding is excised from the GST. I think that’s fair and proper, particularly with the Bruce Highway. We were very, very pleased with the announcement on the Bruce, but it is a national road and it is, in my mind is something that should be excise from that GST agreement. We’ll continue to negotiate in good faith. And then there’s that little matter of the flood mitigation on the Bruce Highway as well, which I might go and try and get his signature before I fly back to Brissie.
     
    JOURNALIST: PM, Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are due to start from April 2. Is the Budget in such a position that it can withstand any economic turmoil that will come out of that? And where is Australia’s negotiations up to with the Administration about changes or excisions of Australia’s trade markets into the US under those reciprocal tariffs?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Look, we continue to engage constructively with the Trump Administration. We were engaged over the weekend again in some of those discussions that have taken place. My Ministers are engaged, our people in the United States are engaged as well. We’re advancing Australia’s national interest, as you would expect.
     
    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, David Littleproud says we need more gas in the market, he seems to be suggesting they’re going to water down the safeguard mechanism. Do you agree with the proposition we need more gas in the market and what would you be doing to resolve that? And for the Premier, is there enough being done to get the gas out of Queensland’s south?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: On the former, we’ve announced and delivered publicly released our future gas strategy. That’s a strategy that understands that gas has an important role to play, along with batteries, in providing certainty. I was in Gladstone in the great State of Queensland just last week with Rio Tinto there, at the refinery producing fantastic alumina, aluminium there. And they employ many people, and one of the things that they’ve done is to shift to renewables but they have firming capacity there as well. That’s part of the transition that’s important. The former government had this big announcement when they were there about gas, a gas led recovery. Not much happened. Not much happened. You don’t need rhetoric. What you need is actually investment. What the safeguard mechanism does, like the Capacity Investment Scheme, is to provide certainty for the investment environment for business, which is why business backed the safeguard mechanism.
     
    PREMIER CRISAFULLI: I haven’t seen what David Littleproud said, but if he’s talking about the need for more gas in the market, he’s 100 per cent correct. And have a look at across the states. Queensland, over a long period of time, we’ve done the heavy lifting, we’ve done our end of the bargain, and some of the safeguards that were put in place a little over the decade ago has ensured that communities that were once trod on have now embraced it. And overwhelmingly, it’s been great not just for our economy, but it’s also been great for regional communities to have a sense of identity. It’s been great for meeting the market that’s there. I would argue that other states probably haven’t come on the same journey that we have. And I think if you point to Queensland as an example, that it can be done, it can be done. You can protect the environment, you can treat local communities with respect, you can create some jobs, you can earn a living. It is absolutely possible.
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Last one.
     
    JOURNALIST: Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa is in Gaza right now. He says he told SBS the situation is catastrophic. He’s asking for urgent assistance. What is your Government actively doing now that Israel has broken the ceasefire?
     
    PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have maintained our same position, which is we want to see the ceasefire be continued. We want an end to hostilities, we want to see hostages released. We want to see peace and security in the Middle East. Something that my Government is very focused on. We will remain focused on. But we’re not major players in the Middle East. That’s just the truth of the matter. And so, we remain incredibly concerned about the innocent loss of life that we’ve seen since October 7, whether that be in Israel or whether it be in Gaza. Surely people have a look at that innocent loss of life, including children and people who have done nothing wrong but be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They deserve protection. And I want to see that occur, as I’m sure most people who have a look at what is occurring, including whether it be people in Gaza or indeed people in Israel who are saying that as well. Thanks very much, thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Citrus remedy squeezes out dry mouth for cancer patients

    Source:

    24 March 2025

    A natural citrus oil from oranges, lemons, and limes is proving highly effective in relieving dry mouth, and when combined with a new lipid formulation, new research suggests it may be effective without significant side effects.

    Developed by the University of South Australia in collaboration with the Medical School at Stanford University, this world first formulation uniquely combines limonene (a citrus essential oil) with a lipid-based drug delivery system to treat dry mouth (xerostomia), a common side effect of radiotherapy.

    The new formula demonstrated 180-fold better solubility than pure limonene in lab experiments and boosted relative bioavailability by over 4000% compared to pure limonene in pre-clinical trials.

    Dry mouth is the most reported side effect following radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer, affecting up to 70% of patients due to salivary gland damage. It can lead to difficulty speaking and swallowing, significantly reducing quality of life.

    Limonene has protective effects on saliva production during radiotherapy, but its poor solubility means high doses are needed to take effect, and these cause indigestion, abdominal discomfort and unpleasant ‘citrus burps’.

    Lead researcher, Professor Clive Prestidge says UniSA’s new limonene-lipid combination creates a ‘super-solubilising’ treatment that reduces dry mouth at lower dose and without uncomfortable side effects.

    “The therapeutic benefits of limonene are well known. It’s used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mood-enhancing agent, and can also improve digestion and gut function. But despite its widespread use, its volatility and poor solubility have limited its development as an oral therapy,” Prof Prestidge says.

    “As limonene is an oil, it forms a film on the top of the stomach contents, causing significant stomach pain and discomfort.

    “Our novel formulation combines limonene with healthy fats and oils – called lipids – to create a super-solubilising compound that the body can easily absorb with reduced uncomfortable side effects.

    “This increases the dispersion of limonene in the stomach, boosts absorption, and controls biodistribution – all while increasing a patient’s saliva production and reducing dry mouth.”

    Co-researcher Dr Leah Wright says the formulation has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients and others suffering dry mouth conditions.

    “Cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and other medical treatments regularly experience dry mouth, which not only prevents them from comfortably swallowing, but can also have other negative and potentially life-threatening outcomes,” Dr Wright says. 

    “While limonene can be ingested directly, it’s not well tolerated, especially by those with dry mouth. Plus, its poor absorption prevents it from effectively reaching the salivary glands – the target site.

    “This inventive and highly impactful limonene-lipid formulation could provide a simple, effective oral solution for dry mouth, offering cancer patients long-lasting relief and comfort, improved oral health, and a higher quality of life during a difficult time.”

    Clinical trials for the new formula are ongoing, with next steps to be announced soon.

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contacts for interview:  Professor Clive Prestidge E: Clive.Prestidge@unisa.edu.au
    Dr Leah Wright E: leah.wright@adelaide.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: All Australian public schools now on a path to full and fair funding

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    The Albanese Labor Government has now reached agreements with every state and territory to put all public schools in the country on a path to full and fair funding.
     
    The Government promised to work with states and territories to put all schools on a path to full and fair funding as set out in David Gonski’s review. We have now delivered that promise.
     
    As part of these Agreements, the Commonwealth will provide an additional 5 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to all states and territories, with the exception of the Northern Territory.
     
    This will lift the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the SRS by 2034.
     
    For the Northern Territory, the Commonwealth’s contribution will lift from 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the SRS by 2029.
     
    This will see an estimated $16.5 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to public schools across the nation over the next 10 years.

    This represents the biggest new investment in public schools by the Australian Government – ever.
     
    As part of the Agreements, the provision allowing jurisdictions to claim 4 per cent of SRS funding for indirect school costs such as capital depreciation will be replaced with funding on eligible expenses.
     
    Unlike the previous school funding agreement reached by the former government, this is not a blank cheque.
     
    This funding will be tied to the reforms needed to lift education standards across the country, including more individualised support for students, mandating evidenced-based teaching practices, and more mental health support in schools.
     
    Reforms include: 

    • Year 1 phonics and early years of schooling numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help.
    • Evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind.
    • Initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to mental health professionals.
    • Access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning, and
    • Initiatives that improve the attraction and retention of teachers.

    In addition to these reforms, the Agreements have targets, including that by 2030 the proportion of students receiving a Year 12 Certificate will be the highest it has ever been. Other targets include:

    • Reducing the proportion of students in the NAPLAN ‘Needs Additional Support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030.
    • Increasing the proportion of students in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030 and trend upwards for priority equity cohorts in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels.
    • Increasing the Student Attendance Rate, nationally, to 91.4 per cent (2019 level) by 2030.
    • Increasing the engagement rate (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7 per cent by 2035.

    This means more help for students and more support for teachers. It has taken too long, but all public schools in the country are now on a path to the full and fair funding level set by David Gonski more than a decade ago.
     
    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
     
    “Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation.
     
    “That’s why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn.
     
    “We know that education opens the doors of opportunity, and we want to widen them for every child in Australia.
     
    “This is about investing in real reform with real funding – so Australian children get the best possible education.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
     
    “This is an historic day for Australia’s education system.
     
    “We have now reached agreements with every state and territory to put all schools on a path to full and fair funding.
     
    “This is a game‑changer for public education and it’s a life‑changer for our kids at school today, kids that will be at school in the next few years, and children that aren’t even born yet.
     
    “This will see on average a 70 per cent increase in Commonwealth funding per student when this is fully implemented.
     
    “This is real funding tied to real reform to get real results.
     
    “But this is all at risk if Peter Dutton wins the next election. In 2013, the Liberals said there’d be no cuts to our schools. That was a lie. As soon as they got in, they ripped $30 billion out and they will do the same thing again if they win this year.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is hyaluronic acid – and is it OK for kids and teens to use this common skincare ingredient?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoe Porter, Lecturer, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University

    Sabinayro/Shutterstock

    Earlier this month, Kmart pulled a “hyaluronic acid cleansing balm” from its shelves, after a teen who used the skincare product was hospitalised, reporting eye pain and blurred vision. It’s unclear what ingredient caused this reaction.

    In a statement, Kmart said it was removing the product while conducting an investigation. The retailer also said:

    We want to assure our customers that our cosmetics are designed to ensure that they comply with both Australian and European requirements on ingredients.

    Hyaluronic acid – despite the name – is a gentle ingredient commonly used in skincare products.

    But what does hyaluronic acid do to your skin as a skincare ingredient? And is it safe for tweens and teens?

    What is hyaluronic acid?

    Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan – a sugar-based molecule found naturally in the skin, eyes, joint fluid and connective tissue.

    It plays a key role in hydrating the skin and tissues, lubricating our joints and supporting tissue repair.

    Beyond cosmetics, hyaluronic acid is used in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, wound repair, and to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis (where the arterial walls harden and narrow) and osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease).

    It is also a key ingredient in many eye drops and contact lens care solutions.

    How is it used in skincare?

    While the word “acid” might suggest it is harsh and potentially damaging to the skin, hyaluronic acid is not used in its acidic form in skincare products. It is usually used in its salt form, sodium hyaluronate.

    In skincare, active acids such as salicylic acid usually lower the skin’s pH and exfoliate it by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells.

    Hyaluronic acid, in contrast, is used to hydrate the skin. It is a humectant, an ingredient that attracts and retains water molecules.

    Hyaluronic acid has three qualities that make it suitable for skincare: it’s soluble (can be dissolved in water), biocompatible (meaning it’s not harmful to the body), and biodegradable (naturally breaks down into non-toxic, simpler substances).

    It is usually safe and well-tolerated, meaning it has very few side effects.

    In skincare products, hyaluronic is used in different forms. Smaller hyaluronic molecules can penetrate deeper into the skin and hydrate the lower levels. In products this is often advertised as “anti-ageing”, because it stimulates the production of collagen (a structural protein in the skin), and helps to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

    Larger hyaluronic acid molecules remain on the skin’s surface and have an immediate hydrating effect, preventing water evaporation from the skin.

    Hyaluronic acid helps the skin attract and retain water molecules for hydration.
    Art_Photo/Shutterstock

    Any risks?

    Hyaluronic acid is generally a safe ingredient, even for sensitive skin. But products advertised as “hyaluronic acid skincare” may contain other ingredients which can cause irritation.

    In particular, fragrances, preservatives and surfactants (ingredients that produce foam and help wash away oil and dirt) may be safe for skin but burn or otherwise irritate the eyes.

    This is because the cornea and conjuctiva (the thin membrane covering the eye) are much more sensitive than the skin.

    How are skincare ingredients regulated?

    Unlike medicines and products used for therapeutic reasons, which are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), general cosmetic products do not require pre-market safety testing or approval.

    Instead, companies need to register their business with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and verify that their ingredients are not banned or restricted in Australia.

    This creates a potential gap where defective products remain on the market, only to be recalled after adverse reactions occur.

    Are these products appropriate for children?

    Most scientific research on active ingredients – including hyaluronic acid – has been evaluated in older populations. This leaves a gap in understanding how they affect teen and preteen skin.

    Many products are designed for ageing and/or specific skin types, and are largely unnecessary for children and younger people.

    In some cases, they can potentially be harmful to their skin. For example, unless prescribed by a dermatologist, it’s advisable for young people to avoid retinoid products (containing retinol or retinal) as they can cause redness, peeling and drying.

    Similarly, products with alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation, itching, redness and may worsen acne in young skin.

    So, what should younger people look for?

    Preteens and teens should avoid products containing active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids, and peptides, as well as those labelled with terms such as anti-ageing, wrinkle-reducing, brightening, or firming.

    To keep skin clean and protected, teenagers can use a good cleanser, a simple moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen.

    It’s best to opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers suitable for all skin types. Consulting with a pharmacist can provide personalised recommendations based on individual skin needs.

    Laurence Orlando is a council member with the Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists.

    Zoe Porter 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. What is hyaluronic acid – and is it OK for kids and teens to use this common skincare ingredient? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-hyaluronic-acid-and-is-it-ok-for-kids-and-teens-to-use-this-common-skincare-ingredient-252296

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina McCabe, PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Canterbury

    Shutterstock/S Watson

    When we think about flood management, higher stop banks, stronger levees and concrete barriers usually come to mind. But what if the best solution – for people and nature – isn’t to confine rivers, but to give them more space?

    This alternative is increasingly being considered as an approach to mitigating flood risk. But allowing rivers room to move also delivers ecological benefits far beyond flood risk reduction. It supports biodiversity, improves water quality and stores carbon.

    As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme floods, rethinking our approach to managing floodplain rivers has never been more urgent.

    Climate change, floods and river confinement

    Climate change is amplifying flood risks worldwide, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception. Large floods are expected to become much more frequent and severe, threatening communities, infrastructure and ecosystems.

    Many of these risks are made worse by past management decisions that have artificially confined rivers within narrow channels, cutting them off from their natural floodplains.

    Floodplain river systems have historically been dynamic, shifting across landscapes over time. But extensive stop banks, modification of river channels and land development have restricted this natural variability.

    Strangling rivers in this way transfers and heightens flood risks downstream by forcing water through confined channels at greater speeds. It also degrades ecosystems that rely on the natural ebb and flow of river processes.

    The Waiau River, a gravel-bed braided river in the South Island, has been constrained by land development, primarily for agriculture.
    Background satellite image: Google (c) 2025 Airbus, CC BY-SA

    Giving rivers space to roam

    The idea of allowing rivers to reclaim space on their floodplains is not new.

    In the Netherlands, the Room for the River programme was a response to flooding in 1995 that led to large-scale evacuations of people and cattle. In England, predictions that economic risks associated with flooding will increase 20-fold within this century ignited the Making Space for Water strategy.

    However, these initiatives typically remain focused on flood protection, overlooking opportunities to maximise ecological benefits. Our new research shows that well-designed approaches can deliver ecological gains alongside flood protection.

    This is crucial because floodplain river systems are among the most valuable ecosystems. They provide about a quarter of all land-based ecosystem services such as water retention and pollutant filtration, as well as educational, recreational and cultural benefits.

    Managing rivers for variability

    A fundamental shift in river management involves acknowledging and accommodating natural variability. Floodplain rivers are not static: they change across landscapes and through time, responding to seasonal flows, sediment movement and ecological processes.

    Braided rivers are an example of floodplain rivers that have natural variability and diverse habitat types.
    Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA

    Our research synthesises the ecological processes that are enabled when floodplain rivers have room to move.

    Rivers that are not unnaturally confined are typically more physically complex. For instance, along with the main river channel, they might have smaller side channels, or areas where the water pools and slows, springs popping up from below ground to re-join the surface waters, or ponds on the floodplain.

    A diverse range of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Even exposed gravel, made available in rivers that flow freely, provides critical nesting sites for endangered birds.

    Biodiversity is not one-dimensional. Instead, it exists and operates at multiple scales, from a small floodplain pond to a whole river catchment or wider. In a dynamic, ever-changing riverscape, we might find the genetic composition of a species varying in different parts of the river, or the same species of fish varying in their body size, depending on the habitat conditions.

    These examples of natural biological variability enable species and ecosystems to be resilient in the face of uncertain future conditions.

    Rivers that have room to move on their floodplains are highly dynamic. This diagram shows the main types of ecological variability in a free-flowing river: physical variability, habitat heterogeneity and variable ecosystem processes.
    Adapted from McCabe et al. 2025 Nature Water, CC BY-SA

    At a larger scale, the type and number of species that live in different floodplain river habitats also varies. This diversity of biological communities produces variation in the functions ecosystems perform across the river, such as the uptake of nutrients or processing of organic matter. This can even help to diversify food webs.

    These variations mean not all species or groups of species in the river will be vulnerable to the same disturbances – such as droughts or floods – at the same time. This is because plants and animals in rivers have evolved to take advantage of long-term rhythms of floods and droughts in different ways.

    For instance, the cottonwood poplars of the southwest United States time their seed release with the highly predictable rhythms of snowmelt-driven spring floods in that part of the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, whitebait fish species typically deposit their eggs during high autumn flows, which then get transported to sea as larvae during high winter flows.

    Some animals need multiple habitats within the river for different stages of life. Other creatures travel from afar to use river floodplains for only a short time. The latter includes the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This bird travels as far as 1,700km to nest on braided-river gravels each spring. Banded dotterels are in decline, and they rely on habitats provided by rivers that have space to roam.

    The endangered black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) uses gravel bar habitats on river floodplains for nesting.
    Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA

    A call for more sustainable river management

    As climate change accelerates, we must rethink how we manage our waterways. Reinforcing levees and deepening channels may seem like logical responses to increased flood risk, but these approaches often exacerbate long-term vulnerabilities and transfer risk elsewhere.

    We call for practitioners to broaden the scope of values included in river management policy and programmes to include ecological variability.

    Nature-based solutions are approaches that seek to benefit both people and nature. By working with nature rather than against it, we can create landscapes that are more resilient, adaptive, and supportive of both people and biodiversity.

    It’s time to embrace a new paradigm for river management – one that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored.

    Christina McCabe receives funding through an Aho Hīnātore doctoral research scholarship at the University of Canterbury.

    Jonathan Tonkin receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and the Centre of Research Excellence Te Pūnaha Matatini. He also receives funding from the Antarctic Science Platform and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

    – ref. Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature – https://theconversation.com/giving-rivers-room-to-move-how-rethinking-flood-management-can-benefit-people-and-nature-251225

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trade mission to China

    Source: Australian National Party



    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 24/03/2025

    Promoting further trade, tourism and economic development with our largest trading partner, across a range of sectors, including tourism, aviation, education and investment will be the focus of this week’s trade mission to China.

    The week-long mission features activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Beijing-Canberra sister city relationship and a meeting with the Mayor of Beijing and Beijing Municipal Government representatives.

    Returning to Canberra’s largest export market for the first time since the Covid pandemic, the mission will focus on delivering outcomes outlined in our International Engagement Strategy and T2030 Tourism Strategy.

    Under the T2030 strategy, the Government aims to reach $5 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2030. China is Canberra’s largest international market and has considerable capacity to grow over this decade. Recent data shows 15 per cent of all international visitors to the ACT came from China, contributing 52 per cent of the total international visitor spend.

    Tourism and investment opportunities will be pursued through meetings with airlines including Air China and Cathay Pacific, hotel operators and key tourism distribution partners.

    Education partnerships will also be strengthened including an official visit to the Cunzhi Senior High School in Shanghai – who deliver the ACT Year 12 certificate through the BSSS (Board of Senior Studies).

    Supported by Tourism Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and AusTrade, participants in the mission include Visit Canberra and the Commissioner for International Engagement.

    The estimated cost of the Chief Minister’s component of the trade mission is under $15,000, met from the ACT Executive 2024-25 Budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular quarterly travel reports.

    – Statement ends –

    Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Gift of Water: How the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is Transforming Lives

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    “Water is life; when there is no water, it is as if there are no people living.”

    These profound words from ‘Masechefo Sechefo, a Community Councilor at Ha Sekete village, capture the essence of existence in rural Lesotho before the African Development Bank’s transformative intervention.

    In a country where water ironically constitutes 30% of the nation’s GDP, many rural Basotho paradoxically lived without access to clean water. This stark contradiction defined daily life until the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project began changing the narrative in the communities.

    The Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is connected to the Metolong Dam Water Supply Programme, a collaborative initiative between the government and partners.

    The Long Walk For Water

    Before the project, women and girls in villages across Maseru and Berea districts would wake before dawn to begin their daily ‘pilgrimage’ to distant springs and unprotected wells. The journey often stretched more than a kilometer each way, with women carrying heavy containers while navigating challenging mountain terrain.

    “Where we used to fetch water, it was so far that there could have been challenges, perhaps the risk of being attacked or harmed by criminals,” recalls ‘Masechefo.

    At Sekete Primary School, the situation was equally dire. Headteacher Sello Matlali remembers: “We had to send children to fetch water from the unprotected wells around our communities. It was about one and a half kilometers walk from the school.”

    This daily expedition meant losing children’s classroom time and productive hours for women. Worse still, the unprotected water sources harbored pathogens causing diarrheal diseases that disproportionately affected the community’s most vulnerable members.

    A Project That Flows Like Life Itself

    When the African Development Bank’s initiative reached these communities, it didn’t merely install infrastructure – it unleashed potential.

    The project, set to conclude in March 2025 after more than a decade of implementation, has delivered remarkable results: 190 kilometers of pipeline to distribution networks, water storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 3.48 million liters, and 166 public water points serving approximately 28,266 people across eight zones in Maseru and Berea districts.

    The numbers tell only part of the story. Moses Tembo, the project’s task manager at the African Development Bank, highlights the impact: “From the data collected through the project, you could see that many people’s lives have been changed. Most people were drawing water from springs and unprotected wells, and the incidence of diarrheal diseases was quite high.”

    Beyond water supply, the project expanded sanitation infrastructure, – constructing 266 sanitation facilities for vulnerable households and 284 toilets at schools and healthcare facilities.

    A massive water reservoir constructed as part of the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project

    “It Was Like Our Birthday”

    At Sekete Primary School, the transformation has been profound. “When water was supplied, it was like our birthday,” Sello Maltali exclaims, his eyes bright with emotion. “The African Development Bank came to our rescue when we were in serious problem.”

    The school now boasts eight water taps and proper sanitation facilities – eight toilets for boys, seven for girls, and a dedicated facility for children with disabilities. This thoughtful design has created an inclusive learning environment where all 500 students can focus on education rather than basic survival needs.

    “We live the life we never lived before,” Matlali reflects. “We forget the past. We talk of it as history.”

    The impact extends beyond convenience. The school has witnessed increased enrollment and reduced disease transmission. Students can now pursue agricultural education, which teaches them self-reliance and food production skills.

    Women Liberated, Communities Transformed

    For women like ‘Masechefo, the project has delivered more than water – it has brought dignity and safety. “This project has brought a big change in our lives and our families. There is cleanliness in our homes and on our bodies.”

    The transformation has touched every aspect of community life. Residents found employment during construction— collecting stones, laying bricks, mixing cement, and completing roofing work. This approach ensured that the community benefited from the completed infrastructure and the process itself.

    Mamosili Kikine, the project’s technical adviser, explains: “The beneficiaries are using water for different purposes, like cooking and washing. The schools and clinics in these zones are also benefiting.”

    Climate Resilience: Protecting the Future

    As the base project nears completion, an additional component introduced in 2019 focuses on climate resilience. This component educates communities about preserving watersheds and forests to ensure sustainable water resources.

    “Lesotho is very much dependent on water for its economy and the wellbeing of people,” task manager Tembo explains. “The water reserves 10 years ago, 20 years ago, are not the same at the moment.”

    By protecting water sources through this education, the project aims to secure these life-giving resources for future generations.

    Water: A Celebration of Life

    As the African Development Bank joined in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, the communities served by this project understand its significance profoundly. They have experienced life with and without clean water –and know which they prefer.

    “Without water, there is no life,” declares headteacher Sello Matlali. “Water shortage is death. We cannot have food. We cannot bathe. We cannot wash our hands. We are vulnerable to disease.”

    The project’s legacy extends beyond pipes and reservoirs. It has fundamentally altered the relationship between communities and water – creating not just consumers but stewards of this precious resource.

    For the people of Lesotho’s rural communities, water is no longer just a substance—it’s the embodiment of possibility, dignity, and future prosperity. In a country blessed with abundant water resources that benefit neighboring nations, the African Development Bank has ensured that Lesotho’s citizens can finally share in this natural wealth.

    And for that, as Sello Matlali puts it, “It is very joyous.”

    A Nurse’s Story

    Mots’elisi Makhele, the only community health nurse serving approximately 2,000 people in her rural community, has witnessed a remarkable transformation thanks to the African Development Bank’s water supply and sanitation project.

    “We used to have a small community tap where 2,000 people would queue, and because of the drought, we wouldn’t have enough water some days,” Makhele recalls, adding that this single tap served everyone—elderly women, small children, and her clinic.

    Community nurse Mots’elisi Makhele stands by the tap that previously served around 2,000 people and indicates the houses now connected to modern facilities constructed through the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

    The health consequences were severe. “I couldn’t do normal birth deliveries because there was no water,” said Makhele. “There was an increased rate of waterborne infections, and I had many babies with malnutrition because the water was not clean.”

    The African Development Bank project transformed the community by providing individual household taps and proper sanitation facilities. The clinic received two proper toilets and a washing station where patients can wash their hands.

    The impact has been profound. “After initiating this project, the incidence rate of diarrheal diseases and malnutrition has decreased,” Makhele said excitedly.

    A stream that Kesete Village residents relied on for water before modern facilities were constructed through the AfDB-Funded Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

    Deteriorated sanitation facilities at Hamaja Primary School prior to the intervention.

    New sanitation facilities at Hamaja Primary School built under the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The project delivered more than 266 sanitation facilities for vulnerable households and installed 284 toilets in schools and healthcare facilities.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cycling not only enhances health but also builds character, says Dr Manuskh Mandaviya during ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ in Lucknow

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Cycling not only enhances health but also builds character, says Dr Manuskh Mandaviya during ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ in Lucknow

    Dr Mansukh Mandaviya leads 500-plus riders during ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ in Lucknow; Paralympians Nitesh Kumar, Manisha Ramdass support fight obesity campaign

    Posted On: 23 MAR 2025 3:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Honourable Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya led more than 500 riders during the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ here along with Minister of State for Sports & Youth Welfare, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, Girish Chandra Yadav,  Principal Secretary (Sports) Manish Chauhan and Secretary (Sports) Uttar Pradesh Suhas Yathiraj.

    Spreading Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of fighting obesity and indulging in a healthy and active lifestyle, Dr Mandaviya said “Cycling not only enhances one’s health but also builds character.”

    The Union Sports Minister completed a 3 kilometre ride from Marine Drive (Samajik Parivartan Sthal) to Samta Mulak Chauraha to 1090 Chauraha and back along with senior officials from Sports Authority of India (SAI) and members of MyBharat intitiative and Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI).

    Organised by SAI’s Netaji Subhas Regional Centre in Lucknow, the cycling drive witnessed huge enthusiasm from young boys and girls and 100-plus athletes from the local National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) who also grooved to Zumba performances prior to the cycling drive.

    Addressing the media after the cycle rally, Dr Mandaviya encouraged citizens to incorporate cycling in their daily routines to fight obesity and reduce air pollution levels across the country.

    “Cycling not only enhances one’s health but also builds character, boosts confidence and shapes the future of our nation. It is not just a mode of transport, but a key step towards a healthier, more sustainable future. By adopting cycling as part of our daily lives, we can improve our physical well-being, reduce pollution and contribute to a greener environment. I urge every citizen to embrace cycling, not only as a hobby but as a regular part of their lifestyle for the benefit of their health and our planet. Let us all make fitness a priority, for a healthy youth is the strength of a prosperous state and country,” he said.

    Sh. Girish Chandra Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, remarked: “Fitness is the foundation of a strong and vibrant society. For our youth to succeed in life, both physically and mentally, it is essential that we instill the values of discipline, hard work and fitness.”

    In Delhi, the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ saw the presence of Paris Paralympics para badminton medallists Nitesh Kumar and Manisha Ramadass. The athletes were in Delhi to participate in the ongoing Khelo India Para Games 2025. Smt Sminu Jindal, founder of Svayam, the official accessibility partner of KIPG 2025, was also present to motivate the participants. Nitesh, Manisha and Ms. Jindal flagged off the event that was supported by PEFI and witnessed participation of more than 600 people.

    In Mumbai, Asian Games medal-winning javelin thrower Kishore Jena participated in the cycling movement at picturesque Aksa Beach.

    Till now, the nationwide cycling drive has been organised across 5000 locations with approximate participation of 2 lakh-plus individuals. The movement also promotes environment-friendly practices to decrease air pollution levels across the country. The initiative is being conducted across multiple States & Union Territories with participation from cycling enthusiasts, athletes, coaches, sports science experts, amongst others.

    Previously, the cycling event witnessed participation of Indian Army jawans, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and prominent sports stars like Lovlina Borgohain, Sangram Singh, Shanky Singh, Nitu Ghanghas, Saweety Boora, Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Rubina Francis and Simran Sharma (para world champion) apart from celebrities like Rahul Bose, Amit Sial and Gul Panag, to name a few.

    The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), My Bikes and MY Bharat. Events are simultaneously held nationwide at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and the Khelo India centres (KICs).

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    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2114172) Visitor Counter : 63

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) launches Samarthya: National Competition on Corporate Rescue Strategies 2025 at Manesar

    Source: Government of India

    Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) launches Samarthya: National Competition on Corporate Rescue Strategies 2025 at Manesar

    The Programme offers a dynamic platform for students to devise innovative turnaround strategies for businesses facing financial distress

    Samarthya 2025 Focuses on Real-World Corporate Rescue Strategies and Expert Engagement

    Posted On: 23 MAR 2025 10:38AM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) inaugurated Samarthya: National Competition on Corporate Rescue Strategies 2025 on March 22,2025 at its campus in Manesar, Haryana. Taking place on March 22nd and 23rd, 2025, the programme offers a dynamic platform for students to devise innovative turnaround strategies for businesses facing financial distress.

    The event emphasizes practical learning and strategic thinking in corporate rescue, providing participants with hands-on experience in navigating real-world financial distress scenarios. Participants will analyse financial statements, develop corporate rescue strategies, and present their solutions to a panel of esteemed judges. Additionally, they will engage with insolvency professionals, legal practitioners, and business leaders through panel discussions and networking opportunities. The competition offers valuable industry exposure, expert feedback, and the opportunity to gain recognition for their innovative solutions.

    The inauguration ceremony commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp, performed by distinguished judges of the event and dignitaries on the dais, symbolizing the formal commencement of the competition by an introduction by the Student Convenors for the event, Ms. Ayushi Agarwal, Ms. Eepsa Bansal, and Ms. Harshitha Ulphas.  Following this, Dr. Pyla Narayana Rao, Course Director and Head of the School of Corporate Law, delivered the Inaugural Address, emphasizing the significance of corporate rescue strategies in ensuring business sustainability and financial resilience.

    Ms. Pavithra Ravi, Professor at Gujarat National Law University, delivered the Opening Remarks, offering insights into the competition’s objectives. A video message from Mr. Kapileshwar Bhalla, LL.M Faculty, encouraged participants to apply their financial knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. He extended his best wishes to all participants and applauded the organizers for their efforts in making the event a success.

    The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Pramod Jangra, Course Coordinator of LL.M (IBL) at IICA, who expressed gratitude to all speakers, participants, and organizers for their contributions.

    The competition will challenge students with practical case studies simulating real-world financial distress scenarios. Participants will be evaluated based on the feasibility, innovation, and strategic insight demonstrated in their proposed solutions. Through this platform, IICA aims to nurture the next generation of corporate leaders equipped to address complex financial challenges.

    Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, DG & CEO of IICA, extended his best wishes for the success of the event.

    ******

     NB/AD

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transformation of Thonoknyu block is an inspiration for others: Union Minister Smt. Raksha Khadse

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Transformation of Thonoknyu block is an inspiration for others: Union Minister Smt. Raksha Khadse

    Smt Khadse becomes First Union Minister to Visit the Noklak, “Frontier District”.

    Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, became the first minister to visit Noklak, Nagaland, one of the most remote districts in the country. During her visit, she was given a briefing on the district’s development by the Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, Shri Arikumba. She also reviewed the progress of the ThonoknyuU Aspirational Block Programme, interacted with civil society representatives, and visited key sites, including Nokyan village, the District Hospital and the Multi-Discipline Sports Complex of Noklak.

    Noklak, known as the “Frontier District,” is located in Nagaland’s easternmost region. The district, which has a total population of 55,434 according to the 2011 Census, is roughly 1,152 square kilometers in size. With 14,630 households, it is mostly rural and home to the Khiamniungan Naga tribe. Low population density and an agrarian economy based on the production of millets, perilla seeds, maize, beans, yam, and Job’s Tear are characteristics of Noklak. The district’s cultural legacy has also been acknowledged; in 2022, the Sustainable Development Award for Economic Sustainability went to the Noklak Masterpieces.

    During the visit Smt. Khadse assessed the progress made by the Thonoknyu Block in 40 key development indicators under the themes such as Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Social Development and Basic infrastructure. The Block which was previously ranked among the least aspirational blocks, has improved significantly, rising from 465th place in March 2023 to 85th place in September 2024 out of 500 blocks in India.

    The Sampoornata Abhiyan, a targeted three-month campaign that was implemented from July to September 2024 across six key performance indicators, has played a major role in this change. Thonoknyu Block has attained 100% saturation in five of the six KPIs, despite being ranked 465th out of 471 aspirational blocks as of March 2024. The remarkable progress we witnessed in Thonoknyu Block is a shining example that when dedication meets determination and coordination every milestone could be achieved, Smt. Khadse.

    During the interaction, the Union Minister remarked that for India to thrive as a nation, its most remote and underdeveloped regions must no longer be left behind and reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive development. She highlighted that the progress made by Noklak district and Thonoknyu Block reflects the impact of focused governance and community participation. She reaffirmed the government’s resolve to provide the necessary resources and opportunities to even the most geographically isolated regions, ensuring sustainable growth and development.

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    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2114058) Visitor Counter : 40

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 100 New Food Testing Labs to be Established with Financial Support from Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Announces Ravneet Singh Bittu

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 7:05PM by PIB Delhi

    100 New Food Testing Labs to be Established with Financial Support from Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Announces Ravneet Singh Bittu

    Bathinda, 22nd March 2025 – In a bid to enhance food safety and quality, Ravneet Singh Bittu, the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, announced that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will financially support the establishment of 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories across India in the financial year 2025-26.

    Bittu, who inaugurated a world-class food testing laboratory at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, highlighted the critical role of food testing in ensuring food safety. “Food testing is vital for ensuring that food products meet safety standards and are free from harmful contaminants and pathogens,” he said.

    The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), which has allocated ₹503.47 crore for 205 laboratory projects. Out of these, 169 projects have already been completed, with ₹349.21 crore disbursed. These labs play a crucial role in meeting the requirements of major regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and international agencies like the USFDA and EU regulations.

    Farmers and producers in sectors such as citrus fruits, green peas, cauliflower, carrots (both fresh and frozen), milk and milk products, basmati rice, wheat, millets like bajra and sorghum, mustard and sunflower oilseeds, and farm-produced shrimp will benefit from these state-of-the-art facilities. These laboratories help ensure compliance with global standards, support exports, and improve the overall quality of food products, ultimately contributing to higher income for farmers and job creation, particularly for skilled technical personnel.

    The laboratory inaugurated at Bathinda will employ cutting-edge technologies like GC-MS/MS, ICP-OES, HPLC, and UV spectrophotometers for testing pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and more. With a total project allocation of ₹253.12 lakh and ₹191.259 lakh already released, the facility will serve food processors, farmers, and food businesses to ensure the safety and quality of food products.

    Elaborating on the achievements of the food processing sector in Punjab, Ravneet Singh shared that the Ministry has approved 24 cold chain projects totaling ₹553 crore, 3 agro-processing cluster projects worth ₹70 crore, 16 food processing units with an investment of ₹432 crore, and 10 food testing laboratories totaling ₹48 crore. Under the PMKSY scheme, 61 projects amounting to ₹1557 crore have been approved in Punjab, with a grant of ₹419 crore.

    Additionally, six factories in Punjab have committed investments under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, totaling ₹126.31 crore. Over 2,500 micro-entrepreneurs in Punjab have received subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, and 1,296 members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have received seed capital approval amounting to ₹3.99 crore. In Bathinda and Mansa, honey and milk-based products are identified as the key products under the “One District, One Product” initiative.

    In Bathinda, 483 loans amounting to ₹142.3 crore were disbursed, while in Mansa, 253 loans amounting to ₹72.15 crore were granted. Additionally, Self-Help Groups in Bathinda and Mansa received seed capital funding of ₹75 lakh and ₹18 lakh, respectively, under the PMFME scheme.

    Ravneet Singh also visited an exhibition organized by PMFME beneficiaries, showcasing their products.

    Other dignitaries present at the event included Dr. Sandeep Kansal, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University, Sh. Ranjit Singh, Joint Secretary of MOFPI, Sh. Rajnish Tuli, GM of Punjab Agro, Sh. Jitendra Dongre from MOFPI, Sh. Amit Joshi from KCCI, Sh. Sarup Chand Singla, District President of BJP Bathinda, Smt. Parampal Kaur, and S. Dayal Sodhi.

    ***

    STK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to Action

    Source: Government of India

    ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ Symposium concludes with a Strong Commitment to Action

    Collaborative, Community-led Action Plans embedded across all levels of governance – need of the hour to develop Long-term Climate Adaptation Strategies: MoS Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh

    Addressing Adaptation Finance is a critical pillar for mainstreaming adaptation in Climate Adaptation Actions, highlights MoS (MoEFCC)

    Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ symposium concluded today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with a resounding call for sustained action, collaboration, and policy-driven climate adaptation and resilience.

    In his remarks during the valedictory session, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighted India’s remarkable journey in confronting climate challenges. He emphasized the multidimensional nature of climate action, touching upon critical issues such as the impact of heatwaves and water scarcity on agriculture, the urgency of building resilient health systems, adaptation financing, and innovative solutions in the built environment. He called for comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience measures.

    The Minister outlined Critical Action Points that emerged from the symposium:

    • Stronger Institutional Frameworks: Climate adaptation must be embedded across all levels of governance, including at the local level.
    • Community-Driven Solutions: Policies should be tailored to ground realities, local needs and circumstances.
    • Immediate and Long-Term Action: While emergency interventions like heat relief programmes are vital, systemic changes in infrastructure, policy and financing are pertinent for long-term resilience. Addressing adaptation finance, is a critical pillar for mainstreaming adaptation in the short-term and long-term climate adaptation actions.
    • Collaborative Implementation: Policymakers, researchers, businesses, and communities must work together to scale up just and equitable climate adaptation strategies.

    Shri Singh mentioned that the collaboration between Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India and Harvard University represented by Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute and The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability has been a unique opportunity to bring together experts and stakeholders facilitating exchange of ideas. He suggested that the lessons and recommendations from this Symposium be taken, as appropriate, to support India’s continued lead in addressing the Climate challenges of the 21st century.

    Over the past four days, the symposium served as a dynamic knowledge sharing platform for experts from diverse fields—including climate science, public health, labour, and urban planning—to deliberate on the urgent challenges posed by climate change and the pathways to a resilient future. The deliberations focused on four key themes: Climate Science of Heat and Water with its implications on Agriculture, Health, Work and the Built Environment.

    The climate adaptation in Agriculture requires evidence-based policies and decision-making. Emphasis was placed on localized governance and climate-resilient agricultural practices to improve food security and nutrition. Discussions suggested integrating scientific research with policy, long-term climate changes, water use trends, establishing local climate forums, stakeholder-centric metrics, and integrating AI in forecasting. Experts highlighted the need for communication among stakeholders, technological advancements, and balancing short-term and long-term adaptation strategies.

    The resilience in Health sector discussion focused on quantification of heat exposure and its impact on human health, emphasizing the need to improve data collection, correlation and consideration of local context, using the advancements in AI and machine learning. The deliberation also stressed the importance of strengthening climate-responsive public health systems, addressing the fragmented health data landscape, and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration. Emphasis was placed on multi-sectoral governance, suitable metrics, and training healthcare workers on climate-linked health risks, with a focus on leveraging existing programmes and engaging in multi-stakeholder collaboration for policymaking.

    Adaptation at Work is essential to address the heat-related stress and its impact on workers. The challenges faced by workers especially women were recognized and best practices in technical and behavioral adaptation, emphasizing health standards, occupational safety, safe civic spaces, etc. were highlighted.  The importance of government intervention, innovative financial solutions, and multi-stakeholder collaboration was underscored to enhance resilience in diverse geo-climatic conditions. The need for comprehensive strategies, considering local work culture and conditions, leveraging existing policies was emphasized to protect workers from climate-induced heat stress.

    The Built environment we live in, directly impacts our adaptation capacities. The experts in the sector emphasized a balanced approach to urban resilience, combining legal mandates with market-based incentives. The importance of addressing vulnerable populations, particularly in slum areas was highlighted, through local interventions and long-term planning. The success of urban planning policies depends not just on their design but also on operational feasibility, efficiency and cultural acceptance. The need for responsive urban planning frameworks, interdisciplinary collaboration, and action-oriented research was emphasized. There is a need to shift focus to thermal comfort for all.

    Professor Caroline Buckee from Harvard University emphasized the need for more granular data to identify those most at risk from climate impacts. She highlighted the challenges posed by India’s large health system and the importance of integrating health data across different sectors. Professor Buckee also stressed the value of timely censuses for accurate epidemiological estimates and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex interactions between climate change, health, and other sectors.

    Shri Tanmay Kumar, Secretary (MoEFCC), emphasized the importance of building local capacities to address climate impacts effectively. He highlighted the need for integrated approaches that consider the unique challenges faced by different regions and communities. He noted that adaptation strategies must be inclusive and community-driven, drawing on traditional knowledge and practices. He emphasized that climate resilience and sustainable development require continuous collaboration and commitment. He also reaffirmed that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that climate resilience strategies are inclusive, sustainable and grounded in scientific evidence and also take into account the development aspirations.

    Prof. Tarun Khanna, Director (The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University), appreciated the collaboration and expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry and Harvard University represented by Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute & The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability for bringing together leaders from across the field to collaboratively work on the leading challenge of our times. He highlighted the collaborative spirit and the diverse energies that came together to make this symposium a success.

    Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary (MoEFCC), expressed heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished speakers, experts, and panelists for sharing their knowledge and insights. He urged everyone to continue working with renewed focus and dedication, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and determination in addressing climate challenges.

    The symposium concluded with a strong message for continued dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts. As India moves toward its centenary of independence, the outcomes of this symposium could contribute while shaping appropriate policies and measures for building a climate-resilient future for the nation.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Lead Nationwide ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ from Lucknow; Kishore Jena, PEFI Pledge Support to Fight Obesity

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 4:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Intensifying the fight against obesity, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will be taking part in the nationwide movement ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ on 23rd March 2025. Union Minister will be joined by Honourable Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel and Uttar Pradesh Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Girish Chandra Yadav.

    Dr. Mandaviya will ride a bicycle for 3 kilometres from Marine Drive (Samajik Parivartan Sthal) to Samta Mulak Chauraha to 1090 Chauraha and back, leading a group of more than 400 cyclists, spreading Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of fighting obesity and indulging in a healhthy and active lifestyle.

    Elsewhere, Asian Games medal-winning javelin thrower Kishore Jena will be participating in the cycling movement at picturesque Aksa Beach in Mumbai with members of Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) taking part in the initiative in New Delhi.

    Till now, the nationwide cycling drive has been organised across 4200 locations with approximate participation of 2 lakh individuals. The movement also promotes environment-friendly practices to decrease air pollution levels across the country. The initiative is being conducted across multiple States & Union Territories with participation from cycling enthusiasts, athletes, coaches, sports science experts, amongst others.

    Previously, the cycling event witnessed participation of Indian Army jawans, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and prominent sports stars like Lovlina Borgohain, Sangram Singh, Shanky Singh, Nitu Ghanghas, Saweety Boora, Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Rubina Francis and Simran Sharma (para world champion) apart from celebrities like Rahul Bose, Amit Sial and Gul Panag, to name a few.

    The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), My Bikes and MY Bharat. Events are simultaneously held nationwide at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and the Khelo India centres (KICs).

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2114015) Visitor Counter : 39

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mobile exhibition vehicle celebrates 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong in community (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mobile exhibition vehicle celebrates 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong in community  
    The rich content of the mobile exhibition vehicle covers precious historical photos showing the situation of droughts in 1960s and the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme, as well as the work of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong to safeguard the quality and security of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong. Moreover, virtual reality and quiz games are set up to help deepen the public’s understanding of the history, development and current situation of the Dongjiang water supply in an interactive way. Souvenirs on the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong will be delivered as well.
     
    The mobile exhibition vehicle will tour about 20 locations across the territory starting from today until April 13 (details in Annex). The vehicle was parked outside Kwai Chung Plaza, Kwai Fong, and Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan (outside KOLOUR • Tsuen Wan), today.
     
    Moreover, the WSD launched school roadshows this school year on “Dongjiang Water 60-Year Anniversary: Dongjiang Water and Water Conservation” under the “Cherish Water Campus” Integrated Education Programme, aiming to deepen teachers and students’ understanding of the history and the current situation of Dongjiang water supply as well as the nation’s immense support and care rendered to Hong Kong. The roadshows also help students to understand the importance of water conservation and nurture students to establish good water-saving habits. The roadshows were well-received with over 100 applications enrolled, expecting that more than 20 000 teachers and students will be benefited.
    Issued at HKT 17:27

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: All Queensland state schools on a path to full and fair funding

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    The Albanese Government has reached an agreement with the Crisafulli Government to put all state schools in Queensland on a path to full and fair funding.
     
    Today’s agreement means that all public and state schools in the country are on a path to full and fair funding and all jurisdictions in Australia have now signed on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.
     
    As part of the Heads of Agreement signed today, the Commonwealth will provide an additional 5 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to Queensland.
     
    This will lift the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the SRS by 2034.
     
    This will see an estimated $2.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to Queensland state schools over the next 10 years.

    This agreement will see the biggest injection of funding ever delivered for Queensland state schools.
     
    As part of the Agreement, Queensland will remove the provision allowing them to claim 4 per cent of state school funding for indirect school costs such as capital depreciation and replace it with 4 per cent of recurrent funding on eligible expenses.
     
    Commonwealth funding will be tied to the reforms needed to lift education standards across the country, including more individualised support for students.

    This is not a blank cheque. The Agreement signed today will be followed by a Queensland Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, such as: 

    • Year 1 phonics and early years of schooling numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help.
    • evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind.
    • initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to health professionals.
    • access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning, and
    • initiatives that improve the attraction and retention of teachers and reduce teacher and school leader workload.

    In addition to these reforms, the Agreements have targets, including that by 2030 the proportion of students finishing high school will be the highest it has ever been. Other targets include:

    • Reducing the proportion of students in the NAPLAN ‘Needs Additional Support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent.
    • Increasing the proportion of students in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030 and trend upwards for priority equity cohorts in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels.
    • Increasing the Student Attendance Rate, nationally, to 91.4 per cent (2019 level) by 2030.
    • Increasing the engagement rate (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7 per cent by 2035.
    • Increasing the proportion of students leaving school with a Year 12 certificate by 7.5 percentage points (nationally) by 2030.

     This means more help for students and more support for teachers.
     
    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
     
    “Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation.
     
    “That’s why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn and participate in school.
     
    “We know that education opens the doors of opportunity, and we want to widen them for every child in Australia.
     
    “This is about investing in real reform with real funding – so Australian children get the best possible education.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier David Crisafulli:
     
    “We’re proud to have secured the biggest funding boost ever delivered to Queensland state schools, because that’s what our children deserve.
     
    “This funding will raise the bar in classrooms across Queensland, giving our students a world class education and the support needed to succeed.
     
    “We are backing our schools and teachers so they can boost participation rates and unlock our kids full potential.
     
    “We are putting Queensland children on the path to a better education, so they can have a better future.”
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
     
    “This is a big day for Queensland state schools.
     
    “I want to pay tribute to Premier Crisafulli and Minister Langbroek for their commitment to getting this done.
     
    “This is real funding tied to real reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.

    “It’s not a blank cheque. I want this money to get results.

    “That’s why funding will be directly tied to reforms that we know work.

    “It will help make sure every child gets a great start in life. What every parent wants. And what every Australian child deserves.” 
     
    Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Education and The Arts John-Paul Langbroek:
     
    “I want to thank Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Clare for their perseverance throughout negotiations and their collaborative efforts to get this deal done.
     
    “These agreements truly signify a fresh start for Queensland state schools, we know this funding is needed across the state and I will work with my Department to put this money to best use in every aspect of our education system.
     
    “The education outcome targets within this agreement also reaffirm our commitment at a state level to ensure all Queensland children have access to a world-class education.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor gains big lead in a Morgan poll, but drops back in YouGov

    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 Morgan poll, conducted March 10–16 from a sample of 2,097, gave Labor a 54.5–45.5 lead by headline respondent preferences, a three-point gain for Labor since the March 3–9 Morgan poll. This is Labor’s largest lead in a Morgan poll since August 2023.

    Primary votes were 34% Coalition (down three), 32.5% Labor (up 2.5), 13.5% Greens (steady), 5% One Nation (steady), 10.5% independents (steady) and 4.5% others (up 0.5). By 2022 election flows, Labor led by 54.5–45.5, a 2.5-point gain for Labor.

    By 50.5–35, respondents thought the country was going in the wrong direction (51.5–33 previously). However, Morgan’s consumer confidence index slid 3.1 points to 83.8, its lowest this year.

    Voters were blaming Donald Trump for the stock market falls, and this was hurting the Coalition. The stock market had a better week last week, but Trump is likely to impose more tariffs on April 2.

    Morgan is a volatile poll that reacts more to news events than other polls. This poll was taken in the week Trump imposed his steel and aluminium tariffs on Australia. It’s likely that this poll is a pro-Labor outlier, with other polls not giving Labor big leads. Here is the poll graph.

    The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas wrote on March 17 that a Talbot Mills poll, conducted March 6–12 from a sample of 1,051, asked about Trump’s ratings with Australians for his performance as US president.

    Trump was down six points since February to net -14 approval (51% disapprove, 37% approve). There was a six-point increase in strongly disapprove to 40%, with strongly approve down one to 15%. By 65–22, respondents disapproved of the US imposing tariffs on Australia.

    Coalition gains in YouGov poll for a 50–50 tie

    A national YouGov poll, conducted March 14–19 from a sample of 1,500, had a 50–50 tie, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the March 7–13 YouGov poll.

    Primary votes were 37% Coalition (up one), 31% Labor (steady), 13% Greens (down 0.5), 7% One Nation (down 0.5), 1% Trumpet of Patriots (steady), 8% independents (down one) and 3% others (up one). YouGov is using weaker preference flows for Labor than occurred in 2022, and this poll would give Labor about a 51.5–48.5 lead by 2022 flows.

    Albanese’s net approval was down three points to -9, with 50% dissatisfied and 41% satisfied. Dutton’s net approval was up one point to -5. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 45–40 (45–39 previously).

    Essential poll tied at 47–47 but Albanese’s ratings jump

    A national Essential poll, conducted March 12–16 from a larger than normal sample of 2,256, had a 47–47 tie including undecided by respondent preferences (48–47 to the Coalition in early March).

    Primary votes were 35% Coalition (steady), 29% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (down one), 8% One Nation (steady), 1% Trumpet of Patriots (steady compared with UAP), 9% for all Others (down one) and 6% undecided (up one). By 2022 preference flows, this poll would give Labor about a 50.5–49.5 lead, a 0.5-point gain for the Coalition.

    Albanese’s net approval jumped nine points to +1, with 46% approving and 45% disapproving. This is Albanese’s first positive net approval in Essential since October 2023. Dutton’s net approval dropped two points to -5, his worst since January 2024.

    By 48–35, respondents thought Australia was on the wrong track (49–34 previously).

    On climate change, 54% (down five since October 2021) said “climate change is happening and is caused by human activity”, while 35% (up five) thought “we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate”. This is the lowest lead for human activity in Essential’s graph which goes back to 2016.

    On addressing climate change, 35% (up two since November) thought Australia is not doing enough, 34% (down three) doing enough and 19% (steady) doing too much.

    By 39–30, voters opposed the Coalition’s policy of removing working from home provisions for public service workers. By 39–33, voters opposed Australia sending troops to Ukraine.

    By 53–33, voters thought Trump’s presidency would have a negative impact on the US economy, by 62–24 negative for the global economy and by 61–20 negative for the Australian economy.

    Labor gains lead in a Redbridge poll

    A national Redbridge poll, conducted March 3–11 from a sample of 2,007, gave Labor a 51–49 lead, a 2.5-point gain for Labor since the previous Redbridge poll in early February. Primary votes were 37% Coalition (down three), 32% Labor (up one), 12% Greens (up one) and 19% for all Others (up one).

    By 51–29, respondents thought things were headed in the wrong direction (49–32 in November 2024).

    There has been more criticism of AUKUS from the left since Trump’s election, but by 51–19 respondents said AUKUS makes Australia safer (49–19 in July 2024). There was pro-AUKUS movement on other questions.

    Polls in Greens target seats

    The Poll Bludger reported last Tuesday on polls of seats either held by the Greens or plausible targets for them. These polls were taken by Insightfully for the right-wing Advance, and first reported by the News Corp tabloids. Sample sizes were 600 per seat with no fieldwork dates provided. Seat polls are unreliable.

    The Greens hold three Queensland federal seats (Griffith, Ryan and Brisbane), and one Victorian seat (Melbourne). On the primary votes provided, the Greens would retain Griffith, Ryan would be line-ball between the Greens and Liberal National Party. Brisbane would be gained by Labor.

    In Victoria, the Greens would hold Melbourne and gain Macnamara from Labor, while Labor would retain Wills against a Greens challenge.

    Unemployment steady despite jobs fall

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported last Thursday that the unemployment rate was 4.1% in February, unchanged from January. This was despite a 52,800 decrease in jobs that didn’t affect unemployment owing to a lower participation rate.

    The employment population ratio (the percentage of eligible Australians that are employed) was down 0.3% since a record high in January to 64.1%.

    WA election final lower house seats

    At the March 8 Western Australian election, Labor won 46 of the 59 lower house seats (down seven from the record landslide in 2021), the Liberals seven (up five) and the Nationals six (up two). Comparing this election with 2017, which was a big win for Labor, Labor is up five seats, the Liberals down six and the Nationals up one.

    In 2017, Labor won 69.5% of lower house seats, in 2021 90% and in 2025 78%. If the WA lower house had as many seats as the federal House of Representatives (150), Labor would have won over 100 seats in all three elections.

    In the upper house, 75.7% of enrolled voters has been counted, compared with 82.7% in the lower house. On current figures, Labor is likely to win 16 of the 37 seats, the Liberals ten, the Greens four, the Nationals two, and One Nation, Legalise Cannabis and Australian Christians one each.

    Two seats are unclear, with an independent group (0.47 quotas) and Animal Justice (0.45) just ahead of One Nation’s second candidate (0.40). As the count has progressed, the Liberals have dropped and the Greens have risen. ABC election analyst Antony Green said the inclusion of below the line votes could put Labor’s 16th seat in doubt, with the Greens possibly winning five seats.

    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. Labor gains big lead in a Morgan poll, but drops back in YouGov – https://theconversation.com/labor-gains-big-lead-in-a-morgan-poll-but-drops-back-in-yougov-252380

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show to close tomorrow (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show to close tomorrow  
         After the show, flowers that are in good condition and suitable for replanting will be distributed to the public at 9am on March 24 at the park’s South Pavilion Plaza (near the Sugar Street entrance). It is estimated that about 3 500 pots will be distributed, subject to conditions of the plants. Each person will be given one pot only on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. To help protect the environment, members of the public are encouraged to bring their own bags.
     
         During the flower show period, various recreational fringe activities have been held at the showground. One of the activities, the Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, held its prize presentation ceremony today (March 22). Winning entries are now on display at the showground.
     
         The competition was conducted in five categories and the champions are as follows:
     
    Junior Section in Primary School:
    Lee Mung-lam from Lee Chi Tat Memorial School
    Senior Section in Primary School:
    Fang Yun-wei from Y.C.H. Choi Hin To Primary School
    Junior Section in Secondary School:
    Li Yi-wan from Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School
    Senior Section in Secondary School:
    Deng Man-yuen from C.C.C. Mong Man Wai College
    Tertiary Institution Section:
    Huang Wei-cheng from Hong Kong Design Institute
     
         In addition, National Games Exhibition and fun-filled family programmes are being held on the park’s central lawn. They include balloon-twisting, magic shows, bouncy slide, Jockey Club Community Green Playground, green activities workshops as well as the newly added busking performances. For the schedule of the activities, please refer to the webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/activities.html 
         Meanwhile, the flower show is hosting an online voting campaign called “My Most Favourite Garden Plot” (    www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/voting.html 
         The flower show is running until March 23 from 9am to 9pm daily. For more details and its admission fee arrangements, please visit the webpage     www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2025/index.html 
         The flower show is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported the flower show since 2013 and has been its major sponsor since 2014.
     
    Issued at HKT 12:20

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New northside hospital early delivery partner

    Source: Australian National Party

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 24/03/2025

    The ACT Government’s northside hospital project has taken another step forward with the appointment of Multiplex as the early delivery partner to support continued work on design and planning to enable construction commencement in this term of Government.

    Following the successful delivery of the more than $640 million Canberra Hospital Expansion, the ACT Government is pleased to be partnering with Multiplex again to deliver the next stage of the northside hospital project that will transform the North Canberra Hospital campus.

    This $1 billion investment will be the largest health infrastructure project ever undertaken in the ACT, delivering a new state-of-the-art hospital for Canberra’s north.

    A competitive tender was undertaken in 2024 to secure a contractor early in the process, building on the Early Contractor Involvement approach taken in the Canberra Hospital Expansion project.

    As the successful tenderer, Multiplex will work collaboratively with the project team and ensure the best advice is available to inform infrastructure planning and design for the new hospital.

    Multiplex brings extensive hospital construction experience, having successfully completed key health projects across Australia, including Canberra Hospital’s Critical Services Building, greenfield developments, research facilities, and major site refurbishments.

    As delivery partners, Multiplex takes a holistic approach, and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with clients early in the design and planning phase to bring construction expertise to the table.

    The new northside hospital will be delivered alongside the continued transformation of the Canberra Hospital campus through the Canberra Hospital Master Plan and development of community health infrastructure projects including the new South Tuggeranong, Inner South, North Gungahlin and West Belconnen Health Centres, the new health precinct in Watson and the Tuggeranong hydrotherapy pool.

    These new and upgraded facilities will provide Canberra’s growing community with access to services in modern and sustainable health settings.

    The ACT Government and Multiplex will continue our strong collaboration with consumers, carers and the health workforce in designing high-quality hospital facilities as part of the Very Early Contractor Involvement contract, with the next phase of community consultation expected in mid-2025.

    More information on the Northside Hospital Project is at https://www.act.gov.au/builtforcbr/NorthsideHospital.

    While planning for the new hospital progresses, services will continue as usual at North Canberra Hospital, with the safety, health and wellbeing of consumers, visitors and staff remaining our top priority.

    Attribute to Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith:

    “The ACT Labor Government delivered the $640 million Canberra Hospital Expansion project in the last term of Government, which included the state-of-the-art Critical Services Building.

    “The more than $1 billion northside hospital will become the largest health infrastructure development undertaken in the Territory and this is an exciting milestone for the project.

    “Infrastructure Canberra and Multiplex will work closely with Canberra Health Services over the coming months to develop a concept design for this new state-of-the-art hospital for Canberra’s north, supporting our commitment to commencing construction in the term of Government.

    “Very early contractor involvement means we are bringing the delivery team together with the planning and design experts on the ground sooner to frame a vision for innovation, sustainability and exceptional clinical service delivery.

    “Through this partnership there will also be significant opportunity for consumers, carers, our health workforce and the broader community to work with us on the planning and design of a modern and well-connected health facility.

    Quotes attributable Multiplex NSW/ACT Regional Managing Director, David Ghannoum:

    “Multiplex is proud to be part of the planning for the Territory’s largest-ever investment in health infrastructure. We look forward to leveraging our expertise and working with hospital stakeholders to create a design that provides a purpose-built and world-class healthcare facility for Canberrans.

    “Having delivered the University of Canberra Public Hospital in 2017 and the Canberra Hospital Expansion in 2024, we are eager to reconnect with the community and will be implementing specific initiatives to support local employment and training.”

    – Statement ends –

    Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –