NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New programme to grow manufacturing workforce

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new pilot programme connecting high school students with New Zealand manufacturers has launched, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk has announced.

    “Manufacturing is a powerful economic player, contributing about 8.4 percent of New Zealand’s GDP and employing 10 percent of our workforce – but businesses are telling us skill shortages are curbing productivity,” Mr Penk says. 

    “Manufacturing can supercharge our economic growth and strengthen our competitive edge on the world stage, if the sector is given the right support to thrive and increase its exports.

    “That’s why our Government has teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to establish an ‘earn as you learn’ pilot in Waikato. This offers high school students hands-on experience with local manufacturers, while earning a qualification and a paycheque.

    “Students will spend two days in the classroom, three days working each week with a manufacturing business and leave with an NZ Certificate in Manufacturing Level 3. 

    “It’s fantastic to see educators and industry leaders, supported by government, coming together to tackle practical challenges businesses are facing, and providing young Kiwis with the opportunity to forge a pathway into a rewarding career.

    “This pilot is just one part of a broader partnership with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, focused on supporting the sector to grow, innovate and foster new talent.

    “I’m excited to follow the journeys of these students as they help shape the future of New Zealand manufacturing.”

    Note to editors: 

    • The pilot will run for the duration of the 2025 Secondary School / Polytech year.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Munich Security Conference concludes

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Journalists work at the media center of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded on Sunday amid strained transatlantic relations.

    “We have to fear that our common value base is not that common anymore,” Christoph Heusgen, chairman of the MSC, remarked on Sunday, pointing to the growing divide between Europe and the U.S., as he closed the three-day annual event.

    In the wake of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s controversial speech at the MSC, Heusgen expressed his gratitude that European politicians had “spoken out and reaffirmed the values and principles they are defending.”

    During this year’s meeting, participants, including around 60 heads of state and government and 150 ministers, discussed key global security challenges such as climate change, European security and regional conflicts.

    Yet, divisions persisted on issues like the Ukraine conflict and European defense, amid an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

    What set this year’s MSC apart was Vance’s comment regarding Europe’s democracy and free speech, which sparked widespread backlash and openly exposed the rift between the U.S. and its transatlantic allies, Xiao Qian, deputy head of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, told Xinhua.

    Heusgen emphasized the urgent need for shared norms and principles in a multipolar world. “This order is easy to disrupt, to destroy, but much harder to rebuild,” he noted.

    Highlighting the rising importance of the Global South, Heusgen concluded that over 30 percent of speakers at this year’s conference were from Africa, Asia, Latin America, ensuring their voices were heard in discussions on the evolving multipolar order.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China remains constructive force in changing world

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded on Sunday. In interviews with Xinhua, Chinese experts attending the MSC said the event addressed numerous emerging global uncertainties, while China reaffirmed its commitment to being a constructive force in a changing world.

    A security report was released ahead of the conference with a focus on multipolarization and its U.S. section noted that the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump “promises more selective, often unilateral, international engagement, only when narrowly construed US interests are at stake.”

    And it also stated that the administration’s “toying with the idea of coercively absorbing Greenland, Panama, and Canada” suggests it will not feel bound by key international norms.

    Wang Junsheng, a researcher at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the key focus of the conference was the uncertainties stemming from the Trump administration. He said the administration’s past statements and acts have indicated a disrespect for international order and a disruption of the existing international system.

    The report stated that the Trump administration’s indifference toward United Nations’ agencies and climate change will negatively impact the Global South countries.

    Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, said the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization not only undermined the authority and effectiveness of the global governance system but also dampened the momentum for multilateral cooperation. This, he argued, has deepened the fragmentation of the international order and hastened the world’s shift toward a more disordered state.

    During his speech at the MSC, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance criticized European countries, including Germany, on issues concerning democracy and immigration. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday criticized Vance for interfering in German politics. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday emphasized that Europe would not accept external imposition.

    Wang Junsheng said Vance’s speech was condescending, undermining the principle of equal exchanges between nations. He added that Vance’s blatant interference in Germany’s internal affairs violates other’s sovereignty and reflects unilateralism, which could provoke diplomatic tensions.

    Xiao Qian, deputy head of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, said Vance’s speech failed to address issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tariffs, disregarding the concerns of countries in Europe and beyond. European officials and scholars have expressed deep disappointment.

    Wang Junsheng said the Russia-Ukraine conflict remained a key issue at this year’s MSC. While the Trump administration has been pursuing a negotiated resolution, widespread concerns persist in Europe regarding the fairness and justice of the U.S. proposal, its potential to achieve lasting peace, and whether it primarily serves American interests.

    With regard to U.S. wielding the big stick of tariffs, Wang Yiwei said this move has undermined the global free trade regime and World Trade Organization rules, fueled trade protectionism and economic nationalism, disrupted global supply chains, and heightened uncertainties in the development of world economy.

    Addressing the “China in the World” session of the MSC, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged that China will remain a global stabilizing factor and a constructive force in the transformation of the world. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, elaborated on China’s four key views regarding multipolarity, including advocating equality among nations, respecting the rule of international law, practicing multilateralism, and upholding openness and win-win cooperation.

    The Chinese experts said Wang’s speech addressed concerns of all parties and provided the greatest certainty in this uncertain world. China’s proposal to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world was widely discussed and received high praise from attendees.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s congratulatory message to 38th AU summit draws warm responses

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows the buildings of the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, extending warm congratulations to African countries and people.

    Experts from African countries noted that the message highlights China’s unwavering commitment to China-Africa relations and its steadfast support for Africa’s independence, self-reliance and development.

    They said that China-Africa relations will continue to serve as a model of South-South cooperation, as the two sides work together on the path to modernization.

    Stronger Global South cooperation

    In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that over the past year, the AU has united and led African countries in vigorously advancing integration, actively responding to regional and global challenges and speaking in unison as the “voice of Africa.”

    Noting that these efforts have led to a continuous boost in Africa’s international status and influence, he sincerely wished African countries and people even greater success on their path to independence, self-reliance and development.

    Lerato D. Mataboge, the newly elected AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, could hardly contain her excitement during an interview.

    “We’re quite honored to receive the congratulatory message from President Xi. We all are quite proud of the China-Africa relationship over the years and the partnership in development,” Mataboge said.

    “President Xi’s congratulatory message on the ‘Global South’ is truly inspiring,” Ibrahim Gambari, a former Nigerian foreign minister, said after attending the opening ceremony of the AU summit.

    Gambari, who has made many trips to China, highlighted China’s role in strengthening the Global South’s influence, especially within the frameworks of the G20 and BRICS.

    “China was the first major country to openly support the AU’s entry into the G20, which ensures Africa’s voice is heard on the global stage,” he said.

    The 2025 AU summit, with the theme of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” reflects Africa’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and self-determined development.

    Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of foreign news at The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, said global governance structures have long been dominated by developed nations, often sidelining the interests of the Global South.

    By strengthening strategic partnerships with China and other emerging economies, Global South nations, including African countries, can navigate external pressures while pursuing self-reliant growth and sustainable modernization, he said.

    “There is no doubt that China has become the biggest champion of pragmatic multilateralism, coming up with proposals that have significantly transformed the world economy,” said Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan scholar on international relations.

    China-proposed initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, are designed to ensure that all nations share the benefits of peace and development, Cavince said.

    He noted that these efforts are particularly valuable for Global South nations, helping advance sustainable development, maintain regional stability and promote intercultural exchanges.

    Successful platforms, all-weather friends

    In his message, Xi said that the year 2024 saw a vigorous development of China-Africa relations.

    With the successful Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China and Africa have embarked on a new stage of jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, and stayed at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for humankind, Xi noted.

    Xi’s message not only affirms the joint efforts of the two sides in the past but also expresses hope for brighter prospects regarding China-Africa relations, said Marius Kudumo, a Namibian public policy analyst and international relations expert.

    China has made immense contributions to Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent cultivation as a major partner of the continent over the past years, he said.

    The message also resonated with Mathias Eric Owona Nguini, vice-rector of the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. He said that the FOCAC, which was established in 2000, marked a new phase of practical and friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

    The FOCAC has developed into an effective mechanism for China-Africa cooperation, and it has made remarkable gains in boosting mutual political trust and practical cooperation, benefiting the peoples of both sides, Nguini said.

    Roger Agana, managing director of News Ghana, said the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era exemplifies the fraternal bond between China and Africa.

    “China and Africa have been all-weather friends, that is to say, the two sides will always support and trust each other regardless of the chaos and vicissitudes; this brotherhood is unbreakable,” he said.

    Dennis Munene Mwaniki, executive director of the China-Africa Center at Kenya’s Africa Policy Institute, said that the concept of an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era reflects the deepening and multifaceted partnership between China and Africa.

    “It emphasizes a long-term, resilient and mutually beneficial relationship that transcends political and economic changes. It is not just about economic gains but also about creating a model of South-South cooperation that promotes peace, development and prosperity for all,” Mwaniki said.

    New journey of modernization

    In his congratulatory message, Xi expressed his readiness to work with African leaders to promote the implementation of the six proposals for jointly advancing modernization and 10 partnership actions, so as to bring more tangible results to benefit over 2.8 billion Chinese and Africans.

    “China has been quite a great contributor to infrastructure development on the African continent … I’m looking forward to further exploring the type of collaborations that we can have with China,” said Mataboge, the AU commissioner for infrastructure and energy.

    The six proposals and 10 partnership actions provide a structured framework for addressing key development challenges in Africa, said Zan Bi Claude Evariste, a researcher and lecturer at the University of San Pedro in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He suggested that to promote implementation, it is necessary to ensure the active participation of local governments, improve transparency, encourage the participation of the private sector, and establish a regular monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

    China’s zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for least-developed countries with diplomatic ties reflects its sincerity in fostering development and achieving win-win outcomes, said James Arrey Abangma, a political science professor at the University of Buea in Cameroon.

    The 10 partnership actions focus on the career development of African youth, help Africa cultivate a new generation of talents, and promote the long-term sustainable development of African countries, he said.

    China-Africa ties focus on infrastructure development, industrialization and people-to-people connectivity, fostering long-term sustainable growth, said Mgana.

    With the support of Chinese investment, Africa’s industrialization and agricultural modernization will enhance job creation, economic resilience and self-sufficiency, Mgana said.

    Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at the University of Buea in Cameroon, believed that sincerity, openness and mutual trust are the keys to China and Africa moving forward side by side.

    President Xi’s proposal to make sure “on the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind” has brought hope to the modernization of the Global South, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Generative AI is already being used in journalism – here’s how people feel about it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University

    Indonesia’s TVOne launched an AI news presenter in 2023. T.J. Thomson

    Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has taken off at lightning speed in the past couple of years, creating disruption in many industries. Newsrooms are no exception.

    A new report published today finds that news audiences and journalists alike are concerned about how news organisations are – and could be – using generative AI such as chatbots, image, audio and video generators, and similar tools.

    The report draws on three years of interviews and focus group research into generative AI and journalism in Australia and six other countries (United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Germany and France).

    Only 25% of our news audience participants were confident they had encountered generative AI in journalism. About 50% were unsure or suspected they had.

    This suggests a potential lack of transparency from news organisations when they use generative AI. It could also reflect a lack of trust between news outlets and audiences.

    Who or what makes your news – and how – matters for a host of reasons.

    Some outlets tend to use more or fewer sources, for example. Or use certain kinds of sources – such as politicians or experts – more than others.

    Some outlets under-represent or misrepresent parts of the community. This is sometimes because the news outlet’s staff themselves aren’t representative of their audience.

    Carelessly using AI to produce or edit journalism can reproduce some of these inequalities.

    Our report identifies dozens of ways journalists and news organisations can use generative AI. It also summarises how comfortable news audiences are with each.

    The news audiences we spoke to overall felt most comfortable with journalists using AI for behind-the-scenes tasks rather than for editing and creating. These include using AI to transcribe an interview or to provide ideas on how to cover a topic.

    But comfort is highly dependent on context. Audiences were quite comfortable with some editing and creating tasks when the perceived risks were lower.

    The problem – and opportunity

    Generative AI can be used in just about every part of journalism.

    For example, a photographer could cover an event. Then, a generative AI tool could select what it “thinks” are the best images, edit the images to optimise them, and add keywords to each.

    Computer software can try to recognise objects in images and add keywords, leading to potentially more efficient image processing workflows.
    Elise Racine/Better Images of AI/Moon over Fields, CC BY

    These might seem like relatively harmless applications. But what if the AI identifies something or someone incorrectly, and these keywords lead to mis-identifications in the photo captions? What if the criteria humans think make “good” images are different to what a computer might think? These criteria may also change over time or in different contexts.

    Even something as simple as lightening or darkening an image can cause a furore when politics are involved.

    AI can also make things up completely. Images can appear photorealistic but show things that never happened. Videos can be entirely generated with AI, or edited with AI to change their context.

    Generative AI is also frequently used for writing headlines or summarising articles. These sound like helpful applications for time-poor individuals, but some news outlets are using AI to rip off others’ content.

    AI-generated news alerts have also gotten the facts wrong. As an example, Apple recently suspended its automatically generated news notification feature. It did this after the feature falsely claimed US murder suspect Luigi Mangione had killed himself, with the source attributed as the BBC.

    What do people think about journalists using AI?

    Our research found news audiences seem to be more comfortable with journalists using AI for certain tasks when they themselves have used it for similar purposes.

    For example, the people interviewed were largely comfortable with journalists using AI to blur parts of an image. Our participants said they used similar tools on video conferencing apps or when using the “portrait” mode on smartphones.

    Likewise, when you insert an image into popular word processing or presentation software, it might automatically create a written description of the image for people with vision impairments. Those who’d previously encountered such AI descriptions of images felt more comfortable with journalists using AI to add keywords to media.

    Popular word processing and presentation software can automatically generate alt-text descriptions for images that are inserted into documents or presentations.
    T.J. Thomson

    The most frequent way our participants encountered generative AI in journalism was when journalists reported on AI content that had gone viral.

    For example, when an AI-generated image purported to show Princes William and Harry embracing at King Charles’s coronation, news outlets reported on this false image.

    Our news audience participants also saw notices that AI had been used to write, edit or translate news articles. They saw AI-generated images accompanying some of these. This is a popular approach at The Daily Telegraph, which uses AI-generated images to illustrate many of its opinion columns.

    The Daily Telegraph frequently turns to generative AI to illustrate its opinion columns, sometimes generating more photorealistic illustrations and sometimes less photorealistic ones.
    T.J. Thomson

    Overall, our participants felt most comfortable with journalists using AI for brainstorming or for enriching already created media. This was followed by using AI for editing and creating. But comfort depends heavily on the specific use.

    Most of our participants were comfortable with turning to AI to create icons for an infographic. But they were quite uncomfortable with the idea of an AI avatar presenting the news, for example.

    On the editing front, a majority of our participants were comfortable with using AI to animate historical images, like this one. AI can be used to “enliven” an otherwise static image in the hopes of attracting viewer interest and engagement.

    A historical photograph from the State Library of Western Australia’s collection has been animated with AI (a tool called Runway) to introduce motion to the still image.
    T.J. Thomson

    Your role as an audience member

    If you’re unsure if or how journalists are using AI, look for a policy or explainer from the news outlet on the topic. If you can’t find one, consider asking the outlet to develop and publish a policy.

    Consider supporting media outlets that use AI to complement and support – rather than replace – human labour.

    Before making decisions, consider the past trustworthiness of the journalist or outlet in question, and what the evidence says.

    T.J. Thomson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is an affiliate with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making & Society.

    Michelle Riedlinger receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Global Journalism Innovation Lab. She is an affiliate with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making & Society.

    Phoebe Matich receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a post-doctoral research fellow within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society.

    Ryan J. Thomas 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. Generative AI is already being used in journalism – here’s how people feel about it – https://theconversation.com/generative-ai-is-already-being-used-in-journalism-heres-how-people-feel-about-it-247232

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Changes to syphilis testing during pregnancy

    Source: Government of Victoria 3

    Key messages

    • The recommendations for syphilis testing during pregnancy have been updated to align with new national guidance.
    • All pregnant people in Victoria should be tested for syphilis at least 3 times during pregnancy – at the first antenatal visit, 26 to 28 weeks and 36 weeks or birth, whichever is earlier. This represents a change from previous testing in pregnancy in Victoria which occurred once at the first antenatal visit, with additional tests recommended for people in high-risk groups.
    • In addition, any pregnant person presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of a sexually transmissible infection (STI) or who has been exposed to an STI, should be tested for syphilis.
    • Congenital syphilis has re-emerged in Victoria since 2017, with 19 cases notified between 2017 and 2024.
    • Congenital syphilis can result in stillbirth, prematurity, and other adverse consequences in affected babies.
    • Congenital syphilis can be prevented with appropriate treatment and follow-up. Babies born to mothers who were diagnosed with syphilis during pregnancy require specialist follow-up.
    • Birthing hospitals must be made aware of a mother’s syphilis infection, even if it has been treated.
    • Preventing congenital syphilis requires vigilance and active follow-up on the part of clinicians.

    What is the issue?

    Cases of congenital syphilis represent a serious and preventable public health problem which has re-emerged in Victoria since 2017 with a total of 19 cases of congenital syphilis, including 10 deaths. Prior to 2017, only 2 congenital cases were notified in the preceding 25 years. This has occurred along with an increase in infectious syphilis among women and men of reproductive age (15 to 49 years of age) over the past 8 years with the highest number of notifications in Victoria occurring in 2023 (2,778 cases).

    Syphilis occurring in pregnancy requires prompt treatment and follow-up to prevent serious adverse consequences in the baby.

    Eliminating congenital syphilis requires active screening of all pregnant people, early case detection, timely and appropriate treatment, and adequate follow-up of pregnant people, their babies, and their sexual partners.

    National guidelines have recently been updated to recommend a minimum of 3 syphilis tests for every pregnant person during each pregnancy: at the first antenatal visit, at 26 to 28 weeks, and at 36 weeks or birth (whichever is earlier). See Syphilis – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health UnitsExternal Link, updated 5 November 2024, for further information.

    Who is at risk?

    All sexually active people are at risk of syphilis. The following groups are at increased risk of syphilis during pregnancy:

    • those who have multiple sexual partners
    • sexual partners of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
    • those who use drugs
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • those presenting with any other STIs during pregnancy.

    Symptoms and transmission

    Congenital syphilis occurs as a result of transplacental transmission during pregnancy or from mother to baby during birth. A person with syphilis can remain infectious during the primary, secondary and early latent periods of the clinical course, usually for up to 2 years from the time of infection acquisition if left untreated.

    Primary syphilis is typically characterised by an ulcerative and painless lesion (chancre) located at the site of inoculation. A headache, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, fever, sore throat, rash, mucocutaneous lesions and condylomata lata (raised, whitish or grey, flat-topped lesions found in warm moist areas like the mouth, genitals or anus) may occur in secondary syphilis, while early latent syphilis is no longer symptomatic.

    Congenital syphilis can result in stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight or neonatal death. Babies born with congenital syphilis can appear normal at birth but develop a wide range of clinical manifestations by 2 months of age.

    Late manifestations of congenital syphilis can appear from 2 years after birth and include central nervous system abnormalities, eye and hearing problems, and bone or teeth abnormalities.

    Recommendations

    For health professionals

    Testing during pregnancy

    • The recommendations for universal syphilis testing during pregnancy have changed in Victoria. It is recommended that clinicians test all pregnant people a minimum of 3 times:
      • at the first antenatal visit
      • at 26 to 28 weeks and
      • at 36 weeks or birth (whichever is earlier).
    • Indicate pregnancy status on the requesting pathology slip clinical notes.
    • Repeat syphilis testing in all pregnant people presenting with signs or symptoms of any other STIs.
    • Neonates must not be discharged without confirming that the mother’s syphilis status has been documented at least once during pregnancy. If in doubt, maternal syphilis serology should be ordered at birth.
    • Primary laboratories are requested to forward to VIDRL all specimens from pregnant people with positive syphilis serology, for reference testing. This enables VIDRL to perform parallel testing of samples throughout the entire pregnancy and at birth, thus addressing intra and inter-laboratory variability and better informing risk assessment and treatment decisions.

    Management of pregnant people and their contacts

    • Notify all cases of syphilis to the Department of Health.
    • All cases of syphilis in pregnancy require close cooperation between GPs, laboratories, and specialist clinics to ensure the pregnant woman and their baby are treated appropriately.
    • Actively follow up pregnant people who do not attend for testing. Ensure pregnant people are not lost to follow-up. Local Public Health Units and the Department’s Partner Notification Officers (see below) can assist with cases lost to follow-up.
    • Any pregnant person diagnosed with syphilis requires prompt and appropriate treatment with long acting (benzathine) penicillin. Short acting formulations such as benzylpenicillin are ineffective and should not be used.
    • Advice on appropriate management in pregnancy is available from Infectious Diseases physicians, or from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre doctors’ information line. Call 1800 009 903.
    • Sexual partners of people diagnosed with syphilis during pregnancy should be tested and treated without waiting for test results, to prevent reinfection during pregnancy.
    • All babies born to mothers diagnosed with syphilis in pregnancy will require follow-up and testing overseen by a specialist paediatric clinic such as those at the Royal Children’s Hospital or the Monash Children’s hospital.

    Partner notification

    • Ensure timely testing and treatment of partners to prevent reinfection. Refer to another service if required.
    • Local Public Health Units and the Partner Notification Officers from the Department of Health are available to assist in contacting the sexual partners of any patient diagnosed with an STI, including syphilis. This is a confidential service. Parter Notification Officers can be reached on (03) 9096 3367 or by email at contact.tracers@dhhs.vic.gov.au.
    • Partner notification tools are available to contact partners anonymously at Let Them KnowExternal Link.

    Education

    • Advise all people diagnosed with syphilis in pregnancy of the importance of adequate treatment and appropriate follow-up of mother and baby to prevent adverse health consequences in the baby.
    • Advise all pregnant people at risk of STIs of the importance of being tested for syphilis in both early and late pregnancy and of the importance of safer sex in preventing syphilis in pregnancy.
    • Advise all people diagnosed with syphilis on the importance of partner notification, testing, and treatment to prevent further infections. Offer active support with partner notification.
    • All pregnant people diagnosed with syphilis are at risk of reinfection if their current partners remain untested and untreated for syphilis.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Blast from the past: Sports reminiscence hits loneliness out of the park

    Source: University of South Australia

    17 February 2025

    From Australia’s historic victory in the 1983 America’s Cup to Freeman’s gold-medal sprint at the Sydney Olympics, sport has the unique ability to captivate and inspire us all.

    Now, a study by the University of South Australia is exploring the experiences and benefits of older people involved in a community reminiscence program – Sporting Memories Australia – tapping into their memories and experiences of sport in a move to address loneliness and social isolation.

    Working with SportsUnited, the program is actively connecting people over the age of 65 (many living with dementia) to discuss historic sporting events, participate in activities, and share memories from past decades. A knowledgeable facilitator guides the group and promotes inclusivity.

    Initial results from the study indicate wide-ranging positive impacts, with participants reporting that it helps them feel included, socially connected, and engaged.

    Participants say that the program lets them talk freely about any topic, presenting them with opportunities to share and learn with others, a proven factor that stimulates cognitive functioning and social engagement.

    It’s a valuable finding given Australia’s ageing population, where current estimates indicate that 4.2 million Australians (16% of the population) are aged 65+.

    UniSA researcher Robert Laidlaw says the Sporting Memories Australia program is helping address the challenges of aging by providing a group setting for older people to develop new friendships through sharing memories.

    “Social isolation and loneliness have become a public health concern as people age. But while individual approaches such as psychological interventions and medications have been trialled, their effectiveness is limited,” Laidlaw says.

    “Community group reminiscence programs have been developed as a novel approach to combat social isolation. In the Sporting Memories Australia program, we bring a group of older people together to talk about past sporting events.

    “Some of the participants may be socially isolated or lonely, while others struggle with anxiety, depression or even have mild cognitive changes. But together, we engage everyone though a range of inclusive and fun activities including games, quizzes, memorabilia, guest speakers and trips to sporting venues.”

    The program, originally developed in the United Kingdom, aims to attract people with an interest in sport who are living with cognitive changes, loneliness, and/or depression.

    Co-researcher, UniSA’s Dr Richard McGrath, says that in addition to the health and social benefits, participants value the opportunity to learn about and from each other as they play games and share stories.

    “Learning is important for older people because it fosters an active and enquiring mind while promoting social interaction and broadening their horizons,” he says.

    “The benefits of the Sporting Memories Australia program can do wonders for a person’s general quality of life – mentally, socially, and physically. And anything that support a positive mind and spirit is good for our health and wellbeing – and that goes regardless of our age.”

    Sporting Memories Australia holds fortnightly and monthly sessions across seven South Australian locations. To find out more visit: https://www.sportsunited.org.au/sporting-memories-australia.html 

    Notes to editors

    The full paper –‘A qualitative study of a Sporting Memories program in South Australia: belonging, participation, and social connection’ is published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health with contributions from: Robert Laidlaw, Dr Richard McGrath, Prof Saravana Kumar, Dr Caroline Adams and Dr Carolyn M. Murray.

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

    Contacts for interview: Dr Richard McGrath E: Richard.McGrath@unisa.edu.au

    Robert Laidlaw M: +61 407 979 163 E: robert.laidlaw@mymail.unisa.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: $15.7 million in additional funding to combat family violence in Tasmania

    Source: Australian Ministers for Social Services

    Joint with:

    The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
    Minister for Social Services 
    Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
    Member for Kingston
     

    The Hon Jo Palmer MLC 
    Minister for Education
    Minister for Disability Services
    Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence

    The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with the Tasmanian Liberal Government to provide additional funding for frontline services under a renewed five-year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses (FDSV National Partnership).

    Working collaboratively to end gender-based violence, the renewed National Partnership will see the Tasmanian and Federal Government’s equally contribute to invest $15.7 for critical Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence programs in Tasmania from July 2025.

    This brings the total allocation of Commonwealth National Partnership funding to $23.4 million for Tasmania since 2022.

    Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said the renewed partnership demonstrates the strong commitment the Commonwealth and state and territory governments have to ending gender-based violence in Australia. 

    “By working together at a state and federal level, we are taking significant strides to make Australia safe for all women and children,” Minister Rishworth said.

    “The renewed National Partnership provides longer term funding guarantees for Tasmanian family, domestic and sexual violence services, resulting in victim-survivors receiving ongoing access to supports needed to build a life free from violence.

    “Added assistance on the frontlines of the fight against family, domestic and sexual violence will not only improve lives, but save them.”

    Across all jurisdictions, the National Partnership will deliver $700 million in new, matched investments from the Commonwealth and states and territories, supporting frontline FDSV services, including specialist services for women and children exposed to FDSV, and men’s behaviour change programs.

    Tasmanian Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Jo Palmer, said the additional funding is an important step forward in meeting the needs of victim-survivors across Tasmania. 

    “We are committed to working side by side with the Australian Government to end family, domestic and sexual violence in Tasmania and to ensure our State gets the support it needs over the coming years,” Minister Palmer said. 

    “All Tasmanians should not only feel safe in their communities and their homes, they should be safe, and this additional investment will help ensure essential services and programs can be delivered across the State.”

    The Tasmanian Government investment is in addition to its $100 million commitment to implement measures through Tasmania’s Third Family and Sexual Violence Action 2022-2027: Survivors at the Centre. 

    More information on the FDSV National Partnership Agreement is available on the Federal Financial Relations website.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services:

    • Available 24/7: Call, text or online chat
    • Mon-Fri, 9am – midnight AEST (except national public holidays): Video call (no appointment needed) 

    If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au

    Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Gamified building sites provide safer, more accessible learning opportunities for UniSA students

    Source: University of South Australia

    17 February 2025

    Construction education is being transformed with immersive virtual learning environments, allowing University of South Australia students to safely and freely navigate building sites and connect theory to practice.

    The virtual site visits create a realistic digital environment where architecture and construction students can explore the complexity of construction sites from a first-person perspective, like a video game.

    Through the UniSA-developed SiteSeer program, students experience the full fabrication process and learn to translate two-dimensional plans into three-dimensional structures, bridging the gap between plans and built reality.

    UniSA Senior Lecturer: Architecture Dr Sean Pickersgill says the development of the gamified platform was born out of the logistical challenges often faced by academics when co-ordinating physical construction site visits as part of students’ practical learning.

    “Organising physical site visits for students is challenging because there’s no way to ensure that all students receive the same experience without organising a site visit for the entire class. This is where co-ordination challenges arise because there’s no guarantee that a construction site’s schedule will align with the students’ learning progress,” he says.

    “Then there’s the organisational complexity of arranging student access to construction sites which requires significant liaison with builders and there’s also safety and liability concerns with having students on site.

    “There’s also the difficulty of students’ travelling to building sites, sometimes outside of regular teaching hours. For some students it’s impractical, especially if they rely on public transport or have long commute times, and because of that in the past we’ve observed higher absentee rates as students are reluctant to attend.

    In response to these complexities, four UniSA academics developed an original digital platform, called OnSite, in 2015. Capturing five stages of the construction process – site set out, slab, single-storey wall framing, double-storey wall framing and roof framing.

    The project evolved over the next decade, with more than 1000 first year students engaging in the gamified platform as part of a first-year introductory course on Australian construction practices.

    In 2024, OnSite advanced into a new digital model, SiteSeer, containing more than 70 distinct phases of the construction process of a small, double-storey studio. A mixture of timber frame and brick veneer, the new structure demonstrates a broad scope of construction phases a first-year student is expected to understand.

    The newest current version achieves an even greater level of simulated realism with detailed elements such as bins, vegetation and tools providing an additional aspect of authenticity to the experience.

    Dr Pickersgill says construction and architecture students observing real-world methods echoes the apprenticeship model where trade skills are learned alongside skilled craftspeople.

    “Tertiary architecture and building degrees face challenges in providing this first-hand experience due to time restraints – but this foundational knowledge is critical,” he says. “SiteSeer is allowing students to explore every detail of the environment and gain an in-depth insight to each building stage, all within one seamless platform.

    “We’re diversifying and elevating learning in the digital age.”

    For more information on SiteSeer, read the research paper: Sean Pickersgill, Andrew Lymn-Penning, Damian Madigan, and Darcy Holmes. 2024. Virtual Site Visits through Gamification for AEC Students: Perspectives on Practice. In SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 Educator’s Forum (SA ’24). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 2, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1145/3680533.3697062

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

    Contact for interview: Dr Sean Pickersgill, Senior Lecturer: Architecture, UniSA E: Sean.Pickersgill@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 406 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Pacific Islands: Zone of peace or ocean of discontent? – Vic

    Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    A conference focused on Pacific politics is being hosted this week at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Entitled “Zone of peace or ocean of discontent?”, the event will run from 19-21 February 2025.

    The conference is taking place at a time when international geopolitical structures may be changing forever with far-reaching consequences. At the same time, there are internal political pressures in many Pacific nations.

    The conference programme centres on both geopolitical impacts on the region and on internal political issues. The event will bring together Pacific experts to discuss where the region is heading.

    The programme is available here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/strategic-studies/documents/PIPSA2025-Programme-10-02.pdf

    It is the first annual conference of the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Government partners with NRL and PCYC to keep kids on the right track

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 17 February 2025

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Sport

    The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build better regional communities and address concerning rates of regional youth crime with a new partnership with the National Rugby League  and PCYC to help keep kids on the right track. 

    Over $270,000 is being invested into the program which will see senior NRL players including Brad Fittler, PCYC staff and NSW Police representatives engaging with young people across a series of events including Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup games, PCYC centre events and Fit for Life sessions.

    Designed to support social cohesion, collaboration and skills building, the program will also engage young people in important conversations about mental health, physical fitness and nutrition.

    As the Government continues to pull every lever to increase community safety across regional NSW these programs will be rolled out in all corners of regional New South Wales, including Dubbo, Cessnock, Queanbeyan, the Central Coast, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.

    This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to engage young people and crackdown on crime across the state, which has included:

    • Amending the Bail Act to include an additional bail test for young people between 14 and 18 charged with committing a ‘serious break and enter offence’ or motor vehicle offence while on bail for a similar offence.
    • Creating a new ‘post and boast’ offence under the Crimes Act, criminalising the filming and disseminating of footage of certain serious offences to publicise or advertise the commission of that offence.
    • Paying recruits to attend the Goulburn Police Academy and welcoming 294 probational constables to the NSWPF ranks in December, the largest class to graduate in a decade.
    • Passing and enacting ‘Jacks Law’ which provides NSW Police with powers to scan people for knives without a warrant and raised the age from 16 to 18 for the sale of knives to young people.
    • Doubling the maximum penalty for certain knife crimes.

    Further, this follows the launch of Project Pathfinder last year, a partnership between the NSW Police Force, National Rugby League and Youth Justice NSW which provides at risk teenagers from regional areas with mentorships and opportunities to reach their full potential.

    Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

    “This is a great initiative and one the NSW Government is really proud to support.

    “We want our regional communities to be safe, which is why we are working around the clock to take every action we can from legislative reform, to supporting grassroots interventions.

    “Programs like this are vital to keeping kids engaged with their local community and on the right track.”

    Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:

    “The NSW Police and Government are doing everything we can to keep our regional communities safe – we don’t want to see anyone living in fear.

    “Our police are working around the clock to not only investigate crimes but to engage with young people and show them positive alternatives to crime.

    “I thank the NRL and PCYC for their continued support for our young people and regional communities.”

    Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

    “The NSW Government is putting resources into initiatives like this that are ready to go, and use methods which regional youth will relate to and engage with and then experience activities and learnings which can create conversations that help build a brighter future.

    “This partnership means more kids in regional NSW will have the opportunity to come together, learn, stay fit and grow through a shared love for rugby league.

    “This initiative is about opening doors for regional youth by turning sport into platforms for connection, resilience and community empowerment.”

    Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said:

    “The outcome of sport is so often greater than the scoreboard. Sporting communities in many cases are the heart of our regional communities and they can be great ways to engage our younger generations and promote positive role models.”

    Andrew Abdo, National Rugby League CEO said:

    “Rugby league changes lives and this new partnership will harness the power of government, community and sport to positively impact on young people across NSW.

    “Supporting youth in regional areas is important to us and this funding will help us reach even further into communities to provide opportunities and a support network to young people who need a helping hand.”

    Ben Hobby, Police Citizens Youth Club NSW (PCYC NSW) CEO said:

    ‘’The PCYC has a strong and enduring tradition of working with youth in regional areas across NSW, and we know how impactful the role models in the NRL can be to these communities – young people look up to these incredible athletes and sports stars.

    “We value our partnership with the Government and the NRL and know that having current and former players of the NRL and WNRL working with regional youth will be life-changing for the rising generation and the broader communities we support.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New sports high school for South-West Sydney

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 17 February 2025

    Released by: The Premier, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning

    The Minns Labor Government have delivered on another election commitment with Eagle Vale High School becoming Australia’s newest sports high school, as work continues to ensure families in Western Sydney have access to world class public education opportunities.

    The school’s Talented Sports Program kicked off on day one term one this year with 60 students who successfully competed in the athletic trials last year excelling across Rugby League, Basketball and Cricket.

    The delivery of this election commitment means for the first time families in the Macarthur region have a school on their doorstep catering for students excelling in sports alongside a strong academic program.

    Previously, aspiring athletes in the region had to travel up to an hour to pursue their athletic ambitions at their nearest sports high school.

    To support Eagle Vale High School’s students the NSW Government is funding multimillion-dollar upgrades to the school with new cricket nets and upgraded change rooms already delivered.

    Further upgrade works are also underway including for a new running track, resurfacing the school’s full-sized playing field, new lighting for the sports field, new pickleball courts, a new multipurpose hall, a new Health and PE Learning Hub and a new PE Fitness Laboratory.

    The Talented Sports Program has a proven track record of nurturing some of the country’s best up-and-coming athletes, including more than 170 national senior level representatives in NRL and AFL, and professional basketballers, golfers and surfers.  

    Successful alumni of NSW sports high schools include Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, former national cricket captain Michael Clarke, soccer greats Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy, and former Australian rugby league captain Boyd Cordner.

    This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education in NSW, ensuring families in growing Western Sydney communities have access to world-class schools, no matter their postcode. This ongoing work includes:

    • Investing a record $3.6 billion to deliver new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney
    • Delivering five new public schools across Western Sydney which welcomed students for the first time day one, term one 2025
    • Valuing the workforce by delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to NSW’s 95,000 teachers
    • Giving teachers job security by making 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent
    • Reducing teacher vacancies by 40 per cent, ensuring more students have a qualified teacher at the front of their classrooms.

    Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

    “No matter the postcode we want to ensure that children across New South Wales are given every opportunity to achieve their dreams.

    “This means kids in South-West Sydney will have a real opportunity to pursue their sporting aspirations without their parents having to commit to hours of travel each day.

    “For both budding athletes and their parents, this is a game changer.

    “There is such a strong sporting culture in this part of Sydney and it’s great that the opportunities available to local school children finally reflects that.”

    Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

    “The population in the Macarthur region is continuing to grow, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting young people to reach their potential in their local area.

    “Previously, Macarthur students had to travel an hour or more each way to access a Talented Sports Program. Now, these students can follow their sporting dreams in their local area.

    “Eagle Vale High will be a school where some of South-West Sydney’s most talented athletes get their start as possible future Olympic champions.”

    Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

    “It is fantastic to see the upgrade works underway at Eagle Vale High School.

    “Delivering a selective sports stream for the Macarthur community is giving talented young athletes from our local area more opportunities.

    “I cannot wait to see the dividends this investment delivers for our strong local sporting community.”

    Eagle Vale High School principal Craig Butler said:

    “The community is very excited about the new sports facilities. They think it’s wonderful that we’re supporting our kids and showing a commitment to the Macarthur area.

    “We are going to have kids who will become Olympic champions and professional athletes, but as a sports high school, we can allow them to manage their study so they don’t have to make a choice between academic success and sport.

    “The students know they are part of something special and talk about the school with pride.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Koji flour’ product will help reduce reliance on cocoa in popular foods

    Source: University of Abertay

    ‘Koji flour’ product will help reduce reliance on cocoa in popular foods

    A ground-breaking collaboration between Abertay University and a food biotechnology company has led to the development of an innovative solution to address the ongoing global cocoa shortage.

    Academics from Abertay’s Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences have collaborated with Fermtech, a food biotechnology firm based in Oxford, to create a game-changing ingredient called ‘Koji flour’.

    The new product enhances cocoa flavour and reduces the amount of cocoa required in popular chocolate foods like brownies, contributing to a more sustainable approach to food production.

    The team’s approach involves repurposing spent grains—byproducts from local breweries and distilleries – by using a natural ‘Koji’ fermentation technique, meaning Koji Flour requires no agricultural land to produce. 

    As a result, the team has demonstrated the capability to reduce cocoa usage in chocolate products by as much as 30%.

    With ongoing refinements, they anticipate achieving a 50% reduction this year, which will further help lower production costs, improve sustainability in the industry, and reduce dependence on cocoa for everyday products.  

    Andy Clayton, CEO of Fermtech, said:  

    At Fermtech, we are committed to redefining the way ingredients are sourced and used in food production to reduce the global carbon footprint. Our collaboration with Abertay University is an example of this approach, which has led to fantastic results. By using innovative fermentation techniques, Koji Flour delivers a 98% lower carbon footprint compared to cocoa and offers substantial cost savings to food producers. This is the circular economy in action, promoting a more responsible food system while enhancing flavours and reducing our reliance on imported ingredients.

    The project has been supported by funding from two key organisations: the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), which supports innovation in the bioeconomy, and Interface, which fosters collaboration between Scotland’s academic and business communities to drive economic, environmental, and social growth. 

    Alberto Fiore, Professor of Food Chemistry and Technology, said:  

    Natural processes such as fermentation play a crucial role in advancing food innovation. At Abertay, we are proud of our longstanding tradition of partnering with businesses like Fermtech to create innovative solutions that address sustainability and climate change challenges. This project highlights how sustainability can yield significant commercial, environmental, and health benefits, showing that by addressing global challenges, we can work together toward a brighter future for everyone.

    Cocoa is a key ingredient in many popular products, including chocolate, baked goods, and cosmetics. However, it is currently facing a shortage driven primarily by the effects of climate change on agricultural and food production systems worldwide.  

    Farmers are grappling with challenges such as drought and disease, both exacerbated by climate change, which has resulted in a significant 30% decline in cocoa yields. This crisis has led to prices soaring by over 250% in the past three years, causing consumers to increasingly face rising costs for everyday products, including chocolate. 

    Koji flour has attracted attention from both local and international companies, with trials currently taking place throughout Scotland and the UK. Food producers are keen to embrace this innovative technology to cut costs, stabilise product prices, and lessen their dependence on cocoa. 

    Kim Cameron, Senior Business Engagement Manager at IBioIC, added:  

    This project is a fantastic example of how biotechnology can address pressing global challenges like food security and climate change. By turning by-products from one industry into valuable resources for another, it not only supports a circular economy but also highlights the potential for creating more resilient supply chains. It is great to see fermentation techniques being used to reduce environmental impact and open up new opportunities for collaboration, further boosting Scotland’s bioeconomy.

    Howell Davies, Sector and Business Engagement Manager at Interface, said:  

    The catalyst funding has proven an invaluable resource to initiate business-academic relationships which bring value to the Scottish economy, such as Abertay University and Fermtech. It is fantastic to see this project develop and support the aim of net zero in the food and drink sector and shows how well-placed Scotland is to combine its assets with university expertise and facilities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows our own voice is recognised above others but that new voices can also be prioritised into our ‘sense of self’

    Source: University of Abertay

    Study shows our own voice is recognised above others but that new voices can also be prioritised into our ‘sense of self’

    Whether or not we like the sound of it, our ability to pick out our own voice is highly developed. 

    But new research from Abertay academics has now suggested that our brain can also quickly learn to recognise a second voice over others if we are asked to think of it as our own. 

    The study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, set out to explore how our brains process both our own voice and recorded voices we have been assigned ownership of, with a view to informing a wide range of potential uses such as assistive technologies for speech impaired people or customised voices in video games.  

    Through a series of voice recognition tasks, researchers first tested how effectively participants could recognise a recorded voice that had been assigned to them to think of as their own. 

    The group was asked to listen out for words spoken by the ‘new voice’ assigned to them, but also those labelled as belonging to a ‘stranger’ and ‘friend’.

    Even after a very brief exposure to the sound of their assigned new voice, participants immediately became better at recognising it over the others, suggesting their brain had quickly taken ownership and prioritised the sound.

    In a second part of the study, participants’ own voices were recorded and added to the task, with results showing these were always recognised fastest.

    Dr Neil Kirk of Abertay University’s Department of Sociological and Psychological Sciences, who led the research, said the findings could be further developed to inform a variety of products or services.

    He said:

    With the recent rise in voice cloning tools powered by artificial intelligence, our work suggests there may be benefits to using a person’s own voice in digital technologies designed to enhance self-representation. For example, there could be potential uses in assistive devices for people who have lost the ability to speak, or in interactive entertainment in the use of custom online avatars. There’s also an interesting question for further exploration around our ability to take on new voices as our own in the digital world, and the benefits or issues that may have, particularly as our online and real-world interactions become ever more entwined.

    Professor Sheila Cunningham who collaborated on the project said:

    We know that our brains give special attention to information that relates to ourselves in some way, like hearing our own name being spoken across a noisy room. These results show that this additional prioritisation seems to be able to extend to new voices that we feel a sense of ownership over, showing how adaptable our sense of self can be.

    The full study, ‘Listen to yourself! Prioritisation of self-associated and own voice cues’ is available here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – The Salesians celebrate the 25th anniversary of missions in Pakistan with a special focus on Akash Bashir

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Salesians Pakistan ANS

    Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – In the rural areas of Punjab, Pakistan, there are many peasant families who live off what they produce, who have only an agricultural income and many children. These families, including Christians and Muslims, are united by the problem of poverty. Often they cannot finance the education of their children, especially that of girls, who are culturally discriminated against and often prevented from completing their education or from taking up vocational training. This is the situation that the Salesian missionaries found themselves in when they arrived in the central region of Pakistan 25 years ago and decided to open a mission there. This is how an institution was born that is now very appreciated in the region and very popular with boys and girls, as the first Salesian priest ordained in Pakistan, Father Noble Lal (48), director of the “Don Bosco Technical Vocational School”, tells us today. The institute, which opened in Lahore in 2000, has trained more than 8,000 boys and girls in the 25 years of its activity, in a country where there are still many illiterate people, especially in rural areas.The institute in Lahore, which employs teachers, volunteers and employees of the Salesians of Don Bosco, also employs Father Noble Lal and Brother Piero Ramello, a missionary from Piedmont and originally from Italy. The institution, which has been structured over the years, is now at full capacity: the “Don Bosco Educational Society” offers educational opportunities in the field of both school education (“New Don Bosco Higher Secondary School”) and vocational training (“Don Bosco Technical Centre”). In the complex in Lahore, which has the typical facilities of the Salesians of Don Bosco’s educational project, such as the theater and a playground, “various educational programs are carried out according to the needs of the community, all of which aim to combat the problem of youth unemployment,” reports the Salesian priest. The global “Don Bosco Education” project in Pakistan aims to reach marginalized communities in remote areas. The school fees charged by the Salesians are low because most of the families of the children who attend the institute are very poor and need support or scholarships to finance the school or vocational training that will make them independent members of society. The institute offers training in metalworking, electrical work, carpentry and automobile sector. “Since the institution opened in 2000, we have trained thousands of young people between the ages of 15 and 22 in various technical professions. This has helped many of those who had dropped out of school to find jobs,” explained the religious, recalling that Pakistan is a country with a low average age, “which therefore has a high percentage of children and young people.”Particular attention is paid to girls “to try to reduce school dropouts,” explains Father Lal. In fact, many girls abandon their education long before the end of compulsory education to take care of the family, or because of the prevalence of early and arranged marriages by families (another widespread cultural custom in the Indian subcontinent). This happens in rural village communities, but also in the outskirts of urban centers such as Lahore. The Salesians in Pakistan are aware of this cultural and social phenomenon and are involved in social promotion initiatives and educational programs on women’s rights to promote awareness and empowerment of young girls. “We encourage girls to continue their studies; we also maintain relationships with their families of origin to ensure that they do not abandon their studies,” explains the director. Vocational training courses (for example tailoring) are also organized for them “so that they can learn a trade, which contributes to the emancipation of girls,” he notes.In addition to the educational center in Lahore, the Salesians are also active in Quetta, the capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan, the other city where the Salesians of Don Bosco were the first “to develop a model of joint education for boys and girls in our school. Since then, others in Pakistan have followed our example,” reports the religious.Today, the educational and vocational training work of the Salesians is “very much appreciated by the population, who show us much gratitude, but also by the civil institutions, who recognize our social commitment and our openness to young people of all religions and cultures, Muslims, Christians and other minorities”.There is another area in which the Salesians are making an active contribution to the Catholic community in Pakistan: the institutional collaboration in the beatification process of the Servant of God Akash Bashir, for whom the Diocese of Lahore has opened the diocesan phase of the process. Akash was a student at the Salesian School in Lahore. On the occasion of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the missions of the Salesians in Pakistan, which took place in Lahore these days, a book on Akash Bashir was also published. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Bubanza

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, O.P., until now Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Bubanza (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, of the Order of Preachers, was born on 30 December 1956 in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gitega. After studying Philosophy at the Major Seminary of Bujumbura and Theology at the Université Catholique Du Congo in Kinshasa, he obtained a Doctorate in Fundamental Theology at the Université de Fribourg in Switzerland.He made his first profession in Ibadan, Nigeria on September 28, 1981, his perpetual vows in 1984 in Rweza (Burundi) and was ordained a priest in Gitega on August 23, 1987.He has held the following positions: Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Major Seminary of Gitega (1986-1989); Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (1988-1990); Master of Students at the Inter-African Formation House of the Dominicans in Kinshasa (1991-1993); Advisor to the Superior and Coordinator for Africa of the Order of Dominican Fathers (1993-1999); Coordinator of the Ubuntu Center for the Promotion of Peace and Reconciliation in Bujumbura (2001-2015); Director of the Office of the Episcopal Conference for Evangelization (2015-2021); since 2021, Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2024)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Rutana

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Francis has appointed Rev. Léonidas Nitereka, until now Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Rutana (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Léonidas Nitereka was born on 1 September 1960 in Martyazo, in the Diocese of Bururi. He studied Philosophy at the Saint Curé d’Ars Major Seminary in Bujumbura and Theology at the Saint John Paul II Major Seminary in Gitega. He was ordained a priest on 17 August 1986 in Bururi.He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Chaplain of secondary schools in the Diocese (1986-1987); Parish Priest of Murago, Diocese of Bururi (1987-1990); Diocesan Treasurer (1990-1997); Doctorate in Anthropological Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Pastoral Service in the Diocese of Florence, Italy (1997-2006); Rector of the Minor Seminary of Buta and President of the Clergy of Bururi (2007-2012); since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi and Director of the Pastoral Office. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – Angelus with Pope Francis in Hospital: “Thank you for the affection, let us continue to pray for peace”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 16 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Thank you for the affection, prayer… I invite everyone to continue to pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan”. These are the words that Pope Francis sent from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been hospitalized since Friday 14, February for a respiratory infection. Words addressed in particular to the artists gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration of their Jubilee.All the Pontiff’s commitments scheduled for these days have been canceled with the exception of the Mass that he himself was supposed to preside over in St. Peter’s for the Jubilee event dedicated to the world of art and culture. On behalf of the Bishop of Rome, who sends his greetings, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presides over the Eucharistic celebration at the Altar of Confession and read the homily prepared by the Pope for the occasion, commenting on today’s Gospel passage, that of the Beatitudes, a text that Pope Francis has repeatedly defined as the “Magna Carta” of the Christian.In “a time when new walls are being erected”, artists, the Pontiff emphasizes in the homily read by the Portuguese cardinal – are “guardians of the Beatitudes. As artists and representatives of the world of culture, you are called to be witnesses to the revolutionary vision of the Beatitudes. Your mission is not only to create beauty, but to reveal the truth, goodness and beauty hidden within the folds of history. Let the Gospel of the Beatitudes guide you, and may your art be a herald of a new world. Never cease searching, questioning and taking risks. True art is never easy; it offers the peace of restlessness. And do not forget that hope is not an illusion; beauty is not a utopia. Yours is not a random gift but a calling. Respond, then, with generosity, passion and love”.A reference to the homily is also present in the text that had been prepared to accompany the Angelus prayer, a text released at midday by the Press Office: today’s event, it reads, “reminds us of the importance of art as a universal language that spreads beauty and unites peoples, contributing to bringing harmony into the world and silencing every cry of war. I would have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis”. In this regard, the Pope expresses his “thank you” for the spiritual support and also asks to pray for all healthcare workers: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days, and I would like to thank the doctors and healthcare workers in this hospital for their care: they do such a valuable and tiring job, let us support them with prayer!” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘I feel constant anxiety’: how caring for a seriously unwell pet can lead to stress and burnout

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide

    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Living with a pet brings many benefits, including constant presence, love and support. Pet ownership is also linked with a lower long-term risk of early death.

    Most of us would do anything for our pets if they become unwell. But just as caring for a human loved one can come at great personal cost, a growing body of research shows that’s also true for many pet owners looking after a seriously ill pet.

    This stress is often known as “caregiver burden”.

    Most of us would do anything for our pets if they become unwell.
    Haletska Olha/Shutterstock

    Stress, depression, burnout and anxiety

    One 2017 study looked at how people with healthy pets fared compared to those caring for pets with serious diseases.

    It found many of those looking after seriously ill animals felt they didn’t have enough time for themselves due to the time they had to spend with their pet.

    Compared to owners of healthy pets, those caring for unwell pets experienced:

    greater burden, stress and symptoms of depression/anxiety, as well as poorer quality of life.

    Our 2023 research into experiences of people looking after older dogs showed similarly concerning results.

    We surveyed people with dogs eight years or older. Some of these dogs were living with canine cognitive dysfunction, a form of dementia similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people.

    Out of the 637 respondents to our survey, 16% had a high burden of care likely to be associated with negative psychological, physical and financial outcomes.

    One respondent told us:

    My partner and I cannot leave him home alone for long at all […] I worry about [my pet’s] quality of life. I feel my partner is really struggling with [my pet’s] deterioration and when the time comes for euthanasia I know it will be me forcing the issue. I feel constant anxiety about this decision looming.

    A higher burden of care was associated with the dog having more severe canine cognitive dysfunction, pet owners who were aged between 25 and 44 years, and those who lived alone.

    This makes sense, because people who live alone don’t have another person to support or help them. The most difficult dog behaviours people reported were night-time disturbances and barking.

    Burden of care in other situations

    Any significant pet disease or disability is likely to be associated with stress in their caregivers.

    Even behavioural problems in dogs, such as aggression or separation-related disorder, have been associated with clinically significant strain in more than 68% of people.

    Most of the research has been done in dogs, but owners of ill cats also have a higher burden, although it appears less than owners of an ill dog.

    We previously showed that a third of owners of cats with epilepsy are likely to be experiencing high levels of carer stress or strain.

    These problems were worse in owners who did not feel supported by their vet. For example, they may feel they’re being rushed through appointments, or that their concerns are being dismissed.

    Pet owners more likely to feel this caregiver stress included those who were younger than 55, and those whose cat had uncontrolled seizures.

    Strong emotions and complex needs

    The burden of caring for an unwell pet is not well recognised, even by vets.

    People suffering this kind of carer stress are likely to require more time in consultations at the vet’s office, visit more frequently, and become angry and emotional.

    From a vet’s perspective, clients with such strong emotions and complex needs can be challenging.

    People suffering a high burden of care are likely to require more time in consultations at the vet.
    Beach Creatives/Shutterstock

    How can you get help?

    If you or somebody you know is struggling with caring for a seriously ill pet, find a vet you trust and feel comfortable with. If you can tell them what you are struggling with, the vet may be able to provide some support.

    Call on your village! Ask friends and family for help to provide you with respite. We often do it when we first bring a new puppy or kitten home, but don’t think it’s OK to ask for help when they’re sick or ageing and need more care.

    Know that it’s OK to sometimes feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or even resentful towards your pet. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them. It means providing this level of care is hard.

    Being a carer is hard work.
    Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock

    Despite the hardships, many caregivers find comfort in their deep connection to their pets. One of our respondents in the senior dog study wrote:

    every moment I have with her now is a blessing. She has given me so much over the last ten years; it’s time to pay back now.

    Pets also give meaning to our lives. In our study of cats with epilepsy, one person wrote:

    I think that most of the people are not aware of the benefits of living with the cat with special needs.

    Supporting the human-animal bond means supporting both humans and animals. We’re all better off when we recognise and support people struggling with caring for their pets.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

    Susan Hazel has received funding from the Waltham Foundation and is affiliated with the Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia, and the RSPCA South Australia.

    Tracey Taylor receives funding from the Waltham Foundation.

    – ref. ‘I feel constant anxiety’: how caring for a seriously unwell pet can lead to stress and burnout – https://theconversation.com/i-feel-constant-anxiety-how-caring-for-a-seriously-unwell-pet-can-lead-to-stress-and-burnout-247329

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NDIS reforms aim to make the scheme fairer. But we’ve found the groups struggling to gain access

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By George Disney, Research Fellow, Social Epidemiology, The University of Melbourne

    Edwin Tan/Getty Images

    When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was established in 2013, one of its driving aims was to make disability services and support systems fairer.

    However, our new research shows significant inequalities remain, with some groups finding it much harder than others to be deemed eligible and access a funding plan.

    Recent NDIS reforms in part aim to address inequity, and to manage costs.

    So, what can we do to ensure these reforms don’t further embed existing inequalities? Here’s what we found.

    Inequalities in scheme access

    To receive funding from the NDIS, participants are required to demonstrate their eligibility.

    We wanted to explore whether decisions about eligibility were leading to inequalities in who could access and use NDIS funding.

    Our study looked at the individual NDIS applications of 485,676 people aged seven or older, made between 2016 and 2022, to see if they were deemed eligible.

    We then compared differences in eligibility rates between groups, considering:

    • age (applicants 55 or older versus those under 55)
    • gender (women and girls versus other applicants)
    • socioeconomic disadvantage (those from the poorest 30% of areas versus all other areas).

    Who is deemed ineligible?

    We found some groups are more likely to be rejected from the scheme than others: women and girls, people aged 55 and over, and those who live in disadvantaged areas.

    Within these groups, eligibility rates also vary.

    For example, people with intellectual disability, autism, and brain injury or stroke were very likely to be deemed eligible, regardless of their age, gender or socioeconomic disadvantage (900 or more were accepted per 1,000 applicants).

    However, people with physical disability and psychosocial disability (disabilities that can arise from a mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) were significantly more likely to be rejected.

    This was true across groups, but particularly evident among women and girls.

    We compared eligibility rates within every 1,000 applications made by women and girls versus men and boys.

    Among those who had physical disability, 145 more women and girls were rejected, compared to men and boys.

    Among those with psychosocial disability, 83 more applications were deemed ineligible for every 1,000 applications made by women, compared to men.

    Age was also a factor. Older Australians with a physical disability had 235 fewer approvals per 1,000 applications than those with physical disability under 55.

    Older Australians were more likely to be found ineligible.
    Christina RasoBoluda/Shutterstock

    What about once they’re eligible?

    Inequalities are more pronounced among those trying to prove eligibility for the scheme.

    Once accepted into the NDIS, our research found women and girls, and people living in poorer areas, received similar amounts of funding as men and boys, and those living in better-off areas.

    This budget is based on what the participant wants to achieve in everyday life and their support needs relating to their disabilities.

    However once people receive and are using plans, we then see some differences in how much these people are able to spend. This relates to factors such as the availability of services in an area or whether culturally safe supports are available.

    We found that women with psychosocial disability spent more than men with similar sized budgets.

    This result could reflect that women with psychosocial disability on the NDIS have higher support needs than men.

    It could be that it is harder for women to get onto the scheme in the first place, so those who are deemed eligible have more significant disability than men.

    But we need more research to unpack this further.

    Why do we see these inequalities?

    In the early days of the NDIS, to help fast-track applications, the National Disability Insurance Agency (which runs the NDIS) specified a list of diagnoses closely related to disability.

    Known as list A conditions, people with these diagnoses are automatically eligible for the NDIS.

    Disabilities likely to be associated with a list A diagnosis include level 2 or 3 autism (requiring substantial or very substantial support) and intellectual disability.

    However some people who could have permanent and significant disability, may have a diagnosis not on list A, such as Down syndrome and motor neurone disease. They must provide a broader range of evidence on the impact of their disability to be eligible.

    If they face other challenges – such as socioeconomic disadvantage – it may be harder for them to collect this evidence. For example, they may not be able to afford private health care that would help support their application.

    This might explain why people who do not have a list A diagnosis are less likely to prove their eligibility for the scheme.

    Where next for the scheme?

    Following recommendations from an independent review into the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency is currently making changes to how it assesses eligibility.

    One of the changes suggested is removing list A classifications altogether.

    Instead, the agency will use a suite of functional assessment tools. These are still in the process of being designed, but they are one way to assess a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and identify the level of support they require.

    This approach aims to assess more objectively and fairly how much someone is impacted by their disability.

    However, there are longstanding critiques of these tools. These include concerns they are not safe for minority groups, such as those with a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTQIA+ people, and First Nations applicants.

    Our new research demonstrates how and why some inequalities arise. We should put this understanding front-and-centre in any changes to the NDIS.

    Most importantly, we should make sure reforms are co-designed with a broad range of different groups, to ensure we don’t perpetuate old inequalities or introduce new ones.

    George has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (NDIS service use), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (inequalities in NDIS service use), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).

    Alexandra Devine receives funding from the NHMRC.

    Anne Kavanagh receives funding from the ARC, NHMRC, MRFF, MS Australia and the Australian government.

    Helen Dickinson receives funding from ARC, NHMRC and Department of Social Services.

    Yi Yang has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (inequalities in NDIS service use), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (inequalities in NDIS service use), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (inequalities in NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).

    – ref. NDIS reforms aim to make the scheme fairer. But we’ve found the groups struggling to gain access – https://theconversation.com/ndis-reforms-aim-to-make-the-scheme-fairer-but-weve-found-the-groups-struggling-to-gain-access-248562

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: We asked young people if they wanted tighter vaping regulation to phase out nicotine – here’s what they said

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Hoek, Professor in Public Health, University of Otago

    Shutterstock/Aliaksandr Barouski

    New Zealand’s smokefree law was hailed around the world for creating a smokefree generation that would have lifelong protection from smoking’s harms.

    The smokefree generation would have ended sales of tobacco products to anyone born on or after a specific date, thus gradually phasing out smoking. This new approach goes beyond age restriction policies (such as R18 or R21), which may imply smoking is “safe” once people reach the designated age.

    However, the coalition government moved swiftly to repeal the smokefree generation measure. That decision did not reflect attitudes towards the policy from young people and the general public.

    In an earlier in-depth study, we found young people strongly supported measures restricting their access to tobacco because they understood this policy would protect them from becoming addicted to smoking. Surveys also showed strong support for the smokefree generation policy from young people, the general public and people who smoke.

    NZ falls further behind international best practice

    As New Zealand went backwards, other jurisdictions, including the UK and several US towns, have proposed or taken more progressive approaches. Recent policies include vapes and other nicotine products, alongside smoked tobacco, and aim to create a nicotine-free generation.

    This approach recognises young people’s right to lead lives free from nicotine addiction and aims to address the growing threat addiction to vaping poses to their wellbeing.

    Because many more young people in New Zealand vape than smoke, we were interested in how they viewed a nicotine-free generation policy.

    On the one hand, they might support an approach that reduces the shame, stress and stigma nicotine addiction causes. On the other, they might accept arguments tobacco companies have made, claiming birth-year measures remove young people’s freedoms.

    Easy access to vaping products makes quitting difficult.
    Shutterstock/hurricanehank

    What young people who vape think

    We talked in-depth with 20 young people who assessed themselves as addicted to vaping. We asked them to imagine a nicotine-free generation policy was in place and applied to them, before probing how they interpreted and rationalised this approach.

    Our participants thought a nicotine-free generation policy would bring several wide-ranging benefits. They outlined personal benefits, such as increased fitness, better overall health and fewer financial concerns.

    Participants also envisaged societal benefits, including reduced pollution (from littered disposable vapes), fewer disputes among young people (less fighting over vapes) and a less pressured health system.

    Nearly all participants wanted to quit vaping. Several had tried to stop but relapsed. Easy access to vaping products and vaping’s ubiquity made many feel that quitting was impossible.

    Some felt targeted by marketers and unable to resist the pro-vaping environment that surrounded them. One person said vape shops were designed to attract younger people.

    There’s vape stores everywhere. It’s insane […] they’re always bright[ly] colour[ed] so you can see them.

    These feelings of powerlessness led several to view government regulation as the only way to protect young people from vaping. Rather than wanting to assert “choices” and “freedoms”, many of the people who talked with us felt they would be better off if this option simply did not exist.

    One participant explained:

    Although it is a choice […] it’s never going to be a positive choice. I wouldn’t mind it being taken away because I know it would be for my benefit […] it wouldn’t be a negative thing.

    Participants wanted a better future where younger generations did not face the challenges they had found overwhelming.

    The generation below me […] I don’t want them to go through [negative] health effects [and] experience that kind of thing.

    Nonetheless, a very small minority argued that young people should find out about risks themselves. One person argued:

    It’s people’s lives and they should be able to pick what they do […] Let them find out for themselves.

    Participants noted concerns about how a nicotine-free generation policy would be implemented and questioned whether retailers would respect this measure. Some thought parents or older siblings would supply vapes, as some already did. Others expected an illicit market could evolve.

    However, participants suggested several solutions they thought could address these challenges, including not normalising vaping, reducing retail outlet numbers and vape product marketing, increasing compliance monitoring and providing better support to help people quit vaping.

    Time for political leadership

    Our findings suggest it is time to discuss whether Aotearoa New Zealand should return to more progressive smokefree policies that recognise how the rapidly evolving nicotine market has undermined young people’s wellbeing.

    The current political emphasis on individual responsibility ignores young people’s calls for policies that remove harmful “choices”. It does not address earlier evidence that suggests governments have a responsibility to protect young people from harms.

    Reducing the ubiquity and appeal of vaping products should be an urgent policy priority for 2025.

    We acknowledge the excellent work undertaken by Renee Hosking, a summer scholarship student with the ASPIRE Aotearoa Centre.

    Janet Hoek receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Royal Society Marsden Fund, NZ Cancer Society and NZ Heart Foundation. She is a member of the Health Coalition Aotearoa’s smokefree expert advisory group, a senior editor at Tobacco Control (honorarium paid) and she serves or has served on several government, NGO and community advisory groups.

    Lani Teddy receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. She is affiliated with ASPIRE Aotearoa whose members undertake research to inform tobacco policy.

    Anna DeMello 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. We asked young people if they wanted tighter vaping regulation to phase out nicotine – here’s what they said – https://theconversation.com/we-asked-young-people-if-they-wanted-tighter-vaping-regulation-to-phase-out-nicotine-heres-what-they-said-249456

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: In Afghanistan, families are forced to sell children to survive. Trump’s USAID cuts will be devastating

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University

    The dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a serious blow to the soft power of the United States and disastrous for many poor countries where it helps provide humanitarian, health and educational services.

    One country whose citizens will bear the brunt of it is Afghanistan, under the misogynistic and draconian rule of the Taliban.

    According to United Nations reports, more than half of Afghanistan’s estimated 40 million population is dependent on international handouts for their survival. Most of the remaining barely earn enough to exist.

    USAID has played a critical part in alleviating the suffering of Afhghans since the hasty retreat of the US and its allies from the country and the return of the Taliban to power in mid-2021.

    Since then, the United States has been the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, amounting to US$3.71 billion (A$5.8 billion), channelled through UN agencies and other international organisations. USAID has been responsible for delivering a large proportion of it.

    The effects are already being felt. A major midwifery program has closed, while “secret schools” for girls and the American University of Afghanistan has suspended classes.

    US aid, along with help from other donors, has also been critical in keeping mass starvation at bay.

    Aid propping up the Taliban

    Indeed, not all the aid has directly been delivered to the needy. The Taliban have creamed off a portion of it in the process of permitting and supervising its delivery.

    As widely reported, the group has indirectly received some US$40 million (A$63 million) a week of donor funds. The United Nations says it’s unavoidable that some money makes its way to Afghanistan’s central bank, which is under the control of the Taliban.

    This aid money, together with US$7 billion (A$11 billion) worth of light and heavy arms left behind by the US and its allies, has been crucial in enabling the Taliban to enforce its extremist rule, despite lacking domestic and international legitimacy.

    US President Donald Trump’s objection to the flow of any American aid to the Taliban is well placed. He has criticised the Biden administration for its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and failure to curtail the indirect benefits of American aid to the group.

    He has called for an end to American money going to the Taliban and for the return of US military equipment from the group. He has even floated the idea of retaking the strategically important Bagram air base outside Kabul, which he claims is now under Chinese influence.

    Further, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who both served in Afghanistan, have vowed to continue to fight terrorism around the world. Waltz believes terrorist groups are regrouping in Afghanistan under the Taliban and the Pentagon may need to send US troops back there.

    A halt to any aid that can advantage the Taliban is absolutely imperative. Countering the group is vital to combating violent extremism and terrorism.

    Afghans still desperately need aid

    However, this effort needs to be managed in ways that do not deprive the needy people of Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan’s economy, industries, reconstruction projects and work opportunities have virtually collapsed, while many schools have been closed or transformed into religious institutions.

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that in the last three years, Afghanistan’s economy has contracted by 27%, with staggeringly high unemployment and inflation.

    Living conditions are so bad that some families are selling their children in order to feed the rest of the family.

    No section of the society is in more desperate need than girls and women, who have been stripped of all their basic rights to education, work and public life. They are not even allowed to speak in public or pray outside the four walls of their homes. As put by actor Meryl Streep, a cat has more freedom than women in Afghanistan.

    This has caused a mental health crisis among women in Afghanistan, with rising numbers of suicides.

    What can be done?

    The disembowelling of USAID will have far-reaching consequences for the people of Afghanistan.

    If the Trump administration wants to achieve its anti-Taliban objectives, it needs a two-pronged policy approach:

    • identify new ways to continue humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan in ways that don’t benefit the Taliban

    • increase pressure on the Taliban by strictly enforcing international sanctions and maintaining its isolation on the international stage.

    The suspension of American aid has already resulted in a devaluation of the Afghani currency. This has prompted the Taliban to impose severe restrictions on the transfer of dollars out of the country.

    Some analysts predict that if the economy continues to worsen, it will impact the Taliban’s ability to govern.

    In turn, this could strengthen civil and armed opposition groups – including the women’s Purple Saturday movement, which stands for a free and legitimately governed Afghanistan. These groups have increasingly become active in different parts of the country.

    Amin Saikal 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. In Afghanistan, families are forced to sell children to survive. Trump’s USAID cuts will be devastating – https://theconversation.com/in-afghanistan-families-are-forced-to-sell-children-to-survive-trumps-usaid-cuts-will-be-devastating-249713

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Unrest in Bangladesh is revealing the bias at the heart of Google’s search engine

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abdul Aziz, Lecturer in Media and Communication Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University

    Google’s search engine handles the vast majority of online searches worldwide. By one estimate, it fields 6.3 million queries every second.

    Because of the search engine’s enormous scale, its outputs can have outsized effects. And, while Google’s search results are shaped by ostensibly neutral rules and processes, research has shown these algorithms often produce biased results.

    This problem of algorithmic bias is again being highlighted by recent escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh and cases of violence against Bangladeshi citizens in India and violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. A pro-Indian misinformation and disinformation campaign is exploiting this algorithmic bias to further its agenda – an agenda that has been described as Islamophobic and alarmist.

    This kind of misinformation has been implicated in several riots and violent incidents in Bangladesh.

    All of this serves as an important reminder of the power Google’s search engine has in shaping public perceptions of any event – and its vulnerability to being exploited. It’s also an important reminder to anyone who uses Google’s search engine to engage critically with the results it dishes up, rather than accepting them at face value.

    What is algorithmic bias?

    The algorithms that power Google’s search engine are trained on massive amounts of data. This data is gathered by computer bots which crawl billions of pages on the Internet and automatically analyse their content and quality. This information is stored in a large database, which Google’s search engine relies on to serve up relevant results whenever it receives a query.

    But this process doesn’t capture every website on the Internet. It is also governed by predetermined rules about what is high quality and what is low quality, and reflects existing biases in data. For example, even though only 16% of the world’s population speaks English, it accounts for 55% of all written content online.

    This means the reality of life on the ground in non-English speaking countries is often not reflected in Google search results. This is especially true for those countries located in the Global South.

    This lack of representation perpetuates real-world biases. It can also hinder a nuanced public understanding of global issues.

    What’s happening between Bangladesh and India?

    Relations between Muslim-majority Bangladesh and neighbouring India, which is currently led by the Hindu nationalist BJP government, have deteriorated recently.

    In August last year, youth-led anti-government protests erupted in Bangladesh.

    These protests resulted in the downfall of prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s long-lasting autocratic regime, which had been supported by the Indian government.

    An interim government filled the void. But certain Indian media outlets have leveraged sensitive issues such as Hindu minority rights to undermine its legitimacy.

    In November, Bangladeshi authorities arrested Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges over allegations he had disrespected the Bangladeshi flag. This triggered violent clashes between his supporters and police. These clashes resulted in the death of a Muslim lawyer.

    Hindu activists also attacked a Bangladeshi consulate in India.

    There have also been verified instances of mob violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. However, the Bangladeshi government claims these incidents are politically motivated rather than communal attacks.

    The unrest intensified earlier this month, with thousands of protestors destroying the family home of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.

    Boosting a disinformation campaign

    A disinformation campaign based in India has exaggerated some cases of religious violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

    This campaign has been boosted by Google’s algorithmic bias.

    For example, an analysis by the Tech Global Institute of Google search results about Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest between November 25 and December 20 last year found a “consistent pattern of bias”.

    Specifically, Indian news outlets – including Hindu ultranationalist news outlets – “disproportionately” dominated the top search results. This overshadowed

    factual reporting from credible Bangladeshi media outlets […] despite the search originating from within Bangladesh, the country where the incident originally occurred.

    This bias was also evident in search queries coming from overseas. For example, roughly 90% of the top results about Chinmoy Krishna Das were from Indian outlets when searched from Australia and the United States. Bangladeshi news outlets featured on the thirteenth and fourteenth pages of results.

    Indian news outlets – unlike their Bangladeshi counterparts – produce a substantial amount of content in English. They also employ more advanced search engine optimisation – or SEO – techniques, such as using effective keywords and sensationalist headlines. This gives them an advantage in Google search results compared to their Bangladeshi counterparts.

    Another investigation by Bangladeshi fact-checking outlet Rumor Scanner in December 2024 found 72% of social media accounts spreading fake and misinformation are located in India.

    The Conversation asked Google a series of questions about its search engine. It did not receive a response.

    An illustrative case of a global problem

    Bangladesh is an illustrative case of the global problem of algorithmic bias. It highlights how search engines can be exploited to promote disinformation and misinformation and powerfully shape people’s perceptions about what’s happening in the world.

    It also highlights how everybody should think critically about the information they find online about the current situation in Bangladesh. Or about any news event, for that matter.

    The case also reinforces the urgent need for policymakers, tech companies and governments to work together to effectively address algorithmic bias. This is especially urgent in the Global South, where marginal voices remain silenced.

    Abdul Aziz 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. Unrest in Bangladesh is revealing the bias at the heart of Google’s search engine – https://theconversation.com/unrest-in-bangladesh-is-revealing-the-bias-at-the-heart-of-googles-search-engine-249131

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The President of the United Arab Emirates received the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov, who heads the Russian delegation to the UAE. The meeting discussed current issues of cooperation between Russia and the UAE in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    Denis Manturov conveyed greetings and best wishes for the further development of the UAE to Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In turn, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope for the further development and prosperity of Russia and its people.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister told the UAE President about the Russian exposition at the International Conference and Exhibition of the Defense Industry IDEX-2025, which will start on February 17 in Abu Dhabi. Here, on an area of more than 2 thousand square meters, 40 Russian companies will present their products.

    Denis Manturov noted the dynamic development of cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism. According to the results of last year, the number of Russian tourists visiting the UAE approached 2 million. There is a growing interest in Russia on the part of Emirati citizens – in 2024, more than 67 thousand tourists from the UAE visited the country. The expansion of direct air traffic contributes to the growth of tourist exchanges. Currently, there are over 300 regular passenger flights per week between the cities of Russia and the UAE – this is 1.5 times more than six months ago. The flight map is expanding – today there are already 25 routes.

    During the meeting, cooperation in the field of sports was also discussed, including holding the second international multi-sport tournament “Games of the Future” in the Emirates in 2025 (the first tournament was held in Kazan in 2024 on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin). Denis Manturov noted the readiness of the Russian side to share experience and provide maximum assistance in organizing the games.

    Particular attention is paid to issues of cooperation in the field of higher education, and active work is underway to open a Russian University in Abu Dhabi.

    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 Africa: National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa Creates Annual Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    SAN FRANCISCO, United States of America, February 16, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • New Award Will be Given Out Annually to Individuals and Organizations Making Exceptional Contributions to Humanitarian Efforts 
    • NBA Africa Will Donate 55 Basketball Courts to Communities on the Continent in Honor of Mutombo and His Iconic Jersey Number 

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today announced the creation of the NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, a new annual honor that will recognize a person or an organization that works to advance health, education or economic opportunity across the continent of Africa. 

    The award is named after the late four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who served as the NBA’s first global ambassador following his retirement from the league in 2009. 

    Silver also announced that NBA Africa will donate 55 courts to local communities on the continent in honor of Mutombo and his iconic jersey number, beginning in his native Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo where he first discovered his love for the game.  The courts will feature a distinct design inspired by Mutombo and contribute to NBA Africa’s commitment of building 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade.

    The announcement was made at the 10th annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon in San Francisco, Calif. as part of NBA All-Star 2025. The award will be presented annually beginning at next year’s luncheon, with the recipient receiving a financial grant to further their humanitarian efforts and a donation from NBA Africa to a charity of their choice.

    “Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” said Silver. “This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honor Dikembe’s extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian.”

    Selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo spent 18 years in the NBA during which time he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in blocked shots three times and becoming the second-leading shot blocker in NBA history.  He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

    Recognized for his philanthropic and humanitarian work, Mutombo was a recipient of many awards, including the Congressional Humanitarian Award (2013), John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Goodermote Humanitarian Award (2011), Laureus World Sports Award (2010), John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award (2010) and the U.S. President’s Service Award (2000).  A general hospital he built in Kinshasa and named in memory of his late mother, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, opened its doors to the public in 2007.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nara Monkam, Associate Professor of Public Economics, Chair in Municipal Finance within the Department of Economics, and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria

    The African continent finds itself in a predicament. Advanced economies in the rest of the world developed through industrialisation: their economies transformed from mainly agricultural to industrial. This involved burning fossil fuels like coal, generating greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming.

    African economies have trailed behind industrially. They’re now industrialising at a time when the world is moving away from fossil fuels and towards solar power, wind energy and hydropower.

    Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of the world’s installed solar power systems. Despite renewable energy capacity nearly doubling in the last decade, only 2% of global investments in renewable energy went to Africa.

    Green industrialisation could be the answer: achieving long-term economic growth and industrial development that does not harm the environment. But in most African countries, renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels, which are readily available in many parts of the continent. Africa is also one of the world’s poorest regions and cannot easily afford green technologies.

    So a key issue in economic development is how to stimulate green industrial productivity. Green finance (funding from banks and investors specifically for environmentally friendly projects) can fund green innovations. These include renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient building designs, or electric vehicles.

    Read more: Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand

    I am an economist who worked with a team of researchers to study the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa. We also wanted to find out if green innovation influenced the effect that green finance has on industrialisation. (This was measured in this study as the total industrial value added as a percentage of gross domestic product.)

    For example, switching to renewable energy like solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps mitigate climate change. But the high costs of renewable energy equipment could harm industrial growth.

    The research analysed macroeconomic and energy, green finance and industrialisation statistics from 41 African countries between 2000 and 2020.

    Our research found that green finance offers funding opportunities for clean and innovative technologies and creating new jobs in green sectors. However, the potential of green financing to drive industrialisation through green innovation (such as renewable energy projects) is not being realised.

    Read more: How green innovation could be the key to growth for the UK’s rural businesses

    This is because renewable energy comes with high costs. There also are not enough skilled people available to run green projects. There’s a lack of proper roads, connectivity or transmission lines to connect renewable energy to the main grid. The basic conditions for industrial growth through renewable energy are not in place.

    Governments in Africa should find ways to make green innovation work. This will mean that society can enjoy the benefit of new environmentally friendly projects.

    How to make green innovation work

    African governments should focus on increasing people’s access to renewable energy projects. For this to happen, they need to put more funding and effort into developing renewable energy infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies must be available and affordable.

    Education and capacity building is needed, particularly in rural communities. For example, community-owned solar microgrid projects provide people with the skills needed to manage and look after renewable energy systems.

    Governments will need to subsidise local manufacturing of renewable energy components. When these are produced locally, this can help harness the potential of green innovation for industrialisation and also create jobs.

    Countries must co-operate regionally on green innovation. This means sharing best practices, pooling resources, and making coordinated efforts towards green industrialisation.

    Our research found that it would be useful to set up regional centres of excellence for renewable energy research and development. Regional alliances are also needed, so that countries can work together to negotiate better terms for green finance. This could enhance Africa’s journey towards the kind of green industrialisation that is cost effective and sustainable over time.

    What needs to happen next

    These steps would boost the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa:

    • more climate finance, including finance from the private sector

    • environmental taxation – a policy tool to limit activities, goods or services that have negative environmental impacts

    • reform of multilateral development agencies to make it easier for African countries to access to climate funds

    • development bank funding tailored to the needs of African countries. Nations that invest in renewable energy manufacturing should get tax breaks and other incentives. Green bonds that only fund renewable energy projects should be issued to attract private investors

    • vocational training and higher education programmes that focus on training people in green technologies must get government funding.

    Africa has a huge problem with trying to build some resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and drought. Economic development is also a challenge on the continent. Both could be addressed by green industrialisation. With the right investments in green finance, innovation and infrastructure, the continent can unlock sustainable growth, reduce poverty and help curb climate change.

    – Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years
    – https://theconversation.com/has-finance-for-green-industry-had-an-impact-in-africa-whats-happened-in-41-countries-over-20-years-244567

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.

    Read more: South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.

    Read more: The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

    – Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress
    – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: government nabs Coalition policy on foreigners buying houses, Dutton eyes action on insurance companies

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

    With the unembarrassed audacity parties show as an election nears, the government has stolen the opposition’s policy to ban foreign investors buying established homes.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil have announced foreigners won’t be able to purchase established homes from April 1 for at least two years, with a review to determine whether the ban should be extended.

    When the opposition announced its policy last year, Labor was dismissive, pointing out the numbers were minuscule. But the idea is popular with the public and the government is anxious to neutralise it.

    The turnabout comes immediately ahead of the Reserve Bank’s’s two-day meeting starting Monday, with expectations high that on Tuesday the bank may finally start moving rates down.

    A rate cut would increase speculation Anthony Albanese will opt for an April rather than a May election. That would mean cancelling the March 25 budget.

    With the election fast approaching and polls suggesting a high prospect of a minority government, attention has turned to how crossbenchers would react in the event of a hung parliament.

    Much conjecture is around the “teals” who occupy former Liberal seats but are more progressive than the current Liberal party.

    Opposition leader Peter Dutton said on Sunday: “It would be unusual that if we were able to achieve 72 [a majority is 76] and we were a number of seats ahead of the Labor Party, that there wouldn’t be a guarantee of supply and confidence from the crossbench.

    “But some of them will only ever support the Labor Party. I think if they’re into transparency and honesty, they should be transparent and honest with the public before the election about if you vote for Kate Chaney, are you going to get Anthony Albanese or will she support a Coalition government in a minority situation?”

    Chaney, one of the teals, holds the Western Australian seat of Curtin, which the Liberals believe is a chance for them.

    In their statement about foreign investors, Chalmers and O’Neil said the government would also “crack down” on foreign land banking.

    The ministers admitted these latest initiatives were small but said they were an important part of the government’s broad housing policy,

    “Until now, foreign investors have generally been barred from buying existing property except in limited circumstances, such as when they come to live here for work or study,” they said.

    Under the new arrangements, “foreign investors (including temporary residents and foreign-owned companies) will no longer be able to purchase an established dwelling in Australia while the ban is in place unless an exception applies.”

    On landbanking, the ministers said foreign investors are presently subject to developmental conditions requiring they put vacant land to use within a reasonable time.

    “The Government is focused on making sure these rules are complied with and identifying any investors who are acquiring vacant land, not developing it while prices rise and then selling it for a profit.”

    The Australian Taxation Office and Treasury will be funded for an audit program and to improve compliance.

    Dutton hints at action against insurance companies that ‘rip off’ people

    While Labor sought to shore up its credentials on housing, Dutton was venturing further down the interventionist road, hinting a Coalition government might use divestiture against recalcitrant insurance companies.

    The Coalition has already courted controversy with its threat supermarkets could face divestiture.

    Dutton is now looking more widely, after being concerned about how people in areas recently devastated by fires or floods often haven’t insurance because they can’t afford the increasingly high premiums.

    Asked on Sky whether the Coalition would reduce the cost of insurance, Dutton said, “We need to make sure that we’re not being ripped off by insurance companies.

    “As we’ve done with the supermarkets, where we have threatened divestment if consumers are being ripped off, similarly, in the insurance market, we will intervene to make sure that consumers get a fair go because at the moment people are paying too much for their insurance and what’s resulting is that people aren’t taking out insurance. […] People just simply can’t afford to insure the car or their home at the moment.”

    In a wideranging interview, Dutton cast doubt on whether the opposition would support any extension of government relief on power bills.

    “If it’s going to be inflationary and it’s going to keep interest rates higher for longer and it’s going to keep grocery prices higher for longer and it’s going to keep electricity prices higher for longer, then no.”

    (The relief the government has already provided put downward pressure on inflation.)

    The opposition leader criticised the government for not putting enough effort into its handling of the Trump administration.

    “Every minister should have been cycling through Washington. I’m not aware that other ministers have been to Washington since Penny Wong was there for the inauguration,” he said.

    “If they have, that’s great. But the prime minister probably should have been on a plane to the US, as we’ve seen with other world leaders and there should have been greater engagement with the president earlier on.”

    Dutton apparently forgot the visit made by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who was the first defence minister to meet new defence secretary Pete Hegseth.

    Reminded of the Marles visit, he immediately criticised him. “Richard Marles is a nice guy, but he’s batting fairly significantly down the list in terms of the government’s key hitters.”

    Dutton said Trump had to be seen in a different light to other presidents.

    “Donald Trump is different to any of his predecessors, certainly in the modern age. If you look at his background, he’s a businessman, he does deals, he brings parties together, he swaps contracts. That’s been his background, and it’s not a background, probably, that’s been shared by too many of his predecessors. So, I don’t think you’re taking everything he says literally.”

    Dutton left his options open when asked whether he would replace Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the United States.

    “We have to have an ambassador who is in our country’s best interests. Kevin, obviously, is an accomplished person as prime minister of our country and if he’s the best person for the job, then he should stay in the job.

    “If it turns out that he’s had no access to the White House and no real influence in relation to this [tariff] issue or whatever the next issue might be, then you would have to reassess his position. But at the moment, we’re being told that he’s effective in his advocacy in the administration. I suppose time will tell.

    “My instinct would be to leave him in the job. But […] if there are insurmountable problems that he has, or that the administration has with him, then that would make it very difficult.”

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: government nabs Coalition policy on foreigners buying houses, Dutton eyes action on insurance companies – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-government-nabs-coalition-policy-on-foreigners-buying-houses-dutton-eyes-action-on-insurance-companies-250023

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nara Monkam, Associate Professor of Public Economics, Chair in Municipal Finance within the Department of Economics, and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria

    The African continent finds itself in a predicament. Advanced economies in the rest of the world developed through industrialisation: their economies transformed from mainly agricultural to industrial. This involved burning fossil fuels like coal, generating greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming.

    African economies have trailed behind industrially. They’re now industrialising at a time when the world is moving away from fossil fuels and towards solar power, wind energy and hydropower.

    Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of the world’s installed solar power systems. Despite renewable energy capacity nearly doubling in the last decade, only 2% of global investments in renewable energy went to Africa.

    Green industrialisation could be the answer: achieving long-term economic growth and industrial development that does not harm the environment. But in most African countries, renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels, which are readily available in many parts of the continent. Africa is also one of the world’s poorest regions and cannot easily afford green technologies.

    So a key issue in economic development is how to stimulate green industrial productivity. Green finance (funding from banks and investors specifically for environmentally friendly projects) can fund green innovations. These include renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient building designs, or electric vehicles.



    Read more:
    Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand

    I am an economist who worked with a team of researchers to study the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa. We also wanted to find out if green innovation influenced the effect that green finance has on industrialisation. (This was measured in this study as the total industrial value added as a percentage of gross domestic product.)

    For example, switching to renewable energy like solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps mitigate climate change. But the high costs of renewable energy equipment could harm industrial growth.

    The research analysed macroeconomic and energy, green finance and industrialisation statistics from 41 African countries between 2000 and 2020.

    Our research found that green finance offers funding opportunities for clean and innovative technologies and creating new jobs in green sectors. However, the potential of green financing to drive industrialisation through green innovation (such as renewable energy projects) is not being realised.



    Read more:
    How green innovation could be the key to growth for the UK’s rural businesses

    This is because renewable energy comes with high costs. There also are not enough skilled people available to run green projects. There’s a lack of proper roads, connectivity or transmission lines to connect renewable energy to the main grid. The basic conditions for industrial growth through renewable energy are not in place.

    Governments in Africa should find ways to make green innovation work. This will mean that society can enjoy the benefit of new environmentally friendly projects.

    How to make green innovation work

    African governments should focus on increasing people’s access to renewable energy projects. For this to happen, they need to put more funding and effort into developing renewable energy infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies must be available and affordable.

    Education and capacity building is needed, particularly in rural communities. For example, community-owned solar microgrid projects provide people with the skills needed to manage and look after renewable energy systems.

    Governments will need to subsidise local manufacturing of renewable energy components. When these are produced locally, this can help harness the potential of green innovation for industrialisation and also create jobs.

    Countries must co-operate regionally on green innovation. This means sharing best practices, pooling resources, and making coordinated efforts towards green industrialisation.

    Our research found that it would be useful to set up regional centres of excellence for renewable energy research and development. Regional alliances are also needed, so that countries can work together to negotiate better terms for green finance. This could enhance Africa’s journey towards the kind of green industrialisation that is cost effective and sustainable over time.

    What needs to happen next

    These steps would boost the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa:

    • more climate finance, including finance from the private sector

    • environmental taxation – a policy tool to limit activities, goods or services that have negative environmental impacts

    • reform of multilateral development agencies to make it easier for African countries to access to climate funds

    • development bank funding tailored to the needs of African countries. Nations that invest in renewable energy manufacturing should get tax breaks and other incentives. Green bonds that only fund renewable energy projects should be issued to attract private investors

    • vocational training and higher education programmes that focus on training people in green technologies must get government funding.

    Africa has a huge problem with trying to build some resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and drought. Economic development is also a challenge on the continent. Both could be addressed by green industrialisation. With the right investments in green finance, innovation and infrastructure, the continent can unlock sustainable growth, reduce poverty and help curb climate change.

    Nara Monkam receives funding from the University of Pretoria.

    – ref. Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years – https://theconversation.com/has-finance-for-green-industry-had-an-impact-in-africa-whats-happened-in-41-countries-over-20-years-244567

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    Low-income South Africans in rural areas feel left out of the technological advancements linked to the fourth industrial revolution. Lucian Coman/Shutterstock

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.



    Read more:
    South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.



    Read more:
    The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

    Zama Mthombeni 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. Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –