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Category: housing

  • MIL-Evening Report: Murdoch’s News Corp has moved into the mortgage business. Where are the regulators?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roberta Esbitt, Associate, RMIT University

    If you want to advertise a house online in Australia, you don’t have many options. Just two companies dominate the market.

    Australia’s largest property listings platform, realestate.com.au, belongs to digital media company REA Group, which is majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch’s US-based media conglomerate News Corporation (News Corp).

    REA claims average traffic of 11.9 million viewers per month, substantially more than that of its nearest rival, Domain.

    That’s led to widespread concern about REA’s dominant market power and the potential for price-gouging, which are currently subject to an ongoing probe by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

    Meanwhile, my research has revealed that REA has expanded into mortgage lending, an important new direction which, until now, has escaped attention.

    The implications here are worth considering. News Corp, a foreign-owned media company, now has a direct stake in framing the Australian housing narrative and influencing policy, while profiting through its property platform from listings, data, and its own mortgages.

    It’s a shrewd business strategy. But Australia currently doesn’t have a regulator fit for overseeing such a hybrid entity, raising serious questions about who is keeping watch.

    ‘Good debt’

    Australian households have long accepted the prevailing narrative, promoted by the media, that housing investment is their “path to wealth”. Mortgages are endorsed as the way to manage the growing gap between flatlined wages and rising house prices.

    Primed for finance in this way, many households have come to embrace mortgages as an aspirational form of “good debt”, the mark of a savvy player rather than a long-term financial burden.

    This has helped fuel what could be described as a housing “frenzy”, a volatile situation in which escalating housing prices and indebtedness undermine household wellbeing. Younger generations and the disadvantaged, among others, are left out in the cold.

    From newspapers to platforms to finance

    As digitisation has forced legacy media players such as News Corp to seek new strategies to stay viable, so too has it disrupted the finance industry by opening it up to non-bank players.

    Taking advantage of this opportunity, REA Group entered the mortgage market in 2016, starting with a partnership with National Australia Bank. It purchased mortgage brokerages the following year.

    The realestate.com.au platform was then redesigned to include a mortgage portal to direct millions of Australian homeseekers to lending through those channels. This provides REA with revenue from platform leads to the bank, as well as up-front and trailing mortgage commissions from their brokers.

    REA also harvests the extensive financial data supplied by millions of users via their financial profiles and the calculator tools embedded in the website.

    That data, an increasingly valuable asset, can be monetised through the platform’s advertiser and homebuyer markets, and News Corp’s extensive partnerships with data broker and analytics companies.

    Selling mortgages

    Most recently, REA Group has taken its finance strategy one step further. In October 2024, it purchased a 19.9% stake in digital non-bank lender Athena Home Loans.

    This allows REA to profit directly from its own mortgages offered to platform users through its current brokerage, Mortgage Choice.

    For REA Group (and its owner, News Corp), this move is both logical and strategically compelling in a challenging media environment. As well as influencing policy, REA Group and News Corp are proficient in crafting and cross-promoting a powerful message about housing and debt to the public.

    With their profit now even more directly tied to the housing mortgage market – and thereby customers’ debt – the Athena acquisition can only strengthen REA’s vested interest in the continued rise in house prices and household indebtedness. This has the potential to undermine policies to improve housing affordability.

    The law can’t keep up

    The power imbalance against consumers is stark. So which regulator is keeping an eye on it?

    Such an initiative combining housing, finance and media can slip through the cracks in Australia’s fragmented regulatory system with its narrowly-focused legislation.

    The legislation lags behind the technology as well. A platform’s persuasive design, with its algorithmic tools, predetermined paths and data harvesting, obscures its prioritisation of commercial interests over that of consumers.

    Players from different industries interacting through the “black box” of a platform appear to come under looser regulatory oversight than those from a single industry or operating outside a platform.

    As an ACCC representative admitted:

    the legislation isn’t updated in the way that […] keeps pace with the evolving technology, trends and emerging markets.

    In a landscape where such complex digital initiatives are becoming the norm, regulators urgently need to update their understanding and broaden their jurisdiction to include them.

    And not just in Australia. REA has confirmed that a successful trial of its initiative here will lead to its rollout across its broad global property platform network.

    Nor just REA. Other companies are eyeing this space. REA’s closest competitor, Domain, is currently under acquisition by CoStar, a major digital real estate player in the United States, with the aim to challenge REA.

    The rapid and major disruptions caused by such initiatives, such as Airbnb’s negative impact on housing affordability globally, can be difficult to redress retrospectively.

    Somebody needs to keep watch.

    REA Group declined to comment on this article.

    Roberta Esbitt 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. Murdoch’s News Corp has moved into the mortgage business. Where are the regulators? – https://theconversation.com/murdochs-news-corp-has-moved-into-the-mortgage-business-where-are-the-regulators-259039

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ cities are getting hotter: 5 things councils can do now to keep us cooler when summer comes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Getty Images

    Stand on any car park on a sunny day in February and the heat will radiate through your shoes. At 30°C air temperature, that asphalt hits 50–55°C – hot enough to cause second-degree burns to skin in seconds.

    Right now, in the northern hemisphere summer, 100 million Americans are dealing with 38°C temperatures. Britain is preparing for hundreds of heat deaths. In New Zealand, of course, we’re still lighting fires and complaining about the cold.

    But that gives us time to prepare for our own heatwaves. Open-air car parks that sit empty for 20 hours a day could become cooling infrastructure instead. Transport routes can become cooling corridors.

    Replace asphalt with trees, grass and permeable surfaces, and you can drop surface temperatures by 12°C. It’s not complicated. It’s not even expensive.

    It’s getting hotter

    NIWA data shows New Zealand is already experiencing extreme temperatures five times more frequently than historical baselines. Wellington hit 30.3°C and Hamilton 32.9°C in January, both all-time records. Marine heatwaves are persisting around South Island coasts months longer than usual.

    Aucklanders will face 48 additional days above 25°C annually by 2099, as summer temperatures increase by 3.6°C. Auckland Council has already adopted the most severe warming scenario (3.8°C) for infrastructure planning, acknowledging previous models underestimated the pace of change.

    Even Wellington’s famously cool winds won’t offset the estimated 79% increase in residential cooling energy demand by 2090, driven by hotter, longer summers and more extreme-heat days.

    A quarter of New Zealand’s population will be over 65 by 2043, an age when heat regulation becomes harder and fixed incomes make cooling costs a real burden.

    Currently, 14 heat-related deaths occur annually among Auckland’s over-65 population when temperatures exceed just 20°C. As the mercury rises, our older population will be at a greater risk.

    Summer in the city: a vendor sells drinks and ice cream during a severe heat wave in Washington DC, June 23.
    Getty Images

    Greener is cooler

    While global average temperature increases of 1.5°C might appear modest, the actual temperatures we experience in our cities is far more extreme. The built environment – all that concrete and asphalt – traps heat like an oven.

    But converting car parks back to green space can knock the temperature down dramatically.

    Research from Osaka Prefecture in Japan recorded surface temperature reductions of up to 14.7°C when comparing asphalt to grass-covered parking during sunny summer conditions.

    Another study found temperature differences averaging 11.79°C between asphalt and grass surfaces, with air temperature differences of 7-8°C at human height.

    Trees are the heavy lifters here. Stand under a tree on a hot day, and it can feel 17°C cooler than standing in the sun. Add rain gardens (shallow, planted areas designed to capture and filter stormwater) and ground cover for another 2-4°C reduction. Layer these elements together, and you get cooling that works even on overcast days.

    Roads as cooling corridors

    Grassy and tree-covered car parks are just a starting point. Auckland’s 7,800 kilometres of roads could become the city’s cooling system. Every bus lane, cycleway and walking path is an opportunity for green infrastructure.

    If we stop thinking of transport corridors as merely a way to get from one place to another, and see them as multifunctional cooling networks, the possibilities multiply while the costs remain relatively low.

    Melbourne’s COVID-era parklet program proved this works: 594 small conversions created 15,000 square metres of public space at just A$300–900 per square metre.

    Converting even a small percentage of New Zealand’s parking infrastructure could create connected cooling corridors throughout our cities.

    Protecting cycleways with a tree canopy would encourage active transport while cooling neighbourhoods. Bus lanes with rain garden medians would improve service reliability while managing stormwater.

    5 things councils can do

    Summer is six months away – maybe not enough time to do all the work needed, but certainly enough to get a plan in place. Here are five things councils could do.

    1. Plant trees now: winter is planting season. Focus on car parks and heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods. Use fast-growing natives and protective rings to ensure survival. Trees planted now will provide shade by December.

    2. Install modular planters: test cooling locations with movable infrastructure before committing to permanent changes. Order now for spring placement when residents can see the benefits.

    3. Schedule paving replacements: when resurfacing is needed, switch to permeable options and get heat-reducing surfaces in place before summer.

    4. Design shade structures: plan and budget pop-up shade for the hottest areas. Having designs ready means quick installation when temperatures spike.

    5. Organise spring planting days: line up community groups now, source trees through winter nursery contracts, and hit the ground running in September. Small investments in coordination yield big cooling dividends.

    Auckland Council’s NZ$1 billion climate action package includes grants of $1,000 to $50,000 for climate projects. Wellington’s Climate and Sustainability Fund and Christchurch’s 50-year Urban Forest Plan provide similar frameworks.

    The Ministry for the Environment’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development creates opportunity by removing minimum parking requirements. This frees up land for trees, gardens and public spaces instead of underused asphalt, maximising climate co-benefits: cooler surfaces, better stormwater management and more pleasant streetscapes.

    By next February, we can either be thanking ourselves for planting trees and converting car parks, or feeling the heat from that 50°C asphalt.

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

    – ref. NZ cities are getting hotter: 5 things councils can do now to keep us cooler when summer comes – https://theconversation.com/nz-cities-are-getting-hotter-5-things-councils-can-do-now-to-keep-us-cooler-when-summer-comes-259885

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mr Smith or Gary? Why some teachers ask students to call them by their first name

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Brownlie, Lecturer in Education, University of Southern Queensland

    Johnny Greig/ Getty Images

    When you went to school, did you call your teacher Mrs, Ms or Mr, followed by their surname? Perhaps you even called them Sir or Miss.

    The tradition of addressing teachers in a formal manner goes back centuries. For many of us, calling a teacher by their first name would have been unthinkable.

    But that’s not automatically the case anymore. Some teachers in mainstream schools now ask students to call them by their first name.

    Why is this? And what impact can teachers’ names have in the classroom?

    There’s no rule

    There’s no official rule in Australia on what students should call teachers.
    Naming is usually decided by schools or individual teachers. This is no official training on this topic before teachers start in classrooms.

    Some primary school teachers now use first names or a less formal name such as “Mr D”. Teachers say this helps break down barriers, especially for young students or those who are learning English as an additional language.

    High schools are more likely to stick with tradition, partly to maintain structure and boundaries, especially with teenagers. Using formal titles can also support early-career teachers or those from minority
    backgrounds     assert their authority in a classroom.

    But even so, some high school teachers are using their first names to foster a sense of trust and encourage students to see them as a partner in learning, rather than simply an authority figure.

    What does the research say?

    Research – which is mainly from the United States – suggests names have an impact on how students perceive their teachers and feel about school.

    In one study of US high school students, teenagers described teachers they addressed with formal titles as more distant and harder to connect with. Teachers who invited students to use their first name were seen as more supportive, approachable and trustworthy.

    A secondary school principal in the state of Maryland reported students felt more included and respected when they could use teachers’ first names. It made classrooms feel less hierarchical and more collaborative.

    A 2020 US study on teaching students doing practical placements found those who used their first name observed greater student engagement than those who did not. This came as a surprise to the student teachers who expected students would not respect them if they used their first names.

    These findings don’t necessarily mean titles are bad. Rather, they show first names can support stronger teacher-student relationships.

    It’s important to note society in general has become less formal in recent decades in terms of how we address and refer to each other.

    So, what should students call their teachers?

    What works in one school, or even one classroom, may not work in another.

    For example, for Indigenous students or students from non-English speaking households, name practices that show cultural respect and mutual choice can be vital. They help create a sense of safety and inclusion.

    But for other teachers, being called by their title may be a key part of their professional persona.

    That’s why it’s important for naming decisions to be thoughtful and based on the needs of the teacher, students and broader school community.

    The key is to treat naming as part of the broader relationship, not just a habit or automatic tradition. Whether students say “Mrs Lee” or “Jess” matters less than whether they feel safe, respected and included. It’s about the tone and relationship behind the name, not simply what someone is called.

    Nicole Brownlie 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. Mr Smith or Gary? Why some teachers ask students to call them by their first name – https://theconversation.com/mr-smith-or-gary-why-some-teachers-ask-students-to-call-them-by-their-first-name-259790

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Could we live with a nuclear-armed Iran? Reluctantly, yes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Zala, Senior Lecturer, Politics & International Relations, Monash University

    As the ceasefire between Israel and Iran seems to be holding for now, it is important to reflect on whether this whole episode was worth the risks.

    Wider escalation was (and remains) possible, and we do not know whether Iran will seek a nuclear weapon with renewed vigour in the future.

    So, could we live with a nuclear-armed Iran, if it does indeed continue to pursue a bomb?

    Is an Iranian bomb an existential threat?

    The conventional wisdom, at least in the Western world, is that an Iranian nuclear weapon would pose an existential threat to Israel, and possibly the United States as well.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were aimed at rolling back “the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”.

    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described an Iranian bomb as “an existential threat, not just to Israel, but to the United States, and to the entire world”.

    The same mantra has been repeated by leaders in Europe, at the G7 meeting, and in Australia.

    Iran, of course, did not yet possess a nuclear weapon when the strikes occurred, as the UN nuclear watchdog attested. The strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from being able to do so in the future – a prospect seen by Israel and the US as simply “unthinkable”.

    But if Iran had built a nuclear weapon before the Israeli and US strikes – or manages to do so in the future – would this pose an existential threat to Israel or the US?

    The answer is no. And for a very simple reason: nuclear deterrence works.

    Why deterrence works

    If Iran had a monopoly on nuclear weapons, it would be different. But it does not.

    Israel has maintained a robust nuclear arsenal for more than half a century. Every authoritative assessment of global nuclear weapons stockpiles includes Israel’s roughly 90 nuclear warheads.

    The Israeli government officially neither confirms nor denies the existence of its nuclear arsenal. But thanks to leaks from inside the Israeli nuclear program – as well as the best assessments from around the world – we can be quite sure they exist. It also explains why Israel has never signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty – it can’t without giving up this stockpile.

    The US, of course, has been nuclear-armed since 1945 and openly maintains an inventory of thousands of nuclear warheads. These provide a deterrent against nuclear attacks on the United States.

    Washington also provides extended nuclear deterrence guarantees to over 30 states, including members of NATO, Japan, South Korea and Australia. It does not need to provide this for Israel given the Israeli arsenal. But if there was ever any doubt about Israel’s stockpile, it certainly could.

    After 80 years of living with nuclear weapons, we know the deterrent effect of assured nuclear retaliation is very powerful. It deterred both the Soviets and Americans from using nuclear weapons against each other through multiple Cold War crises. It has deterred both India and Pakistan from using them in multiple standoffs, including quite recently. It has deterred both North Korea and the US from striking each other.

    Similarly, Iran would no doubt be deterred from using a nuclear weapon by a certain Israeli or American response.

    Iranian leaders have called for the destruction of Israel, and the chants of “death to Israel” and “death to America” are a common occurrence at rallies held by supporters of the regime.

    But beneath the fiery rhetoric lies a truism: no Iranian leader would destroy Israel with a nuclear weapon if it came at the expense of the destruction of Iran.

    In the history of the nation-state, not a single one has ever knowingly committed suicide. Not for any reason – ideological, religious, political or any other. All nations value survival over everything else because this allows for the achievement of other goals, such as power and prosperity.

    Further, Iran is ruled by a brutally authoritarian, theocratic regime. And for authoritarian regimes, staying in power is the number one priority. There is no staying in power the day after a nuclear exchange.

    Not a panacea

    This does not mean an Iranian nuclear weapon would be a welcome development. Far from it.

    Every new nuclear-armed state provides another opportunity for miscalculation or accident. It adds extra stress to an already fragile non-proliferation regime.

    In addition, nuclear deterrence is not just and can be considered ethically questionable. It may not even be sustainable over the longer term.

    There is no doubt the existence of over 12,000 nuclear weapons globally poses a potentially existential risk to all of humanity.

    But the idea that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a unique risk to Israel or the United States simply does not stand up to scrutiny. If we can live with a nuclear-armed North Korea, nuclear-armed Pakistan, and for that matter, a nuclear-armed Israel, we can live, however reluctantly, with a nuclear-armed Iran.

    Regardless of whether the current proposed ceasefire between Israel and Iran holds, the military operation initiated by Israel and bolstered by the United States was extremely dangerous and unnecessary, based on both countries’ justification.

    The regime in Tehran is brutal, authoritarian, openly antisemitic and worthy of our disdain. But there is no evidence it is suicidal.

    The claim an Iranian nuclear bomb would pose an existential threat to Israel or the United States and justifies unilateral, preventive military attacks makes no sense.

    It is time to stop repeating it.

    Benjamin Zala has received funding from the Stanton Foundation, a US philanthropic group that funds nuclear research. He is an honorary fellow at the University of Leicester on a project that is funded by the European Research Council.

    – ref. Could we live with a nuclear-armed Iran? Reluctantly, yes – https://theconversation.com/could-we-live-with-a-nuclear-armed-iran-reluctantly-yes-259905

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro, Revenue Secretary Browne to Announce Property Tax/Rent Rebates to Start Going Out on July 1

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 30, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro, Revenue Secretary Browne to Announce Property Tax/Rent Rebates to Start Going Out on July 1

    Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne will visit the East Shore YMCA in Harrisburg to announce that rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2024 as part of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program will start to be distributed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, as required by law.

    This initial distribution will include approximately 425,000 rebates totaling $258 million – critical relief that is going to older homeowners, renters, and people with disabilities all across Pennsylvania.

    During his first year in office, Governor Shapiro signed into law a historic expansion of the PTRR program, making good on the commitment he made to Pennsylvania seniors and people with disabilities to ease the burden of rising costs. Based on the latest data from the past two years, this has already opened the door for approximately 150,000 first-time filers of the PTRR program to receive a rebate for the very first time.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne
    Eric Rothermel, Vice President of Government Relations, Harrisburg Area YMCA
    Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director
    Representative Nate Davidson

    WHEN:
    Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM

    WHERE:
    East Shore YMCA
    701 N. Front Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17101

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES ON ABC: “THIS COUNTRY IS FAR TOO EXPENSIVE”

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

    Brooklyn, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC’s This Week where he emphasized that while Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one, he is instead crashing the economy and marching us toward a recession. 

    JON KARL: I’m joined now by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Let’s start with the big news, Leader Jeffries, out of your home town. Mamdani won a big victory. Have you endorsed him yet?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: I have not. We had a conversation on Wednesday morning where I congratulated him on the campaign that he ran, a campaign that clearly was relentlessly focused on the high cost of living in New York City and the economy. He outworked, he out-communicated and out-organized the opposition. And that’s clearly why he was successful.

    JON KARL: So what’s holding you back from endorsing him right now?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we don’t really know each other well. Our districts don’t overlap. I have never had a substantive conversation with him. And so that’s the next step in terms of this process to be able to sit down, which we agreed to do in Central Brooklyn, discuss his vision for moving the city forward and addressing the issues that are important to the communities that I represent—a very diverse district that I represent in Brooklyn, including many African Americans, many Jewish Americans, many Caribbean Americans, who are dealing with a lot of challenges in the city and want to make sure that the next mayor of the City of New York, whoever that may be, is prepared to tackle them.

    JON KARL: Mamdani calls himself a Democratic Socialist. He proposed obviously big tax increases, free mass transit, free bus fares, government-run grocery stores. Is this the kind of progressive socialism that is, we’re going to see as the future of the Democratic Party? Or is this unique to New York City?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: I think that one of the things we’ve been clear about from the very beginning, as House Democrats, is that we need to relentlessly focus on addressing the high cost of living in the United States of America. This country is far too expensive for working-class Americans, for middle-class Americans, for all those who aspire to be part of the middle class. Imagine a country where every single hardworking American taxpayer can afford to live the good life, work hard, play by the rules, have a good-paying job, good healthcare, be able to afford a home, educate your children, go on vacation every now and then and one day retire with grace and dignity. The good life, the American Dream. That is not accessible to everyone. And so I think it will continue to be important for all of us on the Democratic side to address relentlessly the issue of the lack of affordability in this country. Donald Trump promised to lower cost on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’re going up. In fact, the guy is crashing the economy in real time, imposing these reckless Trump tariffs that are going to increase costs by thousands of dollars a year and he may even drive us toward a recession.

    JON KARL: You mentioned the diversity of your district, including a lot of Jewish constituents. Mamdani has made comments that some have said gear towards antisemitism. His initial statement after October 7, he criticized the Israeli government but didn’t criticize Hamas. He defended the use of the word globalize—the phrase globalize the intifada and he even said that the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should be arrested, or he would if he were mayor, he would arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York City. Do these things concern you?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Globalizing the intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrase, and he’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward. With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism in the City of New York, which has been an unacceptable development. And any mayor, whether you’re a Democratic mayor, a Republican mayor, an independent mayor, has got to commit to the safety and well-being of all of the people of the City of New York. And when there are moments of crisis and a rise in anti-Jewish hate, that’s a threshold, of course, needs to be crossed. With respect to the African American and Caribbean American communities that I represent, it’s going to be important for our nominee to articulate the case for dramatically and decisively addressing the rise in gentrification and the housing displacement that threatens to continue to wipe out low and moderate income Black and Latino communities in New York City. It’s an unacceptable phenomenon, and the next mayor of the City of New York has to be able to articulate a clear plan and commitment to address these concerns, for the people that I represent and folks all across the great City of New York.

    JON KARL: Alright, let’s turn to developments here in Washington. The Supreme Court’s big decision, empowering Donald Trump by limiting the power of judges to stop his executive orders or to freeze his executive orders. How big a deal is this? This was really the one way, the one restraint on his actions that’s been effective so far.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it was an unfortunate decision from a procedural standpoint as it relates to what should have been a very clear case. If there is any instance where nationwide injunctions are appropriate, it would be in a manner like what we’ve just experienced in terms of birthright citizenship, which is clearly a part of the Constitution. If you are born as a child in the United States of America, you are a citizen. So it was a procedural setback that was quite unfortunate. And it was a reckless decision in my view. However, in terms of the fight judicially to protect birthright citizenship—that remains alive and well. And we’re just going to have to intensify our efforts now in district court after district court, or to get a class action certified on behalf of people who may be adversely impacted by this reckless Trump executive order.

    JON KARL: And you were at the briefing, the classified briefing Friday on Iran and on the U.S. airstrikes. Did you get satisfactory answers? And do you have a sense now, was the program really—I mean, the President says “obliterated,” but what did you learn?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let’s be clear. Iran is a sworn enemy of the United States of America, as well as our allies in the Middle East, like Israel and Jordan. And we can never allow Iran to be a nuclear-capable power. That said, there are a lot of questions that remain unanswered, in my view, as it relates to the actions that the Trump administration took relative to Iran. Why did they not seek the congressional authorization required by the Constitution for this type of preemptive strike? I still haven’t seen facts presented to us as a Congress to justify that step, and I certainly haven’t seen facts to justify the statement that Donald Trump made that Iran’s nuclear program has been completely and totally obliterated. We also need the case to be made by the administration, to the American people, as to how to best accomplish the objective of preventing Iran from becoming nuclear capable. Why did they abandon the aggressive diplomacy that was successful under the Obama administration? And what is their plan to stop us from getting into another failed Middle Eastern war? A lot of questions that need to be answered, and those answers haven’t been compelling to date.

    JON KARL: All right. A lot of questions for sure. Leader Jeffries, thank you for joining us.

    Full interview can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES ON ABC: “THIS COUNTRY IS FAR TOO EXPENSIVE”

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

    Brooklyn, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC’s This Week where he emphasized that while Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one, he is instead crashing the economy and marching us toward a recession. 

    JON KARL: I’m joined now by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Let’s start with the big news, Leader Jeffries, out of your home town. Mamdani won a big victory. Have you endorsed him yet?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: I have not. We had a conversation on Wednesday morning where I congratulated him on the campaign that he ran, a campaign that clearly was relentlessly focused on the high cost of living in New York City and the economy. He outworked, he out-communicated and out-organized the opposition. And that’s clearly why he was successful.

    JON KARL: So what’s holding you back from endorsing him right now?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we don’t really know each other well. Our districts don’t overlap. I have never had a substantive conversation with him. And so that’s the next step in terms of this process to be able to sit down, which we agreed to do in Central Brooklyn, discuss his vision for moving the city forward and addressing the issues that are important to the communities that I represent—a very diverse district that I represent in Brooklyn, including many African Americans, many Jewish Americans, many Caribbean Americans, who are dealing with a lot of challenges in the city and want to make sure that the next mayor of the City of New York, whoever that may be, is prepared to tackle them.

    JON KARL: Mamdani calls himself a Democratic Socialist. He proposed obviously big tax increases, free mass transit, free bus fares, government-run grocery stores. Is this the kind of progressive socialism that is, we’re going to see as the future of the Democratic Party? Or is this unique to New York City?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: I think that one of the things we’ve been clear about from the very beginning, as House Democrats, is that we need to relentlessly focus on addressing the high cost of living in the United States of America. This country is far too expensive for working-class Americans, for middle-class Americans, for all those who aspire to be part of the middle class. Imagine a country where every single hardworking American taxpayer can afford to live the good life, work hard, play by the rules, have a good-paying job, good healthcare, be able to afford a home, educate your children, go on vacation every now and then and one day retire with grace and dignity. The good life, the American Dream. That is not accessible to everyone. And so I think it will continue to be important for all of us on the Democratic side to address relentlessly the issue of the lack of affordability in this country. Donald Trump promised to lower cost on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’re going up. In fact, the guy is crashing the economy in real time, imposing these reckless Trump tariffs that are going to increase costs by thousands of dollars a year and he may even drive us toward a recession.

    JON KARL: You mentioned the diversity of your district, including a lot of Jewish constituents. Mamdani has made comments that some have said gear towards antisemitism. His initial statement after October 7, he criticized the Israeli government but didn’t criticize Hamas. He defended the use of the word globalize—the phrase globalize the intifada and he even said that the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should be arrested, or he would if he were mayor, he would arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York City. Do these things concern you?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Globalizing the intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrase, and he’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward. With respect to the Jewish communities that I represent, I think our nominee is going to have to convince folks that he is prepared to aggressively address the rise in antisemitism in the City of New York, which has been an unacceptable development. And any mayor, whether you’re a Democratic mayor, a Republican mayor, an independent mayor, has got to commit to the safety and well-being of all of the people of the City of New York. And when there are moments of crisis and a rise in anti-Jewish hate, that’s a threshold, of course, needs to be crossed. With respect to the African American and Caribbean American communities that I represent, it’s going to be important for our nominee to articulate the case for dramatically and decisively addressing the rise in gentrification and the housing displacement that threatens to continue to wipe out low and moderate income Black and Latino communities in New York City. It’s an unacceptable phenomenon, and the next mayor of the City of New York has to be able to articulate a clear plan and commitment to address these concerns, for the people that I represent and folks all across the great City of New York.

    JON KARL: Alright, let’s turn to developments here in Washington. The Supreme Court’s big decision, empowering Donald Trump by limiting the power of judges to stop his executive orders or to freeze his executive orders. How big a deal is this? This was really the one way, the one restraint on his actions that’s been effective so far.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it was an unfortunate decision from a procedural standpoint as it relates to what should have been a very clear case. If there is any instance where nationwide injunctions are appropriate, it would be in a manner like what we’ve just experienced in terms of birthright citizenship, which is clearly a part of the Constitution. If you are born as a child in the United States of America, you are a citizen. So it was a procedural setback that was quite unfortunate. And it was a reckless decision in my view. However, in terms of the fight judicially to protect birthright citizenship—that remains alive and well. And we’re just going to have to intensify our efforts now in district court after district court, or to get a class action certified on behalf of people who may be adversely impacted by this reckless Trump executive order.

    JON KARL: And you were at the briefing, the classified briefing Friday on Iran and on the U.S. airstrikes. Did you get satisfactory answers? And do you have a sense now, was the program really—I mean, the President says “obliterated,” but what did you learn?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let’s be clear. Iran is a sworn enemy of the United States of America, as well as our allies in the Middle East, like Israel and Jordan. And we can never allow Iran to be a nuclear-capable power. That said, there are a lot of questions that remain unanswered, in my view, as it relates to the actions that the Trump administration took relative to Iran. Why did they not seek the congressional authorization required by the Constitution for this type of preemptive strike? I still haven’t seen facts presented to us as a Congress to justify that step, and I certainly haven’t seen facts to justify the statement that Donald Trump made that Iran’s nuclear program has been completely and totally obliterated. We also need the case to be made by the administration, to the American people, as to how to best accomplish the objective of preventing Iran from becoming nuclear capable. Why did they abandon the aggressive diplomacy that was successful under the Obama administration? And what is their plan to stop us from getting into another failed Middle Eastern war? A lot of questions that need to be answered, and those answers haven’t been compelling to date.

    JON KARL: All right. A lot of questions for sure. Leader Jeffries, thank you for joining us.

    Full interview can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 strategies to move forward

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Leda Stawnychko, Associate Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory, Mount Royal University

    As the school year comes to a close, young Canadians entering the job market are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years. Despite their drive to build careers and connections, many Gen Z are entering a stagnant job market.

    According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 is 12.2 per cent — over double that of the prime working-age population.

    The outlook is bleaker for students planning to return to full-time studies in the fall. Unemployment for this group has reached just over 20 per cent, the highest level since 2009, when the global economy was reeling from the Great Recession.

    Gen Zs without post-secondary credentials, people with disabilities and newcomers face steeper hurdles. They are competing in a labour market dominated by one of the world’s most highly educated generations.

    Today’s youth are navigating a perfect storm of persistent inflation, global trade tensions, a saturated labour market and restructuring driven by automation and AI.

    Unlike older workers, many young people lack the financial stability or support systems to pursue opportunities that require relocating.

    First jobs matter more than ever

    Early work experiences have long served as crucial stepping stones for young people entering the workforce. They offer new workers exposure to the habits, norms and expectations of the professional world.

    Roles in retail, hospitality and customer service often serve as a first taste of working life, helping young people build confidence, develop transferable skills and expand their professional networks. Without access to these opportunities, many young Canadians risk falling behind before their careers even begin.

    The long-term implications are serious. According to a 2024 report from consulting firm Deloitte, Canada stands to lose $18.5 billion in GDP over the next decade if youth unemployment remains high.

    Young Canadians are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years.
    (Shutterstock)

    More broadly, high unemployment among youth weakens social trust and undermines the foundations of social cohesion, long-term prosperity, democratic stability and leadership pipelines.

    Underemployment also takes a personal toll, contributing to poorer mental and physical health and delaying major life milestones like financial independence, homeownership and family formation.

    What Gen Z can do

    Many young job-seekers are understandably discouraged by today’s labour market. But as digital natives, Gen Z have advantages to bring to the table, including creativity, values-driven mindsets and fluency in technology.

    The key is to stay open, proactive and creative by pursuing non-linear experiences that can serve as legitimate entry points into the workforce. Here are four actionable strategies for Gen Z starting their careers:

    1. Think beyond traditional pathways.

    Unconventional roles and programs can offer valuable experience. For example, university students at Global Affairs Canada’s federal work experience program recently helped support the G7 Summit, gaining confidence and transferable skills.

    Side projects, such as building websites or freelancing, can also help people start their careers. These are increasingly recognized as valid ways to break into the job market.

    2. Build core skills that matter.

    The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report identifies analytical thinking, resilience, creativity, leadership and self-awareness as the most in-demand skills for the future. These can be developed through volunteer work, community leadership, mentorship or personal projects.

    Programs like International Experience Canada also help foster independence, global awareness and important skills.

    3. Invest in future-ready capabilities.

    As workplaces adopt AI and automation, tech literacy is becoming increasingly valuable. Microcredentials can help build specialized skills, while apprenticeships and other experiential learning opportunities offer experiences that employers value.



    Read more:
    Workplace besties: How to build relationships at work while staying professional

    4. Build meaningful connections.

    Networks are also a key part of job success. Relationships with peers, mentors and community members can provide support, broaden perspectives and lead to unexpected opportunities. Participating in interest groups or volunteering can help young workers feel more connected and confident while developing skills that matter.

    A new working generation

    While these steps won’t solve the systemic challenges facing the labour market, they can help young Canadians gain traction in a system that is still catching up to the needs of their generation.

    This will require the collaboration of government, employers, educational institutions and community service providers to innovatively reduce existing barriers. Importantly, these sectors are being asked to “walk the talk” when it comes to addressing youth unemployment.

    Gen Z is entering the workforce during a time of profound economic and social change. But they also have unparalleled access to information, supportive communities and platforms to share ideas and make a meaningful impact.

    By acting with intention, young Canadians can navigate this landscape with agency, laying the foundation not only for jobs but for careers that reflect their values and ambitions.

    Leda Stawnychko receives funding from SSHRC.

    Warren Boyd Ferguson 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. Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 strategies to move forward – https://theconversation.com/gen-z-is-struggling-to-find-work-4-strategies-to-move-forward-259504

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hanna Tervanotko, Associate professor, Religious Studies, McMaster University

    The Sola Busca tarot deck from Italy, circa 15th century. (Artist unknown), CC BY

    More than 30 per cent of Americans believe in some sort of esoteric knowledge and regularly consult astrology, tarot readers or fortune tellers, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Centre.

    Even though the survey says these Americans are doing so “just for fun” and claim they rely on the information gained by divination “only a little,” the persistence — and apparent rise — of these practices suggests something deeper is at play.

    Tarot card: The High Priestess (Waite–Smith deck), c. 1909.
    (Pamela Colman Smith), CC BY

    People have always turned to divinatory methods to search for unanswered questions and to gain additional knowledge that could help them to prepare for the future, especially in times of uncertainty. For example, searches for “tarot cards” increased by more than 30 per cent during the pandemic.

    I study ancient divination, but to better understand how diviners work, I have observed contemporary diviners at work and talked with them about their practices. They say their clients request tarot consultations more frequently than they did in the past.

    What is divination?

    Anthropologists define “divination” methods as “practice(s) that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omen or by the aid of supernatural powers.”

    Divination methods, including tarot and astrology, offer a way to ask questions when other systems fail to provide answers. These questions can be highly personal and difficult to address in a formal religious setting. The divinatory answers allow people to feel they’ve gained insight, which in turn gives a perception of control over an uncertain future.

    Apart from astrology and tarot, some of the best known divination methods include: the interpreting of dreams, reading coffee cups or tea leaves, observing animals and nature, reading palms and other body features such as nose shape and eye placement.

    When a diviner uses things, such as cards, tea leaves, dice or shells, the connecting thread to many of these methods is that people cannot control the signs they produce. For example, divination consultants typically mix the tarot card deck to make sure the result are randomized. People should not manipulate the results.

    Divination as alternative ways of knowing

    Pew Centre data reveals that young people, women and LGBTQ Americans are among the most likely to consult divinatory methods. Religious studies professor Marcelitte Failla has also written about contemporary Black women who have reclaimed the tarot deck to creatively address their spiritual needs.

    Many people turn to religion when they face the unknown in their lives. They address their insecurities in worship, asking for divine help.

    But there have always been people who did not have access to organized religion. Divinatory practices can be especially appealing to those who have been excluded from traditional religion and had to come up with alternative ways to address uncertainties.

    They perhaps lived in remote areas and could not attend worship sites such as temples. Or possibly, they were excluded from organized religion for identity reasons. For example, women regularly stayed home to care for children and sick. Sometimes, they were denied access because of their bodily “impurities,” menstruation or recent childbirth.

    LGBTQ+ individuals were also denied access. In the U.S., discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals remains one of the leading reasons for leaving traditional religious institutions. In Canada, the churches’ discriminatory treatment of different sexual minorities has been one of the top reasons people dissolve membership.

    Divination in times of uncertainty

    In an age marked by ongoing anxiety, political instability and waning trust in institutions, centuries-old divination rituals offer alternative ways for folks to seek entertainment but also to gain a sense of insight, agency and connection. What may seem like harmless fun can also serve as a serious response to a chaotic world. Divinatory practices can provide both spiritual exploration and emotional validation.

    It’s understandable that a new situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered anxiety and uncertainty for people.

    People continue to experience more anxiety than they did before the pandemic. Some of the main concerns include world politics, job security and personal finances.

    As we try to make sense of the new, confusing and constantly changing situations, many create different theories, some questionable. Some people turn to alternative approaches like divination to make sense of the world.

    Tarot: Thinking through emotions

    People are checking out tarot readings on online platforms. And many social media accounts feature tarot.

    Besides increasing political insecurity, another reason for the increased interest in tarot may be the visual aspect. Increased interest in the decorated cards may be a reflection of our highly visual culture. Interest in the cards with images may reflect interest in other images we watch. They are like photos with messages.

    The fascination with tarot may also speak about a need to control the consultation as a diviner and their client see exactly the same thing. The images in the cards are also symbolic, and they can be interpreted in different ways.

    That means rather than providing a straightforward answer to a question, the cards are tools that can help think through one’s emotions and feelings.

    Tarot is not a religion. The object that is consulted is paper is not an image of the divine or a symbol of transcendence. This lack of alignment with any particular religion allows different people to consult tarot as a spiritual practice.

    In principle, the cards can be consulted anywhere without particular preparations. The only material one needs is a deck of cards. The accessible materiality may be adding to their popularity.

    Playful aspects of divination

    Many divinatory methods include a playful aspect. For instance, the objects used for the lot oracle — pebbles, stones, four-sided knucklebones or dice — are the same ones people used for playing board games.

    Ancient images show people consulting the objects or playing, suggesting the boundaries of some of the divinatory methods were always fluid.

    As randomizing is an important element of divinatory consultation, the new insights various methods produce can be both surprising and entertaining.

    Hanna Tervanotko receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us – https://theconversation.com/why-centuries-old-astrology-and-tarot-cards-still-appeal-to-us-258993

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hanna Tervanotko, Associate professor, Religious Studies, McMaster University

    The Sola Busca tarot deck from Italy, circa 15th century. (Artist unknown), CC BY

    More than 30 per cent of Americans believe in some sort of esoteric knowledge and regularly consult astrology, tarot readers or fortune tellers, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Centre.

    Even though the survey says these Americans are doing so “just for fun” and claim they rely on the information gained by divination “only a little,” the persistence — and apparent rise — of these practices suggests something deeper is at play.

    Tarot card: The High Priestess (Waite–Smith deck), c. 1909.
    (Pamela Colman Smith), CC BY

    People have always turned to divinatory methods to search for unanswered questions and to gain additional knowledge that could help them to prepare for the future, especially in times of uncertainty. For example, searches for “tarot cards” increased by more than 30 per cent during the pandemic.

    I study ancient divination, but to better understand how diviners work, I have observed contemporary diviners at work and talked with them about their practices. They say their clients request tarot consultations more frequently than they did in the past.

    What is divination?

    Anthropologists define “divination” methods as “practice(s) that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omen or by the aid of supernatural powers.”

    Divination methods, including tarot and astrology, offer a way to ask questions when other systems fail to provide answers. These questions can be highly personal and difficult to address in a formal religious setting. The divinatory answers allow people to feel they’ve gained insight, which in turn gives a perception of control over an uncertain future.

    Apart from astrology and tarot, some of the best known divination methods include: the interpreting of dreams, reading coffee cups or tea leaves, observing animals and nature, reading palms and other body features such as nose shape and eye placement.

    When a diviner uses things, such as cards, tea leaves, dice or shells, the connecting thread to many of these methods is that people cannot control the signs they produce. For example, divination consultants typically mix the tarot card deck to make sure the result are randomized. People should not manipulate the results.

    Divination as alternative ways of knowing

    Pew Centre data reveals that young people, women and LGBTQ Americans are among the most likely to consult divinatory methods. Religious studies professor Marcelitte Failla has also written about contemporary Black women who have reclaimed the tarot deck to creatively address their spiritual needs.

    Many people turn to religion when they face the unknown in their lives. They address their insecurities in worship, asking for divine help.

    But there have always been people who did not have access to organized religion. Divinatory practices can be especially appealing to those who have been excluded from traditional religion and had to come up with alternative ways to address uncertainties.

    They perhaps lived in remote areas and could not attend worship sites such as temples. Or possibly, they were excluded from organized religion for identity reasons. For example, women regularly stayed home to care for children and sick. Sometimes, they were denied access because of their bodily “impurities,” menstruation or recent childbirth.

    LGBTQ+ individuals were also denied access. In the U.S., discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals remains one of the leading reasons for leaving traditional religious institutions. In Canada, the churches’ discriminatory treatment of different sexual minorities has been one of the top reasons people dissolve membership.

    Divination in times of uncertainty

    In an age marked by ongoing anxiety, political instability and waning trust in institutions, centuries-old divination rituals offer alternative ways for folks to seek entertainment but also to gain a sense of insight, agency and connection. What may seem like harmless fun can also serve as a serious response to a chaotic world. Divinatory practices can provide both spiritual exploration and emotional validation.

    It’s understandable that a new situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered anxiety and uncertainty for people.

    People continue to experience more anxiety than they did before the pandemic. Some of the main concerns include world politics, job security and personal finances.

    As we try to make sense of the new, confusing and constantly changing situations, many create different theories, some questionable. Some people turn to alternative approaches like divination to make sense of the world.

    Tarot: Thinking through emotions

    People are checking out tarot readings on online platforms. And many social media accounts feature tarot.

    Besides increasing political insecurity, another reason for the increased interest in tarot may be the visual aspect. Increased interest in the decorated cards may be a reflection of our highly visual culture. Interest in the cards with images may reflect interest in other images we watch. They are like photos with messages.

    The fascination with tarot may also speak about a need to control the consultation as a diviner and their client see exactly the same thing. The images in the cards are also symbolic, and they can be interpreted in different ways.

    That means rather than providing a straightforward answer to a question, the cards are tools that can help think through one’s emotions and feelings.

    Tarot is not a religion. The object that is consulted is paper is not an image of the divine or a symbol of transcendence. This lack of alignment with any particular religion allows different people to consult tarot as a spiritual practice.

    In principle, the cards can be consulted anywhere without particular preparations. The only material one needs is a deck of cards. The accessible materiality may be adding to their popularity.

    Playful aspects of divination

    Many divinatory methods include a playful aspect. For instance, the objects used for the lot oracle — pebbles, stones, four-sided knucklebones or dice — are the same ones people used for playing board games.

    Ancient images show people consulting the objects or playing, suggesting the boundaries of some of the divinatory methods were always fluid.

    As randomizing is an important element of divinatory consultation, the new insights various methods produce can be both surprising and entertaining.

    Hanna Tervanotko receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us – https://theconversation.com/why-centuries-old-astrology-and-tarot-cards-still-appeal-to-us-258993

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 stategies to move forward

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Leda Stawnychko, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory, Mount Royal University

    As the school year comes to a close, young Canadians entering the job market are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years. Despite their drive to build careers and connections, many Gen Z are entering a stagnant job market.

    According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 is 12.2 per cent — over double that of the prime working-age population.

    The outlook is bleaker for students planning to return to full-time studies in the fall. Unemployment for this group has reached just over 20 per cent, the highest level since 2009, when the global economy was reeling from the Great Recession.

    Gen Zs without post-secondary credentials, people with disabilities and newcomers face steeper hurdles. They are competing in a labour market dominated by one of the world’s most highly educated generations.

    Today’s youth are navigating a perfect storm of persistent inflation, global trade tensions, a saturated labour market and restructuring driven by automation and AI.

    Unlike older workers, many young people lack the financial stability or support systems to pursue opportunities that require relocating.

    First jobs matter more than ever

    Early work experiences have long served as crucial stepping stones for young people entering the workforce. They offer new workers exposure to the habits, norms and expectations of the professional world.

    Roles in retail, hospitality and customer service often serve as a first taste of working life, helping young people build confidence, develop transferable skills and expand their professional networks. Without access to these opportunities, many young Canadians risk falling behind before their careers even begin.

    The long-term implications are serious. According to a 2024 report from consulting firm Deloitte, Canada stands to lose $18.5 billion in GDP over the next decade if youth unemployment remains high.

    Young Canadians are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years.
    (Shutterstock)

    More broadly, high unemployment among youth weakens social trust and undermines the foundations of social cohesion, long-term prosperity, democratic stability and leadership pipelines.

    Underemployment also takes a personal toll, contributing to poorer mental and physical health and delaying major life milestones like financial independence, homeownership and family formation.

    What Gen Z can do

    Many young job-seekers are understandably discouraged by today’s labour market. But as digital natives, Gen Z have advantages to bring to the table, including creativity, values-driven mindsets and fluency in technology.

    The key is to stay open, proactive and creative by pursuing non-linear experiences that can serve as legitimate entry points into the workforce. Here are four actionable strategies for Gen Z starting their careers:

    1. Think beyond traditional pathways.

    Unconventional roles and programs can offer valuable experience. For example, university students at Global Affairs Canada’s federal work experience program recently helped support the G7 Summit, gaining confidence and transferable skills.

    Side projects, such as building websites or freelancing, can also help people start their careers. These are increasingly recognized as valid ways to break into the job market.

    2. Build core skills that matter.

    The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report identifies analytical thinking, resilience, creativity, leadership and self-awareness as the most in-demand skills for the future. These can be developed through volunteer work, community leadership, mentorship or personal projects.

    Programs like International Experience Canada also help foster independence, global awareness and important skills.

    3. Invest in future-ready capabilities.

    As workplaces adopt AI and automation, tech literacy is becoming increasingly valuable. Microcredentials can help build specialized skills, while apprenticeships and other experiential learning opportunities offer experiences that employers value.



    Read more:
    Workplace besties: How to build relationships at work while staying professional

    4. Build meaningful connections.

    Networks are also a key part of job success. Relationships with peers, mentors and community members can provide support, broaden perspectives and lead to unexpected opportunities. Participating in interest groups or volunteering can help young workers feel more connected and confident while developing skills that matter.

    A new working generation

    While these steps won’t solve the systemic challenges facing the labour market, they can help young Canadians gain traction in a system that is still catching up to the needs of their generation.

    This will require the collaboration of government, employers, educational institutions and community service providers to innovatively reduce existing barriers. Importantly, these sectors are being asked to “walk the talk” when it comes to addressing youth unemployment.

    Gen Z is entering the workforce during a time of profound economic and social change. But they also have unparalleled access to information, supportive communities and platforms to share ideas and make a meaningful impact.

    By acting with intention, young Canadians can navigate this landscape with agency, laying the foundation not only for jobs but for careers that reflect their values and ambitions.

    Leda Stawnychko receives funding from SSHRC.

    Warren Boyd Ferguson 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. Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 stategies to move forward – https://theconversation.com/gen-z-is-struggling-to-find-work-4-stategies-to-move-forward-259504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 stategies to move forward

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Leda Stawnychko, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory, Mount Royal University

    As the school year comes to a close, young Canadians entering the job market are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years. Despite their drive to build careers and connections, many Gen Z are entering a stagnant job market.

    According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 is 12.2 per cent — over double that of the prime working-age population.

    The outlook is bleaker for students planning to return to full-time studies in the fall. Unemployment for this group has reached just over 20 per cent, the highest level since 2009, when the global economy was reeling from the Great Recession.

    Gen Zs without post-secondary credentials, people with disabilities and newcomers face steeper hurdles. They are competing in a labour market dominated by one of the world’s most highly educated generations.

    Today’s youth are navigating a perfect storm of persistent inflation, global trade tensions, a saturated labour market and restructuring driven by automation and AI.

    Unlike older workers, many young people lack the financial stability or support systems to pursue opportunities that require relocating.

    First jobs matter more than ever

    Early work experiences have long served as crucial stepping stones for young people entering the workforce. They offer new workers exposure to the habits, norms and expectations of the professional world.

    Roles in retail, hospitality and customer service often serve as a first taste of working life, helping young people build confidence, develop transferable skills and expand their professional networks. Without access to these opportunities, many young Canadians risk falling behind before their careers even begin.

    The long-term implications are serious. According to a 2024 report from consulting firm Deloitte, Canada stands to lose $18.5 billion in GDP over the next decade if youth unemployment remains high.

    Young Canadians are facing one of the toughest hiring seasons in years.
    (Shutterstock)

    More broadly, high unemployment among youth weakens social trust and undermines the foundations of social cohesion, long-term prosperity, democratic stability and leadership pipelines.

    Underemployment also takes a personal toll, contributing to poorer mental and physical health and delaying major life milestones like financial independence, homeownership and family formation.

    What Gen Z can do

    Many young job-seekers are understandably discouraged by today’s labour market. But as digital natives, Gen Z have advantages to bring to the table, including creativity, values-driven mindsets and fluency in technology.

    The key is to stay open, proactive and creative by pursuing non-linear experiences that can serve as legitimate entry points into the workforce. Here are four actionable strategies for Gen Z starting their careers:

    1. Think beyond traditional pathways.

    Unconventional roles and programs can offer valuable experience. For example, university students at Global Affairs Canada’s federal work experience program recently helped support the G7 Summit, gaining confidence and transferable skills.

    Side projects, such as building websites or freelancing, can also help people start their careers. These are increasingly recognized as valid ways to break into the job market.

    2. Build core skills that matter.

    The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report identifies analytical thinking, resilience, creativity, leadership and self-awareness as the most in-demand skills for the future. These can be developed through volunteer work, community leadership, mentorship or personal projects.

    Programs like International Experience Canada also help foster independence, global awareness and important skills.

    3. Invest in future-ready capabilities.

    As workplaces adopt AI and automation, tech literacy is becoming increasingly valuable. Microcredentials can help build specialized skills, while apprenticeships and other experiential learning opportunities offer experiences that employers value.



    Read more:
    Workplace besties: How to build relationships at work while staying professional

    4. Build meaningful connections.

    Networks are also a key part of job success. Relationships with peers, mentors and community members can provide support, broaden perspectives and lead to unexpected opportunities. Participating in interest groups or volunteering can help young workers feel more connected and confident while developing skills that matter.

    A new working generation

    While these steps won’t solve the systemic challenges facing the labour market, they can help young Canadians gain traction in a system that is still catching up to the needs of their generation.

    This will require the collaboration of government, employers, educational institutions and community service providers to innovatively reduce existing barriers. Importantly, these sectors are being asked to “walk the talk” when it comes to addressing youth unemployment.

    Gen Z is entering the workforce during a time of profound economic and social change. But they also have unparalleled access to information, supportive communities and platforms to share ideas and make a meaningful impact.

    By acting with intention, young Canadians can navigate this landscape with agency, laying the foundation not only for jobs but for careers that reflect their values and ambitions.

    Leda Stawnychko receives funding from SSHRC.

    Warren Boyd Ferguson 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. Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 stategies to move forward – https://theconversation.com/gen-z-is-struggling-to-find-work-4-stategies-to-move-forward-259504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Survey: Only four per cent of Canadians give schools an ‘A’ on climate education – students deserve better

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Karen S. Acton, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy, OISE, University of Toronto

    Only nine per cent of Canadian students learn about climate change often in school, while 42 per cent say it’s rarely or never discussed in the classroom.

    These are some of the concerning findings from the new 2025 national survey at the nonprofit Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), where I serve as a research consultant. Our team surveyed over 4,200 people, including students, educators, parents and the general public.

    The report, called “From Awareness to Action: Canadians’ Views on Climate Change and Education,” reveals a widening gap between public concern and the education system’s lack of response.

    We conducted the survey in partnership with the pollster Leger and supported by the federal government. It comes at a critical moment as Canadians grapple with increasingly severe climate impacts and growing recognition that education is vitally important to addressing climate change.

    The message is clear: Canadians want schools to do more. A strong majority of respondents (62 per cent) believe climate change should be a high priority in education. More than half (56 per cent) believe it should be taught by all teachers.

    Understanding is slipping

    According to the survey, 80 per cent of Canadians accept that climate change is real and impacting their lives. Most (67 per cent) believe we are in a climate emergency, yet this belief has declined from 72 per cent in 2022.

    Also slipping is Canadians’ understanding of climate change, as the pass rate for the survey’s 10-question quiz dipped to 57 per cent in 2025 from 67 per cent in 2022.

    Fewer respondents correctly identified human activities as the primary cause of climate change, or named greenhouse gas emissions as the predominant factor. Many still mistakenly believe the ozone hole is to blame, highlighting one of many persistent climate misconceptions.

    Also concerning was the increase in Canadians who felt that the seriousness of climate change is exaggerated.

    A recent report by climate communications centre Re.Climate noted a similar decline in public perception of how much of a threat climate change poses. In 2023, 44 per cent of Canadians said reducing carbon emissions was a top energy policy priority. By 2025, that number had dropped to 31 per cent.

    Concern about climate change seems to have declined due to competing economic pressures, global instability and political polarization.

    Misinformation adds to the challenge

    The LSF survey highlights Canadians’ dissatisfaction with climate education. When asked to grade schools on how well they were addressing climate change issues, only four per cent gave schools an “A.” Three-quarters of Canadians gave a “C” or lower.

    One dominant concern included addressing the spread of climate misinformation. Only 17 per cent of Canadians felt confident in their ability to distinguish between real and false climate news.

    Misinformation is a growing barrier to public understanding and action on climate issues. For many young people, social media is a dominant source of climate information, but it’s not always a reliable one.

    To address this, almost 80 per cent of respondents, and in particular 87 per cent of educators, agree that climate education in schools should focus more on critical thinking and media literacy.

    Teachers willing, but under-supported

    The good news is that almost half of the educators we surveyed felt confident about their ability to teach climate change. Many are incorporating more climate-related projects and lifestyle and consumer changes into the classroom.

    However, many barriers remain. Most educators still spend fewer than 10 hours per year on climate topics, and 42 per cent rarely address it at all. A full 60 per cent of teachers told us they want to do more but need professional development to feel equipped.

    Teachers need more time, resources and strategies to address how climate change connects to broader issues like mental health, social justice and Indigenous knowledge.

    Educators are also seeking a school-wide culture that promotes climate change education, but nearly half said they lack support from their principal or school boards.

    Unsurprisingly, given the global nature of climate change, the challenges voiced by educators are not unique to Canada. Surveys of teachers in England and the United States found they face similar obstacles, compounded by low teacher confidence, the complexity of the topic and leadership not supporting climate change as a priority.

    Almost half of the educators surveyed felt confident about their ability to teach climate change, and many are incorporating more climate-related projects and lifestyle and consumer changes into the classroom.
    (Shutterstock)

    Students need the opportunity

    One of the most hopeful takeaways is that students want to learn more about climate change at school, beginning in the early grades. When asked what they would tell their teacher, students told us they wanted lessons that go beyond the science to include real-world solutions and personal empowerment.

    They called for open classroom discussions, a clearer understanding of the impacts of climate change and concrete strategies for action.

    As one student put it: “Present it to me in a way that’s relevant that I can understand, and tell me how I can personally make an impact.”

    Another added: “Everyone needs to do their part or nothing will change!”

    These appeals echo those from the recent Voice of 1,000 Kids survey, which found young people want adults to take the climate crisis more seriously and step up to help solve it.



    Read more:
    Kids care deeply about our planet, so adults need to start listening

    A path forward

    The LSF survey found that 76 per cent of respondents recognize that systemic change is needed to address climate challenges, yet only 19 per cent believe government is doing a good job.

    This suggests strong public demand for policy action. Canadian governments must introduce mandatory climate curriculum standards, increased funding for teacher professional learning and resources, and transformative teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and empowerment.

    Almost 70 per cent of respondents said they believe young people can inspire important climate action. Supporting school-wide cultures that embrace sustainability isn’t just good teaching — it’s a pathway to broader social change.

    Now more than ever, we need a reimagined education system that values climate learning as a core competency. Policymakers and education leaders must rise to meet this challenge before another generation of students graduate feeling unprepared to face the defining issue of their time.

    Karen S. Acton works as a consultant for Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF).

    – ref. Survey: Only four per cent of Canadians give schools an ‘A’ on climate education – students deserve better – https://theconversation.com/survey-only-four-per-cent-of-canadians-give-schools-an-a-on-climate-education-students-deserve-better-259430

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Survey: Only four per cent of Canadians give schools an ‘A’ on climate education – students deserve better

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Karen S. Acton, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy, OISE, University of Toronto

    Only nine per cent of Canadian students learn about climate change often in school, while 42 per cent say it’s rarely or never discussed in the classroom.

    These are some of the concerning findings from the new 2025 national survey at the nonprofit Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), where I serve as a research consultant. Our team surveyed over 4,200 people, including students, educators, parents and the general public.

    The report, called “From Awareness to Action: Canadians’ Views on Climate Change and Education,” reveals a widening gap between public concern and the education system’s lack of response.

    We conducted the survey in partnership with the pollster Leger and supported by the federal government. It comes at a critical moment as Canadians grapple with increasingly severe climate impacts and growing recognition that education is vitally important to addressing climate change.

    The message is clear: Canadians want schools to do more. A strong majority of respondents (62 per cent) believe climate change should be a high priority in education. More than half (56 per cent) believe it should be taught by all teachers.

    Understanding is slipping

    According to the survey, 80 per cent of Canadians accept that climate change is real and impacting their lives. Most (67 per cent) believe we are in a climate emergency, yet this belief has declined from 72 per cent in 2022.

    Also slipping is Canadians’ understanding of climate change, as the pass rate for the survey’s 10-question quiz dipped to 57 per cent in 2025 from 67 per cent in 2022.

    Fewer respondents correctly identified human activities as the primary cause of climate change, or named greenhouse gas emissions as the predominant factor. Many still mistakenly believe the ozone hole is to blame, highlighting one of many persistent climate misconceptions.

    Also concerning was the increase in Canadians who felt that the seriousness of climate change is exaggerated.

    A recent report by climate communications centre Re.Climate noted a similar decline in public perception of how much of a threat climate change poses. In 2023, 44 per cent of Canadians said reducing carbon emissions was a top energy policy priority. By 2025, that number had dropped to 31 per cent.

    Concern about climate change seems to have declined due to competing economic pressures, global instability and political polarization.

    Misinformation adds to the challenge

    The LSF survey highlights Canadians’ dissatisfaction with climate education. When asked to grade schools on how well they were addressing climate change issues, only four per cent gave schools an “A.” Three-quarters of Canadians gave a “C” or lower.

    One dominant concern included addressing the spread of climate misinformation. Only 17 per cent of Canadians felt confident in their ability to distinguish between real and false climate news.

    Misinformation is a growing barrier to public understanding and action on climate issues. For many young people, social media is a dominant source of climate information, but it’s not always a reliable one.

    To address this, almost 80 per cent of respondents, and in particular 87 per cent of educators, agree that climate education in schools should focus more on critical thinking and media literacy.

    Teachers willing, but under-supported

    The good news is that almost half of the educators we surveyed felt confident about their ability to teach climate change. Many are incorporating more climate-related projects and lifestyle and consumer changes into the classroom.

    However, many barriers remain. Most educators still spend fewer than 10 hours per year on climate topics, and 42 per cent rarely address it at all. A full 60 per cent of teachers told us they want to do more but need professional development to feel equipped.

    Teachers need more time, resources and strategies to address how climate change connects to broader issues like mental health, social justice and Indigenous knowledge.

    Educators are also seeking a school-wide culture that promotes climate change education, but nearly half said they lack support from their principal or school boards.

    Unsurprisingly, given the global nature of climate change, the challenges voiced by educators are not unique to Canada. Surveys of teachers in England and the United States found they face similar obstacles, compounded by low teacher confidence, the complexity of the topic and leadership not supporting climate change as a priority.

    Almost half of the educators surveyed felt confident about their ability to teach climate change, and many are incorporating more climate-related projects and lifestyle and consumer changes into the classroom.
    (Shutterstock)

    Students need the opportunity

    One of the most hopeful takeaways is that students want to learn more about climate change at school, beginning in the early grades. When asked what they would tell their teacher, students told us they wanted lessons that go beyond the science to include real-world solutions and personal empowerment.

    They called for open classroom discussions, a clearer understanding of the impacts of climate change and concrete strategies for action.

    As one student put it: “Present it to me in a way that’s relevant that I can understand, and tell me how I can personally make an impact.”

    Another added: “Everyone needs to do their part or nothing will change!”

    These appeals echo those from the recent Voice of 1,000 Kids survey, which found young people want adults to take the climate crisis more seriously and step up to help solve it.



    Read more:
    Kids care deeply about our planet, so adults need to start listening

    A path forward

    The LSF survey found that 76 per cent of respondents recognize that systemic change is needed to address climate challenges, yet only 19 per cent believe government is doing a good job.

    This suggests strong public demand for policy action. Canadian governments must introduce mandatory climate curriculum standards, increased funding for teacher professional learning and resources, and transformative teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and empowerment.

    Almost 70 per cent of respondents said they believe young people can inspire important climate action. Supporting school-wide cultures that embrace sustainability isn’t just good teaching — it’s a pathway to broader social change.

    Now more than ever, we need a reimagined education system that values climate learning as a core competency. Policymakers and education leaders must rise to meet this challenge before another generation of students graduate feeling unprepared to face the defining issue of their time.

    Karen S. Acton works as a consultant for Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF).

    – ref. Survey: Only four per cent of Canadians give schools an ‘A’ on climate education – students deserve better – https://theconversation.com/survey-only-four-per-cent-of-canadians-give-schools-an-a-on-climate-education-students-deserve-better-259430

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to ‘Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic’, as press released by DHSC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Experts comment on a new press release sent out by the government entitled ‘Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic’.

    Prof Andrew Prentice, Professor of International Nutrition at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:

    “I’m delighted to see government working hand in hand with food manufacturers and retailers. As industry is perceived by many as being part of the problem in creating an obesogenic environment, they must be part of the solution.’

    “The devil will be in the detail and it is a bit concerning to read that ‘large retailers including supermarkets will set a new standard’ but this may be careless wording in the press release. Elsewhere it is clear that the Food Strategy Advisory Board will lead the charge.

    “Mandatory reporting of healthy/unhealthy food sales is an important first step but will presumably only affect the largest outlets. Other initiatives will be required for the thousands of smaller food producers and outlets.’

    “The issue of government creating a level playing field is key. This will help companies reduce sugar and fat from products without fear of losing out to competitors who do not.”

    Prof Tom Sanders, Professor Emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said:

    “The claim made in the Press Release that Public Health experts believe that reducing daily diet by just 50 calories would lift 340,000 children and 2 million adults out of obesity is not a view that most experts in nutrition would share.

    “In theory, very small reductions in daily calorie intake (50 kcal) should stop unhealthy weight gain. But there is little evidence to support this because in practice individuals adapt to small reductions or increases in calorie intake by reducing or increasing energy expenditure. Put into perspective, 50 kcal is the energy expended by 10 minutes brisk walking.

    “There is very limited evidence from one randomised controlled trial in children showing that swapping a can of full sugar drink for a can of diet drink consumed five times a week for a year and a half reduced unhealthy weight gain by just over 1kg. The results of that study found the weight gain was far less than predicted.

    “Most randomised controlled trials show you need to reduce calories intake by at least 300 kcal for a sustained period time to lose weight. Weight gain also tends to occur during periods of excessive consumption (e.g. Christmas and festive periods) or when physical activity is low.

    “Discretionary foods consumed outside the home (crisps, morning goods, cakes, ice-cream) as well as alcoholic drinks are particularly fattening and recent reports suggest we need to focus on these and change eating behaviours, which continue to get worse.

    “Food manufacturers have already reduced portion sizes of foods by ‘shrinkflation’ (less food at higher prices) but so far this has had little impact on obesity.

    “Tackling obesity can only be effective if it changes the obesogenic environment which is characterised by sedentary behaviour and over-exposure to high calorie food.”

    * www.gov.uk/government/news/healthy-food-revolution-to-tackle-obesity-epidemic

    Declared interests

    Prof Tom Sanders: “I have received grant funding for research on vegans in the past. I have been retired for 10 years but during my career at King’s College London, I formerly acted as consultant for companies that made artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.

    “I am a member of the Programme Advisory Committee of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board which involves the review of research projects proposed by the Malaysia government.

    “I also used to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Dairy Platform up until 2015.

    “I did do some consultancy work on GRAS affirmation of high oleic palm oil for Archer Daniel Midland more than ten years ago.

    “My research group received oils and fats free of charge from Unilever and Archer Daniel Midland for our Food Standards Agency Research.

    “I was a member of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee that recommended that trans fatty acids be removed from the human food chain.

    “Member of the Science Committee British Nutrition Foundation.  Honorary Nutritional Director HEART UK.

    “Before my retirement from King’s College London in 2014, I acted as a consultant to many companies and organisations involved in the manufacture of what are now designated ultraprocessed foods.

    “I used to be a consultant to the Breakfast Cereals Advisory Board of the Food and Drink Federation.

    “I used to be a consultant for aspartame more than a decade ago.

    “When I was doing research at King’ College London, the following applied: Tom does not hold any grants or have any consultancies with companies involved in the production or marketing of sugar-sweetened drinks.  In reference to previous funding to Tom’s institution: £4.5 million was donated to King’s College London by Tate & Lyle in 2006; this funding finished in 2011. This money was given to the College and was in recognition of the discovery of the artificial sweetener sucralose by Prof Hough at the Queen Elizabeth College (QEC), which merged with King’s College London. The Tate & Lyle grant paid for the Clinical Research Centre at St Thomas’ that is run by the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust, it was not used to fund research on sugar. Tate & Lyle sold their sugar interests to American Sugar so the brand Tate & Lyle still exists but it is no longer linked to the company Tate & Lyle PLC, which gave the money to King’s College London in 2006.”

    Andrew Prentice: “I sit on the Global Nutrition Science Council for the Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI), an educational initiative, and create content for them (lectures, articles and podcasts for health care professionals).”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, Vice President congratulate President of Seychelles on Independence Day

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

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    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a cable of congratulations to President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles, on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day, observed on 29th June.

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar cables to President Ramkalawan on the occasion.

    – on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Over 1,000 Devotees Join 15th Rath Yatra Celebration by Odisha Samaj UAE in Dubai

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Marking a significant cultural milestone, Odisha Samaj UAE hosted its 15th annual Rath Yatra, drawing more than 1,000 devotees from across all seven emirates. The event has become one of the most prominent celebrations for the Odia diaspora in the region, bringing together families and faith communities in a shared expression of devotion.

    Hosted at Star International School in Dubai, the celebration honoured Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra through a sequence of traditional rituals. Among the highlights was the ceremonial Pahandi Bije, during which the deities were ceremoniously escorted to the grand chariot, drawing the attention and devotion of all present and setting the tone for the main procession.The much-awaited chariot pulling began with devotees joining in with deep reverence and enthusiasm. After the procession, Mahaprasad was distributed to all attendees, reflecting the festival’s spirit of inclusivity and collective devotion.

    Over 100 Odia families prepared the Chhappan Bhoga, a revered offering of 56 food items, continuing a custom rooted in Puri’s temple traditions. Cultural elements included Devadasi dance performances by children and collective chanting of the 108 Mahamantra, creating a spiritually immersive atmosphere. Evening sessions featured devotional singing and an Odissi dance performance, highlighting Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and maintaining the festive momentum.

    Amiya Mishra, President of Odisha Samaj UAE, said the event goes beyond religious observance. “For 15 years, this celebration has brought a sense of home to the Odia community here. It’s about preserving identity, building community, and passing on traditions to the next generation.”

    Now a key fixture in the Indian cultural calendar of the UAE, the Rath Yatra has grown into a platform of unity and cultural pride, connecting people across backgrounds and reaffirming ties to heritage while embracing life in a multicultural society.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: India monsoon rains leave 34 dead, 4 missing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    NEW DELHI, June 29 (Xinhua) — At least 34 people have been killed, four are missing and 74 others have been injured due to monsoon rains in northern India’s Himachal Pradesh state over the past nine days, officials said on Sunday.

    According to a report released by the State Emergency Operations Centre, the total damage to infrastructure during the period is estimated at US$8.32 million.

    The center also confirmed that homes, livestock pens, government buildings, roads, water systems and power lines were damaged.

    The Himachal Pradesh state government has put emergency services on high alert.

    Officials said the rains had caused water levels in all major rivers and streams in the state to rise.

    Around 40 roads in the affected areas are reported to remain closed due to landslides.

    Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state over the next two days. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chikunga unveils strategic roadmap to drive gender equality

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Chikunga unveils strategic roadmap to drive gender equality

    Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has laid out a firm and focused roadmap for the department, telling Parliament that the Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan being tabled is not “a wishlist” but a policy-driven programme aimed at driving institutional change. 

    Presenting the department’s five-year Strategic Plan to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Chikunga emphasised that the plan is guided by constitutional responsibility and not rhetoric.

    “We are not presenting a wishlist. We are presenting a focused, policy-driven programme of work. And we welcome your oversight, because it helps sharpen our ability to deliver,” she said.

    The Minister stressed that the plan was crafted around three core strategic areas, including strengthening the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, responding more directly to youth unemployment and exclusion, and building a truly inclusive state for persons with disabilities.

    “This five-year Strategic Plan is not just an internal planning document. It is our contract with the people of South Africa, a commitment to act with focus, discipline, and integrity in advancing their constitutional rights.

    “We’ve taken time to reflect honestly on where we are. There are areas where progress has been made, and others where we are simply not moving fast enough. This plan is our attempt to be more deliberate — to do fewer things, better — and to ensure that what we prioritise has the full weight of policy, legislation, and institutional backing,” Chikunga told the Portfolio Committee. 

    Scaling up, accelerating delivery

    On Gender-Base Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the Minister said the department is moving from “crisis response to institutional permanence,” with efforts underway to finalise the appointment of members to the National Council on GBVF. 

    Once established, the Council will serve as a key anchor in implementing the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF.

    “In the interim, the department is strengthening the Technical Task Team, aligning sector departments behind the NSP priorities, and expanding provincial implementation support — with a specific focus on prevention, justice, psychosocial services, and the economic empowerment of survivors,” Chikunga said.

    On youth development, she highlighted the revitalisation of the National Youth Machinery and the alignment of National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) support with initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and the National Pathway Management Network.

    Regarding disability rights, the department is enhancing the Disability Rights Machinery, rolling out infrastructure audits to promote universal design, and working with municipalities to improve accessibility.

    “We know these challenges won’t be solved by one department. But we also know that if we don’t lead decisively on these issues, they will remain peripheral in the machinery of the state,” she added.

    Advancing legislative agenda

    Chikunga revealed that the department will push forward with four key Bills during the current Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) period:

    • The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act — Parliament is finalising Council appointments, while the department works with Treasury and DPSA to operationalise the Council by 1 April 2026.
    • The Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Bill — To be submitted to Cabinet this term, aimed at improving compliance with gender equality frameworks.
    • The Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill — In final drafting stages and aligned to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    • The South African Youth Development Bill — Still being refined to streamline youth development coordination across the state.

    “One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is the ability to legislate to move from policy intent to enforceable obligation. The test of any legislative agenda is not how many laws we pass but how well we implement them,” she said. 

    Building institutional discipline

    Chikunga underscored the need for strengthened coordination and evidence-based delivery, with a plan to embed gender, youth, and disability imperatives in planning and budgeting frameworks across departments.

    “We’ve spoken about focus, impact, and accountability. But none of that is possible without strong coordination systems. If implementation falters, it is often because coordination is weak and we are determined to fix that,” the Minister said.

    She outlined ongoing work with Stats SA, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), and other sector partners to strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems, track disaggregated data, and ensure community-level feedback informs decision-making.

    “Our aim is to move from episodic coordination to institutional discipline. From fragmented responses to coherent delivery. Because ultimately, our success will not be judged by what we announce but by what we achieve,” she added.

    Chikunga also acknowledged the gravity of the issues at hand, including youth unemployment, violence against women, and systemic exclusion of persons with disabilities. 

    “We are not starting from zero. We are building on foundations — some strong, some uneven — and we intend to accelerate what works, correct what doesn’t, and ensure that our programmes are matched by institutional capability. 

    “We do not take this space for granted. It is a moment of reflection, of accountability, and of alignment between the work we do as a department and the constitutional responsibilities that we collectively carry,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

    DikelediM

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): New initiative to eliminate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in children ‘a beacon of hope’


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    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched a bold new national initiative aimed at eliminating AIDS among children by 2030 – a move hailed by the United Nations as “a beacon of hope” amid growing global funding constraints. 

    “Our country can no longer tolerate children being born and growing up with HIV, when tools exist to prevent, detect and effectively treat this infection,” President Félix Tshisekedi declared at a recent government conference in the south-eastern Lualaba province, as he launched the five-year initiative.

    Backed by an initial commitment of $18 million in national funds, the Presidential Initiative to End Pediatric AIDS will focus on political leadership, systems strengthening and inclusive healthcare access particularly for children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

    It also aligns well with DRC’s global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

    Children lagging behind

    The initiative marks a renewed commitment by the DRC to address children’s extremely limited access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

    While the DRC has made notable strides in adult HIV response – 91 per cent of adults living with HIV now have access to antiretroviral treatment – children continue to lag far behind. 

    Only 44 per cent of children living with HIV in the country currently receive lifesaving treatment, a figure that has remained unchanged for over a decade.

    Every year, thousands of Congolese children are still infected, often due to a lack of screening among pregnant women, depriving the health system of a crucial opportunity to prevent mother-to-child transmission as well as saving the mother’s live.

    “The eradication of paediatric AIDS is a moral imperative, an imperative of social justice and an indicator of dignity,” Mr. Tshisekedi said.

    Four core priorities

    The Presidential Initiative targets four core areas:

    • Improving early detection and treatment of HIV for children, adolescents and pregnant women
    • Preventing new infections in children, adolescents and mothers
    • Guarantee systematic and immediate treatment for those diagnosed
    • Remove structural barriers hindering young people’s access to health services 

    A breath of fresh air

    The UN Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) praised the initiative as an example of the national leadership needed to close critical gaps in global HIV response.

    Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS Country Director in the DRC, commended the initiative as “a breath of fresh air” at a time when global development financing is under strain.

    “At a time when development financing is experiencing turbulence and risk jeopardizing the systems that support the most vulnerable, President Tshisekedi’s leadership initiative is a beacon of hope,” she said.

    According to UNAIDS, recent funding cuts are threatening critical HIV services, with stock of medication and condoms feared to run out within months. Key areas like antenatal testing, paediatric treatment and data quality monitoring have also been impacted. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will deploy a pre-election fact-finding mission to Côte d’Ivoire from 29 June to 5 July 2025


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    In accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Article 53(C) of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, and the decision of the Conference of Heads of State and Government to send pre-election missions in a timely manner to Member States holding elections, the ECOWAS Commission will deploy a pre-election fact-finding mission to Côte d’Ivoire from 29 June to 5 July 2025.

    This mission will be led by Professor Theodore HOLO, former president of the Constitutional Court of Benin. It consists of ten members, including Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH Phd, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ms. Adjovi Yekpe, Ambassador of Benin to ECOWAS, representing the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ECOWAS Member States.

    The mission will be assisted by electoral experts from the sub-region and a technical team from ECOWAS led by H.E. Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.

    The programme for the pre-election mission to Côte d’Ivoire includes meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), leaders of political parties from the presidential camp and the opposition, and civil society organisations.

    The various activities to be carried out during this mission will enable the Head of Mission and the experts to (i) collect all the legal texts governing the holding of the 2025 presidential election in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; (ii) meet with the electoral management body (EMB), the administration, the leaders of coalitions and political parties, civil society and all other stakeholders in the electoral process; (iii) collect all information relating to the conditions under which the presidential election will be held; Collect all relevant information concerning the competing political coalitions and parties; (iv) gather any other information useful for a proper assessment of the political atmosphere; and finally (v) assess the state of preparations for the holding of the presidential election under proper conditions.

    The information obtained by the ECOWAS pre-election mission at the end of its stay in Abidjan,  will be subject to objective analysis and will be recorded in a report accompanied by recommendations to the management of the ECOWAS Commission.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi hails grassroots green initiatives, calls ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ movement for future generations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the growing environmental consciousness across the country, highlighting individual and community-led efforts to protect nature and promote sustainability.

    Speaking in the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann ki Baat’, PM Modi said that several inspiring initiatives were shared with him on the occasion of World Environment Day, reflecting a rising spirit of environmental responsibility among citizens.

    “This month, we all celebrated World Environment Day. I received thousands of your messages. Many people told me about those friends who had set out alone to save the environment, and then the whole society joined them. This contribution of everyone is becoming a great strength for our earth,” PM Modi said.

    He shared the inspiring story of Ramesh Kharmale from Pune.

    “When people take rest at the end of the week, Ramesh Kharmale and his family set out with a pickaxe and a spade. Do you know where to? Towards the hills of Junnar. Be it sunshine or a steep climb, their ascent does not stop. They clear bushes, dig trenches to retain water and sow seeds. They dug 70 trenches in just two months,” he said.

    “Ramesh Kharmale has made many small ponds and planted hundreds of trees. He is also getting an Oxygen Park built. The result is that birds have started returning here, and wildlife is getting a new breath,” he added.

    The Prime Minister also lauded a large-scale campaign in Gujarat.

    “Another beautiful initiative for the environment has been seen in Ahmedabad city. Here, the Municipal Corporation has started the ‘Mission for Million Trees’ campaign. The target is to plant lakhs of trees. A special aspect of this campaign is ‘Sindoor Van’. This forest is dedicated to the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor. Sindoor saplings are being planted in the memory of those brave people who have sacrificed everything for the country,” he said.

    He highlighted the growing success of the national campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, which aims to link personal emotion with environmental responsibility.

    “Another campaign is being given a new impetus – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. Under this campaign, crores of trees have been planted in the country. You, too, must take part in such campaigns going on in your village or city. Plant trees, save water, serve the earth, because when we save nature, we actually protect our future generations,” PM Modi urged people.

    He further cited the example of Patoda village in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district in Maharashtra, which has embraced an eco-friendly lifestyle.

    “This is a carbon-neutral village Panchayat. In this village, no one throws garbage outside their house. There is a complete system for collecting garbage from every house. Here, dirty water is also treated. No water goes into the river without being cleaned,” he said.

    “Last rites are performed with cow dung cakes, and a tree is planted in the name of the deceased with that ash. The cleanliness in this village is also worth seeing. When small habits become a collective resolve, a big change is certain,” he added.

    The Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for environmental stewardship at both individual and community levels, stressing that such efforts are critical not only for the present but for generations to come.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • PM Modi hails grassroots green initiatives, calls ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ movement for future generations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the growing environmental consciousness across the country, highlighting individual and community-led efforts to protect nature and promote sustainability.

    Speaking in the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann ki Baat’, PM Modi said that several inspiring initiatives were shared with him on the occasion of World Environment Day, reflecting a rising spirit of environmental responsibility among citizens.

    “This month, we all celebrated World Environment Day. I received thousands of your messages. Many people told me about those friends who had set out alone to save the environment, and then the whole society joined them. This contribution of everyone is becoming a great strength for our earth,” PM Modi said.

    He shared the inspiring story of Ramesh Kharmale from Pune.

    “When people take rest at the end of the week, Ramesh Kharmale and his family set out with a pickaxe and a spade. Do you know where to? Towards the hills of Junnar. Be it sunshine or a steep climb, their ascent does not stop. They clear bushes, dig trenches to retain water and sow seeds. They dug 70 trenches in just two months,” he said.

    “Ramesh Kharmale has made many small ponds and planted hundreds of trees. He is also getting an Oxygen Park built. The result is that birds have started returning here, and wildlife is getting a new breath,” he added.

    The Prime Minister also lauded a large-scale campaign in Gujarat.

    “Another beautiful initiative for the environment has been seen in Ahmedabad city. Here, the Municipal Corporation has started the ‘Mission for Million Trees’ campaign. The target is to plant lakhs of trees. A special aspect of this campaign is ‘Sindoor Van’. This forest is dedicated to the bravehearts of Operation Sindoor. Sindoor saplings are being planted in the memory of those brave people who have sacrificed everything for the country,” he said.

    He highlighted the growing success of the national campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, which aims to link personal emotion with environmental responsibility.

    “Another campaign is being given a new impetus – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. Under this campaign, crores of trees have been planted in the country. You, too, must take part in such campaigns going on in your village or city. Plant trees, save water, serve the earth, because when we save nature, we actually protect our future generations,” PM Modi urged people.

    He further cited the example of Patoda village in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district in Maharashtra, which has embraced an eco-friendly lifestyle.

    “This is a carbon-neutral village Panchayat. In this village, no one throws garbage outside their house. There is a complete system for collecting garbage from every house. Here, dirty water is also treated. No water goes into the river without being cleaned,” he said.

    “Last rites are performed with cow dung cakes, and a tree is planted in the name of the deceased with that ash. The cleanliness in this village is also worth seeing. When small habits become a collective resolve, a big change is certain,” he added.

    The Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for environmental stewardship at both individual and community levels, stressing that such efforts are critical not only for the present but for generations to come.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Majodina commends completion of Welbedacht Pipeline Phase 1 project

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, has commended the completion of Welbedacht Pipeline Phase 1 project, which will augment water supply and enhance reliable water provision in Mangaung and surrounding areas. 

    Majodina handed over the project to Vaal Central Water in Bloemfontein on Friday, 27 June 2025.  

    The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlements Saki Mokoena, and the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro Municipality Gregory Nthatisi.

    The pipeline project was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation, through Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant to the tune of R595 744 836.70.  The project entailed the replacement of aging infrastructure of concrete water pipes to steel pipes between Welbedacht and Bloemfontein. 

    The aging infrastructure caused disruptions in water supply to Mangaung Metro due to frequent bursts and leaks. 

    The project, which was undertaken by the Department of Water and Sanitation in conjunction with Vaal Central Water, and Mangaung Metro, included the reconstruction of a 33.7 km pipeline with a 1000 mm diameter bypass that stretches between Brandkop Reservoir and the R702, approximately 20 kilometers from Dewetsdorp. 

    The pipeline site commenced in 2017 but experienced delays due to various challenges, such as community disruptions, landowners refusing to grant access and vandalism of equipment. Following the final completion of the project, the pipeline was fully tested in February 2024. It is expected to supply potable water to approximately 81 236 households. 

    Majodina called on Mangaung Metropolitan to constantly ensure maintenance and operation of the infrastructure to guarantee future water security.

    She also announced the implementation of the second phase of the project, which will focus on the construction of a 105 km, 1200mm diameter bypass pipeline from Lieuwkop Chamber to the Welbedacht Water Treatment Works (WTW). 

    “This is a very huge project that will bring change in the lives of the people of Mangaung as far as water supply is concerned. The municipality should, therefore, ensure that operations and maintenance of the project is done to ensure water security. 

    “Reticulation of water to communities should also be prioritised. We are looking forward to complete the entire project, including the Gariep Dam project which entails pipeline construction from Gariep Dam to Bloemfontein,” the Minister said. 

    Nthatisi commended the department’s ongoing support to enhance water supply services in the municipality. The mayor also called on the communities to use water sparingly and take care of water and sanitation infrastructures. 

    “We would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the Minister and the Department of Water and Sanitation for the gift of this magnitude that will serve the people of Mangaung. This project will literally ease some of the burden we are carrying as the municipality. 

    “I would also like to reiterate the clarion call you have made to our community to take care of this infrastructure and protect it against vandalism. We, as the municipality, wish to state that we are giving the challenges of water supply the necessary attention,” Nthatisi said. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chikunga calls for stronger partnerships to tackle GBVF

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for a “more deliberate partnership” between government and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund. 

    Delivering remarks during a recent meet and greet with the leadership of the GBVF Fund, held in Sandton, Gauteng, the Minister stressed the need for shared responsibility and a unified commitment to justice in the national fight against GBVF. 

    “Let today mark the beginning of a more deliberate partnership, one rooted in shared responsibility, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to justice,” Chikunga said. 

    Commending the Fund for its efforts in mobilising and distributing resources to frontline GBVF initiatives, the Minister underscored the need for deeper alignment between state-led and civil society efforts. 

    The fund has so far reached 772 244 people across the country.

    “We commend the GBVF Response Fund for the strides it has made in mobilising and disbursing resources to frontline initiatives. This is vital work, and we acknowledge the dedication and effort it entails.

    “At the same time, we believe this is a critical moment to strengthen alignment. As government, we are committed to ensuring that our respective efforts reinforce one another, that we close systemic gaps, scale local innovation, and ensure that survivors across all communities are supported with care and dignity,” she said.

    The engagement brought together Fund executives, including Interim CEO Zanele Ngwepe and Chairperson of the Board Faith Khanyile, alongside officials from the Ministry and Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. 

    Chikunga warned that gender-based violence and femicide remain a national and global human rights crisis, citing alarming statistics. 

    “The situation in South Africa is dire. In just three months — January to March 2025 — the South African Police Service recorded 969 women murdered, over 11,000 rape cases, and close to 15,000 assault cases against women. Each of these numbers is a tragedy [and] a call to action,” the Minister emphasised. 

    She stressed that violence continues to occur where women should feel safest, in homes, workplaces, and places of worship and highlighted the added vulnerability of women with disabilities who often face sexual violence with little access to justice. 

    “This means there are women who cannot see, hear, or speak — who are subjected to brutality and have little to no access to justice. These are the hidden faces of gender-based violence and femicide,” she said.

    Chikunga reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, describing it as “a country plan driven by survivors, community leaders, civil society, and the public.” The Ministry is also leading South Africa’s chairmanship of the G20 Empowerment Working Group this year, placing GBVF firmly on the international agenda.

    Highlighting institutional progress, she announced that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF and Substance Abuse, co-chaired with Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, has been approved by Cabinet and is already operational. 

    She also confirmed that the long-awaited National Council on GBVF will be formally established by April 2026.

    “This Council will serve as the institutional anchor for coordination, accountability, and funding — ensuring that the implementation of the National Strategic Plan is survivor-centred, agile, and sustained beyond political cycles,” she said.

    Other key interventions include the launch of the National GBVF Dashboard to track progress in real time, the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres, and the implementation of 100-Day Challenge models in communities — an initiative bringing together local police, prosecutors, health workers, and social services to tackle specific GBV issues with speed and collaboration.

    The Minister invited the Fund to contribute to ongoing policy efforts, including the finalisation of the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Bill, which seeks to strengthen mechanisms for eliminating gender discrimination across all sectors.

    While acknowledging the resource constraints faced by her department, Minister Chikunga affirmed her team’s commitment. 

    “This work is not easy. But it is a non-negotiable because there can be no freedom, no peace, and no economic justice where women, girls, persons with disabilities and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals live in fear,” she said. 

    The Minister concluded by expressing hope that the meeting would lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation with the Fund, in pursuit of a South Africa free from gender-based violence and femicide. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Israel orders evacuations in northern Gaza as Trump calls for war to end

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Israeli military ordered Palestinians to evacuate areas in northern Gaza on Sunday before intensified fighting against Hamas, as U.S. President Donald Trump called for an end to the war amid renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire.

    “Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform early on Sunday.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to hold talks later in the day on the progress of Israel’s offensive. A senior security official said the military will tell him the campaign is close to reaching its objectives, and warn that expanding fighting to new areas in Gaza may endanger the remaining Israeli hostages.

    But in a statement posted on X and text messages sent to many residents, the military urged people in northern parts of the enclave to head south towards the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis, which Israel designated as a humanitarian area. Palestinian and U.N. officials say nowhere in Gaza is safe.

    “The (Israeli) Defense Forces is operating with extreme force in these areas, and these military operations will escalate, intensify, and extend westward to the city center to destroy the capabilities of terrorist organizations,” the military said.

    The evacuation order covered the Jabalia area and most Gaza City districts. Medics and residents said the Israeli army’s bombardments escalated in the early hours in Jabalia, destroying several houses and killing at least six people.

    In Khan Younis in the south, five people were killed in an airstrike on a tent encampment near Mawasi, medics said.

    NEW CEASEFIRE PUSH

    The escalation comes as Arab mediators, Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, begin a new ceasefire effort to halt the 20-month-old conflict and secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages still being held by Hamas.

    Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has heightened in the wake of U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    A Hamas official told Reuters the group had informed the mediators it was ready to resume ceasefire talks, but reaffirmed the group’s outstanding demands that any deal must end the war and secure an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal territory.

    Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, only in a deal that will end the war. Israel says it can only end it if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms.

    The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, Israeli tallies show.

    Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, displaced almost the entire 2.3 million population, plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis and left much of it in ruins.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Trade tensions and uncertainty cloud global economy: BIS

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    • Heightened policy uncertainty and fraying trade ties have weakened the growth outlook, while existing vulnerabilities compound the risks and make economies more prone to inflation pressures.
    • While central banks focus on price stability, governments must support structural reforms and manage public finances sustainably to foster growth to meet future needs.
    • The increased role of non-banks, including a shift towards financing public debt, brings stronger international transmission of financial conditions and also financial stability risks.

    Trade tensions and heightened uncertainty cloud the outlook for growth and inflation and risk exposing deeper fault lines in the global economy and financial system, the Bank for International Settlements said in its flagship economic report. It called on policymakers to step up as a stabilising force.

    The BIS’s Annual Economic Report 2025 says prospects for the global economy have become much more uncertain and unpredictable in recent months, with trade disruptions roiling financial markets and threatening to reshape the global economic landscape.

    These developments are unfolding in a world already grappling with economic fragmentation, declining productivity, high and rising public debt, and a growing footprint of less regulated nonbank financial institutions. Public policy is crucial as a stabilising force. Policymakers must act decisively on multiple fronts to ensure price stability and promote sustainable economic growth while preserving economic and financial stability.

    Agustín Carstens, General Manager

    The report analyses vulnerabilities in the real economy and financial system including:

    • Shifts towards greater economic fragmentation and protectionism, further exacerbating the decades-long decline in economic and productivity growth across many economies.
    • Scars from the post-pandemic inflation surge, which could leave a lasting imprint on household inflation expectations.
    • High and rising public debt, increasing the financial system’s vulnerability to interest rate rises while reducing governments’ ability to respond to new shocks.

    The report also presents the results of a deep dive into global financial conditions. Structural shifts in the global financial system have led to tighter links between financial markets, reflecting the rapid growth of sovereign bond markets and a bigger role for non-banks such as investment and hedge funds. The greater connectedness is underpinned by the expansion of FX swap markets that allow asset managers to invest globally while hedging currency risk.

    The reshaping of the financial system in recent years means that financial conditions are transmitted more swiftly across economies. The increased footprint of non-banks in the financial system in tandem with the growth in bond markets also brings financial stability risks. Institutions and activities that pose similar risks should be regulated with similar stringency.

    Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of the Monetary and Economic Department

    Other public policy priorities include long overdue structural reforms to address the persistent challenges of low productivity growth and make economies less rigid, the BIS said. Removing barriers to trade would help offset the damage from trade conflicts. Fiscal policy must ensure that the trajectory of public debt is sustainable and restore space for supporting the economy when needed. Central banks must retain their focus on keeping prices stable.

    The experience of recent years has been a sharp reminder that price stability is the cornerstone for sustainable growth. For households, price stability means safeguarding the value of their hard-earned money, ensuring that what they save today maintains its worth tomorrow. Stable prices create the foundation for families to plan their futures with confidence, businesses to invest and grow, and economies to thrive. In an era of heightened uncertainty, preserving this foundation is more important than ever.

    Agustín Carstens, General Manager

    A special chapter, “The next-generation monetary and financial system”, was released on 24 June.

    The BIS also publishes its Annual Report 2024/25 today. It highlights the achievements of the BIS’s most recent medium-term strategy, Innovation BIS 2025, and shows how the BIS has supported stakeholders during the year.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sustaining trust and stability

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

    Thank you for joining us at this pivotal moment for the global economy. As we gather here today, we find ourselves at a crossroads – one shaped by challenges that are both immediate and structural. At the same time, we also have opportunities to reshape and improve our monetary and financial systems.

    Just a few months ago, the near-term outlook for the global economy was favourable. After the Covid-19 pandemic and a struggle to restore price stability, a soft landing was finally in sight.

    But, as history has shown us time and again, stability can be elusive. In early April, larger-than-expected tariffs were announced by the US administration. This fraying of long-established economic ties came on top of other policy ruminations in the United States that stoked concerns about policy direction and stability.

    These events jolted the global economy. Asset prices swung wildly. Growth forecasts were cut.

    The global economy entered a new era of heightened uncertainty and unpredictability.

    Yet, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the global economy faced serious challenges even before these tumultuous events. Productivity growth has been persistently weak in many economies. Fiscal positions are fragile. Financial vulnerabilities have built up, often in opaque ways. These challenges are compounded by the threat to prosperity from active conflicts on multiple continents.

    So, where do we go from here? How do we navigate these turbulent waters?

    Trust and policy

    Let me begin by emphasising a principle that lies at the heart of successful public policy: trust.

    Trust in public institutions, in central banks and in the very foundation of our economic systems – money itself. Today, as we face new uncertainties, this trust remains essential. It is the bedrock upon which economic stability is built.

    Trust cannot stop at monetary policy and the door of the central bank. It must extend to every aspect of public policy. People must trust that policymakers and elected officials will act to advance legitimate objectives and will do so effectively. They must trust that the foundations of our economic systems are sound. And they must trust that innovation will be used to benefit society, not merely disrupt it.

    This year’s Annual Economic Report reflects on these important themes. It reviews the state of the global economy, examines the key policy challenges and takes a closer look at two critical issues: how financial conditions are determined in today’s evolving global financial system and how the future monetary and financial system will be designed.

    From soft landing to turbulence and uncertainty

    In early 2025, the global economy appeared to be on track for a soft landing. Inflation was either on target or converging to central bank targets. Labour markets had largely normalised. The global economy was expanding at a respectable pace. And the mood in financial markets was growing more upbeat. To be sure, challenges were on the horizon for policymakers. But it seemed, for a moment, that the worst was behind us.

    The outlook has since darkened. The announcement of broad-based US tariffs sent shockwaves through markets. Trade policy changes have been accompanied by the prospect of an ambitious fiscal expansion, questioning of central bank independence, discussions about penalising foreign holders of US securities and challenges to the legal system, among others. The repeated cycle of announcements, adjustments and reversals has fostered an atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability.

    The market reaction was telling. Volatility soared. The US dollar depreciated even as government bond yields rose – an extraordinary, troubling combination. These unusual dynamics led to speculation in some quarters about the US dollar’s long-standing safe haven status.

    Some of the more extreme policy changes that triggered market reaction seem to have been walked back. This has prompted a recovery in markets. But there is still very little clarity about the eventual scope of trade and other key policies amid the daily flow of ruminations.

    Reverberations will make their way through the global economy, amplifying existing vulnerabilities. The full impact will take time to show.

    Tariffs remain at levels not seen in decades and will exert pressure on both output and inflation.

    In the meantime, elevated uncertainty may already be taking a toll. Firms are reporting delays in their hiring and investment decisions.

    Past bouts of uncertainty have typically been followed by weaker economic activity and, in particular, business investment. Consistent with this, growth forecasts have been revised downward. Confidence indicators point to deteriorating economic activity.

    Structural vulnerabilities in a shifting world

    The recent turbulence has exposed and amplified long-standing vulnerabilities in the global economy. These include structurally low economic growth, unsustainable fiscal positions amid historically high public debt and the growing footprint of less regulated non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). In combination, these developments make economies less flexible and less resilient. Policy is less able to respond when needed. And markets are more fragile and more likely to propagate risk.

    Rising trade fragmentation is particularly concerning. Globalisation has been a vital force in sustaining income growth. It has also facilitated technological diffusion through foreign direct investment, especially among emerging market economies. But growth in global trade slowed considerably after the Great Financial Crisis. The recent imposition of tariffs could intensify this trend.

    Tariffs are often justified as tools to address trade imbalances or protect domestic industries. Past experience tells us that they will not achieve these goals. Instead, they risk reducing economic growth further and exacerbating inflationary pressures. They will also make aggregate supply less flexible and economies more inflation-prone.

    The global economy is becoming less resilient to shocks. Population ageing, climate change, geopolitical tensions and a less elastic supply side all contribute to a more volatile environment. Inflation expectations, already scarred by the pandemic, might be less firmly anchored. Households and firms, having been surprised by the persistence of inflation in recent years, might now be more sensitive to price changes.

    To address these challenges, structural reforms are essential to make aggregate supply more nimble. Policymakers must focus on three key areas: bolstering labour and product market flexibility, reducing barriers to trade and enhancing public investment. These reforms will not only strengthen economic resilience but also lay the groundwork for sustainable, long-term growth.

    The burden of debt

    High levels of public debt are a significant vulnerability that governments can no longer ignore. Since the Great Financial Crisis, public debt has reached levels near or exceeding peacetime highs in many countries. While high debt can be sustainable when growth is robust and interest rates low, today’s conditions are far less supportive.

    Rising interest payments, driven by higher rates and refinancing needs, are putting pressure on fiscal accounts and increasing fiscal sustainability risks. Already, there are signs of weakening investor appetite for government bonds and rising intermediation challenges. The absorption of debt issuance, particularly at longer tenors, has proved difficult on occasion. High debt may increase political pressures on central banks to keep interest rates lower than warranted by developments in inflation and output.

    High debt makes the financial system more vulnerable. Repricing of government debt can lead to losses for banks and NFBIs, tightening financial conditions and dampening economic activity.

    To minimise these risks, maintaining a credible and sustainable fiscal policy framework is critical. For some countries, this will require fiscal consolidation. For all, it will mean improving the “quality” of fiscal policy to make it growth-friendly.

    Fiscal authorities need to build capacity to confront future shocks. This will allow them to support the economy when required, and it will ease the pressure on monetary policy to be a source of sustained growth.

    The evolving financial landscape

    The global financial system has undergone profound changes in recent years.

    Two structural changes, in particular, stand out. The first is the shift in underlying claims from those on private sector borrowers to claims on the government. The second structural change is the shift in the source of funding from banks to NBFIs.

    The increasingly central role of NBFIs introduces new risks and challenges, including for banks. While NBFIs have brought innovation and diversity to financial markets, they are also more opaque and less regulated than traditional banks.

    The growth of private credit markets, for example, raises questions about credit quality and resilience in the face of economic downturns. A growing share of the long-term credit to small or medium-sized and highly indebted companies is now provided by private credit funds. While this has brought a range of benefits, we need to recognise the risks. The resilience of this young sector to a sizeable downturn in the credit cycle remains largely untested.

    Similarly, the greater role of alternative asset managers and hedge funds in key financial markets has raised the likelihood that financial instability could be amplified by liquidity stresses. NBFIs have facilitated the funding of governments, but often with financial engineering that can be fragile. Their complex leveraged positions are vulnerable to adverse shocks, as we have seen in recent years and will likely see again. This deterioration in market function has increased the likelihood of financial stress episodes triggering central bank intervention. Stablecoins, while still small, are also gradually emerging as another potential source of liquidity risk.

    Banks interact with the NBFI ecosystem through several channels. For example, banks provide liquidity to private credit funds through subscription lines, offer credit lines to hedge funds and collaborate in the securitisation of leveraged loans. Meanwhile, banks’ intermediation in repo and foreign exchange swap markets facilitates the growing footprint of internationally active NBFIs.

    We know that even safe, liquid claims can be at the centre of a stress event, with potential spillovers that tighten financial conditions for the real economy. These risks to the safety and soundness of the banking system need to be carefully monitored.

    Together, these developments have heightened the sensitivity of financial conditions to global risk factors. Emerging market economies have long experienced the spillovers of financial conditions from advanced economies. As Hyun will discuss shortly, major advanced economies increasingly figure in the transmission of financial conditions, both as the originators and as the recipients.

    To address the risks presented by a larger NBFI sector, regulators must adopt a holistic approach. Banking and non-banking activities that pose similar risks should be subject to similarly stringent regulatory standards. Regulatory measures could entail a mix of activity-based and entity-based regulatory controls. This will help prevent the build-up of systemic risks and minimise competitive distortions among different providers of financial services.

    Central bank priorities

    Let me now turn to central bank priorities.

    As they face these new challenges, central banks can draw on the valuable lessons learned in recent years. The pandemic era has reminded us that inflationary pressures can arise from multiple sources, not just strong demand. Structural shifts and supply side rigidities mean that economic shocks may now have a larger and more lasting impact on inflation. The recent inflation surge has left scars on inflation expectations, making the role of independent central banks as trusted anchors of price stability more important than ever.

    Trade tensions exemplify the challenges central banks face. For some economies, recent developments will resemble a stagflationary shock. As such, they present a difficult trade-off for monetary policy. Central banks must carefully balance supporting growth and employment with preventing temporary price increases from turning into persistent inflation. Households, in particular, may show less tolerance for price increases and real wage declines following the sharp rise in living costs after the pandemic. If evidence of de-anchoring emerges, central banks must respond quickly and forcefully to inflationary shocks. The uncertainty surrounding the timing, magnitude and future trajectory of tariffs further complicates this task.

    Countries that have not imposed tariffs or retaliatory measures are likely to face something more akin to an adverse demand shock. As a result, the disinflationary effects in these economies, including from lower prices for goods, are likely to dominate. Economies in this group, particularly those where inflation is low, may therefore have greater room to continue supporting growth with monetary easing.

    For all central banks, three key lessons from the experience of recent years stand out. First, while inflation targeting should be symmetric, central banks should pay particular attention to preventing large inflation surges. Second, agility is key. Central banks must prioritise flexible tools, use balance sheets cautiously and rely on macroprudential measures to bolster financial system resilience. Third, humility is vital. Unexpected developments will happen. The use of alternative scenarios could help communicate the extent of uncertainty economies face. Scenarios do add complexity, but they can help clarify the central bank’s reaction function, thus helping households and businesses to navigate uncertainty and aligning their expectations.

    By staying true to their mandates and adapting to evolving circumstances, central banks can continue to anchor expectations and foster stability in an unpredictable world. This is the path to maintaining trust and contributing to sustainable economic growth.

    Building a monetary and financial system for the future

    Finally, let me turn to the future of the financial system. Digital innovation offers many promises. For one, technologies such as artificial intelligence should be part of the solution for monitoring financial market risks such as those arising from the growing heft of NBFIs. More importantly, digital innovation offers immense potential to transform the monetary and financial system. Technologies like tokenisation and programmable payments hold the promise of faster, more secure and more efficient transactions.

    Innovation must be guided by trust. Central banks have a critical role to play in ensuring that the foundations of the monetary system remain sound. This includes building on top of the two-tier system with central bank and commercial bank money at its core, providing regulatory frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships and articulating a clear vision for the future.

    By contrast, alternatives built on privately issued currencies, including stablecoins, fall short when set against the three key tests that money must fulfil to serve society. The first is the singleness of money, which is the acceptance of money at par with no questions asked. The second is elasticity, the ability to flexibly meet the demand for money. The third is the integrity of the monetary system against illicit activity.

    At the BIS, we have been working to shine light on developments in technology that may be harnessed by central banks. Major innovations like the entry of big tech into finance, central bank digital currencies and artificial intelligence are challenging and reshaping the financial system. Through the Annual Economic Report, we have worked – for each of the past eight years – to support the central banking community in understanding how to harness these innovations while preserving trust in money. This year’s chapter is in line with these efforts. We envision a next-generation monetary and financial system centred around a trilogy of tokenised central bank reserves, commercial bank money and government bonds. This system can set the stage for further innovation. It could enable seamless, automated transactions, reducing frictions and unlocking new possibilities for commerce and finance globally.

    Conclusion

    The challenges we face are formidable, but they are not insurmountable. By addressing structural vulnerabilities, maintaining trust in our institutions and embracing innovation, policymakers can help build a more resilient and inclusive global economy.

    Let us grasp this moment to lay the foundations for a better future – one that is defined not by uncertainty and fragmentation, but by stability, cooperation and shared prosperity. In times of great uncertainty, central banks can play a vital role as a stabilising force delivering on their mandates with the public interest and stability at the heart of policy decisions. This will foster trust and ensure the success of the policy response, for the benefit of all.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korean president names ministers, secretaries

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

    South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office on June 4, named six ministers and two senior secretaries, the presidential office said Sunday.

    Koo Yun-cheol, former vice finance minister, was selected to lead the Ministry of Economy and Finance and double as deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

    Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, was picked as education minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for social affairs.

    Jeong Seong-ho, five-term lawmaker of the ruling liberal Democratic Party, was nominated as justice minister, while the Democratic Party’s five-term lawmaker, Yoon Ho-jung, was named as interior minister.

    Kim Jung-kwan, president of the country’s major plant builder Doosan Enerbility, was nominated as industry minister, while former Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong was picked as minister of health and welfare.

    President Lee also appointed senior presidential secretaries for civil affairs and for non-governmental organizations as well as deputy chiefs of the National Intelligence Service.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • From WHO to ILO, PM Modi highlights India’s achievements in health, social security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is making steady progress across various sectors, particularly in healthcare and social protection. He cited major milestones such as the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the country Trachoma-free and the significant increase in the number of people covered under social security schemes.

    Addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’, PM Modi said that India is advancing in every sphere – from healthcare to social security – with a strong focus on inclusion and achieving saturation.

    He began by highlighting the nation’s success in eliminating Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection that can lead to blindness, calling it a major public health achievement.

    “A lot of you must have heard about Trachoma. There was a time when it was common in many parts of India. If neglected, this disease could lead to blindness. But we resolved to eliminate it, and I am delighted to share with you that the World Health Organization has declared India Trachoma-free,” PM Modi said.

    He credited the success to the relentless efforts of health workers and initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

    “This success belongs to our health workers who fought this disease tirelessly. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan played a major role in its elimination. The Jal Jeevan Mission also contributed significantly. As clean water is reaching households through taps, the risk of such diseases has greatly reduced,” he noted.

    The Prime Minister added that the WHO appreciated India not only for eliminating the disease but also for addressing its root causes.

    Turning to social security, PM Modi cited a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    “According to a recent ILO report, more than 64 per cent of Indians are now covered under some kind of social protection. Social security coverage in India is among the largest in the world,” he said.

    “Today, around 95 crore people are benefiting from various social security schemes, whereas in 2015, the number was less than 25 crore. This reflects a significant shift towards social equity,” he said.

    The Prime Minister said such achievements are a testament to India’s commitment to inclusive growth.

    “From health to social security, the country is moving forward with the goal of saturation. This is also a reflection of our commitment to social justice. These successes inspire confidence that the future will be brighter and India will become even stronger at every step,” he said.

    (IANS)